August is Birthday Month!

August is the Birthday Month for the Larkins Family.
 

Yep, all 4 of us have birthdays in August.
 

No, we don't have Birthday Cake all month long.
 

This year we decided to have one big party to celebrate the boys' birthdays and picked a Saturday about halfway between the two.  We rented a water slide bouncy house and set up the backyard for fun!  The bouncy house was at one end of the back yard while the pool was at the other end.  We placed the food and cake on the side with chairs grouped near by.  Over all, it was a great day!  The party officially started at 1:00 with a 'come-and-go' feel.  We cooked hot dogs and hamburgers for dinner for those still hanging out with us in the evening.  Everyone seemed to have a good time and the boys loved it! 

 

Putting stickers on the bubble bottles that went into the goody bags.

The 5-n-1 water slide bouncy house

David picked Spiderman for his cake,

Michael picked Batman for his cake.



David used the money he got for his birthday to buy what he wanted.
What little he had left went into his piggy bank.

Michael used the money he got for his birthday to buy what he wanted.
He decided to put what he had left over in his piggy bank!

 

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day hasn't really been a big day or holiday for the Larkins household, but this year things changed a bit.  Now that David is in school, there are certain activities that we have to be a part of.  One of those is Valentine's Day.

About a week before Valentine's Day, a note was sent home to let us know that there would be a box decorating contest and card exchange at school on February 14. 

David chose the Avengers cards.

David was to write all of his classmates names on the cards he wanted to pass out, as well as his name.  We were told to allow several days for him to accomplish this.  He and Rachael sat down and within an hour got all the cards signed and labeled. 

As far as a box, he could have parental help and Chris helped him with it.

The instructions regarding the cards specified 'no candy, etc' to be given out with the cards.

Yeah, right.  Apparently we are one of the few parents that actually followed the instructions, since we didn't attach candy to his cards.

Anyway, he had a good time at school with all of this.  Don't think he won the box decorating contest since he didn't say anything about it.  He liked his box and that is what we wanted.

David's box

The cards & candy from his classmates

Looking forward to next year.........

Christmas 2011

Here is the picture of the boys with Santa this year:

We had a good Christmas this year:

Tree & Gifts before the boys got up
(We decided to wait until Christmas Eve after the boys went to sleep to put the presents under the tree)

At church Christmas Day morning
(we all got new tops to wear!)

Grandpa Dave & Grandma Lela helping with some of the gifts

How quickly they learn to rip things open!!

David got a new RC 4-wheeler that can run outside

More things to add to the Toy Station: trucks, cars, helicopters, Dragon Ship, 2 small RC cars for Michael...

A few more things that don't fit at the Toy Station: RC Sesame Street train (currently residing in the yellow tub); fold out race track; Barrel of Army Men, Tanks, Planes, etc; Marble Run & Electronic Snap Kit. 

The boys also got assorted clothes & pajamas.  They opened gifts in shifts: stockings before breakfast; Santa gifts after breakfast; went to church, came home, had lunch & rest time; opened the rest of the gifts after Grandpa Dave, Grandma Lela & Grandpa Frosty came over (around 4:00) then dinner at 5:00 before playing some more before bedtime.  We had a good day.

Decorating the Christmas Tree

We got the Christmas Tree put up a couple of weeks ago, but didn't get it decorated until tonight (the lights were strung last week).  The boys had fun helping hang decorations and Chris enjoyed watching (before he had to leave for work).  See if you can tell who decorated what parts...

Mama and the boys getting started

Waiting for ornaments to put on the tree

This is fun!

Making sure the sides & back get some

All done!!  Now all we need are the presents under the tree...


At dinner, the boys were asked what they wanted for Christmas:

David: a train and 20 motorcycles

Michael: motorcycles

(They take after their daddy!
He wants a motorcycle too!)

Halloween 2011

Okay, I know it is almost a month after Halloween, but time flies when you have a very busy life! 

The boys really enjoyed their first Halloween (as far as we can tell).

David chose a Batman costume (complete with utility belt that lights up) and Michael chose a Cowboy / Sheriff costume (because it came with a hat).

David had a 'Character Parade' at school that allowed the kids to dress up and parade around the school while parents and other students cheered.  They carried a book that went with their costume and had a good time.  Chris and Michael went up to the school and helped David carve a pumpkin before the Character Parade.  Unfortunately I had to be at work. 

That night, the boys and I met up with some friends to go trick-or-treating in their neighborhood.  We had pizza and drinks before heading out.  We hit about 20 homes and the boys really had a good time going to the doors and saying (their version) "Trick or Treat"!  It sounded more like :Twik or Tweat! TankU!

Chris carving our pumpkins at home

Our finished pumpkins!  Chris did a great job!

David & Michael in front of the pumpkin at school

The Larkins Pumpkin (minus part of an ear tip)

Ready for the Character Parade at school

Waiting to start the Parade

The Parade is led by Captain America
(also known as David's teacher's husband)

We've had our pizza, now we are waiting to go Trick-or-Treating

Come on, already!  Let's go get some candy!

We got some good stuff at this house!

Meet, Greet & Celebrate Birthdays

Sunday, August 14, we had a small gathering (about 20 people) to help celebrate the boy's birthdays.  Since they have never celebrated a birthday before (as far as we know), we didn't want to make a big deal this year.  They also don't seem to fully understand the concept of a birthday party, so we weren't really sure how they would react to a party at home. 

We had a cake, invited family and a few friends and hoped for a good time.  I think everyone enjoyed it.  I know that the kids had a great time!  The boys seemed to enjoy spending time playing with their cousins and the cousins enjoyed helping them open the gifts that they brought (as most kids do!)

All in all, we really appreciated the family that was able to attend and spend time with us.

Here are some pictures from the party:

The boy's birthday cake

Opening the gifts that Ari, Audrey & Remi brought

Rachael's cousin Tara and her husband Alex

Michael, George, Charlie & David having fun playing with the new toys

Checking out more gifts

Rachael's Uncle Jim is helping Michael with one of the gifts

David in front of the new trike that Grandma Lela & Grandpa Dave got him

Michael on the new trike that Grandma Lela & Grandpa Dave got him

Daddy playing with Charlie & George with the new light sabers

Gotta take turns....

David on his new trike; doing really well pedaling on his own!

Michael is getting a little help from Mama