Happy Birthday Brad!

Brad's Mom was here visiting over Brad's birthday and brought an awesome scrapbook of photos and keepsakes!  I know it took hours and hours to put that together and we all loved looking through it!  Our friends bought Brad an Air Force hat, so he can feel like part of the military gang here.  I can already see him wearing this to the pool all summer long.  To top it off, I planned a surprise trip with friends to NYC this weekend to celebrate.  34 is going to be a great year!

Chores

Alex wants to save up to buy a Wii-U.  We told him that would be a lot of chores...a whole lot.  They are getting into it and even Abby is back in the chore game.  I like that they empty the dishwasher with enthusiasm.  I usually empty it with a sigh.  This arrangement is working out.

More Fluffy White Stuff

Snow, snow, everywhere!  Week upon week it is the same story.  This mid February storm brought over a foot of snow, enough to build a tunnel!  Even Scooter briefly got in on the snow action.  Also snow markers, in the color red, will make your lawn look like a massacre has occurred. 

Pinewood Derby

The kids in Alex's den made some pretty amazing Pinewood Derby cars this year.  They take turns racing the cars down a three-lane wide track with each car racing at least three times.  This takes forever, considering we have nearly 100 scouts in our pack, but the boys love checking out all the neat designs and cheering for their friends as they race.  Alex won "Best in Show" for his den which means his was voted as the top design by his peers.  His car is a Minecraft diamond sword (from a popular video game).  While I was helping with concessions a good part of the day, Jackie graciously agreed to watch Abby.  They had a fun day out to lunch and shopping at Trader Joes!

Snow Days

This winter has brought more snow days than we've ever seen before.  The kids have enjoyed sledding, "snowboarding", and hot cocoa on days off school.  We had a Groupon to Rebounderz, an indoor trampoline park, and figured a snow day was the perfect time to use this!  Wall to wall trampolines provide hours of entertainment on a cold day.

Top Popcorn Seller

Alex was the top popcorn seller in his den and one of the top sellers in his Pack, selling nearly $1000 worth of popcorn.  Way to go Alex!  This is the only fundraiser we do each year to raise funds for both our pack and local council (who put on the summer day camp program).  Our pack sold around $30k in popcorn, as we are one of the largest groups in the area.  Thanks to all who supported Alex in his sales efforts!

Tennis

Now that Abby is 5, she can start playing tennis at the same time as Alex, woohoo!  It is extremely convenient that both classes run back to back and she enjoys trying something new.  She has watched Alex play for two years and feels like one of the big kids now!

My Pinterest Fail

Have you ever seen the cake on Pinterest or elsewhere that uses the Pampered Chef glass Batter Bowl to bake a cake in the oven?  You can invert the cake to form a large ball gown.  From the pictures, I'd assume you just stick a Barbie doll in the top, get out some frosting and call it a day.  Well, it's not quite that simple.  What actually needs to happen is that you bake 2 of these cakes, cut the bottom off of one and slide that large circle under the first cake, so it sits up higher off the plate.  See exhibit A above...

Sadly I only had one box of cake mix, and very little time, so we improvised by using a miniature Cinderella doll that Abby had and gave her a very large dress.  Problem solved?

Ladies Who Lunch

I was pleasantly surprised by the cafe inside the American Girl Doll Store.  They invite the girls to bring in a doll from home to dine with them over lunch.  For Abby's birthday I thought this would be a fun thing for her and I to do one weekday while Alex was at school (he wound up having a snow day that day and went to play at a friend's house).  

Abby's baby Brittney sat in her own baby booster seat, drank from her own baby cup and saucer, wore her own birthday crown and sticker, and received a baby doll gift as well.  She loved this, all of it.  All of the little details made this a very sweet lunch for her and I.  While it is geared for kids and their dolls, the food for the adults wasn't half bad either.  I'm surprised she hasn't asked to go back, but am happy to keep this as a special birthday lunch spot!

Happy 5th Birthday Abby!!

Abby had a fabulous birthday at My Gym again this year.  It is such a treat for her and her friends to meet there and play games, run around, eat cupcakes, and have a party!  They do such a good job of keeping the kids entertained for an hour and a half and it really wears them out.  Abby invited her whole class to join her, along with a couple of friends from church, and Alex of course.  It is so cute the way she gets really, really excited for things like birthdays--both hers and everyone elses!  Happy 5th Birthday to you Miss Abby!!

Long Winter

Lots of snow this winter = lots of snow days.  We've resorted to board games like Headbandz, field trips to the museums, and dressing up the cats.