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

Christmas 2018

 The boys were up at 6:45 on Christmas morning! So excited to see if Santa came!!

We let the boys manage the gift opening order - they were really good about it. Excited for each other to open their gifts as much as themselves. And joint presents worked out well!!

Oooh - a new fort from Great Aunt Carol and Great Uncle Jeff!!

 The one thing Brock asked for this year was a video game. He wasn't too specific on which one - he has no clue how many options he would have had! Santa brought him Incredibles - Lego Version and Just Dance for the PS4. He gets a brand new controller too to work with Brent's "old" Playstation 4. He's played it a few times since and he is in LOVE. Definitely have to remember to limit the screen time.....

I didn't grab too many pictures of the presents from Grammy & Grandpa because they were zooming us from Nashville that morning! Brock has been ALL ABOUT Brent's diesel truck, so was super stoked to receive his very own Ram truck! Check out Brock giving out all the truck's stats.

Our fur babies loved Christmas as well! After the first couple of presents were opened and Moose got his jaws on some wrapping paper, we gave him a better toy to much on and keep him occupied! He's a 114 pound puppy!

I gave Diesel his stocking and he's an old pro and knew just how to reach his muzzle in to pull out the treats!

 Moose needed a bit of help.

But then he was on it!

Sleepy puppy after an exciting day!

Christmas Eve 2018

We started the morning making our cookies for Santa! Sugar cookies with frosting and sugar and marshmallows to create.....

 Polar Bear Cookies!!

Moose was feeling festive in his Reindeer antlers!

Time for everyone to get all dressed up for 4PM Christmas Eve service!

Hmmm... might have to find a new spot for our afternoon photo ops!!

 

Yay! It's us! In the sun!! ;)

"Take a picture of me Mommy!" ....while he's wearing my necklace. This was Kade's first time in the big sanctuary for the whole service! He did okay.... lots of snacks and coloring books helped pass the time. ;)

Brock's an old pro!

After a delicious dinner of homemade meatballs and pasta, Brock was sent out to sprinkle the Reindeer food he made at school.

The boys were the most willing to put on their pajamas that night!!! One more task to set out the milk and cookies for Santa!

 The Eason boys are ready for Santa!!