Keeping Busy

Our new method of entertainment in the afternoon is "homework" as Sean calls it.  A friend of mine introduced me to Kumon, and while we didn't physically sign up for Kumon, we do have many of the books and Sean loves them.  

My view while working.

Our only problem (I remember having the same problem with Andrew) is that Sean doesn't believe a word I say.  An example, when I told him the word was MAP... he quickly corrected me and said NO, it is EARTH.  I tried to correct him, but he is pretty adamant he knows the answers.  The conversation ended with him saying, "fine, I am not playing with you anymore."  Good think we have another year and half before kindergarten to work on his "teachability". 

Sweet 16

It is official, Kira Porter is now 16. 

She has been 16 since Sunday, and we finally got around to singing to her today. 

Happy Birthday Kira!!!

Big Basin

Feeding my need to be on the move, to go somewhere, I convinced Tom to take us all to Big Basin in the Santa Cruz Mountains to see the Redwoods, and take a small hike to a waterfall.  In famous Tom fashion, we left the house at 7:15am on a Saturday to "beat the crowds" so we could enjoy the park by ourselves.  Good thing we left so early and arrived in freezing temperatures so we could be the 15th car in the park.  I really didn't count the number of cars, but it was far from crowded and was for sure colder then we expected.   Good thing there was fire in the lodge to thaw out our hands after our hike.  

Despite the cold it was fun.  A good day with the family, one I will remember.  

Best Buds

 

It has never been a secret that Tom is the favorite with our kids.  Kira and Andrew have both preferred to hang out with Tom over me, any day.  Sean is turning out to be no different.  

It is like the day doesn't really begin for this kid until 5:30 pm when Tom walks in the door.  Usually from the time he arrives Sean is at his side until bedtime.  If Tom is lifting weights Sean is jumping on the couch along side, if he is watching football Sean is there as well.  Usually they are playing "guys" on the floor or throwing the football in the living room (which has to stop soon now that Sean can really throw). 

My children are lucky they have such a fun loving father, and even if they do prefer him, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Andrew and STEM

Thanks to an after school program at school called STEM, Andrew got the chance to work with Lego MindStorm and build a car that he programed himself.  I have to brag that when we went to see what all the kids had done, Andrew and his partner's car was the most complex and well thought out.  He loved this program and will be doing it again in the spring.  He will also be doing it at home now that he got his own Lego MindStorm set for Christmas.  This kid continually amazes me.  He is a fixer, problem solver, and puzzle doer and a go getter.  If you were to ask me now, I would say engineering may be in his future but we will all just have to wait and see.

Jade's Favorite Things, #19

Snowboarding.  

Now that I am good enough to get down the hill with out falling and completely embarrassing myself, it has become so fun.  And even more fun that most of my family loves it as much as I do.  Those that don't I have decided, they will with time.  

Suited up and warm.  It was a cold morning.

Sean's first chair lift. 

Tom and Sean.

I love riding with this kid.  Good place to talk to your son, way up high where they can't escape. 

Sean making his way down the hill with Tom.

At the end of the second day, we dumped the kids and snuck in a few runs, just Tom and I.  I got a chance to show him all my skills.
I love this man even more then snowboarding.

Donner Lake

Going to Tahoe is becoming sort of a after Christmas tradition in our house.  This year we found an even better cabin to stay in, and it is only slightly larger then the one last year.  We still had the hot tub,  gained a bathroom, and this one was very close to Donner Lake.  Due to the pipes freezing at the error of the owner, we were gifted some free nights this summer and will for sure be back this year.  If you are looking for a fun cabin, let me know and I can send you the owners name and number.

My adorable snowboarding boys.  Can you use adorable and snowboarding in the same sentence?

Not only did we do better this year in cabin size, but we actually got snow, lot's of snow as you can tell from these picture below.

Sean really was having fun, don't let the pout fool you.

Sledding just outside our cabin.

Snow Angels

Donner Lake
I know I always say this, but this place for sure it my new favorite.