A Lost Art

A few weeks ago we attended a birthday party for one of the girls' neighborhood friends at a skating rink. I was thrilled when they said that even the adults were to skate! I LOVE roller skating (even though I haven't been in a skating rink in over 10 years!)

Well, we all got in our skates...even Bella (we had the tiny skates' wheels tightened so they wouldn't roll very fast) and went out on the floor. I was pretty bummed the disco ball wasn't going, and no one would come do the hokey pokey with me in the center of the floor...(yes, I am a child of the 80's) but other than that, it was SO much fun!




And then I got to thinking about how lively skating rinks used to be. Don't you remember the carpeted walls, pin ball machines, nasty bathrooms with tile floors and metal plates for mirrors, the round mushroom-looking benches and the concession stands with pickles!?! I even went to a birthday party once and they were showing music videos on the wall (literally, the entire wall was the video--at the time, it was awesome!) And should I mention the video they were playing was 'Thriller'? LOL. At that party they also had these triangular schooters that had handlebars you would put your feet on and move them side to side to propell yourself. Then they had ramps in the corners...oh MY what fun!

Luckily, Liv had a great time too and is thinking about a skating party for her next birthday. Maybe I'll get to skate again... (if so, I'll bring my REAL camera. These were taken with my iPhone so they aren't the greatest...)

One more thing about 3...

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention... Since Bella's birthday was on a Monday this year, she got to see everyone at dance and tell them it was her birthday. Well...Mrs. Karen and Mrs. Julie changed the song "...this is my right hand..." to "...this is my right birthday hand...this is my left birthday hand..." just for her! It was so cute! Then, instead of the usual star she gets on her hand for doing a good job, they made her a birthday cake with 3 candles. How special she felt!!

The Big Three!

I couldn't decide what I was going to do for Bella's birthday party this year. I really wanted to have a big gymnastics party, but when I called to schedule it, they didn't have her date available due to a gymnastics meet.... So, I decided we'd keep it small at the house with just family, have dinner and make smores outside. (Why spend more when I don't have too, huh?)

Well, a few days before her birthday, my dad said he'd like to come out for the party. Cool! So, we continued with our 'family' party until the weather got cold (and bad). The day of the party, Brian and I discussed our options and decided it would be fun to take everyone to Playtime Pizza. They had a walk-in party package that gave us food, play cards for everyone and one 'big' attraction (like lazer tag, go-karts, etc...). We called everyone and made the switch hours before it was to begin.

So at 4:00, we got to Playtime Pizza. It was so loud and crazy in there! Wow! But it was really neat. The food was pretty decent and there was so much to do! We got 10 of the $10 playcards so we all got to do all kinds of games. Brian, Liv, Belle, and my dad (now, affectionately called "Dude-Dad" by Belle) went to do the go-karts. They all had a great time. I was saving my 'attraction' fee for lazer tag. Emily, Justin, and I went to sign up for a time. I had never done that before, and was afraid I wouldn't like it since I don't like anyone to chase me (ever)...but I absolutely LOVED it!!













Bella opened her gifts and got some great things! Some of them were a parachute, ball hopper, dance-camera, princess pillow, ABC learning desk, umbrella, boots, etc... So much fun!





Then, Brian and I took the girls on the bumper cars. We were trying to use up all the passes (although I don't think we actually did...). Olivia was barely tall enough to ride alone, and Bella rode with me. She did not enjoy it at all. She cried when people bumped into us (not to mention, everytime someone did, she bumped her mouth on the bar!) I kept us away from the others and she was ready to get out (and go home...) when we were done. It was late and the babies were tired. But all in all, a good party!



And best of all...my house stayed clean. No mess there at all! Yeah!

Happy Halloween!

We had a fun Halloween this past weekend! Bella got to wear her costume to school for their little party. Then we came home and got Livie dressed in her cheerleading costume and went to eat. We met the Bewley family at the new Larry's Pizza (YUM!), and headed out to the Fall Festival at our church. My mom also met us there and the children had a great time. There were a lot of blown up-bouncy things and even a climbing wall for the older kids. Emily and Justin came with Cooper after a little while. The weather was perfect...and we all had a good time.

Then, we came home to trick-or-treat in our neighborhood a little before bedtime. I was not feeling very good (allergies/sinus 'stuff') so I was ready to get home and in bed! But it was a great night. Not much candy to speak of (yea!)and sleepy kids. What could be better? Ha!



Olivia was able to do all of the jumpy-things. Bella tried, but she was so little, she couldn't get up the climbing parts to go down the slides...even with help.


Bella loved the toddler-jumpy thing with balls inside it. I couldn't keep her out of it! But I did talk her into playing a few games...



Can you believe it? We actually got one shot of all the grandkids! That NEVER happens!


Happy Boy, Cooper as Handy Manny.


Brian took Liv around to do the 'big kid' stuff so I didn't see them most of the evening. I stayed with Belle and the rest of the family.


Bella LOVES her Uncle JJ!


We ran into the Schnaitman's while we were there!


Cooper got scared by loud noises a few times. He really did have fun. I just thought this was an adorable 'pitiful' face from him. :)


Liv waited in line to climb the wall again this year. Bella stood watching at the fence. It was so cute.