Six Flags

Yesterday Brian took Max, William and their cousin to Six Flags.  It was a gorgeous day and I'm so glad they were able to spend it outside doing something fun - Jack played on the play set while I raked bag after bag of leaves.

Brian was disappointed that most of the park was closed, but I don't think the boys minded at at!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have so much to be thankful for that I don't even know how to put it into words.  It is a bit sad that this is the best family picture we were able to get.

We celebrated with my family last Sunday and then had some of Brian's clan over for dinner on Thursday.  It was pretty perfect - although we did miss all the family that didn't make it into town.  

 This picture of Nonna, Luigi, and Max just warms my heart.  Nonna adopted him the week that William had camp at the humane society - the boys even helped to pick him out.  He is about seven and now is loving life with his forever family.

I love watching Jack and his Aunt Anna spend time together.

 This silly little toothless grin just cracks me up.  William is the funniest little six year old alive.

 I think William may have taken this picture of Jack and I - not too bad!

 The crew at our house on Thursday was a bit smaller, but just as much fun.  After all two of the cousins were in town!

I'm so incredibly thankful for all of the blessings in our lives, a house for our family, clothes on our backs, food on the table.  But most of all I'm thankful for the amazing people in our lives.  How did I get so lucky!

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

 Tuesday night before Thanksgiving we took the kids down to The Fox for a very special show.  They were super excited about going to the fancy theater to see Rudolph!

 The boys were in awe as we walked in and they saw just how fancy the Fox is inside.  Their eyes were as big as saucers as they took in all the ornate details.  My fear of being late led to us being just a bit too early.  We had to kill almost 30 minutes before we could make it to our seats - buy hey, at least we got to park close!

All three boys loved the show, although Jack had a major freak out at intermission.  He wanted to go home!  There was one sound when every Rudolph's nose would light up that he just didn't like.  He spent the 2nd half snuggled on my lap and it was pretty much perfect.  I can't wait to bring the boys to more shows in the future!

William the Soccer Player

William played soccer through church this fall.  I think he had a pretty great time.  He loved practices - especially when they would play a mini game at the end.  His team was a great group of boys and they had a great coach.  However games were a bit of a different story.  This child would just not run on the field for games.  It about drove me crazy!!

 Okay, I guess he did run a little bit :)

He also did this - totally my child!  I remember picking flowers int he outfield when I played softball as a kid.

I love this look - it's his 'quit yelling at me to run, mom' look.  Overall he had a great time and I think he will play again next year.

Scouting for Food

So proud that my boys spent the last two Saturdays doing service for our community with scouts.  Last Saturday they tied bags to doors for people to fill with food.  This weekend they went back out and collected all the goods.  I want them to appreciate that we are very fortunate and there are others that don't have what they need.  We need to do our part to make sure that we take care of those that are less fortunate.  I think they got it - at least a little bit.

I just had to post that 2nd picture too. The look of admiration on William's face as he looks up to his big brother just melts my heart.  Love them more than they will ever know!

The Sheldon

Max had a field trip to the Sheldon and I was able to make it work.  The kids are learning about Lewis and Clark and the show shared music, pictures, and stories from that time.  It was so fun to able to go with him!

By a Thread

That top tooth was hanging on by a thread forever!!!!  William really, really wanted to loose it at school so he could get a tooth necklace.  It finally fell out when he was sucking on a sucker.  Thank goodness it's gone, but oh my goodness this grin is too cute not to share!

Halloween Parties X3

On Halloween I was able to attend all three boys' Halloween parties!  I remember when I was teaching feeling sad about that fact that I wouldn't be able to plan parties for my kiddos - it's little things like this that I love the most about staying home with the boys.  

First up was Jack's party - or should I say Catboy?

 Jack just loved this Cariboo game.  The kids would pick a card and then had to open the little door of the item that was described on the card.  Some of the doors had little balls hidden in them.  He played this game twice :)

 He eventually moved on to his mummy.  Look at that big boy writing his name!

 Next up was William's party.  I was a helper for this one and it was so darn cute!  First up was the ever famous mummy wrap.  He is trying to play it cool, but he loved it!

 Next was a balance a pumpkin on your head relay race.  He did pretty well!  The kids wrapped up their party with a fall tree craft using tissue paper and a tree made form their hand.  It was pretty cute!

 Last, but not least, was the big 4th graders party.  I rant his party so I was too busy to take a selfie with Max.  It was a pretty awesome party if I do say so myself!

There was a roll the jack o lantern race.

 Charades - Max had to act out going to the pumpkin patch and picking a pumpkin.

 A ring toss and a craft - which was a super cute origami bat bookmark, but I missed a picture of that one.  I was too busy showing everyone how to fold :)

We wrapped up with a class picture.  It was an amazing day all the way around. I love that I get to stay home and do these types of things with my boys!

Bobcat

The very first rank in scouting is the Bobcat.  No matter what level you start at everyone earns their bobcat first.  William earned his at the pack meeting last week.

 It was a little extra sweet because Max's den got to carry the flags in and do a skit.  Here Max is trying not to laugh while pretending to be a camper that will soon be attacked by bears.  He did such a great job!!

 All the new bobcats sat around the 'fire' and prepared to drink the bobcat blood that was brewing in the big pot.

 This little man was being extra silly!

After I pinned his bobcat badge on him, he pinned me.  I'm so excited to watch these boys learn and grown.  William's excitement about scouts is just too cute!