Cleaning the SINK

It has been a {DREAM} of Ethan's to clean the sink at Angie's.  He knew that he got to pick the restaurant for his birthday and has looked forward to it all year!  Stockton was not as excited.  He thought that we were literally going to go into the restaurant kitchen and clean the sink.  Silly us we had dinner, making the boys clean their plates before we ordered the HUGE dessert.  We got 3 choices of toppings.  The boys all chose Reese's and Oreos.  I picked the strawberries.  It did taste really yummy for the first, maybe 10 bites.  After that it was disgusting.

Ethan thought he could eat it all himself...

Digging in!

I decided to save 1/2 my dinner to be of better help with the dessert.  A nice elderly couple took our picture.  They thought it was so "cute".  I am sure they were ready for us to leave after the kids started laying on the floor because their tummies were SO full. 

Peyton ended up having an accident and Ryan had to take her home.  Luckily we had 2 vehicles at the restaurant so me and the boys stayed trying to finish the large task. 

We got so close to the end.  It took us so long to eat it that the ice cream had melted and it was just a soupy candy filled mess.  The bananas are very filling and I ended up removing them to help Ethan out a little. 

He was so determined to finish so he could get a bumper sticker.  Stockton kept calling it a "go-cart" sticker.  (I think he was getting it confused with bumper cars)  We were getting extremely sick of it at this point.  Stockton was no help and begun laying everywhere he felt comfortable.  Ethan took a few trips to the bathroom and the college kids next to us finished their sink and were rewarded a bumper sticker. 

Stockton kept cheering Ethan on reminding him that "Daddy really wants the "go-cart" sticker.". (I think Ryan could have cared less - they boys just like to make Daddy proud.)

Enough was enough and I wasn't about to ruin my diet anymore.  I kept trying to calculate the amount of calories I had just consumed and it was making me sick on top of the stomach full of ice cream.

Luckily, when I went to settle the bill, I was helped by one of the managers.  Even though they generally only give out bumper stickers to true completers of cleaning the sink, he presented me with our own bumper sticker after I pleaded Ethan's case... he tried REALLY hard, it was his birthday, etc...

On the way home I was dying laughing...  Stockton, upon seeing Ethan with the bumper sticker, jumped up and down and cheered, "Yeah! We got it!".  Ethan then proclaimed that he was now going to be a "vegetarian" and NEVER eat ice cream again!

Easter

The Easter Bunny came to our house Saturday morning.  The kids had to hunt for thier baskets. 

I think they were really happy with the surprises left. 

Eggs were hidden all over.  Peyton became really good at finding them. 

Later that afternoon we went to Grandma and Grandpa Bartholomew's house for a BBQ and Egg Hunt. 

Kaitlyn finding an egg.  Grandma had hidden special eggs that had each kids name on them.  The kids could only take the egg that had their name on it.  Some were really hard to find!

I think there were over 300 eggs hidden this year!

Sunday, we went to the park to have another BBQ and egg hunt with Grandma and Grandpa Smith. 

Peyton was a pro by this go around. 

Stockton...

Carston and Ethan...

Scarlet's first Easter...

All the kids (except for the ones who couldn't come)...

Tabitha and Scarlet, Tayson, Jolisa, Stock, Peyton, Carston, Ethan, Jada.

When it was time to go home, we had a hard time getting Peyton off the playground. 

Peyton calls swings, slides and anything playground related, WEEE's.

Growing UP!

Sadly, I have to admit I had nothing to do with this big accomplishment.  Big brother, Ethan took some time to help Stock and they excitedly came in to have me come outside and see.  Way to go Stock!  You are growing up so fast. {4.19.11}

Stock turns {FIVE}

Stockton woke up to presents first thing in the morning.  He was SO excited to get a new "twist and go" Plasma Car!

He took they yummiest treat of the YEAR to Preschool!

A cookie pizza.

It is tradition that the kids pick where we go to dinner for their birthday.  Stock choose the new Chuck-a-Rama.  My mom and dad also went with their foster daughters but sat in a different location than us.  One of the girls told the waitress that it was Stock's birthday so he was surprised with singing and a specially made birthday dessert. 

Instead of a cake, we made another cookie pizza to enjoy as a family. 

Stock is happy to be 5.  He is excited to start kindergarten (he thought he would go tomorrow but I told him he had to wait until the Fall)  Stock is our tenderhearted, super helpful boy.  We are so happy he is in our family!

What the *Heck*!

I was awaken with Stockton coming into my bedroom with his face, unknown to him, covered in blood.  He didn't like the attention he was getting and tried to hide from the camera.  "What happened?" was all we could say. 

Into the shower he went as the rest of us went to investigate.

The crime scene...

We concluded it was just a REALLY bad bloody nose.

Peyton Turns *2*

The BIRTHDAY GIRL had a magical day.  Her brother's doted on her all day long.  Peyton is such a girly girl, she loves to dress up, wear makeup, walk in high-heels and play with "ba-bees".  We love our 2-year old!

The Birthday Girl with her favorite boys.

Opening presents...

Did I mention she LOVES shoes?

 So happy she could care less about any other presents!



 TWINKLE TOES

Stock and Ethan did Peyton's hair with her new hair styling set from Grandma and Grandpa.  (Proves that girl toys are *cool* too!)

Peyton cried when I had to take her new "Ba-bee" away to put it into the cake.  She loved her cake!

Making * A * Wish

I had a hard time deciding where to place the candles... here it looks a little like Katy Perry with her fireworks.  Luckily Pey didn't seem to notice. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEYTON!!

The rest of her birthday was spent with some favorite people at the fun park.

Welcome Select Viewers

I am hoping to have time for updates in the near future.  I have lots of family adventures to share with you all.  Stay tuned!


{Hugs} Mandi

Going Private

It has been a tough decision but I feel it best to protect my kiddos.  If you would like to have access to my blog in the future please let me know by comment or email.  I will need your email address to send you an invite.

I am waiting to post any more family adventures until going private so please stay tuned!