Weekend

After Jake's basketball game Saturday morning, we joined into our town's Week of the Family scavenger hunt around town.  Jake was most into it (the format was that we were given a long list of random things all hidden within the storefront windows of downtown and we had to write down where we found them).   

That evening we had Josh's delayed PayPal holiday party.  This year's party was the best yet of the four we've attended.  It was held at the Academy of Science in Golden Gate Park, with food stations and music throughout all of the exhibit rooms.  It was certainly different looking at the penguins while all dressed up, sipping on wine.  We didn't get to taste much of the great food due to the mingling factor, but the venue really impressed us. 

Thanks to the magic of Nana and Granddad babysitting, the girls slept in the latest they have ever slept on Sunday, so we had quite a lazy morning.  With the sun out though, we had to head to the pool for some splashing time.  The girls have really gained a lot of confidence in the water, and Jake hasn't forgotten any of his swimming skills since Hawaii!

Weekend

It's been a busy weekend of sports, playdates and fun.

Josh ran his second race of the year already; the 10 mile Foster City race.

For Josh's birthday, I gave him tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters game, so he took Jake this afternoon.   It sounds like it was a real blast, and next time we will be going as a whole family!

Speaking of basketball, we've got THREE kids pretty obsessed with playing basketball right now.  We've got three indoor hoops around the house now (over the door kind) and if they aren't shooting in those, they are asking to go outside to play!

  (The girls don't normally play with their helmets on, but they kept going back and forth between bikes and basketball this afternoon)

This week starts the "Week of the Family" here in our town.  There are events each day, as well as encouraged family activities as well.   It's a very cute idea, and when the kids get older, we'll be able to participate in more of the organized events.  Today we attended the Wild Animals show at the library though- great presentation of alligators, kinkajou, owls, special birds, etc.

we went home and played with some worms...

 Random picture:  my girls HATE putting their hair in clips, headbands or ponytails (sadly!!).  For some reason they actually let me put them in for a moment the other night- they look so grown up with ponytails in!!!

Rain

Addy and Colbie have had a lot of fun using their umbrellas this week.

My Creative Boy

Jake's Boy Scout group had a cake baking contest last night for their Pack meeting.  Apparently this is an annual event, and everyone bakes a cake all on their own and then everyone bids on each other's cakes to raise money for the Pack.  At the end of the formal meeting, there is a cupcake throwing game where the kids get to throw cupcakes at the Pack leaders also to raise money.  Anyway, I knew that Jake would be very excited about this event, since he did such a great job decorating cookies over the holidays.
These were the contest rules we were given:
1. Cakes must be delivered between 6:15 - 6:45 pm.
2. Cakes must be baked and decorated by a Cub currently a member of Pack 65.
3. Scouts must bake a cake with adult supervision using sanitary techniques. The cake must be edible, as others may be buying your cake. Scouts must be involved in each part of making their cake. The majority of the work including the decoration is to be done by the scout.
4. The entire creation must be edible, including all decorations, with one exception: Each cake can have ONE non-edible that does not contaminate the cake.
5. All cakes must be home made, but mixes are permitted.
6. All cakes will be numbered for judging purposes; numbers will be assigned at check-in time. All cakes become the property of Pack 65 and will be entered into an Auction.
7. Cakes should be brought on a disposable plate or tray.
8. The cake categories to be judged will be as follows: 1. Tallest cake 2. Grossest cake 3. Best Minecraft cake 4. Best Musical Instrument cake 5. Best Star Wars cake 6. Best Cupcake design (up to 6) 7. Best Sibling Cake (for scout siblings only)
9. We’ll be selling multiple cupcakes before the meeting to be “thrown” at Cub Master...so bring extra funds!
10. There will be up to 3 judges who vote for their top 3 favorites in each category. The Category winner will be the cake with the most points from the judges.
11. The winner from each category will receive a medal.
12. The judges’ decisions are final!

On Sunday Jake sketched out his cake idea- a three tier Minecraft cake!
Monday morning we baked the cakes- Jake did all of the egg cracking, measuring, and blending while the girls watched.   After letting them cool, he got to work.  I was incredibly impressed with what he came up with.  His creativity continues to amaze me every day.    He did not win the competition, but he bought his cake back as he was too proud to let someone else take it home.  He did earn a great cake decorating badge though.  It was a really fun experience watching and helping him through this one.  Who knows what he'll make next year!
The idea sketch:

 Making the cake:

 The final product (apparently their character names are Steve, Pig and Creeper):

 The badge:

Some of the other cakes made:

Happy Birthday Dada and Duke!

Today is an extra special day!   First we wish Josh a very, very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!   You're a wonderful Dada!!  We LOVE YOU!!!!

 Birthday morning hugs:

The birthday set-up.  After dinner with the family, we have lots to open!

 

We had a great dinner out at Paul Martin's and then returned home for presents.

Lastly, we have to send a big happy FIRST birthday to our sweet adorable nephew Duke!   You're just the sweetest and we can't wait to celebrate with you soon!

Catch Up

A few pics from last week to post:

Colbie:  she is now writing her name with all of the correct letters next to each other (although backwards)...I was so proud!

Jake:  His basketball season has begun, and wow...watching him play this year is a whole lot different from last year.  He is on a team of K/1 kids (with girls!), and he seems to be the only one who can really dribble, and is definitely the high scorer of the team.   Pretty cool!  We woke up this morning telling me how excited he is already for this Saturday's game!

 A & C: I brought their bikes up to a track this weekend where we didn't have to worry about cars, and A & C were soon racing around.   Of course, as their are both quite competitive, the racing part ended in tears.  Oh well!