19. 296,253 miles SENT!

Something fun we decided to do this year in 2013 was start Postcrossing!

We have sent 60 postcards which totaled 296,253 miles sent. 

We have received 59 postcards totaling 292, 757 miles.

We have received so many awesome cards.

 This one is a puzzle!

 When we get them, we look at the stamps, total up how much they cost to get here.

Then we read them, we asked our senders to tell us what language they speak and what their favorite food is to eat. Then we look up where they came from and draw a line on the map.

 Some of the cards are in the girls bedrooms, like this one below is on Bridget's memory board.

 It is so fun to get a post card every couple of days. :)

I think everyone should try it! It is free and you pay for the postcards you send and the postage.

You also control how many come,etc. This has really helped with teaching geography this summer.

I would be happy to answer any questions. :)

We totally love postcrossing!

18. Chuck - E - Cheeses

The kids ask to go all the time, and we decided that we would go, but it would have to be a weekday, first thing in the morning. We went 2 weeks ago (I know, I am behind), we were sort of celebrating Lucas and Bridget fininishing the school's reading program. Lucas completed all 8 book reports, and Bridget read 25 books.  They are still reading, but the pressure is off to "complete" the program. :)

Every kid is given a card with a prize. Juliet hit the jackpot with a 50 ticket card!

 The kids had a blast. They were the only ones in the entire place!

 I brought a snack and then Chuck started to sing, so the littles ran over to listen.

 The kids won over 300 tickets. They had lots to choose from.

After Chuck-E-Cheeses, I took the kids to the mall for lunch.

We had Rubio's and then went home. It was a fun day!

Lucas's 7th Birthday, Part 2

After breakfast, but before the splash park, Lucas begged to open presents. So, we decided that it would be a good time to do that.

Lucas was dying to know what was in this box, but he had to wait.

First up was from Gma and Gpa Horn.

He loved his Chess Set. It was just what he wanted.

Auntie Steph, Uncle Theo, and Phil picked the coolest Wall Tracks.

Gma and Gpa Witte brought Lucas a regulation sized basketball, which he loved.

He got a few other things, but that box...what is in that box.

There is a video of it, and I will post the video later, but I need to talk about that box.

Lucas has asked for a particular thing since last Christmas. The thought of spending $100 on this particular thing seemed a bit much for a 6.5 year old. Lucas has been saving his money for this toy, and always talked about it.  A few months ago my friend, who also cares about my boy found this particular toy for an unbelievable price. She called me, she hid it in the store, and I picked it up and saved it for his birthday. 

When I say unbelievable I mean $60 off!

So, now you want the video right?

This video is a true reaction, minus the tears of joy he shed during dessert, thanking us for this super awesome toy. And the tears of joy at bed time when he couldn't believe he owned it.

I promise, we didn't make him wait till he was 8 to build it. :)

Since he got a birthday breakfast suprise, and a present suprise, we couldn't end it there.

We let him pick dinner and then had some awesome people join us.

cousins!

The best part of dinner was the table top s'mores for dessert

He had a great birthday, and I am sorry I was so behind in posting it.
It might have to do with Lucas moving to his new basement room, or Juliet and Mason's new room, or my new floors,or that I have had a migraine for 4 days, but that is all for more posts. Which now that my camera is back and I have located the cord, we are back in business. :)

Lucas's 7th Birthday, part 1

We decided to do something different this year.

Since he is going to have a larger party next year when he is 8, we thought we would do something totally random for the big 7.  He kept asking if he was going to get a party,and I told him no parties till he was 8, so he was just "okay" about having a little day.

Boy did we get him this year!
First, we sang to him.

Where he got mad because Bridget wouldn't let him answer.
He calmed down pretty quickly once he realized, she will always be that way.

I told him I needed to pick up something before we had breakfast, but I didn't want him to see what I was getting so he needed to be blindfolded.

The whole drive he said, "I promise I won't peek. I don't want to ruin the surprise."

When we pulled up to our first stop, I made him walk up to the door.
He couldn't take off the blindfold until the door opened.

I wish I got a picture of what he saw.
It was ROBERT! Lucas's best little buddy.

He was in his pajamas too! We had one more stop, and it was CARTER! Awesome!

Then I took the kids out to Cracker Barrel for Breakfast.
Just the 3 boys, it was so much fun!

 They had a great time giggling and laughing about silly boy stuff and smells.

After Cracker Barrel, we went to Krispy Kreme, since it was too early for cake. :)

Nathan and the rest of our brood came for doughnuts.

The boys took home 1/2 a dozen home to their family, and the golf tee game from cracker barrel.

It was a perfect start to the day. :)
Lucas was totally surprised and told me that he wouldn't tell Bridget about it so she could be surprised for her 7th birthday. How thoughtful. :)

After Breakfast we drove the boys home and went right to the splash park, but there was one thing we were forgetting...PRESENTS!

Which I will post about tomorrow!