ALOHA!

Look who turned 5 Hawaiian style!!


Alyssa had her hawaiian luau party on Saturday and is now a big five year old! She invited 10 of her friends over for her big day. We had them all wear their swimsuits, even though it is November and we live in Iowa. We didn't swim and we turned the heat up so no one was too cold, but it was actually a beautiful dayoutside. When the guests arrived we got them all hula'ed up with their leis, grass skirts, flower for their hair and tatoos.

We then had a hula hoop contest.


Then McKell took center stage, without me even telling her what to do. The night before McKell and I had gone to the library in search of a video teaching how to hula, no luck. The day of the party after the hula hoop contest I said we are going to learn how to hula and I was turning up the hawaiian music we had playing in the background and McKell went to town. She had everyone stand up and spread out so they weren't touching anyone. She taught them all how to 'hula' for a good 15 minutes. "Move your hands like they are going over mountains" "go side to side" "good job Maria, I like the way you are moving your hips". I was so surprised! I let her do her stuff, the little girls LOVED it. Thanks Kell you are a super star!

After hulaing we had lunch. Hawaiian pizza, fruit kabobs, and fish crackers.

We then did the limbo. The girls had a great time and wanted to keep going lower until they had to slither under the pole on their backs. I had the 'cake makers' make Alyssa's birthday cake, remember how cute Nate's was? They did an amazing job!

I made a ice cream volcano to go with the cake and Alyssa blew and blew and blew out the candles, we used trick candles- Phil was getting worried she was going to pass out she was blowing so much, it was pretty funny. We finished up the party with present opening and snow cones! You can't have a hawaiian luau without a snow cone! Here is the snow cone maker I rented, don't ask any questions- this thing almost put me in the dog house with my hubby. There was even talk of giving me a budget for my parties- gasp- I know! In my defense, we did have snow cones with friends Friday night, saturday, and sunday and the kids all loved them.

The tradition has now been set that you get to pick where we go to dinner when it is your birthday so Alyssa picked Red Lobster. As we were sitting there getting ready to order Phil and I were looking at the kids menu and we said to each other, 'Why are we here for Alyssas birthday she doesn't like anything on this menu?' and then it occured to us, she doesn't like anything on any menu. She was just there to pet the lobster. Since her actual birthday is Sunday she got to pick what we had for dinner. She wanted tortillas and carrots. After we talked further she came up with the menu of- bean burritos, cucumbers and carrots with ranch, jello jigglers and pineapple- with snow cones for dessert! (see we used it a lot) Happy Birthday Alyssa, you always make us smile!!

BOO!

Did I scare you? It is a shocker that I am actually posting, I know I will try and do better.

We had a great halloween around here.

The kids were all pirates!

We had a fun party for the kids and their friends. I made these fun invitations...

They are those little cans that are filled with fruit coctail, you open the bottom with the safety can opener, wash it all out and let dry, fill with paper scroll that has party details on it and put gummy worms and other candy in it, then seal the bottom back on with clear glue. Cover the can with cute paper and there you go.

We had scary food,

Mummy hotdogs, spider sandwiches, worm slime, witches brew, eyeballs, and ghost, witch, and cat cupcakes.

The kids all came dressed-up. We decorated sugar cookies, played games, ate food, had glow-in-the-dark necklaces and bracelets and sat in the dark while I introduced the kids to our dear friend John who was nice enough to leave his remains for them to feel. They felt his guts, heart, ears, eyeball, brains, teeth and fingers.

A good time was had by all.

We had our ward party, which I had to do by myself since Phil was on nights, ugggh. There was a little party at the hospital. The girls each had their school parties. McKell's I helped with and made the popcorn witches hands, Alyssa's we took cupcakes (thats why I made so many for the party) but she didn't want me to even come in and take a picture. Some friends came from Indiana to go trick-or-treating with us, it was so fun to see them. McKell and Kaitlyn hadn't seen each other for over 3 years, but use to be great friends in Milwaukee- McKell answered the door when they came and they said to each other "I don't remember you" while they gave each other a big hug. The girls didn't waist any time, all 4 of them (McKell, Kaitlyn, Alyssa, and Sadie) loved playing together. Nate, Porter and Zach will be the same way in a few years.

Other fall fun: Pumpkin picking-

Hay mazes and farm fun.

And of course the annual pumpkin carving.

Football games- McKell did a cheer camp and performed at the West High game. She loved it and it was the first game Phil and I have been to since we were in high school. Fun times!
Other things we have been up to-

Phil has been traveling- conferences (New Orleans), interviews for jobs (can we really be close to finishing?).

I have been obsessed with the decisions of what we are doing next year and need a decision to be made so I can get other things done!

McKell has been going to birthday parties galore. We had her parent teacher conference and she is doing great in the second grade. Her teacher said there is a romance going on with McKell and Noah in class. They always want to be partners with each other and when they are reading or doing something Noah will put his arm around her, her teacher thinks it is so funny. McKell just thinks they are best friends. Her teacher and I were talking about how different it is for them because McKell is the oldest and Noah is the youngest with three older sisters.

Alyssa is looking forward to turning 5 next week. Her parent teacher conference was last week as well. I was a little nervous about going because a few weeks ago I found out about Alyssa's problem with telling the truth at school. Her teacher said Alyssa hasn't had anymore problems with telling the truth since I talked to her, whew! Alyssa is doing great and is ready for kindergarten. Her teacher is going to try and get some more things to challenge her for the rest of the year. She says she loves to play with her girl friends in class but when they get on the playground she loves to run with the boys because the girls can't keep up with her. Her teacher says- "She is so fast!"

Nate loves his music class I take him to once a week. He is obsessed with motorcycles, swords, guns, spiderman, batman, pirates, scooby doo, candy, books and drinks. He is hilarious to talk to. He is still a total boy. I dressed him up like this (it is a Kogan tradition) to dress up boys once like a girl. Phil is not happy about this picture. McKell told him to hold his dress up. After I put the camera away he ripped off his head band and pretended it was a gun. Zach is now 6 months old. He is a stellar food eater and loves veggies and fruit. He makes everyone think they are so special because he will catch your eye and give you a great big smile and keeps smiling at you like you are his long lost friend. He really has made peoples day, it is so cute to see strangers reactions to him. He can sit and loves toys. He went on his first airplane ride to Denver and did great.