Where did the time go?

I've been really busy and haven't posted here in forever.  We had a great Christmas.  We spent the week after going down to St Louis for some family fun.  We hit their Science Center, Zoo (for Christmas lights) and City Museum.  The kids loved the City Museum so much that we're going back there soon to visit it again.  It's been a cold winter - kids have missed several days to the school being closed for "coldness".  All three kids are back in swim lessons.  Evan is the most enthusiastic about swimming out of the two; Sean however is finally learning something in class and is turning about to be a decent swimmer.  It helps that he has long arms and legs. At the end of January, we went on a Cub Scout camp out (indoors) and poor little Evan hurt himself sledding (he hit a tree).  He bounced back but it gave me quite the scare.  Though it's hard for both boys to pay attention at Den meetings, we are continuing with Cub Scouts for another year.  It takes Sean so long to acclimate to new things... he just starting to make friends.  Both boys enjoy the outings a lot.  We are camping a lot more now and doing other fun stuff like Pinewood Derby cars.  Evan just hit the 48 inch mark recently and is super excited to ride the American Eagle this year at Six Flags.  We will probably go back to St Louis' Six Flags too now that Evan can ride more.  Sean is growing like a weed.  He's 52 inches and going.  I've got him into 7s and 8s in clothing even though he is still 6.  Evan is getting his had me downs now.  Yikes!  Lots of pics on Flickr from the winter.  Check it out....

Christmas 2015

They look like angels but will Santa agree?

My brave little Cub Scouts!

The boys became Cub Scouts at the end of the school year last year.  We joined late so there was not a lot of activities for them initially.  I had wanted to take them camping because I'm a firm believer that's how you bond with other kids - getting out of your regular life and having a camp adventure.  However every trip scheduled didn't work with our already busy summer.  We got an opportunity to go camping the week before I had a camp trip with Girl Scouts.  I couldn't go because I was still preparing for that trip so Steve went.  The boys were super excited and the day came along with a nasty thunder storm.  The lighting prevented camping the first night but Steve took them the next day.  They had the best time but did not stay since we had the very first Sunday school class of the season the next day in church.  Since then, Evan has asked me several times if we could go camping with the Cub Scouts.  That's how we ended up camping last week in 30 degree weather with 10 kids and their parents.  I was worried that this trip would make them hate camping since it was so cold so I prepared them the best I could: long underwear, new socks, new hats and gloves.  All stuff they needed anyway but now with a sense of urgency.  I'm happy to say they had a great time.  There was a big sand hill at our camp site that all of the boys spent the weekend on playing.  Sean predictably was ready to go home the second night but a promise of doughnuts on Sunday morning was all he needed to spend another night.  I did not disappoint them.  They ate a lot of doughnuts.  They earned it.  No complaints of being cold and very few of being bored.  I was so happy to see them happy!

Zombies and Vampires Oh My!

The boys had decided early on what they wanted to be for Halloween so I headed off to Goodwill to see what I could find.  Goodwill had the perfect zombie costume for Evan and a new Dracula cape for Sean.  I also got Sean a white dress shirt, black vest and vampire medallion instead of buying a all in one vampire costume.  I wanted to be able to layer his clothes because it was freezing on Halloween!  It worked out.  The day came and while we were very cold, they really enjoyed trick or treating.  They even go to go with their friends for a while and were very happy!  

First Day of School

Evan and Sean start first grade today.  Sean is at a different school in our district where they have a special education program for his grade level.  I am so worried for him but he was in good spirits and was chatty with his new teacher.  I hope he likes it. He complained so much about school the last few months of Kindergarten.  Evan on the other hand was chomping at the bit to go back to school.  He wanted to see his friends.

Cub Scout Evan

Evan and I went on a hike with the Cub Scouts yesterday.  The scout season starts this week and oddly enough Evan is excited.  He really wants to hang out with the other boys and be social.  He insisted on wearing his uniform on this one hour hike!  (Of course it got hot and he had to take it off!)

Summertime Sadness

Steve and I did our best (well mostly Steve) to make the last week before school a fun one.  The kids went to the movies, the park, visit with Grandma, Six Flags (twice), the zoo and MSI.  Also they took their first Metra ride (commuter rail) to get to the city.  All in all, it was a tiring week but I think they had fun!