Capoeira

Patch is really enjoying Capoeira. He really gets into it and looks very focused (unlike my pictures). 

 We finally got to go watch what he does every Tuesday for an hour. Although, we already know because he spends the rest of the week doing cartwheels, kicks and the ginga all over the place.

 I think this is the only place in the world that can capture Patch's attention and keep it longer than 20 seconds, which means, he's really enjoying it.

 After their performance we had a visit from Santa!

Sun Valley

 Tyler had a hockey tournament up in Sun Valley the same weekend our girls had their Christmas dance recital, so Chris and I split up, he got the girls and I took the boys.

Tyler had been sick the whole week before the tournament, so we weren't even sure he would go, but he started feeling better and decided to try it.

Then, his cough was still so bad, he almost didn't play, but I guess you can't keep this kid down.

We road w/ the Larsen's up to SV, they were great to ride with!


Our first game didn't turn out so well. They got slaughtered by the Hawks, but their next game they did great!

 We had lots of fun while up in SV. The lodge we stayed at had a Christmas weekend going on so there were ice sculptures, hot chocolate, beautiful lights and a tree lighting ceremony, and Santa!

Patch and I stopped at the candy store...twice!

 The food was yummy everywhere we went. And while we waited for boys to get out of the locker room, Patch would entertain us with his Capoeira.

 Tyler's last game of the tournament he ended up getting some pretty big hits on him. His first hit broke his pinkie and the second hit was to the head. Poor guy. They won that game, so he left feeling pretty good.

Dance Recital

 Both our girls got to dance at Festival of Trees this year. I always love going, they do such a great job. This year we didn't have anywhere to run off to so we actually got to stick around and look at everything.

 Can you believe how cute these girls are?!?!

 

No pictures of the actual dance because my camera is terrible. They both look like real dancers up there on the stage. They do not get that from me, I was and am a terrible dancer. 

Such a fun day hanging out with these beauties!

4th Annual Turkey Trot

This was our 4th year putting on the Park Village Turkey Trot. We had a great turn out, about 20+ 10K'ers and 50+ 5K'ers. (It's been too long for me to remember exactly how many ran).

Alexa ran the 5K this year and improved on her time from last year. I'm so proud of her for even trying.

Such a great turn out, it's so fun putting on this event. This year it wasn't too cold, but we did break out the hand warmers, which were a nice touch. Bracelets this year were a silvery blue. Each year I think we get bigger and better!

Go Alexa!!

Alexa started Jr. Jazz this year. She's on an all girls team with a bunch of her friends. Alexa is working so hard at practicing. Her team practices during her dance, so she can't make it, but she was invited to practice with some older girls and Alexa works really hard to keep up and do what the coach tells her. She also goes and practices with Caely's Jr. Grizzlies team. 

 Alexa's first game, they won by one basket!!! I told her she had to make three attempted shots and I'd take her for ice cream. She went above and beyond and tried 6 times!

Alexa's jersey is 24, the same as Caely's was during all her Jr. Jazz years. Looks like that's a lucky number for our girls.

Where'd We Go?

I've tried to update the blog a few times over the last month but apparently my blog is too full of pictures, and I would much rather have pictures of our happenings than a bunch of just words, so that's our delay.

Lots going on with the holiday season and sports in full swing. I'll be sure to update all that as soon as I get this figured out.

Something I did want to remember...

Patch is having a really hard time lately. He often says how everyone hates him and that he doesn't belong or no one wants him around. It's heart braking to hear, especially because he's so young. I wish he knew how much we love him and because we love him so very much we fight for him every day.

With Patch so upset all the time, it's very discouraging in our home with all the tears and arguing. I often wonder if we are really helping him be the best Patch he can be.

Tyler woke up yesterday not feeling well at all. I was in my room and Tyler came in, with tears in his eyes, to tell me he was really achy and stuffy. Patch followed Tyler in because he's too scared to be alone anywhere in the house. Anyhow, Patch heard Tyler wasn't feeling well. I told Tyler he could miss school and to go back to bed.

I went in a few minutes later to check on Tyler and saw a bowl sitting by his bed. I asked him if he was sick to his stomach and he said no, Patch brought it up for him.

This is such a huge thing for Patch, and Chris and me, to show such compassion for someone else. It was a proud moment.

Patch came back into the room and said how he was sad Tyler was sick and he was helping him by getting a bowl for him. It just touched my heart that Patch would go downstairs, BY HIMSELF! and get that for Tyler.

Moments like this give me hope. Especially after the month + we've had with him.

Enjoying the Snow

 We got a really big dumping of snow, so Alexa and her friend Amber played most the day in it. Then our neighbor who's a fun mom, took her kids and the girls sledding. I was feeling bad that I'm such a slacker mom, so I followed and took Caely and Patch sledding. 

 We got there and the hill was pretty torn up, not enough snow was sticking, but it still made for some good sledding.

 One spot had a nice bump but all the snow was used up so we built a new sledding bump.

 Then Caely had this great idea to have a contest to see who could keep their face in the snow the longest. When she was done, she had a melted face hole, it was pretty funny.  Patch was a little sneaky  it looks like his face is good and down, but he's hiding it in his hood.

 Oh, these silly kids. I love them!