second quarter spell off

P qualified for the first grade spell off again at the end of the second quarter. I was so proud of him - he spelled some very difficult words and was the second runner up! Daddy A snapped a couple of group shots; one is from the start of the spell off, and the other is from the end when they called all the participants up to receive their certificates.

ordinary days

a boy and his tablet

Chase is 5!

a Frozen party

C has been just a tad obsessed with Frozen since he saw the movie the night before Thanksgiving, so he requested that for his birthday theme.  I was extra excited since he has a January birthday, so the theme would coordinate with the season {and yes, I know this makes me a giant dork}.

Grandma Hen and I made C a Paleo chocolate cake {all except for the purple gel icing C requested}, and all of the adults at the party enjoyed it.  A few of the underage guests dug in, but I think they were unprepared for a birthday cake sans refined sugar.  No one complained, though.

We had a quick birthday lunch at Chick-fil-a before heading to Taber's Black Belt Academy.  P and Grandma Hen sat across the aisle from the rest of us in some of the "high seats".

The party was lots of fun!  We had Insta-snow to play in, and in the picture below the kids are having a "snowball fight" with some fluffy {and cold!} fake snowballs from Hallmark.

Since it was at the Tae Kwon Do school, of course there were some martial arts activities involved.

C didn't tell me for what he wished when he blew out the candles, but I hope all of his dreams come true!

All in all, I'd call this party a success!

ordinary days

Grandma Hen came to visit and brought some special touchable bubbles she'd ordered.  The boys both enjoyed catching and "holding" bubbles.  I even found some bubbles resting on my carpet after P and C had gone to bed!

Most Friday nights P goes to Tae Kwon Do class.  Since Grandma Paige and Poppa Fred gifted C with lessons {and P worked with his instructors to give C a free month of lessons for his birthday}, C has joined his brother on the mat.  Both boys love their classes.

After TKD, we took Grandma Hen to a local restaurant to celebrate her birthday.  P was mortified by the giant hat and asked us to promise not to bring him to this restaurant for his birthday, but C saw the beauty in an oversize sombrero and was a willing model.

After a fun filled afternoon, we were all ready to head home and get some rest before C's birthday party.