Ben's Birthday (a while back)

Ben, who was our youngest for quite a while, is creeping up on double digits.  He's not there quite yet, but I still think of him as my little buddy.  Hopefully, he'll still be my buddy, but I guess the word "little" may not always apply.

He did branch out this year and asked for strawberry frosting and chocolate cake instead of going all chocolate.  But I think he will always remain a little chocoholic at heart (in the grand tradition of his mother, aunt, and grandmother).

We love our Ben-Ben!

Go SONIC GOBBLERS!

(Full disclosure: these pictures were taken by my friend who chooses NOT to have an online presence, so will not be named here.)

I may be a little ::ahem:: behind on my blogging, but here are some pictures from Michael's winter season of basketball.  Michael played his first season of basketball on a YMCA team with his friend's dad as the coach.  It was his first time playing a team sport since he usually does Tae Kwon Do, so it was definitely a learning experience.  He made a lot of progress and I am, as always, so impressed with my kids when they try something new and give it their all.  Sadly, there is only one season of basketball in our area, but Michael is already looking forward to next year.

Go WILDCATS!

(Full disclosure: these pictures were taken by a man known as "Hunter's Dad".  A fabulous photographer who is willing to share with the team.)

And another season of soccer is up and running.  This season the Wildcats are playing up an age and are finally getting the challenge they need.  Having said that, they've still won two of the three games they've played so far so they are definitely holding their own.  Ben is growing into being a great defender with excellent timing and some stunning passes.

Also, sometimes soccer games in Washington state closely resemble a swim meet.  The last picture is from the game last week and it was pouring.  The field was covered in ponds and you could see water splashing as the kids ran.  The parents shivered on the sidelines under their umbrellas.  But the kids were champs and did a great job.  

We're again lucky to have Ben on such an awesome team with an amazing coach.  GO WILDCATS!

First Day of Preschool

And he's off!  Today is Isaac's first day of school with Teachers Kelly, Donna and Louise.  He will be going Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  He was very excited this morning and had big smiles for me before we left.  And he kept those smiles up until Teacher Louise started helping him take off his coat.  Then she hustled him along into the classroom routine before he realized what was going on.  I hope it went well....

Polar Bear Plunge

This was another one of those crazy ideas that sounds like a lot of fun when you're sitting in your warm house: the POLAR BEAR PLUNGE!  Months ago Josh and Jason decided to jump into freezing (well, almost) cold water to celebrate the new year.  They seemed excited about it at the time, but they weren't quite as enthused this morning on our way to Long Lake Park.  In fact, Jason kept asking Josh to give him a good reason why they were doing this.  Apparently, it came down to bragging rights and because he could.

Although it wasn't exactly warm this morning, they had it pretty good compared to recent years and it was 40 degrees outside with 41 degree water, 10 degrees warmer than last year.

We got there early so we could park near the lake and spare Jason and Josh a long walk to the car afterwards.  Which apparently gave us too much time to get into trouble.  Jason and Isaac were walking around trying to keep warm when Isaac had another run in with the pavement that he did not win.  And gosh darn it, those head wounds bleed something nasty.  Luckily, a medic saw Jason running towards me with blood streaming down Isaac's face and she brought a first aid kit to help us get him patched up.  He has a pretty good gouge in his head, but luckily that was the only injury of the day.  (well, so far)

Finally the time came and the plungers got out of their warm clothing and ready to shiver until jump time.  Aunt Rachel had arrived by this point and took over the camera duties.  She took this picture which may be one of my all time favorites.

All ready to go!

The spectators stayed on the beach.

3...2...1...JUMP!

So very, very cold.

Very, very, very cold.

Kind of takes your breath away.

They did it and seemed to be happy with the experience afterwards.  There was hot chocolate and warm apple cider waiting in the car and warm showers and an electric blanket waiting for them at home.  It was a great way to start off the new year.

Christmas Day

 

Christmas Eve Fun and Games