Kaden's Birthday Party

Kaden is always excited about his birthday, but this year he was really excited because he got to have a friend birthday party!

We decided to have his party the weekend before his birthday because his birthday fell on a school day. Kaden wanted to have a football party again this year. We told him he could invite four friends over and we would have pizza and then the boys would play a football X-box game.

I loved it! This was the easiest birthday party we have ever thrown. For thur majority of the party the boys played the football game. They really got into the game. They barely noticed I was taking their picture! The boys all had a lot of fun and Chad and I enjoyed relaxing during all that fun.

After the game was over everyone congregated in the kitchen for cake and presents. Kaden's last cake was a football cake, so this time I decided to make a football field (personalized for Kaden, of course). I even made goal posts with yellow straws.

The best part of the cake was watching Kaden look at the cake for the first time!
We gave everyone huge pieces of cake so we wouldn't have any leftovers!!

It is always fun to watch Kaden open presents.

Kaden's birthday was just before the Super Bowl in Indianapolis, so part of the thank you gift included a Super Bowl cup! It worked out well.

It was a great party. Kaden loved it and so did we!

Blast Off!

A while back Trevor got a rocket building kit. It was tucked away for a little while, but it resurfaced recently. The boys all wanted to build the rocket, so Chad told them they could on Saturday.

When Saturday arrived, Chad and Trevor got the kit out and went to work. Devon and Austin sat close by watching the process. Chad does a good job with the boys on these kinds of projects. He explains what needs to be done and then helps them do it. He also makes sure they understand the process. Sometimes Chad has to do some of the steps himself, but for the most part he and the boys do it together. It would be easy to take the project over, but he would rather teach the boys. I love it!

Once the rocket was complete, it was launch time. We all crammed into the car, including a neighbor friend, and headed for the park.

Chad and Trevor set up the launch pad and double checked everything. They stepped back a safe distance and pressed the launch button.

The first launch was a little bit of a dud. The top didn't separate from the body of the rocket.

The second launch went much better. It went up into the air and the top separated releasing the parachute! Everyone cheered, it was great!

Cub Scout Advancement

Both Trevor and Kaden have been working hard in Cub Scouts lately. Trevor earned his Bobcat right away when he got into cub scouts. Unfortunately, the pack didn't have a pack meeting for two months because of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Trevor was very excited to get his Bobcat patch. If you are wondering why he is holding it upside down, it is because he has to do a good deed before he can turn it right side up! Love that tradition.

Kaden has worked really hard the last month or so. It was getting close to his birthday and he only had until then to earn his Bear. Even though it was down to the wire, Kaden did not give up and he finished in time!

Great job Trevor and Kaden!

100th Day of School

We have celebrated the 100th day of school several times over the years. Usually the schools request the kids bring 100 of a small item. This year we were glad to have a new project. Devon's teacher gave each of the students a white painters hat. Their assignment was decorate their hat with 100 items.

We talked about several options and Devon finally decided on Pom Poms. Devon and I had fun picking out and gluing on the perfect Pom Poms. We even got a little creative and used them to make the number 100 on the bill of the hat! Devon looked great and he was very excited to wear his hat on the 100th Day of school!

Tea Party

Ever since Chad brought the tea set home, the boys have wanted to try it out. They finally got their chance! Tanner made some apple cider and put it in the little tea kettle. Since the tea set belongs to Devon, he was in charge of pouring the apple cider into the cups. I won't lie, it got a little messy!

The cups are tiny, so the boys needed many refills. They had a wonderful time sipping their cider. I guess even boys can have fun at a tea party!

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Austin loves Mickey Mouse! Every morning after the boys get on the bus to go to school Austin asks me if he can watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. When he gets the go ahead he grabs his Mickey and sits down in his favorite spot on the couch. It is so cute! Life is good for good for the next half an hour!

Snow!

During Christmas break it got so cold that it actually snowed! The boys were very excited. It has been a very mild winter and we haven't seen much in the way of snow, so it was fun to have a little bit of snow fall.

The boys quickly got on their snow gear and headed outside. It always makes me smile that one of the first things they do is snack on the snow. I'm not sure what is so exciting about eating the snow, but they love it.

Even though the snow didn't last very long, the boys still bad a blast! After the fun was over they came in and we all enjoyed hot chocolate together.