Gabe's Birthday at the insane yet efficient Chuck E Cheese

CHUCK E CHEESE

For Gabe's birthday (post birthday birthday party) we went to Chuck E Cheese with about 9 of Gabe's friends.  It was like a party exploded all over the place and children were flowing out of it.  I think there were about 5 birthday parties going on and numerous other children just there to burn some energy.  However, amidst all the chaos it was a tightly run ship.  For the most part. The kids played video games and burned through their coins for one hour.  Then we were all called to our table to eat pizza and enjoy the Chuck E Cheese show.  I must admit that the show was kind of on the measly side. But my memory may be decieving me. I remember Chuck E Cheese's being HUGE! There was an enormous stage, up in front. When the lights went dim and the spotlights would start flashing and we knew it was time to run to the front to watch all the robot characters start singing. I thought it was magical! What happened to all of that? Anyway, Gabe got to hang out with Chuck E himself and I guess he was sort of excited.  The highlight was the ticket booth - Gabe got to catch the tickets as they blew all around him.  He caught the magic tickets and ended up with 1480 tickets. That got him the crazy blue ball that the boys promptly turned into a hat when we got home.  See picture of Sammy below.  All in all it went pretty well.  I didn't have to do a whole lot of work, which is what I wanted in the first place.

Burning through his coins.

Just barely letting Chuck E touch him.  I am okay with that.

Inside the ticket booth.  Very exciting.

Displaying the magic tickets.

Sam modeling Gabe's loot.

Just some of my mishmash

Ben composed a schedule for himself on Sunday and was able to accomplish everything on the list before 12:00 pm - right before it was time to get ready for church.  Gabe added his own flair to the list with sosij and pancacso - otherwise known as sausage and pancakes. FYI - Ben didn't write an entire book, merely added about 50 words to the book he is writing - "The Ninja's Quest".  You can look for it in about 5 years.

On to other mishmash. Tonight Ben let is slip that Dad is his favorite. I don't think he was trying to be discreet because it was during dinner so of course I overheard. I mentioned that I might be a little be hurt about this to which Ben responded, "I like you too Mommy, but Dad is just so awesome!" Boo Hoo. I guess it is just a good reminder that I have been a little bit too much of a taskmaster these days.

 

The trick is to remember to be silly... they love it when I am absurd and silly.  You know what one of their favorite games with me is?  I pretend like they are naughty little cats and they are not allowed in my kitchen. When the try to come into the kitchen I spritz them with a water bottle and growl "Get out of my kitchen."  This game tends go on for quite some time.  It is time to get out the water bottle.

 

Now to food.  For dinner I made another meal from Cook's Country.  For dinner I made Weeknight Spaghetti and Meatballs.  I would give it about a 6 out of 10.  I like a little bit more flavor in my sauce, but it was still pretty good. I liked that it was fast. The boys needed a little coaxing... but they loved the meatballs.  Sam, who loves pasta, gobbled up every last bit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sammy and his blankie and Oberweis

Sammy loves to snuggle blankie, no matter where it is. He will prostrate himself and bury his nose in his blankie. Ahhhhh, l'amour.

For an FHE treat we drove to Oberweis, a local ice cream shop in the St. Louis area and I have discovered a most delicious treat - Hot chocolate with cinnamon ice cream mixed in. MMMMMMMMMMM!

Gabe and Ben enjoyed a game of chess.

We tried to keep Sam from eating the chess pieces.

Sammy enjoying his chocolate shake on the floor.

Sammy trying to fingerpaint with chocolate shake on the floor.

Gabe's 6th Birthday

Gabe had his 6th birthday yesterday. We had a small family celebration and he opened presents from family - Grandma's and Grandpa's too.

After he blew out the candles on his cake he started ti giggle. Mike asked what he wished for and Gabe said,"I wished for big boobies!" I think it really scared Mike.  But no worries, our son is not in jeopardy of becoming transgender or a major body builder.  Gabe is merely quoting his favorite "Americas Funniest Video" clip in which a girl wishes for big boobies. Also he likes to say boobies.

I am sure you can guess what he is giggling about....

Gift from Grandma Millie and Papa, he has more enthusiasm than he is showing here.

Gift from Grandma and Grandpa Fairchild

Hello Again!

Here we are! Living in Missouri - the "show me state". FYI I looked up why it is called the "show me state" and there are conflicting stories. Basically it means, "oh yeah? Well show me!" Less talk, more action. I think. Google it.

Life has been interesting since we left PA. We were living in a Residence Inn in O'Fallon. The staff was lovely and the hotel was actually a pretty decent place to stay... if you didn't have three busy little boys. I didn't blog because I was just trying to survive.

The Pros of living in a hotel was I had no other obligations and was able to spend a lot of time with the boys and just play with them. That was also one of the cons... not a lot of room to escape. Did I mention that it was above 100 degrees outside almost every day? We were on the fourth floor too so it got a little warm sometimes. Fortunately we had an indoor pool and we escaped there almost every evening.

Here are some pictures from our hotel living experience.

Of course most of the pictures are of Sammy, and rightly so - he is so dang cute and funny. Besides, his life needs to be chronicled. I will write more later!

Catching Up

So not a whole lot has been going on in the Fairchild household lately.  Lots of routine stuff - same drill different week.

However, the boys manage to keep life interesting. Gabe is always coming up with cute phrases... every day he will say to me at about 10:00 or so - "Mama, I have something I need to tell you." My heart races a little bit because generally this is followed by some kind of confession.  Not for Gabe.  After I say (calmly) "What do you need to tell me?" 

"Mama, I would like a go-gurt."  Whew.  I can handle that.

One of the morning routines is Mike chases after the boys to grab a hug and kiss and Gabe will yell (while laughing) "Why don't you pick up somebody your own side."  It's just cute.

Sammy is getting so big.  He is mushy, squishy, smiley, and oh so cute. On Sunday, during church, one of my friends, Owenna, pinched Sammy's leg and said, "Oh!  He is so soft!" It's true. He is yummy.

Halloween was fun - we went to my friend Tamara's house and had a yummy dinner and took the kids out to get loaded up on candy. Being paranoid about candy and Ben's nut allergy I remind him several times "Don't eat any candy until we get home!!" Poor kid. I'm sure he loves being nagged that whatever candy he consumes needs to be pre-approved. The boys wanted to be ninjas so we bought them some costumes.  I think I am done buying costumes. I hope to make some next year.... well I guess we'll see. Truth be told, we will probably just buy. I am inspired by some friends of ours who always make their costumes and they are FABULOUS!  This year they were Lego guys - LIFESIZED!  Blake, who is 4 1/2 (Gabe's best buddy) was dressed as Lego Indiana Jones.  It was too great!  I just have to attach the picture because it is worth seeing.



Marin is the big Lego guy and Blake is Lego Indiana Jones.  Awesome, eh?


On to our photos.

Cute Baby!

My favorite Ninjas.

Ben reading the paper in his suit.  Doesn't he look like a little businessman?  I love these pictures!

Gabe sleeping in his Santa nightcap - Naughty or Nice?

Pictures from Longwood Gardens and Ott's Mum Hill