221 Pinewood Derby

RTC is in 2 Cub Scout packs (we like to keep him busy!) and recently his pack from school held their Pinewood Derby.

In his den there were 13 cars entered. He finished 4th in his den which allowed him to get a medal! That's a HUGE step up from last year!!! He was pretty excited!

Here is RTC with his Dad & our Pinewood Derby Engineer! Thanks for your help, we couldn't have done it without you!!

He's having so much fun!!!

and now calling the coin toss...

This is our first year of 7 & 8 year old basketball.

When I was growing up we didn't attend collegiate basketball games. Heck I went to my first professional basketball game the year my husband & I got engaged. Fast forward we now live in a college town where we can watch collegiate sports and drive 15 miles to watch an NBA team. So my son has had more opportunities than I did at the same age. I say all that to now tell you a little funny RTC story.

His first game was a couple of weeks ago. My sister & mom were in town because it wasn't horrible weather & my mom is facing knee replacement surgery in the upcoming months and she wanted to see her only grandson play some ball. So we're our way to the gym and as serious as my little guy is he turns to me and says "what are they going to say when they introduce me?" It took me a couple of minutes to figure out what he was talking about. Then I almost couldn't contain myself. HE has ONLY been to collegiate or professional basketball games. You know where they turn down the lights, start the smoke machines and moving lights and some really deep voiced guy says "and now starting small forward for your Oklahoma City Thunder from the University of Texas (I don't think the fans boo anymore) number 35 Keeeeeeevvvvvviiiiiiiinnnnnnnn Durant!!!!!"

I apologized to my boy and told him that unfortunately in the Parks & Rec league there wouldn't be any introductions. Maybe this will help him focus and try to attain the next level!

Oh lovely was the evening...

Do you know what I see when I look at this?

I see kids playing at a park...
in January...
without coats on...
with the wind in their hair...
with the little one trying to boss the older one and the dog...
with their imaginations running...
and it makes me happy!

Yes in Oklahoma we have scorching hot August's and sometimes we have frigid February's but I don't mind a place where you can experience all four seasons in their glory. I wish at times it didn't happen all in one week - but when I can have a fun afternoon at the park in January with my kids, I'll take it!

New Year's!

How did you celebrate the turning of the calendar page?

My boys celebrated by shooting...and not hoops. Now before anyone goes nuts that the 8 year old was shooting a shotgun he merely assisted the decoy thrower. However, he loved every minute of it!! He might be an outdoorsman yet! I'm not getting him any Duck Commander items anytime soon, but he loved being with his dad and all our friends!

Choose the Right

This was on a newsletter I received today...

"Rules keep life better organized and more efficient for all of us. They also let kids know what's acceptable and what's not. You already knew that — but did you know that 4-year-olds adore rules? They love the confidence they get from knowing the ropes. In fact, their respect for rules can sometimes border on the obsessive — kids can be stricter than their parents about making exceptions!"

All I could think of is how much my LNC loves to help (knowing the ropes) & loves to know what the rules are. She also loves to reminder her brother of the rules. Guess this is why at church we really start reinforcing choosing the right - because at this is the age they enjoy learning all about it!

In case you were wondering this is her sporting her new CTR ring she received on Sunday. Yes it's Tuesday & yes we still know where it is!

Resolutions

Just like everyone else I tend to reflect this time of year and think about the things I'd like to improve, do away with or begin. I think it's human nature. So as I did this I thought I'd share a resolution that I'd like to improve on in 2013. I won't bore you with all of them as a few are personal and quite frankly I think people tend to reveal too much on social networks & blogs that any mystery to them is gone. Not that I think I'm mysterious, I just figure why give my detractors any more ammunition? So my resolution that I plan on working diligently is taking more pictures in 2013. Not to the point where everyone runs and hides when I come into a room because I always have a camera with me. I just want to do a better job of documenting family get togethers, time with friends and even maybe some mundane day-to-day activities that might make it more fun for the kids. Maybe my son will be more at ease like my daughter is in front of a camera if I get the camera out more. I don't want to regret not having a photo of my kids with with their grandparents. I mean here's an example...this is one of the only pictures of Christmas this year...and it was taken from my phone...

 

 Who know why I don't do a better job...maybe it's because

• it was just our little family when opening gifts & we sort of forgot.
• I think it's inconsiderate around others when it's a busy event.
• I think the subject is embarrassed with the extra attention.

Not that any of those are legitimate, but now you know why I want to make a conscience effort to capture those one time only events.

Here's hoping I can keep at it past March!



Baptism

That old adage of "time sure flies when you're having fun" is truer than I would like.  When I was handed a tiny baby back in 2004 whose skin appeared to be clinging to his tiny frame 8 years seemed like a lifetime away.

Here are a few pictures of the day RTC chose to be baptized.

 

 

In our church we don't baptize babies; a child must be 8 years old. We are thrilled he made the decision on his own. We were so fortunate to be able to share the experience with his friend who is 6 days younger than him. These boys are so amazing in my book & I'm so grateful they have each other to help each other on their way to becoming honorable young men.

 

We were also grateful that family & friends traveled from near and far to make it an extra special day for both of them! Each one had a grandmother give a talk & we sang songs that were favorites of the boys. We couldn't have asked for a better way to start the holidays!