Fun in a Field

Simon got two real rockets for his birthday, and Zac finally had a chance to assemble them and I was finally doing well enough to leave the house for several hours, so on Sunday morning we headed to Dorothea Dix Park (which is really just a big field--it was our virtual back yard when we lived in our first apartment in Raleigh). I remember jogging past the field and always noticing people flying model airplanes or kites. While we were there today, there were people flying several cool model airplanes and a couple of drones, which were really fun to watch.

While I set up camp (folding chair and cooler for foot elevation) in the shade of the trees that border the field, Zac and the kids had to head to the hot middle of the field so the slight breeze wouldn't cause the rocket to land in the trees.

Here they are, ready to launch rocket #1 (which, due to an assembly mishap, would only get to blast off once).

Here's what things looked like from where I sat (although I could see the rocket a little better than the video implies).

The other rocket could be used over and over (until they ran out of fuel).

After the rockets were all spent, they came back to the shade for a picnic on Alice's new picnic blanket from Grandma Shogren. (I stayed in my chair with feet propped, but picnicked with them in spirit.)

Then, they enjoyed other field activities, such as chasing bubbles, flying kites, and throwing balls.

Chalk Trails

Our kind neighbor got both of our kids birthday presents.  Alice got a stone turtle she could paint (which she loved) and Simon got this cool chalk trail attachment for his bike.

Cavities

I had to take Simon into the dentist this morning to have his teeth operated on for two cavities.  He did all right, but it was absolutely horrible for me. No more gummies for this kid!

The pediatric dentistry practice we go to is awesome with the kids, and it was interesting to watch how they really had every part of the procedure down to a science, combined with the fine art of keeping the kid happy or distracted. They gave Simon laughing gas during the procedure, which didn't put him out, but it kept him docile.  I think it also made him forget what happened during the procedure.  He did well most of the time, but near the end kind of had a panic attack.  But once it was all over, he was happy as a clam and not the least bit traumatized.

Here he is right afterwards, as they're flushing out the laughing gas with oxygen.  I thought his spirit had died.  Look at those eyes!

But he was totally fine, and my happy Simon returned within minutes.

Seven-Year-Old Smiles

Sometimes I just look at Alice, and it's like when you've looked at the same word repeated over and over again and it suddenly seems unrecognizable. Who is this girl? Where did she even come from?

Presents from Grandma Cam and Grandpa Don

Simon was pretty excited to receive a box full of presents in the mail!

And a card with googly eyes!

I told Simon with his new globe ball, we could practice the around the sun ceremony at home....

The pipe cleaners proved the most popular, as the kids came up with creative designs.

Marbles Morning

It was rainy Sunday morning, so Zac took the kids to the only indoor place for a rainy Sunday: Marbles.  It looks like they have some new play areas there. He also took them to see a 3-D nature documentary at the adjacent IMAX theater, which they all enjoyed.

It's always fun to gaze at the skyline from the parking deck!

Water Balloons

Simon got some packs of easy-fill water balloons for his birthday, so after supper today our kids invited the new neighbor kids over for a water balloon fight.  Aside from Alice's point-blank attacks, it seems to have gone well and everybody looked like they were having fun.

Portraits at Prairie Ridge

Zac took the kids to Prairie Ridge for the day since although I'm doing better, I'm still in no shape for leaving the house (or being far from a bathroom) for very long.  He took some portraits of our cheeky children, and of course, documented some of the fun.

  

Hammock Time

My friend Laura felt so bad for me for being so sick that she sent me a get-well present: a hammock!  Since we already have one down in the backyard by the pond, we decided to try putting this one on our deck for easy access.

Around the Sun - barely

On Monday we had Simon's Around the Sun birthday ceremony at daycare. It was the usual fiasco. Our kids always crack and crumble under pressure.

Well, at least that's over with, and it's the last one. 

Simon's 5th Birthday!

We started the morning of Simon's fifth birthday with the traditional cake reveal. I don't know why Simon reverted to baby talk for this event--probably overly excited.

Then, after having his favorite breakfast (crepes with powdered sugar) we headed to the pool for a playdate with Donovan.

Simon had apparently been squatting on the edge of the diving board for quite some time when I came out of the bathroom. I thought I could trigger a jump by newly arriving on the scene and telling Simon I was making a video to show the grandparents.  It worked!

We stayed at the pool until nearly 3pm because the kids were having so much fun.  We finally headed home where Simon spent some time with his other friend: a little black beetle he found when we were leaving the pool.

We had Simon's favorite supper: grilled salmon, green beans, and couscous.

Then it was time for cake!

Finally, it was time to open the birthday presents!

Simon got an analogue wristwatch (which he can read accurately to the minute),

a clock for his bedroom,

a launching rocket,

and a proper bug house.

He quickly transferred his beetle to his new home.

What a great day with this wonderful, cute, sweet five-year-old!

Simon's saddest day

Today is the last day I will have ever have a 4-year-old child.

When I told Simon it was the saddest day because he would never be four years old again, he assured me that he would still be fun as a five-year-old.

Contrast: Fierce Fangs and Cute Kitten

Alice and I tried on some fangs from the goody bag from Parker's birthday party.

Then Alice played with a Facebook feature on my phone that can do things like this:

Isn't this the most adorable creature you've ever seen?

Cool people

Grandpa Arcaro dropped by for a visit Friday afternoon, and he an Alice exchanged sunglasses.