Mommmmm and dad

It's been a hectic week and now we're sitting here watching the snow come down and down and down! Spring teased us and now the reality of winter has returned! 

Sam is enjoying basketball a lot. I missed his game last weekend, but was told he is doing a great job guarding. Ben is done with basketball and getting more into his violin. He is expressing interest in the trumpet as well. 

Claire is currently running around our circle between the kitchen and living room pushing her baby in her stroller! Her new thing is that she calls me mommmm. Not mommy, but mommmm--with a prolonged "m" at the end! She's also starting to call Chris dad, not daddy! I think she's a bit too young to make that change! She's a bit bossy, too! Not sure where she gets that from!!!

We have enjoyed a beautiful day with temps nearing 50 degrees! What a nice treat for the last day of January. It was so nice to not wear a coat this afternoon! 

Sam had his first basketball game today. What a difference 2 years makes. It's such a difference from watching Ben's 4th grade team to Sam's 2nd grade team! They also have to lower the baskets for these kids. It's quite interesting to see Sam with his team, too. He is huge compared to the rest of them! He's at least a head taller than all of his teammates. He had a good steal today, but has a lot to learn. Very fun to watch today. No pictures today, but will get some next weekend.

Ben's tournament for today did not happen. He was pretty bummed. His team and some of the parents scrimmaged last night and had a great time. Now he's complaining that he's bored! It always amazes me when kids say they are bored with all of the gadgets, toys, and books they own, one would think that would never be a problem! 

We're gearing up for the Super Bowl tomorrow on the big screen in our living room! I am planning to make super nachos--we'll see if the boys are brave enough to try something different. They are quite excited to watch the game this year, but bummed the Packers are not in it. 

For Grandma's benefit, I am attaching a picture of Claire in one of her new dresses she received from Christmas. It was the only we have taken so far, so hopefully she'll let me get more in the next few weeks. Hard to believe we will have to start looking for an Easter dress soon! We already have our Valentines (princesses of course). We need to get the boys ready yet, though. Ben is having a fit about it as I type this! I guess when you're a boy in 4th grade, it's not that appealing! Oh well!

It is so fun to see how much the kids have grown up. Tonight was open house at school for the boys. They always have a pancake supper option for everyone there too. The kids always look forward to this night. This was one of the more fun years. Sam took the big brother role leading Claire around and helping her get her drink for supper. It's so nice to see that they really can get along sometimes! It's also nice to see the kids interacting with their friends and teachers at school. 

Ben, always the shy one, actually spoke with us and his teacher. My how he has grown up this year. He did turn a bit red in the cheeks as she told me how much better he is doing with his writing! Maybe some year soon he will feel more comfortable in a new class before Christmas instead of after half the year is done. 

Sam was so excited to show us his art work and the art room/teacher. He so loves art. I was so surprised when his art teacher said he sits right down and works very hard and quietly during the entire class time. I was so shocked and wasn't sure she was talking about our Sam! She stated she thought he was always that quiet! Little does she know that he is quite talkative and has been moved more than once in his classroom for talking too much (don't know where he gets that from!). Obviously, art has piqued his interest more than we realized!

Looking forward to Sam starting basketball this weekend. Ben was to have a tournament this Saturday, but it was cancelled, so he is done for the season. These are a couple of pictures from his season. So far his favorite sports are basketball and football.

We survived all of the birthdays for another year! Claire was a little under the weather on her birthday with a bad cough and low grade temp, so we took it easy at home that night. She apparently is not a big cake fan any more as she has not had any through all 3 birthdays (including her own!). She is now 3 going on 13 and has become very bossy!

Sam's birthday was fun. We went bowling with a couple of his friends and everyone had a great time. It's nice having all the bowling alleys smoke free. He received his first instrument--a guitar. We are in the process of setting up lessons for him through a friend at church. He is quite and excited 8 year old.

Ben turned 10--can you believe he's 10??- on Thursday. He decided he just wanted us to do something as a family so we are planning to go bowling together tomorrow. 

Ben's basketball season is winding down with his last regular games today and a final tournament next weekend. Sam starts this week with his first practice and first game next weekend. It never ends! Next will be spring soccer for Sam, but no baseball this year as he has decided to stay with soccer and start football in the fall. We'll see if he changes his mind! 

Poor kitty!

A funny thing I am learning about little girls--they are sneaky! Much sneakier than the boys were. Or maybe I just don't remember these little things! Claire loves to have her fingernails and toenails painted. So last night she noticed she was in need of a polish. We finished, and she wanted to hold her little nail polish bottle. I went in the other room to do something and came back into the living room. The cat had crawled up on her lap (bad move on her part!) and I noticed I could smell the nail polish. Claire was trying to hide it in her hand, but the smell gave her away. At that point, I put it away. Well, after she was in bed, I realized she must have felt the cat needed some polish too, as there was pink sparkly polish on her back! Our poor old cat is getting a work out from Claire! About a year ago, Claire tried to ride her like a horse!  She has since stopped trying this trick! 

After waiting 2 months since I opened this up, I am finally going to attempt to put my first entry here! We survived the holidays and its crazy times. Now we are deep into the January birthday craziness! Claire's 3rd birthday was Tuesday. Unfortunately she was sick with a bad cough, cold, and temp. She is slowly improving. Sam's 8th birthday is Saturday. We are having a bowling party tomorrow night, so should be fun. He has been begging for a guitar--hope he likes it! Ben will be 10--yes 10!-next Thursday. I couldn't believe it when he requested doing something with the family instead of having a party. Yea! One less thing to plan for. Think we are going bowling again! 

Since I don't have birthday pictures handy, thought I would add some pictures from the fall and Christmas.