Busy, busy

Ryan was just commenting last night that we haven't had a movie date in several months!  It's because we have had activities almost every weekend...fun activities, but this weekend was a bit much.  

I was invited to a bible study project party on Friday night where we made a Christmas painting.  It was so much fun, but they didn't do a trial project, so there was a lot of learning involved and the project took a really long time (thank goodness they did a lot of prep work by staining the boards and putting them together).  It was a very cold night, so we huddled by the fire in between working on our projects.  Mine looks really good from far away (don't look too closely) and I found a great spot on our wall.

The next day, we had the foster Christmas event.  We've never been able to attend the one put on by the Foster Parent Association, so I really wanted to go.  It was much like the other events, too many presents!  Since Reggie is a teen this year, he got gift cards which he really appreciated.  The kids sat with Santa which was good since we haven't had a picture in awhile.

From there, we went right to Ainsley's intrasquad meet.  This was a practice meet and since she has only been back doing her skills for about 2 weeks, she was only ready on floor and vault, so she competed those 2 events.  She did great for such limited practice!

She was very happy with her bun...I have improved a lot in my bun making :o).

I tried uploading her floor routine, but the file is too big.  She was 4 days late with putting her bar routine together, but here's what that looks like:

We really lucked out that the first 2 events were the ones she was competing because we left her there (her team party was afterward) and went home to get ready for Ryan's company party.  Reggie was the babysitter and it worked great.  We had a nice time at his party, but didn't eat until 9:30.  I won a tree, but the table next to us won 2 baskets and I was asking them for a trade...What am I going to do with a small tree?  The guy looked at Ryan and said, "Are you with him," and gave me the "Relaxation" basket :o).  I guess he knew I needed it more!!!

The next day was the long awaited birthday party.  Reggie's friends came over and we went to Rogue 1.  The boys seemed to like it but Ryan and Ainsley fell asleep and it wasn't my favorite.  The second half was much better...

So, the week has just continued to be busy....I had a toffee making party, the kids had school parties and we had all our usual activities, plus packing and gift wrapping.  Now we just need to clean the house and get on a plane tomorrow....YEEHAW!!!

Awards

We had school awards at the beginning of December and Khalif got recognized for outstanding reading and Ainsley got recognized for the Principal's honor roll.  Reggie's assembly was the following week and we thought his straight A streak ended because his math grade was a B+.  He turned in extra credit, but the grade never changed on School Loop.  I guess she did change it because he got a 4.0!  He was very excited :o).
Reggie and Khalif also had their end of the year swim party and Reggie got awarded the hardest worker (just like his sister) and Khalif got most determined!  I wish they would apply some of that when it is cleaning day!  The kids had lots of good food at their party and cream puffs are a new favorite...

Thanksgiving and Grandma Peggy visit

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year!  We spent the morning decorating for Christmas and then had a late lunch.  Ryan thought it would be fun to go on a hike afterward, so we went to the backside of Del Valle and scaled the giant hill.  Reggie is terrified of heights and was starting to panic (if you look over the edge, it is a little frightening), so Khalif yelled back, "Don't worry Reggie, God is with us!"  He calmed down because there were a couple other hikers that were passing by and I think he didn't want to be embarrassed.  We made it to top and he was happy about that.  I'm not sure if pushing through helps conquer fear or if their fears get worse by being exposed.  I'm going to have to look into that one!

 Some wild turkeys crossing the road on our way to hike

 So happy to be on the way down!  We went up that skinny trail to the left of his head....

When we got home, we ate again and then Reggie and I went to black Friday.  We waited long enough that the crowds were all gone.  It was really strange, but a very pleasant experience.  We didn't get anything too exciting.  We did finally cave and purchase a new t.v., but we were able to get that online.  It has a very bright, clear picture, but we haven't watched it enough to take advantage of all the smart things it does.  I am trying to give away our old t.v., but so far no takers, so it might have to be recycled which is a bummer since it still works great.
Grandma Peggy came the following week for Reggie's birthday and we had turkey dinner all over again!  It is one of our favorite meals :o).  We also went to the movies to see the classic, Christmas Story.  I didn't remember that movie very well and it was interesting.  The kids seemed to like it and now understand the house by the crosswalk that has a leg lamp!  The kids had a piano recital the next day and everyone did great with their Christmas songs.  It was Khalif's first one and he memorized his song.  Our last stop was Deacon Dave's....he decorates his house with a ridiculous amount of lights (Ryan thinks the number was 522,000) and it is quite a sight.

The Huskies played in the Pac 12 Championship game in Santa Clara and Ryan got us tickets!  Reggie went with a buddy and it was lots of fun.  Really cold, but we were victorious, so worth it!
We had great seats..

13!

Wow...Reggie is 13!  Thankfully, he is still the same sweet boy, who loves his Lego's, Pokemon and video games.  He has become quite the thinker and says some pretty funny things....starting to seem a lot older, but at the same time, still pretty innocent.  He had a great birthday, but asked me why he had to do anything.  I replied, "That would be nice to not do anything on your birthday...maybe I should try that!"  Too bad life doesn't stop on our birthdays.....He even had a test at school!  His dinner request was grilled cheese (like Denny's) and I think we got it pretty close!  He is the carb king.  Grandma Peggy flew in to celebrate and made him some Lemon Lush for dessert!
He has chosen some nice friends, figured out how to manage school and have time to "play".  He loves football, watching and playing in the yard with Ryan and the neighbor, but has no interest in playing on a team.  He was lucky enough to be invited by his friend David to go to the Pac 12 Championship game in Santa Clara to see my huskies whoop the Colorado Buffs (Go DAWGS!).  He loves recounting events and had to tell me his favorite play :o).
His activities are swimming, math club, reading club, piano and life group.   He has been pretty sweet in putting in prayer requests for Ainsley (wrist) and a pre-school friend who got brain cancer (who is doing great!).  I love that he is so caring and is bothered when things aren't right and knows to go to the Big Man upstairs for help.
Enjoying his storm trooper from grandma and grandpa.

 Conquering his fear of height...we went to the top on the skinny trail to the left of the big depression!  Not sure it worked as he never wants to do it again.

 At his November swim meet.  They really lucked out with the weather....mid 60's.  He has really improved his times and got first in every heat he was in.  He felt pretty good about his day!

He is growing like a weed...literally, every time I turn around, he is growing out of a different pair of pants.  He is almost 5'4" and it won't be long until he passes me!  I am going to have to weigh him, but I think he's easily over 100 now (he weighed in at 110).  I will update my findings later.
He has decided to wait on his birthday party until Rogue 1 comes out.  6 lucky boys will be joining us for the movie!