Snow Tubing

This past weekend we picked up Ant Ant after basketball and drove to see Mary and Robbie. 

I had told the kids for my birthday I wanted to go snow tubing.  The weather ended up being so beautiful and unseasonably warm for February that we were a little afraid they wouldn't have snow. 

But they did!   It was a little slushy and they had people stationed to give pushes over the bumps.  There was only one time that we went down that we didn't get stuck but it was still a lot of fun.  My kids are used to the little ditch behind our house as a sledding hill.  Even going slower than normal was a thrill for them. 

Colin only wanted to go down with Uncle Robbie.  Towards the end Joel would go stand next to Robbie and would quietly tie his tube to theirs so he would have to go down with them.  So it was always Robbie and the boys. 

It was a lot of fun and a great weekend with Mary and Robbie and Ant Ant. 

Valentines Day

Joel's love language is gifts.  It doesn't have to be a big gift: a little rock we find can speak more than words of affirmation or quality time for my boy. 

So its no surprise to me that Joel LOVES Valentines Day.  He came home in the best mood.  He felt so loved and was so excited to show me all his valentines.

This one was definitely a keeper.  He was so proud to be named the 4th class clown.  I don't know who the top three were but Joel was so pleased. 

Basketball

Colin has really been enjoying basketball this year.  Several of his friends are on the team which always makes it more fun.  Joel decided not to play and hasn't missed it at all.  

These two can't get enough of basketball. 

Getting some pointers from his assistant coach

Colin is fun to watch and has had some great games.  I love watching him make fast breaks.  Most of their games have been close - one game they one by one point the last 13 seconds. This past week they had a huge loss but since then Colin has spent hours outside practicing foul shots and lay ups. So I think that loss was good for him.  

But it hasn't been all fun. 

The second game they had to pause while a boy walked off the court gushing blood.  From where I was sitting it looked like a bloody nose.  It wasn't until after the game when Colin came up to me with a chipped tooth that I realized that Colin's permanent front tooth had connected with the boy's check bone.  We went to the dentist and got his front tooth fixed.  But now Colin can never bite into corn on the cobb or an apple again. He is a little upset about that.  I told him when he grows up and pays for his dental work himself he can decide if it's worth it to bite into an apple.  His mother now makes him wear a mouth guard during practice and games.  He doesn't complain - I don't think he wants to head back to the dentist anytime soon.

Special

Special the dog still goes everywhere with us.  Last week Norah wanted to take Special to the zoo.

Special goes on walks

And sometimes the rest of her animals come too