Fourth of July Fun

Auntie Thotlady and Bramwell hanging out on the porch

At Uncle Bogey's and Auntie Thotlady's house this weekend. We played a really fun outdoor game called Ladder Ball. Everyone had fun playing. You throw these two balls connected by a rope and hope they land on the "ladder". The middle rung is worth three points, the top rung 2 and the bottom rung 1 point and you play until someone gets 21. Leo and Aidan played too. We had two matches boys against the girls and do you even need to guess who won? THE GIRLS of course!

Uncle Bogey and Aidan playing Ladder Ball

Aidan taking a turn at Ladder Ball

Aidan doing his celebratory dance!

We had a lot of fun on the fourth. In the morning we went down for a yummy breakfast at the hotel. Jason, Aidan and Leo went to the pool and I went to the gym and walked on the treadmill. Uncle Bogey came over and went swimming with the boys. They had a lot of fun. After swimming we showered and went over to Uncle B and Auntie T for a BBQ. We had lots of great snacks and burgers, hot dogs and beer--just like the fourth of July should be.

Arlene and Leo hanging out on the porch

Uncle Bogey teaching Aidan how to BBQ

Leo and Mommy chillin' in the backyard

Around 4:30 pm we drove back up to DC. The traffic was great, essentially non-existent and we buzzed home. Both of the boys took a long nap. We actually stopped at the outlet mall and bought Aidan two pairs of shoes - one for now and one we will get out when he starts school. We find the outlet mall the best place to buys kids shoes, either the Nordstrom rack or the stride rite outlet. Otherwise shoes are $40+ which seems insane to pay for a 6 year old. On the remaining ride home the boys were watching our ipods and were totally entertained.

Leo watching Cars on the ipod

Aidan watching Star Wars: Clone Wars on the ipod

Jason driving the long rode home - he really isn't picking his nose (or is he?)

Today we are going to Jake and Bec's house for another BBQ. Bec's always has yummy snacks and Jake always sets up fun games for us all to play. We are bringing a fruit salad, broccoli salad and beer and oh yeah, our Wii controllers!

Our Weekend

Our weekend has been filled with some relaxing, some Wii and hanging out with friends. Yesterday morning Aidan, Leo and I went to the Great Harvest Bread Company and got a pumpkin muffin and juice. They have one of the best pumpkin muffins. Upon leaving the bread store the "I need gas ding-ding" kept screaming at us so I figured I had better stop for gas. I hate getting gas and to be perfectly frank I was a bit annoyed at Jason for leaving the car empty. After that we went to Bed, Bath and Beyond (B,B&B) to buy a new toaster. Our toaster of six years finally conked out on us. You may remember that we got that toaster from Grandma Helen when we moved back from the states in 2003. If I remember correctly she didn't want it because it was too high-tech. I hope Grandma Helen is happy to know that we used and abused that toaster for six good years. After B,B&B we went home. I know I am going to come across as a wimp here but I could not manage another store. We were supposed to go to the grocery store too but lugging the kids around from store to store, on a busy crowded people day (from the stores to the roads) was really not my idea of a good time. I was spent, gave up and drove straight home.

The reason I wanted to go to the store is because I was planning to make chili yesterday. For some reason I was really craving chili. I didn't have all of the ingredients so I couldn't make it and was a bit disappointed when lunch came around. Nothing seemed interesting to me at lunch time and out of desperation I started rummaging around in the freezing when what to my wandering eyes did appear??? A plastic container that brought a sudden tear. It was full of Crow's Chili, the Chili Premier. Needless to say I was most happy.

Jason, Aidan, Marcia and Allen Wii Racing (Aidan beat everyone just about every time)

Coincidentally, we went to Gracie and Sabrina's house yesterday for dinner and Allen made, you guessed it, Chili! It was delicious as was everything else he made. He made tacos with chicken and poblano peppers, rice, and regular taco meat and for dessert we had blueberries, strawberries, pears and clementines. We had a great meal and played Wii and Wii fit. We played a car racing game and on Wii fit we walked a tight rope, did the down hill ski jump, and hit soccer balls with our head (and got hit a couples of times with shoes and other crazy things). It was a lot of fun. I think we'll save our money and try to find a Wii fit too. Aidan was cracking up when people crashed on the down hill ski jump and turned into big snow balls and when people fell off the tight rope.

Jason, Sabrina and Fairy Princess Gracie

Today I am making Chili - Ha! I'm trying a turkey chili recipe. If it is good, I will add it to my recipe list on the left side of the blog. I will make cookies too-I'm thinking chocolate chip oatmeal with a hint of cinnamon. We are having Aidan's friend from school (Kentaro) and his family over and we will make pizzas for dinner and play and visit with his family. I haven't taken a shower yet and it is almost noon but then again it is Sunday.

Bonne Dimanche!