Fun and Games

The game was over and the boys decided it was time to have some fun.  We didn't have to be home right away so they had 5 minutes to climb the rock wall before the shut down for the night.  That was enough time for each one of the to take a turn climbing.

Thumbs up I think?

Ryder had to go first
and photo bomb from Dacoda

Dacoda's turn and with a little stretching
he rang the bell.

Both claimed their hands hurt and they were done.  We made it home just in time to enjoy cake with Blake for his birthday.  It was also time to play Exploding Kittens with the expansion pack.  Who knew that adults would enjoy this game.

Or should I say Dave
enjoys playing this one.

Instead of wearing the collar of shame he made it into a a hat.  Maybe we should call him Pope??

It was a busy day but we did see the sun for the first time in over 3 days.  Too bad it will disappear again tomorrow for what looks like another week of rain.  We might just float away.

Game 6 of the Season

Saturday arrived and with it another basketball game.  Our weather has been pretty drizzly all week which means not much outside time.  Thank goodness for indoor sports in January.  The boys were ready to play.  One problem no coaches!!!  The start time was 5:00 and everyone was running late.  The boys declared they didn't need a coach but soon were looking around for another someone to bail the out when the coach came running in.  

The boys were ready to run and shoot.

They were too busy running
that shooting became optional.

And more running

Maybe a little defense..thrown in for good measure.
They WON!!!! This week by 3 points.

Team cheer once they stopped moving.

High Fives all around

The smiles were bigger this week and the shouts could be heard outside.  They are starting to play together and even work together.  There is still a lot of traveling and crazy moves.  Too bad the refs are starting to call more things and slowing down the game.

One more game of the season stay tuned for next weeks fun game.

Cooking with Ryder

Ryder loves to cook.  That is an under statement the past couple of weeks.  I brought home a cookbook just for kids.  The friend that gave it to me had used it for her kids when they were younger.  She no longer needed it but suggested Ryder give it try.  He was so excited and soon had recipes marked that he wanted to try.  He is in heaven!!!!!

Sunday afternoon we gave the first recipe a try.

Peanut Butter Cookies

He read the recipe and had to do each step himself.

Yummy

He tried everything himself from cracking the egg, to scooping the dough, and finally sliding them into the oven.  The buzzer rang and he quickly took them out.  Warm and yummy!!!!

However, he slacked in one area the CLEAN UP!!!! That of course was left up to Mom to do.  I have to remember as I am cleaning up that small steps are the easiest to teach.  He is begging to let him cook again and this time he wants to do dinner.  Clean up will be part of the teaching next time.

Pinewood Derby 2017

They dropped the box off after Christmas it caught us all off guard.  How can it be that time already.   It was that time and there were two weeks to get the car ready.  Dave & Ryder worked together to build the perfect car.

Time for the weigh in and right on the mark.  Ryder received his Pit Pass to claim his car the next night.

Race time finally arrived and the boys were all anxious to get the show started.  The leaders decided that awards needed to be first.  The tension was in the air...who needed awards when there were races that needed to be won.

Getting started...the boys couldn't stay still.

BAM!!!!
1st Place in the his heat.

Who did they vote for??

When did Ryder's name change?
7th Place up from 13th last year.

Camera smiles

All the boys had an awesome time with lots of racing, yummy treats, and friends.  Everyone had a great time.  The awesome leaders out did themselves this year with the decorations, awards, and of course the yummy treats.

You could hear the chattering of little boys planning what they can do different next year.  Thank  goodness this comes only once a year.

2 For 1 Basketball Games

The New Year is starting off with basketball.  Saturday afternoons are full of loud whistles and even louder parents watching their boys play ball.  The stands can get rather intense with all the dads yelling instructions to their sons.  The boys ignoring everything but the ball.  They will kill for a chance to take the ball and score.

Defense and blocking
Much different than fouling.

Go Ryder
Still working on not traveling.

Team Cheer and High Fives

Each week you can see so much improvement and they won the second game.  It was by one point the other team tried to score in the final seconds and missed the first shot.  They quickly tried a second one and made it.  Too late and our boys won.  

High fives and shouts of happiness all around.  I think the boys floated off the court and out to their cars.  

I am so proud of their hard work and positive attitude!!!!  

Christmas Blues

The holidays are officially over it is time to take the decorations down.  Ryder was anxious to get started however, the sisters weren't excited at all.  In fact dragging their feet was more like it.  

Ryder went right to work.
Undressing the tree, I had to stop him from climbing it to reach those
pesky top ones.

The girls were in charge of all the other stuff.
Helping me pack the containers
Hopefully, carefully to avoid breaking thing.

It was time for lunch with Dad and taking a break from all the stuff that still needed to be put away.  Wendy's Frostys hit the spot.

Time to head home and finish cleaning up.   Ryder begged to redecorate and move the furniture.  I had to remind him that Dad would most likely to change it when he came home.

Let's try it was his reply.  

Finished and pooped.
Kicking back and relaxing.

Everything cleaned up

It looked nice and spacious.  Time to wait for Dave to get home and to give the thumbs up or down.  He liked it and only made a couple of minor changes.  Ryder with the look of satisfaction told me that of course he got it right he is Dad's son and just like him.

Truer words have never been spoken.  They are so much alike that they both wear me out.

It was time to relax before going to back to work.  The kids still had 3 days of Christmas Break.

Happy New Year.....2017

Time to party again it's New Years Eve!!  We had a busy day cleaning, shopping, and preparing treats for tonight.  We had the Teens, Tweens, and in the in betweens all sharing the basement.  We even had the parents getting into the action by playing games and watching movies upstairs.

The Teens had the theater room to watch movies and of course eat their treats.  Boredom soon set in and they were off the park to play in the rain.  Just when we thought they had moved on they were back.  To cold and to wet to stay outside for long.

The in Betweens

Ryder not quite a tween and neither boy a teen either.  They busied themselves with Minecraft.  Then harassing the parents for more treats and maybe play a game or two.

The Tweens

This group had nothing formally planned.  Instead the slowly gravitated to the tv room for a round of movies and begging for treats.

Everyone but Ryder made it to Midnight and the welcoming in of 2017!!!

We hope this year brings good health, good friends, and good times.

It was time for bed and celebrating tomorrow with 10:30 church.