JJ's New Bike!

Last spring Zeke needed a new bike. We went to a few stores and our limited budget was an issue. When we found one for Zeke it was on clearance and there were two of them. They were a great deal and so we decided to get them both knowing that JJ would need one this summer. The bike was way to big for JJ last summer and we told him that by this spring he would be big enough for it! There were many disappointing moments for JJ while he waited to be big enough. Last summer he would ask on a regular basis. Over the winter months with the bikes put away, he stopped asking.

As the weather warmed and the talk turned to bike riding, JJ asked again..."Am I big enough now?"

We pulled out the bikes and brought the new bike for JJ upstairs. I was a little concerned knowing that JJ is both a couple of months younger than Zeke was at this time last year and that he tends to be a little shorter than Zeke was at his age. We got the bike out and lowered the seat and then it was time for the test. His toes barely touch the ground, but he was so excited and he figured out how to tip the bike to the side a little so that he could get it started. He is enjoying the new bike!

JJ the Gymnast

This winter JJ has been taking a gymastics class at the Y! He is really enjoying it and seems to be learning a lot. They have a low bar that he is learning to jump up on. He is perfecting his sommersault. They are learning some jumps like the tuck jump and straddle jump and they are learning a few other fundamentals of gymnastics.

Here is his backroll... They start at the top of a cushioned ramp.

He is also learning to do a pretty good cartwheel...

He is excited to be in the class and looks forward to it every week!

Back at home...

After over two weeks in Wisconsin, we arrived back home on January 4th. On January 5th the boys had a chance to open a few presents that we had recieved from some friends at church.

Then we unloaded the Christmas presents from the car and the boys set to playing with their new toys in the toy room. Our toy room is overflowing with new toys! The boys recieved several sets of K-nex toys which Zeke is playing with here. They also recieved other building toys and a new set to add to their train box.

JJ's Big Catch...

A couple of days after Zeke's big catch, came JJ's big catch. This time it was a 28" Northern Pike.

We took it back to Grandma and Grandpa's house and Grandpa helped clean it up. The boys decided that this was a very smelly job.

Snow Flakes...

There hasn't been much snow on the ground in Indiana yet... (I hear there is a possibility of a few inches tonight). The boys, however, are always getting out their scissors and cutting things out. Today I got them started on a project that is sure to leave more little clippings all over our house for months to come! We opened up a package of Coffee filters and the boys began folding and cutting.

JJ, in typical JJ fashion, was very careful and artistic.

This was one of his first attempts, and his favorite because it has little hearts in it. He also created several that he thought looked like flowers and butterflies!

Noah is rarely able to concentrate on anything without sticking his tongue out... Which is why this picture is so odd!

He was thrilled with his creations!

Zeke tried a variety of different techniques of cutting.

He was always excited to unfold the new snowflake!

Seth got really good at cutting out the center.

His snowflakes all had various size holes for him to look through!

Balancing Act

Science Central, our local kids museum, hosts Homeschool afternoons where they offer a science class for homeschooled children in the area. Today we headed out the door for Zeke's "The Math is Right" class. We got there a little early, so we grabbed one of their adventure back packs to learn a little bit about the physics of balancing.


The first explorer bag had two dolls and the boys had to balance them on their heads and feet. Then they were to discuss why they could or couldn't get the doll to stand up.

It was discovered that the doll with the heavier head would stand on her head and the doll with the heavier feet would stand on her feet.

The next bag gave them the task of balancing 10 nails on the head of a nail. After several unsuccessful attempts we looked at the answer and Zeke successfully balanced the nails by hooking them together.

When we returned to our table and pulled out our last bag, the task was to balance a popsicle stick on the end of their finger. The boys all immediately knew that this would not work and thought it was a silly request, but they tried it anyway. But of course this was not the end of the lesson. The next set of instructions were to create a set of counter weights to enable them to balance the popsicle stick on the end of their finger. After a few minutes of attaching pipecleaners and paperclips to their toothpicks they were all able to successfully balance their popsicle sticks.

Flag Football Season Ends

The season for flag football ended on a cold fall day. We were making up a game that was rained out earlier in the season. Between the blustery wind and the upper 40 degree temperatures there were a lot of cold boys and girls on the field.

JJ and Noah played first and kept a positive attitude throughout the game despite the cold temps. After the game they were awarded a participation medal!

Zeke played next and did his best. Cold fingers caused a dropped pass or two. He was also awarded a participation medal. He wanted to show off both of his medals (the other one is from baseball this summer).

Seth, of course, wanted his picture taken too! He can't wait to play football next year!

Grandma and Grandpa at Flag Football

On October 18th, Grandma and Grandpa Breeden came to visit. Zeke, JJ and Noah had a chance to show off their football skills!

Zeke's game started bright and early at 8:30. He had a great game and his team won their first game this year.

Zeke helped out on defense by pulling a couple of flags.

After the game, Grandma, Grandpa and Zeke posed for a picture.

We had a half hour break and Noah and JJ's games started at 10:00. JJ had a great run that lead to a touchdown!

Noah got the ball and ran in the right direction!After the game we got Noah and JJ together for a picture with Grandma and Grandpa too!

It was a beautiful fall day and after the games we went to Cabella's for lunch!

Flag Football

Every Saturday for the past few weeks we wake up and head to the YMCA where Zeke, JJ and Noah are involved in flag football.

This is the second year for Zeke. He plays on the Jaguars. He is doing great and has learned a lot since last year. His friend Max plays on his team too!

JJ and Noah play together on the Panthers in the PreK-Kindergarten league. This is JJ's second year and he has also improved. He keeps his head in the game and listens to his coaches. He has even scored three touchdowns and come close on a couple of other runs! When he gets the ball he takes off running and when we see him on the sidelines he is always excited to point out how fast he ran!

Noah is in his first year. Noah is having fun! The coaches work weekly with him and the other younger players to help them understand things like, the word "hike" means go in football and when you are on defense your only job is to get the flag of the player with the ball. The first time he got the ball this year the coach (after needing to remind him several times that it was his turn to get the ball) he took it and started running away from his endzone... He is learning though and having fun!