Kung Fu JD

 We (meaning JD) has had some trouble with concentration at school.  We (meaning I) decided that maybe doing a little martial arts after school would help.  I don't know if it has improved his concentration -- but it certainly hasn't hurt it.

 His class right before Christmas was VERY small and so his instructor let the kids do a little work with weapons.  Watch out - JD is going to be a kung fu master in no time.

Merry Christmas

 It's Christmas again -- where did the year go?  JD played with his cousins at Grandma's house on Christmas Eve.  The others are younger than him but JD enjoys being the big guy for a change.

 Kids ran wild while the adults debated about where to pose for a family picture.  I wasn't the official photographer.  When I get the "real" photo I'll post that one too.  This one may not have everyone's best side but was much more entertaining.

 It was a Skylander's Christmas.  JD got lots of skylanders and skylander themed items.

 As always, Lulu is puzzled by all the mess. 

 

After opening his own presents JD helped dad with his. 

The Birdhouse

 One of JD's cubscout projects was to build a birdhouse.  Dad helped him put it together.

 We painted it yellow.  JD decided it would be best to paint without a shirt on since the paint was the kind that doesn't wash out.

We gave it to Grandma for Christmas.  Nothing beats a homemade gift.

Goosebumps

 JD is a little obsessed with the Goosebumps books.  They are scary (mostly really dumb) stories written for kids.  He found this app on my phone and decided to "goosebumps" himself.  Then, of course, he had to "goosebumps" the bird. Ahhhh fun times!

Lucy Ruth

This is my newest little niece.  She has beautiful red hair and the most fabulous name ever --- meet Lucy Ruth.

Primary Christmas Party

 JD visited with Santa at our church's Primary Christmas party.  Afterword JD informed me that it wasn't really Santa, it was "Hammer's Dad."  I have to say - Hammer's dad did a great job.

JD took his turn at the pinata.  He came away with his share of candy even though his swing wasn't the one that broke it open.

Happy Thanksgiving

 We had a great Thanksgiving with the delicious turkey that George cooked.  I got lazy about taking picutres but Uncle Keith and JD look just as lazy here playing video games on the i-pad.

One Helpful Bird

 That Gumball is one helpful bird!  She wanted to help JD do his homework. 

 He was happy to let her take over the task.

Bird Theater

JD has been home from school for a couple days with a fever.  I knew he was feeling better this morning when he told me he wanted to make a bird theater.

 I had no idea what he meant -- but sure go ahead and build a bird theater.  He threw blankets over a table.

 Made a sign for it.  AND . . .

TA DA - a bird theater.  Now instead of watching cartoons laying on the bed he is watching them in this specially created theater complete with special bird popcorn snacks.  What do we watch in the bird theater?  RIO, What else? 

Shopping ---

oh yea - and an educational conference too.  I spent lots of time this week in Dallas at an educational conference.  It was ------ educational. 

 We stayed at this fancy hotel which was connected to  a fancy mall with . . .

 . . . this Christmas tree in the ice rink.  Our conference ended at 5:00 each day and then it was off to wander among the expensive things that I couldn't possibly afford to buy.

I thought this sign was funny.  It advertises Christmas gifts for under $400.  For everyone out there on my Christmas list --- yes, I bought your Christmas gift for under $400.  WAY under $400 and not from this store.

This Week

This week we voted. 

 JD's school is a polling place and so it was covered with signs on election day.

 This week we got our new phones.  JD tried out the iPhone 5 while I waited for mine to be activated.

 This week we had some of Uncle Tommy's delicious BBQ.  With a fancy pit like that you can't go wrong. 

 BBQ brought a large family gathering.  I guess they were drawn by the smell of smoking meat.  The boys started lining up for photos.

 Then EVERYBODY got in the picture.

JD and his cousins played video games to pass the time while the old folks reminisced.

Cub Scout Camp

Our family has had a fun - AND EXHAUSTING - weekend camping with JD's cub scout pack.  We arrived and set up camp on Friday evening.

 First light Saturday morning the boys were practicing their casting skills.  Our tent was only steps of this beautiful lake and so fishing was the first order of business.

 George was our camp cook and prepared breakfast for us.

 The official events started with the morning assembly and flag raising.

 George taught a fishing class.  I helped people sign in and check out fishing poles.  That was the deal we made -- I will help with duties that don't involve touching worms. YUK!

 He tried to help the Wang family and showed them to bait a hook.  It is amazing how many grown ups had NEVER fished before.  I said I wasn't going to touch worms - but after watching some of these people try to bait a hook I almost wanted to snatch their worms away and do it myself.

 By the afternoon class JD was a casting pro.  He was very excited when I thought we had a fish but totally made fun of me when all I had caught was the bottom of the lake.

 Evening assembly involved dinner and skits.

 Here is JD and his den doing the invisible bench skit.

 Sunday morning JD and our next door neighbor said good bye to the ducks.

 Closing ceremonies involved a lovely 15 minute "church" service that George thought was the way all church services should be.  Short, sweet and with the lake in the background.

 I taught a Geography class to these willing Tiger cubs.  Here they are playing simon says on a map of the world they drew with sidewalk chalk.

One last picture of the lake and then it was back home to unpack and shower.

Halloween

We love Halloween and get in as many celebrations as we can.

 At school we all dressed like musicians.  Once I got to school my Willie Nelson outfit seemed a little
boring compared to Gene Simmons.
 
 Trunk or Treat at the church is JD's favorite.  He loves having a chance to hold the snake.

 The goat wasn't spooky but still fun to pet and feed.

JD and his friend Lincoln collected enough candy for a proper sugar high.

ADD

Sometimes I worry that JD has ADD -- then I go to cub scouts and decide -- THEY ALL have ADD.

 Most of the pictures I took this week looked like this --- the boys were a blur as they ran by.

Once in awhile they slowed down for just a minute or two.