Happy 6th Birthday, Isabel!

We had Isabel's birthday party at Kingdom of Bounce, which has a bunch of inflatable slides and obstacle courses. The kids had a lot of fun, but truth be told I think the real reason she wanted her birthday party there was so she could open her gifts while sitting on the giant inflatable throne!

On her actual birthday, we opened family gifts at home. Yes, those *are* donuts. She doesn't like cake and requested these instead. The birthday girl gets what she wants!

Defeating the Winter Doldrums

Sure, winter has been mild but this IS Ohio... it's cold outside. What to do with the kids? Well, bowling, skating, playing in the snow, and tricking them into thinking a shovel is a toy, for starters!

Home for the Holidays

More belated holiday posting! We were busy in December '11. We visited our local shopping mall Easton to see the lights and ride the trolley, hosted my dad and Pam, played 18 holes of Glow Putt, attended a cookie decorating party, visited our family in Cleveland, and opened lots and lots of presents.

A Tiny Thanksgiving

Yes, I know it's February 2012 but that's not going to stop me from posting about Thanksgiving 2011! This year we neither had visitors nor traveled to see family, so it was a small celebration for us. That meant that I was in charge of the feast all by myself... no help from Mom! I managed to have a decent meal though not nearly as elaborate as Mom can do. And how about that table decoration, folks? Leftover Halloween pumpkin + holly from the front yard = a free centerpiece.