Day 15

 

Today we went back to PA. My cousin Lauren was in a play, the Little Mermaid. This production was put on by Quaker Valley Middle School. I must say, this play was executed with precision and perfection. There is so much talent in their school, from the voices to choreography, stage presence to production. It was fabulous!!! Check out the costumes too.

 

Lauren, the sailor

Lauren, the chef

And Lauren, the Duck

 

So proud of her for all of her hard work!!

 

 

 

Day 14

T.G.I.F.

Karter had a morning playdate with his "best-est" friend Brody.  We took a field trip to Drug Mart before we came to the house.  I actually did a lap around the store after I checked out so the boys could drive longer.  I was amused, but I'm not so sure that the employees were.  Oh well, I am one of their best customers. 


These boys LOVE to play together and talk on the phone.  Today they pretended to hunt huge bears most of the time. 

 

After dinner we started our gingerbread houses. Cael and Karter got a jump start while Gaven ran to grandma's with daddy.

 

 

 Family bowling night.  What a BLAST!!

 

 

 

Check out their form.  Karter anxiously awaits his final pin count. 

 

 

Bet ya can't guess who won???

 

Day 13

Thursday.....will this week ever end.  For some reason this week has seemed to be extremely LONG!  I don't think I've really known what days it is all week.  This morning Karter and I hung out at home.  It was time for me to assemble gingerbread houses.  The kids have always enjoyed decorating them.  They do however, dislike putting them together.  I worked at the assembly, while Karter ramped his dirtbikes on and over them. 

Tonight the NP Kiwanis helped to pass out food at the Dover Phila food bank.  Cael and I joined our friends Anne, Jacob and Caroline Hanner.  What a great experience for all who took time serving.  Such a teachable moment for kids and adults alike.  Cael and Jacob took such pride in their work.  They did not let a 'customer' go unspoken.

They even volunteered to be a "pusher". this means that when someone comes thru that has a disability or is shopping for their family and another (due to disability) that a person will follow behind them and push the cart full of groceries for them. This was the highlight of their evening.

 

Day 12

December 12

The boys had mixed emotions this morning when they came down the steps to find that Spirit had graffiti'd our family picture.  Gaven was quite upset wiht the whole thing.  Cael laughed a little, but then tried to erase some of the markings.


Again, this may be a silly tradition, but I get a really good laugh out of our little Spirit every night. 

The sun came out this morning, making for a beautiful, yet brisk December day.  Karter was not impressed with the bright sun.  But he has sure learned to smile for the camera. 

Got to spend the early afternoon with Jen.  Helping her with her upcoming special day.  We took a trip to Unusual Junction to pick up some things.  We ended up shopping for some fun treats in their store. 



After school, Gaven headed off to wrestling while Cael, Karter and I went to Buck and Deana's to make caramels.  We are bound and determined to figure out how to master this candy.  It is sooooo good!  But it's really gonna take some practice.

Day 11

December 11

This morning Karter and I visited the Senior Center.  Cael's class and the two other second grade classes from Central Elementary went to the Senior Center today to sing Christmas songs.  They did a very nice job singing and dancing. 

 

Check out Cael's singing face!!

 

 

 

 

Tonight was our "Club" Christmas dinner.  We had a great dinner and great conversations.  We deeply missed Stef and Brie.  Bonefish Grill was YUMMY!!!

 

No picture to capture our after dinner moments, but we decided we were getting old.  We went to Belden Village mall and got hot drinks.  Not the kind of drinks most people would think after a dinner date.  We got coffees, teas, lattes at Carribou Coffee and sat in the middle of the mall chatting like old hens.

Day 10

Monday, Monday

Aunt Jen came into town for a few days and kept Mommy up WAY too late lastnight.  (yawn)

We got some good play time with Baby Gram.   Trying to get both of these little monkeys to be still and smile, at the same time, was impossible.  This is the best I could do.

 

I have also learned that when Karter asks for a mohawk, I should likely tell him NO.  It should also act as a fair warning that he is going to be a terror for the rest of the day.

 

After school we did our regular library day routine.  While we were there, I got to upload our family pictures.  Wow!!  So excited at how they turned out.  For those of you that know Shane's parents, please don't discuss these pictures.  They are part of their Christmas present.  I'll giva a sneak peek later in the week

Check out the book selections.  Gaven is all sports.  Cael's books were mostly about Christmas and Santa.  The boys each picked out a movie to bring home to Karter this week. 

 

After dinner,the boys do some Xtra Math work online for school.

 

 

Day 9

Our sleep-over in Columbus was a huge hit. Jacob and Caroline's Aunt Stephie and Jackie had all sorts of fun things to do.  This was better than staying at a hotel. They had so many fun things going on this morning.

                                                       Friendly Bayblade competition.

Nice little game of kitchen basket ball.

 

 

Aunt Stephie had the kids line up on the balcony.

 

Then she opened fire!!

 

When we got home Gaven had another wrestling match.

 

Gaven dominated with another PIN!! This one was in the first period.

A little post-match chat with one of the coaches.