The "UP" Wrap Par-tee!

I'm only posting pictures from my camera so Ben can make a post on his blog and all of the pictures he took at the Wrap Party. I'm going to try to write only things I think Ben won't write about in his blog. You know, the really important things like how Ben went to St. Vincent De Paul and bought 5 ugly ties to choose from to wear for the evening. He even stuck another in his pocket and took it just in case it wasn't ugly enough. Here is a picture of his choice for the evening. I know there are people like Russ looking at this picture thinking, "That tie is something I would wear to church."



The film "Up" was shown at the Paramount theatre in Oakland with the after party at the Fox Theatre. I loved watching the film with all of the people who made it. It's fun to hear cheering throughout the film when there was a part that was a hard shot to make or beautiful shot that was breaktaking to see.

Ben squeezed my hand throughout the film if it was something that he had worked on. I LOVED IT, LOVED IT! The movie that is and, of course, Ben holding my hand.

One thing that I just got a kick out of was after the film, everyone congratulates everyone. I hear, "Congratulations" from everyone and see pats on the back. I love that Pixar is a team. It's not just the director and producer getting the "Congratulations" and pats on the back, it's everyone.

I'll leave the rest of the details for Ben and his blog. Look for the movie in Theatres May 29. Ben's name will be in the "Character" section of the credits.

The Real Superman

You may think that this is a Halloween picture, but you're wrong. I just took this the other day. Xander has traded the comfort of his binkies during the day to dressing up as Superman. He wakes up in the morning. I put new clothes on him and he brings me his Superman outfit. I could basically dress him in the same clothes everyday and no one would even notice. I have to admit, I don't miss having to find his binkies throughout the day because he HAS to have them.

I've decided that Xander is the "real superman". Have you ever wondered why Superman had to have a double identity? Why couldn't he be Superman 24/7? Why couldn't he save mankind all the time? Xander is determined to be Superman everyday, all day. He sleeps as Superman, he eats as Superman, he plays as Superman and he runs errands with me as Superman. He's the real thing.



Xander also has this special ability lately. He loves to sort things. He sorts by colors and sizes. One day I walked into his room to find him sorting his linkin' logs. He can also identify colors and can count to 6. I love his super powers.



Luckily, I can convince Superman that he needs to wear Sunday clothes to church. The other days I just give in.

Grandma and Grandpa Armstrong

My mom and dad came to visit over the Easter weekend. They drove from Arizona, where they stay in the winter and flew back to Michigan after their visit. We had a great time with them. Grandma Armstrong was great with the kids and did lots of fun things with them. Grandpa Armstrong or "Grumpy" as he is known enjoyed my kids as well. It was fun to go to some of the tourist attractions that we haven't even been to since we've moved here. Here are some highlights from their visit:

LOMBARD STREET

My mom wanted to go down this street because she remembers doing it with her sister 40 years ago. It was pretty cool. I don't envy the people who live on the street though.

FISHERMAN'S WHARF

Definitely a tourist trap. Dad wanted some yummy clam chowder and Mom wanted to find some souvenirs. The kids enjoyed Hyde Street Pier and they had some character actors out and about interacting with the crowd.

Xander liked pulling on the ropes,

and Mia found a spot all to herself in the shade.

I think Ben's favorite part was all the "carnies" as he calls them walking around trying to get tips and pictures with the tourists. Ben had the girls pose with these guys. It's always Halloween with him!


GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

My Dad wanted to see the Golden Gate Bridge so we found a great spot. He didn't even get out of the car because it was too cold to him. I had to laugh at my parents who were freezing the entire time because they had just come from Mesa with its 87 degree weather.

OTHER FUN THINGS. . .

Grandpa and Xander had some male bonding time with this really cool track with battery controlled cars.


The kids made Grandma's traditional Easter cake that her mother used to make when she was younger. I tried the first year Ben and I were married to make this cake, but my angel food cake bombed. Ben commented to me as he saw the end product, "I didn't know this cake could look so cute, yours didn't look anything like this!"

Grandma also made some cookies with the kids. I won't even talk about all the treats we inherited when my parents left. My Dad has somewhat of a sweet tooth and he also likes everything spicy. I think Ben is going to blog about that.

Thanks Mom and Dad for coming!

Star Wars Legos

Ever since Ben introduced "Star Wars" to the kids, that is all I hear about. Xander runs around all day saying, "I Yuke." Mia came home disappointed because at recess she was pretending to be Princess Leia and she couldn't get any of the boys to be Luke. She said, "They don't even know who he is." I also hear quotes from the movie.

Mia: "Luke I am your Father"
Xander: "Nooooooo".



Yesterday we are playing in Xander's room. He made Star Wars figures out of legos. He would make a figure, name it and put it in a container. In this picture from left to right is Luke, Princess Leia, and I can only guess the short one is Yoda. Notice the curves on Princess Leia and that she is taller than Luke.


Mia had to join in the fun and make her own. I love my kids creativity and imagination!