The Big Sleepover That Wasn't

Sam and Zak have their own rooms -- but they have been wanting to have a sleepover.

Happy boys -- ready for a fun night!

Unfortunately, one of them was a little too excited. Zak kept yelling and whooping it up, and after about a half-an-hour, a sleepy Sam decided he wanted the solitude of his own room. Zak was heartbroken -- so hopefully he'll tone it down a little next time!

Finally -- some peace and quiet!

At least his dogs will sleep with him!

We'll try again!

Grandparents' Day

Grammie and Poppy made a quick trip to our house so they could attend Grandparents' Day with Sam -- and he was so excited to take them to school!

Here they are all ready for their day!

After a fun morning at Kindergarten, we met them at the mall so the boys could show off their jumping skills!

Sam all hooked up and ready to jump!

It was really hard to get a good picture!

Zak was so exited to jump again!

We headed to Panera for a yummy lunch and then home for some more playing before Poppy and Grammie had to hit the road.

Yeah for Grandparents!

Little Bakers

Sam and Zak were very excited for Matthew's birthday this year -- the anticipation started building about a week before the big day. I think Sam was a little disappointed when I told him we weren't going anywhere to celebrate -- we'd just be at home with the family.

Fortunately, by the time they had picked out presents and wrapped them, hung balloons and made the cake -- staying at home didn't seem so bad after all!

While Matthew was at work, the cake baking began!
Everybody had a chance to stir.

We went to visit Grandpa and Nana several weeks
ago and we did not take one picture, but aren't the
aprons Nana personalized for the boys cute!

Making the frosting -- and licking the beaters!

Zak wanted a blue cake and Sam
wanted green -- so we did both!

Sadly, there are no pictures of the finished cake -- very colorful blue and green stripes with an abundance of sprinkles and candles. We were too busy eating it to take a picture!

The Chicken Project

Sam's Sunday School class is raising money to buy chickens for needy families in third world countries. He came home and told us all the things he could do around the house to earn extra money. I'm all for a little hired help!

He made a collection jar.

He's put away silverware from the dishwasher, swept the floor, sorted and matched socks -- he's always ready to earn a little "chicken money". One morning while I was making breakfast, he made all the beds in the house -- without being asked. It is his responsibility to make his own bed every morning, but he went above and beyond when he made Zak's and ours.

I was impressed -- his pillow placement is pretty good!

He has a few more weeks to go and is excited about any opportunity to add to his chicken fund.

Hats Off to Zak!

While having dinner at a friends' house,
Zak found a cowboy hat.
He loved himself in that hat
and would have worn it home if he had his way!

So he had to be satisfied with this
substitute on the way home!

We Love Curious George!

On Sam's last day of Winter Break we headed off to the Children's Museum for the new Curious George exhibit. We read a lot of Curious George books at our house -- so the boys were very excited for their visit.

Cranking the rocks up -- Zak
could have done this all day!

Trying out the wind machine.

Future architect at work?

Quick pic with George.

Of course we ended our day in the water room -- where the boys proceeded to get thoroughly soaked!

We can't wait to go back again!

Sam's Next Bestseller

The excitement of snow prompted Sam to write his next book.

This one is a little fancier -- it includes the authors' name on the cover!

Rit Bi Sam -- I love it!

Very true-to-life illustrations!

Snow is fun.
Not yestrday but the
day bfor we play in the snow.
We had fun.

The End.