Fall Family Camping

At the beginning of the school year, J-Man came home from school begging to go to the Cub Scout information meeting. I don't know what the council is paying that recruiter, but they need to raise his salary. J-Man was insistent!

So, against my better judgement, I sent The Man with him just to see what it was all about- with strict instructions not to volunteer for anything! And, definitely DO NOT mention that you are an Eagle Scout because they will have you running the pack. They came home that evening the newest Cub Scout and Den Leader.

I must admit that they are BOTH having a blast in Scouts, and it really does teach the kids a lot of value added lessons.

This weekend was Cub Scout Family Camping Weekend (on the coldest weekend of the year- freezing temps threatened). On Friday afternoon when we were offered a perfectly wonderful, warm, cozy cabin to stay in, I tried to sway them, but I lost. Since there was NO chance of rain in the forecast, I went along. I actually enjoy camping, and prefer cold weather camping, but I cannot handle rain.

At the den meeting before we left, the boys made fire starters, and practiced setting up and taking down a tent.

We were assigned a campsite on the side of a mountain, and this area had to accommodate nineteen families. They were like sardines for the second night, which was fortunate since there was snow in the forecast. We're not sure if the boys earned thier polar bear patch (for camping when the temp drops below 32 degrees), but they sure did come close if not.

We had to fight not to slide down the hill all night as we slept. Good times!

Since it rained the first night, and off and on all day Saturday, I had to sacrifice and take D-Man home. It was difficult to sleep in my nice warm bed with the heat on.

But, we stayed through the day Saturday and had a blast.

We started up a whole new generation of pyromaniacs.

Both boys got to shoot bb guns...

Looking so studly in the safety goggles...

...and, bow and arrows...

It is difficult to see below, but J-Man got a bullseye, and hit the target four other times. He also won the award for the day for launching one of his arrows the farthest beyond the target. We had to send out a search party.

The only thing that we didn't get to do was fish. It was quite devastating! Look at that face.

Someone totally cheated!!!!!!!!

All in all it was a fantastic weekend! All three boys had a blast, and they can't wait to do it again.

Let me apologize to anyone who stumbles upon this blog today. I am going to be bragging unashamedly on my son, the triathlete, and there will be an ungodly amount of photos!

J-Man did a triathalon today. 50 meter swim, 2 mile bike, and 500 meter run! He did so awesome!!!!!

He waited patiently to jump into the pool, and then he passed four kids in the water. He did not hold back...

Until he got out of the water and decided to use his first transition time to pose for the camera and wave to the crowd.
Here he is posing with his brother, and ready for the race in his transition area. Check out that stud! As we walked into the park to prepare, he asked, "I wonder how I am going to win this thing?"

Thumbs up! Look at all of those yellow caps.

Jumping in the water!

That is J-Man's yellow head climbing out of the pool (ahead of everyone, I might add).

Taking his time in T1.

Out on the bike.

Go speed racer!

T2

Out for the run...

Look at that determination!!!

Finished!

This is what D-Man thought of the situation at times.

Our friend Sarah Grace competed as well. Here they are trying to act "too cool" at the finish line!

We had so much fun. I think that The Man got just as much of a work out as J did, running after him to take pics. We were so proud. I have to admit that I even got a little choked up watching him cross the finish line so strong as they called his name and he ran through the finishing ribbon!!!!! He worked so hard and is ready to do another tri as soon as possible.

Why no kid will ever come to another Birthday Party Here...

D-Man requested a "Green" Birthday Party. My quest was to find foods that are naturally green. In my efforts, poor D may never have another child come to his birthday again.

Very aesthetically pleasing... not very "kid-friendly." :)

We made green playdough (colored with spinach water).

Mmmmmmmmm...

A happy boy on his happy birthday. yummy cupcake!

Cousin Hayden with LOTS of green ice cream...

Uncle Kes sporting his green!

Christopher and Jaxon wearing green.

Making crazy faces with cousin "Little C."

Crazy excited about opening presents (on his actual birthday)!!!

Cookie cake on birthDAY!


Happy Birthday big five year old!!!!!

Duelling Mohawks

J-Dawg has only 2 weeks left of his mohawk, so we decided to cut one for The Man as well.

Don't they look tough? Don't mess with them!

Highly Recommended

If you live within driving distance of Stone Mountain, their Christmas celebration should be top on your list of things to do this holiday season. It's not cheap, but even The Man said it was worth the money!!!!! For those of you who do not know my man, that is saying a lot.

Sorry, Baby. You're not "cheap" you're just money wise. :)
Here we are looking all cute and warm. A photo of us? What is that doing in here?


All bundled up for the train ride. When you take the train around the base of the mountain, you see a light show, and the train stops for telling of the real Christmas story. They even talk about the angels and baby Jesus. I was blown away.

J-Man on top of the mountain. They rode the cable car up to the very cold mountain top. Brrrrrr..........

For indoor fun, there is a super cool play area complete with foam ball guns and three story twisty slides. And, yes, that is the technical term.

The evening began with a small parade where Mr and Mrs Clause were introduced.

And, we ended the evening by visiting Santa to tell him about our list. J-Man wants a Transformer and a kid sized ping pong table- this was news to me. And, D wants a "big bus." No surprises there.

There is also a Polar Express 4D experience and the laser show is presented several times throughout the night. If that is not enough excitement there is also miniature golf.

And, this is what your children look like on the way home from Stone Mountain Christmas!

In joy, Troye!

Thankful Days

Catching up...

Day 19. Friends- wow! I am overwhelmed just thinking about all of the amazing friends that I have.
Day 20. My kitchen- I spend the majority of my day there and love every minute of it. Okay, so I wish it was self cleaning. I don't enjoy that part, but every other moment I love my kitchen.
Day 21. My Kitchenaid mixer
Day 22. My Kitchenaid food Processor- I REALLY do not know how I EVER survived before I had this. The Man got this for me for Christmas about three years ago, and it was my favorite Christmas present ever. I know most of you would prefer jewelry or chocolates, but give me a kitchen tool any day of the week, and I am putty in your hands, Baby. I use the food processor on a daily basis often cleaning it and using it multiple times for one meal. There are so many things that I never even attempted in the kitchen that are now so easy and I do on a regular basis. Love it love it love it!!! If you don't have one, put a GOOD one on your Christmas list this year. You will not regret it!!!
Day 23. DVR- I love never having to watch commercials and being able to sit down at the telly and watch what I want to watch whenever I want to watch it.
Day 24. Wood burning fireplace.
Day 25. A gas starter on the wood burning fire place! I would never build a fire by myself if I had to build it from "scratch."
Day 26. Sewing Machine and Embroidery Machine- my creative outlets. I don't use them as often as I would like, but I am very thankful to have them when I am feeling crafty.
Day 27. The unsewer (otherwise known as a seam ripper). I would NEVER be able to use the items listed on Day 26 if it were not for the unsewer. I am even better at unsewing as I am at sewing.
Day 28. See yesterday's post... I'm thankful for food!!!!!
Today. I am thankful for lazy days to hang out with my family and play!

In joy, Troye

Playing Catch up

Day 11: I am thankful that I signed up for Thankfulness blogging month.

Day 13: I am thankful for all the things that keep me so busy- even though they keep me from blogging daily during thankfulness month like I should- my boys, and their classrooms, cooking, hanging with my peeps, getting my hair cut... Which by the way, I am also thankful for Vikki, my stylist, who cuts my hair in order to help it grow out. Kind of a paradox, huh?

Day 14: I'm thankful for family night with the boys...

Check this out!




In joy, Troye

Pumpkin t-shirts

Last week, we decided to make pumpkin tie- dyed t-shirts for the Kindergarten Fall Festival.

We invited our friends, Elijah, Benjamin, and Mrs. Amy to join us for the fun.

This is Benjamin. He is "three and three quarters, and soon he'll be four."

Apparantly if you wanted orange tie dye, you needed to purchase it weeks ago because there was none to be found. We ended up using a paint spray. That was scary.

Here are J and E spraying their shirts (and the counter and sink).Then, Amy and I decided it would be best to just add the rest of the dye to water and soak the shirts in the sink.

Smart, right?


Well, it worked. They weren't as vibrant or detailed as I had imagined, but here is the finished product. We drew several small pumpkin faces on D's shirt (with a sharpie) and one large face on J's shirt.
Cute, huh?
And, it was fun!


Of course Friday was the rainiest day that we had in Georgia all year, so I was very afraid that we were going to turn into oompa-loompas. The gods were in favor of us retaining our current skin tone though, so no early Willy Wonka costumes this year.

A tour of my week...

Hello All! I am not dead. I did not fall off the face of the earth or run away to a foreign country- although that idea does have some merit.

I did, howev-ah, have an insane week, so instead of boring you with one of my favorite things today, I have decided to bore you with the details of my week. I love having all of the power (insert sinister laugh track)!

Saturday:





We took both boys to Homecoming in Athens. This was Daniel's first game.

Notice how Daniel spent his time "between the hedges."

Sunday:

After two services at church, we hosted "Brother John's Traveling Salvation Small Group," Sunday afternoon.

Monday:

A Blur. I actually cannot remember what I did all day Monday. Hmmmmm.....

Tuesday:

I spent the day with well over a hundred Kindergartners at Jaemor Farms in north Georgia. We had a blast picking apples and riding a hayride around the farm that didn't have any hay on it.

Wednesday:

I attempted to help Susannah start her new blog Honey in My Coffee. We got her all set up, now I just have to teach her how to use blogger. Maybe next week.

Then we made pumpkin t-shirts with Elijah, Benjamin, and Amy.

Thursday:

I spent the day at the dentist with Jonah. He had to get three holes in his teeth patched. He now has three pirate teeth because they neglected to inform me that they were sticking stainless steel crowns in my baby's mouth.

Note to moms and dads: If your child needs a filling or crown, and you want to be vain like me, request porcelain crowns before they go back to the dentist chair instead of finding out afterwards like I did. :) Just a little friendly advise.

Then I spent the rest of the afternoon fighting with him about why the dentist had told him that he could not ride his bike!

That was my week in a nutshell. Today I am headed to Fall Festival at J's school then back for the afternoon to make a pumpkin display with his class. If anyone is looking for me, I will be in the loony bin,