I think I'm ready now!!

The other day, we had a Gingerbread House making extravaganza at our house. Our neighbor made the houses and organized everything for seven little bodies (mostly Kindergarteners and two younger ones) to make these delectable creations at our place. The roof caved in on Evan's but it really doesn't matter because, well, most of it has been devoured by now. :)

I finished my last assignments yesterday and I am done with this semester! Wow! That was intense. But now I am ready to celebrate the season. I have been wanting to blog every day like I did last year during advent but we'll see how it goes....

I got some Christmas shopping done in the lightly falling snow of Old Town Fort Collins this afternoon. Beautiful! Then we decorated the tree this evening. Pictures to come.

Merry Christmas!!!

Slurp your Blog on Blurb

Pics taken on the Nikon D5000

I feel like I'm an alien when I talk about slurping blogs and blurb.com I just received my new blog book in the mail (thanks to TTJ!). Basically, blurb is a site where they import your blog (as much or as little of it as you like) and then you can use any one of the many templates (or make custom layouts) to put your blog into a book. I did mine in one evening so it didn't take a ton of time but I have done several digital scrapbooks before so I already know how to navigate these sites. It's free to do this. Then you, of course pay for the final book. Mine is a 12x12 to go with my scrapbooks which are also 12x12. I must say, it wasn't cheap (about $60) but that's AT LEAST how much I'd spend on making a traditional scrapbook. Plus it took WAY less time to put together. And, I am really happy with the quality of the book! This time I did a really basic set-up. Just wanted to get it done. I might try something more design oriented next time.

Speed-Stacking

Josh has been waiting since about July to join the local Speed-Stacking club that meets after school. Zach and Evan have jumped on the band-wagon, too! Josh is pretty amazing...and proceeded to amaze, motivate and/or intimidate everyone else who showed up today.

This is a growing 'sport'. And by 'sport' I do mean sport. Not only does it completely engage both sides of the brain, it becomes addicitve, and competitive while involving teamwork, strategy etc... AND, after practicing for a 1/2 hour, Josh is literally sweating and his heart is pounding! They have the World Competition in Denver in April. Josh's personal best for "the cycle" is 9.05 seconds. Zach's is 14.80 seconds. Mine is 20 seconds (hee hee!). The world record is an AMAZING 5.93 seconds.

I caught this pic while he was in the middle of "the cycle". He is going blazinginly fast but the Nikon D5000 which I'm trying out at home didn't even bat an eyelash. Crystal clear. The pic of Evan yesterday (below) was from the same camera. I'm trying this one out for a couple of weeks and will probably try out the Canon Rebel T1i as well before I make a final decision.

A Little Sad...

Today I called around to find childcare for Evan for when I start student teaching in January. I feel like a bad mom for sending him off to some daycare lady who I don't even know; for sending him to a strange house and kids HE doesn't know. He'll be going every day after his morning kindergarten. I know....he'll be fine. But that doesn't make me feel better right now.

I have a 10 year old!

Yikes!

Josh turned 10 yesterday.

Double-digits.

Pre-teen.

I think my heart just skipped a beat!

Yup.

It did.

I seriously look at him and see my little 5 year old.

Or 2 year old.

Or even a wee babe.

Can I just pause time.

Even for a little bit.

I love this age he's in.

Ok, maybe I've been saying that for a while.

So, I'll just love this age

and love the next

and the next...

Anyways, Josh had a great, fun Birthday party yesterday. The boys and dads played keep-away/football for quite a while. Then I had the kids decorate the cake with all kinds of candy and icing of different colors! Very fun and easy. They played ball some more, opened pressents and played ball. The moms actually got to sit and have chai and chat for a while. (!) It was one of the easiest Birthday parties we've had at our house to date!

As Good As It Gets

5 boys who are cousins and love each other so much! It warms my heart and I am so thankful for each one of these little rascally guys!



Evan (5), Zach (8), Josh (almost 10)

Part of the painful photo shoot posted below.

The Pumpkin Patch

Jacob and Caleb came for a visit.

We went to The Pumpkin Patch.

Here is Josh walking with them.

They wanted to hold his hands.

Very sweet!

Mindi and I wanted to get our annual fall family pictures but the cards were stacked against us, I guess. Bright, bright sun (although we were thankful for a great afternoon!), wiggly boys, wind kicked up. But of course, true to form, we tried to force it... There was cheering, funny noises and even false bribery going on to get them to JUST LOOK at the camera, for crying out loud!

JJ and Caleb

It was all to (almost) no avail. (Thank God for photo editing a.k.a. picnik.)

Evan's face says it best as well as Zach who is trying so hard to put on his best smile yet is twirling his hair--a sign that he is tired and zoning out.

Besides forcing 5 little boys to pose for a photo shoot we had a great time! :)