Games Night

Every once in a while we can get everyone at home at the same time. I know a rare thing these days! When that does happen we like to have a games night. Now we have a ton of games and enjoy many different ones. But, there's one that seems to win out more times than not. Tripoley - a combination of Poker and Rummi.



Don't look at me, I wasn't feeling on top of the world!! Notice, camera shy Tyler, yet another picture of his hand! (our niece Stefunk got many like this last summer when we all went to WDW!)


I still don't know poker! I have to use a cheat sheet to figure out what I have, but this game is fun and the kids enjoy it.



Kevin shuffles an extra set of cards and AJ watches Tyler deal!

So, try a games night in your family it really is a lot of fun!

Cozyflier

You Want What for Your Star of the Week Poster?

Our elementary school has a tradition it is called 'Star of the Week'. During each school year each child will get to be the star, after all we are the Smith Stars! During that week, the child gets to bring a poster with pictures of themselves, be the teachers helper, line leader, etc. I'm sure you understand the concept!

Well, after 4 kids, 17 years in the same elementary school it is becoming more difficult to come up with poster ideas! I've NEVER done a plain rectangular poster - NEVER!!!! Where's the creativity in that? No offense to anyone, but I'm a scrapbooker and I let my creative juices flow whenever possible!

So, AJ is star this week, and he really got me when he told me about 2 weeks ago what he wanted his poster to be. The Imperial symbol from Star Wars! Surprised?




Thank heavens that among my husbands many talents, he can mathematically figure any design we come up with for a poster!




Now, I will help with the construction of said poster, but the math is left to Kevin!! And yes, we MacGyvered a giant compass!




And who gets the Hug when all is said and done?


Dad, of Course!

You see, I don't draw, I imagine! Once the poster is created physically, then my creative talent goes to work designing the layout. So, here is this years poster.




Now, to figure out what to do for the Star Party on Thursday at 2:45. Any suggestions?? Any food, has to be wrapped and sent out the door at 3! Hmm, I feel an order coming on to Cookie Bouquet!!

Cozyflier

P.S. Maybe in another post I'll show you pics of other posters if you are interested! I'm on the wrong computer currently.

Curbside Good Fortune!

So, it was just another day going to school to pick up the kids. Well, it was AJ's B-day, so it wasn't just ordinary! I had spent the day decorating, calling friends, making arrangements for that impromptu get together I told you about.

Kevin was home and we decided to take his car, that always throws the kids off when they don't see my van parked at school! He turned on a different street to get to school than what I've been taking. (Our normal route is under road construction) As we turn off the very busy Slide Road, and onto 95th, we see a man in his yard putting up a sign "free pool table". What's the catch we say to each other. Well, after a few hundred feet down the road, we decide to pull a U-ey and go find out.

We pull up, there in the yard is a pool table! Quite dusty and dirty, but none the less, a full size pool table. The man is already inside. Kev rings the doorbell and finds out the man is moving, he and his wife have too much junk and don't want to move a pool table! It's free really? Will it fit in my van? The nice man has a pickup!! OK, then, give me the keys, I'll go to school and get the kids, by the way, I'm now late to get my parking place! You guys go to the house with the pool table, the whole 8 blocks! Kevin gives the man $20 for delivering it!

When the kids get home they are in shock! They love to play pool, and have been playing with this mini multi-game table for years now that they have out grown! You know, the foos-ball, table tennis, air hockey, chess, back gammon, and pool.

The table needs some work, but it is great for the kids to mess around on, and learn. The funny thing is, is that several friends have said, the guy couldn't have found a more perfect home for the pool table! I guess with all the parties and kids that hang out at our home the pool table will get a lot of use! Better than paying $15 and hour at the local bowling/billiards place in town!!!


This is Chris, my oldest giving it a shot! (Notice how Tyler my 18 yr old is standing just out of camera range??)


AJ takes a turn!

Cozyflier

Spring Ahead!

Just a reminder - don't forget to set your clocks 1 hour forward tonight!!




This is the night when we lose 1 hour of wonderful sleep and Spring Ahead so we can start enjoying more daylight in the evenings!

Now, to get our body clocks reset! Good luck.

Cozyflier

Spur of the Moment Party!

Double Digits is quite a milestone. But when your birthday falls on a school night it is difficult to have a full blown party. We planned a family dinner, I offered to cook, but our family tradition is to go out! AJ chose Logan's Steak House, Yummy rolls!! I didn't eat all day!


AJ flirted with the waitress, Kara, the entire time we were there. At the end of the meal she brought him a free cheesecake, the new mini dessert! However, she didn't serve it in the regular way!!



I had planned to buy one of those double layer chocolate chip cookie 'cakes' at Sam's when I was there on Sunday, but of course they didn't have any made. It wasn't near a big holiday! So, I let AJ pick out a sheet cake, I knew I wouldn't have time to bake. Our family is not big on cake. I had to come up with some way to get rid of this cake!




Tuesday afternoon, I start calling a few friends. Can you come over for cake and ice cream I ask? No gifts needed, just come and watch AJ open his family gifts and help us eat this huge cake!! Tyler, my 18yr old gets 3 of his buddies to come over, our neighbor girl comes, and 2 friends with their kids who play with AJ come. Not a bad turnout for a last minute party! Of course, Grammie went to dinner with us because a birthday wouldn't be complete without her!

AJ was wishing his cousins could have been here, but it is the middle of the school year. They did chat via text messaging all evening long.

I faked AJ out on his presents! All he wanted was Lego sets - Star Wars Lego sets. No surprise there! I ended up ordering them online. Our local toy store just doesn't get a big enough variety.

So, I wrapped each set individually and/or put them in bags. Then, I put all the sets except one back into the HUGE shipping box and wrapped that box!!!! He was certain I had bought him clothes. He knew Grammie's box was a Lego set, and figured the other one was. But that huge box just had to be clothes. There wasn't a Lego set that was that big, shape, or size!!!! Man, was he surprised when he opened that box!!!! I don't get to fool him very often, it felt pretty good!

The big box on the bottom is what I'm talking about!

The big box!






Think he was happy??


Now, I'm trying to figure out when he can have a small party with some of his class mates. He hasn't had one in years! Schedules are so hectic, Kev is out of town so much, this may be an impossibility! I'll keep trying.

Anyway, that was AJ's 10th!

Cozyflier

Life Gets in the Way!

Oi! Where has the week gone? Meetings, meetings, and more meetings! Life is getting in the way of my blogging!

I haven't had time to upload awesome b-day pictures, nor blog about that. I haven't had time to tell you of our wonderful find on curb while driving to pick up kids from school! Keep checking in, I promise to post this weekend!

Have a good one. I'm sorry life has been so chaotic.

Cozyflier

Double Digits!

Today AJ hits Double Digits! I'm dealing with fact that I longer have a baby. Oh well, at least I'm past the stage of wanting another one. I know my husband is sighing with relief!! This is it, the 4th child, leaving behind single digits entering into those tween years. Oh my!

But the above seems like yesterday (to me) at church preschool! Since he is turning 10 I thought I'd post 10 reasons why I love this Star Wars Lego Freak!!

1. He has a kind heart - he loves animals and in reality his sister!

Here AJ falls asleep with new puppy Elke!

2. & 3. AJ has the biggest SMILE / He's a HAM!!!









4. AJ has a natural ability for sports - he doesn't play team sports, but he's good at anything he does - like skiing -






5. He's a good friend -






6. He loves his cousins and always has fun with them -





7. He's adventurous -

He can climb the spider web at Body works in nothing flat!







He's not afraid to try things - in other words he's a MONKEY!!!









8. He has school spirit - no matter what the occasion he will participate! Whether it is crazy hat day, western day, favorite star day, whatever the reason AJ is in on the action~







9. AJ LOVES Star Wars! In case you hadn't noticed, most of the pictures in this blog, he has on some sort of Star Wars shirt! Going to WDW for Star Wars Weekends has become a family favorite!
AJ handily wins the Padawan Trivia Challenge!





oh, just in case there was any question, that IS AJ in the Yoda costume!!




10. Last but not least, AJ still loves Mom and Dad and it is still cool to hang out with us! So traveling in the Cozy to go on vacation is A-OK with him, and hanging with Mom having a good time is too!





On days when AJ hangs with me, he's learning how to take cool photos!


A.J. Happy 10th Birthday Sweet hart! Dad and I love you. You are one smart cookie!!

Cozyflier