Jack's SUPER DUPER B-day Part Deux

Besides Jack's nice B-day night celebration we had a big party for Jack at his school's gym over the weekend. There was lots of room for lots of kids.

Jack has a thing for super-heroes. I will confess that my own comic-habit played a strong role in guiding him to this preoccupation. He loves to pretend he is Spider-Man or "Kid Juggernaut" and he requested a Super-Hero party.

Erin made it happen - She worked for a tremendous amount of time making home made super capes for the kids to play with and take home. We were up super late putting the finishing touches on a pinata and Erin made three amazing hero cakes as well. Take a look at the results.

Jack and A.J. are on the case!

Jack and Logan on their super scooters!

Pin the Ring on Green Lantern!

Violet and Zadie protect our city!

The Justice League is all together now!

For the next challenge, Erin made 3 - yes 3! wonderful looking cakes.

Jack disposes of this fiery problem!

And for your final test - the 8-horned pinata of crime!

I accept your challenge!

And Jack and his friends have saved day and work to rid it of all the candy threatening the world.

Jack's Fourth Birthday

Year four, Day one.
We get a special shirt from Mom's private label and are King of the classroom for 1 day.

We get special desserts that we share with friends.

Just what we wanted - Galactus! My new best friend.

So tired - awesome day.

DISASTER! MAYHEM! BABIES ARE CLIMBING!!!

Erin's days just got more hectic as the babies have gotten a taste of chair-climbing.

One baby toddling around, learning to operate the water machine, and then climbing chairs is difficult.

Three babies toddling around, pulling everything from the food-cabinet to the floor and making puddles and puddles of water by taking turns on the water machine is difficult.

Three babies toddling around, emptying the pantry, making puddles, and now climbing every chair, every stool, every block-like toy to reach the counter tops, and then climbing the countertops themselves and pulling everything within reach to the floor just because they now can is a nerve-wrackingly, tedium-state-inducing, safety violation check on Erin's sanity.

Hey mom, ready for me to jump?
What's type of knife did you say you wanted again?

Confiscation by the authorities.

I think we found our ringleader - I'm not certain what the triplets' baby-babble talk language means all of the time but Jack seems to be in on it. I think she said something like: "Are you all clear on the plan?Let's begin the assault. She can take our chairs away but she'll never take our FREEDOM!!"

Let it Snow, Snow, Snow!

Yes, we had a little snow last month. 20.2 inches, 3rd biggest Chicago blizzard, "Blizzaster" blah blah blah. So, along with everyone else I'll post a few "snowto's" myself.

Mom's gone for 1 week and . . . Jack takes a header!

Erin went to California to visit Aunt Sarah and Uncle Mike and new arrival Ivy leaving the Payne clan in my capable hands for 1 whole, entire, 6-day week.

Mom! What are you doing to us! Don't leave us with him! Take us with you as a carry-on! We swear we'll be quiet! You have no idea what he is capable of . . . or not capable of!

Alas, the extra luggage stayed home and . . .
within 48 hours of solo Dad action Jack was heading to the hospital.

Dad was helping Violet with nail polish while Jack decided that Dino Dan was not quite turned up to 11. You can understand his rush across the living room to rectify the situation. Which of course resulted in a header into the television. It was a gusher. A few hasty phone calls to secure someone to watch the 4 unmarred Paynesters (Thanks Martha and Jess!) and Dad and Jack headed for the waiting room.

Almost healed.

Yes Mr. Tough Guy, you are the first Payne child with stitches! So Erin when are you going away next. I can handle it. Really.

Winter Stir Crazy

Winter is here and the brood has sequestered itself within the four walls of the house. What to do what to do?
Coloring? Not quite yet. Do we fit in the suitcase? That was a blast for 2 minutes. I know, let's all climb on Dad!

Das Boot!!!!

The family made the big trip to Moline Illinois for Great Grandma Elsie's 80th B-day Party. Jack and Violet loved the cake and party favors . . .

and Georgia showed off her true England roots colors.

Mom loved the crowns as well!

But that's not all the party favors mom loved! Afterwards, when the kids were put to bed, some of the adult celebrants headed out to our local German pub. Pete pulled a classic move on my lovely wife. All night Pete proclaimed that we were all drinking das boot of bier . . . until ordering time. At that point he quietly ordered a round of normal beers for everyone else after Erin agreed to das boot, sorry, DAS BOOT!

Our puny little beers are nothing next to DAS BOOT!

don't forget . . . to spin . . . das boot

Das Boot ist alle!!!!