First Day of School 2013

First day, and we're not the NEW kids anymore. Hallelujah! Sarah (4th grade), Ethan (3rd grade) and Lucas (1st grade). Jacob is in 7th grade and pictures are mortifying to him. LOL.

Lucas' birthday

In our house, when it's your birthday, you get to pick the restaurant we go to for dinner. Lucas had selected Wendy's, but somehow dad finagled his way into Texas Roadhouse. At least Lucas likes throwing peanut shells on the floor! They sang to him and let him ride the birthday saddle, so it wasn't a total loss. 

Lucas' birthday party was going to be a Minecraft theme (just like Ethan's). Since the game is relatively new, it hasn't been picked up by all the party manufacturers and you pretty much have to make everything yourself. I spent a lot of time trying to make sure Lucas' party wasn't an exact replica of Ethan's party, UNTIL ...

Two days before his party - as we are shopping for plates and cups and goodie bag contents - Lucas changes his mind and says he wants a Spiderman party! So I change all the green items in my cart for red and blue UNTIL ...

He sees the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle supplies! That's what he wants. So I explain that once we leave the birthday aisle, he can no longer change is mind. He'll be stuck with TMNT. And that was fine with him. We change all the red and blue items back to green. And it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because Target makes a TMNT cake AND the turtles love to eat pizza! Dinner at the party...solved!

One of those rare moments that last minute chaos worked into my favor!

His party was held at an indoor playground called the Ark. Two stories of climbing and tunnels and ramps and obstacles - similar to one of our favorite places in MN, Edinborough Park.

Hot and sweaty, but smiling, kiddos!

Outtakes

Just to show you how a Nault photo session usually goes down...

Fun visits from friends!

My college (and beyond) roommate, Connie, came to visit for a couple days. She is the one who met a Tunisian man in Houston, moved with him to Paris, got married there, and has since moved to Cairo. It's a challenge to see her geographically, but when it works out, it's fantastic!

We didn't do much - wasn't necessary. We just needed to catch up. Ethan said "You and my mom, you just talk all the time!" That's right, Ethan. That's what friends do. 

Later that week, we had a visit from an old San Antonio playgroup friend. She brought her three kids and we got Pam's here too, and enjoyed a nice lunch like good ol' times! They've all grown so much!