Howard Street Boat Race 2014

 A couple weeks ago we had our first Howard Street Boat Race! The rules were that each child was to make their own boat using things from nature. Brett was pretty excited about this challenge and helped Kyle come up with the "blueprint" for his boat. I thought it came out really well, and Brett was very proud :-)

The kids all met at our house before the launch to show off their boats and pose for pictures :-) As you can see, Jack's was the biggest and Brett's was the smallest.

Carolyn joined in for this picture - her boat was hand carved and everything (Carolyn sure is a talented 5 year old....or her dad)!

Leo and Hazel had been out of town all week and had just gotten back...so they quickly tied some sticks together so they could be part of the fun :-) We assumed their boat wouldn't make it very far...but it not only finished, it came in second place!

After pictures, it was time to venture to Vet's park where the creek is to launch our boats! The kids were so excited!!

And they're off!

Jack and Carolyn's boats started out up front but soon got stuck on muck and rocks...

During the "rescues", Brett's took off! 

We quickly crossed the street and chased it down the river so we could watch it cross the finish line near North Creek Elementary..... for.....drum roll.... FIRST PLACE! Go Brett!

 Here Brett is checking out his boat after Kyle braved the cold water to retrieve it :-)

Then it was time to watch out for the other boats! Leo and Hazels came in 2nd and Carolyn and Norah's came in 3rd.....and to this day Jack's remains "lost at sea".

It was a great afternoon with our wonderful neighbors and we already can't wait to do it again!

The Little Engine That Could

Tuesday night Brett's preschool put on a Music and Art Show at the church in town for all the parents to come see. Brett was too nervous to participate last year, but not this year...this year he was ready to go! Unfortunately, Kyle was out of town for work so he had to miss it, but I took tons of pictures for him to see when he gets home :-) 

Hammin' it up for the camera before we left :-)

I made sure to get there early so I could have seat right up front. Brett waited patiently for the rest of his class to arrive and liked pointing out his friends as they arrived :-)

Then, promptly at 6pm, the show began! I worried that once the performance started, and Brett saw how many people were in the audience, he might get nervous and forget the words or hand motions...but nope! He sang the whole time! 

Love these close-ups of my handsome boy!

After the musical, we braved the huge crowd to find Brett's artwork. He was so proud and so was I!

Since Brett was a performer that evening, I told him the rest of the night was all his to do whatever he wanted :-) He chose to play with his new lego toy (his surprise when he got home for being so brave) and watch a Curious George movie. While we were laying in his bed talking, I asked him what his favorite part of the day was (completely expecting him to say his new toy!) and he turned to me with his big blue eyes and blurted out "being in the musical"! He also told me that he missed his daddy being there but "it's okay because we can tell him all about it, right?!" His sweetness just melts my heart! Then tonight he told me that he wants to be in a musical again :-) Yep, I think his first performance was definitely a success and I couldn't be prouder of our amazing little boy!

Snow Mountain at North Creek!

Every afternoon Brett and I head to North Creek Elementary to pick up Brynara, a little girl I watch after school. He looks forward to this every day, especially now that the snow has accumulated so much so that there is a huge mountain of snow to climb on! Thank goodness for this snow pile because it helps to get the extra energy out of him before the end of the day!

All Smiles!

Making the climb to the TOP.

"I can see everything from here, mom!"

And his favorite part? Sliding back down!!

I may be way over winter, but I sure do love the joy these snow filled days bring to my sweet little boy!

Snow Fun!

Christmas Part 2

We definitely missed Matt and Amy on Christmas Day, but it was nice to have their visit to look forward to just a few days later. Ironically, my brother's birthday is on Christmas, so we not only got to celebrate the holiday again, but also Matt's birthday!

Instead of wrapping Brett's presents this year, Uncle Matt and Amy decided to hide them throughout my parent's house. Here Matt is telling Brett all about it :-) 

Here they are checking out the first gift he found...a tent making kit!

He then ventured to the laundry room to find another gift, and finally to my parent's bedroom to find his last one...where could it be?

"I see it! I see it!"

A Play Mobile Pirate Ship!

After Brett found his presents, it was time for my parent's to open their gifts from Matt and Amy. My mom loved her new fleece!

And my dad was extra excited about his new tablet! 

During all the gift opening, Brett was consumed with something else...pirate ships!

My dad and the garlic bread. Don't ask!

After dinner, it was time for our Danish tradition of rice pudding for dessert. Kyle was excited because he finally got the almond this year (another Danish tradition where whoever finds an almond in the pudding gets a prize...Kyle's been waiting to win for over 10 years now!)!

After dessert, the boys had to try out Brett's new fort kit! It's basically a box of huge tinker toys that you put together and then put a blanket over. Very cool!!

Where is Brett?

The night ended with a birthday celebration of sparklers outside in the snow! So refreshing....and so much fun!!!

After sparklers, my mom, Amy, and I took Brett for a walk around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. It felt so good to get out and move after all the eating we had done(!)....and it was so peaceful and beautiful out. Definitely something I hope we do again next year :-) Love this time of year...and love my family!