Coaches Award

Andrew received the Coaches Award for diving this year! Coach Bob chose Andrew for his dedication to the sport, adding so many new dives this year (despite the red marks on his body many weeks at practice)...his determination, and commitment.

Snow Fort

Andrew, Steven and their friends love to build forts. Well, with the snow it was no exception. Andrew started this snow fort yesterday, and with today's 1/2 day of school (conferences) they really got to work on it. Can you guess what he made the blocks from?

The recycling bin!

He would fill it with snow (on a hand truck), cart it back to the fort, 2 boys would lift turn it over onto a board, then onto the fort, where the other 2 boys would carefully hold the bin while they slide the board out, then remove the mold.

He's already added another wing to this fort since I took these photos this afternoon!

Snow Ice Cream....Yumm!

Monday's big snow meant....homemade snow ice cream! We placed a bowl out on Sunday night to catch the freshly fallen snow, added milk, sugar and vanilla, to create our yummy ice cream.

It was a hit! It does melt quickly though. Next year we are going to try a different flavor.

Brownies!

Monday was a snow day (8 inches!). Tim was at work (overnight and into the day) and Andrew stayed at a friends to shovel as a fundraiser for the new Boy Scout Troop. So after lunch, Steven, Kendyl and I decided to make brownies.

Steven measured everything, and Kendyl poured it in (with a little help from her big brother!)
She waited so patiently for each step. Steven cracked the eggs into the measuring cup (just in case), then Kendyl would pour them into the bowl.

She was so proud of herself.

::::::clapping::::::

Time to stir.

Kendyl's first taste of brownies....and she even made them!

Ohhh...they are good!

She ate every last crumb (and dug in her bib pocket for the pieces she dropped!)

Kendyl's First Haircut!

Kendyl's hair is out of control. Seriously! Look at this. She refuses to keep in any bow, barrette or rubber band so this is how her hair looks 90% of the time and it's driving me crazy. I wanted to let it grow out all one length, but we will have to wait on that. Off to get her bangs cut in.

We went to Snip-Its, a place that only cuts kids hair. Amazing! Not one tear. It was fantastic!

Steven blew bubbles to keep her entertained (sometimes she looked). The hairdresser (Jenn) sang to her, there was a video playing, all sort of fun things to look at, and she got a prize at the end from the machine (put in a card, some of her hair and it makes a noise and spits our a prize).

She looks so much older!

After her haircut we ran some more errands (why do boys not tell you their clothes do not fit until they have nothing to wear?!?!?), then ended up at Baja Fresh for lunch. Here she is eating a Churro.

It was an around the world kind of a day. Baja Fresh (Mexican) for lunch, Ikea (Sweden) for shopping and a snack, then spaghetti (Italian) for dinner. The boys got a kick out of it!

Monster Jam!

On Sunday, we experienced our first Monster Jam. The boys were sooooo excited. I was excited to have a day out (just the four of us) like we used to!

Tim and I had this idea to make it a Cub Scout event, thankfully one of the Dad's ran with it and got us great seats for a great price. It included the pre-show pit party to see all 8 trucks, and an autograph session with the drivers.
Grave Digger and Donkey Kong were big favorites of course.

DK even had the tie!

Here is Steven getting his t-shirt autographed by the driver for Backdraft. He got all 8 signatures on the back of his new Monster Jam shirt (as did Andrew).

Andrew with the driver for Grave Digger.

After the Pit Party we left the Spectrum and went out to lunch at Ruby Tuesday with another family. It was nice to enjoy a relaxing lunch before the show (plus we had 2.5 hours to kill).

During the show! Headphones on!

I have more photos of the trucks doing their stunts, but they are on my other camera and I need to load the software, find the cord, etc. So that will be another day. They also had quads and stunt motorcycles perform. We loved the motorcross motorcycles!

Where was Kendyl? She spend the day at home with a new babysitter (under the watchful eyes of the cats). Thanks Grechen!

Pinewood Derby!!!

My boys in uniform!
Steven (the bear) and his car the Shuttle Explorer.

Ready to race in lane 3!

Andrew wore many hats today. Security for the impound lot, set-up assistant, videographer, and judge for the "best in show".

Steven....crossing the finish line in lane 3.

Steven made it to the finals!!! He ended up placing 3rd in his den! He missed 2nd place by 1/10th of a second!!!! So close.

See how close! Steven and Tristan were neck and neck all day, taking turns beating each other out. Guess Tristan sweaked by in the end.

Andrew and a few other boy scouts judging for "best in show". We know the results.....but have to wait until the Blue and Gold Banquet to reveal the winners.