Trail-a-Bike

Chris has wanted to get a Trail-a-Bike for a LONG time. We finally found a shop that had one in stock and we picked up the bike on March 28th.

Chris said Ryan didn't really pedal at first, so it felt like he was pulling a 50 lb. cart!

Ryan LOVES riding with Daddy!


Ryan giving his new trail-a-bike TWO THUMBS UP!

He calls it his "Red Bike".

The weather has definitely warmed up since then and the boys had their first trip on the Grings Mill trail! Sorry this picture was taken with Chris' cell phone...not the best quality. Ryan got a new bike helmet and he told me that several girls (they passed on the trail) said they liked his helmet and sunglasses! He is tooo cute.

I am so happy to see Chris biking again (he took a huge break from it once we started our family) and I love that he can share his passion for this sport with his son. Ryan has shown a huge interest in riding and I can see the boys enjoying the trails for many years to come.

Rock Star in Crocs!

Last Fall, I joined a moms group called Connect The Tots. I thought it would be fun for us to get out and enjoy playdates with children Ryan's age. The organizer of Connect The Tots sends notification of different events in our county via email almost daily inviting us to come join the fun! We have gone to at least one event each month and each time is a fun new adventure!

On Sunday, July 12th we attended an event at the Riveredge called ROCK STAR TOTS! At first I was hesitant to go because the admission price was $10 per person (adults, children, even babies who are walking!)...but I just knew Ryan would enjoy this event, so I had Chris stay home with Kara and Mommy & Ryan went on a date. (FYI- Rock Star Tots have since changed their prices. Check out their website HeRe.)

We had a GREAT time! Ryan, my little music ham, danced from the moment we stepped off the red carpet at 2 pm until it was time to head home at 5 pm. Yes, three straight hours of pure FUN! I was extremely impressed with every little detail the event coordinator put into this event. From the Rock Star decorations to the games, they kept the children interested and the music kept them dancing!

The DJ (also the event coordinator's husband) kept the kids entertained with a bubble machine. Who doesn't like bubbles?

Ryan bustin' a move!

There were several areas set up for when the children just wanted to play instead of dance. Ryan really enjoyed the tunnel.

Back on the dance floor, the DJ surprised us all when he turned on a soap machine instead of the bubble machine!! The kids LOVED it!

The aftermath of playing in suds!

I am not sure what this is called but Ryan really liked to ride it.

They had a quiet corner where the children could sit and read....

....or play planes, trains and automobiles!

Each month has a different theme. July's theme was AIR GUITAR! and it was also their premiere. They had a contest to see who could play their best air guitar. Here's Ryan practicing for the contest...

Enjoying a little ball fun...

Playing the STAR ring toss game...

Set up next to the quiet corner was a coloring corner!

And a kiddie party would not be complete without Parachute Fun!

They had an area set up for babies and somehow Ryan crawled his way into it!

Finally it was time for the contest. Ryan lined up and excitedly waited for his name to be called. He was the 5th or 6th name on the list, which I thought was good because he could see what the other children were doing first before getting up in front of a crowd all by himself. When his name was called, he ran onto the dance floor. The DJ asked if he was ready and Ryan nodded his head yes. Then the music started and he...

...pretty much just stood there and played his guitar. HA!! He looked SO SERIOUS and of course cute as can be! His mama couldn't have been more proud.


I even caught a clip of it on video. NAME THAT TUNE. Sadly, he did not place in the contest. The girls beat him out with their over the head guitar playing and break dancing moves! You will get them next time, buddy!

(Christy D. can probably name it after the first few notes!)

Mommy and her little Rock Star hanging out in the VIP area!

Ryan (far left) doing the Hokey Pokey!

Rock Star in crocs working the red carpet!

Rock Start Tots is held every 2nd Sunday of the month from 2-5 pm at the Riveredge. Chantelle, our moms group organizer, spoke with the woman in charge and was able to get our group a nice discount for the month of August. The next Rock Star Tots will be held on Sunday, August 9th. If anyone is interested, please contact me and I will add you to the list!

Who needs toys anyway?

Like most families, our house is quickly slowly being taken over by toys. Even more so because our two children are each of a different gender, thus causing us to own "boy toys" and now "girl toys". I shake my head when I walk into the mess that is their toy room now.

I fear what the future holds.

Today the children found an empty box. This box created an entire hour of joyous play, I kid you not! It started innocently enough with Kara playing with her little people in the box. Isn't she cute?

Then she decided that she wanted to get into the box with her little people!

Little Miss Determination eventually climbed in and sat for a while...

...until Ryan saw what his little sister was doing! This is what happened next...

Box Fun! from Bobbi-Jo High on Vimeo.

Then a box accident happened!

No worries! Everyone was ok. :)

Snack time in the box seemed like a great idea too. Boy did they love the box...

...so much so they held a top secret meeting in it! Daddy and Mommy later found out what the RK Alliance was planning....let's just say, it wasn't as fun as playing in the box today!

So next time you ask me what the kids need or want, I highly recommend a box. ;)

Father's Day ~ 2009

Today was Daddy's day!

Daddy requests the same thing every year...

WAFFLES!

And every year, Mommy let's him sleep in while she slaves in the kitchen trying not to burn the waffles in the waffle iron. Can you tell my husband is the 'cook' on our family?

I think they turned out quite yummy...and Ryan will agree!

As luck would have it, Daddy did not have a crazy day like mommy had on her day. There were no "accidents" that involved poop on the floor and the kiddies were on their best behavior all day.

We originally had plans for a picnic dinner at Gring's Mill while enjoying a free Summer Concert. But with the unpredictable weather, we decided not to chance it. (of course the sun decided to come out AFTER we changed our plans!- oh well.)

Instead we headed out for a dinner at Buca di Beppo...

...with Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop Delp.

If you've eaten at Buca, then you know about the POPE room.

We were lucky enough to get this room. And yes, I think the Pope's head sitting in the middle of a lazy-susan is freaky! haha.

This Father's Day was extra special because my younger sister and her family were up visiting from North Carolina. We haven't seen them in almost a year and her FOUR kiddies have grown so much in the past year. Especially this little guy...

Owen is only 6 months older than Kara and turned 1 in January.

Here are his siblings: Ian, Autumn and Ethan.

Kara seems to really like Buca. Her new favorite "finger food"...lemons.

Aunt Tara and the gang (Madison and Billy) made an hour drive to spend the day with us too! This is a really cute picture of them.

The best surprise was that my cousin Lisa decided to join the fun! We love you, Lisa!

Then my niece Madison asked if she could take some pictures....

...and she did a pretty good job. These shots should make my blogger friends happy. :)

It was also Pop-Pop's Day! But Kara wasn't showing the love....

After dinner (which included an impromptu birthday surprise for the May and June birthdays!), we lined up the kiddies for a group photo. Here are 8 out of the 12 grandchildren!

(Kara was cranky and Ryan had a tummy ache.)

All and all, it was a nice relaxing day (except for the screaming kiddies at the restaurant!) for Chris. I wish I could give him a Father's Day week for all the hard work and love he gives to his family every day. We are so very lucky to have him!

Happy Father's Day...to the one I love!