baby superheros

We went to the library today as we do a couple of times each week. Our library is the coolest. There are about twenty different capes the kids can dress up in when we're there. The boys LOVE this. They go right to the pegs and pick one out each time. Luke even loves it. 

 

This is a random picture of Lukenator. He was babbling in baby talk while I was trying to take this picture. I think it's hilarious. He tried to talk all the time, but only says 3 or 4 words that are understandable. Cute 14-monther.

 

He's watching his brothers try to fly with their capes.

Look... Joshua actually succeeded. :)

Remind me why we bought beds for our children?

More Trouble

An Olympic Birthday

Candace had a really fun birthday celebration. On her birthday we went to Olive Garden and she got a camera from us and her grandparents. She loves it. She is continually taking pictures and having me upload them to her blog. So check out her blog when you get the chance. The url is:

http://candacenicoletaylor.blogspot.com

Then today we had an Olympic themed birthday party for her, her brothers and a few friends. They had a lot of fun. We had Opening Ceremonies where we designed and painted our own flags. Then we had the Procession of Athletes where they followed Candace (who carried the Olympic torch, of course) around the house and down a few houses. We had several Olympic events including the balloon smash, shooting hoops, three-legged race and water balloon toss. Unfortunately the grass popped most of the balloons intended for the balloon smash before the kids could get to them, but they still had a great time. The water balloon toss disintegrated quickly into an all-out water balloon war. Then we let the kids run through the sprinklers. It was the "hottest day of the year" and the kids really enjoyed the water activities. We opened presents and ate cake and ice cream and then we had the Closing Ceremonies complete with a presentation of Olympic medals. 

Here they are painting their flags. Candace's flag has the letters KCL on it (Kid Can Live). 

Seven years old! That's a lot of candles. Candace wanted a swimming pool cake.

Tasty tasty cake and ice cream. 

Here are some more detailed pictures of the cake. It was a lot of fun to make. The candy legos made up the outside. Then I frosted a chocolate cake with blue (water) frosting. The lane dividers were made with candy necklaces. The people were made from dum-dums, peach rings and licorice. The person in front is in an inner tube. The next person back is supposed to be swimming. The there is someone trying to climb out of the ladder. The last person is supposed to be playing in the water, but Levi insists that he's drowning. Then the masterpiece of the diving board, made with licorice and an airhead. I put the airhead in the freezer until right before we set the cake out, because it held it's shape much better. 

Look at how awesome the legos looked. It was a lot of fun to make. And notice the water. It looks so real! :)

One last look at the really realistic swimmer.

Candace modeling her Olympic medal. You can also see her awesome flag in the background (Kids Can Live).

A Boy's Boy

We were struggling to get the children ready for church on time (as usual). Candace and Joshua were not completely dressed but had escaped to the side of the house and were playing in the dirt. I went out and demanded they come back in, out of the filth, so that could finish getting ready. Candace stooped down to grab a "special rock," (just any old rock) that she placed into her purse before coming back in. Joshua walked over into the grass, stooped down, and appeared to grab something and then came in to the house.

Once in the house, with Natalie buttoning up his vest, he offered up this unsolicited morsel, "I don't have anything." Of course, that means he does, so Natalie inquired, "What do you mean you don't have anything? What do you have, Joshua?" "A rollie pollie." "Where?" continued Natalie, noticing he wasn't holding anything in his hands. "In my pants."

That's right, Joshua was walking around with a bug in his pants. I think there's a poem about this.

Luke digging in the mud puddle the kids made. 

Santa Fe are you there? Do you swear you won't forget me?

Grandma Gail and Grandpa Wayne got these great cowboy hats for the kids. They love them and wear them a lot. 

Candace played in her last softball game today. She did a great job and had a fun season. 

This morning I poured the children's cereal, but we're out of 2% so I had to use whole. Before I poured I asked if whole was okay. Excerpt:

Me: "Is whole milk okay?"
I hold up the jug for them to see.
Candace: "Yeah, that's okay."
I pour hers. Joshua nods, so I pour some in his, too.
Levi says nothing, but I assume he's fine with the change,
so I pour about a cup and a half and then recap the milk.
Levi whines out, "I wanted the whole milk!"