Ice and Such

What an odd week. 

No School on Monday for President's Day

No School on Tuesday for Ice/ Snow

2 hour delay on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for frigid temperatures.

Chad left yesterday for a coaching clinic.

Water/ well pipes froze today, thankfully, I was able to warm the well up with the space heater.  The water is running better but is still not at 100%, hoping it does not go out again tonight.  Blah.

Here are some pics from our week.

Jumping on the ice filled trampoline

 

Bennett lovin the cold

But, he really loved riding on the "tractor" and pulling his brothers on the sled.

Hunter on the tractor pull

Molly supervising

Ashton's turn

And Shep takes a spin with Moses in chase

 In other news... Bennett got his first professional haircut today.  In the last picture, you can see all the new hair cuts.   I blogged about his first haircut that I gave to him here.  But, I decided he needed a real little boys hair cut plus the other 3 were looking a little scraggly and needed cuts as well.  I have decided that I really don't have the skills needed to cut their hair like I want it to look.  I will do touch ups on them but not full cuts, they are getting too old to go to "Mess up Hair Cuts by Mom." ha.  They will thank me!

He was so good during his haircut.  He made a little scowl face occasionally but sat so still. 

His new little boy cut. 

And, lastly, we want to wish Grandma a Happy Happy Birthday!  We love you so much!



Happy Birthday Grandma!!!

Stay Warm!

Our Vday Boy

Mr Moses, my sweet puppy, turned 1 yesterday along with his sister, Isla Maria. 



"It's my birthday"

Happy Birthday to Moses and his sister Isla. 

 

 

 We were lucky enough to get to rescue Mr. Moses in June when he was 4 months old and this dog is awesome (Chad may argue that point- haha).  He has been such a great fit into our family.  I laugh daily at his antics.

June 2014

Before- About 45 lbs

 

Feb 2015



After- Almost 80 lbs and so long and lanky



But for all his awesomeness, he has also been quite destructive with his puppiness especially recently.  Just in our backyard, he has torn up the trellises in the garden, torn up both of the nets in the soccer goal, put a hole in the hammock, tore a huge hole in the net of the trampoline, torn the seat of the zip line 3 times, torn up multiple buckets.  Thankfully, must of his major destruction has been kept outside.  He has chewed up some toys and a couple shoes but for the most part he is really well behaved inside. 

Outtake of group shot on his bday. 

Some sort of order by the 5th picture.  Molly looks horrified by this whole process

I love watching him sleep at night.  He gets on the couch and lays on his back with his paws outstretched showing his whole belly and other parts.  He is riot and not modest.  When I go to bed, he goes to bed and sleeps right beside me on his dog bed.  If Molly happens to be on the dog bed beside, then I have to get him an old comforter to sleep on.  I have another momma's boy.

Example of his sleeping habits.  This was taken months ago but he still sleeps like this.  And notice, that I did NOT break him of his furniture sleeping habits.  FAIL!

He is truly a love especially with me.  He chases and the wrestles the older 3 boys all the time.  He loves fetch and chase.  Even though he gets rough with Chad and the older 3 boys, he is so good with Bennett.  Bennett can sit on him, "spank" him, pull on him and Moses just lays there or if Bennett is really mad at him, Moses will run away.  Bennett disciplines Moses often with a slap to his butt and a
"no Doe Doe." 


He eats like a horse, loves a car ride, is protective of his house alerting me with a growl or big bark (though I think he would run at the first sign of conflict, but who knows), loves the furniture, loves the dishwasher, loves Molly and loves his "toys."

Playing tug of war with Shep

I think Molly secretly likes Moses though she acts indifferent.  When it is just the dogs outside, I will see her playing with him but she goes into bitchy mode when we are out there.  haha.  Moses is totally immune to her attitude with him refusing to believe that she doesn't like him.

Waiting for their treats.

Moses is a happy, bright spot in our house and we love him a ridiculous amount.


JOY- Enjoying his new birthday toy.  It was in shreds within an hour.

Happy Birthday Moses!

***** how odd is it that I can write just as much about my dog as I do my kids on their birthdays.  I blame my parents.

Oh and Happy Valentines Day! 

The Big and The Little Stats

Hunter and Bennett were up for their annual physicals.  Again, we walk away so thankful that they are healthy and growing.

 

Hunter
Weight- 76.2 lbs (83%)
Height- 56.75" (95%)

Working on writing his second book.

Bennett
Weight 23.9 lbs (13%) --- Hunter and Shep were both over this weight at their 1 yr check ups
Height - 34.25" (48%)-  Moved up a good bit on the height chart. 

Gives me a quick grin before going back to watching VegiTales (speaking of, I am so glad VegiTales is playing again my house- I missed it)

My only concern with Hunter this time was that he is starting to get underarm hair and it is EARLY.  I mean he is only 9.  The doctor said that though it was early, things are happening earlier and earlier.  After Hunt's exam, the doc saw no other evidence that he was going through early puberty.  Though he is super tall for his age, he is on the same projection on the chart- no big spike or anything.  So, I guess Hunt can continue to be proud of his underarm hair... which he totally is.  So weird.  Also, his eardrum looks back to normal after it split/ busted last month.

According to the doctor, he wished he could have filmed Bennett's check up because Bennett was perfect.  He did everything the doc asked and in typical Bennett style was quite stoic and serious during the exam. The kid cracks me up. 

No shots for either just a little finger prick that Bennett handled better than Hunter.  The nurse had to tell Hunter 3 times to relax his balled up hand.  And then Bennett immediately wanted his band aid off and Hunter only removed his Band-Aid after he ate lunch and then cringed everytime he touched it to the table or on the car door.  Dramatic much?

Winter Sports Wrap Up

Winter sports are basically over--- except for Ashton's basketball which goes on for a couple more weeks.

Yesterday we wrapped up Shepherd's first basketball season.  Shepherd was one of the youngest on the team which was obvious yet was one of the biggest so you couldn't tell his age.  Despite that, he did at least run up and down the court and got a couple shots off.  He CAN NOT dribble, I mean like CAN NOT.  He was playing against mainly K5 and 1st graders.  He actually was on the team with two of Ashton's classmates.  Apparently a lot happens developmentally in those two years between pre k and 1st grade.  He had a great coach who was so patient with the kids and really encouraged teamwork and just having fun.

Typical Shep.  Him, the boy he is hugging and the one right behind him are the 3 pre K kids on the team. 

Shep and his coach.

 

 

Shepherd at practice.  What can I say?

We decided to move Ashton up to 8 an under though he still could have played on 6 and under (with Shep).  The first couple games, I thought we had made a mistake because he was just so small out there playing against kids that are Hunter's age.  Plus, by this level, they apply all the basketball rules (traveling, double dribbles, walking, etc) so that took some getting used to.  However, by the 3rd game, it seemed to click and he did amazing!  He was not the best on the team but is in the top half.  He is relentless as he is with everything in life.  Again, we were lucky to get a really great coach who expected just enough of them without going overboard.

You can really see how small he is compared to most of the other kids.

He gets back in time to block this kids' shot

Another example of his size.  You cant eve see him dribbling the ball because he is in front of number 9.

Ashton also had the opportunity to play indoor soccer.  This opportunity came up after we had signed up for basketball.  Otherwise, I don't know if I would have let him play two sports but I am glad that he did.  He really enjoyed indoor.  Honestly, I think he is better at outdoor because with the smaller space of indoor it was harder for him to pull his moves plus indoor is MUCH more physical than outdoor and again, he is small so he gets muscled off the ball pretty easily.  His team made the playoffs but lost in the first round to a phenomenal Mexican team (those boys can play.) 

Step 1- Dribble

Step 2- Pull a move on defender

Step 3- Take off with speed

Step 4- Look for a shot, pass or keep dribbling

Coming down the turf.

Hunter decided he didn't want to play basketball this season.  He since said he regretted not playing (I didn't regret it though... ha).  Hunter is taking guitar lessons though.  He doesn't practice nearly as much as I think he should but I am surprised at how quickly he is picking up the notes (I tried to do it, my memory must stink as I cant remember them.) 

Hunter and his guitar

Just a cute picture of Hunter and 3 of his good friends from school at a birthday party yesterday.

All 3 decided they wanted to play soccer again.  Our rec department lets them play on the same team as they did on the fall if they want.  All 3 boys have their coaches back so their will be no transition.  It also means that I said I would coach again. 

B's Tractor Partay

 

Another successful party.  Everytime we conclude a birthday party, I feel so blessed that we are in a such a great circle of friends and family.  We kept the party pretty small but it still turned out to be a lot of kiddos... 18 to be exact. 

A couple days before his party, Bennett looked like this....
Yep, that is black permanent marker.



Thankfully, an eye make up remover pad did the trick in removing most of the permanent marker that he decorated his entire face with.

Here are some pictures of B's party.  I tried to get pics but did more talking and "hosting" than anything else. 

My toddler and me! :)

 

 

Bennett loves two things right now.... tractors and Chuggington so a tractor cupcake cake was the perfect thing for him.

Before most people even came, Esme and Bennett decided to go ahead and eat... along with the rest of my side of the family.

 Once everyone got here, it was on...
Trampolines, zip lines, power wheels, playground, swinging, and just playing around occupied the time

Shep and Charlee... I think Shepherd is actually crying here and Charlee is being all motherly with him.

The zipline was a huge success... Shepherd's good friend, Owen (not the cousin)

And Jackson

And Connor

Love love love this picture of Karson and Hunter.  This is true friendship.

And another

mantis and Esme' and our Pastor, Evan an his daughter Anelise.

Some Power Wheels fun

 Next, the food.

Bennett loved everyone singing to him

Most of the people at the party minus the men taking care of the fire and my mom and Olivia chatting inside.

After cake, we kept the sugar high going with s'mores. Bennett was so cute getting his stick.  It was probably 3in, obviously we found him a longer one.

So happy.

My friend Olivia with Seth. 

This stink pot.  This girl just makes me happy.  I mean, chocolate icing is pretty darn good.

Ashton actually taking a break.

Mantis and Queenie's oldest 3 grandkids... sorry mom, not a great pic of you.

 

 And presents. 
We did something a little different.  We asked that instead of presents, each family bring a small bag of dog food that we can donate to our local animal rescue.  We are either going to donate to Richardson Rescue (which is in our county) or to Fox Next (which is the rescue that we got Moses in Seneca SC)

Our donation plus we got a couple monetary donations as well.

 

 

Despite asking for dog food, I knew that grandparents and family would probably still shower him in gifts and I was right. Lots of tractors and a Chuggington train track and some money.

Loves his dump truck.  But, I love this picture for the all the smiles in the background! :)

 

Thank you all for coming.  Of those we invited, only one family could  not come (missed Jay, Courtney, and the girls).  Bennett is such an amazing little boy and I am so thankful that everyone was able to celebrate his 2nd year (most of the guests had to travel 2 hours to get to us).  We love you all!