BUSY, BUSY, BUSY

Yep, that sums up the past week. I guess I'll follow the format I've been using lately...

• Allie attended 2 birthday parties. One for her friend Madison & another for her friend Lauryn.
• Jacob attended a birthday sleepover for his friend Paul.
• Allie had her weekly ballet and tap class. Her recital costume is to arrive this week. She couldn't be more excited!
• Jake played basketball in a tournament this weekend. His team took 3rd. I saw his first game and missed the other two due to a charity event I was chairing. He looked pretty good in his first game. Several assists and rebounds. I was a proud mama.
• I had a PTA meeting this week. This year's budget was set. We are hoping to raise lots of money this year to help out the school due to the statewide budget cuts. Every penny we can give to the classrooms is sure needed.
• The Teddy Bear Tea that I hosted for the local hospital's Festival of Trees event is over and done with. Allie & I had a nice time at the event. The days leading up to the event were crazy & I was very stressed. It all came together nicely and I'm glad it is over!
• We had our family pictures taken on Sunday. My family was giggly so I'm anxious to see how they turned out!
• This week: Allie makes her first confession at church, Jake has basketball practice, Allie has a Brownie meeting, I have school safety training, Thanksgiving, getting out Christmas decorations, Black Friday shopping, hanging out with my family & I can't wait!! I love, love, love this time of the year.
  
  Allie & her new bear Hudson.
  

Jordyn, Allie & Makenna at the tea

Jake at his tournament

Jake at his tournament

Allie & I ready for the tea.

THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Yep, the holiday season is upon us. I love, love, love that Allie wants to do fun holiday things with me. We baked & wrapped lots of gifts together. We even broke out our Christmas CD's the other day! She'd have the trees & decorations up, if I'd let her.

Besides getting ready for the holidays, we've kept busy. Here's the recap:

• Jake has had several basketball practices. We are heading out to his first scrimmage this morning.
• The kids have been going to religious ed each week. Allie makes her first confession in less than 2 weeks. I have been going to dinner with friends while the kiddos are at RE. It is the one hour a week that is all mine!
• Both kids went to plays for school. Jake's class saw "Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing" and Allie's saw "Ramona". I was thrilled to learn that each of my kids were headed to plays based on my very favorite books from childhood!
• Jake was asked to play on an indoor soccer team this winter. He decided to go for it & so far loves it. They played their first game last Saturday & it was brutal. So much rougher than regular soccer. Jake scored several times and their team won.
• Allie had 2 birthday parties last weekend. One at the pool and one at the pottery shop. She enjoyed herself a ton.
• Jake had a couple of sleepovers. He spent the night at Adam's house & went to the hockey game. He spent the night at Nick's house and hung out all day.
• Both kids were gone with friends last Saturday night, so Scott & I had a date. It was a lot of fun being kid free for a few hours.
• I had a PTA budget meeting. I think we've got our budget set for this year. Something always changes though!
• Both kids had conferences. Both did really well on their report cards. I was quite pleased. Jake's teacher told me that she is confident that if Jake would put up a little effort, he'd be a straight A student. He's lazy!! Hmmmm!
• Allie's class spent Wednesday at Read In Day. They got to bring in blankets and pillows that day & spent the day reading around the room. They also had a few guest readers and topped off the morning with donuts & hot cocoa. What a fun day.
• Jake's class had a Marble Party on Wednesday. They get marbles for being kids of character or doing something nice just because. Once their jar is full, they get a popcorn & pop party. They also got an extra 30 minutes of reading time. Pretty cool!
• Allie is still working hard to get ready for her dance recital in a few weeks. I'm anxious to see her routines.
• We didn't have school Thursday or Friday. I took that time to get to the dentist & get my hair cut. Check those two things off my list.
• Since there was no school on Thursday, Allie went to her friend Madison's for the afternoon. Jake and his friend Nick spent the afternoon at the Rec Center. I was alone! I baked some Christmas cookies & did a little cleaning.
• We had a hawk hanging around here last weekend. It killed a rabbit in our yard. The kids got a quick lesson in the food chain & predators.
• I am ready for the Teddy Bear Tea. Our numbers are down this year. Probably due to it being held the weekend before Thanksgiving. I have to miss Jake's tournament next weekend because of the tea. That bums me out!
• Coming up next week: Jake's basketball scrimmage, Jake's indoor soccer game, Jake has a birthday sleepover, basketball practice, PTA meeting, Allie has dance, religion class, Allie has a birthday party, Jake plays in a basketball tournament, Teddy Bear Tea and Santa's Workshop. Whew!
  
  Allie with a batch of cookies
  

Allie helping with cookies

Damn hawk!

ANOTHER 2 WEEKS GONE BY

Yep, it's been almost 2 weeks since my last post & we continue to be on the go as always! Here's the recap in no particular order:

• Jake played his last soccer game & his team won. He had an awesome goal from mid field.
• Allie was sick last week. A fever & cough. I thought she'd be out for days since that is how long it has been taking most kids to recover. She was only out 1.5 days, which was good.
• Jake started basketball. He's playing on a church team that travels to nearby communities playing in tournaments. He practices a couple of times a week & is thrilled to have been asked to play with this team. There are several kids from Hansen & other schools in the area.
• Allie is gearing up for her holiday performance in mid-December. She still loves dance class.
• Jake went to 2 basketball camps. He went to a Tiger camp sponsored by our high school and one that was at UNI & led by the UNI basketball team.
• Allie earned her first Brownie badge at Scouts.
• The kids had a great Halloween. Jake was an old man & Allie was a flower child. Their school parties were a hit & trick or treating was a blast.
• Jake attended 3 birthday parties & a sleepover. Allie had a couple of playdates.
• We are preparing for Allie's first confession at church in a few weeks. She will make her first communion in the spring.
• My grandmother's house sold. I was pretty sad. So much of my childhood was spent in that house. So many holiday and family get togethers. I can't believe that the house won't be a part of our family any longer. It makes me sad, but I am grateful for all of the wonderful memories!
• The Heisman Trophy made a stop at Scott's work last week. Jake picked a few friends and went to see it.
• My mom, Mandy, Kim, Tesha & I (along with a few others) went to see Mamma Mia on UNI's campus. It was a great show. I can't wait until we figure out the next show that our group wants to see. It is always so fun doing that with my gals!
• I made a big dent in my Christmas shopping a couple of weekends ago. Allie & I even broke out the wrapping paper & have several wrapped. We also started a little holiday baking & freezing. I love this time of the year.
• Coming up: budget meeting for PTA, basketball practices, dance practice, Allie has 2 b-day parties to attend, ITBS testing for Jake, I'm still working on the Teddy Bear Tea, religion class & I think that is it!!
  

The trick or treat gang: Allie (flower child), Lauryn (cheerleader), Will (dinosaur), Mason (skeleton), Jake (old man), Adam (nerd) and Paul (old man).

Jake & Allie

Allie with her pumpkin (Jake didn't want one this year).

My school friends. We dressed up alike to make fun of one unsuspecting teacher. She was surprised & it was fun!

Jake & friends with the Heisman Trophy (Jake, Paul, Ben & Nick)