Ziggy's Birthday: Part 6

One decision we made early on in this parenting journey was to opt out of "gifts" being a part of the Friend Birthday Parties. Oh, you know me. I hate having to ask other moms to have to spend big bucks and time and effort to get stuff for my kids that they really don't need. Oh, I know that some people really like to give gifts, but oh well. They'll get over it.

(*smile*)

Plus, what young child likes to watch another little boy open up a bunch of loot while he gets squat?

NO CHILD THAT *I* KNOW.

With that plan, we waited until the kids went home and Ma and Pa had recuperated enough to speak in complete sentences. Then the Zig got to open presents from the Grandparents (XOXO) and from us.

I'm not sure when he went and grew up, but my boy somehow got old enough to assemble his own Lego set:

And to play with the ever-popular, pattern blocks:

And in the theme of the party, he was given a little stuffed "Eve" and "WALL-E:"

And from us, he got a toy eagle:

That eagle is all part of a made-up story that Pa tells the kids every now and then. Each member of our family is part of the story, and we all have fancy Dragonslayer names and a separate animal to represent our part in the story. So for this birthday, not only did Zig get his animal, but everyone else got their "character" as well. And now the boys love to act out the story and it's all so cute and once again, shocker, that Pa is a creative type if I ever did see a creative type.

Meanwhile, I wash a mean sink-full of dishes.

And thus ends the Fifth Birthday Celebration of the Zig, circa 2009.

Ziggy's Birthday: Part 5

When Ziggy first started planning his party, he wanted a Spiderman cake. Oh, but wow, we'd done the Spiderman thing before, at Campers' birthday party a couple years back. After nearly eight years of Boy Parties, the superhero thing has grown a bit weary.

So, we managed to persuade Zig to choose a character he likes equally well--if not more than--the superheroes--WALL-E.

As usual, Pa decorated the cake.

Impressive, as always.

By the time we got back from the park, three of our neighbor boys had joined the party as well--thus bringing the Boy Count to a total of NINE.

(Deep breaths.)

The cake was a real hit with all of them, too:

Then came the best part, the eating following by laughing followed by eating, laughing, eating, falling off the bench, laughing, throwing food, laughing, and running around.

Boys. Gotta love 'em.

Especially the one who just turned five.

Ziggy's Birthday: Part 4

This is perhaps my favorite picture from the set "Six boys play games at Ziggy's party."

I'd like to say that this shot was staged, or that it was a temporary expression.

But I'd be lying.

(*snicker snicker snicker*)

Someone didn't like being stuck in a stroller while everyone else was having fun.

Oh, if that doesn't tell a bunch about her personality, I don't know what does.

Honestly, I had no choice but to keep her confined. Otherwise she would have been "ruining" everyone else's fun and running into the street to boot.

What you can't see in that picture is what she was saying as well.

It wasn't pretty.

But it made me laugh.

Oh, Suz. She'll get her tea parties and princess games someday.

Until then, she will get to practice up on her pouting.

A + + +.

(Cake pics coming next.)

Ziggy's Birthday: Part 3

Before I get all carried away talking about the games and such at Ziggy's party, let me just say this: You know that "Pa" character who hangs out in the background around here on this here blawg? Well. He is One Awesomesauce Pa who rocks at leading little kid birthday parties.

Betcha didn't see that one comin'.

All six of the boys at Zig's party had a great time, and Pa had them moving and laughing and gaming until the cows came home.

Don't know if I've told you this yet or not, but the theme for Zig's 5th birthday party was "WALL-E." That's based on a hit movie, for those of you in the audience who maybe aren't up on your animated films circa 2008.

The first game we played was a WALL-E relay, where the kids lined up and wore robot suits (paper bags) as they walk-raced around the trees.

Then it was off to play WALL-E-BALOO, which is like "Hullabaloo," which is like "run around and step on whatever piece of paper we say until you're worn out enough to be managed by two tired adults."

And then, because the temps were in the upper 80s that day, we pulled out the water balloons. First, a water-balloon-on-a-spoon relay. We used white balloons to represent the movie character "Eve."

But a water balloon on a spoon was not exciting enough, so it naturally evolved into this:

Mmm-hmmm. A water balloon toss and then a free-for-all and then it was time to wrap up the games. But what could possibly be more fun than getting wet?

Oh. Eating cake.

More pics to come.

Ziggy's Birthday: Part 2

For the first time in five years, it wasn't scheduled to rain on Ziggy birthday. So I finally made the "birthday party plan of my dreams" by hosting the party at a park.

Yes!

No house to clean!

I've always got the kids' best interest in mind, of course. I knew they'd love going to the park. Yes. That's it.

So we stuffed the stroller full of junk and hoofed it down to the park.

First on the itinerary was lunch. Hot dogs, chips, and Capri-Sun. Look at me, the nutrition nazi. But it was Ziggy's pick, and easy to haul to the park.

Outside of his siblings, Zig invited four other boys to his party.

Yes. That's a table full of boys, right there.

Honestly, it was a great group of kids. All friends of the Zig's, and calm, well-mannered children at that.

The boys on each end are friends from church, and the other two (non-orange-shirt-wearing) are boys (brothers) in our homeschool field trip group.

It was a beautiful day for fun in the sun.

More pics to come.

Ziggy's Birthday: Part 1

I always begged my mom for Cookie Crisp as a kid.

Do you think I ever got any?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

(No hard feelings, Mom. Really.)

(*sobbing*)

Well, I could buy some now, but why would I? Their sugar bombs! They'll rot my teeth! They'll send me into spazzy space!

But I digress.

Last year, Campers lobbied and nagged me enough to get to eat some Cereal Of His Choice on his birthday. So, you know, what I did for one kid I have to do for all the others.

All the children love the firstborn, for paving the way. Breaking in the parents. Training 'em up right.

I told the boys they could have ONE BOWL of Fruit Loops each day until the box was gone. Yessiirreee, I've never seen those Corelle bowls filled that full before!

So anyway.

My "baby" just turned five. He's been acting "five" for a few months now.

Here he is, waiting for his Ma to get everything ready for his party.

What a squash.

A squash who happens to be getting taller and taller and his legs are starting to go all the way to the floor.

(Campers hates that phrase. So we say it all the more.)

Lots more pics to come.

Ziggy's Sports Class

One of Ziggy's friends wanted to do a sports class with him, and the moms heartily agreed that it'd be great fun for us too. I don't know if the boys learned a lick about baseball, soccer, or basketball...but I do know that a whole lot of conversation can happen between two women and a half-hour in a gymnasium.

Zig let me take a couple of really amateur pictures of him in the gym:

That boy did have a lot of fun--and shock of all shocks--he showed some natural athletic ability.

Not that I was proud or anything, or compared his skills with those of the other four-year-olds. Noooo.

The coaches were a real hoot and had fun with the kids. That in itself was worth the price of the class. I'm not exactly a Party In A Box, if you know what I mean.

Once the rains come in full force, I plan on putting both boys in a class with a few of their friends. Just wanted you to be looking forward to more really lame photos and my propensity to brag.

Two Wheelin' Zig

My happy-go-lucky second born is now riding on two wheels:

It took him very little time, and nary a tear was shed in the learning process.

I hardly knew what to do without all the drama.

Not that there are members of this family who could've won an Emmy while learning to ride a bike. Nooooo.

So now Ziggy's right where his brother was a few months ago--wanting to ride Every Second Of Every Single Day.

If you need me? I'll be sitting outside. Moving my head from left to right. And then after that! Right to left.

This Little Ziggy Went To The Market

The Zig and I like to take the bus together to the market. Here he is waiting for it to arrive:

And with his find at the market:

Someone, stop the Scrumptiousness (and I'm not talking about the fruit):

But I'm biased. And he won't always have these small, pudgy hands, so I have to brag about them while I can:

Sweet, sweet Zig.

(And the cherries were good too.)

Strawberry Fields Forever

I chose the Saturday to go strawberry picking when I hoped to "beat the crowds." Well, we racked up one success after another, as we not only beat the crowds, we also beat the strawberries. White strawberries are edible, right?

Well anyway, we also beat the heat! The boys shivered as they gazed at the wide open field:


But we were not deterred. Campers picked some berries:


Zig ran down the "aisles." Maybe he was trying to keep warm.


What few berries we did find, the boys assured me they were good.


And here was the measly pile of berries:


Which were mostly picked by Yours Truly, and lasted about three minutes after we got home.

Flying The Play Airplane Skies

Consolation prize at Susie's birthday party was a wooden airplane.

The boys loved them.

Including Pa the Cool Dude Cousin.

Campers even tore himself away from the party to pull out the paints all by himself, leaving them unattended to give a little extra weight decoration to one of the wings.

But all good things must come to an end. This Ma (accidentally!) bumped Zig's toy with her hip, grounding the plane. (Yes, my hips are that wide.) And soon after that, I clumsily stepped on and crushed the wing of Campers' plane.

Can't take me anywhere.

Friendly skies, my foot.

Literally.

It's Good Posture Night At Concerto Latino

You might recognize this picture:

The boys were all downtown with Pa, attending a free concert at the library.

The music was a mix of Latin sounds — traditional, mariachi, Latin Jazz, Brazilian, Andean and a touch of flamenco. Besides the lively music, Pa said he had never heard White Folk speak such fluid Spanish before in his life.

Might be because that was their native language.

We don't get out much, you see.

And we never realized the 1800 stereotypes we had until they slapped us in the face.

Speaking of needing a slap in the face appropriate concert behavior, the boys' posture slowly deteriorated as the concert went on, until they ended up like this:

Even the liveliest music couldn't compete with gravity.

This educational, ethnic and musical post was brought to you by the Letter Zzzzz.

Brings New Meaning To The Phrase, "Fake Smile."

Before a picture is taken, Campers will ask all snarky-like, "Am I supposed to SMILE for this picture, or what?"

And Zig just puts on his happy face, which needs a little help from the hands.

Reason # 1358 why we never go to Sears Portrait Studio anymore.

City Livin'

Here's what city livin' will do for ya.

Zig's smokin' a cigarette, the boys are holdin' hands. I'll bet my bottom dollar Campers is sayin' something he shouldn't, too.

Just kidding, Mom.

Because He's Cute, That's Why.

Manhood

Zig: "Observe my manhood, as I ride my pink Barbie bike."

"See? I've even got the women trained the way I like 'em."

[Insert all sorts of snarky stereotypical statements.]

[Things I will not type here lest they get me in trouble.]

Dragon Dance

Remember this?



It became this:

And this:

There is no end to the cultural entertainment.

Music Class

Our city's symphony travels about and does these little lesson type gigs four times each year, aimed at the grade school audience. And glory hallelujah, our local public school allowed this Ma and two of her Mama-lings to pass its sacred doors.

Campers and Zig tagged along with me on my field trip (aren't they gracious), wearing their Aren't We Geeks To The Core Matching Shirts.

We are high class, for sure.

Well, at least it wasn't the Batman shirt. And no kidding, I had to make a Superhero-sized promise that Zig would get to put his Everyday Attire Back On As Soon As We Walked In The Door (which he did).

So here's the Campers, Teacher's Pet Deluxe:

I mean, what other kid would request to sit by his teacher?

Yep, mine.

So this music lesson was all on the percussion family of instruments, specifically using the kind of instruments that can be found in a home:

In the picture above, I believe the musical ditty showcased a kitchen chair, a cabinet door, and some wooden toy blocks.

And below is the plastic number, where the instruments were many things, but shown are plastic bags and water bottles:

It was entertainment at its finest. It's not like my boys needed the encouragement to "make noise" with "things around the house." But nonetheless, they enjoyed the program and so did I.

On another note.

No pun intended.

(None taken!)

It was nice to be out in public, that place we try to go to at least once every six months or so. There were probably about 50 other kids in the audience, and of those--(I counted!)--there were three Caucasians. (Not including us.) And it wasn't red and yellow, black and white. It was reddish-yellow, blackish-white, and every other conceivable color in the rainbow we call "race." (No green skinned kids, though.) And seeing that sparked a moment of contentment in me, knowing that Pa and I had desired to live amongst such diversity for a while. So it was great to get out, and get some edge-yoo-ma-kay-shun in the process, of the musical, intellectual, and social varieties.

Now pardon me while I hide all things made of wood or plastic from the boys.