Lately: February Celebrations and More

Life lately has been very full! The kids are busy with school work and activities and we're spending lots of time with family, but our weekends have been quieter. Rainy gray days = perfect for staying inside.  

Here's a peek at some of what we've been up to lately:

The boys put on their Patriots caps (thanks to Aunt Rosemary) for the Super Bowl. Too bad it didn't help them win!

Henry made two cars for the annual Cub Scout Pinewood Derby.

Neither of his cars won anything, but he enjoyed working with Gene to build the cars.

I snapped this photo of the boys with one of Ruby's toys. Ruby usually rips her toys to pieces immediately, but this one (Monsieur Acorn) stayed intact for months -- which was ironic because there was a hidden "sad" acorn inside the outer shell!

Playing Dungeons and Dragons by candlelight.

Henry loves grapefruit, so we usually come home with a bag from the farmers market. We love citrus season!

More food: we had a simple Valentine's breakfast of heart-shaped cinnamon toast with red strawberries. I even managed to find my Valentine's decorations (all two pieces) just in time!

The school libraries have been keeping me busy as well. My friend Gwendolyn and I made a door sign for our school librarian for teacher appreciation week.

Our school also had its first author visit. John David Anderson, author of eight middle grade novels, came to talk about his newest book, Granted. He was so funny and the kids roared with laughter. Author visits are my favorite!

I spend a lot of time in the library, but I'm not always there when Henry's class comes in. A couple of weeks ago, I was covering for a volunteer during Henry's library ancillary, so I snapped a bunch of photos for his class Shutterfly album.

Nana's birthday is this week, but we were over for dinner a couple of weeks ago and celebrated early with brownies. 

We had a bunch of outtakes trying to get one good shot -- Henry is laughing that the candle blew out.

Happy early birthday, Nana!!

Will had a birthday party to attend out near Nana and Pop's last weekend, so the rest of us spend a few hours hanging out and enjoying a couple of hours of sun and blue skies!

We celebrated Will's half birthday with my parents twice -- once with leftover cake

and once with presents!

March and its many birthday celebrations will be here before we know it!

Lately: Cub Scouts, Birthdays, Valentine's and More

It's February 24, it feels like late spring weather-wise, and yet I'm still writing January as the date! February has flown by and we've had so many fun activities that have kept us all busy-busy-busy!

Here's a peek at some of what we've been up to lately:

Cub Scouts ---> Boy Scouts

Will earned his Arrow of Light badge (the top honor in Cub Scouts) and the Webelos dens held a lovely ceremony at the West U Scout House on February 9. Gene and I ended up being in charge of facilities, food, and decorations; there was lots to manage but it was a really lovely ceremony and we are so proud of Will and all his hard work as a Cub Scout.

Last week, Will officially "crossed over" into Boy Scouts at our February pack meeting. 

The ceremony is pretty simple but involves a bridge that the Scouts literally cross over as they transition to Boy Scouts. 

Will's a Boy Scout!

 

At school, I helped teach Hands On Art and the boys learned about Georgia O'Keeffe. They made some beautiful works using water-soluble oil pastels.

Weekend projects:  Will collected 14 different leaves for a science project and Henry made a model of Neptune (complete with all 14 moons) for his science class. 

Another project: Henry and I made a Minion box for a classmate for the Valentine's Day card exchange. This is the almost-completed box; we used a red peanut butter lid behind the eye to finish it off. 

Will made this heart at school.  I love it so much!

Valentine's Day dinner -- heart-shaped quesadillas! 

I had some projects of my own! Teacher appreciation week was last week, and I was in charge of two door signs -- one for Henry's teacher and one for our school librarian.  

I did the s'mores one mostly on my own but fortunately had some help with the library door!

We've also spent time with family celebrating birthdays and half birthdays! We celebrated Will's half birthday with Gramma and Grampa.

We've been sick around here, but the boys and Gene were well enough last weekend to celebrate Nana's birthday with her. 

Celebrating Friday with sno-cones at school

I'll leave you with one last photo of my boys reading away at Brazos Bookstore this week.  

With all we've been up to lately, it's no wonder I can't remember what month it is!

Lately: Valentines and a Presidential Play

By George, we have had fun celebrating both Valentine's Day and Presidents' Day this year! The kids both had Valentine's parties last Thursday. Lots of food and lots of sugar made for two excited boys!

 

Henry and his teacher

Will's party was not til 1:20 in the afternoon.

His cookie was piled high! Fortunately, he didn't eat it all...

On Friday, my folks came over to watch the kids so Gene and I could go to dinner with some old friends. Before dinner, everyone got outside to play wiffle ball in the backyard. It was a beautiful day!

 

Gramma and Grampa came over on Valentine's Day and surprised us with broiled avocado cups (a favorite of mine) and an apple pie! What a sweet treat!

I didn't snap any photos, but Gene prepared a delicious beef tenderloin with port wine sauce for Valentine's dinner, and we served it alongside crusty ciabatta bread, a kale salad and steamed broccoli in the dining room. The four of feasted and enjoyed every minute of it!

On Monday, Henry's class presented "By George! A Presidential Play" for all the parents and extended family. We learned 49 fascinating facts about our first president and it was a fantastic way to kick of Presidents' Day. All the kids' lines included the phrase, "by George!" 

One of Henry's lines:  "By George, I loved my dogs! Their names were Madame Moose, Sweet Lips, True Love, Tippler, Taster, Searcher, Forester and Vulcan." 

 

Afterwards, the kids enjoyed gingerbread (one of Washington's favorite desserts) and apple juice. By George, this teacher makes learning fun!

I hope your holiday weekend was full of sweet treats and treasured time with loved ones!