Butterflies

I chaperoned a field trip recently for Connor's class to a butterfly conservatory. It really was interesting and beautiful. Connor said that the best part was actually watching a butterfly push out from the cocoon! They were lucky to witness something so spectacular!

Jack's First Spaghetti

Jack just had spaghetti recently for the first time (sad, I know) and he just loved it! (As you can see in the pictures.)

Better Than Disneyland

My three year old, Owen, could not be more excited for anything but the mall train. I purchased a large amount of tickets at a cheap price because my boy loooooves trains. The other kids stared in disbelief as Owen shrieked with joy and laughed his head off just for a ride on the mall train. You'd think we took him to Disneyland. If this is all it takes to make him happy in life.....well then it was worth the $10 for a roll of tickets. And it makes for a more pleasant shopping trip when it's over. (That's if he gets to ride 3-4 times first.)

Happy Birthday Owen

I can't believe Owen is 3! He doesn't want to be three, he says, "No, I'm 2!" He is definitely my hardest kid right now. He is very stubborn and persistent. When the older kids are at school, he likes to be a baby like Jack (which means I have to carry a kid on each hip just to get to the car) but when the older kids get home he likes to be a big kid (which means he won't sit in the stroller). But he is a joyful, happy, and might I say adorable kid. Lately he has been "scaredy" of certain things (particularly, spiders). He is crazy about Thomas the Tank Engine. He just can't get enough. He has the wooden railway, take along Thomas sets, and now he has the Thomas Duplo Lego sets too. He just switches from one set to the next all day long all while watching Thomas and Friends on the DVR (how did I ever survive without that!). At his 3 year check up he was in the 10th percentile for his height and 50th for weight. Pretty much the complete opposite of his brother Jack (95th percentile for everything). Owen's laugh is infectious and we love him to pieces! For his birthday, we went to Sea World. Then I came home and made his choo choo train cake. Then we all went to Islands for dinner. Two kids eat free with each paying adult on Monday nights. It was a bargain! He's finally starting to grasp what birthdays are all about. He loved when we sang to him and also opened his presents! Here are some pictures of Owen throughout the year and on his birthday.

Riesenberg Family Circus

The Circus Tent
Circus play area
Circus snacks

Petals the clown and all the happy kids

Mommy with the birthday boy

The ever so awesome Rachel

Connor and his buddy Jacob

Birthday Boy Owen

Grandpa and Court

The Guys

The boys

Grandma and the boys

Court and her BFF Kaitlyn

Court and her cousin Kate

Luca and his awesome spiderweb face

The Girls

Ashton had the most beautiful artwork

Owen and Sofia

The circus came to town when I decided to do a circus themed birthday party for Owen and Jack. I justified the expense of it to Tyson (and myself) when I told him we were getting two birthday parties in one. If anyone knows me, they know that I love planning kids birthday parties. In fact, my kids and I start planning their birthday parties about six months in advance! I know that sounds silly, but it is so much fun for me. This year was the big 1 for Jack and 3 years for Owen. I thought a circus theme was adorable and would be great for all ages. We had a circus lunch of hot dogs, nachos, watermelon skewers and punch. Then I had a snack table with caramel corn, animal cookies, a gumball machine with coins for the kids, licorice, circus peanuts, and the favorite of the day....snow cones! I bought a snow cone machine and it was definitely worth the investment. We will be eating them all summer long, they were delicious! The biggest hit of the party was the clown I hired. Her name was Petals the Clown. Her face painting skills were amazing and she was fantastic with children. She also played games with the kids, did a fun magic show, and twisted balloons! The kids had a great time. I have to give a shout out to the talented Rachel Hawkins for helping me with the invitations and giving me lots of ideas, and also being my slave at the party. She is a party animal! Thanks Rachel:) All in all, I would say that the party was a great success! Thank goodness the next party won't be until August. Happy Birthday Owen and Jack!