The reason our 10 year old wants a laptop? So he can "have a facebook page, and start a blog."
At least it is for productive reasons. We are very interested to know what a 10 year old would write in a blog!
Oh, and I love that this year we get to make cinnamon rolls for Santa. Much better than regular ol' cookies, if you ask me!
A decade ago, November 22 fell on Thanksgiving Day. After much drama and delay, Caleb was born. I missed the Thanksgiving feast for this bundle of joy:
He truly spent most of the first 6 months of his life looking like this. (I have tons more where these came from!)
But, he was also often known to look like this:
So, that made up for the crying, and yelling, and wailing, and screaming. Really. It did. Since his birthday is so close to Thanksgiving, this year we decided to have his birthday party this past Saturday. We went to a local place, Shankz. The kids played blacklight mini golf. It's a good thing we planned an indoor activity since it snowed that morning, and rained for the rest of the day. Caleb requested a Harry Potter cake, so I did my best.
He loved his presents, 
and even got to put his hand print on the wall of the party room. 
Happy Birthday to our wonderful boy!
Caleb has been busy the past week. It started last Thursday. He took the reading part of the MSP - standardized state-wide testing.
He was so nervous he didn't get to sleep until almost 11pm. So much for a good night's rest! After the test in school, he got to take his next belt test for Taekwondo. This time he tested for, and received, his green belt. 
Maybe next belt test I'll remember to take a video of his form. They are starting to get very complicated, and the moves are almost dance-like. I really enjoy watching them.
Next, on Tuesday Caleb received his Bear badge in Cub Scouts. Here he is taking his badge off of Akela's collar. 
And here he is pining me with the Bear pin. That night, as I was tucking him into bed, he told me that he was really proud of himself for getting his Bear. Both Dave and I are grateful that he really loves scouts.
Finally, yesterday he took the math portion of the MSP. He fell asleep much easier Wednesday night. I think it helped that we were able to help Caleb see that he had prepared his best for both the belt test and the MSP tests, and that since he did his best, he could be proud of his effort and the outcome. -
April
With the rain, and the no school, and the rain, and both kids at home, and well, did I mention the rain? Wednesday night I just knew that we had cabin fever and had to get out of Dodge, so to speak. Once I mentioned to Caleb that the Pacific Science Center had a Star Wars exhibit, the decision was made to go there. 
This was the view of the Space needle as we walked from our car to the PCS. Anyone else see that tiny spot of blue on the left hand side?
Abby was thrilled to stand in line for 30 minutes to see the butterflies. Well, not so much the standing in line as the end result. There were so many. I was glad they had a guide to help us identify them. Although we didn't see the one below on the list, and I sure wish I knew what kind it is.
This was the last stop of the day. I was as excited as the kids to see this part. We were humming this as we were standing in line. It was a fantastically cool exhibit. Not only were there loads of costumes and props, but there were also hands on stations where we built magnet propelled LEGO ships, and a robot that actually rolled. My favorite part would have to be the interactive stations where we built a Water Farm on Tatooine. 
This is the Darth Vader from Episode III. Abby looks the way she does because she is imitating the sound Darth Vader makes. Say it with me, hooooh, heeeeh, hooooh, heeeeh....
Have fun at this exhibit, you will. Go, you must. Learn much, you will.
Abby was thrilled to see something from Princess Leia displayed. I was hoping for the Jabba the Hut scene, but I guess R2D2 and C3PO are quite a bit smaller to transport than the fat green thing! -
April
Who says technology is taking over our kids' lives? I see at least one legitimate toy on this list...
I can't believe this little guy is now 9! This is Caleb on his 1st birthday. He still lights up the room with his smile, brings much joy to our home, and still makes a mess with cake! We love him so much and are blessed to have him in our family. 
I have really learned a lot the past few days on the above topics. I thought I knew what they were, but had a heck of a time helping Caleb understand them. See, Caleb is getting ready for his Yellow Belt advancement in Tae kwon do. The school he is in "emphasizes the mental as well as physical aspects of the art". He is required to write a report on a different topic with each advancement and this time the question is "What are ethics and morality?" Heavy stuff for an almost 9 year old. Together we did some research on-line. Let me share with you what he came up with (80% his own words):
Ethics answers questions such as "What is right and wrong?" and "What is good and bad?". It can help me make informed decisions. An ethical person will make the right decision even if no one is looking.
A moral person has manners, character, proper behavior, and is honest. My morals have been taught to me by my parents, and other trusted adults. They help me make good decisions, respect others, and contribute to society.
I am really proud of him. He did such a good job putting into words what I struggled to do. Even though it is weighty material for him, he seems to grasp it well, and I hope he will remember his definitions as he goes through his life. I hope I can, too! - April
When I was pregnant with Caleb, we called him Sam, since we didn't know if he would be Samantha or Samuel. Since then, he has had numerous nicknames: peanut, goobernut, mr. moose. Sunday this little moonface turned 8.
How quickly he went from being a peanut to a goofball! 
This is the Commander Cody (from Star Wars the Clone Wars) cake I made for his birthday party. It was my first time using fondant, so judge gently!
The Star Wars fanatics that attended his party: Brendan, Caleb, Zane, Logan, Zane.
But, he was also often known to look like this:
So, that made up for the crying, and yelling, and wailing, and screaming. Really. It did. Since his birthday is so close to Thanksgiving, this year we decided to have his birthday party this past Saturday. We went to a local place, Shankz. The kids played blacklight mini golf. It's a good thing we planned an indoor activity since it snowed that morning, and rained for the rest of the day. Caleb requested a Harry Potter cake, so I did my best. 
and even got to put his hand print on the wall of the party room. 
Happy Birthday to our wonderful boy!
It was all I could do to make him wait for his friend Zane to start walking to school!
He has a teacher who is new to the school this year, and a couple of kids who are also new to the school. It should be a great year. 
Maybe next belt test I'll remember to take a video of his form. They are starting to get very complicated, and the moves are almost dance-like. I really enjoy watching them.
And here he is pining me with the Bear pin. That night, as I was tucking him into bed, he told me that he was really proud of himself for getting his Bear. Both Dave and I are grateful that he really loves scouts.
Finally, yesterday he took the math portion of the MSP. He fell asleep much easier Wednesday night. I think it helped that we were able to help Caleb see that he had prepared his best for both the belt test and the MSP tests, and that since he did his best, he could be proud of his effort and the outcome. - April
This was the view of the Space needle as we walked from our car to the PCS. Anyone else see that tiny spot of blue on the left hand side?
Abby was thrilled to stand in line for 30 minutes to see the butterflies. Well, not so much the standing in line as the end result. There were so many. I was glad they had a guide to help us identify them. Although we didn't see the one below on the list, and I sure wish I knew what kind it is.
This was the last stop of the day. I was as excited as the kids to see this part. We were humming this as we were standing in line. It was a fantastically cool exhibit. Not only were there loads of costumes and props, but there were also hands on stations where we built magnet propelled LEGO ships, and a robot that actually rolled. My favorite part would have to be the interactive stations where we built a Water Farm on Tatooine. 
This is the Darth Vader from Episode III. Abby looks the way she does because she is imitating the sound Darth Vader makes. Say it with me, hooooh, heeeeh, hooooh, heeeeh....
Have fun at this exhibit, you will. Go, you must. Learn much, you will.
Abby was thrilled to see something from Princess Leia displayed. I was hoping for the Jabba the Hut scene, but I guess R2D2 and C3PO are quite a bit smaller to transport than the fat green thing! - April
Showing his hapkido
Wishing I had a better camera for this action shot. I'm impressed with his height.
Being tied with his new belt.
Happy with his new achievement.
I can't believe this little guy is now 9! This is Caleb on his 1st birthday. He still lights up the room with his smile, brings much joy to our home, and still makes a mess with cake! We love him so much and are blessed to have him in our family. 
Caleb has been working hard in tae kwon do. He took his yellow belt advancement test tonight. He looks intimidating here - his kiup (yell) is worse than his bite!
Though you can't see his face, Caleb has perfect form in this hapkido move. I feel sorry for the kid with the red hair :)
Demonstrating another hapkido move.
Breaking the board with his back kick. He broke it on the first try!
Having his yellow belt put on. We are so proud of Caleb and the progress he is making in tae kwon do!
We are so proud of Caleb. He worked so hard and can now appreciate the fruits of his labors. - April
How quickly he went from being a peanut to a goofball! 
This is the Commander Cody (from Star Wars the Clone Wars) cake I made for his birthday party. It was my first time using fondant, so judge gently!
The Star Wars fanatics that attended his party: Brendan, Caleb, Zane, Logan, Zane.
