A Lesson In Static

While we were waiting for everyone to end up in the same place, Mark and I took the boys and Kiera to a park.  Everyone had fun, but I think we all got the biggest kick out of Sam's hair.  He has very fine hair, perfect for fun with static!

Before

It's starting...

The mullet curls stayed intact despite static

Slides are fun, especially when they provide such entertainment for all of us watching!

He kind of looks like a dandilion!

We enjoyed watching his hair raise as he'd go down the slide and then watching it fall as soon as someone touched him and absorbed the static!

Student of the Month

Not only was today crazy hair day, it was also Gabe's assembly for being Student of the Month!  He really enjoys school and has a great teacher (an excellent combination)!  He was honored for being "A focused learner who is dedicated to excellence!"  We are very proud of him and hope this is just the beginning of a successful educational career.

Evelyn and Gabe

It's hard to tell, but that is Gabe on the big screen.

Gabe collecting his pencil, bumper sticker, and award

I love that the principal fully participated in crazy hair day

Ms. Sullivan and Gabe

Crazy Hair Day

Crazy hair day at school for Gabe meant crazy hair day at home for Will.  I wasn't sure I'd be able to do much with Gabe's hair, so I was quite happy with the way it turned out.  I knew I wouldn't have too much trouble with Will's hair.  It's amazing how two brothers can have such different hair!

Will sporting a mohawk

Straight up for Gabe

No Sam

Before leaving for to spend Thanksgiving in Utah, we put the tree up (one of the many joys of owning an artificial tree!).  While we were assembling and fluffing the tree, we talked to the boys about how important it was to help us keep an eye on Sam around the tree.  Gabe wanted to make a sign saying that Sam wasn't allowed to touch the tree.  I told him that was a great idea, except Sam can't read.

Later that evening, I came into the room and found this in the tree...

It's a "No Sam" sign.  It's hard to tell, but there is a little picture of Sam with a line through it.

Way to solve the problem of Sam not being able to read, Gabe!

This And That

Over the past few months, I've gotten behind on my blogging.  Now I'm trying to catch up!  In doing so, I've found several pictures that showed a few things we've been up to but they weren't worthy of their own post.  So, here you go...

Gabe and Will as the two headed monster

Sam found that playing with his reflection can be quite entertaining

Sam signing...it's his hybrid version of "more" and "please"

"All done"

Tennis anyone?

Come on!  Lets go for a ride!

Someone doesn't like going to "Time Out"

Part of Gabe's homework is quizzing him on letter names and sounds...he finds this to be a bit boring, so he usually sings the answers (or use a frankenstein, monster, or dramatic voice).  This is what he looks like when he does it!

Gabe got some hand-me-downs from a dear friend and couldn't wait to try them out

Will wanted in on the action

Yup, I'd say he's ready for Redwood wrestling

Snack time in front of the fridge

We never worry about bad guys...there is always a super hero or two around!

A super hero is always on the move

Anyone up for popcorn and a movie?

The boys LOVE Rudy (I think the feeling is mutual)!

Mark caught this bat on our back porch.  We put him in a jar so the boys could examine him.  We had fun learning more about bats!

Sam got stuck in a basket and was not happy about it!  Though, I thought it was pretty funny!

The boys love their Wii and even Sam gets in on the action!

Learning to Ski

So, I'm not sure if we're lucky or pathetic...I'll go with lucky!  The local Parks and Rec Department hosted a learn to ski day at a park here in town.  I wasn't sure what to expect, but I had no idea the kids would actually get to "ski".  They set up some artificial grass type of stuff, sprayed silicon on the bottom of the skis and away they went!

Neither of them fell, and when I told them it was time to go Gabe begged to ski a few more times.  I think it was a successful learning experience!  And, we left with free passes good for one day equipment rental and ski pass, and a lesson for each of the boys.  Not a bad deal!  Now, we just have to get up the mountain!

They've got their skis...but, where's the snow?

Will's all set...

and there he goes!

I'm not sure Gabe could see with his hat down so low, but he loved "skiing" and got the hang of it pretty quick.

This picture makes Will look like he actually did go to the snow!

These two sure did have a great time!  They're ready to try the real thing!

Thanksgiving Program

The annual Stepping Stones Preschool Thanksgiving feast and program were a big hit!  The kids spend the month of November preparing food for the feast (beef stew, corn bread, pumpkin bars, and fruit salad) and practicing their songs.

It was Will's first official performance as a preschooler and he was quite excited.  He wanted to look "handsome" and none of clothing I picked out was quite good enough.  So, I asked him what he wanted to wear.  He told me to "wait right there" and he'd be back.  He ran to his room and came back with his church clothes.  We worked out a compromise...he could wear the shirt, tie, belt, and church shoes, but needed to wear jeans instead of slacks.  He was happy!

For the last few months, Will has been quite uncooperative when it came to taking pictures.  Well, that has changed!  Throughout the performance, Will would turn to me and tell me to take more pictures!

Will and his best friend, Nikko

Patiently waiting for his class's turn

Singing about the Indians

Cheese!

This was one of the times he told me to take more pictures.

The supportive older brother!

Happy Birthday Gabe!!!

Has it really been six years since Gabe was born?  How could our little Mr. Tooter-Poots be six?  What a joy he is!  He is smart, considerate, imaginative, loving and thoughtful.  He wants to be a Scientist and/or Inventor when he grows up.

The night before his birthday, we took the boys to Adventure Park for some miniture golf and go-karts.  We all had fun and are eager to go back.  Unfortunately, my camera battery died after one shot.  So, here is the only proof...

The morning of his birthday started off pretty normal, until there was a knock at the door!  We opened up the door and found Nana on our porch!  She came to deliver a present and take Gabe to school.  What a great way to start his birthday!

Nana and the birthday boy!

During recess, Sam, Will and I delivered cookies to Gabe's class.  He requested footballs (much easier than pirates!).  They were a big hit, I even had a couple of his classmates ask for the recipe!

The cookies I made for Gabe's class.  The ones I took to his class had a "6" on them.

 See, every once in a while I manage to get IN a picture!

While Gabe was at school, Will helped me decorate the house.  He really wanted to blow up a balloon, but didn't have too much success.

After school, Nana picked Gabe up for a lunch date with Grandpa and a shopping trip.  They came back with Xtractaurs.  Gabe had been talking about them for months, but I had no idea what he was talking about!  He kept telling me about the toy that you could extract dinosaur DNA and make new dinosaurs with...well, now he has it!  And Will was kind enough to model Gabe's birthday hat and new toys.

A few years ago, Mark started making ice cream cakes for everyone's birthdays.  Now, it's more of a joint effort between the two of us.  Gabe chose chocolate cake with cookie dough ice cream and a Star Wars theme.  And while I don't think it's the best looking cake, I am pretty proud of the lightsabers!

"Happy Birthday to you!"

Sam discovered he loves to wear birthday hats!  And he's darn cute in it!

Grandpa, Gabe, and Nana