Re-Creating Star Wars

One of the boys' favorite movies right now is Star Wars Episode II. They love to re-create the arena battle scenes with their toys. I find it amazing that they pause the movie and bring down every character depicted on film in order to adequately portray the scene.

I decided to document their latest creations on film. I've included a video at the end that was supposed to be Jonathan re-creating the scenes as they play out on screen but as you will see the lighting was bad. Maybe next time.

Mace Windu confronting Dooku and Jango Fett on the platform.

"Mom, not yet!"

The Jedi fighting in the arena.


Clone trooper ship that rescues the Jedi in the arena.

Yes, in some of the pictures you DO see the couch bed mattress exposed. Another favorite past-time of the boys is to 'pull the couch bed out' and watch movies on it (or play...) I don't normally cover the mattress when we do this except for a blanket...Clearly that doesn't work very well. Maybe I should start putting a sheet on the bed. Hmm...

Happy Birthday Jade!

This past weekend, Jonathan and Drew were invited to a friend's birthday party. Jade is Jonathan's best buddy from kindergarten and was kind enough to invite Drew to his party as well. The boys had a great time, and Jade's family and friends made us all feel very welcome.

Jade with Jonathan and Drew

All but one of these kids were either in Jonathan's class or 'volunteered' there. Listed in order from left to right:
Brooklyn (preschool volunteer), Jonathan, Kevin's sister (in another class,) Makenzie,
Kevin, Jade, Drew (preschool volunteer)

Columbus

The boys and I headed to Columbus last week to visit with our friends. As always, we had a great time and I was SUPER SAD to leave. You'll see from the pictures that we traveled to Cosi and the Marysville pool but we also got to do some other super fun things!

All I want for my birthday is my two front teeth!!!

My FAVORITE exhibits at Cosi are 'Oceans' and 'Space.'

Thanks friends!

Faux Hawks

The boys and I got creative one evening during their bath. I think they felt rather spiffy. This is their tribute to Diego...

More and More Biddles of Fun

While Chris was gone we tried to occupy our time the best we could. Here's our week (more for Chris than for anyone else...)

Sunday:

Chris left, church, Sahara Grill, birthday party, home

Monday:

swim lessons, Chipotle, shopping, library, tanning, stromboli from Andrea

Tuesday:

swim lessons, Biddles and Jimmy John's, fun times, headache, nap, dinner with Mom and Andrea, home

Wednesday:

swim lessons, Moriah, Walmart, cupcakes, tanning, Grinders

Thursday:

swim lessons, Walmart, McDonald's, Camp to see Biddles (fun times,) play time with Jade (Jonathan's friend from school...fun times)

Friday:

Poncho's, Lowes, flowers, headache, nap, tanning, Papa John's, cleaning

Saturday:

cleaning, tanning, SHOWING, Chris is home!!!

The following pictures are from when the Biddles visited us on Tuesday. I forgot to take any pictures on Thursday. Bummer. I could have shown you the green pool and other LOVELY things. I don't want to get in trouble so I'll stop right there.

Swim Lessons Take Two

I have yet to buy a membership to our neighborhood pool. Last year it was nice having a place to go to cool off but sometimes it was so crowded! The pool was a little cold last year too. And crowded. And cold.

But, even though I think I'm going to be able to get through this summer without a pool pass, I could not get through the summer without swim lessons for the boys. Since the June session was so cold last year I opted for the July session...which clearly has been so much warmer...

Jonathan graduated last year to Level II but poor Drew had to be put back into Level I. Both boys are doing well in their respective classes, although I'm a little concerned Drew won't be promoted again. He'll be 16 before he learns how to swim...

THINK POSITIVE THINK POSITIVE THINK POSITIVE

Drew's intimidation could come from the fact that he has nearly drowned multiple times. Poor kid! I say that lightly but I hope you all know how truly thankful I am that he has been saved each time. Don't even want to think about that anymore.

Swimming Lessons!

Level II: Jonathan

Level I: Drew

The lessons were the same price as last year but three classes shorter. Does that make sense to anyone? Hmm. Let's do some math:

Actually, I had to pay five more dollars this year because we weren't members. Let's just throw that one into the equation as well.

$25 for six lessons this year ($20 for six lessons if I would have bought a membership) and $20 for nine lessons last year (that includes our member discount.)

So, roughly, that figures out to $4.17 per lesson this year ($3.33 with a membership) and $2.22 per lesson last year. Even if I would not have bought a membership last year, I still only would have paid $2.77 per lesson.

Hmm...

NON MEMBER: 4.17 this year as opposed to 2.77 last year. Percent of increase: almost 51!!!
MEMBER: 3.33 this year as opposed to 2.22 last year. Percent of increase: almost 50!!!

MY PERCENT OF INCREASE: 2.22 last year...4.17 this year: amost 88%

REALLY? Did I do this right? Come on, who's the math teacher...

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Just a quick update...

Swim lessons are now over and, unfortunately, neither Jonathan nor Drew passed their respective classes. Drew improved immensely from last season but was still at only 50%. Jonathan had more than 50% of the requirements mastered yet lacked enough to promote him to Level III.

AUGH!!!

Maybe we'll have to sign up for the August session as well.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

July 4th and Nothing To Do

OK, we had some options but we wanted to spend time as a family. We didn't even go to the fireworks this year.

Actually, I'm surprised we chose to skip the awesomeness of it all...large obnoxious crowds, cigarette smoke, OTHER smoke, mosquitoes, young children screaming, idle threats of said children's parents, etc.

I love people.

Actually, I love my family! Back to them...

So, Chris did some yard work then (four hours later when he was finished) we decided to go get something to eat. Mmm. Quaker Steak. BONELESS WINGS AND RIBS... Mmm... Then we hit Coldstone...FOUNDER'S FAVORITE...

After stuffing our faces we headed home to jump on the trampoline, light sparklers, and catch fireflies (lightening bugs...whatever...) Great times...except for those darn mosquitoes.

The boys were in bed before the grand finale at the park and Chris and I were settled on the couch watching one of the X-Men movies. I think it was the last one. Where (spoiler alert) Wolverine kills Jean Grey. Gray. However you spell it. "I love you...slash slash slash..." Then lots of weeping. On screen, not on the couch. Anyway...

One of the best Independence Days ever. We chose to be independent. Nice.

Does this picture freak you out as much as it freaks me out?

Really, what is his problem?

I have no idea what Greta was doing in the previous two pictures. Just giving my faithfuls some idea of how much she's grown.

The next morning Chris left for a week. Here's what good-bye looked like...

You'll be happy to know that as of this posting, Chris will be home tomorrow. It's been a fun week but we're ready to claim him as our own once again.