Jonah Time: The Playdate

Having the older three in school means having daily time to focus on the Jonut.  I've been loving it (for the most part) and have been trying to keep the errand running, grocery shopping, chore doing to a minimum on most days.  Trying, but not always succeeding.

So we have about two and a half hours to eat, play, do stuff, or go somewhere and then he has about a two hour nap (HALLELUJAH) before it's time to go pick up the kids from school.

One day at church, a friend and I were chatting and agreed to get our boys together to play sometime.  The plans were set and when the day finally arrived, it occurred to me that this was going to be Jonah's very first playdate.  Ever.

Playdates for me have kind of evolved as my oldest kids have grown from gatherings more for the moms to get together while babies napped to getting our kids together for homeschool co-op learning to drop-off playdates so the other mom can go get stuff done.

So it's been quite a few years since I've been part of a toddler playdate and only realized how utterly playdate-deprived our fourth child has been once I saw how much fun this boy had with a buddy around his age.  Not his size though.  His friend is six months younger, but a good many inches taller than him.  Sigh.  Like our last name.

They banged on drums, they toted Nerf guns around, they cooked pretend food, they played with toy cars, they ate, they jumped, they made silly faces, they even had a little cry-fest at the same time.

It was such a momentous occasion in the life of Jonah that I had to get a few pictures.

Witness...

I thought it was very polite of each boy to look at his friend's mom's camera and smile.  Good thing too, because...

It sorta went downhill from there.

The sillies were surely setting in at this point.

And there was no reeling them back now.

Cuz no one can resist a good game of peekaboo, you know.

Then they decided we needed some music to liven up the place.  Good thing pictures are quiet. ;)

Lookit how intensely in-your-face happy my boy is while his buddy is all "Dude, relax. It's just a playdate, man."

Killing me.

Seriously, the boy had so much fun with his buddy that he learned the word "buddy" that day and insisted that M's name was actually "Buddy" whenever I tried to correct him.  He woke up from nap later that day asking for "Buddy" again.

Thank you, J and M for introducing my poor deprived son to the world of playdates.  He LOVED it.  And uh, sorry if our intense happiness was a bit... intense.  Please don't be afraid of us because now Jonah knows playdates are a real thing and is hoping to do it again sometime.  We promise to be cool next time.  :D

Thank You

My sweet friend Lorie has continued to remember each of our kids' birthdays and always manages to send them their very own package in the mail to enjoy opening.  It's quite an exciting event around here whenever a package from Auntie Lorie arrives at our doorstep.

Just so thrilling as a kid to see your own name on a package and know there's a present inside especially for you.  Auntie Lorie is so good about these things!

Package opening day always draws spectators.

Not only is the outer package neatly wrapped, but the present inside is always wrapped in fun wrapping paper, too.  Non-Christmas wrapping paper, even!  Along with a hand-written birthday message from the whole Schnell clan, too.  Boy, I tell ya, she's really, really good.

This one just made his day.

He was a wee bit excited.

I take that back.  He was completely, totally, teeth-grindingly excited.

He disappeared to go build his new Ninjago car.  A little while later, he came and asked me to take his picture with this sign he'd made.  He asked me to send it right away so you'd know how much he loves his gift.  I'm very sorry this is so belated!  He would be chagrined to know it took me this long to show you this picture.  :(

A couple months later, another special package arrived at our door!

Which, like I said, always draws spectators.

Sometimes it's a little tricky getting past the packing tape.

That's when the spectators are happy to jump in and lend a helping hand.

See?  Wrapped in adorable pink Hello Kitty paper which is a far cry from the red and green striped paper I still try to pass off as good for year-round use.

This one contained an assortment of Lauren's current favorite things.

Very handy to have a big sis to read you the birthday greeting.

Mikey, equal parts mystified and amazed, asked me how Auntie Lorie always knows exactly what they like to play with.

I just answered that Auntie Lorie and her family are one of God's extra special blessings to us.

Thank you, Schnells.  Thank you for loving on our kids in this way, and most especially for your faithful friendship all these years.  We love you guys!


PS- And a very happy birthday to you, dear friend!

U-C-L-A Fight Fight Fight!

Howdy Bruin fans, it's time again for the Tsais' once annual (except we missed last year- moving and all) tailgating-football watching-cotton candy eating-lost in a sea of blue and gold extravaganza!

And this time, our favorite couple consisting of a fellow Bruin fan and his wife who loves him enough to come to watch football were able to join us!  :)

Allie brought along hair stuff and waited a whole five minutes after we got there before asking Auntie Jami to do her hair.  We love Auntie Jami!  :)

Meanwhile, the boys found other ways to keep themselves occupied.

Mmm, burgers.

Here's a little story.  Once upon a time (that morning), Phil Tsai told his wife he had to go to Rite Aid (literally two minutes from our house) to buy some water bottles.  He was gone for over an hour.  This happens with such regularity that his wife didn't think too much about it beyond a brief wondering what other items were purchased in addition to water bottles.  Turns out, he bought these bubble guns.  And glow sticks.  And cotton candy tubs.  Why?  Because anything that helps him help his offspring to love UCLA football tailgating is completely and totally worth it in his book.  Superfan, remember?

Shadow puppets.

Aw so cute.  But see my husband back there?  I have no explanation for this.  Aside from saying they were roommates for six years in college and beyond. 

And look!  We actually made it in to see (most of) the game, too!

This game right here.

The bubbles, glow sticks, and cotton candy tubs were all BIG hits with the offspring.  But especially the cotton candy.

It was crazy hot and humid that evening so everyone had sweaty heads.

I think it's safe to say that Bruin fandom has been successfully handed down to the next generation.

Oh look, I was there too!  ;)

Bruins-4-life.

The Sleepover, Part Three

Surprisingly bright and early the next day, all were up at at 'em.  One of the Js was particularly interested in what we'd be having for breakfast.  He asked if a tall stack of pancakes might make an appearance.

I was happy to oblige, only I threw in mini chocolate chips in them.  No one seemed to mind.  Bacon, turkey sausage, scrambled eggs, and strawberries made an appearance, too. 

They decided it was time for a water fight after breakfast.  Allie wanted to join them.  Her face cracks me up here.

Open fire!

Then run!

Poor J got blasted.

The water and the foggy morning made for a very cold combo.

Then this happened...

See that big grin?

Blasted again!

So then this happened.

Followed by this.

Whereupon it was decided by all that it was much too cold for this monkey business.

So they came inside again.  Despicable Me.

And finally cake time!

Mesmerized by candlelight.  Or the Star Wars figures.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR MIIIIIIKEEEEEEEY.

And of course, Dr. Phil approved (because he put 'em together) goody bags.

So thankful for this great group of friends who came over to celebrate our boy turning nine.  And so thankful for nine years with our boy who is such a gift to us.  We love you, Mikey!