Molty

 Cache had a great day this week. His tarantula, now known as legs, molted! The coolest part was Cache knew it was coming. He was studying the behaviors and watching for clues, then researching it on the computer and sure enough, a couple of days later the spider shed its skin. While its not my cup of tea, his excitement was contagious. He dissected the skin piece by piece and found its fangs, which he thought was absolutely Christmas morning. 

Mission to Mars

Lat year, in July of 2020, Nasa sent a rover, Perseverance, to Mars. It took seven months to reach the planet 300 millions miles away. I was lucky enough to sub for the kids school, Woodland Hills, the day it landed.

Woodland Hills made the day a big celebration. The lobby was decorated, classes did special projects and activities and the whole school watched live as the rover touched down. It was fun to see the boys in their individual classes doing neat things and being in the school while it buzzed with excitement. 

The best part was watching the landing. The school erupted in cheers and applauses as it touched down safely. We were all part of history in our own way that day. I loved it and I love our school for making it such memorable experience for the kids. 

Sledding

The snow has been scarce this winter. We've had some here and there, but not as much as years past. This weekend, we had a bit of a snowstorm and took advantage while  we could. We pulled the boys around on the yeti and had a blast. 

We had two people inside the cab, two people in the bed of the yeti and two people being pulled on the sled. It was the best set up.

A word about our yeti, I LOVE it. I wasn't convinced we would benefit from a UTV when Scott started talking about it. And we certainly didn't "need" one. But it has turned out to be so fun, useful and such a blessing. It has taken us on summer adventures, hunting trips and up and down the mountains, and pulled us on winter sled rides. It has provided joy and family adventures that I will always cherish. 

 

Little Things

 I've been thinking a lot about the little things that mean so much to be and I don't want to forget. Here are a few:

Listening to Battle of the Sexes on the radio every morning with the boys on our commute to school. We all listen and guess the answers. It gets us talking and laughing first thing in the morning. Its my favorite part of the day.

Saying prayers, shutting the closet door and tucking in the little boys every single night. 

Picking up random lego pieces around the house in the most random places. 

When Kyle mixes up "usually" with "actually".

Watching Beckett flex in front of the mirror when he doesn't think anyone is looking. 

Whenever Scott had to move the drivers seat back in the van he says, "Dang midgets been driving again."

Taydens willingness to hug me and tell me he loves me whenever he leaves. 

Caches bouncing when he is playing and exciting game or watching an intense show. 

The fact that motherhood is not even second nature anymore, its part of who I am. 

The way the my planner found a home on the corner of my countertops.

The sounds of sports all day every day. Either being played or watched. 

How Cache covers his head to sleep just like his dad. 

The joy that hits my heart when the sun shines through my windows onto a freshly made bed.

The smell of our church house. 

My life is so, so good. 

Packard Date

Last week, while Matt and Jen were in town, we went out on an adult only date with the Packards. We went to dinner at Fugi Habachi Grill and then axe throwing afterward. It was so nice to spend time with Scotts parents and siblings without having to worry about our kids. 

Axe throwing turned out to be really fun. I wasn't very good, but once Cheryl showed me the right way to do it, I was at least hitting the board. I even got a bullseye or two. She was my lucky charm for the night.

Scott was pretty good too. Good enough to stick the axe in handle first. 

Progression on a bullseye.

I love these people and feel so blessed to have married into a great family. I love that I belong and claim the Packards as my own. 

  

Big Boy Birthdays

Its that time of year again. The double whammy birthday.

Becketts birthday was wonderful. It fell on Sunday, so it was really relaxed. It was our off week at church (COVID problems) although Tayden and I had Young Mens/Womens. After Tayden and I got back we opened gifts and then headed to Grandma and Grandpa Packards where we celebrated both birthdays with everyone.  

Beckett is the best 10 year old. He is silly, funny, confident, smart, athletic and incredibly loving. True  to his nature, his passion runs hot. He gets upset easy, but apologizes every single time without fail. He knows who he is an walks to his own beat. I say this every year, but I hope that never changes. I hope he always has the self love that he does now. 

Beckett is doing great in school and is turning out to be quite athletic. He is big for his age, but learning how to use his size. His speech has started slipping a bit, but we have started home speech and I'm hoping that will help. He loves to help cook, especially pancakes and eggs or anything that involves a knife. He hates taking out the garbage and loading the dishwasher. He is one of my favorites!

The only downside of Becketts birthday was Scott slicing his finger on the mandolin slicer. He ended up going home and getting stitches from our good friend, Chad. Good thing Sharlee was there to bandage him up in the mean time. 

Tayden lucked out and his birthday fell on an off Monday, so no school for him. We hung out for the day and got to meet JoDells son, Brayden. Scott finally got home for work so we could open gifts and Tayden has never been more excited. He got his first phone. I have really been dragging my feet when it comes to buying him a phone, but after we lost him between sports practice a couple of weeks ago, I knew it was time. He got a Gabb phone. It doesn't have internet, social media, or any apps of any kind. It is a phone to call and text, it has an alarm and calculator along with a camera. I love the freedom it gives him and the piece of mind it gives me. 

Tayden is the best 12 year old. He is a prankster, super athletic, confident and brave. He teases his brothers to no end, but loves them just as much. School doesn't come super easy to him, but he works hard at it and it shows. Sports continue to rule his heart. He eats, sleeps and lives sports. All day every day. Tayden still hates spaghetti and bananas, but is finding the joy of semi spicy food. He is growing up faster than I'd like, but I can do nothing to stop it. He is one of my favorites. 

I love these boys without end. They are a major part of my world and I am so proud to call them mine!

Caches Rough Day

Cache was having a day the other day. He was having a rough, mean, awful to everyone kind of day. I couldn't take it any longer and forced him to put on his coat and shoes and go for a walk with me and Luna. Fresh air works miracles for my kids and this was no different. Within a few minutes Cache was telling me all about his bad day and we talked about how we can can change our attitude. Before you know it, he was all smiles. He was so intrigued with the ice and how it had frozen to look like coral. He walked on the ice the whole way home looking for hidden treasures. It was slow and I kept trying to hurry him along and then it hit me, we are out here to spend time together. So, I slowed down to a painstaking snails pace and soaked up my sweet boy. He needed time together and it turns out, so did I.