February Misc.

I know I've said it a million times before but it really is those little things we do every day that keep us busy, create family bonding and bring life experience. February, like every other month, was jam packed with random activities and adventures.

Lincoln has been using his Lego Ideas book and created this piano. Under his bed is filled with dozens of Lego creations that he's made and he's trying to protect from being destroyed. 

The BBBT now has a secondary location on the end cap of our local Fry's grocery store. 

We were invited to a Super Bowl party at the Curtis' house. We met up with some other friends there and had a feast! The boys loved playing with all the kids and we visited while we watched a disappointing ending to the Falcons vs. Patriots game. 

Logan was too cute in this towel. It's old and I've had it since Lincoln was a baby but he loves it so I let him continue to use it. 

Lincoln's class 

"I'm going to work" This is a picture of Logan drew. 

Logan has become quite the artist. He loves his Boogie Board to draw in at church and I take pictures because once you push the button, it's gone. This is the roller coaster at DCA with the big sun wheel in the back. 

Logan's primary class (TJ, Nathan, Drake, Logan, Madison who was visiting)

I woke up on a Saturday morning and found these cute boys cuddling together playing iPads on the floor next to Logan's bed. I listened for a few minutes before they saw me and it was so sweet to hear them getting along so nicely. 

The boys were good sports and went with me one day for breakfast, to run some errands and to get a pedicure. 

So proud of Lincoln who recieved Student of the Month - Growth Award for Math. His test scores are off the chart, he's doing 5th grade math in 4th grade and he helps those in his class who need some extra help. Mrs. Leto has been a wonderful teacher for him. 

Saturday movie fun for me and the boys. 

Since the weather is so beautiful we've tried to go in the backyard more. This night we had some cuddles on the couch and lit a fire. 

I got this picture during one of my tennis matches. The boys were working on homework at church while they waited for Lincoln who was at scouts. It brought a huge smile to my face while I was on the court. 

YW Fundraiser

The young women at church hosted a fundraiser to raise money for girls camp. The theme this year was Alice and Wonderland. I was really impressed with the decorations, the food was wonderful and they worked the theme creatively all the way through. It was a fun evening and we were glad to be a part of helping these young women get to girls camp.

First Trip to Texas

I'm a bit baffled that in all the years, with as much work as I've done and as many friends as I have in Texas that I had actually never been there. Sure, I've done a few layovers at the airports but never went and did anything there. It is even a state that Ricky and I considered moving to when we ultimately decided to move to Phoenix. I've always just had a draw to Texas.

I finally had the opportunity to go. It was a work trip and unfortunately I didn't plan my travel right so I didn't get to do much of anything except work. Bummer! I did find some fun, and amazingly delicious, places to eat while I was there. I purposely chose hole in the wall, ma and pa places, which isn't always an easy thing for this very picky eater. It all turned out to be the right move though. I look forward to going back and will definitely plan better next time.

 The work building is in the middle of nowhere with cows and ducks out the window but it was beautiful. I spent most of my evenings in Roanoke for dinner. BBQ, homestyle cookin', and a local pizza joint. 

 This Mexican food was the best I have ever had. I was missing my boys because I know they would have loved it!

 In keeping with tradition, I found a local cupcake shop and brought some home for the boys. The place was cute and they looked really good but unfortunately I wasn't impressed with the owner. The cupcakes survived the travel but I wasn't overly impressed. A bit too dry for my liking. Ricky liked his vanilla one though.

February School Work

With the start of the year well underway and with just a few months left of school, the boys ended up with quite a few homework projects to complete. I'm very proud of both of them. The school structure and learning comes very naturally for Lincoln that is one of his strengths. For Logan it requires much more work, focus and effort. When he is able to focus and work hard, he can achieve great scores also. They both have different strengths and challenges and I am proud of them for how they overcome or work at those things.

Logan really struggled with spelling at the beginning of the year but he is mastering it each and every week. He even wins the "sparkle spelling" game they play in class each week.

 Logan is practicing writing in full sentences.

 Logan created this little book in music about different composers. 

 This paper is something I found in Lincoln's backpack. I don't know if it was an assignment or just a writing piece he did on his own. He is a pretty creative writer - although I don't like when he writes about dark things or war. 

 Logan's work.

 Lincoln's Cover Page

 Lincoln's paper

Lincoln's drawing. 

 Lincoln had to write a research paper. He chose to write it on the Common Octopus. He did research online and at the library, he wrote a rough draft, a second draft and then typed a final draft. 

 This was the artwork that he included with his research paper. 

This was the peer review from the other kids that read his paper. He ended up getting a perfect score!

Mother and Son Glow Party

Every year the boys' school does some sort of a Mother/Son activity around Valentine's Day. One year it was a dance and Grammy came with us. Last year it was a magic show and dinner. This year they decided to do a glow party with really was just a dance with a lot of lights and glow sticks. We decided to invite Bam Bam with us because then each boy could have a date and she would have the opportunity to experience an elementary activity. The boys, and I, were thrilled that she came with. I let the boys choose where we had dinner so we ended up at NYPD Pizza before the dance. We danced our hearts out until the end of the very last song. By the time we were heading out the boys were wiped out and ready for bed. It was a fun evening and memorable night for us all.

 Dinner at NYPD Pizza

 Brothers are best friends!

 Bam and the boys.

Mom and the boys

 I got them to take a break and stop for a picture

 Logan was a little shy at first to dance in front of people but after some work from Bam and me, he warmed up pretty quickly.

Lincoln with some friends from his class.

Happy Valentine's Day

I decided that it would be more fun to make the boys Valentine's cards this year so we pulled up Pinterest to get some creative ideas and I let the boys pick what they'd like to do. We went to Sam's Club and got the candy and then we put it all together. I think they turned out to be super cute and unique. The boys each had a short party in class that afternoon. Ricky and I got to have a night out together with a fancy and delicious dinner at Fleming's, followed by a movie. It was a wonderful day and I'm so grateful to have three wonderful boys to love.

The boys woke up to some balloons, a present with a toy, some chocolate and donuts. Good way to start the day!

 Logan's card and candy.

 Lincoln's card and candy

 Logan and I got to create this Valentine's heart together as part of a homework assignment. It hung in the hallway at school until Valentine's day.

Valentine's math