Chess Tournament and Math & Science Night

Brock is a member of his middle school's Chess Club and as of mid-March, Kade will be a member of his elementary school club. They both were excited to join the North Carolina kids Chess Tournament held on March 1st in Raleigh this year. It rotates from Charlotte to Raleigh every year - so Kade attended this two years ago! 

The format was a bit different from two years ago - they scaled it down to six rounds in one really long day (instead of 7 rounds over 2 days) at the Raleigh Convention Center. 

Round 1 started at 9am and yay both kiddos won their matches! We brought snacks and tablets to occupy our time between matches. This was our first hangout spot - right outside of Ballroom C where Brock was playing. 

We moved to the lounge area while the boys went in to play Round 2. A table with chairs was better for our lunch. Brent kindly drove over to Chick-Fil-A in Cameron Village for lunch! 

Kade went against only 4th graders. He did pretty well for not having practiced as much. Round 3 and 4 went pretty smoothly - earning a Draw for one of them. Parents are not able to spectate inside the rooms. Once we help them with which table to play, parents need to vacate out! 

Middle school is a different story. Brock went against all 6th, 7th or 8th graders, depending on how well he did the round before. Pretty tough competition! 

After Round 6, we waited a bit for the final scoring to come in to see if Kade would be awarded anything. Alas no, BUT Washington Elementary school was awarded FIRST place over all other Fourth Grade teams! We didn't stay to wait for the awards ceremony, but did take a picture with the first place 4th grade trophy (green/purple/black to the left of him). 

Kade ended up placing 33rd out of 77 fourth graders. Two Wins, 2 Draws, Two Losses. One of his buddies picked up a medal and brought it to him at school on Monday!

Brock placed 153rd out of 189 middle schoolers. He really did well and I know he got discouraged playing against some really amazing players. We were really proud of him that he stuck in there and did his best. I know he wants to do better and the more he plays, the better he is going to be! 

On Thursday, Kade and I made an appearance at his school's annual Math & Science night. 

After checking in, we made our way to the special exhibit by NCSU Biotech Syndicate Club where we learned about Synthetic Biology and DNA. Afterwards, Kade got to create his own Double Helix strand from gummy bears and twizzlers! 

We headed back to the Cafeteria to build and fly paper airplanes - trying and SUCCEEDING in breaking last year's record with 38 feet! 

We were stuck in this area for a long time as Kade made several flying attempts and rebuilt his paper airplane again and again. Of course Kade also had to stop in and say hello to some cool 6th graders (aka Brock's friends all asking where Brock was). 

Finally, we were able to move on to another section - Miraculous Mr. Martin's Mathematical Mysteries - where Kade attempted to fold a piece of paper equally 10 times to win a million dollars. Spoiler: it's impossible! 

Stopped in one of the AIG teachers's rooms to show off his robot driving skills!

And then right when I was able to get him to leave, his best buddy showed up, so of course we had to stay longer! 

We cheered on some friends at the Egg Drop Challenge and was reunited with one of Kade's long lost jackets from the Lost & Found (see black jacket in picture below) and then it was time to head home!

Kade enjoyed a "single" scoop of chocolate ice cream upon exiting. (that's a big single scoop!)

My two big boys helping me after a grocery shopping trip!

Oak Island 2025

 

We are definitely dog people. Sometimes we gauge our vacations on how much Moose has enjoyed it! If we do that, then this was definitely a good trip!! 

The Eason Family was fortunate once again to book a winter beach trip to Brian and Nancy's house in Oak Island! Second time coming here during the Run Oak Island Marathon too - Brock tried really hard to get me to sign him up - $50 for a medal?? 

Brent and Brock ran their own 5K after the marathon runners cleared out. I was so proud that they both completed it! (Moose and I walked and Kade did a half 5K)

Brock must have been exhausted from the walk because he never passes up an opportunity to go to the beach! Alas, only Kade and I took Moose to enjoy the sand. 

I think he loves to dig in the sand! 

Silly Moose - he was watching those seagulls - he REALLY wanted one! 

Or maybe he was just posing! 

I guess Kade forgot it was winter and told me he wanted to go wash off the cold sand in the water - and was surprised when the water was cold too! 

It was nice that it was low tide. Wish we could have let Moose off the leash, but there were other people around. 

We all got cleaned up and headed out to early dinner at our spot - Edgewater 122 in Southport. We forgot about the race being that weekend and tried making a reservation that afternoon and they were all booked! We snagged the last "walk-in" table! 

My white daiquiri was soooo yummy! And I love Kade peeking over in this picture too!

A winter vacation! 

After hearing the dessert choices, Brock and Kade both had to get their favorites. Kade was all about the  chocolate cake (and left the whipped cream for me!). 

Brock loves his cheesecake!

The next day a big storm had rolled in - that meant rainy day activities most of the morning - lots of foosball and I actually got to start (and finish) my Emily Henry book I received at Christmas! We could feel the house sway in the wind!

About 1pm the rain stopped enough for Brent, Moose and I to take a walk to the beach. Waves were a little bit different than the day before - 7-8 feet - and the wind was something else - crazy hair!

Goodbye house! Hope to visit you again soon! 

Here's a picture from right before our little President's Day getaway when Papa came to visit! We're going to keep taking pictures of them side by side because it will capture a pretty awesome journey of Brock's growth! 

And then here's a picture from two days AFTER our weekend getaway. The Raleigh area saw 3-4 inches of snow on Wednesday, February 19th! The kids were out on Monday for the holiday, went to school Tuesday, then were out the remainder of the week! Crazy North Carolina! 

Brock turns 12!

 

Brock's passion is playing computer games, specifically Roblox, these days. Brent and I decided to stop fighting it and embrace it, by purchasing Brock a full-out gaming computer. 

He may have known something like this was coming as we had him do the work on figuring out required specifications needed for said gaming computer. It definitely made him more invested. 

I still think he was absolutely thrilled! 

I love Moose looking at the camera at this one.  :) 

When Grandpa heard what we were thinking of getting him, he wanted to get him something he loved too and offered to pick out the monitor! An awesome 27" Samsung curved monitor was an amazing gift! 

After yummy cheeseburgers from Red Robin for dinner, we celebrated with vanilla & chocolate cupcakes! Thought the little decorations on top of the cupcakes looked like the squishmallows Brock loves. 

After an extended break from school - Martin Luther King Jr holiday/teacher workday plus TWO days of snow days and one two-hour delay day of school - Saturday was finally Brock's birthday party!! 

Three of his best buds got to hang out with him all day - Chick-fil-a lunch, then Dave & Busters Arcade plus just hanging around showing off his new computer playing video games. 

Time for more cake! 

Fun group of boys plus Kade! Maybe next time I'll try for the photo before the blue icing!

Happy Brock doing what he loves - look at that focus! He loves how the keyboard clicks-clicks. The tower is pretty cool all lit up too! (you can spot it right beside him on the floor)