The Leprechauns Came!

The night before St. Patrick's Day at our house we leave a shoe by the front door.  While you are sleeping, the Leprechauns come and fill your shoe with candy.
My kids are always so excited. (In fact, when Ernie learned about the true identity of the Easter Bunny when my sisters failed at being quiet last year while they were filling in while we were on our cruise, the first thing he said was, "that means the Leprechauns......." with a very sad face.  Not any other major character one would assume a child would think of first.)
And they must have been good kids, because their shoe was filled this year.

Skiing

A few years ago, when Caleb was only 3 and Ernie 6, my boys had their first skiing experience. (And yes, watching a 3 year old ski had to be one of my favorite all time moments.) Since then, we have tried to take them at least 2-3 times a season.  They LOVE it.  They are fearless, and it is adorable.
This year, with basketball and our change in cabin locations for Christmas, we just weren't able to ever make it up to Brian Head.  Until a few weeks ago.  It is one of my absolute favorite thing to see.

 Caleb:

 

Ernie:

                                      I can't wait to be able to take them again next year. 

Just Another Birthday

So, this year I got an amazing birthday gift.  Drum roll please........Strep throat! I had never had it before, and it was the best birthday surprise a girl could ask for. Despite the misery, how could one not still have a great day when they wake up to this:

And it was all on their own.  (I know, because the husband was sleeping next to me :)  They also made me this card:

They are such sweet kids. I am pretty blessed.  Luckily the weekend before, my sweet husband had planned a little night away at the Mandalay Bay.  (And the next day, I got a late check out, and after basketball stuff, I brought the boys back to swim.)  

I started my morning off thinking, "well, it's just another birthday".  But it most definitely is not just another birthday when you have so many people that love you, even when you have strep throat.  I feel pretty spoiled.

The End Of a Season

 This one was particularly enjoyable this year. Ernie coached again, and had a great couple that helped out as the assistant and the team mom.  And they ended up in 3rd place, which was a HUGE improvement from the summer.  And they only lost two games the whole season. 

 

But then, they barely lost in the semi finals of the play off tournament.  It was so sad.  All of the kids were crying and very emotional.  They loved the game, and they loved their team.  When I asked Ernie about why he had gotten so emotional (because that is very unlike him for a sports event) he said, "Mom, that was the most important game I have ever had.  Ever.  And we lost.  I have never felt this miserable."  I loved that a little group of 8 year olds cared that much about each other! Above  is the team with their 3rd place trophies. 

Caleb was very supportive of the team. 

 

He spent most of his time making sure all of the other siblings of boys on the team felt welcome and had someone to play with and talk to. 

 

We will surely miss them.  This was the best team we have ever been a part of.  They were very, very good.  But it was a lot more than that.  They were so kind to each other, as well as the other teams (even if there were some pretty, well, not as nice of kids)  and had a blast with each other.  We only knew one of the kids going into the season, but we sure hope to end up with them again. 

Remember when a loss seemed like the absolute end of your world? 

Ah, the simpler times of childhood.