The Party

 Instead of paying for a clown I decided we would just make balloon animals ourselves;) It's not as hard as you might think and I good skill to have as a parent.

 Veda and her Buddy Ella

Alex playing with all the fun from his gift bag. Chalk on his body, blowing his whistle and flying his glider all at the same time. The kids also got bubbles and play-doh and monster finger puppets.

 Helping Mom make the cake the day before.

TaDa. Not sure it was worth the stress but Veda seems to like it... so maybe I'll do it again next year... maybe...

 Lots of guests. I was just waiting for the HOA to storm in and shut us down for not getting prior approval;)

 Balloon master. I was upset that he wasn't studying up for the big day but he did pretty good on the fly. Below is his crocodile... without practice I might add.

Not sure what we would have done without Uncle Ryan's help. He was the camera man, balloon master 2 and the chef. The quiches were a big hit and not a crumb left.

Singing Happy Birthday and making Wishes!

 Popsicles!!!

 Waiting patiently for the big kids to bust open the pinata.

Todd was just in the way;)

Pre-Birthday Party Pics

Some pics before the action.
























- Posted from my iPhone

Drum roll please....

Here is the pride and joy of the Laabs household today...the Monster Birthday Cake...12 hours later...100% made from scratch...fondant and all...Kathy is a genius!

Another Day at the Zoo

We get to do al the fun stuff when Uncle Ryan is in town.










- Posted from my iPhone

Location:E Cabrillo Blvd,Santa Barbara,United States

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

A taste of my life

Uncle Ry got to experience a trip to the grocery store with my monsters. They r usually pretty good but today adele was on fire. I always resort to asking the lady at the bakery for a sample cookie to keep the kids distracted. Today uncle Ry ended up w most of that cookie on his shirt;)

Uncle Ryan is in town!

Another Day at Underwood Farms with Alex and Jacob

A Star is Born

A tribute video to the end of the tee-ball season.

- Posted from my iPhone

Petting Zoo Day

 Teaguen and Veda discussing the day's events

Last week was petting zoo day at school. Of all the kids, Veda spent the most time with the animals. She talked to them and told them stories. Oh boy.

Scavenger Hunt

Searching for pacifiers under the couch.


- Posted from my iPhone

Monster Party Countdown

Thanks Nanny and Bull for my Monster Party book. I've been making mom read it in anticipation of my Monster Themed party next weekend.

Smurfs!

Loving the new Happy Meal toys. I remember when I was little and we got the smurf drinking glasses from Hardees (I think). Mom and Dad still have at least one that has survived the years. We've come full circle.

Role Playing

Veda's teacher's husband is a firefighter which provides for great dress-up items;)

Ballerinas Veda and Ella

Fancy

Veda had to wear her white gloves and carry around her tiny purse when we went out to eat the other night.

Crazy!!

Adele is nuts. I quit trying to get her off the top of the couch because she's faster than me and I'm too tired to chase her around. We eventually had to store our coffee table under the kitchen table and stack the benches in the dining area because Adele figured out how to get on top of the kitchen table and I was afraid one of these days she would fall off the couch and into the corner of the coffee table. She's pretty coordinated though... for as nuts as she is she's had very few falls. I moved Veda's table and chairs on the porch so she can eat out there. The other day Adele got up on the table and then hoisted herself onto the ledge that surrounds the porch. I caught her right before she went face first into the rose bushes. Adele's crib is still in our room because we don't want her and Veda waking each other up. The crib is pushed up against the bed and Adele freely pulls herself out of the crib and dives headfirst on to the bed. I wonder what she'd do if the bed wasn't there?