The festivities began with a bike ride to Gavin's preschool (though it wasn't preschool that day) just for fun. We then had a picnic in the park and enjoyed the great weather! I then suggested we make a leprechaun trap which he was all excited to do. It was then I realized I didn't know how to make a leprechaun trap so we did a google search and came up with this simplified version. The important part to this was all the "gold" he put inside it to entice the leprechaun in. You can't see it but there was his gold trophy, gold medal (which he is wearing in the picture) and other gold paraphernalia. He wanted to make sure that the leprechaun could find it so he left it outside on top of a rock. He was "warned" by older siblings that these items might be taken by the leprechaun but fortunately for Gavin's sake the next morning all his precious items were still there and he was given some gold wrapped candy! What is funny about the candy was that I made sure to have Darren hide the "extras" for later consumption, giving him quite a few with the idea that he would share with his family! Well he could only spare 1 or 2 (1 being for his dear mother, thank goodness). Several days later I had finally asked Darren where he had hid the candy so that I could partake. I thought I was being careful not to let other eyes see since they were out of the room playing. Well Hunter saw a couple and I gave him one and ate the last piece with only the wrappers left for evidence when Gavin came into the room and freaked out saying we ate his last pieces of candy! What was I supposed to do? I apologized to no avail as he continued to wail so I told him I would look for them at the store the next time I went! The next day he reminded me and fortunately there was just the right amount left from before that I could produce as if I had gotten them at the store!
The other portion of the day was coming up with what to make for dinner. The suggestions for the traditional Irish food was out (way to disgusting) so I went with the green approach. The only thing I could think of was Broccoli Soup but Darren wasn't up for that so I happened upon a few green recipes. I made homemade pesto to go over spinach fettucini, an all green salad, green jello (which I think may have been my first or second time ever making), french bread with fresh parsley garlic butter, and limeade. To top it off we had lime sherbet floats with green sprinkles, they were quite the hit! F.Y.I. with the case of most of the family including Darren it was the salad and bread that were the big hit and of course dessert. I was shocked because Graham loves green basghetti as he used to call it but apparently the homemade version was not to his liking.
We watched a movie and counted down to the new year (eastern standard time) can't really believe even Hunter didn't argue about this and toasted with sparkling cider. Good times I tell you!
I wanted to surprise him with a party but he figured that out with a little help from Graham, but we all had fun. We had several family, neighbors, old friends celebrate with him. Even one of his old friends from high school, Todd Bramhall came with all of his family too. Since Darren loves to be with his family and the Olympics started that day I had an Olympic event with games that had to be played with your family. Thanks to all of you for your help pulling it off.
(wearing the big B-day hat is a new tradition in our family.)
We had a fun party for Graham with friends and family at Classic Skating and got to jump, swing, bounce, and slide to our hearts content!
Gavin wanted a party at Chuck E. Cheese.
It was great to have Grandma & Grandpa Olsen and Bohrer there and especially his uncle Brad!
Gavin loves playing soccer like Hunter and made several goals this season!
In Oct. we went to the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It was really fun and different than a traditional play. The best part was the sound effects guy and of course the headless horseman himself.
He was so real looking to the boys we had a few nights where Graham and Gav "couldn't go to sleep" because they kept thinking about the headless horseman!
Gavin was Peter Pan when he went to preschool but when it was time for trick or treating he tried on several costumes before deciding upon Harry Potter. (no he's not the boy from Jerry McGuire!)
Graham is holding an imaginary light saber (couldn't find his) as Luke Skywalker
Graham has always been our monkey; climbing the walls (or anything) making monkey noises etc. so Darren finally suggested he try gymnastics. He is quite good and has a little routine on the rings. 
The month of December is always jammed packed with late nights and activities. This is how we all felt but how Graham and Gavin ended up too many nights before we got them to bed.
Christmas Eve we had a surprise visit from the busy man himself: Santa! He had a gift for each cousin and even Brad and Gabs. The kids got to sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas but most of the kids had a sudden lapse in memory and couldn't think of anything to say except Gavin came through and said he wanted a bow and arrow and legos.
It is also Brad's B-day on Christmas Eve. We had fun celebrating with him.
