Pretzels

One of my favorite treats is chocolate covered pretzels. So, I finally took the time to go to a friend's house and learn how to make them. Thanks Valerie.

For the kids, I usually break the rods in half before dipping. Then they feel like they have two treats in their lunch box instead of one.

Mathletics

We'd never heard of Mathletics before moving to Kansas City. It's a math competition among kids from several different elementary schools in our district. All the kids meet at one school and are randomly divided into teams by grade. Then they are given different word problems to figure out as a team under a time limit. Spencer and Sawyer decided they wanted to do it this year.

It was a lot of fun to watch and both of their teams placed 2nd and 3rd, so that was an added bonus and confidence boost. Good job guys.

This morning has been filled with good news. First, Spencer won the school spelling bee, and second, I had another ultrasound this morning, which confirmed we’re having a GIRL. I couldn’t be happier. I don’t think I ever have been happier. (Probably as happy as, but not happier than I am right now.)

Because of my appointment with the perinatologist, I had to leave Spencer’s spelling bee right before he won. It was down to him and another girl and they asked them to write their words. Spencer missed a word, and so Anastasia had the opportunity to spell a word correctly and win the whole thing. She missed, so Spencer was back in. He ended up winning with the word sapphire.

I hated walking out right at the climax. Spencer called me five minutes later and said, “Mom, I won the spelling bee.” I was so happy for him and proud of him. I wanted so badly to be there right then to give him a huge hug and take a million pictures and smile from ear to ear so he could feel my support. He now goes on to compete in the Johnson County spelling bee.

Before he went to school, I trimmed his bangs so he’d look spiffy. I thought he had a pretty good chance of winning and wanted him to look good for pictures(which I missed). As always, he was wearing his navy blue zip up sweatshirt. He wears it everyday. It’s just part of him.

Way to go Spencer!

As a gift for winning, the school gave Spencer this Apples to Apples game. He couldn't wait to come home and have the whole family play with him. Below is a picture of the boys playing the next morning.

What's cookin

This is what has been keeping me busy lately. In order to keep my dietetics registration current, I need 75 hours of continuing education- every 5 years. Not too bad, except when I procrastinate. (Which has seemed to be my trend).

The hours aren't due until May, but with a baby coming, I want to get it done now and off my mind. Fortunately, it's been a fun way to earn credits.

Happy and Sad

Here are some things that brought smiles recently:

Lucy loves to draw and paint

and dress up

and eat chocolate sundaes

and go sledding with her brothers...

Sawyer lost two teeth (which means a boost to his meager savings).

A blanket of snow always brings a smile to these boys.


But, for some reason the smiles disappear when it's time for this,


or, when writing a letter of apology to a Primary teacher...

Unfortunately, Sawyer wasn't the only one with frowns this week, or any week for that matter. Hopefully, the smiles outweigh the frowns.

dance lessons

Lucy, on her way to her first dance lesson.

We've sure got one happy little girl here. All decked out in her new dance attire.

And one happy mom, soaking in all her enthusiasm.

geography bee

Spencer qualified for the school geography bee. So, Lucy and I went to support him. Sawyer was there too, with his third grade class.

As the spectators started filing in, I started getting really nervous. I thought, "how nerve racking it would be to answer questions in front of all these people." Then I looked at Spencer and realized he didn't look the least bit nervous as he was doing his normal chatting away to those next to and behind him.

We really didn't know what to expect as far as questions, so the only thing we did to help him prepare was review states and capitals, major lakes, and oceans, etc.

That was fine for the first two rounds, but once they were over, I realized we hadn't even scratched the surface. I just crossed my fingers and hoped all the reading he had done over the years would be a benefit to him.

He made it to round seven out of ten. And I was as proud as could be that he could even understand some of the questions.

The National Geographic Society sponsors the bee and the national winner will receive a $25,000 scholarship and an all expense paid trip to the Galapagos islands with some big wig from Jeopardy. Sounds fun. Maybe next year.

marshmallow roast

One thing our kids absolutely love is a good campfire and roasting marshmallows.

Since we don't have a fire pit, they decided to make something else work (at least in their minds). They just propped their fork held mini marshmallows by the hot glass of the fireplace.

It worked for me. No mess, no going outside in 30 degree weather, and happy kids!

Christmas break

The kids eagerly waiting for Mom and Dad on Christmas morning. We have a mandatory picture each year before they can come downstairs.

Charlie has been asking for his own guitar for years and really hoped Santa would come through for him. Sawyer kept assuring him that he wouldn't. So, boy were they surprised on Christmas morning.

I think Brad enjoyed it more than Charlie. He's been wanting to learn to play for years. Maybe this is the year?
Sawyer enjoying his assortment of sugar cereal- a tradition we've carried over from my childhood. They love it!

We had a relaxed Christmas morning opening presents and making a yummy breakfast. By 2:00pm, we had everything cleaned up, had packed the car and were on the road heading to Texas to visit good friends.

We spent the night in Dallas and arrived in Houston on Friday afternoon. We spent five wonderful days relaxing, visiting, and eating good food.

Some of the highlights were hunting for alligators, a day at the beach in Galveston, Nasa Space Center, racquetball (for Eric and Brad), a Latin dance class (Megan and me), eating out as adults, and ditching our winter coats for a week.

The kids were in absolute heaven to be with their friends. Everyone got along perfectly barring Lucy and Braden's random screaming wars over who was bigger, etc.

I can think of few things I enjoy as much as a trip to the beach with kids. Unfortunately, the water was cold, but they made the most of it just the same.

We had adjoining hotel rooms, so the kids were thrilled about being able to watch a show together one night.

Sawyer felt crummy the morning of departure, so he slept most of the day in the car. Brad was a complete superstar and agreed to drive the kids home alone while I flew. We had a one way ticket which was about to expire, so knowing how much I dislike long car rides with kids, he suggested I stay an extra day and fly home alone. That was probably one of my best Christmas presents. Thanks sweetie! Not only did he make the 12 hour drive with four kids alone, but with two sick kids. Spencer threw up three times before reaching Kansas. Twice in the hotel and once in the car. Luckily, we were prepared with plastic bags, so it didn't get everywhere. I don't recall a trip we've been on with kids, when someone wasn't sick.