Good Bye to Tahoe

We did not sign up for this. What we signed up for was a "family friendly" dog. A new addition to the family. A protector, a playmate, a running buddy, a friends. We signed up for responsibility, training, obedience and love.
I truthfully thought dogs were only aggressive if you didn't expose them to the world. Take them on car rides, to doggie daycare, to the dog park, lots of walks, lots of people, smells, adventures. I thought if you walked them often (6 times a day for us), drained their energy and poured love into them that they would be a good dog. We wish we knew what we could have done differently and done that, but Tahoe has bitten Connor and Ryan now and for no seen reason and for that, we can't keep him.
It has been emotionally draining and I'm so sad that what we thought we signed up for, isn't in fact what we got. The boys are scratched from this, and I hope it doesn't leave an emotional scar on their hearts.
Good Bye Tahoe.

Valentines Day Box

I forgot to take a picture of the boys V-Day Boxes, but I did make a back up box for Connor's classroom and did remember to take a picture of it.

1st Grade Classroom Door Decor

I loved making these doors but there were many little heart pieces needed for each fish.
For the fish I used my silhouette machine. I cut out a rain drop shape for the body, a large heart for the head, a small heart for the tall and a smaller heart for the lips. I also used my silhouette to personalize each fish. Lastly I used a hot glue gun to adhere the eye ball.

 Even the seaweed had hearts

 I need to go back to the school and add some seaweed

 The fish before I added the googly eye

The cute little "school of fish" before I added the class names

KUMON

Connor started KUMON last year when he showed an interest in Math and his public school said they  didn't really have any enrichment for him. KUMON is a 7 day a week, 60 math problems a day very slow moving program to make sure the kid masters the skill before moving on to the next. He started with addition, then subtraction, then multiplication, 2 digit multiplication, 3 digit multiplication, division, two digit division, 3 digit division, fractions, adding fractions and now subtracting fractions with the lowest common denominator and greatest common denominator.

He was getting sick of the rigorous program and was ready for a break starting in February. Well he talked to his instructor about wanting to quit and then she lit a spark under him. He found out he is one letter (subject) away from algebra. So once he gets through decimals this third grader of mine will be doing algebra. Say what. He definitely didn't get his math smarts from his Mama.

Proud of you Conman for doing things that are hard and challenging so your mind can grow and you can becoming a more rounded student who can excel!
This is a picture of a medal that he was awarded at this years KUMON ceremony for being 2 grades ahead of public school math, 1 grade year ahead of charter schools.

January Happenings

Why are the "slow months" always so busy?
Connor has 60 math (KUMON) problems a day to get through, plus Piano practice daily.
Ryan has basketball 2 days a week, plus Guitar practice daily.
Plus scouts 3 times a month. Too busy!

I think it wouldn't all seem like too much if we didn't have a 7 month old who walks on 4 paws.

Ryan's pinewood derby car is almost complete. There are SOOO many youtube videos with ideas. We shall see how we stack up against the competition.

 Spent New Years at the Hagstroms, Matson crew was all there too

 Ryan is on a team with school buddies: Lincoln, Daxton & Quentin

 Yeah, someone needs braces. He won't actually get braces until probably 6th grade, but a few teeth need to be pulled to hopefully straighten out some craziness now.

We baked bagels for the first time ever. Just plain and Sesame. Ray said he will never be able to buy a grocery store bagel again!

Christmas 2018

This year my parents flew in, just in time to see Ryan's Christmas school performance.

 Ryan with best friend Daxton

 Ryan's Class- 1st Grade- Mrs Rutkowski

 Ryan working on his PINE WOOD DERBY car with Grandpa

Hot Tub

Every night in the winter cold months I take a hot bath to warm myself up. This year for Christmas Ray spoiled myself and the boys big time and got us an 8 person, 400 gallon hot tub.
We had to have a 13x13 ft stamped concrete patio poured to hold the beast.

White Elephant- 3rd Annual

We decided this year to make a whole MEAL. I was insane, I think I made 14 dishes the day of. Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, home made mac n cheese, artichoke dips, cranberry dips, meatballs, shrimp, rolls, desserts, it was way too much for the day of a party. Everyone came (15 couples), everyone had a good time, every one left with garbage. Next year we will need to somehow make sure the "good gifts" are actually good, hmmm. 

November

The boys have been doing boy scouts this year. It is more of a commitment then we expected so we are thinking this is a one and done year experience. In November we did get to go to a cool adventure place and the boys got to shoot bee bee guns, bow and arrows and climb a rock wall. 

For thanksgiving we ventured north to Steamboat, our first time making it their. We went to Mike & Casey and skied two days. Cool town, good skiing and Connor and I got to ride a two man outdoor roller coaster in the snow.

Happy Halloween

 Connor said he was embarrassed to wear his costume because he was in a tuxedo. Dud you picked your costume, now put it on!!!!!

 Clarke kids went with us to an indoor trick or treat at the high school. It is supposed to snow/rain tomorrow for the real deal so glad we could load up on sugar ahead of time.

I had 9 1st grade Mama's over this week and we made reverse wood signs that say "believe" on one side and "mistletoe" on the other. For Christmas.