Polar Plunge

A few weeks ago our Union Rep. told us they'd like to see a group from each school to the Polar Plunge to raise money for college scholarships for WBL students.

I said I would jump without hesitation. 

I figured once one person said yes, many would follow.

I was wrong.

Luckily, Victoria wanted to take the plunge with me.

We had to raise $75 in order to do it.

By posting our links on Facebook we were over our minimum in just over an hour.

As the days drew nearer and nearer people were asking weird questions such as:

"Are you scared?"

and they'd follow it up with:

"I never do that!"

I wasn't scared and I have no idea why a grown adult would say they'd never do it.

What is the big deal?

Plus, it's fun to be involved in something.

Finally, Feb 20th arrived.

Victoria had basketball in the morning and then we headed home to pack up.

The most difficult thing was to find shoes I didn't mind wearing in a lake.

We were dressed (Scholarly was the theme) and packed and we headed to Forest Lake.

We arrived about an hour before our plunge time to Vanelli's and met Jeff and Laura.

Jeff was plunging with his kids. 

Christian was too young to plunge, but he's counting down the years and he was a huge supporter!

Victoria thought her Summer Academy shirt was the most scholarly thing she owned.

Jenna was seriously decked out!

Pre-Plunge Warm Up

(Note to self - Pre-Plunge Warm Up is key!  Arrive much earlier next year!)

You drop of your bags in a heated tent then carefully walk across the soaked carpet on the ice.

There are professional photographers and videographers, a couple hundred people watching and EMT divers waiting for you.

It's quite the crowd!

Caleigh, our amazing babysitter happened to be in town so she came out!

Victoria's BFF Julia, her mom and sister also came just to watch!

Post Plunge Fun!

Side note: While in the warming tent changing clothes a former parent approached me and starter talking about her child - while completely naked, waste down!  It was so shocking and disturbing.  If I could go back in time I would have handled the entire situation so much differently.  Besides the changing situation the entire plunge was nothing but fun.  

It was very safe and Victoria loved it.

Here are the professional pics:

We will add Polar Plunge to our family traditions!

Baking Brownies

My best memories with my kids is baking together.  I have hundreds of pics of them baking.
Last Sunday morning Brecken and I were cuddled in bed watching cartoons when I whispered, "Do you want to bake brownies?"  He lifted his little head and said, "Right now!"  We both hopped out of bed and turned on the oven…

When his hand got tired of mixing he said, "You turn."

Then put his hand on top of mine while I stirred.

Licking the bowl is by far his favorite part of the process.

It was a perfect morning.

Happy Birthday Christian

Dear Christian,

    Here it is: Your Eighth Birthday.  Every mom says, "Where does the time go?"  So here I am shaking my head looking at this adorable picture of you on your first birthday with a lump in my throat.  

You were allergic to eggs then and I had them do a triple layer of frosting on your cake so you wouldn't actually get to the cake part.  You are no longer allergic to eggs, you just don't like them now.  However, that's about the only thing you don't like to eat.  You've gotten to be a much healthier and less messy eater in the last year.  Your growing body is showing you're finally eating all of your healthy vegetables!  You've grown so much in the last year your little ankles were peeking out of all of your pants.  You only like to wear activity pants.  Which makes perfect sense because you are active!  You're running, jumping, climbing or sliding across the floor at all times.  The worn out right knee in all your pants is proof of all of your sliding.  Even though you're very active and continue to amaze us with your athleticism, what really amazes me about you, this year especially is your abilities as school.  We are blessed to be in the same grade this year.  We share the same "friends."  Some of my students were in your class in pre-school with Ms. Joy.  It's a fun connection to have.  Talk about connections, you and I have many similar experiences each day so it's fun to talk about our days after school.  Mrs. Bege could not have been a more perfect teacher for you.  Not only has she pushed you to be an amazing mathematician but your reading has improved by leaps and bounds!  She is the most sensitive teacher you could have.  As you turn eight today, you continue to be a sweet and sensitive little boy.  The other day your friend got physically bullied at recess.  You came to me sobbing so worried about him.  You are a very loyal friend.  You make good choices with who you should spend time around.  That is a great quality to posses at such an early age.  

    Last night, your belly hurt when you were trying to fall asleep.  I knew right away it was your nerves.  When you get overly excited or nervous you get a bad belly ache.  I told you to lay in my bed.  I came and laid next to you.  I rubbed your eyebrows and sang, Who Loves Christian and Go to Sleep My Little Baby to you just like I've been  doing since you were an infant.  However, now my opportunities are far and few between.  I could see your profile in the dim light from the bathroom.  I noticed you were still wearing your watch you just received from your buddy for your birthday.  Your breathing slowed down and I watched you actually fall asleep.  I loved every second of it.

          I don't think I could ever love you more than I do today.  But, then again, I've been thinking that same thing for the last eight years.

                              Lots of love, Mommy

Victoria's Luau Birthday Party

I thought I posted this months ago….but turns out I never finished it!

Victoria chose to wait for her birthday party until we moved.

So she waited late June.

The house was under MAJOR construction.

Thank goodness we had a gorgeous day and everyone enjoyed her Luau party outside!

We have some very amazing sunrises and sunsets here.

This was the night before her party in our backyard.

The boys ran and ran and ran playing soccer and tag in the front yard.

Grace and her favorite auntie!

These two could totally pass for twins!

This has been my wall paper on my phone since that day!

Love everything about it!

Victoria with our babysitter extraordinaire and my former second grader!

Gifts under the tree

Buying her books is risky because she's a super good reader for her age…

But Amanda got this one right!

It turned out to be her favorite series of all time and there were three more waiting for her to read!

Cousin Love!

Beth, my mentor and her daughter my flower girl!

Love them both and so happy they continue to be such special parts of our lives, showing up for the kids' special days!

I love this cake!

Perfection!

I love when you find a really good family and the kids love each other.

Totally the case with these two!

LOVE that my cousin and I are family on both sides! ;-)

Mama and Papa!

Baby Sebastian!

Great Grandpa and Linda.

Great Grandma - 

My kids are very blesses to have two great grandparents!

Mama & Papa!

Victoria's first BFF Julia and her sister Samantha.

Another very good family we're blessed to call friends.

Aunt Molly and Brian.

Truly the best Godmother God ever created.

She is amazing in so many ways.

Playing in the black "Hawaiian" sand is too tempting.

My little brother.

An expert on Hawaii!

He's taking his girls there this spring!

Happy Birthday to You….

Holding her hair back after that fateful day when she was four and her hair started on fire from the candles at her Scooby Doo party.

Another one of my favorite people. 

She is a friend that would drop anything to help a friend.

We've lived here for just over seven months now.

So far, that Luau party is my very favorite memory.

It was a gorgeous day filled with people that love Victoria!

It was perfect!