February Fun

February felt like the month of birthday parties.  I think we had one every single weekend - sometimes two - and while I love seeing Trey surrounded by his friends and people who he adores (not to mention getting to catch up with some of my favorite moms), I was ready for a break from the birthday party circuit.  Out of This World, Chuck E. Cheese, Bullwinkle's...you name it.  We were there.

On this very special weekend, we got to go to TWO birthday parties at Chuck E. Cheese in ONE day.  That's right, my friends.  I went there TWICE.  In ONE day.  

Jackpot!

The first party was for Case, Trey's cousin, who turned three.  Trey was thrilled to go to Chuck E. Cheese for the first time ever, and he ran around like a madman putting his tokens in machines that a) took his token and did nothing (aka no tickets), b) he couldn't figure out how to work, or c) he loved.  He had a fabulous time and left with some junk that he couldn't do without that managed to stay in the bottom of my purse until just yesterday.
 

Happy third birthday to Case!

Trey has a new love for these kinds of video games.  I think he played this one about five times in a row.

Later in the afternoon, we went BACK to Chuck E. Cheese for Trey's friend Miguel's party.  Somehow Randy managed to be fishing on this special day and didn't have to go to either Chuck E. Cheese party.  How did that happen, you ask?  Because I am the best wife ever!  (Actually, it was because I was leaving for two nights the following weekend to be with my besties and I felt a little guilty.)

Air hockey with Miguel

Happy birthday to Miguel, a friend from Trey's kindergarten class!

Later that night, we went to Julie's for Case's family birthday party.  Both sets of Case's grandparents were there for the celebration as well as some of my parents' family friends, the Lockards.  It was a fun party, and Julie is so lucky to be surrounded by such grandparental support.

Julie was really excited about this gift.

Jim and my dad, friends since third grade

Happy birthday to Case, again!

A McGuire family shot with a photobomb by Trey

So, I don't know if you knew this, but someone in my family is a diehard Broncos fan.  He was just a little bit teensy weensy excited about the Super Bowl this year.  I was mostly hoping that it wasn't another repeat of the Super Bowl a few years ago.  We decided not to have a party like we did the last time...just in case.  But needless to say, the Broncos pulled it off and Randy was very very happy.

One random night Trey thought it would be hilarious to put playdough all over our faces.  I have some other pictures of this special event, but thought these two were the best.  I love my kid.

Trey brought the class bear home for the night and had to do something and then write about it for the class book.  He decided he wanted to play games, so we had a mid-week family game night with the special bear (whose name I cannot remember).   Trey has become really interested in board games, which I think is fantastic.

Later that week, we had Kris and John over for dinner and Cards Against Humanity.  We put a little G-rated game playing in before the adult game started, just for Trey.

We had a ton of fun and drank all the wine I bought for girls' weekend.  Damn!

The next morning of the three day President's Day weekend, I was leaving for the beach with Sarah, Sarah, and Julie.  It was also Valentine's Day weekend (second year in a row I've left Randy and Trey on V Day.  Oops.).  I bought Trey some Skittles and some Minecraft Legos, so he was content to say goodbye to Mama.

This is the third annual weekend away at Cannon Beach with Sarah, Sarah, and Julie, and we all look forward to it.  It is a toss-up whether we are more excited to spend time together or to get away from regular home life for a few nights...

Dinner at a random hardware store in Cannon Beach that also is a pub.

We caught a few minutes without rain, so we went for a walk on the beach.  I was told I couldn't put it on Facebook, but they didn't say anything about the blog...

Not the best beach weather...

But we were content to stay inside, do a puzzle (Julie and Sarah), 

and read (Sarah and me)

Trey's kindergarten class had the classic 100th day party at school.  I wasn't able to be there, but some of my mom friends were and they took pictures for me and texted them to me.  I am pretty bummed that I cannot be more involved in Trey's class, but I am also pretty lucky to have met some great moms who keep me in the loop and send me fun pictures like these.

One of the reasons I couldn't help out at the 100th day party (well, besides working full time an hour away from home) is that I was at the NW PBIS conference in Portland.  For non-educators, PBIS is Positive Behavior Intervention Supports, and it is commonly used in schools to assist with behavior.  I went to the conference with my counselor, my principal, and a third grade teacher, and we all learned a lot and became invigorated about the use of PBIS in our school.  But one of the greater parts was that I got to see a lot of old awesome friends from my days at the Eval Center, and that made me so happy!

Lunch walk with Ron, Kathi, and Erin

A beautiful place to have a conference

I was nearly giddy to see Rick, one of the psychologists from the Eval Center, who was at the conference to give a presentation.  I could listen to him talk for hours.  I have missed that so much.

Rick's session got packed, so they moved everyone to the lounge.  Sitting with Kerry in a lounge listening to Rick present was so perfect.  Well, except for the fact that we weren't drinking beer while listening to Rick talk.

Another beautiful lunch walk...and I took this picture because one of my groups was reading about Mt. Saint Helens.

After the conference, Mindy, Kerry, Shannon and I went to Saraveza for happy hour.  The lady at Saraveza recommended this beer for Randy since he likes Pliny the Elder so much.  I bought a four pack, and it was freaking delicious.  I have been looking for it since then, but haven't found it.  It was so good.