Cruising through January

We had a crazy week with a trip to the doctor for B, Read-a-thon kickoff for Nola, Futsal practice, basketball games, and a play date. Matt also went on a predator hunt and got skunked!

I was ready for work when Nola decided she wanted to dress like me. What a cutie - all the way down to the cuffed pants!

Brenner had an infected fingernail last week and it got worse over the weekend. So we headed in to see Dr. Swofford on Monday to learn it was a common bacteria (stop biting your fingernails, B!). The infection went to the first knuckle - here you can see the new skin.

Tuesday night was the Read-a-thon kickoff at Nola's school. Kids were challenged to make their own STEAM bus - Nola's was the only one I saw made out of clay. There were so many (this was only one of 5 displays) - so exciting - go Science! I did have to chuck because it was very evident some parents spent a lot of time working on their kid's project. Come on folks - it isn't about perfection but growing those cute little brains!

Nola learning about blubber in the Arctic. Her teacher Mrs. Lenz has her hand wrapped in insulation to show how ice water isn't cold. Love, love, love that the school linked reading and science. Kids also got to try out the new Makerspace. I will be volunteering soon - I can't wait!

Nola wrote a Valentine's Card to her buddy Morgan.

Kids were drawing animals - one of the few pictures where I surprised Brenner! An apple in hand - always eating fruit that kid!

Nola is always on KC's bed. Sigh. I despise black dog hair - I admit. Good thing she is one cute dog!

Nola ready for her basketball game Saturday morning. She said her hair looked like Pocahontas braids! Look how much her front tooth came down in one week!

When did Brenner grow so much taller than Nola?!?!

Nola had a big cheering section. Grandpa Hinck, Grandma Val, Cousin Krystee, Gannon (right corner), and Mackinzee all cheered on the Cheetahs! It was cool to see my dad there - he always loved watching basketball!

We had friends over Saturday afternoon while Matt was at the predator hunt. Drystan and Brenner making a mess of the puppy chow!

Draco and Nola made a bed in KC's crate. Silly kids - they had a ball and no injuries until 2 minutes before their mom showed up - go figure! Draco dropped Grandpa Bob's urn (empty) on his forehead - sort of funny and creepy at the same time. I don't know where he found it (or what he thought it was)!

A new 'do and basketball

Another busy week for our clan! We all stayed healthy for the most part and seemed to be on the run almost every night. Friends tell me it will only get worse as the kids gets older. We have to make sure to protect our family time!

Brenner wanted a "soccer haircut". Here is the before picture.

And the after with an Aunt Janet smile! He looks so grown up!

Nola working on her STEAM bus!

First basketball game for the Cheetahs!

Nola during warm up!

The Cheetahs weren't as advanced as the other team but they were sure fun to watch! Nola has the concept of running down the court....to the baseline - not to her position. Gotta get that track mentality out of her :)

Grandma Val and Aunt Lynnie came to watch!!!

Defense Nola!

Grandma came over for a little bit after the game!

The kids playing Twister with Grandma - she was the spinner and Nola was the goof!

We picked up KC's new bowl from the pottery store. Nola was very proud :)

Some examples of what Brenner is working on in school.

Some more of Brenner's work. Loved the work on Laura Ingall Wilder.

Nola's work.

Some work related to "The Mitten" by Jane Brett. We have this book as well and I think Nola enjoyed the task!

Our own home school, winter sports, and family time

The ice storm missed us for the most part this weekend - yahoo! We have had a lot of family fun time over the past two weeks playing games and starting up winter sports - Futsal for Brenner and basketball for Nola. Brenner is still doing piano as well - so that means 4 evenings with activities. Luckily, a neighbor is also doing Futsal so we split the practices/driving into town. KC has been growing like a weed but decided this weekend that she didn't want to come up the stairs anymore. Hope that is a short phase!

Nola finishing her Lego Ice Castle construction - she did most of it herself!

Remember that fan letter that Brenner wrote to Rick Roirdan? He got a form letter back from the publisher - he was pretty excited.

We got some snow last week - Brenner made an snow angel on the back deck.

Brenner spent hours reading the new Box Car Children books the kids got for Christmas. Nola is enjoying them as well - her and I are up to book 6!

Nola has spent hours (literally) playing with her new lego sets - intricate scenes.

This sweetie has also been playing her guitar and making up her own songs. She told me that she wants to play at church - we may have to make that happen!

Brenner had some poor behavior during piano last week which prompted the necessity for an apology note. His note made me chuck. Done :) Brenner is making great progress with his lessons - he especially enjoys the hymns he plays - I think that is because he knows the tune and like to play music with his ears rather than his eyes!

Last weekend, Nola was missing Grandma Val so she came down for lunch. We went to Kobe which the kids like (flames, food, flying shrimp)! Brenner also enjoyed a bunch of sushi - hollow leg just like his dad!

Nola at her first basketball practice. I failed to get a picture of B's practice. She was suppose to have her first game this weekend - but it was cancelled because of the ice storm.

Great report card for Nola.

Some kind words from her teacher as well.

Brenner is also doing great - keep up the good work kids!

Brenner's Haiku poem about spider. I asked why he chose spiders and he said "I don't know mom - it was Halloween". Fair enough.

Brenner deconstructing a electric tea light to make his own circuit - thank you Mrs. Owen!

More lego time for Nola.

Brenner helping to make popcorn for our movie.

Bad weather means some downtime with movies. We introduced the kids to Indiana Jones this weekend. The kids liked "ah dessert - chilled monkey brains"! Nola was a little more skittish than Brenner!

Circuit time!

Physics kit fun - Brenner was working on balance experiments.

We got a phone call Saturday night from a neighbor. Our place near Hermitage caught fire (remember Matt and Brenner had just deconstructed part of the trailer a few weeks ago). We aren't sure who did it but it couldn't have started on its own. The trailer had been broken into many times before - and so it goes.

Celebrating time with friends

We healed up (thanks again Grandma Val for taking the kids) and then had days packed with visiting friends that we don't get to see nearly often enough! We also had some home time - but not much with all four of us together until New Year's Eve. So glad we are starting a new year surrounded by family and friends.

Heading to one of my friend's house for a visit and Nola decides to wear one of her new outfits. It reminded her of KC :)

Concentrating on our new game Suspend. It was a lot of fun!

The boys headed to Hermitage to hunt and do some work on removing more of the trailer. Here is the before......

....and an after. Brenner got in on the action!

Brenner traversing a fallen tree - he had second thoughts halfway across!

Nola picked out a reindeer cookie recipe from her new kids cookbook. She wanted a special treat for the boys when they came home.

We also started her Desert Oasis project.

On Saturday, we met up with her friend Ella to do some pottery. Here the girls are making dog bowls. Nola is chatting up Chad, the co-owner. I don't think he has many 6 year olds as chatty as Nola!

When Chad told the girls to put the pet's name - Nola didn't stop at KC but added Parker as well!

Ella and Nola outside the shop. Such a sweet picture!

That afternoon, Brenner had a birthday party for a classmate. He isn't a strong swimmer but enjoyed himself once he got in the water.

Check out his form!

Brenner and his classmate Quintin commented that Dr. Pepper is their teacher Mrs. Owen's favorite drink. So they had me take a picture to send to her - such sweet boys. And a treat for B - we don't do soda but it was a special occasion!

Nola with her Wave Bot - it included a motor that flaps the arm pieces. I constructed but she supervised quite well!

New Year's Eve was game night for the four of us (we had dinner at our friends house the night before and it was a late crazy night!). Each of us picked a game (our choices were in front of us). And - each of us won a game (Matt - King of Tokyo, Brenner - Dixit, Me - Rolling America, and Nola - Ubongo). We then watched a movie and went to bed at 10:15. Amazingly, 2017 still came while we were getting some shut eye. Overall a wonderful week!