My back brace was off only 1 day when school got cancelled due to a snow day. Granted, this snow day was more like laminated snow. In the picture it looks soft but it’s actually just white ice.

All the boys had a blast checking out their new environment and trying to peel off the ice from the trampoline,

and the plants.

Afterwards they had hot chocolate.

Top off the morning with a pillow fort, and you’ve got a great snow day!

You know Mommy’s “not sweating the small stuff” when she agrees to let her boys dig for dinosaur bones in the back yard. 🙂

I totally remember trying to dig to China when I was a little girl in our sandbox in Arizona. I thought I’d let my boys have their memory as well. A couple days later it rained and Dylan was very concerned about the contamination of his archaeological site.

Since Mommy can’t bend, anything waist level and under the kids zone. Drake and his play date threw popcorn all over mommy’s room while watching a movie.

So Drake got his first lesson in vacuuming.

This little cutie is completely innocent, of course. 😉

The good news for me is that I no longer have to have my constant companion for the past 3 weeks, my back brace. I’ve started physical therapy and am getting a bit stronger every day.

My mom came up over the weekend to lend us a hand. She was a HUGE help! She did some much needed grocery shopping, bought amazing stocking suffers, and did laundry.

Most importantly she brought some much needed positive energy into our home, took all the boys to a movie, and made TONS of Christmas cookies.

I think I can speak for everyone in our family when I say we were so grateful for Grandma’s visit. The boys had so much fun, Jason was so grateful for the help, and I was grateful for the service and the company. Thanks Mom! I can’t thank you enough for everything you did for our family in 2 short days.

Since Dylan still believes in Santa, I was really worried about the stocking suffers. I know it seems silly worrying about that in my condition. But it’s important to me to try and keep this Christmas as consistent as our others. It’s difficult.

In other news, Drake is now officially full force in a robot phase. He’s watching The Iron Giant, Zuthura, and playing with Davis & Dylan’s robots. I really wish he would be into things more age appropriate. Geeze this kid.

I had to take a picture of him playing with the Little People Nativity. It’s the only time he’s given any attention to little boy toys and it’s only because it plays music and lights up. Sadly he only played with it once.

He’s more likely to play with my cast-iron animal decorations than Little People. He totally cracks me up!

I’ve realized that Drake has the stubbornness of the Jason and I but with the sass of my side of the family. (Great combo, I can’t wait until he’s a teenager.)

My friends have been so wonderful to play date with Drake every day and last week when he got home he said, “I stay HERE!” Poor little guy. I guess the excitement of a new friend every day has worn off.

Also last week as I was walking hunch-backed like a 90 year old; he pushed my chest and said, “Stand up!” He’s had it as much as I have. {{sigh}}

Here’s a little of what we’ve been up to last week.

Whew! Soccer season is finally over. Dylan loved having friends from the neighborhood and in his class on his team. We were so fortunate to be invited to play and I have really enjoyed getting to know the parents while cheering on our kids.

Drake has decided that potty training is over rated.

And so is clothing.

Davis was student of the month last week in his class and for art. Mommy got to make him a poster,

attend the PTA meeting where he was awarded his certificates,

AND attend a special lunch in his honor. Congrats Davis. We are so proud of you!

Davis wanted a Guitar Hero birthday party this year. Talk about a fun theme and easy to plan.

We made the invitations into backstage passes. Needless to say, Davis approved.

Here I am as a groupie.

I had bought some inflatable instruments to add a bit to the decor.

However, I had no idea that they would turn into a fun game for 12 ten year olds.

They even wanted to take them home! So if you’re looking for a fun party gift, I guess this would be contender. Who knew?

I just ordered the Hanna Montana cupcake cake in blue & black from trusty ol’ Wal-mart. $13 baby!

I was clueless as to what I should have for the favor. I wasn’t sure if the parents would approve of a CD with rock music. So I got each one a trophy with a guitar key chain and hot tamales. The note said, “You are red hot! Thanks for rockin’ out at my party!”

The boys played in a guitar hero tournament. I had a score board and the winners play each other and the losers played each other. I had a 1st place trophy for the winner.

I was so impressed with all the boys. No one got their feelings hurt and there weren’t any disagreements. These are some amazing boys and I was so proud of them and glad they were in my home.

I’m so bummed about this picture. I guess my flash didn’t go off. Everyone had such a good time. It was great to celebrate Davis and be surrounded by people who appreciate him for who he is. Thanks guys!

My oldest son is now 10 years old. I’ll be honest and admit that it’s thrown me for a loop. I’ve officially been a mother for 10 years. {{wow}}

I’m so proud of the progress with made and the young man that he is today. It’s been a long road for us but worth every bump to see the person is has become.

For as much as he’s changed, there’s a lot that’s still the same. He is still very loving, very animated, very driven, and has the same interests; rockets, space, airplanes, and race cars. He did add art and writing to his list as of last year.

My Mom came into town to celebrate his big day and brought a truck load of real art supplies (not your crayola brand) in a metal tool box for him to enjoy. Luckily it came with a key to lock it because Drake was just as excited!

Of course my Mom brought an amazing cake for us all to enjoy. Happy Birthday Davis! You are very loved and cherished.

This is the little darling that I have the pleasure of a play date with every other week. She brings giggles and laughter and a light hearted nature to our hard-core testosterone filled house.

I absolutely adore this little girl and while she’s here, I pretend she’s mine. She laughs at my jokes, dances to my music, and giggles all the time. It’s wonderful.

However, last week there was a little spat on the stairs of the bunk bead and Drake pushed her off, ending in a bone fracture to her wrist.

I’m completely devastated and have been since it happened. I know it’s just an accident but I feel terrible that she got hurt while at my home. I’ll admit, I’ve shed many tears throughout the week. The thought that she won’t want to come back and play with me, um I mean Drake, is completely devastating to me.

I feel terrible that her mom has to deal with her in a cast {{hot pink – of course}}, I feel terrible that she got hurt and had to feel pain while in my home, and I’m desperately hoping she can forgive us and want to come back to play.

Thankfully, her mom is absolutely fabulous and doesn’t blame me nor harbor any hard feelings. I’m so grateful for her friendship. They are such an amazing family and I feel blessed to have them in our lives.

This event has consumed me a bit emotionally. I know that all is forgiven, but now I need to forgive myself.

Davis is in 4th grade which comes with the opportunity to go to Sky Ranch with his classmates. Jason took off work and went with Davis as a chaperone for 3 days of camping, learning, and adventure.

They both came home with huge smiles! It was a bonding moment for Davis and his classmates as well as Davis and his Dad.

I’m so glad they had the opportunity to go on this trip. Davis has definitely grown up a little and has gained more confidence. He wants to have more responsibility at home which is such a wonderful surprise. I couldn’t be prouder of him.