Go Hawks!

Iowa vs. Wisconsin

I don't have any photos of Ben because he was curled up on my lap for the entire game. Knowing how few opportunities like this I have left with him made me treasure every second!

Pinewood Derby Debut

Cece watches intently.  (Such a big girl!)

Talking Shop

Just happy to be here...

Waiting at the finish line

Ben's car is number 14

Although his car did not place in the top 3, he won the award for "Best Scout Spirit."

Family Fun Night

Face painting! And glow sticks!

And beads!

The reason we stayed in Iowa City and missed the gymnastics meet was because I was the co-chair of our elementary school's Family Fun Night.  Games, dancing, pizza, face painting, prizes and a photo booth ensured that our Saturday ended on a great note!

Ben and Maggie

Saturday was a very unusual day for our family.  Chris took Cate and Cece to a gymnastics meet in Illinois, while I stayed at home with Ben and Maggie.  I realized a few minutes after Chris left how rarely I have just Ben and Maggie by themselves.

We definitely packed a lot of activity into our day.  While Ben was at basketball practice, Maggie and I took advantage of the heat wave (40 degrees!) and spent time on the playground. 

Then we headed out to the mall.  Maggie was adamant that she wanted to get her ears pierced.  I truly did not think that she would go through with it---especially because the little girl ahead of us in line was hysterical.  Crying, sobbing and begging her mom to take her home.

When it was Maggie's turn I asked Ben to hold my phone and take a picture.  He quickly shook his head and said, "I don't want to watch."

But Maggie sat very still and, although she was scared, she didn't cry.  She was incredibly proud of herself and spent the next 10 hours telling anyone who would listen, "I just got my ears pierced.  I didn't even cry...and I'm only 5."

We planned on going ice skating but a hockey tournament led us to the Children's Museum instead.  The theme for the day was "Once Upon a Saturday" and Maggie enjoyed all of the crafts. 

Cinderella was helping make fairy wings at one of the stations.

"Why don't you have wings?"  Maggie asked.

"Well," Cinderella replied.  "I don't need wings.  I have a fairy godmother."

"Oh," said Maggie excitedly.  "I do too!  I have a fairy godmother and a fairy godfather."

This totally cracked me up because she was quite serious as she always refers to her godparents as her "fairy godparents."  Cinderella wasn't sure what to think.  

The three of us had a lot of fun and it made me realize how much Cate (as the oldest!) and Cece (as the baby!) dictate what we do and when we do it.  I think it was nice for Ben and Maggie to be able to call the shots for an afternoon.

Boys - Part 2

Having never been a boy I find some aspects of "boyhood" to be confounding (see previous post).


Yesterday Ben came home from school with a tale that had me perplexed from start to finish.


Me:  How was school?  Anything exciting happen?


Ben:  No.


(Conversation unfolds around us for a few minutes).


Ben (perking up):  Oh, I forgot.  I almost got sent to the principal's office today.


Me (betraying no hint of emotion):  Really?  What happened?


Ben (words tumbling out):  Well, me and [names of four friends] were playing "Cops and Robbers" at recess.  I was a cop and everyone else was a robber.  Then I decided to be robber too.  And my other friend.  And we were kind of tackling each other--you know, to go to jail?  Then this kindergartener came up and he wanted to play too.  But he knocked [other kid] down.  Then [another kid] dove at my boots and wouldn't let go so I almost fell.  Then Mrs. Alt-Farmer came down and yelled "What's going on?"  and the kindergartner ran away.


Me (thoroughly confused):  Um, so were you playing or fighting?


Ben:  I'm not really sure.  But Mrs. Alt-Farmer had us hug and say sorry.  She had to catch the kindergartener.


Me:  Oh.  Then what happened?


Ben:  We played it again at the next recess.

Boys

Chris:  Oh, Ben.  You've had those socks on for two days.


Ben (shrugging):  So?


Chris:  Well, you should probably change your socks Bud.


Ben (not a bit concerned):  I've had this pair of underwear on for four days.


Chris:  I think we need to talk about that...

Bread Garden Lunch Date

Baker's Bay - Bahamas

Playing Together Nicely

An occasion that is so rare these days I must document it on this blog. 

Winter Has Arrived!

Santa brought cross-country skis for Cate, Ben and Maggie. We finally got enough snow for the kids to test them out!