Daily January Happenings

Gideon is becoming an excellent reader.  It's one of my favorite things to do with him when he gets home from school when everyone else is napping.

Jacob walks around with a calculator in his back pocket pretending it is a phone.

Thomas took Jacob with him one morning as he ran to the scout store in Akron.  They got lost on the way home so Thomas stopped at McDonalds to get them some breakfast while he worked to get his bearings again, utilizing WIFI.  Jacob just thought it was an awesome morning!  Having a big brother that can drive is a perk all the kids are quickly getting used to, as am I! :)

Gymnastics

Mary chose to do participate in gymnastics this year.  I loved to watch the smile on her face as she was in her classes.  It was very evident that she loved what she was doing.  She made a lot of progress through the session and is looking forward to doing another session in a few months.

Strep

We had a rough couple weeks as strep hit our family and knocked us out one by one.  At one point there were 8 of us on antibiotics for strep.  The only ones fortunate enough to not get sick were Thomas, Rebekah, and myself.  It made it quite simple to remember to give antibiotics each time though.  We just lined everyone up and one by one they took their meds.  Usually after having been on antibiotics for a few days I sometimes forget to give them their meds.  This time it was easy to not forget.  Whenever I opened the fridge I couldn't miss all the bottles!
 

Tender Hearted Josh

Josh is such a tender hearted young man and he has a very special place in his heart for sister, Rebekah.  She is the first one he finds when he gets home from school.  He will stop whatever he is doing when she needs something.  He plays with her, cuddles, her, talks with her, and dotes on her.  I love the see their relationship develop.  Rebekah is blessed to have many amazing older brothers.

High School Solo and Ensemble

January means Solo and Ensemble for the High  Schools in the area.  Thomas participated in numerous events.  He performed:

*Violin Solo

*Cello/Violin Duet with MacLane Stebbins

*Snare Solo

*Timpani Solo

*4 Mallet Marimba Solo

*Sophomore Percussion Ensemble

He achieved Superior ratings on all pieces, with the exception of the violin solo, of which he received  a rating of Excellent.  He was so pleased with the results, especially considering he did not receive the music for the violin solo or duet until 2 days before adjudication.


We are not allowed to video tape or record any of the performances, however, we were able to record him practicing during his lunch break for this piece.

Pinewood Derby & Piano Guys

Josh is loving all things cub scouting.  For one requirement he needed to write to a famous person that he admired.  He chose to write a letter to the Piano Guys.  A few weeks after he mailed his letter off, he received a large envelope in the mail.  It was a signed photo of the Piano Guys.  He thought it was pretty cool. Spring did too!  She was a bit green with envy but tried to play it cool.  She told Josh how awesome it was that he received this.  A while later I quietly went to Spring and suggested that she could write them a letter as well and there is a good chance she would be mailed a pictures also.  She wrote them a letter that afternoon.  Within a couple weeks there was a similar envelope in the mailbox for her.  I took a picture of it and texted it to her at school.  To say it made her day, would be an understatement!  I am so grateful that our children look up these men as role models.  They bring the spirit with them whenever they perform.  It's amazing to watch the influence of the Piano Guys as they share their talents.  Our children love introducing friends to the Piano Guys.

  

Another great thing about Cub Scouts that Josh has been anxiously awaiting is the Pinewood Derby!  He designed his car and had a great time helping Dad make it.  It was awesome to watch the fun he had the evening of the race.

Inventors at Work

Josh and Gideon love to create and build things using legos, boxes, paper towel rolls, paper, tape, tape, and more tape!  The most prized possessions in our home, and the ones most argued over, are boxes!  Whenever a box appears I know I will soon hear, "Mom! Can I have this box?"  Although sometimes I grow weary of boxes everywhere, I love to see the creations they come up with.  Their imagination never ceases to amaze me.

Sam's 1st Klondike

Sam has been so excited to participate in his first ever Klondike. He was packed a few days early and he was able to make fire starters as well.  The boys planned a great menu.  The 11 year old scouts were the only ones to attend.  Thomas was able to come up Friday and spend the evening  before heading home late at night.  After work Saturday morning, Thomas headed back to Camp Manatoc to spend the rest of the day at the Klondike.  Sam loved everything about the Klondike.  There wasn't much snow, but it was cold.  He loved the hatchet throwing station the most.  He also loved lashings and was able to build a ladder all by himself.  Sam is a natural leader with a silly side that helps encourage others to participate. He tried his best to encourage the other scouts in his patrol to be involved and try new challenges.  When they refused to try, Sam didn't let that hamper his attitude. He just went on with his natural zeal and excitement.  Joel said it was really neat to watch him problem solve and think through solutions to the activities and challenges presented to him.

I love seeing the legacy of scouting that our sons get to be a part of...from grandpas, uncles, a dad, and an older brother  that love the scouting program...Sam is following suit!  

8 Months

Shortly after Rebekah turned 7 months old she began to sit up on her own.  I didn't even know she could do it.  Spring decided to try to sit her up and begin teaching her to sit up.  Well, Rebekah surprised us all and could already do it!  She i has become more and more interested in playing with toys and reaching for things.  She is slowly trying solids but she is not much of a fan...unless Sam gives her a powdered donut...she thinks that is pretty great!