Pinewood Derby

This year the Cadets entered the cadet-o-rama instead of just racing against each other at our own church. Brandon was not able to participate due to the musical - bummer for him - but Matt brought both cars to the event and one of Brandon's friends raced his for him.  He didn't win anything, but Matt came home with Best in Show for the boat!

Walk on Water

A huge iceberg frozen ridge - 12 feet or more

on top of the berg

At the side of the berg - it was slippery!

We walked on water - the frozen kind. We were told this was the most frozen lake Michigan has been in over 20 years. People were driving out from Grand Rapids to look at it and walk out on it. I convinced the family that it was an adventure we couldn't pass up.  They weren't so sure. I hear lots of groans when I suggest an adventure - but we all went.

It was beautiful.  Truly, these pictures don't do it justice.  We walked out on the lake (not on the cement walkway) because it was much flatter and easier terrain on which to travel.  I wanted to walk out to the light house where the 'blue' chunks were.  From shore, you could see these bright blue bricks in the distance and I wanted to see them up close.  We made it!  There were HUGE cracks in the ice, but you couldn't see any moving water anywhere so I never felt we were in danger.

Carla (with broken foot boot) and kids walking back to land

Volleyball and Spirit Days

Anika will tell you that she was forced to play volleyball.  I did tell her she had to play, but I'm not sure what I would have done if she flat out refused.  When you only have so many girls in your class and you understand how to hit the ball, I felt it was necessary to step up and help out the team.  She has one good friend on the team which has made a world of difference!  She is the main setter - which still cracks me up. You don't play organized volleyball here until 7th grade, so they aren't the best. Only 1 of them can even accomplish an overhand serve regularly, but I think over all she has been happy with playing.  Her knees and ankles hurt a lot lately - not sure if its volleyball or the fact that she just keeps on growing!

They had spirit week at school. Below you can see a few of her fashion ideas.  I went out and bought two super hero t-shirts in adult sizes after she wore this 7/8 superman pj shirt to school. Good grief.

Super hero day

Erkel day

My Gorilla Baby

Several months ago, it was announced that the high school would be doing Tarzan for their musical this Spring. We knew a few people that were going to participate and as time went on, it became known to us that they needed two young boys to be the young version of Tarzan and the young version of Terk (his gorilla buddy).  Brandon was unable to go to the original try outs but they offered him his own try out time. We were informed the next day that Brandon had not gotten either of the parts, but would he consider being a young ape in the ape ensemble. Brandon decided he wanted to give it a try and so began weeks of practices. He typically had to practice twice a week for 2- 3 hours each night. The rest of the crew was there 4 nights a week. He also had to be there every Saturday afternoon.  There were several things he had to give up or not commit to fully - which was hard for him.  More than once he wished he hadn't said yes. The final two weeks were every night for 3- 4 hours. He was tired, he was having fun, but he still hated missing out on other things, and he was quite sure he was too busy.  

Dress rehearsal evening.  His teacher had talked to the director and planned a 5th grade field trip.  He would buy pizza and any 5th grade student that wanted to come and watch the play (see Brandon on stage) could come.  Brandon was so excited his classmates were going to be there.

I head back stage with him to help him get dressed. He has no clue about make up and I wasn't sure what they wanted on him for makeup, but I had brought along some essentials.  I got the foundation, eye liner and mascara on, then we turned it over to the volunteer make up artists.

Once he was finally ready, we walked out into the hallway, where we were greeted with several high school girls, all swooning over how cute he was, and how great he looked, and OH MY I HAD TO LEAVE!  So, I asked him if he was  good, and he said yes, and I went and found my seat.  Since, I have learned that he was this cute, funny kid that all the girls adored. A little brother sort of thing. He was having a blast.

Brandon and his 'ape mom'

The musical was a success. Afterwards, the class all surrounded him and big Tarzan came over for a picture with them all - it was pretty cute.  

To say the adrenaline was flowing and that he enjoyed himself would be an understatement.  Saturday night's performance was the finale and he had so much fun. He came running up to me afterwards all excited. He and I stayed quite late cleaning up. When we got home, he went in to say goodnight to Matt.  Matt's description was 'BEAMING' - and its a good one.  He's already trying to figure out whether or not he should try out next year!

his ape family - mom and sister

Basketball

Basketball season is all wrapped up for the year.  Jessica thought it was the best thing ever, Maria wasn't really so sure.  The two of them played in a city rec league put on by the local high school. Brandon enjoyed playing with his classmates against other 5th grade teams from private schools in the area. His team only lost 2 game throughout the season but met one of those teams in the semi-finals of the tournie. They only lost by a few points, but were sad they didn't make the championship.

Concerts and ice skating

We spent a late afternoon into the evening with Aunt Kathy.  First, we went to a brass concert, which I thought was well done. The kids liked the cookies afterwards.

Then we went to downtown GR to do some ice skating on some real ice - not the bumpy stuff on our road!

Cousin fun

The Indiana Eburgs came to visit for a weekend. The two adult boys went to the wild game dinner at church.  The rest of us just sort of hung out and did life. All the kids spent some time skating on our road! And Anika and Elyse did Grant's hair!