Blast from the Past...

Or rather a toy from the past Rockem Sockem Robots!!!!  

Let the battles begin.....

Dave's latest find

Father & Son
Friendly competition. 

Which quickly turned into a deadly competition between family.  Ryder soon had everyone wanting a turn but only if they would play him and he won.  He begged me to play with him and begged a little more.  Time to play and I quickly knocked his block off.  He wanted a rematch because Mom's can't win.  One more time for the a quick win!!!!!  He found other things to do and hasn't asked me to play with him again.

Waters' Sports Update

Saturday morning dawned to another basketball game.  This week's game didn't start until 11:00 for an 8 year old that was four hours away.  After a quick stop at Dave's store we made it with time to spare.  Once again he was the second one to arrive so he was starting the game.

Tip off and the game started.  

Give me that ball!!!!

How about now??

Who is going to get it?

They played with everything they had but came up short.  After many attempts Ryder scored a basket,  He also showed a new skill of stealing the ball.  He made a few breakaways that stunned us all.  One mom commented that he was sure was a hustler.  The game ended with more smiles there was treats this week.  The sad news there is only one more game of the season.

On our way home he reminded me that he wants to continue to play so I need to find out where and get it done now!!!!

Literacy Night at LVE

After Thanksgiving LVE announced a challenge to the whole school.  They were going to ready 10,000 books by the middle of January.  Each grade was given their chunk of the reading goal and they were off.

January arrived and they were getting really close to making their goal.  Another challenge was issued to the school.  Write a magical story for a chance to win lunch with a teen author MaKenzie Wagnor from Utah.  14 years old with numerous books available for the kids to enjoy.

Ryder went to work on his story.  His was on Super Lizards that love to play video games.  He wrote and rewrote his story convinced that he could win this.

The day finally arrived to turn in the stories.  Mrs Wilson had each one read their story to the class and then called for a class vote.  Ryder won!!!!!  His crew came through for him.

These kids not only made their goal but surpassed it by an additional 3,000 books for a grand total of 13,000 books.  It was time to party and have fun.

Pizza and treats for lunch and ask questions to MaKenzie.  Come back to school tonight for an autograph and get your prize.  It started at 5:30 and Ryder was determined to be there right on time and get his prize.  We were in fact 10th in line.

She signed his book
and encourage him to keep writing.

Photo booth w/Captain America
He refused to pose with Elsa & Anna

Gold Medals & Popcorn

It was a fun night a great reward for these hard reading students.  I hope they do this again next year all the kids loved working towards a goal.  The benefit better readers.  A win win for everyone.

Ryder is determined to read the new book and as of last count he has read 15 pages.

Waters' Sport Weekly Update

Basketball started early this week with a 9:00 game.  The coaches have been begging the boys to show up early with not much luck.  This week they threw in a wonderful incentive starting the game.  The first ones to show up got to start the game.  

Ryder was convinced we had to be there by 8:30 maybe 8:00???  I had to talk really hard to stop for breakfast @ McDonald's for his favorite Sausage McMuffin.  We even convinced Dad to join us be for work.  We made it at 8:35 his response "We are way to early".  The good news was all the boys were all there by 8:45.  They were ready to play.

Something new....Tip off

Defense is important.
Notice the other pink band Ryder has to guard...A whole head taller than him.

Keeping track of the ball.

Do we help?
Mr Plaid Shorts will fight to the end to get the ball.
He doesn't care who has it

It was a tough game with only 2 baskets but they played with everything they had to give.  If that counted the would have won by 50 points.

Ryder announced the he loves basketball more than football.  Can we please find him more games.  He isn't sure if he wants to play baseball after all this year.

Soccer practice started this week with a new coach for Reganne's team.  She is anxious for the season to start and get her goalie on.

Pizza Night

A new year and a new activity PIZZA!!!!!  Homemade in fact.  Who knew it was so easy to make and enjoy.  We are already in week 2 and my help is quickly disappearing.  Rylee thinks cooking is gross.  Reganne will help if I remind her.  Ryder however sticks like glue and wants to do everything I will let him, more if my back is turned.

We had a pizza adventure on Friday who knew you can have more than one topping on a pizza?  Not my kids!  The adventure continues and maybe we will have 3 toppings?

Adding the sauce
Oops!!! we put too much it was still yummy.

Three crusts rising with rolling pin standing by.

It was still a hit everyone dug in and devoured the slightly slimy concoction.  It was fun cooking together  and if possible learning together as well.

Next week maybe we will add a movie and popcorn.  

Waters' Sports Weekly Update

The new years starts and with it a new edition of "Waters' Sport Weekly Update".  We are really lucky that there is only one sport going on right now.  That won't last for very long soccer is knocking on the door.  

Ryder's basketball team had their first practice on Wednesday and you could feel the energy sizzling around them as they played.  

Saturday arrived but the game was scheduled for afternoon.  Ryder wasn't going to wait until then to start playing.  He and Dave started a pregame game in the driveway with one eye on the basket and the other eye on the clock.  12:30 finally arrived and we were off to the WCCC.  As we pulled in the large parking lot was full to the brim with very few empty spots.  Lucky for us we had plenty of time and were the first to arrive from his team.

Game time!!!!!

Let's Play

Concentrating & Nerves!!!
Dead give away with his hand in his hair.

Guarding his player

Pizza Party

This was a closer game with the teams more evenly matched.  Ryder scored one basket and a couple of others each scored one as well.  The coaches treated the boys to pizza which they quickly devoured in about 10 minutes maybe less.  Four games left this season there is still more fun to come.

As we left the WCCC Ryder told me he was hungry.  How is that possible he just ate pizza?  Mom, I only ate 2 pieces.

Welcoming 2016!!!!

After a busy Christmas it was time to unwind and have a quiet New Years NOT!!!!  Let's have fun and let the kids enjoy the night.

Getting Toilet Papered
Can't really see it with this picture, but Dave's Sunday School
Class had to go out with a bang.

Let's Party with the Wheelers & MacPhersons
The kids begged for sparkling cider.  How did we end up with 5 bottles?

Some loved it and some hated it.
How about the 5 year old bottle....Too many chunks it went down the sink.

Can't tell which way Morgan voted.

Watching movies and
waiting patiently for the count down to begin.

5...4...3..2..Happy New Years!!!!

What better way to start the new year than with family.

There is no better way to start the new year than with our family and friends.  What crazy things will come our way this year I guess you will have to stay tuned to another wild, crazy, fun, and adventurous year.