The weekend before Christmas we continued our annual tradition of visiting our friends down in LaCrosse and seeing the lights.  Every year we comment on the previous year and how tough it was keeping track of the kids and still be able to enjoy the lights.  I can honestly say that this year it was actually very enjoyable!  Still not relaxing because there's 6 kids to keep track of, in the dark, with lots of other people around.  BUT, we've finally turned a corner!  Our kids are all old enough to finally understand that we need to stick together.  

We all piled into a giant suburban, drove around some neighborhoods to enjoy people's decorations, sang The 12 Days of Christmas with each person taking a verse and made it to and from the light park with smiles on our faces.  I'd call that a beautiful success!!

We asked the kids if they'll still join us with this tradition when they're all in college.  They said yes, so I think we've created something special!

Last year the kids were dying to ice skate but we said no because we weren't prepared for it but at the time we promised them they could do it next year.  Shockingly, they remembered that promise!  The park had free skates to borrow and the rink was free to use as well.  So, we couldn't say no!!  They loved it and Mason actually managed to stay on his feet for a minute or two!

Mason lost one of his two front teeth that following morning!

Sunday evening, after we got home, Mase couldn't keep his eyes open.

He picked a pretty awesome spot to snooze!

On Monday they went to daycare.  They were SO excited to see their buddies.

Here's all the daycare kids

Don't worry, he's still leaning towards basketball!!

I had to work Christmas Eve day, so Erik took the day off and took the boys to open skate.

Mason continued to improve and actually stayed on his feet for most of the time!  Even without the walker.

Programs, Parties and Playoffs

This is the first year Kade's class had a Christmas program.  Unlike when we were growing up, they don't start Christmas programs until 3rd grade.  And they are in the middle of the day, with the 4th grade class.  

I remember loving the Christmas program when I was a kid.  We'd practice with our grade for weeks, it was at night, we'd get really dressed up and it was in the high school gym with all of the other grades in elementary school.  It's not quite the same these days but Kade loved it and I loved hearing him practicing his songs under his breath leading up to the big performance.

He was initially going to be one of the "Lords A Leaping", but he traded with another kid and instead became a "Fa La La La La La La La La" sign holder.

He's the kid in the gray sweater, top row, 5th from the left.

The next day was their basketball league's end of season tournament.

They were guaranteed 2 games and if they won at least 1 of them, they got to play a 3rd.  They lost their first game and won their second one and then they won their 3rd game too!!  We were at the gym from 11:00 to 7:00 that day!!  I'm not sure which place they took but everyone got medals so they're were happy thinking they got first.

Tyeson, Charlie and Kade

These 3 have a bright future in basketball!

Mason has been given a daily behavior chart at school.  He has a very tough time sitting still, keeping self control and staying out of other kid's personal space.  We've been working hard with him and he's really come a long way.  He LOVES getting good reports and he's really starting to take ownership of his behavior.  He's not "naughty" in school, he's actually the opposite.  He's a very loving and kind kid who loves to play with everyone.  He just needs to learn to reign it in. 

The term "bull in a china shop" has never been more accurately bestowed upon someone.

Here he is on an "all Green Day" which is a perfect day.  Those days are kind of rare so he gets a treat when he gets one!

Mason's class Christmas party

Kade's class Christmas party

Per the theme of the past few months, this post is weeks behind.  It's kind of fun though because when looking at pictures, I get to go back and relive the holidays!  Which, always seem so stressful at the time, but looking back it makes me realize how lucky I am!  These boys are something special!!  And they aren't getting any smaller.  Kade has literally centimeters left before he passes me in height (he'll surpass me before he's even 10 years old).  This morning Mason and I were comparing our hand size and his mitts are very close to my size already too!!

My handsome helpers

I LOVE this picture.

Erik was battling a round of gout at the time, so he was elevating his foot.

Mason took advantage of his immobile dad.  

But hey! at least he gave him a box to protect Erik's head!

A rare moment.

Laying still AND enjoying each other's company!

Kade's 3rd grade team got recognized at one of the boy's JV games.

I've put a red arrow above Kade on most of the pictures.

Here they are running out with the high schoolers at the start of the game.

Lined up watching the warm up lay ups.

Someone must've made an impressive move!

While they were standing on the line, one of the players asked the boys if they wanted to do lay ups with them.  Of course Kade was too nervous initially so he said no, but after he saw his buddy Tyeson go out, he joined them.

He even made his lay up!

At half time their names were announced and they ran out to the center of the court.

Even Erik got to touch the ball!

Kade cheering at the varsity game, I think one of the players just dunked it.

He absolutely loves going to basketball games.  He even enjoys going to the girl's games with me!!

We're still working on Mason, but he's definitely starting to show some interest in basketball.  He likes to dribble the ball in the house and play defense on Kade when Kade is dribbling.  Granted, his form of defense usually involves tackling and perhaps a sneaky punch to the gut....baby steps.  And, if anything, he's helping to toughen up his big brother!!