Cool Dude Is 12!

Evan turned 12 last week and had a camp out with 6 friends to celebrate. I have a new found respect for parents of only boys, and so appreciated how my hubby could handle all of the "boyness" that was going on. Lauren and I ended up retiring to my bedroom to hang out and watch movies all night while Roger was able to keep the boys in check. We had pizza, cake, and they did archery, the trampoline, climbed trees, played soccer, and ended the night watching The Avengers and eating popcorn. We did have some drama, which I won't get into, but it was intense. Again, thankful that Roger was able to handle it well. It took them a long time to quiet down once inside the tent and I think they were told to be quiet and go to sleep about 5 times. It was around 1am when I didn't hear any more talking. I heard noises at 7am so got up and Roger and I made pancakes and bacon. Then they all played outside again until their parents picked them up at 10:00. Evan had a great time, but honestly, I don't know if I could go through all of that again!

Camping themed cake--we forgot to add Lego people on the bridge and canoe

Opening presents

Soccer

Archery

Eating breakfast on the deck

Lookin' all nice...

Lookin' like the wild and rough-n-tough boys they really are

Birthday Party

My first born turned 11 years old last week. My how time is flying by. He chose a laser tag party to have with some friends at Laserquest. Just some info for you if you ever decide to have a party there yourself...you have to have a minimum of 8 people for a party, and everybody gets to play 2 games and you get a tiny party room to have cake in. They provide you nothing for the party except the room and saving $1 off the cost of two games for everyone, oh and a sign that says Happy Birthday to the birthday child. But, no plates, napkins, silverware for your cake, or drinks. They did pass out game passes for the guests for buy one game and get a second free which was nice, but they expire in less than 2 months. Oh well...all of the boys had a great time, so I'm glad for that.

 The cake I made Evan was simply two square cakes and I frosted them to look like Lego blocks. The connectors were jumbo marshmallows we had that I cut in half and frosted. Evan decided he wanted to add some of his Lego people to the cake.

8th Birthday

Lauren is turning 8 years old on Saturday!!! She had a few friends join her for a bday party at Build A Bear this past weekend. They all had a great time. After they built their bears and picked out their outfits and accessories, we headed down to the food court in the mall where she opened her presents and we ate cupcakes. Then we headed over to Aunt Jenni's house to celebrate Lauren and Jenni's birthdays with yummy homemade pizza and a delicious chocolate cake Grandma made. 

She wanted to wear my cupcake apron while she helped me make her party cupcakes.

Pretty and yummy!

A fun party!

Lauren and Aunt Jenni blowing out their bday candles.

Scouts Christmas Party

In order for Evan to receive his free pinewood derby car for that upcoming event, he had to sit on Santa's lap. He was not thrilled about that, nor was he thrilled about the Christmas carol rotation station. He just stood there--I laughed every time I looked over at him and saw the "this is boring and when will it be over" look on his face. He did enjoy the Minute to Win It game and won a couple of those. I just had to take this picture of him with Santa, though. It will be his last time at this kind of party since next year he will be a Boy Scout and not a Cub Scout any more. He's growing up so fast, and this is just one of those memories that when I look at this picture, I will remember him as my little boy.

Soccer 2011-2012

This is Evan's soccer team this year--the Black Hawks (Evan is the blond second from the left). Again, he has another nice coach, and enthusiastic assistant coach. One of the other players on his team is the son of a couple that used to work with Roger at Cessna, so it's been fun seeing them and chatting with them every week. Of course, soccer is done for the winter season, but come spring the team starts back up again--same team, which is one thing I like about AYSO. Evan went to a birthday party this weekend for someone from church and he was telling me he may not know any other kids that, but it will be okay because he makes friends pretty easily. Guess what? When we arrived at the party the couple from Cessna's son was there and so was the assistant soccer coach's son! They both are in the same class at school as the birthday boy. I knew Evan would have a great time at the party for sure!

Colonial Birthday Tea Party

Doesn't she look cute? On October 31st Lauren had a tough decision to make as to whether to go to a friend's birthday party, or go trick or treating. (I know, I know....Halloween stemmed from evil things and there are still evil things associated with it to this day, and I still have mixed feelings about whether or not we should partake in trick or treating, but let's not focus on that for this post). Anyways, she chose the friend's party. The theme was colonial. Fortunately, a few years ago I had bought this dress at a garage sale for Lauren for her dress up clothes, so it fit in really well for this theme. I should have taken a better picture of the hat. It is an actual replica of a colonial hat that was made in her colonial times class at our homeschool co-op. Her friend having the party was in that class also, so that may be why she chose this theme for the party. Besides this dress theme, it was also a tea party and the mom went all out making so many yummy dishes and teas. Some outside games were played as well. It was a really fun evening!