Spokane during Spreak Break

Our first trip to Chuck E Cheese's was a huge hit - Chuck himself made an appearance.....

Kennedy enjoyed the music video thing... she was busting a move for a few songs!

The timeless carousel.

Say Cheese!

Feeding the ducks and geese....

What a wonderful day in Spokane we had! We hit Riverfront Park, fed the ducks/geese and rode the carousel. After going to the Valley mall for a bit, we took in Red Robin for a yummy lunch and finished up our day at Chuck E. Cheese! (Ok, we went to Target at the end). We loved it and the kids were wonderful! Picked up a few birthday gifts for the kids.... it was so relaxing!

HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY!

The kids were decked in green (K's was in her tights and on her shirt) and we had a fantastic day. It begun with a plate of green scrambled eggs and ended with Hayden's last bball game. :-)
Happy St. Pat's Day.....

The Moscow Grizzly Bears - no wait! The Idaho Vandals....

Yeah, that's a second grader who is getting ready to guard him... how fair is that!?

Um, Hayden, you are on the same team. Oh, this is during warm ups. Check out the smile!

Hayden "AKA - the Center" Thompson. Who knew he was going to do the jump ball on Game 1!? I certainly didn't.

I realize I haven't posted for awhile. January and February have been crazy, to say the least. One piece of normalcy was that Hayden started to play basketball. Boy, is this guy excited about it! As of today, they've played three games and have three losses! LOL! Parks and Recreation have put first graders and second graders playing together. Truth be told, I don't agree with this mix up only because I'm experiencing first hand how these second graders have more knowledge and more skills regarding the game... and, I'll be honest. It's frustrating. For instance, our last game, we lost 6-21. Hayden - what a guy - scored 2 of the 6. BUT, one second grader on the other team scored 16 of their 21 points? Ok, take that kid out of the equation and we'd have won. :-) But seriously - 16 points? Pass the ball every once in a while, buddy. Hopefully this kid will still be playing and around here when they are in HS, because MHS Bears could be pretty good!

Hayden is one of the tallest kids on the team, and even as a first grader, is one of the better players. Maybe this will be his sport? Who knows? Hayden hustles down to and from each side of the court... at first he wanted to just guard whoever had the ball - and did a good job at it! But, coach crushed that and told everyone to guard just one guy, regardless if they have the ball or not. Hayden starts inching in on the ball handler every once in a while, only to cause a jump ball or actually steal it - woo hoo!!! They've come together as a team and are improving with each step of the way. Let's hope this week's games we play teams that are a little even with our team.... (AKA - the Idaho Vandals).

I was tagged by my friend Amber, and thought it'd be fun to try... here goes!

Here are the rules: Once you are tagged, your task is to go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures. Go to the 6th Folder, and pick the 6th picture in that folder. Post that picture on your blog and the story that goes along with the picture.Tag 6 other people that you know to do the same thing and leave a comment on their blog or an e-mail letting them know you chose them.

Ok, I was truly hoping there would be a picture of one of the kids... and what do I find as my 6th picture? One of me. The story behind this pic is one of my best friends, Jamie and I flew down to Boise to visit college girlfriends. This picture was taken at another friend's business (Kurly's sportsbar) and we were enjoying the afternoon with cold beverages - laughing about old times. The funny thing is, they even packed "roadies" for us to enjoy from the airport! Pretty funny and it was always good to reconnect with old friends. It was perfect.

A Trip to the Hospital

Gearing up to go HOME!
Sleeping in her bed. The pink bear, "Ollie" was with her the whole time.

Our favorite nurse, Michelle! She was so great!!!!!!! We loved her!

Enjoying a hospital meal - mommy looks a bit on the greasy side.

Just settling in to the hospital....

Expect the unexpected... isn't that a slogan for something? Anyhow, it's been a week. First off, we had to put our male lab, Bubba down on early Wednesday morning due to a twisted abdomen and possible cancer. It was a sad, sad day for us at the Thompson household and dealing with questions on death and heaven are hard to answer when your little ones question you about it....it gets better, hold on.

Long story short, Kennedy was admitted to the hospital on Saturday morning due to asthma related stuff that normal meds wouldn't take care of. The kicker of it was, Bryan was gone on a fishing trip down in Orofino and didn't have cell service. Mom was taking care of Hayden and here I am at the hospital with my 3 year old little girl. Boy, was she brave! She was so strong and happy. I am so proud of her. She was hooked up to oxygen and we had to undo her before she had to go to the bathroom! She is one little trooper. All of the staff enjoyed her because she was such a joy. Someone would walk into her room and she'd say, "Hi, I'm Kennedy!"

We were originally in a room by the nurses station... so that they could keep an eye on her... they called it the "safe room" or a room that they bring people who basically need to be watched. - and I'm thinking the looney tunes, here people. Not Kennedy so much, but that was the closest they could put us. Well, Saturday night, they needed that safe room and Kennedy and I were being wheeled into our new room at midnight!!! It was quite the ride on the bed!

Is it bad to admit I enjoyed not fixing meals for a couple of days? We had a Super Bowl Party in our room, with two tv's going. Hayden and Kennedy had a third tv that they could watch movies on if they chose to do so. We even ordered pizza!!!

Anyhow, it's been a week, and little miss K and I are staying at home today, and probably tomorrow just to be on the safe side. Here's to a better week!!!

A bunch of animals.....

One night the kids decided to take all, and I mean ALL of their stuffed animals and put them on mommy and daddy's bed! They made it into a "surprise" and took Bryan and I into our bedroom to see! They had a "party" and enjoyed all of their animals while laying on mommy and daddy's bed! I personally think it reminded me of the old school movie, ET... they started to fade into the stuffed animals after awhile!

Now that's alotta snow!

Daddy came home early - roads were terrible in town... he took us tubing!!! (H and K on the back.)

Kennedy wanted to be covered with snow....

Spunky attempting to cross our driveway.

In front of the big snow berm in front of our house....

This is some sort of record for snow fall, it has to be. It's also a personal record for me, posting 3 times in one day, but I couldn't resist. Take a look at the pics I took of the kiddos today. It finally stopped snowing around 11 or so this morning. The one of them in front of the big mound is right in front of our front yard, thanks to the snow plows!

A proud mommy moment....

He's reading!!!!!! I went in to tuck him in again last night and found him reading, "Are You My Mother?" I caught him reading it again, he's proud of himself as well as his mommy! Wow... it's priceless to hear your child read. (Sorry it's sideways - I thought I could turn it around...)

It's a...... SNOW DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The view from our porch, notice the garbage cans... What I just shoveled this morning...

This is our 6 foot fence....

My God, will it ever end?! I have to admit, I do love the snow fall, especially when it's coming down like this. I went out this morning to attempt to shovel, the snow went up to the top of my Sorel's!!!! NO SCHOOL TODAY!! Now, I love my class and teaching, but one more day at home with my own kiddos is a delightful little gift. I'll be making the kids go out to play in the snow if it ever lets up... Here's a recent pic of the snowfall from last night and what it's doing currently. We have at least 6 new inches of snow... can you hear me singing, "Oh, the weather outside is frightful...." WOO!!!

Well, Happy New Year everyone! This is what we are getting her today as far as weather goes. It's probably snowed about 4 inches already, and doesn't look like it's letting up anytime soon.

Happy 2009!

I had to get this shot of Devin, my nephew, who downed a whole bottle of sparkling apple cider. He wanted to break it open around 8, we told him he needed to wait closer to midnight....
Tones, trying her luck with the guitar...

Devin, belting out a few tunes.

Auntie Lisa helping Hayden with the drums....

Dan and Michelle rockin' out to Rock Band 2.

Kennedy scratched her nose and insisted she get a band-aid for it. (I need to go get more girly band-aids - that one is Spiderman!)

She's likin' the drums!

Kennedy and Sid, eating some Nerds (thanks for sharing, Sid!)

Last night for NYE, we had some friends and family over for som festivities. It was a huge hit to play Rock Band - I am totally uncoordinated at playing instruments. I even forewarned everyone to tell them so... and proved how terrible I was when I got ahold of the guitar. (I failed a few times!) K and H along with Dev and Sid made it til midnight to ring in the new year. It was a fun night and I'm glad we were able to share it with loved ones.

SNOW FIGHT!!!!

Here are a few shots of us outside today. Snowed another 5-6 inches, but then it was wet, so therefore, it was heavy! We really need to invest in a snow blower if these winters continue.....

This weather is like the Energizer Bunny...

Um, this is what we get for NOT putting away our patio furniture.

I shoveled an area off for Spunky, so he can enjoy the snow.

it keeps going and going and going. I seriously can't believe how much snow we have gotten. We probably received a good 5-6 more inches the last 12 hours. It's amaing. Now, let's hope the snow continues and it doesn't start raining like our local weatherman predicts. Here are a couple of pictures of our deck. I'll take a couple pics of our front later....

More snow on the way...

Maybe we should shovel the deck. Here are a few shots of our deck. Oh boy.

Another 364 days...

til Christmas. So sad. I have to admit. I'm one of those over the top people who start their shopping in January. I just have to get it if I see a good deal! We all had a very Merry Christmas. It was so nice to just be home and enjoy. Santa even called Hayden and Kennedy on Christmas Eve to chat with them. Hayden was so surprised, it was delightful! Santa must have been asking Hayden if his room was clean, because while talking to the jolly guy, he was picking up the last odds and ends that remained from his cousins visiting.... pretty funny. Anyway, our Christmas was magical, and was spent with family and some friends who were snowed in from getting to California! It's about time for me to start shopping for Christmas '09!

A Purple Ballerina

Well, lo and behold, I think Kennedy inherited my ability/desire to dress up. (Remembering those Alpha Phi skits...) Anyhow, here I was sitting at the kitchen counter when Kennedy says, "Hey, look at me, I'm a purple ballerina!" Hence, mommy grabbed the camera and took this shot... oh, the memories!

Hayden's Concert

Hayden's concert was last night - and it was magical. Lena Whitmore Elementary (aka - my alma mater!) puts on a wonderful show. Students in 1st through 6th grade performed a variety of songs and did a fantastic job! It was so neat to see and Hayden was definitely into singing - um, he must get that from me! Anyway, he's in the top row, you can't miss him! Happy Holidays!

"All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth"

Last night, I was at the mall, volunteering for the Hospice of the Palouse wrapping booth when I got a call from home. Now, usually when I'm off on my own, it's a call to clarify what the homework was that was supposed to be done, where something is, you know the routine. Well, this time it was Hayden....

"Mom, I've got something to tell you."

"What is it, buddy?"

"It's a surprise."

"What? Tell me."

"I LOST MY TOOTH!!!!!!!!!!"

"Oh my goodness, did you do it all by yourself?"

"Yep!"

As I sit there on the phone elating my surprise and happiness to my son, my face was a bit of sadness. How can this be?! My baby boy can't grow up just yet. The big space in his mouth proves me wrong... he's off to getting those bigger teeth, to (YIKES) puberty, and the list goes on. For now, I'm just enjoying the moments and enjoying his very sweet toothless grin. The tooth fairy sure likes to leave her fairy dust in Hayden's room this month!

Reflections....

I saw Hayden yesterday sitting there with our cat Spunky, quietly looking out at the snowfall. It was priceless. I had to snap this shot and show it. He was sitting there and petting Spunky, watching the snow and just looked peaceful. What a mommy moment!