Where’s the snow?? Plus, a couple of funnies!!

Being November, and for that matter - the end of November, you would think that I would be posting pictures about playing in the snow, or snowmen, or snow angels, or snowball fights, or sledding, or something that has to do with it being winter and being cold! But no, of course not, instead, my kids spent a few days for the past week, outside usually playing in the leaves! And in fact, yesterday, they didn’t even bother to wear coats! (Yes, being their mother I insisted that they wear them out, but that didn’t stop them from taking them off!!) Those two boys really get along quite well, most of the time!!

I don’t know why but the other night, the boys gathered together every hat in the house, and decided to wear them all at once. It was funny watching them try to get as many as they could onto their heads at one time, both of them having a different strategy! Riley’s was to try and get as many as he could to fit over the top of each other. Wes’s strategy was simply to shove them as hard as he could against one another (and his head) so that they would squash together and hopefully allow more room. As you can see from the pictures, I think Riley’s looks a little more unstable, but has more hats (I think it was 11 or 12). Wes actually has fewer hats, but they were more stable (6 or 7).

I do believe that Riley has chosen the correct profession! (For those of you who don't know, he want's to be a Vetrinarian / Tae kwon Do Teacher! And when he tells people, he says it just like that.) Anyway, Riley has become the favorite of the animals in our neighborhood. Yesterday, Riley couldn't be anywhere outside, without this little guy around. And if Riley was sitting down somewhere, this cat (Riley named him Spotty) was snuggled up next to him, or on top of him.

Just a last little funny thing, but I actually think it’s just more adorable then anything! The other night Wes came up to me and wanted something (I don’t remember what) but he said “My Friend said that I could.” I looked at him, and said “What friend would that be, buddy.” “DAD.” He said, obviously a little frustrated that I had to ask. And then again this morning, Wes told me, “Mom, I helped my friend, Dad, put up the lights last night?” It’s just so cute, how he adds “my friend” now whenever he mentions his dad. Just like he would tell me about “my friend, Tanner” or “my friend, Nick.” (How do I get him to refer to me like that I wonder???)

A little more Braggin'!!

I know I get on here and brag a lot. But I figure since it's not about me, then it's Okay! I'm a mom and I'm suppose to brag about my kids right?? (I mean what kind of horrible mom would I be if I didn't brag about my kids.) Well, I definitely don't want to be a horrible mom, so here I am again, ready to brag away!!

So about a month or so ago, Riley got home from school and ran in the house, and before he even said "Hello" he said, "Mom, I want to enter the Reflections contest." After I said "Hello" to him, I then agreed that if he wanted to do Reflections, then darn it all, he should do Reflections. He then proceeded to tell me that he wanted to enter the pictures I had taken at the zoo! So I sat him down, and explained that I didn't want to enter the Reflections Contest, and probably couldn't at my age, but that if he wanted to take some pictures of something and enter the Photography portion of the contest, then I would happily teach him how to use my camera. This of course, was taken very very very well, since pretty much NOONE is allowed to touch my camera at my house, and here I was telling him that I would let him use it, so he felt this was pretty awesome. So we spent then next couple of days, and then weeks out in the yard letting Riley practice, and play with my camera and try all of the different lenses. Then he decided that he wanted to take pictures of Dinosaurs, so we headed to the museum at Thanksgiving point. I gave him the camera, and let him 'go to town' (he took almost 400 pictures at the museum). Afterwards he picked out the ones he wanted to enter, and he made a collage of them, and entered. Anyway, last night we went to see how he did. (I love that they make sure to give all of the kids that enter a medal, and make them know that they are important, and did something wonderful.) But RILEY WON. Yes he got the participation medal, but he also got a silver medal (Award of Merit)!!! And they are sending his Photographs onto the next stage of the contest!!! Yeah Riley!! I know I've said this before! But I'm so proud of him!!

New Belt!

I don't have any pictures because I was too engrossed in watching the testing, and then I wasn't able to be there the next night when he was actually awarded the new belt, so you will all just have to imagine it. But I can't let that stop me from putting it up on my blog because I'm so darned proud of him! But Riley did a very long round of testing and got his new belt. It's a white belt with a black stripe! It's called a "High White" belt because it is the highest rank in the white belt range. His next belt will be a solid Yellow Belt. He has worked for a year and a half so hard, both Phil and I are very pleased and proud of him! So next time you see him, make sure to congratulate him. It will make his day!!!

Tournament!!

Well, this was a new experience for all of us! Riley has been doing Tae Kwon Do for about a year and a half, and he has gotten new belts and learned all sorts of new things, but this is the first Tournament we have ever been involved in, or even seen for that matter. It was rather exciting - long - but exciting. Especially the sparring part of it! I think Riley enjoyed that part best! We just have to convince him, that when they have pads on, they are expected to hit the opponent, and he doesn't need to pull his punches or kicks. (Oh, Well, it was his first time, and I'm glad he isn't quickly willing to hit or hurt another person. I guess we will just have to get him to get over that - I mean only in Tournaments that is.)

But being his first tournament, he did pretty well. He competed it two different things - forms and sparring. He won a silver medal in forms, and a bronze in sparring. Yeah, Riley!!!! (He was quite nervous, and I'm so proud of him.)

Halloween!!

I've tried to decide if Halloween is more for the kids or the parents/grandparents. I know the kids love the candy, and it's rather a long day for the parents. But, come on, why do we spend so much time getting costumes ready & made, and faces painted and then taking the kids from grandmas, to the other grandma's to work, and to aunts and uncles, and everywhere in between. I'm pretty sure both of my boys would have been more then happy to just wander the neighborhood collecting treats, and then come home and rest. They as well as mom and dad enjoyed going from place to place to place, but I know it's not thier idea, and would be just as happy if we didn't. So who is Halloween for then, the kids or the Parents??? I think for now, with my kids and my sisters kids at the age that they are, that it's for the parents. Maybe when they get older, and don't have such adorable costumes, then maybe I'll change my mind.