Spring is around the corner

I know this, because we got baseball sign ups in the mail yesterday. Whoo-hoo!

The boys are very excited to be on the same team this year. Unfortunately, Rylan was too young to play last season, even though he had the skills.

We are getting a snow and ice storm tonight, and I hope it's the last! I do like winter, but I am more than ready for it to be over. On to spring, please.

We have some errands and school lessons to finish up the rest of this week, hockey on the weekend, then we are going to Kalahari indoor water park in Sandusky next week. We're not sure how long we are staying yet. We'll play it by ear (and see if I can get a sub to teach my classes). I'll try to get lots of pics and report back soon!

Carnegie Science Center

Today our friend Teresa took us to the Carnegie Science Center!
The kids had a great time.

Brayden on the trampoline

Monkey Rylan

Rylan loved this ship wreck excursion grabbing sunken treasure

Hydraulic robot basketball shooter

Earthquake cafe, it rocks and shakes like a real earthquake. I'm sure Bryan would not have tried this out!

Rylan learning about sound waves

Brayden and Riley building pressure for the volcano

Air machine!

Doh! I forgot...

To post Christmas pictures!

A few day before Christmas, we attended a local home school group's Christmas Party hosted by our friends, the McQueen's! Here is Brayden learning how to play Battleship.

And Christmas Morning at home: don't mind our tree topper, this is our first real tree, and the top didn't hold much.

They of course LOVED the costumes. I think they have more costumes than toys.

Rylan's ATM banking machine

Happy Sick Day, Rylan!

Rylan had a bad cold last week (and now *I*have it!).
I felt bad for him because he had to stay home with me while Bryan took Brayden out.

So, I made it as fun as possible for him, and declared 'Happy Sick Day'.

We did a lot of cuddling on the couch, and then we made banana bread.
I gave him a little bit of SPRITE (I am one of THOSE parents who don't allow pop)
He chose 5 candles to practice for his next birthday, and we sang happy sick day

Are you done singing, weird-o?

Mmmmm, candle wax, chocolate icing, and snot.

New Years Eve

We attended our third? annual NYE at our friend's house.
It was a blast, and we didn't wimp out at 11 pm like "old" people. Rylan stayed up till almost midnight, and Brayden was up much later. We had a blast talking and playing Taboo and Scategories.

Some pics of me, just because I love straightening my hair, even though I only do it once a year or less:

Mmm, chilli dooog

Star Wars!

Riley getting himself a cup, and Teresa's awesome colors in her kitchen.

Cheers!

The scene at approx: 2:30 am

Holiday Happenings

Baking gingerbread boys and other various shapes

Everything is better with sprinkles

As part of our Winter Unit Studies for school, we learned about different Holiday Celebrations including Hanukkah. I found a dreidel template, and we used one of the library books to lean how to play. The kids picked up on it very quickly, and it was fun! They are still playing it most days.

A Night Out

Last night, we went to our friend's annual Christmas party.

Cristina is a wonderful party host! As we walked in, there were "rules" clearly posted explaining where our coats go, smoking areas and restroom locations.

She and her husband Bill (the guy who took control of our kitchen during Bryaden's birthday party if you were here for that) go ALL OUT. They had 3 large baskets full of door prizes and game gifts, raffle tickets, and even a 50/50 to benefit their friends who are recovering from a severe auto accident. We played a ton of games, and had a ton of food. I made buffalo chicken dip served with club crackers, wheat thins and celery. I also brought our fondue pot and make a chocolate fondue served with oreo's, marshmellows, pretzels and clementines.

It was SO nice to get out with friends, and have adult conversations!

More door prize ticket pulling

Bryan had some drinks.

And some more. lol

Please Tell Me

that this is normal "BOY" behavior/play.

Yes, that's Barbie. With a empty roll of tape around her mouth, craft pipe cleaners around her arms and waist, scotch tape around her legs, and more pipe cleaners bounding her ankles!

Not that I even LIKE Barbie. In fact, I wouldn't even have Barbie's in my house, but this isn't an ordinary Barbie. She's a scuba/snorkel Barbie. The kids ADORE her. Is it because they LOVE snorkel/scuba stuff and she comes with the cool flippers, tank and snorkel accessories? Or do they adore her because of her ability to magically change from swimsuit to bikini when she's submerged in water? I don't know. But I do know this is a bit disturbing in a freaky serial killer S&M way.

I'll keep you posted on our Barbie Bondage situation.

Hockey Travels

We had our first away hockey game this past weekend. In Erie, Pa. During Winter. Enough said. Ugghh. The drive up wasn't too bad. We had a dusting of snow here at home when we left. As we got about 1/2 way there, near Grove City, there was snow on the ground. Then suddenly, BAM! About 18 inches or so. The roads weren't great when we arrived, but not bad either.

This picture doesn't even come close to showing how much snow there was, but you can see the snow pile in front of the parked cars- and the bushed by this mail box are BUSHES, not ground cover.

The boys were excited to take a bath in the hotel (we only have a shower stall at home)

Some of our team came to the Otter's game. Most of our team didn't come the day before, and some weren't able to the games on Sunday because of the bad road conditions. But, we had enough players- besides, we had the goalie!

That's Bryan, and yes, those are hockey puck ear muffs, and no, he wasn't drinking.

It was "donate a bear" Salvation Army night. They collected over 1,000 bears!

The Patton boys

They lost both games. We didn't find out until we were there that the team we played was the hand-picked "all-star" team! They travel to Canada and other cities in the US to compete. Doh! Poor Brayden was upset because he felt all the pressure as the goalie. He did wonderful though! He blocked a TON of great shots. Bryan got some video footage, so hopefully you'll see some clips soon. Rylan did great too, getting the puck several times and shooting it out of their zone.

The drive home was rough in parts. We got in the path of a snowstorm and had to drive about 20mph part of the way, but got home safely last night.

Oh, and a side note:
PLEASE reconcider your decision to bring a COW BELL to sporting events. The ringing does nothing to help your team win. Its just plain irritating and makes people want to shove it down your throat....or somewhere else. Thanks.

There's been a lot happening

So I haven't updated as much lately. Short version:

My aunt Sue had a hip replacement, she's doing pretty well, and while she has some down-time I get to see her more ;)

My uncle is in the IUC, and I am very worried about him.

My mom is now in the hopsital as well, awaiting more tests.

Me, Bryan and the kids are well. Got back into the swing of school today. Bryan finished some pannleing in our bedroom, and painted as well.

Good Thanksgiving. Nice and relaxed. I did have a nicey nice post including a Thankful list, but after this weekend, it sort of went out the window. Kinda late now anyway.

Brayden begins Goalie Clinic tomorow. I hope he likes it, I'll be at work so Bryan will be taking him.

We have plans to go to Erie this weekend for the boy's hockey games. I'm hesitant making final plans until I see how my hospital bound relatives are doing.

That's about it. :)