The masked marauder

Is it Batman?  

Words from the back seat...

Novak : Mom, can I take a bath?  A pink mushroom bath?

I really wish I knew where he gets this stuff...

Zoo Round 2 (same place, different child)

On May 20, I was able to go with Nile's kindergarten class to the zoo for his school field trip.  Originally this was scheduled for April, but it was 40 degrees and a rain/sleet/snow mix that day.  Not such a good zoo day...Monday was much better!

I was ready to chaperone my "small group" of children, so I was surprised when they said all I had to be responsible for was my own child!  I was even more surprised (and happy) when Nile said he didn't want to go around with any of his classmates, he wanted to go with "just you, Mom."

Like I was going to argue with that!

We had a blast exploring together, even though we had only about an hour of time to do so.  We even found some tiny tamarin monkeys we have never seen before.

On the train.  

Outside the zebra enclosure.

Measuring up against the falcons.  (despite his expression, he made sure we did this)

On a rock. :)

I guess now I just need to take Nate to the zoo and the trilogy will be complete. :)

And now it's official!

Nate "officially" turned eight on Monday, May 20.

His brothers were excited to help watch him open presents.  

Pay no attention to the child in his underwear...

Present 1 (note Nile has entered the frame)

A DNA Science Kit!

His favorite gift from the family by far had to be this new DC Comics visual encyclopedia.   He has a Marvel one which he has been reading every night before bed for the last few months.  I dare anyone to ask him a question about a Marvel character...soon he'll be a DC expert as well.

The next three pictures cover about 1 minute of present opening time.  Good thing this was the last gift he opened.

Just opened it!

Looking for the Joker page...

Nose buried in the book and everyone has left...

Nate turns eight! (almost)

We had Nate's birthday party on Sunday, the day before his actual birthday.

CAUTION: Lots of pictures ahead!

I started preparing a few days early (Friday), with cupcake baking and LEGO Man decorations.  Nate had specifically requested LEGO cupcakes with "that LEGO candy on top."  He also requested white vanilla cupcakes.  I figured even I couldn't mess up cupcakes...

Photos of the preparations

Nate, helping decorate the cupcakes.

Looks kind of like a Crayola factory exploded.

This little guy was the main decoration.

LEGO Man "garland" (without ribbon)

For Nate's actual party, I didn't go to too much effort (really!).  We scheduled it for two hours, and let the kids dictate what we did.  Nate had invited seven friends (two girls), and five were able to come.  It was just about the perfect size party.

We did have a "pin the head on the LEGO man" game.

Bella and Nile were closest.

Then, we played a LEGO Building contest.  I basically gave them a tub of bricks and let them build, then each kid won a prize for their creation.  Prizes included:  Tallest Structure, Craziest Creation, Most White Bricks, etc.

After about 40 minutes of playing, the kids were ready for cupcakes and ice cream.

Novak had his later, after he woke up from his nap.  Incredibly, he slept through most of the party (and associated noise and chaos).

I like frosting...

All in all, Nate had a pretty good birthday party.  I am happy that it was simple and easy, and low stress.  And I loved having it at home, it was a bit more work but it was also nice to have everyone come to us.

Birthday Boy.  Is it true he's eight?

Spring...Finally! And the zoo!

Novak and I made our first trip to the zoo this year...in fact it was the first spring-like day that we've been able to enjoy this year.  Sad that it's the 17th of May...but better late than never!

We started the morning off at 7:45 playing outside (right after we walked home from taking the older two boys to the bus stop.

Peekaboo!

 After playing outside for a while, we met Becky and Baby Brandt at the zoo for our first trip of the year.  I was so excited to share the zoo with this guy!  He didn't remember the trips we made last year, so it was all fresh and new to him.

Being a huge train fan, he loved the zoo train (but he still didn't like the train whistle).

Definitely loved the train best of all.

Goofball.

I have a feeling we'll be going to the zoo a lot this summer.

The circus is in town!

Today at school the circus came to town. Tom sent me these pictures during the day. I can't wait to hear more about it when they get home!

Tom and Nate (I almost didn't recognize Nate here)

Nile as a lion...

Nahant Marsh

Enjoy this video that Nate created in class after their field trip to Nahant Marsh.