Another Home Depot day

Since we are so lucky to be on Eastern Standard Time, we don't have conference broadcast until 12:00pm. This worked out great since it was the first weekend of the month and Carson has been waiting for the next Kid's Clinic at Home Depot. We invited our neighbor friends and they had a great time making window birdhouses. I was prepared this time, and had my camera ready to take action shots throughout the event! Here are the builders hard at work:

Carson hard at work:

Connor hard at work? More like banging the table with the hammer.

The neighborhood friends:

The finished result:

Great builders!

Fun-Filled Morning

We had a fun-filled morning! Our little township has an annual Easter egg hunt and so we ventured out this morning to see what it was about. If you come at 10:00am, they have craft tables set up, face painting, games, and the Easter Bunny roams around to take pictures. Then at 11:00 each child gathers around his designated circle and waits for the signal. At the whistle, they go crazy and pick up as many eggs as they can. They are filled with candy, little toys and prize slips. It was so fun! Even though there was a million people there and the hunt lasted maybe 10 seconds before all the eggs were gone, the boys had a fun time.

After the event we went to Carson's first soccer game. It is through the YMCA and indoors at the elementary school. It is not quite as organzied as the one in Az, but it was still fun, Carson wass really excited to be n the same team as his two friends from the neighborhood, Alex and Coleman. Although he didn't score any goals, he had fun getting back into the game.

Kid's Clinic

On Saturday, we were at Home Depot to purchase some grass seed (that is a long story in itself) and the man at the check-out said there was a free kid's clinic going on if we wanted to go. Of course Carson was up for it, so we had a great time building a speedway. He used a hammer and nails all by himself and did an excellent job of reading and following the directions (good thing too, because I was trying to entertain and put Connor's togther at the same time)!

How did I miss this before? If you have kids, you definitely should check this out. The first Saturday of each month they create a different project and they give the kids a mini apron and the craft kit. When they complete the project, they show the supervisor and then they get a coordinating pin to put on the apron. Carson had a blast and is so excited for the birdhouses they will build next month.
Of course I didn't have my camera at the event, but here are a few "after" photos of the boys playing with their creations.




Oops! Don't mind Connor's fingers as he tried to grab the camera.

Kindergarten Smarty

I know, I am one of those proud mothers who gushes about her children at every chance. So, I couldn't pass up this opportunity after Carson came home with his very first report card. It was nice that he mastered all of the skills, but it was more gratifying to read the comments by his teacher. Since the copy is unclear, his teacher wrote "Caring for others and expressing enthusiasm and devotion to learning, make Carson a loved and valuable member of the class. It is a true joy to teach such a kind-hearted and hard working child! :0)"

I guess all that teaching in the home really does sink in! Congrats, Carson, you are my little sweetheart!

Super Bowl

LET'S GO STEELERS!!

Pittsburgh people are CRAZY about the Steelers. They even brainwash the little kindergartners about it! Carson has only lived here about five months, but already he is a true Steelers fan! He thinks it is fun to have a friendly rivalry with his Grandpas about the upcoming "big game" as he calls it. Our neighbors have each given us Steelers gear, so here are the boys all decked out for "Steelers Day" at school today with the "Terrible Towel" in hand:

LET'S GO STEELERS!!

(take THAT Uncle Marc)!

Christmas Pictures from the Ellsworths

Here are the pictures from Christmas at the Ellsworth home:

Holiday Surprises

We had such a wonderful time on our "surprise" trip to Arizona for Christmas. The boys had a blast visiting Grandpas & Grandmas and were such little troopers during the busy time. Here are a few pictures of the events:
Christmas Eve eve (Santa came early on the 23rd so we could open gifts at home without hauling them to AZ)

Carson discovered that Santa came early:

A new bus was the highlight of the night. Connor didn't even want to open any more presents after that.

They must be excited!

We didn't have much, but the boys were grateful and happy. It was a wonderful evening!

At the airport, going to AZ!

The bowling group:

Grandpa was a great teacher. Carson had never been bowling before and now he asks if we can go everyday.

Catching up on old times with AJ.

I need to get more pics from the Ellsworth side of the stay so I'll update when I get those.

Overall we had a fantastic trip and we are so grateful to those who made it possible. Thanks a million to everyone-- we love you!