Caden the Birthday Boy

Yesterday was Caden's birthday and so today (because yesterday was very busy) we had a party here at the house. When Chris and I first started to talk about doing the party here at the house she had suggested that we rent one of the inflatable houses to put in the yard and the kids could play out there on it. Thinking that it was a splendid idea we called the local bounce house (House of Bounce actually) and set it all up. So today it came and it was everything that I could of imagined it to be. First of all it was huge, plenty big for the  6-8 kids that were in it at any one time, and sometimes if you were lucky then you got to be the only one in the house. Secondly it was really good for the kids to be able to go play out there or in the house to cool off sometimes (it was a pretty hot day today, June and summer are upon us) but we had popsicles, Kool-Aid and Ice Cream Cake to keep us cooled down. Just like anything all good things must come to an end and as the guy from House of Bounce came back to take down the bounce house and put it on the truck, Caden started asking me, "Daddy is that his house, what is he doing, is he taking it home?" I told him yes and he went up to the guy and said, "Thank you for letting up bounce in your house." I love those sweet things that my children say sometimes. Happy Birthday Caden I hope that you had a great birthday.

Cats and now more Cats

Last Sunday when we got home from Walmart we had 2 more cats than before we left. In about an hour we had another two for a total of 4 new cats in the house. These cats will not become permanent additions to the house, but for now they reside here. Thought that I would share them with all of you. If you would like to share one of them with you forever just say the word. The white one is given away and I think that I am mailing the orange one to Africa (LOL).

Micha's Special Night

Tonight Micha had her open house at her enrichment school where she got to show off all of the things that she has been working on in class. I apologize that you are unable to hear her explain them all that much because of the background noise in the hall but at least you will get to enjoy her work from far away.

Logan Fletcher is 4 Years Old

 

There have been some really great days and some otherwise rough days but 6 years after starting the journey into parenthood, and 4 years of being the parents of Logan Michael we celebrated his birthday today. Saturday night (which was his actual birthday) we had a terrific family birthday party at the house with the family and the surprise guests Grammie and Papa. Grammie and Papa came in for a couple days on a little get out of the house trip even though the visit was short it was wonderful and well timed. For dinner on Saturday we had Spaghetti and Meatballs, per the choice of the birthday boy. Growing up that is a tradition that I have tried to keep that they birthday person gets to pick the dinner for that night and that is what Logie Bear wanted. So I made up some meatballs and  boiled up the spaghetti for a wonderful dinner with wonderful company as well. We did the party on Sunday so Logan was not only under the impression that we was having two birthdays but also that he would also turn a year older with each one. So Saturday was his 4th birthday and he turned 4 so that must mean that since he gets another birthday party it is another birthday and today he turned 5. Sadly for a child that does not hold true and today was his party for his friends. We had the party at the local roller skating rink and it was an absolute blast. I know that all of our family had a great time attending the event and I would like to think that the other guests did as well. Happy Birthday Logan! We love you!

Changes are coming

After a wonderful visit to Michigan to see Jessica, David, Grant, and Charlie as well as my parents, we came home and decided that there was a lot that we needed to do to make our house the way that we want it. Thanks to Jessica and the things that we saw in her house it gave us some thoughts and ideas so this last week has been the beginning of a new home for us to live in.

 

When you move into a place you spend some time getting it all set up the way that you want it and there are things that you cannot live with at all, and other things that you think that are okay for right now but you would like to change down the road. That is where we are now, down the road and the journey will be long but after the vacation from the things that we cannot live with at all, alas comes the things that are down the road. Of those include the ugly dark wood cabinets in the kitchen that we would like to replace but the cost of that would be huge, the old table that was our first matching table and chairs for the kitchen, the kids beds, finishing the guest room downstairs (not sure if that one will get done for the next two), the green carpet in the hall and the front room, and the sectional downstairs. I was not ready to give up on carpet, I love carpet and wish that I could put carpet in the garage and in the yard and on the street and everywhere. I love the feel of carpet and socks or slippers it is so comfortable, but after looking at David and Jessica's house for a few days I am thinking that the look of wood is classy so I like that too and with some talking about it I will get to keep carpet in the bedrooms and downstairs which are the lounging places anyway; and just put wood in the front room, the kitchen, and the hall. So it will have the classy look but I will still get my carpet in all the cozy places. It will be like Hanna Montana...."The Best of Both Worlds" Flooring is expensive so we are looking at manufactured or laminate flooring but some of the good stuff looks real. With this thought also brings the thoughts of the couch will not fit right because the upstairs is more of a sitting room and the couch is more of a lounging couch with multiple recliners plus we spent a lot of money last year for the couch and love seat that we are no longer using upstairs, so with progress makes more changes as well. We will most likely move the couch and love seat downstairs and retire Dad and Mom's old sectional.

I am very excited about all the changes that we are making and again making the house look just like I want it to, we will get to all the other stuff as time goes on and now that I have a camera again I will get back to blogging as well. I will share pics of the kids and more pictures of the house as we reach new milestones.

Christmas in Missouri

Well It took me a couple weeks to get back on here to post and I do not have a lot of stories to tell this afternoon but I wanted to share some photos.  I guess the only story that I have time to share today is so that you understand what Micha is doing in some of the photos that fall in here later on.

        For Thanksgiving Micha learned how to make Magic Cookie Bars and they we a huge hit. None of Chris' family had ever had them including Chris so now we had her make them for us again. It is quite a simple recipe and she has come close to mastering it. As always you can check out flickr to see more of the Magic Cookie bar photos as well as the Christmas Tree decorating.

We got our first snow of the year here and as it was not enough to really even hang around longer than just the morning of it was enough for the kids to get out in the back yard and have fun for a few moments. I am thinking that we are going to the Christmas parade this weekend so I will snap some more photos then. If not then I will get some more on here the first of next week.

Christmas is coming....and we are gearing up

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You thought I forgot......

Well the only thing that I forgot to do was make the blog, but as promised I photographed the quality time that the Fletcher Five spent together this last weekend. Sorry I missed uploading the photos and as always there are more photos of the event in the new set on flickr so check that out. This last weekend we went on a short little road trip to Pittsburgh but it was great for the kids to get away for a little while. Even though it was only to Pittsburgh the kids thought it was the perfect trip because we left Joplin but were not driving forever. After the little trip we came back home to enjoy some time at the bowling alley. Micha wanted to go roller skating again but bowling was the consensus of the family. We rarely go bowling but when we go the children enjoy it so much we wonder why we do not go more often. Micha had a blast in fact she ended up finishing up the game while bowling for everyone. Bowling was a huge success and I cannot wait to see what this weekend has to offer us. I bet you cannot wait to see the photos as well. Tomorrow is the family volunteer day at Ronald McDonald House so I am thinking that the pictures might involve "The House" it is always a trying time when we are all there as well as a great time. We all go as a family once a month and tomarrow is our day. Chris goes a couple times more than that at least and usually takes one of the kids with her. I should take lots of photos there tomorrow and tell you about a day in the life of the Fletcher Five at Ronald McDonald House in Joplin. That will make for a great blog post! Until then...........