The weekend

Here it is Wednesday and I'm finally getting around to writing about last weekend.  Maybe I should just write about the upcoming weekend and I'll be ahead of the game.  The kids had their last basketball games.  It's been a fun season, they've both learned a lot about the game and improved their skills.  They also had some fun running up and down the court. 

Here's Will hustling.  He was the king of assists on his team. 

He also played some fierce defense, even though he wasn't crazy about having to guard a girl.  You know, your arm might accidentally touch hers or something awful like that. 

Saturday after basketball was cold and snowy so some of us opted for naps.  This is Trigger's favorite place to sleep, right on Glenn's shoulder.  And no, I'm not preparing to smother Glenn, he likes to block out all of the light.  And yes, he has tacitly approved the appearance of this photo on the blog. 

Tootsie says, "Wait a minute.... how come I'm napping on the end of the bed?"  Hey, at least you are napping Tootsie and not awake taking pictures...

So that was Saturday and now we go back to Friday.  Reina had her last game of the season, too.  She had slightly tougher conditions to play in because the kids didn't have school on Friday so I took the day off and we went skiing.  After skiing, we drove home in time for Reina's ballet practice.  And after ballet practice?  Her basketball game. This newly 6-yr old was a wee bit tired by the time basketball rolled around.  In the first five minutes of being there, she shot the ball but it hit the rim and bounced back directly on her head, thirty seconds later, someone accidentally hit her on the head with the ball, then when she was running down the court, she and other player ran into each other and she hit the floor.  At the end of her rope, she burst into tears and spent a few minutes on my lap before rejoining the game.  She's a trooper. 

All smiles after the game

Mom's pathetic attempt at an artsy basketball photo that's marred by the flash showing up in the reflection. 

As I mentioned, no school on Friday, decent weather conditions and two adrenaline-seekers meant that we had the perfect formula for a day of skiing.  We hadn't been since this week last year when the four of us headed up to Snowy Range.  This time, Glenn had to work so it was just the three of us.  I crossed my fingers and we headed west.  Our trip was uneventful and while it took a little longer to get everybody's boots on, gloves found, helmets procured, skis attached and jackets zipped, we made it to the mountain. 

Let's ski Mom!

I signed Reina up for a few hours of ski school and Will and I practiced on the mountain.  He is a daredevil who's not inclined to turn his skis very often but we made it relatively unscathed.  After Reina's lesson, we had lunch and then skied together in various groupings.  The kids are enthusiastic and brave and I'm so proud of how hard they try out there.  We had a really great day. 

I forgot to get a picture of us outside post-ski so we had to settle for a backseat camera shot.  Rosy cheeks and slightly tired eyes. 

This is Reina's before-ski shot.  Shhhhh don't tell her she's wearing Will's old ski pants. 

We can't wait to see what next weekend brings! 

Mom takes her new camera to the UW basketball game

To celebrate Valentine's Day, we packed everybody in the car and headed over to Laramie for another UW basketball game.  How romantic, right?  We were able to buy cheap tickets thanks to a "youth sports" promotion, which also meant we got to go down to the court after the game and take pictures. I fully admit that I was probably the most excited family member for that part.  Since I knew we'd have a great photo opportunity, I hauled along my new camera and fancy new camera lens.  The game was a little boring in that Wyoming got a lead early and won easily.  There were some fancy dunks and the score got a little too close for comfort once or twice.  But, after the overtime excitement of the last game we attended, we didn't mind too much. 

Trying out the zoom lens - our seats were not this close but amazing what the camera lens can do!

Here's a more accurate view from our seats.  Almost half court though!

Two of my favorite Cowboy fans at halfcourt. 

Will was a little disgruntled because when we told him that he got to go on the court after the game, he thought he'd be able to shoot baskets.  Good point kid, except no one brought a ball.  Undeterred, here he is posing for a free throw anyway. 

We take a timeout from cute kid pictures for Mom to take a photo of her two favorite sports radio announcers.  The score, oh the score!

The dance group gladly posed for a picture with Reina.  She was thrilled.  I asked Will if he wanted in on the picture too and he turned red and mumbled something along the lines of "no way, Mom."

Kiddos and Pistol Pete.  This was his last picture so we had to make it a great shot. 

Reina would like everyone to know that she can shoot free throws too.  She actually made her first baskets at her basketball pre-game this week. It was a milestone.  She attempted two shots in the actual game but they didn't go in.  I'm so proud of her for sticking with it, it seems like she's really starting to enjoy basketball. 

I had to get a picture of me at half court!  Granted, I should've put more thought into my hairstyle (anti-frizz creme anyone?) but hey - I'm at a half court! 

We had a great Valentine's Day and a fun holiday weekend.  Winter weather is back and there's some snow on the ground but we are all home this week and nobody has to travel.  Will has a cold and we'll see if it develops into anything that requires one of us taking a sick day.  Stay tuned! 

Cleopatra's birthday party

On Sunday, we had Reina's Cleopatra-themed birthday party.  It was exhausting and the kids blew threw all of my planned activities within the first 20 minute (of the 2 hour party - next year Glenn says we are putting 90 minutes on the invitations), but everyone had a great time.  

To fulfill the Cleopatra theme, we had to get a little creative.  I wasn't sure how to throw a party around the theme of a queen who may not have been the nicest person on the planet and certainly made a dramatic exit.  We ended up going more Egyptian than strictly Cleopatrian but when Reina becomes a world famous archaeologist, she can throw her own historically accurate birthday celebration.  

So here's what we did: 

One pyramid made out of rice krispies.  It had a rough-hewn look and leaned a little bit.  It's how I imagine the real pyramids must've looked when they were being constructed, except they weren't as delicious.

Cleopatra (notice the eyeliner and eye shadow?) blowing out six candles.

 We also had several mummies roaming around the house, thanks to Glenn and his toilet paper skills.

Glenn took his mummy duties very seriously.  Good thing TP is breathable.

Reina's BFF and his perfect mummy imitation.

The party guests made Egyptian collar necklaces thanks to some stick-on jewels and a bunch of gold poster board. My original plan involved bracelets made toilet paper rolls, jewels and a big can of gold spray paint. After an hour at the craft store, I psyched myself out and settled on something that didn't involve a big can of gold spray paint.  The new carpet thanks me. 

Besides the rice krispie pyramid, we also had a Lego pyramid courtesy of big brother.  Of course, no Egyptian era pyramid is complete without a couple of storm troopers to guard the entrance. 

So the party was a success.  The birthday girl was happy.  All of the party-goers went home wearing eye liner and talking about lots of toilet paper.  So far we haven't had any calls from confused parents.  Glenn took a nap before the last party guest left.  Will was a big help bother before and after the party.  The birthday girl enjoyed her day and already has big plans for next year. 

A letter to the birthday girl

Dear Reina:

Today you are six.  Six! When you woke up this morning, you proudly announced, "I am officially six!"  Yes, you are kiddo.  You have more loose teeth than we can keep track of, you are reading like a champ, you proudly paid for your own little toy at Target a few weeks ago and carefully counted out the dollar bills for the checkout person, you sign R E I N A with a flourish and you keep us entertained all the hours of the day. 

Reina's best Grumpy Cat impression. I think she nailed it.  This was the birthday shirt that she specifically asked for.  If you can't have your own cat, a Grumpy Cat shirt comes in a close second.  

Holy cow, she looks like a big kid in this picture. I don't know where she's learned the lean-to-the-side-tilt-your-head-like-a-model thing that she has going on, but let's face it, it works for her. 

Opening presents early on your birthday morning is a tradition that can't be beat. 

Daddy's addition to the pile of presents - her very own bow complete with hot pink-tipped arrows.  Naturally. 

Reina, I say this every year, but I can't believe it's been six years since you popped into our lives.  You are a complicated little creature.  Your interests are as numerous as the stuffed animals that fill up your room.  On the car ride home from school you want to talk about Egypt and Isis and what people wore 100 years ago and whether or not we should refer to Joseph as Jesus' stepdad.  At the library you pick out books about Cleopatra and Barbie princesses and bats and babies and cats of all shapes and sizes.  You are determined to teach Tootsie and Trigger new tricks and you desperately want to carry Baby Cousin around the house.  On your latest report card, your teacher commented that you are quite mature for your age.  At school, you don't like when other people get in trouble. (At home, it just depends on the person....)  You can be a bit of a worrier but we are going to work on that. (You come from a long line of people who like to stew about things.)  Reina, you race around this house with endless energy, making elaborate plans for all of your toys, drawing pictures and playing with your brother until finally you collapse into a pile of long legs and crazy blonde hair at bedtime. We can't wait to see what the next year brings for our lovely girl.  Happy birthday dear Reina! 

Baby Cousin and Uncle Glenn

Last weekend, we got to babysit Baby Cousin for a few hours while her parents went to the movies.  She's a delightful addition to our evening and a good time was had by all. 

Well, the good time got off to a slightly slow start.  Baby Cousin is not impressed with Uncle Glenn's attempts at feeding her. 

Disappointed and disgusted by the way he offers yogurt. 

I prefer to feed myself, thank you very much.

 As the evening rolled on, her mood brightened towards everybody in the house. 

There's a smile! 

 Uncle Glenn found an activity to keep Baby Cousin busy while I cleaned up the kitchen and the big kids took baths.  I thought she liked it so much because she could pretend that she was running away from Uncle Glenn. 

Wheee!!  Walking laps around the kitchen and living room circle. 

There's a smile for Uncle Glenn! 

She's changing so fast.  I won't be able to call her Baby Cousin for much longer, Toddler Cousin is much more appropriate at this point.  She was happy and chatty and kept us all entertained.  Can't wait for next time!