I just found this picture and got a chuckle out of it. See, we spent quite a bit of time at basketball games this season, cheering on the EAGLES! Looks to me like Chip felt very little inclination to keep his eyes glued to the riveting action taking place on the floor. He would never make it as a referee.

Nick the Future Legislator?

Nick was recently chosen to serve as a Page for a local representative. We are very proud of him for receiving this honor! Mr. Tim took the day off from work to accompany the Exalted Page to the state capitol in Topeka. I sent a camera with them and, to his credit, Tim took lots of pictures documenting this momentous occasion. However, only three of them are any good. ;o) So here within lies the photographic evidence of Nick's special day as a Page.

Here's the Page ready to take on whatever errands are thrown his way. I'm thinking that if he ever wants to pursue a career in politics, this could be a great campaign shot. Just look at the sincerity on that boy's face! I'd trust him with my portion of the deficit!

Nick took a solemn oath to uphold the position of Page to the best of his ability.

And here's a lovely shot of Nick on the Capitol steps. He had a great time and did a very good job!

Chip loves to sing. I'm sorry, I don't think I made that clear. Chip LOVES to sing!! He sings all the time. Barney songs, songs from Sunday school, Teletubby songs, anything. I really like this video of him singing 'Fishers of Men.' (I will make you fishers of men....if you follow me.) Granted, he's my kid so I think these sorts of things are magical and amazing, but I think most people would agree this is pretty funny...especially the high notes. ;o)

Chip's Photographic Adventure

The other day, we were waiting (like as in for ETERNITY) while Luke was at the orthodontist. Chip played with everything I had packed for him in about 69 seconds, and boredom was on its merry way. Can't have that, now can we? So I dug around in my purse and pulled out a little camera. Here within lies the results.

Does it surprise anyone that I am Chip's favorite model? I like to think of myself as his muse.

Once he tired of me, he moved on to a still life.

And don't forget some macro work!

Then he set about documenting the scene.

Where would we be without a self-portrait?

This last one is my very favorite. This is a sorta-almost-not-quite-there portrait of me and the nurse. I think his work shows real promise.

When Luke enrolled in 'Tech' (Not sure what that stands for...I think it's what we used to call 'Shop') at school, there was one thing I was really looking forward to. I knew that at some point during the year, he would bring home a completed project that he'd slaved over.

Now there's a funny thing about being a mom. I never imagined that when my kidlet was taller than me and (occasionally) shaving, that I would still melt over anything he did/made/presented me with. I had always thought that was something that faded away as the child grew. But guess what? It doesn't!

I knew that Luke was working diligently on an awesome night light in class, but didn't know when he would (FINALLY) bring it home. What a great day it was when the completed night light was carefully escorted home to its permanent location.

It's a beautiful piece of woodworking. Best of all is how proud this wonderful young man feels, knowing that he made it with his own two hands. I am so happy to have this project and will treasure it forever!

2010 Pioneer League Basketball Champions

Nick's 8th grade basketball team was named CHAMPIONS this last Saturday in the 2010 Pioneer League Basketball Tournament. It was a looong day spent far from home, but they prevailed.

Here is the happy Champ!

And here is the awesome medal he was awarded. GO EAGLES!!

A standard Christmas gift around our house is the basketball. Simple, year-round fun, and good exercise all wrapped up in a colorful sphere. Chip is quite the basketball prodigy. He dribbles all over the house...all...the...time. Believe me, that noise can get to be pretty darned annoying. But I allow it because Lord knows how we're going to pay for college; maybe he can get a scholarship and pay his own way.

This is a video I made of him handling his basketball. Only this time, I asked him to do a fancy stunt. Pretty funny!