First Day of Sonshine Club

Labor Day fun in Austin

 Hiking

 The kids have been begging to go hiking since we went last year.  Finally it was cool enough!

 Of course, Grandpa and Grandma led the way!

 At the lookout at the top of the mountain.

 Son-in-law discusses the deeper issues of life with his father-in-law.

 Just being US!

 Grandpa got hold of a golf cart (or as the girls continuously called it, a "Go Cart")

 With grandpa at the wheel, the kids had a blast!

 We even played at the park...got all sweaty and then cooled off in the pool.

 L mastered the monkey bars first.  (below)

D wasn't far behind. (above)

 E wasn't quite ready, but that didn't stop her from going after them as well....which often called Papi into action!

The Party!

D chose a basketball theme for his party.  So, we went with the Mavs...they were the champions after all!!

 A blue basketball cake was the request...

 This was our first friends' party.  D invited 5 boys so including him, we had a total of 6 boys over for the party. They began by decorating Team Jerseys.

 The girls got to decorate as well.

 Then each boy made a team pennant.

 Coach's Playbook tic-tac-toe.  We divided the boys into teams and they had to strategize together as they played tic-tac-toe.

 Training camp was next.

 Uniform dress-up relay.  The boys had to put on shorts, shirt and shoes, all quite big on them and make it down around a cone and back so the next player could go.

 Ball between the legs...this is much harder than it looks but very funny to watch!

 Of course, a basketball party is not complete without a shoot-around.

 Pinata observers...waiting for their turn for a chance to hit the basketball pinata.

 Then it was a battle for the candy.

 Lunch was quickly eaten as the time had gotten away from us.

We finished up the party with cake and ice cream!!!

It came!!

Just one day late, D got the gift he most wanted...a Messi soccer uniform.

He put it on as soon as it arrived and didn't take it off until bedtime.

D's 8th Birthday

Flying down the slide at Pump it Up!

 This is D's birthday in reverse...we ended our fun at Pump it up!

 Before that was lunch at Jason's Deli.

 Our first stop of the day was Putt Putt.

 D got a Mav's shirt...yeah, okay gift but not related to soccer.

 And a basketball, which at the time we bought it, before soccer season, he was really into basketball.  However, it's been replaced with soccer, once again.  So, not such an exciting gift.

 But the last one, the promise of a Messi Jersey was the redeeming gift. Unfortunately it hasn't arrived yet, but I know D will be faithfully watching for the mailman!

 All three kiddos...so ready for D to open his gifts.  The gift bags were from the girls so they were just as excited as he was.

 Presents and cinnamon rolls.

 My eight year old!

 So excited to be the Birthday Boy!!!