Andrew's Toy Story Birthday Party

I cleared the furniture out of the living room and managed to fit the bounce house inside.  The children were thrilled, especially ours.

There were a dozen children in attendance.  Some played in the family room.  Others bounced, participated in the games and crafts.  Michael decided he was too old to play with the little ones.

 The best view of the fun was from the widow's walk but I had to ask the children to lie down otherwise the pictures were blurry.  Elizabeth was in there the entire time.  Andrew would pop out to greet his friends as they arrived.

 Playing host he offered some of the theme food, explaining that in Toy Story 2 Al ate cheese puffs.

"The Claw" game was a big hit, the children were happy to get candy out.

 Stamping

After we sang to Andrew he finally blew out the candle without assistance.

Playing tic tac toe

After the party the kids relaxed while Nani read one of his new books.

Elizabeth has been saving this outfit for the party.  She was such a help with organizing games and helping me.  We lead a scavenger hunt through the house where they were searching for little green army men.  She also helped the younger ones hang the monkeys.  Michael mostly hung out with the adults and ate party food.  Andrew was well behaved and enjoyed every minute of his party.

With temperatures in the single digits we kept the bounce house up.  The kids love burning off their energy in it.

Michael making his favorite food with Nani:  Samosas!   He is creating a time capsule for a school project.  His cousin Jackson wrote a nice letter and we are including this picture for posterity.

 Kicking off Andrew's Birthday Weekend

 

After his birthday lunch they brought out a dessert.  Elizabeth, the nurturer, fed him the cherry.

 

On his big day he chose to go to Chuck E Cheese

 Andrew had a blast!

 

Although he has a serious expression, Andrew had a great time at the Sesame Street Live Concert.

Time for presents!

 Elizabeth made sure the party hat stayed on while he tore into the gifts.

 Andrew is crazy about Toy Story

Slinky was a big hit.

After receiving Buzz and Woody for Christmas he has been asking for the other characters for his birthday.

The birthday cake is Andy's bed from the movie with all the figurines.

 

It was my first time working with fondant.  Everyone pulled it off to eat the chocolate coconut cake.

 Tea and cake

Lining up his new bed to look like Andy's.  Here is a glimpse of his newly decorated room.

Following in his siblings footsteps he picked all the food for his birthday.  He wanted Nani's oats for breakfast.  Andrew said, "Text Nani and ask her how to make it."  Lunch was pizza, fresh pineapple and pomegranate juice.  Surf and turf was the dinner choice with Alaskan king crab legs, steak and spinach.

I cannot believe my little boy is three years old.  He has completed our family and amazes me every day.  He is loving, spunky, insightful, and funny.

Elizabeth's Christmas Pageant

 

 

Elizabeth has wanted to be Mary in her preschool nativity since last year.  Only the older children get to be the people.  Her friend got the part and Elizabeth learned her lines for the angel that visits Mary.  But the morning of the show the other girl got sick and Elizabeth was thrilled to be the understudy.  She had a wonderful performance and was thrilled to have the lead.  After intermission the children removed their costumes and sang Christmas songs.  Many of her classmates were looking to her for the words and motions.

 Post performance glow

 This year the decorated trees at the Natural History Museum were gorgeous.  Elizabeth wanted to pose next to the butterfly themed tree.

 Petting a hissing cockroach

On a recent visit to the Carnegie Science Center Elizabeth was picked to help in a Kitchen Works Theater production.

 In Music Class Andrew helped with the nativity song.

 Elizabeth was making requests for her favorite carols.

 We have had loads of snow and this year Michael is playing outside by himself.  With the family sick for so long it was a nice break for him to get out and play.

Christmas Morning

 Andrew was not interested in opening any presents.  He sat on the couch holding Buzz and Woody watching the commotion.

 Elizabeth offered to help everyone open their presents.  She and Michael were so fast we could hardly keep up.  

Michael was thrilled that Santa brought him a keyboard.  He was concerned it would be too big for his sled.

 

James and my dad had the most fun with this interactive globe.  

Andrew took his Buzz and Woody to nap with him.

These snap circuits were another big hit.  Elizabeth, James and Michael love to play with this.  When Michael was completing his holiday break journal he said this was his favorite toy.

With my mom and James lighting the Christmas pudding there was plenty of brandy poured.  It was delicious as always.

Although we were sick for the holidays it was wonderful to be home together.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!