Max's B-day Party

Friday, the boys had a 1/2 day of school, so Maxwell had his birthday party. He wanted his two best buddies from school over, Jason (has the orange headband on) and Ryan. So we picked them up from school to have them at our house for the day. I asked him if he wanted to play any birthday party games. I got a definate no, he just wanted to play.



Everyone went outside to run up in the tree house, sword fight and play on the tire swing. The game on the tire swing was to take turns being on the swing while everyone else threw balls at you. Everyone seemed to have fun. And as a side note, Timmy learned how to climb up the tree house ladder that day but can't get down yet.


A very serious game of Mario chess.


If you're a Steffen this photo needs no explanation. For everyone else, Max is going through the spanking machine. One of our kids started talking about it and Ryan and Jason thought that sounded like a lot of fun, and convinced Randy to let them set it up and send Max through it. So everyone lined up, legs spread apart, and Max crawled through to get birthday spankings. Everyone wanted a turn, but Randy said, "No, no, only the birthday boy goes through the spanking machine."


Max wanted ice cream cake for his party, so I found directions for one and made it. It was probably the easiest cake I've ever made. After ice cream cake the kids played outside some more, played more video games, more chess, and Randy grilled for supper. After supper we took the boys home.

Mother's Day and Fishing

Here's our latest family picture taken on Mother's Day.






I was spoiled with a very nice, relaxing Mother's Day. We had a nice breakfast with Kathy and Dale after church, then split up and our family went for a drive, which I love to do on Sun. We went all the way to a beach on Lake Ontario. It was cold so we didn't sick around too long but long enough to let the kids run and yell for a little. We had a late lunch, (after going to a restaurant that had closed and one that turned us away). Walked to see my mom's memorial stone at church, played at the play ground and ended the day playing in our on yard. It was a great day - with very minimal fighting and whining- yea kids!



Max's cub scout den went fishing Monday. Nobody caught anything but there were lots of nibbles. Randy said the boys had a lot of fun despite nothing was caught.

In the Garden

We decided to mulch our flower bed in front of the house this year. We also put some edging in and planted some hanging flowers, strawberries, peppers and tomatoes. Sophia was very excited to help, and did a lot of helping. Henry helped a little, but mostly played in the yard.



Timmy didn't really help with the gardening he mostly ate goldfish and bopped around.