Our March (minus Caden's birthday and Spring Break)

March was a whirlwind with basketball for Cole, track/Scholastic Bowl/confirmation class for Caden, birthday celebrations, and our first cruise, along with our normal daily activities.

Cole, Kieran, and the other cul-de-sac kids helped the Lopps stack logs one afternoon.

They were so proud of their hard work!

Kieran was Student of the Week.

Kieran's family picture 

Proud of his poster

Cole finished up another basketball season. He was on a team with a couple friends, which always makes it more fun. He played hard and made lots of improvement.

Lunch with Kieran and friends

Nolan, Kieran, and Jershon

Caden's confirmation class participated in Mission Day at Cunningham Children's Home in Urbana. Sounds like it was a memorable experience for Caden and his classmates.

Snow...too little, too late :(

Jovie and Rey bird watching

Caden participated in Celebration of the Performing Arts. It was a fantastic concert with musical groups from 6th grade through high school.

Combined junior high and high school bands

Some kitten pics because they are still so cute...

Cuddle buddies

Rey trying her stowaway act in a different backpack

Jovie's turn

Before our cruise, Jovie decided to get sick. Of course! Perfect timing! Thankfully, she checked out with just a virus and meds from the vet. Papa took good care of her while we were cruising. 

As usual, Cole was sick after we returned from our vacation. I thought he was just having trouble adjusting to non-cruise life like the rest of us, but it turns out he had strep throat.

Rey loves sick days!

 

Caden's 13th Birthday

We have a teenager in the family!

We started Caden's birthday celebration with friends at Sky Zone. 

Caden, Tyler, Caleb, Saurya, Jacob, Alex, Ryan, Cole, Noah, Amaar 

Cole and Kieran excited for Sky Zone fun

Cole attempting the ladder

Jousting was a favorite with the boys.

They spent a lot of time playing dodgeball too.

Super fun and easy party without any injuries...success!

What a great group of boys!

Our second celebration was with Nana and Papa.

Caden's actual birthday...

Donut breakfast before jazz band 

 Presents after Scholastic Bowl practice

A genuine smile, which is not always easy to get from a teenager

A videogame, of course

A paintball mask

Yummy cake with pictures of Caden's favorite things...baseball, trumpet, books, running shoes, and video game controller 

That's a bright cake! 

Caden is intelligent, social, dedicated, determined (aka stubborn), active, happiest when busy, and always willing to try new things. It is not always easy to parent this teenager, but we love him so.   

Our February

We started the month with a sick Kieran. Just a fever, but it kept him home from school for three days. 

Rey was happy to have her buddy home. 

Caden baked a delicious devil's food cake with white chocolate frosting. 

Yum!

Caden had the opportunity to participate in Scholastic Bowl this year. He really enjoyed it! He often served as captain of the B team, competed on the A team a couple times, and was one of only two 7th graders to go to the regional meet with the A team. Love watching him do something he enjoys so much!  

We met Nana, Papa, Aunt Shannon, and Uncle Josh at an Illini basketball game. Illini lost against Penn State, but we had an awesome time. It has been many years since my last Illini basketball game. I had forgotten how much I enjoy the environment. So much fun!

Nachos!

Caden missed the basketball game because he was having his own fun with GMS Jazz Bands at EIU Jazz Festival. 

Rey was tired of us being gone so much. She tried to stowaway in Caden's backpack.

Kindergarten and 4th grade Valentine parties...

Kieran making a valentine for school staff

So sweet!

Cole's last Valentine party 

Cole trying to shoot q-tips through a straw into a bowl

The photo booth was a lot of fun for the 4th graders. 

Jovie had a bad reaction to her vaccines. She was pretty sick, and we were very worried.

Thankfully, she stuck close to me when she wasn't feeling well. 

Cole, Kieran, and I attended GES' Mad Scientist Family Night. We wore pajamas and rotated to classrooms with different science experiments in them.    

In this classroom, the boys had to design a boat and test if it could float. 

Success!

Caden participated in Solo and Ensemble Contest for the second year. He performed a solo and in a trio. He did very well and received first place scores on both performances.  

Pretty Rey with her new favorite toy that she likes to lose under the fridge repeatedly