January Fun

January is typically a slower month for us. It was nice to have some breathing room in our schedule and get back into a good routine. 

We invited the Dalmans over for lunch to end Christmas break. The kids have done this Best Day Ever cheer for years now. It never gets old. I'm always thankful for the friendships between our families. 

The weather was mild for the beginning of January and we spent a lot of time over at Kidsborough with the neighbors. The kids are building a town complete with stores and a jail. Every time I watch them playing together over there, I always think, "Man, this is what childhood is all about."

Elisabeth and Samuel participated in their troop's Pinewood Derby competition. It was a busy Saturday since their competitions were at different times and we had a basketball game in the middle of them. But it was a fun day. 

Elisabeth's car had a big cheering section. 

Elisabeth and Samuel both came in 4th place for their divisions, and they were both a little disappointed. It was a good learning experience for them though, and they're already planning their cars for next year. 

The same day Samuel played in his first basketball game of the season. He's been excited to play again. 

The kids have been learning about lobsters in their zoology class, and when we read about how lobsters are alive in tanks at grocery stores, the kids were shocked, so we took them on a little field trip to Red Lobster. It was a fun family dinner. 

For weeks, as the kids have planned their Kidsborough town, they've been pretending to build a fire. One afternoon the moms got brave let them actually light one. They were so excited. It was such a fun surprise for them. 

Elisabeth read If You Give a Mouse a Cookie in her fun and cooking class, and the next week they got to bake cookies. That is such a fun class for my little baker. 

Samuel earned an award at his Trail Life troop. We're proud of his dedication to attend his meetings every week. It's been a good activity for him. 

We celebrated Sweet Evelyn turning three with a precious little birthday party. We're so thankful for the dear friendships with all the kids around the table. Neighbors who are best friends is such a gift. 

Look at her smile!

Sam's been spending Saturdays on the court. He's having a great season, and I always look forward to watching him play each week. 

Matt and I volunteered during Kids' Worship on week and caught Elisabeth doing the crab dance on stage. 

Sam asked me to video his trick shot at co-op.

The Breedens invited us to their house to watch the AFC championship game with these two die hard fans. 

Nora and Elisabeth could have cared less about the game, but they performed a funny half time comedy show. 

And these girls tried on different costumes all night long. Katherine told me later that they were pretending to be "rich" girls. 

It was a nail biter, and these kids were into it. 

Samuel found his new best friend. These two were adorable together. 

It came down to the end, and these two celebrated majorly. 

 

What a fun night with great friends!