Spring Track

 Spring Track has been hard.....it's cold....the practices are monotonous and difficult...and the boys just are not into it.....
Tonight we took buddies to cheer them on at the meet...and that seemed to help a little....if you are going to be cold....you may as well do it with friends!

 The boys ran well......

 It always helps when you have a cheering section all your own!

 They just don't love track.....cross county is where it is at for them....and it sure makes a difference when you run with your heart! Dreaming of XC season already........

Kitchen Gentleman

I have been making a point of spending some time in the kitchen with the boys. To my surprise, they love it...truly love it. I think it's important that they know how to follow a recipe and cook and do for themselves. I think it's important that when someone says "from scratch' or "homemade" that they understand it really means they put in the extra effort to make it and to appreciate that. I want them to know that when dinner is on the table that a lot of planning and work probably went into it and that a meal is truly a way to say I love you if it's made with love. I want them to experience the feel of dough on their hands and the anticipation of the first bite of something they made. Being comfortable in the kitchen is just a nice thing to be....and getting to spend time with them in my own way..... well...that is just icing on the cake.

Hip Hop Mondays

SK continues to enjoy her hip hop class on Mondays! I am not sure if it's the class or just being with the Crane twins she loves more!

 They are working on their recital piece..."Freeze Frame" by the J. Giles Band!

 And when I take the boys and I enjoy the Comfy Cow's ice-cream right around the corner!

Here's to Hip Hop Mondays and Cake Batter Ice Cream!

Track begins

 Here it is winter and we are already picking up the running shoes again as track begins.  Rollins has been going regularly but Riggs not so much as the practices are the exact time as Goshen Basketball practice. Both boys are out of running shape and a little down abut it.  It hard to get back into it...but here we go!

Strep and Snow

The boys faded fast after their friends left from early release day. They were having fun and in the moment ...but when the fun ended...throats became sore....and fever and chills set in...

The next morning they felt terrible and so we headed to the doctor.

They were the proud owners of strep throat. No school Thursday or Friday for them.

 Friday we woke up to a snow day so SK got the day off too!

 It was an unexpected long weekend....and a much needed day to chill and relax. It was a couch and cocoa kind of day!

Basketball Time!

As basketball practice has started for the 5th grade team....suddenly it's all basketball...all the time! The boys of fall have turned into the boys of ball!

Rollins' Halloween Get together

Rollins had some buddies over for a little Halloween fun...they were playing football in the back yard...and suddenly the back yard lights went off and it was dark!

Colin & Riggs were ready in their masks....

and Mr. Rheninhart was ready too.....

They played  Halloween Hide and Seek with Mr. Rheinhart and had an absolute ball!

Jeremy missed the whole thing....and when it was over asked them what they had been screaming at? :)

We had cake and lots of Halloween treats!

They played video games....and wrestled......

and just had fun being boys!

Rollins, as usually, crashed first...God love him...he just can't stay up late.....

The morning brought Halloween cinnamon rolls....

and happy boys with new friendship memories for sure after a fun night together!

They played one last football game before they said good bye.....

I hugged them all...gave them a box of Halloween booger candy....it was over....

I am so glad Rollins had this fun time with his friends!

Back yard fall fun

We love our back yard...it hold so many memories all ready. In the fall we spend so much time playing football games there. This was one of the first big backyard games of the season!

Here's to many more football fun to come this fall!

summer sleepovers

It's summer and the sleepovers are plentiful over here.... 

Sometimes the nights are long but it always ends on a good note which makes me say yes to the next one.

The good note is the morning wake up...sleepy ones....sitting together...remembering the good memories from the night before....all smiles and laughing.....happy.

I am so thankful for summer sleepover memories......

boys everywhere

Most days my yard looks like this.....

the more bikes in the yard....the more smiles from Riggs...he truly loves his friends. He just laughs and talks....

but he also listens.......

 They are happy to be anywhere...as long as they are together....

and sometimes...days turn into nights...and they all just love a sleep over...just knowing their time together will go on longer......

I can't always say yes....but most of the time I do......

 I love these boys...and am so happy for friendships....and I can see them strengthening in these summer days.

On the way home last night from dinner Riggs told me all his friends always say how nice I am....I am not sure why but they made me so happy...I was proud of that and so thankful he shared that with me. I want his friends to feel happy and welcome at our house...and I am so glad they do!