The Next Picasso

Caden is participating in an after school activity called, Watch Me Draw for the next 6 weeks.

He has taken an interest in learning how to draw. He received some great drawing supplies for Christmas and now just needs the instruction to start.

This is what he drew this afternoon; a lantern.

They are also taught some theory about what they are drawing as well.

His lesson objective for this drawing included:

*Symmetry

*Drawing on either side of center

*Having FUN!

He had a great first experience at the class and is so excited to return next week. Can't wait to see what the little Picasso will create next...

Starting Today

It's that time of year again...Girl Scout cookie time!

Calli and I hosted our annual GS cookie kick-off party at our house this afternoon.

This years cookie program activity theme is called, Starting Today...it marks the debut of Cookies Now! in which girls will have cookies in their hands on Cookie Go Day-giving everyone involved more instant cookie satisfaction than ever before!

The troop is down to 8 dedicated GS Juniors that are on their 5th season of selling cookies.

This years party included...

-a make your own sundae buffet with a side of GS cookies, of course

-filling out paperwork

-make your own duct tape wallet craft activity

-money exchange practice activity

and as always lots of FUN and GIGGLING!

I had a lot of fun prepping and decorating for the party...

Someday...I would love to be a party planner ;)

The girls had a lot of fun creating their wallets,

it was a great craft that went along with the new Cookies Now! debut. The girls will have a handy place to store their monies while out selling cookies.

We brushed up on our math skills by having the girls "sell cookies" to us and practice exchanging money for our purchases.

Thanks to our extra helpers-Papa, Nana and Dad for helping out with this activity!

Mmm...time for a little treat and SUGAR as well.

The Girl Scout Juniors of Troop 12709-

minus one due to an illness :(

Be sure to get your GS cookies this season

(from Calli of course)....

Cookie Go Day is FEBRUARY 5TH!

See you soon...!

Cousins Are Cool!

Caden thinks the world of Seth...

he is not just his cousin,

but a buddy...

a cool one at that!

Seth is now the second cousin to try out BMX riding...and not just once, but TWICE!!!

He has attended a couple of practices with Caden and has done a great job so far.

In fact, by the end of the first practice he was balancing at the gate.

We are pretty sure Seth is hooked...

who knows, they may also be BMX buddies in the near future!

Hittin' the Slopes

We enjoyed the great outdoors again by joining the Barta and Haller Families at Trollhaugan Ski Area in Wisconsin. Calli was super excited to go skiing again and use her new skills that she learned at Wild Mountain last month. Caden was equally excited to learn something new, and did not have an ounce of fear. It was a cold day, but we still had a lot of FUN...!

It only took Caden 2 runs on the bunny hill before

he was off for the rest of the day exploring the green and blue diamond hills...

Even though the air was cold and bitter,

the bright sunshine still danced through the woods on the trails...

The skiers and snowboarders getting ready to shove off down the hill...

The view from the top of this hill was amazing...

it was one our favorite blue diamond hills that we repeatedly went down.

That was until Mark led Lynn and I astray and off the hill to do some "off-roading" through the woods-I'm sure everyone heard us from miles around...

Caden did an awesome job for his first experience at down hill skiing!

He and Seth were the Energizer Bunnies that never quit...

He out skied Calli and I; Mark even took a break in the chalet without him!

Thanks for the good time and fun memories!

Now...

off to the Barta cabin to enjoy the outdoors again with more snowmobiling and family time. What a great time to spend together during this long weekend!

Race Day

Who hoo...Caden has placed 1st again this weekend!

This win puts him at #6 (out of 8) for his novice level of racing,

he is getting SO close to bumping up into the next level of racing...

SO...we have decided to put his racing "on hold" and have him concentrate on practicing for now. We too are moving up as novice race parents and learning the ins and outs and policies and procedures of the ABA (American Bicycle Association). This year, as per the ABA, we will have Caden participate in 3 State Qualifying Races (around the State) to enable him to receive awards/recognition at the Minnesota State Finals this summer. His first State Qualifying Race will be held at Rehbein's Indoor Arena the weekend of February 19th. We want to set him up for SUCCESS (and not failure) by having him still race as a novice. There will be plenty of time to race as an intermediate as he will be starting from the bottom again...

Wish him luck as he practices and works hard for his first State Qualifying Race coming soon!

Luke (Caden's buddy/classmate) came along to cheer on Caden in his first place racing.

Caden was so fired up to have him there cheering him on...it was too cute!

Just Dance

This evening the adult and kids competed in a friendly game of JUST DANCE on the Wii!

We had so much fun bouncing, jumping, twisting and shaking that it was hard to control our laughter...! Everyone had a great time and we all got our workout for the day.

The night heated up as the sisters (Amanda & I) went head to head to see who could "just dance" better...I have forgotten how competitive little sisters can be ;)

But...I'll have you know that I am still the reigning "Just Dance" Queen! ;D

At the end of our 2 hour battle, our arms and stomachs were sore from dancing and laughing.

But we sure did have a fabulous time and created great memories!

May I have this dance?......