Karsten's special day

Since we didn't have a big birthday party with Karsten's friends from school, we told him he could have a special day of fun with Scott and I.  We had initially planned to go to St. Louis for the weekend, but plans changed and we decided to stay in KC.

Luckily, we have lots of fun options, but we narrowed them down to Lego Land then bowling.  We started the morning bright and early at Lego Land.  It has been a while since we went, so I don't think Karsten remembered too much about it, but he was excited!


These little bee-bees are the plastic pieces that are melted to construct Legos.  This machine would turn them so they would go into the maxhine to start the Lego building process.


In case you were wondering, Karsten is about 108 Legos tall.


They had a room with Star Wars themed Legos - it looked very cool, but honestly, we don't really know the movies or the characters well enough to know who they are.






Each Lego Land has a mini city that is based on the city where it is based.  W've seen the KC mini city before, but it's amazing each time.  The detail they have in each of the buildings is amazing.


In the replica of Kauffman stadium, they had a little pinbull like game where you could hit a ball into the outfield.


One of my favorite fountains in Kansas City - the Nichols fountain.


And check out the impressive replica of the Country Club Plaza.  It even has a horse drawn carriage and captures all of the architecture beautifully!


Look who we ran into!


Someone is having a good time!


Since we were in the first group into Lego Land, we had plenty of time to build Lego cars and race them down the tracks.








We shot at monsters on the Lego ride.  Scott was the big winner and saved us from the most monsters!


Lego Land has a 4D movie, and the movie they were playing today was about a race car.  At one point we got water droplets thrown on us when the car went in the water, bubbles rained from the ceiling when it was snowing and a big fan blew wind at us as the car raced down the road.

Shortly before going into the movie, Karsten was being kind of sulky.  I asked him what was wrong and he said that he wished Liam was with us.  Awww, what a good big brother.  Maybe he didn't want the one on one time with us as much as I thought he would.


Then we checked out the master builder class where Karsten built a dragon.  He did a great job listening to the teacher and following instructions.






Next, Karsten wanted to play in the giant jungle gym. When I came back from the restroom, Scott was happily entertaining himself building a house with the pink legos.




Next, Karsten and I road the spinning ships.  You pedal and pedal to get your ship to go high into the air.


A lego birthday cake for the birthday boy!


Karsten had requested enchiladas for lunch, so we headed to Ponak's. Ponak's has wonderful food and excellent margaritas.


Waiting a few minutes for our table didn't bother Karsten since he had his new Lego Batman to play with.


Yum, enchiladas!  I'm surprised he could finish them after the number of chips he ate!


Next up, bowling!  We explained about how bowling worked and Karsten thought we were saying 'bowly ball' so that's he called the ball the whole time.


We tried a few different ways for him to throw the ball - granny style or the more traditional throw with one hand.  It ended up being a hybrid where he threw the ball with two hands, but not between his legs.


The final score - I won!

Happy Birthday America!

After swimming in the morning, the boys rested in the afternoon so they would be ready for a BBQ and fireworks.  They were excited to wake up because everyone would be at our house soon, but this is the look of a half awake little guy.  Before rest time, he drew two pictures and wanted to give them to Eden.  He slept with them and was holding them behind his back so Eden would be surprised when she got there.


Karsten made a bunch of fun crafts at school this week - a robot, a hat, a patriotic turtle and Uncle Sam.


 

The robot he made was the perfect centerpiece for our buffet.  I added the 'fireworks' that he made at school and a flag - now he is a patriotic robot!


My mom brought doubled eggs (aka deviled eggs) and Jenn made this cool fruit kabob flag.


But who needs real food when Eden is making pizza?


I'm pretty sure that Liam would do most anything that Eden asks him to do, it's pretty adorable.  The kids got to eat together in the kitchen and the grown ups ate in the dining room.  When we came into the kitchen, this is what we saw.  How stinkin' cute is this!


Then, we loaded up and headed off to watch fireworks.  We left early to make sure we found a good place to park and claim a spot.  Jenn planned ahead and brought duct tape, pipe cleaners and glow sticks.


Everyone needs a 4th of July crown!  The crown is even cooler when you add glow sticks in the straws.


Karsten was pretty amused that Papa put on his crown.


Liam's turn for a crown!


Our little firecrackers!


Liam ran around using his straw/wand as a sword - he waved it around and said 'hiYA'.
 



Karsten had been working up the courage to go talk to the police volunteer who was making sure people didn't cross the barriers.  He was ready to go, then he decided that he didn't want to go alone.  Papa was more than happy to go with him - he told the volunteer woman to have a happy 4th of July, and she shook his hand and thanked him.  What a kind little guy he is.


The obligatory group shot!


Liam was afraid of the big booms from the fireworks, so he stayed close to Grandma so she could protect him .
 

Karsten was hard at work building something with all of his glow bracelets.
 

Ta-DA!  The finished giant necklace!


When the fireworks finally started, Liam wasn't leaving the safety of Grandma's lap.  He commented on the booms a few times, but otherwise sat back and enjoyed the fireworks!

Pool days

It's hard to believe that summer is almost half over and we haven't yet been to the neighborhood pool!  We need to make more time for the pool in July so the boys can put these swimming skills to work!

Scott was at a conference this week and brought the boys these 'super cool' shades.


They had their floaties and life vests and were ready for the water.  We lucked out and the pool was not busy!  However, the water was sooo cold!


After swimming for a while, we got out for a snack before we headed home. Liam treadded water for almost the whole time in the pool, so I bet his little legs were tired.  Karsten had fun practicing what he was learning at swimming lessons - floating on his back, jumping in, kicking, reaching with his arms - all good stuff!  




Cheers to more fun pool visits to come!

Mornin' time

The boys have a new game with the sofa pillows.  It's pretty easy, so anyone can play.

1. Lay out all of the pillows to make a bed
2. Tell someone to lay down, then cover them up with a quilt
3. The person sleeping then pops up and says 'Morning time', then the other person says nope, and pushes their head (gently) back down
4. Giggles begin!


Double the fun when they lay on top of each other.  I wish you could hear the giggles!

Wordless Wednesday - CHEESE!

Liam and People

Since Liam helps me drop Karsten off at school every day, he's always been very comfortable with all of the teachers and kids.  He would run around the halls, getting to where we were going before Karsten and I got there.

For the past two weeks, Liam has planted himself in front of me as soon as we step inside the school and says 'Mommy, care me. People boter me.' (translation: carry me, people bother me!).  So, I pick him up and he holds onto me tightly until he sees his friend Ms. Sharon.  He'll go with Ms. Sharon to get a 'nack' but when she brings him back, he wants to be picked up again where he used to sit next to Karsten at the table.

Just one of many phases he'll go through...

This picture is not exactly related to this post, but he's been doing this vogue thing with his hands when I snap pictures of him lately.  I wish I could figure out where he saw something like this that he thinks he's replicating!