In like a lion. . .

Our school had its annual Fun Fair. Curtis used all of the tickets he won to get these antlers. More dress up!


A huge storm blew through, knocking power out across town. School ended up getting canceled. We had our fire to keep us warm.


Mabel's in heaven - she loves getting her belly rubbed.






We celebrated Read Across America Week and read a lot of Dr. Seuss.




The school had a banquet honoring all of the 5th and 6th grade students who were on a basketball or cheerleading team. Each coach had two awards to give out. Our coach chose "MVP" and "Mental Attitude". Bella won the "Mental Attitude" award!


All of the award winners from the various teams.




Bella and I shared socks for Wacky Sock day. I'm glad she still wants to do things like this with me!


We also had a lot of fun with Crazy Hat day!


Andy bought a new car! If you will recall, he actually bought a Ford Focus back in December. After our close friend's fatal car accident, we decided that he should be driving something bigger. And this works much better for our family. We are loving our new Black Beauty a.k.a. Kia Kilps!


Graydon's teeny snowman that he made with the teeny snow that we got.


Sweet Mabel loves her bed.

Father Daughter Dance

All dressed up and ready for their date night.








While Andy and Bella went to their dance, the boys and I had our own night out. Earlier in the day, I googled ideas of fun things to do with the boys. One of the things that came up was taking an "architectural tour" of Columbus. I laughed to myself as I pictured the boys' boredom over looking at buildings. But, later when Graydon asked what we'd be doing that evening, I blurted out, "an architectural tour of Columbus!" He was not happy. I kept up this charade as we headed out for the night. The first stop on our "architectural tour" was McDonald's so the boys could look at the golden arches. . . and get Happy Meals.


The toy inside was decks of cards, so we played a game of War after finishing up our meals.

The next stop on our "architectural tour" was Chuck E. Cheese. I don't like their pizza, which is why we ate somewhere else. I just bought them a ton of coins to play games.


We ended our evening and "architectural tour" by getting some ice cream from Dairy Queen.

Andy and Bella ended their night similarly at Culver's.


I love date nights.

Finishing up February

This little guy just loves to dress up!


Bible-reading in bed. He knows where his true super powers come from.


Curtis earned his Bobcat award at Cub Scouts.




He's at it again!


A Mabel photo bomb! I like to take pictures of school work - stuff I want to remember but don't necessarily want to hold on to. Looks like Mabel wanted to be sure I would remember her too.


Bella participated on our school's Math Bowl team this year.


Teams of students from each school answered math problems.


Hope Elementary came in first place!!


Graydon got his yellow belt!




More dressing up: Cowboy Curtis this time.


Mabel supervising Graydon's bath time.


The boys have graduated to a new chore: sock and underwear sorting. I love not doing this one anymore.

Pinewood Derby

The boys worked hard on their cars and race day finally arrived!


Gentlemen, start your engines!




Curtis's car consistently came in second place. Not too bad!

Graydon's den was up next.


He had a really fast car last year. We wondered how it would go this year.


Well. . .  not too great, at first.


He came in 3rd and 4th in the first couple of heats. And then someone had the brilliant idea for him to turn his car around. When he did that, he started winning!


He ended up coming in THIRD place for the whole pack!






Curtis was a little disappointed because he was really hoping for a big trophy this year. But they all had fun racing their cars, so that's a win. :)

Winter?

I've gotten so behind on this blog and it's been stessing me out! I can truly say this has been a month like none other.

Let's jump back to several weeks ago. Curtis woke up with red, goopy eyes. We knew it was pink eye right away.  Off to the doctor.

Being silly while waiting for the doctor.


It took a while. Somebody got a little bored.


I found this taped to the copier at work. I literally laughed out loud. It is so true.


Curtis was chosen as a Jet Pilot! Every 9 weeks, each teacher chooses one student who represents the Hope JETS pledge: (Just be respectful. Encourage everybody. True to yourself and others. Stay safe and focused.) Bella and Graydon have both received this award in the past. Curtis was so excited when his name was called!




It has barely felt like winter this year. We have had so many warm days. This was a January day at the park.








Bella and I decided to take a walk around the pond. As we got closer, we realized that it was flooded. Those trees out there are usually not under water. And if you look closely, you can see that there are lamp posts in the water.






The boys finished up their basketball season.


We watched a lot of football games.


Even after the Packers lost that final game, we weren't quite ready to pack up the cheesehead.


'Super Curtis' has made some appearances.


Whenever he played 'Super Curtis', he didn't just put on the cape, but his orange shirt and yellow pants. Each and every time.


And he started writing 'Good Curtis' on all of his school papers because, as he said, "I didn't know how to spell 'super.'"

Mabel loves getting her belly rubbed.


The boys played ball during half time of the high school game.


Graydon made a basket!


I let Curtis go to our evening church service in his pajamas. (And he found a hat in the nursery).


Up-close art project: a waffle.


Pinewood Derby time. The boys worked hard on their cars. (I'll have more pics from the actual Derby on the next blog).






I had to get over my clutter-phobia for a few days while the kitchen table looked like this.


Elementary Night at the high school basketball game. All of the kids who played basketball for the school were recognized during half time.




The boys got orange bandanas from a fundraiser we attended earlier that day.


Salty cat likes to sneak in sometimes.


"Come, Mom! Take our picture!"


We went to an away high school basketball game. This was the school that the movie, "Hoosiers" was based on.


The trophy that the team won all those decades ago.


The Cub Scouts had a police officer guest speaker.


Bella likes to snuggle with Salty when he sneaks in the house.


'Super Curtis' has left the building and he has been replaced with 'Leonardo' (from Ninja Turtles). *Even though Leonardo is supposed to have the blue mask.


I'll try to update with pictures from the Pinewood Derby soon!