Maple Syrup

Last Saturday the boys tapped the maple tree in the front yard.  Today when Jack-jack checked his ice cream bucket it was just about half full.

We strained the sap through a cloth and then put it on the stove to boil down.

We were hoping for at least a tablespoon of syrup to sample after the sap was boiled down.  After almost two hours of cooking we ended up getting a little more than that.  We have enough for someone to have a couple of pancakes in the morning!  Let's just say.......there is a little someone who is very excited about breakfast tomorrow!

Yes, a lot of steps in the making of this tiny amount of syrup, but the excitement and thrill it brings to a certain little someone.......ABSOLUTELY priceless!!!

Needless to say, the bucket is back out on the tree. 

Tapping Tree

The brainstorm of the day was to tap the maple tree in the front yard.  Jack-jack went on a field trip earlier in the week and brought home a "bucket" of information.  Today, he and Dad are "tapping" into that.  Jack-jack discovered that the maple tree in the front yard met the criteria for tapping.  So the boys got a drill and tapping is what they did.  Anxious to see if we will get any sap.  Hopefully enough to boil down and Jack-jack will have enough for at least one pancake.

  

Mom's Birthday #35!

On the 12th of March I turned 35 years old.  Celebrated by spending the day doing a little shopping and lunch with my mom.  Then had crab legs and cake for supper.  It was a treat!

Hubby also pulled off a very special surprise.  Came home with a box from the jewelers.  Inside, a necklace with my birthstone and a little diamond.  Very special!  Thanks Jack!

 

Bringing Out Spirit!

Boom, Boom, ain't it great to be craaaaaazzzzzy!?!  The kids love crazy dress up days for school.  In March, they have a whole week of fun and crazy dress up days to bring out the kids' school spirit!

Jack-jack in his mismatched socks.

Super Hero day at the middle school.  Hannah dressed as Super Grover.  Cheyenne went as RafiKrell the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

And then there was Clash Day.  Chey has that covered.

Lot's O' Snow!

This year we can't complain.  We got lots of snow to have lots of fun!  The shoveling does get old and the thought of Spring is great, but I guess if life gives you snow, make a snow fort!

Jack The Bobcat

Each month Rossman school has an all school assembly.  This assembly recognizes kids and their achievements along with other things that are going on throughout this time.

This past week Jack-jack was asked to be Bobby The Bobcat (the school mascot).  He was so excited.  During the assembly the kids get to guess who they think might be Bobby.  Nobody guessed it was Jack-jack.  Not even with his little dance that he did when they brought him out.  Way to go Jack!

Who is Bobby The Bobcat???

It's Jack!  All the kids were surprised.  Here he gets to be a helper.

Here is our Bobby now!  Good job Jack (3rd grade)!

St. Kilian Basketball Tournament

The St. Kilian Basketball Tournament marks the end (well....almost the end) of the girls' basketball season.

Hannah's 8th grade girls' team took 4th place.  They don't have the best record for the season, but they always play hard.  They will be finishing up a tournament this weekend and then their season will officially be done.
 

Cheyenne's 6th grade girls' team had a really good season.  They play hard and work really well together.  They finished their season with a 2nd place win at the tournament.  Way to go girls!

  

Great Grandma's Crew.

In February there are a lot of birthdays to celebrate so Uncle Gary usually throws one big party.  This year all of Great Grandma Charlene's kids were there.  It's not often that happens.

So here is the crew from left to right.  Great Grandma Charlene holding little Aryn, Cody, Hannah holding Zoey, Jack-jack, Cheyenne and Evelyn.

Valentine's Day 2013

"Valentine's Day is just another Hallmark holiday," the Hubby always say.  I don't know what got into him this year, but I got flowers.  Not only did I get flowers, but he even wrote me a poem.  A Jack Krell Original.  Sounds all good and romantic.  For the most part it is (was).  That is until you read the poem.  I don't know about that boy!