January: Derbies, Tennis, Basketball, and more!

January flew by, which is good because it isn't exactly a month that you want to last forever.  Elsie started taking tennis lessons, and Owen is playing basketball.  Both are on Saturday mornings and it is a good way for them to get some physical activity in the winter.  But most importantly, both kids seem to be having fun so far.  Also, both of the kids had their Pinewood Derby for scouts.  We worked hard on their cars over Christmas break so it was fun to see them get out on the track!

Elsie had her birthday party the first weekend of January.  One of the Mom's from her softball team is an art teacher and does art themed parties.  

The girls all watched and drew as they were instructed.  They painted the first layer and then let the paint dry while we opened presents and had cake.

Elsie asked for donations again to take to the animal shelter.  This year she decided to take them to Wayside Waifs.

Cupcake time!

Back to painting...

They turned out awesome and each girl got a neat little piece of DIY art.

The following weekend was Elsie's Pinewood Derby for Girl Scouts.

Elsie's car turned out really good.  Sarah and Elsie did a really nice job.  The field was very competitive, but Elsie's car did pretty good.  They ran 4 races and then take average time.  She finished 2nd twice and 3rd twice.

The following weekend was Owen's Pinewood Derby.  He and I made his car.  Owen picked out the snake decal. ;)

Here's Owen and his buddy Bryson eagerly awaiting the start of the races.  The Boy Scouts do things a little differently.  They raced more of a tournament style format.  4 cars would race and points would be given to the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place cars.  Once you got to 10 points your day was over.  I think it went about 15 rounds.  Owen's car finished 1st in the first and second heat races...

Down the home stretch they come with Owen in the lead!

Owen ended up making it 11 rounds and he finished 8th out of 50 overall.  Great job!

Basketball started the first weekend in January.  Owen really seems to like it.  They do drills for the first half of the hour, and then play 3 on 3 games for the rest of the time.  

Owen has been shooting really good.  They don't keep score, but he's made a bunch of baskets.  He also can dribble the ball up and pass it well.  Though he seems pretty serious while he's out there, he shoots us little smiles when he runs back down the court.  :)

 

Elsie started tennis lessons the first weekend in January too.  She wanted a racket for Christmas, so we signed her up for lessons.  There's one person from her class there too, so she likes it.  Her instructor last week said her serve was "amazing."

You may remember that Owen got a rock tumbler for Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa Cox.  We started some rocks on December 23rd...

2 weeks later... 

3 weeks later...

4 weeks later!  Very cool!

IN OTHER NEWS

Owen had a toothache one day.  Turned out he had a rotten tooth and had to get it pulled!  He was a big boy though and didn't even cry.  Look how big that thing is!  Glad it was a baby tooth...

Two weeks ago Owen had the flu and was home from school for 4 days.  Subsequently, Elsie and I had a dinner date up in her bedroom to avoid the germs. :)

To celebrate the 100th day of school, Owen's class all dressed like their 100 year old selves.

A few weeks ago the kiddos camped out in Elsie's room.

What do you do when you are home with the flu?  Lucky for Owen, he had a very mild case.  Just a little fever and sore throat, so he was pretty energetic.

One morning Owen and I built a pegboard nerf gun wall to go under his loft.  It turned out pretty sweet.  We didn't have to cut any pegboard and it gives his huge nerf gun collection a home.

Last weekend Grandma Cas, Grandpa Cas, and Aunt Marilyn came up to visit.  They were all sick and missed Elsie's b-day party, so they brought presents too!  We had a nice day playing.

And finally, the kids have fallen in love with Monopoly.  Owen can count money really well and he can read now, so it's a game we can all play.  

See ya!

Ryan, Sarah, Elsie, and Owen