Charley with a Haircut

3 x 8 = Ice Cream Sundae

Peyton has been studying multiplication in 3rd grade.  Each time he passed a number he got to put a sticker on his ice cream sundae picture.  A few weeks ago they got to reap the rewards of all their hard work--based on your number of stickers you got more ice cream, more toppings, etc.  Peyton got something like 3 scoops of ice cream, hot fudge, whip cream, and several toppings.  What do you expect when both of your parents are bankers? 

They have now moved on to division.  I wonder what their treat will be for that?  How do you top ice cream sundaes?

Peyton's 9th Birthday Party

I can't believe my little boy is 9!  It seems like just yesterday he was peeing on me as I tried to change his diaper.  Didn't we just finish reading Winnie-the-Pooh and now he's reading Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief?  He used to say "Love You Mama" and now it's "You're Such a Dork, Mom."  Ahhhhh........

Why Jenny is the Coolest Mom Ever

Because she totally transformed Peyton's room into Outer Space for his birthday!  And check out the rocket shelf...the rockets used to be baseball bats but the Coolest Mom Ever painted them, added wings and sparks, and turned them into rocket ships!

As you can tell, Peyton likes space -- the theme was his idea but he was not allowed to see the room until it was finished.  He was pretty excited which made Mom's work all worth it.  We love you, our little/big scientist!

Jeffe Palooza Winter Edition

Leave it to Ken & Jeff to find a way to paddleboard in any kind of weather...










...and of course there's a picture of the van.










They also managed to get in some biking...













...aren't they a cute couple?

My Forever Valentine

Jeff and I spent our first Valentine’s day shopping for cars. I had gotten in a small fender-bender which “totaled” my Geo Metro. My man and I went searching for a good deal on a drizzly Saturday which lasted until dusk. We found a cute Honda for which my then-fiancé had to co-sign so I could qualify for the loan. Nothing says “commitment” like a financial commitment.

Twelve years later I’m still lucky enough to call him my Valentine. This morning at work I was talking to my coworker about sending his girlfriend flowers for Valentine’s day. “When do you send them if Valentine’s is on a Sunday?” He asked. “Definitely Friday,” I said. “Better early than late.” He agreed; when dating you have to show the public sign of affection by sending flowers to the office. “Yes,” I said, “because you are still in the courting phase. Myself, I no longer expect flowers on Valentine’s day.” Wouldn’t you know it that a few hours later I was delivered flowers by a cute old delivery man who proceeded to tell me that his Great Grandmother was a Banks and was responsible for renaming the town of Merino, Idaho, to Banks, Idaho. Anyway, the flowers were from my loving husband. And not just ol’ roses, but cute tea roses and daisies and a card that said simply, “KAVU.”

McCall Winter Carnival

Playing on the ice/snow sculptures...check out the kayaker!!!

We had fun walking around town, playing in the snow, and stopping at the Golf Course Clubhouse for Family Bingo Night (no, we didn't win).  And how about those cute new hats for the kids?

There were even some carnival rides at Winter "Carnival" this year -- Jeff was the good parent and went on the Spinning Apples with the kids (ugh - can you say dizzy?)

Peyton is not afraid of getting up close and personal with snow.  At the end of the night his socks and gloves and fleece jacket were dripping wet--you wouldn't have known it from his attitude, though!  Isn't he cute in the ice sculpture bathroom?

Ashley is an Ice Princess herself.  Is there really anything more fun than running, climbing, and jumping in the snow?  Not when you're 5 years old (almost 6! -- check out Ashley in front of the number ice sculpture!)

One Man Band -- McCall Style

The kids pose with an ice version and the "real" version of the Payette Lake Monster.

Last, but not least, the man of my dreams...

Yesterday at lunch...

I love these kids!  Ashley played in her basketball game yesterday morning and then we all went out for lunch at Chronic Taco (pretty good if I do say so).  Peyton had a birthday party to go to in the afternoon and Ashley and I went to a bowl-a-thon supporting Junior Achievement.  Jeff stayed home to pack up the camper van; yep, another overnight trip to Bogus Basin!  Ashley and I stayed home while the boys went night skiing, slept in the camper in the parking lot, and woke up early to hit the slopes again this morning.  Those crazy boys loved every minute of it.  They came home telling us they jumped off tables in terrain park.  I don't want to hear that!  Glad they had fun, though.  Ashley and I went to see a kissy-face movie and then came home and played wedding dress up while watching 27 Dresses.  I love having a girl.  Today Peyton's basketball team Club Fuego / Boise Blaze played a scrimmage against another team from across town.  These teams are pretty competitive and the boys play on 10' hoops.  Peyton and his team did great and lost by only 2 points--Peyton himself was all over defense and did a great job at running the offensive plays Coach Ludwig taught them.  It really made me realize how grown up he is.  And how old Jeff and I are getting.  Actually, we're watching the Grammys right now and there are several bands we've never even heard of--that's a pretty sure sign of our age, huh? 

Miscellaneous Pictures from Jen the Procrastinator

Peyton plays soccer (September 2009)

Ashley and Mom go to Art in the Park (September 2009

Ashley learns to ride her bike without training wheels! (September 2009)

Hyde Park Street Fair (that's held at Camel's Back Park - go figure)

Girl Scouts

This is Ashley's first year in Girl Scouts - she is a Daisy and seems to enjoy it even though all the girls in her troop go to a different school.  She is shy, but always excited to go and play more with the girls.  This is also Mom's first year as a scout volunteer.  Whereas Dad was an Eagle Scout and can therefore counsel Peyton on everything boy scouts, Mom has had no experience in this area.  We are learning together and it's quite fun.  I will say this - Girl Scouts got it together.  All of their badges are super-strong-iron-on.  Boy Scout badges do not stay on, even though they claim to be iron-on, and require sewing.  Unfortunately, Peyton hasn't earned his sewing badge yet so that falls to Mom.  Good thing I have Deana's hand-me-down machine or I'd never sew a stitch! 

More cute girl scout daisy pictures to come...

P.S.  Girl Scout cookies on sale until Thursday, January 28th!