Category Archives: birthday

January 17, 2016

IMG_4109We’ve had more of our usual activities this week including lots of play time inside, artwork, and Swim Lessons! We are going to be taking a bit of a break from lessons here soon and I recently asked Finn’s teacher when they move to a different class. I learned that when they turn 3 they move on to the class with just their teachers – no parents!  What?! I was so sad as I really enjoy our time in the water each week. 🙁 And as we have some lessons to make up before our last lesson (or you lose them) we’ve been going twice a week for the last few weeks.

One new activity we tried out was Family Ice Cream Night – where we made our own Vanilla Ice Cream – one batch with mini chocolate chips and the other plain. It was delish!IMG_4074 IMG_4077On Friday night we had an enjoyable family night out starting with pizza at Mellow Mushroom before we headed to the movie theater to see the Peanuts flick. Finn enjoyed it, and the popcorn too of course. Afterwards we went next door to the pet store (it’s one of Finn’s most favorite things to do is go play with the puppies and hold the animals and give the pups “pepal (special) treats”.  Tonight we played with a fun and spunky husky. IMG_4087IMG_4089IMG_4090IMG_4091IMG_4092We ended our night with a sundae at the main Graeter’s, which is conveniently across the street from the movie theater! Finn loved that this location has an indoor playground. IMG_4093IMG_4095And here is Finn’s balloon from the balloon lady at Mellow Mushroom: in honor of heading to see the movie, she made him Snoopy!IMG_4096IMG_4100Here is our monkey on the way to swim lessons.IMG_4104And another shot of him showing his excellent balance skills. IMG_4102

We celebrated Andy’s dinner with the whole family down at Milestone 229. We had a delicious dinner and a nice night 🙂  Earlier in the afternoon mommy and Finn were making Rice Krispy treats and had an accident with the hot pan of marshmallows.  Finn burned his hand pretty good – but he was a real trooper getting his hand all bandaged up. IMG_4121IMG_20160118_192136648It finally snowed this week too, so the crew headed outdoors for a little fun in the snow and ended with hot cocoa and ice cream!IMG_4207 IMG_4082And here are a couple shots of art in the making this week. IMG_4079 IMG_4080

December 13, 2015

IMG_3169This was birthday week at the Armstrong house! We celebrated Kevin’s birthday on Friday night with a small crowd of family and friends, and pizza and cupcakes. He opened some prezzies and Finn helped him blow out his birthday candles. Earlier in the afternoon we donned the party hat on Cameron to celebrate her 14th birthday. She got a vanilla cupcake :). Our old girl has good days and bad days. It’s really pretty hard to see her struggle so much to get up, to be so still, and to lay in the same corner of the room all the time. I can remember the days when she would barrel through the house and blast right into Hailey or Lily. Or how she had the crazy ability to catch any ball. She is still in good spirits, and honestly can drive a person nuts some days banging her tail to hard on the wood floor, IMG_3175 IMG_3117 IMG_3120 IMG_3121 IMG_3125 IMG_3127
IMG_3134 IMG_3143 IMG_3144 IMG_3145IMG_3140 IMG_3146On Saturday morning, Kevin’s actual birthday, we headed to COSI for a showing of the Polar Express of the huge theater screen! Finn was able to meet the conductor on the way in, and we got hot cocoa and a cookie too.  He did pretty well during the movie, but there were a few spots that were pretty dramatic and he was a bit scared. In the end he says he loved it, and we’re glad as we have a surprise in store for him for next weekend! After the movie he played at COSI for a bit, made some art, and then we headed home. Grandma and Grandpa Armstrong came up to watch Finn for the evening while Kevin and I headed out on date night to Bonefish Grill to celebrate his birthday. Afterward, we changed wardrobes and headed to a friends “Tackiest Christmas” Party, where we won the best couple award.  We’ve got quite the string going….we’ve one a couples award at each of the three parties we’ve gone to in 2015! Lots to live up to next year I suppose. IMG_3148 IMG_3149 IMG_3152 IMG_3153 IMG_3159 IMG_3199This one is a bit fuzzy, but you get the full effect of our outfits, and our awards that we are holding – mini-champagnes clothed in ugly sweaters!IMG_3203 It’s been so warm this week we’ve been able to play outside too.  Just crazy for December!IMG_3209Finn wrote a letter to Santa this week too, with Debbie’s help! She, Sam, and Finn took the letters to Santa’s mailbox at the Powell Municipal Building. We’re hoping he may write back!IMG_3106

September 20, 2015

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This boy. He just warms my heart. He is growing so quickly and his personality is so vibrant. He is loving and affectionate often saying “bless you mom” after a sneeze or giving the best hugs and kisses.  He’s a great caretaker. He loves Lily and Cameron and always notices when they need some water and is the first to want to fill it up “by myself”. Cammie has been having some bowel issues lately and he talks to her so sweetly and gives her hugs and tells her he hopes the medicine makes her feel better. Then there is his spunky side, full of show and entertainment. He can hit the switch and make people giggle like none other. His  personality shines through in some of the photos from this week when we visited the New Albany Classic on a beautiful fall afternoon. It was perfect weather to be outside and enjoy the many kids activities. The horses are amazingly beautiful and strong animals. I often wonder what it would be like to have a horse and wish we had some land to have one. Other days I think I’m crazy for thinking that, but most days, it’s wishing we had a lot of land, a barn, and lots of different animals. Finn has such a heart for animals. He loves looking at them and petting them too.

I’ve been taking Monday’s off for the last several weeks and it has been really nice being able to take Finn to pre-school and pick him up. He’s doing really well at drop off, going right into his room. He’s been wearing big boy underwear too and using the potty that is connected to his classroom. Every day he comes home with art work and he beams with pride, usually, about what he made. A few times afterwards we’ve gone into the worship room and he’s run around playing ball. IMG_20150916_130830583 IMG_20150916_130903431

We had some mid-week fun downtown at the Slice of Columbus, the yearly fundraiser for Nationwide Children’s that is held downtown at the Columbus Commons. Finn was a great age this year to play in the bounce houses, go down the big slide, and make his own “pizza” to take home. It was another beautiful night of weather and lots of yummy pizza.

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Oh, and a pouty face for a bit too – as he didn’t want to sit down and eat anything, he just wanted to play all the games.
IMG_20150916_191543162 IMG_20150916_202109961 IMG_20150917_195751710Look at the beautiful skies on the afternoon of the New Albany Classic! 
DSC_0050One of Finn’s favorite parts are petting the animals they have in the petting area. However, this year the horse had a big sneeze of sorts and Finn didn’t want near him after that – as he didn’t want to get any boogies on himself from the horse, lol!DSC_0019DSC_0025DSC_0026DSC_0030DSC_0031DSC_0039DSC_0043These next photos are all the same play structure – it’s like a big maze with a lot of challenges.  Finn was excited to do it, and during certain parts where he was apprehensive the worker guy went through it with him.  Check out his face once he comes down the slide – beaming and doing the happy dance!DSC_0052DSC_0054DSC_0057DSC_0058DSC_0064DSC_0066DSC_0071DSC_0073This year there were flag-bearing sky-divers that were a part of the opening ceremonies for the horse-jumping event. It was really cool, and the American Flag was huge!DSC_0080DSC_0083DSC_0087DSC_0089DSC_0092DSC_0094DSC_0096My pictures don’t do the horses justice. They are strong and beautiful animals!DSC_0103DSC_0105DSC_0109DSC_0114DSC_0115DSC_0119DSC_0121DSC_0123DSC_0124DSC_0125DSC_0126DSC_0134DSC_0113DSC_0111And here the cousins are having some fun, check out Greta’s giggle face and Finn’s bear hug!DSC_0140DSC_0143DSC_0153And these days we see lots and lots of this. Finn is always on the move, running and usually carrying a ball. He has the cutest football run when he crouches down and throws his legs in a funny way. DSC_0156DSC_0158DSC_0160DSC_0161Later that afternoon we headed to Enon to celebrate Grandma Armstrong’s birthday at Brett and Missy’s house. We enjoyed a delicious mexican dinner that Missy prepared and some more time outside playing soccer with Grandpa. And of course, cuddles with Grandma and play time with Babou!DSC_0163DSC_0164DSC_0168DSC_0169DSC_0171