That's how I feel lately. February is almost over and before I know it we will be sending Kennedy off to college, then the twins on a mission and Boston to the major leagues!
The Troubleshooters didn't know what was coming their way when they drafted these two. They are great defenders and have each managed to score a basket or two this season. They continue to provide the team and fans with entertainment. During one game they were fighting with each other as each one felt the other was in their "spot." It's been a fun season which will wrap up next week.
Kennedy is in BPA (Business Professionals of America) and represented Friendswood well at the Regional competition. She won 1st place in Keyboarding. She heads to state in Dallas March 3-6. She has some quick fingers that know how to perform. I will say, she gets this skill from me. My typing speed was one reason Eric was attracted to me. Aren't I humble?:) We are thrilled Kennedy is not only participating but showing up big time.
Boston is playing basketball too. When he went to tryouts he was still on crutches and no one in Friendswood knew much about his basketball skills. They heard the twins played on the 7th grade A football team and went from there. As you can see, Boston is a bit taller than his teammates but the little guys on his team are awesome defenders and have pulled together a great season. They are 3rd in their age division coming into the tournament which starts Saturday.
Enjoying a little DQ after his first game.
Leighton tried out for a regional choir back in December and was selected. The big performance was some time in January (don't you love how I keep track of these things). There were 200 kids that tried out from our area and he was the 20th and last seat selected. He has surprised us with his vocal skills and confidence.
I forgot to get a pic of the two of us so a selfie in the car will have to do.
Kennedy enjoyed her first official date with The Braxton (as I refer to him). At this point, they are more like buddies which is perfect. #sweet16andneverbeenkissed #braxtonisagentleman
For a school project, Kennedy had to create a humanitarian club with her English group. They created Kindr (Kids Implementing Natural Disaster Relief) and took it beyond the classroom. They made a web site, created t shirts, started a twitter account and distributed fliers throughout the community for a donation drive. Kennedy can't do anything the simple route. It was a big undertaking but worth it in the end. She was able to donate the food to an apartment complex pantry that houses people 55 and older and the rest of the items to a women's shelter.
Boston sure makes that car look tiny:) Trying out our neighbors Kia.
Jackson surprised us all when he informed me that he won the Geography Bee for his Texas History class. There were two students per class and he won. He loves history and is even signing up for AP history next year. I am still shaking my head in awe. Miracles:)
We tried out an ear wax candle on poor Jackson. He has been struggling with ear pain for a couple months but it came to a head a couple weekends ago. He had been on an antibiotic but it wasn't kicking it. He said it sounded like motorcycles were racing in his head or he felt like his heart beat was going to explode through his head. Poor guy. The other day in the shower before school he yelled "Mom! Something just popped in my ear!" I asked him if it felt better and he said, "Yes!" I was relieved for him. Ear pain is no joke.
Kameron and Christine came to visit us this month for a couple days. They spent a few days in San Antonio at a cattle convention then came our direction for two days. We had such a great time. We went to Galveston to see and feel the Gulf of Mexico but when we got there the road was closed off for the Marci Gras parade. What a parade! Lots of beads, lots of marching bands, lots of girls marching with not much on (lots of big booties) but lots of fun too. Boston was invited by one of the girls in the parade to come get some beads from her (she was fully dressed) and after getting approval from us, he marched on out there. The other parade goers informed him that he was supposed to reciprocate with beads to her. He was a quick study and returned the favor.
Jackson was trying to enjoy the parade but was suffering from a little anti biotic diarrhea. He had to use the outhouse right by the parade route. When he came out he was walking a bit strange and had an unpleasant look on his face. Said things didn't go so well. I advised him to go back in the outhouse and leave an offering with his underwear. He hesitated but took my advise. Just keeping it classy.
A friend of ours secured AWESOME tickets to the Rockets game. We were pretty much court side. Much different perspective sitting that close. Kameron and Christine are basketball players and fans. Christine even knew the referees name. Impressive. It was a fun evening out.
The annual pinewood derby came and went this year. I deserve a mother of the year award, once again. Eric and Boston worked so hard on Boston's car, designing, cutting, sanding, painting and fine tuning. We had a crazy day the night of the derby. I had 6:30 on my calendar for the derby. He had a basketball game at 6 so I figured he could play for the first half and then leave and get to the derby no problem. Well, we got to pinewood derby at 6:40 (ok 10 minutes late in the Mormon world is on time) and the whole dang derby was over! We missed the whole thing. Boston was devastated and I felt like a heal. They let him race against the top 3 winners and he lost and then one of the dads proceeded to tell him everything wrong with his car and why it wasn't fast. You gotta love pinewood derby dads:) The smile you see on Boston's face is as fake as they come. Poor guy.
The super bowl party was held at our house this year with the Thompson's, Frey's, Riser's, Oliver's (twins basketball coach) and Hewett's. The twins invited the rest of the ward and neighborhood but I guess they couldn't make it:) I only took pics in the beginning and slacked with getting everyone. What a game. Highs and lows and a really low to end the game - Boston was crying in the fetal position on the ground. I had to leave a house full of friends to go pick Eric up at the airport. He missed the whole game because he was in Utah at our niece, Emily's wedding. He had his priorities straight. I guess while I was gone picking Eric up, a slap bet was coming to fruition. The teenage boys had bet a slap across the face for whoever's team lost. Poor Nathan ended up getting seriously slapped across the face. Boys and their big ideas.
Eric is now over the 12-13 scouts (Deacons) and had the big idea to do a Valentine's day fundraiser. They broke the packages down to: El Cheapo (3 roses and 4 oz. See's chocolate or 6 cookies), El Guapo (6 roses and 8 oz. See's chocolates or 12 cookies), and El Heffe (1 dozen roses, 1 lb. of See's chocolates or 24 cookies). The boys did an awesome job pre selling and I ordered 200 roses and 30 some boxes of chocolates and made a couple batches of cookies. We spent Valentine's morning cooking breakfast for the scouts and putting the packages together and delivering them. Eric stepped up big time and taught the boys how to arrange flowers (he took a floristry class in high school) and I helped wrap them up nicely along with the cookies. It was a big undertaking but worth it in the end. Jackson was the big winner and sold $570 world of packages. He received a Leatherman knife for his efforts. I've said it before and I"ll say it again, scouting isn't for the faint of heart.
Boston still gets to celebrate Valentine's Day elementary school style. We (by we I mean I) managed to create a box to house his sweet nothings that resembled a Yankee jersey. I gave it my best effort. He was pleased and that's all I was worried about.
My birthday rolled around again. Crazy how that happens. Eric snuck a post in without my knowledge so some of these pics may be redundant. Eric took me for a yummy Mexican lunch at Lila's and I made him do a selfie with me. Obnoxious but necessary to document these things. My aunt Pam sent me a Nothing Bundt cake that topped the day of. It was so good. The kids and Eric put all my recipes in a nice binder and spoiled me Chanel perfume and a gift card to Gap. Oh and everyone was on their best behavior. No fighting and Kennedy got herself up for seminary and got a ride to and from. An extra hour of sleep is a big deal!
Kennedy is throwing the shot put and discus on the track team. It's all new to her and to me for that matter. Boston got a kick out of the grunting some of the girls were doing. Kennedy is a quick study and has big plans to improve her distance.
Wonderful friends - Danielle and Elise - came to support her.
One morning while driving the twins to school, I came across this familiar sweatshirt. It was Jackson's favorite one and it was missing. #lostandrarelyfound. Those boys are constantly losing sweatshirts and I am losing my mind. I guess we're even:)
