Leslie's shadow

"Fun" Craig

The boys know we have two adult friends named Craig. Guess which one came over for dinner tonight?

Finally — first flakes!

With the first snowfall of the season Monday morning, we enjoyed it while it lasted.

Fastest way to get out of the sled? Gravity.

Then back to the top to do it again!

Notice how cautious Jack is, using his hands as "brakes" so they wouldn't go too fast!

Landon was fascinated to discover his footprints made tracks in the snow. Naturally, he started walking backward so he could see them.

Of course.

Here come the smiles...






And when his cheeks were as red as his coat, it was time to go in for hot chocolate.

Love-a-saurus

From a couple of years ago at our old house, we have a picture of Leslie and Jack together on Valentine's Day when he's wearing this same shirt ... so I wanted to get one of Leslie and Landon, too.

V-Day par-tay

At Jack's classroom Valentine's Day party this afternoon.

"Minute to Win It" — candy style.

I forget — this game is to see either how many conversation hearts can you pick up with chopsticks, or how many grams of sugar second graders can consume in 15 minutes. Oh, wait a minute ... they're the same thing.

Love Potion No. 9

Best of the worst

The worship team that Leslie's on at church had a get-together last night at our friends Brian & Susan's house.

Everyone was challenged to bring the worst music they could find. And if you've ever heard of Florence Foster Jenkins, you know what I'm talking about. Yet, still, my pick to be the winner (or loser?) was a track titled "Yakety Tuba."

I think my ears finally stopped ringing ... and I finally stopped laughing.

Special forces

Having designed his Pinewood Derby car as an Army tank and having recently watched the movie "Dolphin Tale" (where one of the characters gets injured in combat), Jack was inspired to draw this picture...

...which he then wanted to give to a soldier, himself. So after few phone calls, two trips to the VA Medical Center, and some special attention from the hospital's Chief of Health Administration Management & Revenue and his staff...

...Jack presented his picture to Mr. Nelson, an Army veteran we got to meet and talk to.

On our drive back to school, I asked Jack what his favorite part of our visit was. He shrugged his shoulders but said, "One thing I do know, is everyone in there was nice."

Souper Bowl

For the second time in three months, Jack and I went with our small group from church to volunteer for the evening at Harvesters, the area's food bank. Here, he was sealing up bags for the BackSnack program, which provides backpacks of food to low-income children for the weekend.

Earlier that day, members of the Kansas City Chiefs were there doing exactly what we did, to kick off the nationwide "Souper Bowl of Caring." So, before we left, we were treated to some soup (Jack chose chicken noodle, his favorite) and a quiz on nutritional information.

For the love of Legos

I drug Jackson to another free program at the public library tonight (to a branch that's 30 miles away), except it was for a topic I thought he would really like: Legos.

Whew, I was right!

He loved learning what kind of Legos are called "S.N.O.T." — studs not on top.

Even after the speaker was done, I couldn't pry Jack away from all of the impressive models (note that the clock shows it's after 8 p.m. ... and he's the only one in sight).

Jack described it all as "Epically epic!"

Pinewood Derby

At registration, the night before.

Wow, all of the cars are so creative!

Jack, watching and waiting (and Leslie trying to corral Landon at the top left).

"Gentlemen, start your engines!"

Though it's only a 32-foot track, Jack's Army tank had an average speed of 187.3 miles per hour!

Already dreaming of next year...

5/8"

The splinter that was buried in the bottom of Landon's foot.

"Cheese" to the Apple

Taken by iPad.

NYE '11

Synjin and Jack playing the Wii on New Years Eve, just like in 2010 and 2009.

Reflecting on 2011...

Preston, Jack, Brody and Landon fishin' at the neighborhood pond one afternoon during Christmas break.

"Look, Ma — clean hands!"

Now that he's mastered going potty all by himself, Landon proves he can wash his hands all by himself, too.

Out the window, through the blinds

Lack of Pinterest

But I do appreciate it for inspiring and showcasing domestic creativity...

Turning an ordinary placecard holder into an extra-ordinary photo holder.

This Scripture reading from our wedding, without the actual passage citation (Ruth 1:16-17), kind of makes it look like a poem. But now I'm afraid Landon thinks, "Well if Dad gets to write on the wall..."

In case you have some extra macaroni, penne and rotelle laying around...

I took down the boys' artwork, and hung up past Christmas cards of our own through the years.

When our friends Joan & Craig painted their entire house before moving in, I got one of their paint chips and turned it into a little housewarming gift.

Jack's magazine origami from Bob & Lloy's house.

This dried okra would also work well with the pointy side up, as Santa's red hat.

Rethinking the wall sconce.

These boughs, hedge apples and pinecones were all completely free.

Trying to camouflage the thermostat.

I realize I've posted this picture before, but here's the ornament I made for Rob & Tracee after cutting up their wedding invitation.