St. Paul's Church Picnic

Jim was assigned, took the lead again this year in organizing our church's parish picnic. And he (and several others) did a fantastic job. Fried chicken lunch, moon bounce, water slide of death, popcorn popping and snow cones dripping. It was a wonderful day. So much so that I hardly snapped a picture. And anyone that's been around me much knows that rarely happens. 

Taken by a lovely friend!

Another moment captured by the same friend.

Till Next Time, 

Mamma, Frog & Toad

Scooby Doo, Star Wars, Superhero Costume Birthday Party!

There were so many aspects of this party that were a mess from day one. A few friends never received their invitation *shakes fist at the postal service*, then it rained for four days straight forcing us to find a new location, then my email decided to crash while trying to notify all the kids of the changes to the party. Oh and then the day of the party it was sunny and gorgeous, naturally. But all that aside everything turned out perfectly. The kids had an awesome time, set up was a breeze and I never even had to clean my house for guests. That is just a win-win-win situation for all involved. 

I should mention a big thanks to St. Paul's for saving the day by squeezing our party in between one church service and one fancy wedding! When the parents of the bride had to walk around the moon bounce and through a sea of sugar-filled preschoolers, 90 minutes before their daughter's wedding they were less than amused. But we were packed up 55 minutes before the wedding started!

There are a ton of pictures so I thought I'd just post them all and let you scroll. 

Adorable invitations, buffet cards and gift bag tags by the always fabulous
Carrie Murchison of Murchison Dry Goods!

Chocolate mustache lollipop disguises

Jim, hard at work putting (as he would say) the largest ribbons in the smallest holes. 

Birthday boy is off to the party!

Occasionally Cakes did a great job replicating Colin's mishmash request.

I loved these princess, pirate, king and queen draw-your-own hats!

"This is the best birthday EVER, Mom!"

Super Will and our darling neighbor, Lyla.

Ken says he came dressed up like Jim for the party. 

Both Colin and Will adore Ellis, the coolest, sweetest big kid we know! 

How is he FIVE already!? 

This is our second year using these awesome Star Wars tablecloths made by
my amazingly talented friend, Erin Kelley!

Ahoy, Pirate Jim!

Sometimes even superheros need help with their cape. Namma to the rescue!

And once again with Ellis the rockstar!

Dad, the light saber is for me!

It was a LONG day, no judging our parental choices at dinner!

"Namma, I'm ready to go home now." 

Till Next Time, 

Mamma, Frog & Toad

And That's a Wrap!

Finished up our first week of camp for the boys today! I couldn't believe how much both boys absolutely loved their camp experience. Will was all hugs with his drama teacher, Ms. Heather. And with his level of excitement about getting a camp T-shirt you'd think they'd given him an Oscar! Here is a deluge of Drama Tots pictures! Enjoy, naturally. 

Colin insisted that I take a photo with him and every one of his Reptile Rangers instructors. There was even a briefly sobbing  moment when Colin asked when he'd get to see his teachers again. It was one of those moments. I didn't want to lie to him but I also needed to corrall Will, Chappy and Colin and all of their end of the week "crafts" out the door while 10 other parents were trying to do the same. Once we finally got out the door - did I mention it was pouring rain? cause it was - we had to stop four times to "rescue" wayward worms on our way to the car. 

Chappy teaching Will about frogs in the frog ponds.

STOP Will! We MUST save this worm!

And afterwards our sweet next door neighbor Channing came over for a rainy day Scooby Doo marathon while snuggled under blankets. 


Till Next Time, 
Mamma, Frog & Toad

Dragons, Knights and Alligators Oh My!

Will started Drama Tots camp at The Little Theater of Alexandria in Old Town today.  Thank you Namma for sending the boys, Will is in heaven! Three of his little friends from St. Paul's School are in his class which I thought would make it easier to leave him. Given his dismissal of me at drop off I think he would have been fine knowing no one! The kid loves to dress up, what can I say? Here are a few pics from the morning....

And after we picked up the "big kids" we had a post camp picnic at home with our adorable and sweet next door neighbor, Lyla. 

Till Next Time, 
Mamma, Frog & Toad

Reptile Rangers Reporting for Duty

Today Colin headed off to his first day of Reptile Rangers camp with his friend Chappy. They spend the week learning about reptile wildlife and taking hour long nature walks, examining snakes, snapping turtles and keeping an eye out for the elusive beaver at Huntley Meadows Park. Also, I'm now constantly reminded not to touch any leaf or vine I see because it might possibly, could maybe be, poisonous. 

While Colin and Chappy were on duty in the wilderness Will and I trotted over to his best friend's house for some playtime, delicious homemade pumpkin bread and a little snuggling with Baby Conrad. He is literally the happiest baby ever. Is that the case for all thirds? Seems to by my experience with my friends' third little ones. 

Till Next Time, 

Mamma, Frog & Toad

Too Pooped to Party

We had some great friends over for our first BBQ of the season this weekend. They have kids the same ages as Colin and Will so everyone gets along great... well except sometimes the siblings... or the big kids vs. little kids... or the girls vs. boys... or, well you get the idea. 

Jim made ribs that were outstanding, obviously! And everyone stayed up super late, which in our house means 8:30 pm. 

Sunday was a whirl wind of activity! A morning at church, a wonderful thank you brunch hosted by our Rector, Oran & his wife, Barbara at rectory, throwing together lovingly preparing a meal and delivering it to a dear friend who just had her first baby and then three hours in the pool with about 15 of the kids' best friends, the boys passed out by 6:30 pm that evening. *whispers* Hallelujah. 

Till Next Time, 

Mamma, Frog & Toad