Alex's Photo Display

Sometime last month the Pre-K program that Alex is in decided to take some photos of the kids dressed up. Last year it was Tuxes for Logan and this year it was some fun dress up clothes. Our scanner is a little dusty but you'll get the picture. One was as a surfer, another a boat driver, and the last as a old time photographer.

Which is your favorite?

An Elephant Trap

Last night after we've finished reading "The Day the Teacher Went Bananas", Alex says to me , "Mom we need to build an elephant trap." I reply, "We do? Why?" Alex states, "In case an elephant tries to sneak in."

Maybe this stems from us reading "The Trouble With Elephants" book the night before.

Me & My Guy Dance Photos

Last Saturday was the Me & My Guy Dance for our Girl Scout Troop's Service Unit. This is a yearly tradition for the girls to attend with their Dads or another significant guy (relative) in their life. Thank goodness it wasn't our troop hosting this year. :) But I think they all had a good time. Thought I'd share some photos.

First a formal photo of Kayla and Phil.



Next a few silly poses.




A photo with Madison and her Dad. A tradition we've done every year we've gone to the dance.


Kayla and Madison striking a pose.

Congratulations to Kayla

Kayla was given the Golden Hawk award on Friday at school. This is an award that where a teacher recommends a student for being a class act student. Congratulations Kayla we're very proud of you!

Logan's Sick Day

On Monday I got a call from school saying that Logan had a temperature and was complaining of a sore throat. (Keep in mind he was fine the day before.) So of course I picked him up and made a doctor's appointment (turns out it was strep). But I picked him up and asked did your throat her this morning before school. He said yes. I asked why he didn't say something to me or his Dad. He said because he didn't want to bother us.

Some Tributes to Logan

Today I was reminded that Logan's room mom has a shutterfly account and posts photos of the kids from different activities during the year. There are some cute ones of Logan so I thought I'd share.

This first photo was from PJ day. He wore his PJs (including some major bed head) accompanied by the Tigger Robe that belonged to Kayla (made by Grandma). Can you find him?


This next group of photos is from the day of the Indian Pow Wow at school. The kids made home made Indian costumes and got to have some fun time in a TeePee and enjoyed a snack.






Finally are some fun photos from their "Valentine Snack Day". In Georgia they only have two approved classroom parties a winter party and a spring party. The first is Logan with his Valentines Box and the second is him cheesing it up.

Old Cars

This morning on the way to school as the family passes by the house with the yellow slug bug (VW Bug), Logan asks Phil why the yellow slug bug is always there. Phil states that it's probably old and doesn't work. Logan replies, it's an old car and it runs by using your feet.

We wonder where he gets his material. We swear we haven't been watching the Flintstones.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Today is Logan's turn to read a book of his choosing to his Kindergarden class. Of course we've known about it for over two weeks now but we didn't practice any book until last night!!!! We were going to suggest reading "Where is the Green Sheep?" but Logan told me flat out that we couldn't read that book because another student already read that book to the class. (He knows that book forwards and backwards so practicing it wouldn't have been an issue.)

Hmmm, what book to read. I pulled out "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle. I figured it shouldn't be too hard for him to read since we've read it together many a time before (okay I've read and he's listened). So I started by letting him do it on his own while I listened. I was impressed with the exception of a few words he was able to read the entire book (words like started, through, pushed)! So we practiced a few more times. He wanted to say who it was written by so I told him Eric Carle. He said Carl like from Jimmy Neutron. (Picture of Carl inserted for those not familiar with Jimmy Neutron.)




We practiced together about three times and he did really well. He also read the story to Kayla- making sure to show her the pictures as he read it. He also read it to Phil. We were so impresssed. I can't wait to hear how it actually went today at school.


Note: We did consider a few other books such as "Marvel Comic Mix-up Book" and "If you Give a Mouse a Cookie." We decided we'll practice those for another time.

Michigan is Near Canada

This morning Phil and the kids were talking on the ride to school. It resulted in the following interesting conversation.

Logan: Kayla, did you know that Michigan is near Canada?
Phil: How do you know that?
Logan: You told me.
Phil: I don't remember telling you that.
Logan: I do because my brain is younger than yours.

Best of Luck Master Chris

We just found out this morning that the marital arts facility that Kayla has been going to is closing effective Monday, February 16th. Kayla (and us too) is very sad. She has really enjoyed being on the demo team and learning to spar and receiving her purple belt. It did come as a shock to us all but we understand that times are tough economically for all businesses. We will truly miss the Master Chris. We wish you and your wife the best of luck in your future.

Can't Play the DS

Logan's DS has been in hiding for most of this week because he doesn't want Alex to play with it. This morning Logan woke up excited because he found his DS. He brought it downstairs and sat on the couch. He opened up the DS and started to play then said, "Mom I can't play my DS." I said, "Why is the battery dead?" Logan replied, "No, it's green I just can't keep my eyes open."

Phil Loved as a Coach

This is the first season for Phil to coach the tball level ball. He's coached about 5 or 6 seasons of the Rookie level. Phil's in contact with his assistant coach from last season who is now a head coach at the Rookie level. Phil received an email yesterday from him after their first practice. The Coach had asked his son what he thought of practice. His son said, "I like Coach Phil better." :) I think that made Phil's day. Hopefully next season he'll be able to be on Phil's team.

A Day With Nothing?

Is that even possible? It's a rare day in our house when someone doesn't have some activity or some place to be especially now as baseball season starts (yes, I did say start and yes I know it's only February). But today we're all just hanging out relaxing and I got to finish my altered bloggy books! Woohoo! Next - the boys need to work on their Valentine's Day boxes. But for now I think I'll just go read "Wicked."

Blessings to Shane's Ribshack?

Each morning, in part to start the day in peace, Phil and the kids say prayers as the drive Alex to his Pre-K school. It consists of the Lord's Prayer, the Glory Be and Hail Mary plus a few others. It always ends with blessing others. The usual blessings or mom, dad, Kayla, Logan, Alex, Grandparents, Aunts & Uncles and of course cousin Shane. Well this week after blessing Shane, Alex pipes up and says God Bless Shane's Ribshack!

Well perhaps Shane's Ribshack's business this year will have extra blessings from God. :)

A Meeting and Visiting With Friends

Being gone from family for 8 days to attend meetings (although they think I just go out and drink glasses of wine all the time) is a drag it sure is nice when I get to mix a little pleasure with my trip.

On Thursday afternoon/night I got to spend some time with Jenny and Seth! We took a nice long walk to the Water Tower to visit the American Girl store for Lindsey and then made a stop at the Hershey Store (I was good and bought nothing!) where Seth got to be a factory worker and get some chocolate. Of course we had to stop at the Lego store. Seth did such a great job walking all that way. I was tired and I'm 30 something or other so he did great! Unfortunately they had to go back on Friday and I had to go to work.

On Sunday I got to go out and visit with my good friends/old neighbors and enjoyed some wonderful food. I got to go to my favorite hot dog dig - Frankly Yours for a Chicago dog. Then Jeff, who caters (free plug - check his website out on the side bar) made me a delcious dinner of scallops (with a yummy ginger sauce), asparagus,a salad and delicious bread pudding! Not to mention being sweet and making a carrot cake for me to take back and share with my friends. (And providing me with veggies and fruit which always seem to be in short supply on these trips.)Delaine was so sweet to sit and smell the food while she was fighting the stomach bug. Their boys have grown so much in the 3 years it's been since I've seen them.

Visiting with friends made the trip worthwhile and I'll have to post the photos (the few I took) tomorrow.

Freezing, Freezing, Freezing

That's what we did on Saturday as we sat from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. doing the tball evaluations. Phil had to bring a friend and it was me. Now I'm not one to complain of the cold but when you're just sitting all day and the wind is blowing and you're not sitting in the sun it's cold. Phil was evaluating players (with all the other coaches) and I was sitting there checking everyone in. Needless to say we all took SUPER hot baths when we got home to defrost.

I told Phil next year if it's 38 when we're about to leave in the morning I'm not going to be his friend for Tball evaluations.

Logan Cardinal Class Act

It seems like forever since I've blogged but being at a meeting for work for 8 days (12 plus hours per day) and the last thing you feel like doing it blogging at the end of the day. But I got exciting news while I was in Chicago! Logan was the Cardinal Class Act for his class for the month of February! Way to go Logan - we're so proud of you!