Augustine's 6th

My parents are renovating both bathrooms in their house right now, so for the first time - I think ever - we hosted our kid's birthday party. It went well because it was a beautiful morning, so we could be outside. 

The long driveway is great for tables. Shady too. 

Mom & Dad, year six. We keep the guest list to family and Godparents because that makes 30 people, which is a lot. Augustine really wanted a friend party this year, and I think I've decided that from 1st grade on that will be just fine. Six years of family parties (times 3 kids a year) is a lot for me to manage. 

Fr. Sparling had this piñata riding around in his trunk for a year and happily surprised Augustine with it for his party since it just happened to be Paw Patrol themed. Thanks Fr. Sparling! It was a hit! I put little bags of pb & chocolate cereal inside...to look like puppy food. 

I set up water play stations and everyone was happy.  They played in the basement a bit too. 

I made a foot washing station so my house wouldn't be a grassy mess. It worked!

I found free printables on Pinterest, and cute cups at Dollar Tree. We already had the tippys. A friend is sharing Paw Patrol decorations with us so we put those up too. 

Grandma Kathleen and I made a salad bar for lunch, and Grandma Susan worked her cake magic for dessert! The kids had hot dogs wrapped in a breadstick...Augustine's favorite lunch.

We always have his party early due to his actual birthday being in the middle of fall outreach (Read: Logan's busy time at work). His only request for his actual birthday is donuts from Conroy's. Can do. 

My cousin was in town from Milwaukee so we took the traditional second cousins photo on my porch. Elias was sleeping I think.  

We also took a first cousins photo. (Ug, baby weight.) It was so good to be together with everyone who came. 

Happy Birthday Augustine! Six years old...I can't believe it. We love you!

Giant Chutes & Ladders

Win. I made the chutes and ladders out of paper so we could switch them around each game. 

Lewis liked rolling the giant dice. 

And then we added fire. One square would be on fire and we had to race to it and put out the fire. 

Struggle Bus

Elias has been riding it for a week now. I've wracked my brain on what it could be, took him to the doctor, and had my first cup of coffee ever. Yes, EVER because three choppy hours of sleep just doesn't cut it. And the big boys have watched more tv because more tv is better than a yelling, crying Momma. Rescue Bots is their new favorite. 

My conclusion is teething. 

Again with the must-touch-at-all-times routine. He wouldn't even let Logan hold him tonight. Elias would crane his neck to see me across the room on the couch and then cry. We are in survival mode. Sleep when you can and consume caffeine. Soda seems to bother my blood sugar nowadays (thank you, prenancy leftovers) and let's face it, it SHOULD bother everyone's blood sugar, so I made the switch. 

Cheers. 

Lewis Funnies

Lewis has been saying funny stuff lately. It's so cute that sometimes he smacks me out of a frustrating moment. 

He had a bunch of 'hood friends making dirt donuts the other day. He set it up and they just showed up because it looked so fun...and the kids don't play with mud anywhere else other than our house. ;)

He made himself a placemat with feathers and contact paper (thanks Grandma Susan!). The Pom-poms were fun but not flat enough. At one point he put a feather in front of that ac vent behind himself and it flew up in the air and onto the chair! He did it 100x more, complete with that many giggles too. 

He's been building this "house" lately. The other day:

Lewis: Mommy! Someone bake me house!

Me: I think it broke when you hit it as you walked by before. 

Lewis: did u bake it mommy?

Me: no

Lewis: the peacocks do it. 

-------

A: why does Gma Susan help Gma Helen so much?

{I explain why}

Me: when I can't drive anymore will u drive me places?

Both boys: yeah!

Lewis: mommy you can dive Moma Susan and Lulu's mommy when dey so old. 

-------

{as I'm kissing Elias' tummy}

Lewis: mommy! Tiss his guts! What guts?

Me: everything inside our bodies. 

Lewis: dat gwoss. 

-------

{Lewis yells in the car}

Me: Lewis, yelling isn't safe in the car. Why?

Lewis: mommy me take me shoes off?!

Me: no. Why don't we yell in the car?

Lewis: {took shoes off anyway} dis liddul piggy went to mahkut. Dis liddul piggy stay home. Dis liddul piggy have wost beef. Dis liddul piggy stay home in blue house. And dis liddul piggy say wee wee wee! Wee wee wee! Wee wee wee!

{mommy lets the convo go} 

-------

Me: Lewis, grandpa Mike got you a peacock feather at work today! Would you like to have it?

Lewis: with a peacock head on it?!

Me: no just the feather. 

Lewis: yeah! Me want dat. 

Discernment

I'm a firm believer that the more positive interactions with priests my kids can have, the more open their hearts will be to discerning their vocation well. They may not be called to the priesthood, but either way, they have an understanding that priests are regular people answering God's call, and it could be for them too. 

Last Sunday the assistant pastor at our parish texted me "what's for lunch?" and I replied "come on over!"  

He's a firefighter. Need I say more? He brought a few pieces of equipment to share with Augustine because he knows my kid's love for all things rescue. 

He taught us even more things we didn't know about equipment, dispatch, and siren tones. It was awesome. 

I love that Augustine sees this regular guy  who had the same dream of becoming a fireman as he does, who accomplished that dream and also answered God's call to the priesthood. 

I'm certain this priest will be a part of his childhood memories, and I hope a lesson learned in discernment. 

They spent a bunch of time watching YouTube videos of different calls and sirens. They were both memorized. A couple of rescue junkies. It was hilarious. 

Logan asked for his blessing for our family as he left. He blessed our family in many ways that day. So glad he stopped by!

What Elias Has Been Up To

Sitting in the Exersaucer! He loves it. 

Enjoying the add-on to his mobile. Birds with bells down the middle. Holding his toes is a new trick. 

Listening to all the things Lewis tells him. 

He loves this bear. I think because the limbs are just the right size to fit in his fists. 

He's also into the Indestructables books. 

I'm pretty sure he's teething again too. Not quite as easily as the first two teeth either. He's been fussy. He is consistent with the fact that when teething we must be touching at.all.times. 

Carlson Staycation

My parents hosted a Carlson Staycation for some end of the summer fun, and it was!

We took our cars and car wash to share and it was a hit...especially with cousin Nicholas. Turns out he loves a Cozy Coupe. This ^ is as much as he could muster to share the first day. He rode on it while Lewis had his turn. It made me laugh really hard! At one point he was just laying on the roof while Lewis tried to drive. 

We worked diligently to find my sister an 8 drawer buffet at many, many consignment stores/sales. We were unsuccessful in the end, but we did swing into Gianna's for a coffee. My first attempt at liking coffee, in fact. Mostly because my baby isn't sleeping much these (teething) days and soda is too much sugar. I had an iced coffee with coconut milk and caramel. Decent. 

Elias had his first and last bath in G&G's bathroom. It was demo-ed today for renovation!

I love this picture. My mom and my baby are both so happy. :)

The weather was beautiful, so we were outside most of the day. 

They made a gas station store outside with the cars game. 

I didn't even know Lewis helped in the kitchen until mom sent this photo! It was a great time together! It would be a fun end of the summer tradition to have!