Xin Nian Kuai Le! (Happy New Year!)

This week Trevor and Hayley were able to perform in a couple of Chinese New Year Celebrations.

Friday they had a big Chinese New Year Celebration at school.
Hayley's class sang a Happy New Year Song.

Trevor was the Narrator for the 3rd grade Chinese class of dancers.

Then we got to see the Dragon Dancers perform.

The crowd went wild...including Jake with his lucky Chinese coin they gave him!

Today Trevor and Hayley performed at the Chinese Community Center, again singing and narrating. They did a great job!

After their performances, we walked around the celebration outside and they decided to go fishing....because that is exactly what we need, 3 MORE fish!

We ended the evening by getting Chinese Take-Out and everyone having fun together.

Xin Nian Kuai Le!

The Big Race

Last week-end Trevor raced his car at the world famous Cub Scout Pinewood Derby.

He had a lot of fun making his car with Don and even more fun racing it with his Cub Scout friends.

Besides the thrill of the big race, there was time for doughnuts and even coloring Cars pictures for the little ones.

Everyone had a great day at the tracks!

Getting rid of the bugs...

It's that lovely time of year when everyone seems to be getting sick. We are waiting to go pick up Hayley's Tamiflu prescription for the flu now. The poor girl is looking pretty puny laying on the couch, all bundled up and flushed.

The good news is Trevor should go back to school tomorrow and Don and Michael are both feeling better after they were feeling crummy for the last week or so. And Jake and I have somehow managed to stay well - you've gotta love those prenatal vitamins and Jake's superhero powers once again save the day for him!

The Inaugural Season

In a week of historic inaugurations, Trevor finished his 1st season playing basketball. He stayed with his older group of soccer friends (10/11 yr olds) and played a fun season. As it is with any change of venue, there were interesting parallels. In soccer their team was undefeated. In basketball their team was always defeated. Despite the final scores of the games, Trevor always had a blast playing and cheering on his teammates. He always hustled when he was on the court. He was often a head shorter than the person he was defending, but he stuck to them like gum on your shoe, causing some great turnovers. It was pretty fun to watch.

Way to go Trevor!

Express Yourself

Thursday was free dress day at the elementary school, which translates in our house to "Hurray! No uniforms, I can wear whatever I want!". Because of cooler weather that day, I did make Trevor change out of shorts into the pants of his choice (of course, Jake is still wearing shorts, crazy kid!). It is always fun to see them express themselves and watch what clothes they decide to wear...and to see if they actually match!



To make it an even better morning, Chick-fil-a was giving away free chicken minis for breakfast, so we got up early and went out to breakfast before school. It was nuts at the restaurant but everyone had a great time and went to school happy and full!



Just an FYI for all you Chick-fil-a fans out there, this Thursday morning they are giving away free Chicken Biscuits!

Inspiring Quotes

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.

I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.

---Martin Luther King, Jr.

Our Personal Chef

Hayley got a fun Christmas present from her grandparents. It was NoBake Chef Recipe Book, complete with hat, apron, measuring cups, spoons and a bowl. So this week she created her first creation - "Chocolate Lava Sundae Topping".


It is a delicious fudge sauce that you can put on ice cream sundaes or just dip strawberries in - YUM!

We are very excited to taste out her next treat for Family Night - "Cheeky Cheesecake!"

Haircut Craziness

The night before school started back, I attempted to cut Trevor & Michael's hair. Trevor haircut went great, he actually kept asking for me to cut it shorter - woohoo! Of course, his ultimate reasoning for wanting it short eventually came out. "Just cut it so short so that I don't have to ever comb it in the morning!" Nice and practical - eight year olds are great!

Michael's hair was a little trickier (and a lot more shabbier!). I quickly realized a few minutes into the haircut, that this just was not going to end well. Have you ever tried to cut a 7th grade boys hair? Believe me, it isn't for the lighthearted. So in hopes of avoiding a complete teenager meltdown, I googled Supercuts and made a quick phone call. Hurrah, they were open until 9 pm! Don and Michael hurried over as I cleaned up the hair mess and put the others to bed, on pins and needles the whole time.

I heard the car pull up and took a deep breath. Michael and Don came in the house and Michael had a smile on his face and a shorter, good looking haircut to boot. Whew...I know Don tipped that lady well!

Michael proceeded to yell out to Trevor, "Hey Trev, come and check out your new brother!" All of the sudden I hear a stampede in the hall as Jake, with Hayley hot on his trail, comes bursting out of their beds. Jake was yelling, "Where?? Where is Baby Boston?!!" We all burst out laughing, as I tried to explain to the disappointed Jake that it wasn't time for the baby to be born yet, that Michael meant he was the new brother because of his haircut. It was really funny to everyone, and even Jake was laughing by the end.

Jake took it all in stride & went back to bed pretty easy. The next morning I asked him what he thought about Michael's haircut, and he replied, "It's awesome. He looks like a new guy. Now we just need to find him a girlfriend! I wonder what kind of girl he likes?!" What?!!

Love those crazy haircut moments!

Goals

2009

In keeping with the spirit the New Year, we decided to share a few of our family goals with you...

BUILD Some Fun Memories

SING & DANCE More Often







EXERCISE More Together

Try a new TWIST on things!

SMILE & LAUGH More Often

And always PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD!!!

New Year's Eve Fun

To wrap up 2008, we kicked off our New Year's Eve celebration going to a fun fiesta with friends, complete with a pinata and delicious Tex-Mex food. It was so fun!


TREVOR TAKING A SWING AT THE PINATA

JAKE AND HIS FRIEND EMMY EATING THEIR PINATA TREATS



We came home about 11 and had fun playing games and watching the ball drop in Times Square together. Jake found a perfect spot in the middle of all the action and crashed. At midnight we had our toast and went outside and yelled "Happy New Year!!!" for all our neighbors to hear. It was a fun night!

















HAPPY 2009 TO YOU!