Elmo Party

Saturday, January 29, 2011






Brady and Cash had the fun opportunity to play with Elmo at Nolan's super cute second birthday party. On the way there, I told them who they were going to see and Brady quickly acted too cool for school and pouted that Elmo was for babies. Well, I don't know how much you could tell from the photos but Brady was probably more excited than any other kid there. As soon as Elmo walked in the front door, Brady started jumping up an down pointing, "It's him, it's him, it's really him!!!" He was star struck as opposed to Cash who just wanted to chill on my lap. Brady and the other kids had a blast dancing with Elmo and playing games with him. Ms. Kellie, the awesome party planner she is, had all kinds of fun and unique things for the kids. They even were able to eat blue jello from Dorothy's fish bowl. As you can see, everyone enjoyed it but Brady was not leaving until that fish bowl was empty. He had so much fun that I think next year he may want an Elmo party instead of a space party, hahaha!

Multicultural Day

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

I had the pleasure of volunteering at Little Lambs for their Multicultural Day. Each class had a chance to go to the atrium to explore all of the centers representing cultures from around the world. In the first photo, the teacher is demonstrating how every person has different colored skin with various bottles of skin toned paint. They were able to dress up in clothes and play in the home center with food from around the world. They also played with different musical instruments and were even able to make their own maracas to bring home. They even had real food to nibble on like yummy bean and cheese tacos or rice with soy sauce. Other activities were latin ball games, practicing using chopsticks, textile rubbings, building Egyptian pyramids with blocks, and painting self portraits. As you can see in the photos, Brady's favorite thing was dressing up in his sombrero and playing maracas with his buddies or "band" as he called them.

Class Pictures

Slime!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Houston National is now offering a monthly kids club at the golf course for kids ages five and up. We are super excited about this great addition to the club. This month "Mad Science" presented to the kids and sparked imaginative learning. The little scientists were even able to make their own slime to bring home. Brady loved it!

Abracadabra!

Saturday, January 22, 2011




Brady and Cash went to the cutest magic show at JD's birthday party. Cash thought he was doing his own magic tricks by holding his wand in is hat with no hands. Bravo, Cash! Brady went from a happy magician to a sad magician quick when the face painter did not understand that he wanted a dragon on his face instead of the smiley face he painted (which was pretty ironic). Needless to say, we have a few frustration issues to work on with Brady and need to learn some better ways to express our anger. After the party, the boys loved playing with their new hats and wands. Brady likes to pull things out of his hat or make things disappear. I have learned to work this to my advantage. For example:

Me: "Brady, will you get me a tissue?"
B: "No."
Me: "Can you make a tissue appear from your hat?"
B (excitedly): "Sure!"

Brady runs to the bathroom and sneaks tissue into his hat and puts it back on his head. Then he comes back, takes off his hat, waves a magic wand over his hat, and boom, I have tissue! Abracadabra!

Whee!!!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011
IT'Z




I can't tell who's having more fun on the rollercoaster, the kids or the moms, can you?

Alley Cats

Sunday, January 9, 2011





We had a blast on a family trip to the bowling alley. Brady and Cash were so adorable running back every time after they released the ball to see how many pins they knocked down. Regardless if they had a strike or gutter ball, there were a whole lot of high fives! Brady was so inspired by our trip, that he wanted to open his own bowling alley at home complete with a ball return and all. Such an entrepreneur!

It's a Wrap!

Saturday, December 25, 2010











After opening presents at our house this morning, we went to Uncle Steve's house to celebrate the Astolfo family Christmas. Granny and Papa gave Brady and Cash a box bigger than both of them. They couldn't wait to tear off the paper to see what was inside... plasma cars! They raced all around the house on them. Cash got tickled chasing Uncle Anthony around and around the coffee table. When Brady opened his new Leapster map from Aunt Therese who sadly could not come home this year for the holidays, he immediately pointed to Florida where she lives. After stuffing ourselves with Christmas lunch, we headed over to Grandma and Boompa's for the Bartels family Christmas. Uncle Scott gave the boys guitars which were the hit of the night. After many guitar performances, playing with our new toys and games, and eating even more food, it was time to call it a night.

"We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."

Christmas Morning

Saturday, December 25, 2010












"Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas!" Santa was good to us!!! Brady received his coveted Trio Batcave and Cash received his fireman backpack. They were lucky enough to get everything they wrote on their letters to Santa and more! They must have been very good boys! Cash liked dressing up like Super Why and Brady had fun flying with his new spaceship but you can see what they went back to plating with from the night before, their new policeman and fireman clothes!

Christmas Eve

Friday, December 24, 2010










"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there."

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve party in the anticipation of Santa arrivng. Brady and Cash were able to open one present from Grandma and Boompa. Cash was amazed at his GIANT firetruck and enjoyed pushing it around. Brady was awestruck and screamed "Whoa!" as he saw he was unwrapping a Trio box. It didn't take long before he realized it wasn't the prized Batcave yet he still had fun assembling his new Batwing. Sadly. Aunt Betty had to work Christmas day so she gave the boys their presents early as well. They liked all of them but I think their favorites were the policeman and fireman dress up clothes. They loved running around putting out fires and placing people under arrest. It was a riot! Lastly, we did a science experiment and made snow to sprinkle on the lawn in addition to our traditional reindeer food. Then it was time to put on our Christmas pajamas and make a plate of cookies and milk for Santa. Brady remembered we needed to do one last check up the fireplace to make sure it was clear for Santa and finally we raced to bed in the hopes of finding more presents in the morning.

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"