Shirking My Blogging Duties

I cannot believe it's been this long since I last posted. Sorry! Let's see...basketball season went well. Both Joel and Hanna are done; Joel's team made it to the 2nd round of the tournament, but lost last night. You may notice some sad faces in the team pics. Both have a shiny trophy on the piano to show off. We really loved watching them play! The end of February brought the Joel and Mom birthday week. Can you believe he is 9 years old?!? He was thrilled with the cake that Aunt Cindy and Cousin Kara crafted for him. He's quite smitten with the Beast Quest books and asked for a "fire and ice" cake featuring 2 beasts: Tartok the Ice Beast and Ferno the Fire Dragon. Speaking of being smitten, his "love interest" (and family) invited us out to dinner last weekend to celebrate their birthdays. The twins, Ruthie and Emmie are sweet girls and it's a great family. Mom and I see each other, as she works at the HS, and we think it's eye-rolling funny/silly that Ruthie and Joel are a "thing". Third grade? Really??? I wish I would've had the camera, but alas, no pics of the girlfriend.

Let's see...what else is going on? I-STEP testing this week - BOO HISS! It stresses Joel out and I'm not so fond of the fact that I have to proctor the test to resource kids. It's not been too bad so far, but I know Joel's nerves are on edge this week. Tomorrow, I have my observation/evaluation with the principal, the talent show auditions are every day after school, and I finish the day tomorrow with detention duty. Bleh... Friday's looking awfully nice. Planning stages are in full swing for Abby's baby shower that we're hosting in 2 weeks. That's some fun stuff,a s far as I'm concerned. I can't wait to try my hand at a monkey-themed diaper cake! Well, sup's on the way so I'd better scoot. 'Till next time (which may end up being May!!)

Game Face

She looks the part, eh? Amazing how we just got this picture on Saturday and that very same day, we signed her up for Spring/Summer Softball! We think she'll do very well at that...and probably have more fun as well. Looks like we will be coaching again...maybe two teams this year - HA! No sign of Joel's pics yet...supposedly they were "misplaced". Will post when that mystery is solved!

OUT!

The second day after Christmas,
after tugging and whining and such;
that stubborn old tooth finally came loose-
the one that mom wanted out so much!

I had wiggled and twisted and turned it,
I said, "Yes! Pull it out! and then "NO!"
The family got frustrated with me-- saying,
"Ya gotta let that new one grow!"

So finally the day came when mother
grabbed a kleenex and moved in quite cunning,
she popped it right out with no trouble and
to my tooth pillow I went a-running!

Signed,

Gap-Toothed Hanna

Christmas Morning Greetings!

The gifts are unwrapped, Christmas Braid consumed, pajamas still on, and comatose family sitting around enjoying their special treats...it's been a fun morning. I hope everyone is enjoying their mornings too! Well wishes to friends and family we are unable to see right now. Thanks to those that sent gifts to the kids; they are spoiled rotten!! They are also excited to go shopping and pick out things later during winter break! Did I mention that I was blogging this from my new laptop Andy got me? Awesome!
Merry Christmas everyone--may you enjoy time with family and friends this season.

Hanna's First Bball Game

Well, she's had her first taste of the hardwood! This morning at 9am, Hanna donned her uniform and took some hesitant steps into basketball season. It was fun to watch but, bless our coach's heart, he's got some work cut out. Hanna runs down the court? Ummm, no....more like sashaying. Hanna goes after the ball? No....more like putting her hands up and cringing when it's loose. Hanna dribbles the ball on her foot, loses it, and comes running over to mom and dad for consoling (in the middle of the game)? Yep! The neat thing was that she played her "boyfriend's" team! Devon--who stays at his Grandma's house across the street from us every day during the summer--got paired up with Hanna right off the bat. There they are together in the pic. Too funny!

She was awesome! We're in for a fun season :-)

News...

Last night at the end of Hanna's final class for the current section of gymnastics, I was asking about the policy for conflicts and make-ups...the instructor replied with, "Actually, I want her to move up into the intermediate class." Boy, do we have one excited little girl! Added to that excitement is the fact that she's now in basketball. She had her first practice the other night and loved it. We thought it might be touch-and-go when we found out she was the only girl on her team. Apparently, only 8 girls signed up for the age bracket, so they were divided up. Nervous at first, but she warmed up quickly. It's all she talks about! Joel is at his first practice as I write this. He's excited to get back into it. With these things on the calendar, we are now officially "Mom and Pop's Taxi Service"!

No Snow for Us!

In lieu of the fact that we just dropped a small fortune on a fancy new snow blower, let it be known that we will not have accumulating snow this winter. Andy says, "You're welcome."