The Friend-lympics

The 2016 Rio Olympics started last Friday, and our friends Josh and Amy decided to throw together a little Olympic-inspired friendly competition last Saturday morning. They dubbed it the “Friend-lympics,” and the games took place at Metairie Playground. The kids came too, and we luckily set up in the shade right next to a big playground.

Kenny lit the torch to start, and then we went right into the shot put event. Amy ordered a real 12-pound ball for us to use, and they even had a tape measure for true distance accuracy. Steve, who actually competed in shot put in high school, dominated the guys with a 36-ft throw, and I actually won for the girls with an 18-ft throw. So fun!

Then we did the 100-meter dash, which Kenny actually won by just barely edging out James. Rory and I came in last because when everyone raced off the line, he started crying. So I had to wait for him to calm down before we could head down to the finish line. But we made it!

Our last event was the long jump, which I think Kenny won too. We were also supposed to do something on the balance beam, but it was really hot out there and everyone was getting hungry, so we opted to go back to Josh and Amy’s house.

 

We hung out all afternoon and had a great time. I’m glad Josh and Amy organized a fun morning of friendly competition and that we got a good group to participate.

Amy’s already talking about getting together two years from now for the winter Olympics. I wonder if we could figure out a way to do some curling and figure skating…..

The Last Summer Days

It’s a wonder I found time to catch my breath long enough to sit down to write this post. We have done so much these last few weeks. I hope my boys have enjoyed their summer.

They invented a new game this summer that they play a lot. It unfortunately involves them stripping all of the covers off of my bed to do what they call “making the bag.” They roll up inside of the comforter and blanket (sometimes with light-up toys, trucks, swords, etc.) and giggle. Whatever makes them happy, right?

We’ve also had a couple of snacks dinners (their favorite!), Riley and I made rainbow pasta again, and we had a picnic in the kitchen with Kate one night.

 

Kenny and I also finally relented and let Rory sleep in Riley’s room one night. He had been asking constantly, so we gave in the weekend before last, with the stipulations that it would only be on a weekend and that it would not happen all the time. They really enjoyed being in the same room together, although we did have to go up and shush them quite a bit. But they eventually settled down and slept well all night.

And then we let them do it again last weekend. We’re such nice parents.

We’ve also gotten more snoballs, including bringing some to Aunt E and Kate one afternoon and getting ones with Daddy one weekend…..

….and we took a trip through the car wash, of which Rory is no longer scared. He said, “Mama, I don’t want you to hold my hand this time.” Awesome.

Last week was a busy one for the boys and me. We went to the Lafreniere splash pad on Monday, to bounce again and then to Cane’s for lunch on Tuesday, to see Home at the Grand Theater with Aunt E and Kate on Wednesday, and to Nola and Nopsi’s to swim with Aunt E, Kate, Luke, Dana, Claire, Colin, Diana, and Alcee on Thursday. It was quite a week. (The splash pad and Cane’s were free thanks to the library’s summer reading program!)

Oh, and we went to Sector 6 on Wednesday evening for Riley’s friend Aiden’s birthday party. It was a surprise for the birthday boy, who is actually at a different school now, so he was super excited to see Riley and Claire again.

 

 

 

Then on Thursday night, while Kenny and I were dining at the aquarium, the three older cousins had a sleepover at Nola and Nopsi’s. They watched The Nightmare Before Christmas, had a ice cream treat, read books with Nopsi, and somehow all ended up sleeping together in the same bed. Fun times, although the next day was a bit touch and go. I had mighty whiny boys on my hands. Staying up late two nights in a row will do that.

All too suddenly, the new school year is looming. Unfortunately, Rory woke up in the wee hours of Monday morning with a slight fever and he hasn’t been himself since (read: SUPER whiny). We have stayed as quiet as we can so he can get better. I would hate for him to miss his very first day of school.

However, I did promise the boys we would repeat a fun summer activity from last year, and we did it yesterday. Driveway painting! It got them outside for a bit and distracted Rory from his head hurting him. Poor sweet boy. (He did start to feel better yesterday afternoon.)

 

Interestingly enough, they did not paint each other like they did last year. Then again, I didn’t encourage them to do so either. But they emptied all 6 colors in less than 15 minutes and then walked on their creation and smeared their hands in it. Neat how the colors underneath would poke through as their hands moved through the layers.

And with that, summer is just about over. School starts tomorrow. Riley has a half day and Rory goes for just an hour and a half. 1st grade and PK3, here they come!