Jackie & Rachel Robinson's Birthday Party

Today we went to the birthday party for Jackie (8) and Rachel (1) Robinson.  They decided on Mr. Gatti's (kind of like Chuck-E-Cheese's on steroids, or for those of you from Spokane, Wonderland).  After a pizza, pasta, soup, and salad buffet (which actually approximated those named items to a reasonable degree), there was balloon animals and face painting.  Jackie and Meagan opted for a cats theme (even though they've never seen it).  Really cute if I do say so myself...

Jacob on the other hand, would have none of that.  He wanted to be Link from the Legend of Zelda.  Neither of the two girls doing the facepainting knew who that was so he drew them a picture, which they then painted on his face.  Ben Robinson liked it so much that they did the same for him.  Meagan, of course, would have none of this taking picture business unless she could be in it...

After face painting, came presents (we gave them a "matching" pair of La La Loopsie's - a big Cowgirl one for Jackie and a small, soft, pirate one complete with parrot, "Arrrrrr" - for Rachel - so that they could play together and bond).  Cake next, then came the anxiously awaited game card distribution ($15 for each kid to play games and such).  They have the standard fare (ticket games, Skee ball, etc...) plus some good current non-cheesy games for more grown up tastes (Guitar Hero, Star Wars, Racing Games, Beachhead, etc...).  They even had a virtual reality roller coaster.  But the hit of the event was indoor go karts.  EVERYBODY liked those.  Here's Meagan, having fun.  Her favorite was spinning in place.

I managed to not get a good (clear) still of Jacob.  What I did get was video.  He's the one in the "red-seated" go kart.  Ben Robinson, his friend, is the one in the "black-seated" go kart.

3 hours later, the kids were sated, and we left.  A good time was had by all.  Gearing up tomorrow for Jackie's Baptism where I will witness and be in the confirmation circle.  An even better time if you ask me...

- Josh

A Watery Adventure

Last week, our family, accompanied by some of our closest friends - the Robinson's, went forth once again to do battle with our arch-enemy, the Sun.  A hot day, we decided that since we have a pool in our apartment complex, it would be a good idea to go.  We gathered up the kiddos and went for some cool, wet fun.  The last time Sarah and the Kids went, and despite what I am told were copious amounts of sunscreen used, Sarah got as cooked as she likes her steaks...thoroughly charred.   She was peeling for a week, afterward.  This time around, I did the sunscreen and, may I say, I apparently have the magic touch - no one got burnt after 2 hours and everyone seemed to have a great time even with other people around - public pool and all...

 

As skittish as Jacob was last year, this year, the boy has NO FEAR of the water anymore.  While not yet a champion swimmer, he has no hesitation about getting in the water and trying to do what we tell him as we teach him to swim.  Meagan is doing better, but lacks her brother's confidence (or naivete perhaps).  She still needs some encouragement - which we are more than happy to provide.  They'll both get there.  

Meagan really enjoys spending time with her friend Jackie.  They're quite a pair.  Both willful and too smart for their own good...

Jacob and Ben on the other hand can find any trouble, anywhere, and jump in with both feet.  We have to keep on our toes around them because they are both just so dang clever. 

We've been so blessed to find such good friends here in Lubbock, TX.  While we miss all those we've had to leave behind, we are grateful that we've gotten to know all of them and especially here, the Robinson's.  We're so grateful that God put them in our path to share some time with.  They make us better people and we LOVE spending time with them as often as we can.

- Josh

Reading Achievment

So Meagan is our big-time reader. She was tested at the end of the school year to see where exactly her reading level is, and she surprised us all with a reading level of 9.4.

That means she can read at a ninth grade, four month reading level. She shocked us all because she is only in fourth grade. We are very proud of our gal and all the hard work she has done to get to where she is.

- Sarah

Happy Easter

Our ward had an Easter egg hunt party at Patterson park. This was the first primary activity that I had as a counselor in the Primary presidency and I was intimately involved in the planning and supervision.  It was a lot of work, but the turnout and the excitement made it all worth it.  The kids had so much fun getting their faces painted and decorating sugar cookies and playing on the bouncy houses. There was so much to do and craziness ensued.

Meagan and Jacob smiles all around (This is probably one of the best pictures of the two of them we've ever taken).

Meagan riding the dragon (She's never seen The Neverending Story, but she'd probably give Atreyu a run for his money...).

Sugar-rush time for Jacob. ("You pile on that frosting!!!")

Hearts and smiles go hand in hand.

Everyone had a blast and all the kids were happy.  Aside from the wind picking up pretty good at the end (and tipping the bouncy castle some), the weather was pretty nice too.  All in all, it was a good day, and a successful activity.  Looking forward to many more...

Sarah

Little Blessings

Yesterday Jacob came home really upset and angry. I asked him what was wrong and after an hour of trying to get to the bottom of it he finally told me he was having problems with bullies at school. He then proceeded to ask me out of the blue if daddy would give him a special fathers blessing. I began to cry and told him that he would have to ask his father that. After we picked up Josh from work Jacob asked him for a blessing. I was so proud of him taking the initiative of asking for help and feeling comfortably enough to ask. I can see the way church has helped him and given him the confidence he needs to be a good strong church member, and how the Lord has blessed his life for the better.

What was even better was that Jacob came home today and told me the blessing worked cause the bullies left him alone. I am so proud of my little man.

bad hair cuts

On Saturday I decided to get a hair cut. Meagan then proceeded to tell me she wanted one as well, so off we went to great clips. I decided, to save time, to both go at the same time. What a huge mistake on my part. Meagan told the lady she wanted her hair to be about the length of her chin. Which is fine because she has had that kind of a hair cut before. So off I went to get my hair cut. Well while I was getting mine done the lady asked Meagan if she wanted layers. Meagan had no clue what that was and was to afraid to say no so she got layers and it made her hair really short. Lets just say that she was very upset with the outcome.


So I decided to help her feel better and asked her if she would like it if I got the same hair cut. She said yes, so i went back to the lady and asked her to cut my hair even shorter to match Meagan's hair.


Lets just say that we both hate our hair, but we hate it together. The only good thing that came out of our hair cutting experience is that I was able to donate my hair to locks for love. Oh well, I just have to keep reminding us that hair does grow back.

Happy 10th Birthday Meagan

Yay, Meagan is now double digits. She had a great day full of fun. We played games and watched movies and had friends over for cake and ice cream.

She got all that she asked for, especially a la la loopsy. (a very popular doll)

Time to blow out the candles!!

Happy Birthday Meagan, you are growing up to be a very wonderful girl.