Brock's 6th Birthday

Brock picked out his cake colors!

And this is what a six year old looks like who doesn't like having his picture taken!

Much happier after the singing and some delicious cake got in his belly!

Silly card from Papa & Nana Phyllis

Silly boy giving his toy a hug!

We celebrated with the family the Sunday before his birthday as Monday nights are swim practice nights and super busy! Brock's actual birthday was spent at Frankie's Fun Park - Brent had the day off for MLK Jr. Day (as did Brock) so the two of them enjoyed games and LASER TAG!! (You have to be 6 to participate!!)

When Brock returned to school the following day, the class was supposed to celebrate his birthday with cupcakes at lunch and muffins for his "Snackmaster" role, but I have a feeling Brock didn't hand off all the goods to the teacher in the morning.....as many, many muffins were returned home!
Alas, a decent forced smile from Brock!

Brock, and Kade, have been enjoying many of his presents - one very needed gift was a new playroom table for our crafts and playdoh making!

Thanks Grammy & Grandpa!!

Saturday, January 26th we celebrated with Brock's friends at Science Safari! Super cool birthday where they learned some chemistry terminology and conducted experiments!!

Papa was called first to help on a demonstration!

All the kids sitting so nicely!

Brock and his friend Parker doing an experiment!

Here's a cute video experimenting with acids and bases!

Then we all headed outside for even messier observations!

I think this was a blast!!

All the kids found a seat at the table for some fun with DRY ICE!

Helen studying it very intently!

Our final experiment before cupcakes was to make "elephant toothpaste"!! I think everyone loved the magic of this foam!

Happy 6th Birthday Brock!

Watching the dry ice on the table eating their snack

Bye Bye 2018

The week of New Year's Eve was gorgeous around the Triangle - such warm weather, it begged us to head outside! So off the boys and I went to a bike ride around the lake and a trip to Ninja Park. 

We made some changes this holiday break for Kade. Kade left Goddard after a year and a half and will be heading to a new preschool closer to Brock's elementary school. We will miss these teachers - they were wonderful!!

Ms. Lisa and Ms. Lynn

This December weather either gave us sunny and cold days or warm and cloudy/rainy days.... the warmer weather was there, but waited until the last minute to see if it would be "nice" enough to enjoy First Night Raleigh downtown! And it was! Buttons for Brent and I and the boys were free!!

Timed it perfectly, I think - we were parking right at event time opening (2PM) to allow us first dibs riding the Ferris Wheel parked in the middle of Fayetteville Street!

The boys counted every time we went around while Brent and I enjoyed the interesting view!

Eyeing the side of the State Capitol Building

 Our last family portrait of 2018!

After Brent showed Brock a collection of diesels and generators powering all the food trucks and rides along the street, we headed over to the museums for some arts and crafts!

The first one we headed to was England to make paper crowns.... to be honest, this was kind of a bust. Sure the kids liked using the dot marker to decorate, but the crown couldn't even fit on Kade's head!

Moved along to decorate Wands (all these items would be used in the People's Procession - a parade that circles the State Capitol building and ends at the acorn to watch it drop early for the kids at 7pm). Raleigh is known as the City of Oaks.... hence the dropping of the Acorn. ;)

The boys thoroughly enjoyed all the crafts, but alas we brought them home and did not stay for the parade or early ball drop! The boys made lanterns and ornaments too, but no pictures.

I love you! :)

Since we were on the first floor of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, we had to stop and say hello to the dinosaurs!

Brent and I decided to treat (/brave) ourselves to a dinner out and stopped at Red Robin EARLY before heading home to watch the ball drop. With all that excitement, the boys were in bed asleep by 8pm! We stayed up to watch the Times Square ball drop, but it definitely has less excitement than years past.

I'm glad to say goodbye to 2018. It was a rough year for all of us and looking forward to all that 2019 can offer. We have some exciting family vacations planned and anxiously waiting for our first visit with the Tooth Fairy. Both Eason boys are potty trained and hoping we can say that both will know how to swim by boating season this summer (at least not be so scared to jump off the side!). Brent has some new gear for fishing and I have a new tummy for bathing-suit season!

Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.  ~ James R. Sherman