Epic Weekend

*BEWARE EPIC POST DUE TO EPIC WEEKEND*

Friday morning I awoke to the pitter patter of little feet, just as I do every morning. I am usually awake just before I hear a loud *thud* (that is Jett climbing down from the top bunk and landing on the floor) then I hear, "Jettson, pease, for me, blatent, blatent, hep, Jettson."  Translation: "Jettson, please, wait for me, blanket, blanket, help, Jettson." Then my bedroom door is thrown open with "Hi, mama!!" There was a little something different about this morning as Jettson was not part of the morning greeting crew...he was already downstairs, dressed and waiting for his breakfast.

Jett~ "Hi Mom, what is today?"

Me~ "Hi Jett, today is Friday, your Birthday Party Day!"

Jett~ "Looks like today is going to be a good, good day, uh mom!"

Me~ "It sure is Jett!"

At 11:15 a.m. I picked up Jettson and three of his friends from school. I had FIVE BOYS in my car! They were loud and excited for their party weekend to begin.

Jettson, Owen B. Patryck (under the table) Matthew & Owen H.

We played some classic Birthday Party games, Pin the Tail on the Donkey (Selena Herrin drew the donkey, not bad).

Musical Chairs. Selena and I are old school, when it comes to kids birthday parties. This was our second time combining Jettson and Audra's birthdays. Kids get so overwhelemed by all the birthday hoopla, that we like for them to be able to play and have good old fashioned fun.

Audra and one of her little neighborhood friends.

Selena gave Jettson his birthday cupcake. Prior to all this he had a major meltdown over something...and he was not going to join in the "Happy Birthday" song...but he managed to bring himself to join in.

Mama and Jettson! I cannot believe that my baby boy is 6 years old! Just as every seasoned parents says, "enjoy these moments they go by fast." It is annoying to hear sometimes, but they are totally right....it is going much too quick and I am trying so hard to savor each event, every moment, even every meltdown!

This picture makes me wanna cry! They love eachother so much. It is soooo sweet. They are just the cutest! Happy Birthday Jettson and Audra!

Mr. Owen finally, got his "cukcake!" He enjoyed every last morsel.

After the party I took all "my" boys home for a sleepover. I got lots of "you are brave" and "good luck!" as we left the party. You know, it really was not that bad. The boys played great together. We had a few little bumps and bruises, but nothing major. The next morning they were all up, by 7:00 a.m. I might add, playing Legos. I made everyone Chocolate Chip pancakes. They were a huge hit. I think, I see more sleepovers in my future, especially, if I keep serving stuff like pizza and chocolate chip pancakes!

 "ugh! I am full of pancakes mom!"

Matthew Chipman enjoying his chocolate chip pancakes.

Owen Battey, another happy camper!

Belgium Waffles (one of the boys did not want chocolate chip pancakes).

If that was not enough...we went hiking two days in a row! We took the boys to Antonelli's Pond in Santa Cruz. Jettson and I had fun making up stories about Trolls! We had some really good story lines going. We actually renamed the area "Troll Woods." When we got home Jettson wanted to look up websites about Trolls. We did not find as much as we were hoping for, but we were able to find a little history on them . The legend of trolls stem from Norway. It was also really fun to watch Jettson's imagination soar. He loves it when I make believe with him. It was also great for me to leave behind "my" world for a while and live in my child's world~which at times is so much nicer than mine ;)

At Castle Rock

My "trolls" playing on the rocks.

It was so quiet in the woods. All I wanted to do was sit and listen to nothing. When I sat down, Jettson sat down too and said "mom, this is how you channel king fu."  He is such an interesting kid. I was really into the quiet. How often do you get to just sit and hear nothing?

While on our hikes this weekend I found some really beautiful fall foliage.

It was a great weekend. The boys were great, the hiking was wonderful. I did not cook at all this weekend. On Saturday we ate out at Santa Cruz Diner. I watched an episode of  Diners, Dives and Drive Ins, last Monday and I wanted to try it. It was not bad. It is a nice mix of diner food and Vietnamese. Strange combo, I agree, but good, nonetheless. I do have wonderful some wonderful dishes planned for this next week. Look for posts. I did want to post a pic of the beef cabernet stroganoff that I made earlier last week. It turned out terrific!

 

I added the peas for color. It actually tasted so good with the peas. I have never had stroganoff before I have always made my own. I have to admit adding the peas was a nice twist.

After all that mama needed a cocktail! Homemade Olallieberry Cordial (I did not make the cordial, however it was my idea! I asked my girlfriend to make it as she is a pro at making liquors)~I made an Olallieberry Martini out of it. Delish! BTW~that is a bottle of Thatcher 2006 Zinfandel in the background. Chris and I were drinking that last night. OMG! Was it good. Good structure, good finish. Try it if you can find it!

CHEERS!