Attack of the Ninjas!!

So, after Abby got her yellow stripey belt from karate, the crazier members of the family decided to dress like ninjas and have a battle.  There was more dressing up than battling.

Karate

Abby with Sensei Lis

Abby finished her karate class she's been taking at the rec center.  It was for ages 5-7, so she was on the upper range of the kids in class.  So, kind of a lame class for her - but she enjoyed it.  The class lasted for 2 months and she had her final demonstration/belt test on Saturday.  It was, um, awesome.  Anyway, here's some video.  You don't have to watch them, but Abby would be happy if you did - then told her how great she is.  She likes stuff like that.

Abby doing some push-ups and sit-ups

The class wandering around, slowly throwing punches

So, I was unimpressed by the rec center karate class - but it was cheap and Abby had fun.  I'm probably going to put her in another rec center karate class when she turns eight so she can be with the older kids and hopefully learn a little more.  The other (non-rec center) classes are just very heavily involved and expensive, so I'm not ready to sign up for them.  We'll see what the future holds.

Oh yeah, one day the sensei called all the parents in with the kids and talked about the importance of not being stinky.  I thought it was funny, I guess one of the boys smells.

Happy Birthday Tom?

Tom had his birthday last Friday.  I confess, I didn't do a very good job of making it a great day.  He did get a delicious omelet in bed, though.  At least we started the day off right.  Sophie and I did some decorating and we even made a sign.  We went out to eat the night before, so birthday dinner was pretty uneventful - and unplanned.  I find myself doing that a LOT lately.  Dinner time rolls around and I have no clue what to make.  I ought to work on that.

I did get him a new video card, so that's been a good gift.  Anyway, here are some pictures.  Maybe next year I'll feel like doing something more.  (He did get to have a party/hang out night with his brothers on the day after his birthday - so hopefully it felt more festive for him.)  And the camera wasn't working for blowing out the candles.  This is about the only picture I've got.  I'm terrible.

It's warmish outside!

It is sort of warm outside, and I needed a good reason for Sophie to change out of her pajamas - so I had the little girls go outside to play.  They had lots of fun jumping on the trampoline together - it's been a while since they could.  They're pretty much the only bright spot in our drab winter-worn landscape!

This morning

This is how I found Alice this morning when I got her up.  Silly kid.

My Newest 2 Year Old

Alice had her 2nd birthday on February 2nd - Groundhog's Day.  She had a pretty great day - other than her chickenpox displaying themselves more prominently.  I wrapped her presents and put them on the hearth the night before.  She snuck upstairs and opened three of them without me there to stop her.  It's okay, she got so spread out the fun and she liked her presents too.

Alice and Sophie had a tea party with Alice's new tea set.  It was pretty adorable

We had a pretty normal day since I had to work, then Alice's grandparents came over for cake and ice cream after we finished dinner.  (Alice woke up late from her nap and was too cranky to eat her dinner without watching Dora at the same time.  I had to bribe her with watching a show on my laptop so she'd eat.  She was still watching when the grandparents came.)

Alice didn't quite get the candles out with her novice blowing techniques - she almost resorted to putting them out with her hands before Tom stepped in and blew them out for her.

Abby was Alice's present opening helper.  It suited both of them just fine.

Alice has been such a fun addition to our family.  She certainly has her own personality and quirks.  She is playful and fun and throws the most adorable tantrums.  (I won't think this in the coming months.)  Alice is my neediest child, she really likes her mom and likes it when I rock her before putting her to bed.  The other two didn't want any sort of cuddling until they've gotten older.  Alice likes to randomly count in Spanish - thanks Dora.  She is still a thumb sucker when she is really tired and is very attached to her blanket.  For now, she is still taking good, long naps.  I'm hoping this continues for a long time.  I think if we moved her out of her crib, she wouldn't nap anymore.  So, here's to many more nights in the crib!  I love my special little girl and I'm glad we can celebrate another year of having her in our lives.

Spots

Chickenpox!!