Incon-theve-able!

(Insert Wallace Shawn’s unforgettable voice above.) Landon participated in his first Pinewood Derby this week. He won two heats and earned 8th place overall. Not too shabby! Eliza wants in on the action now too.

Mike had a somewhat busier than usual work week, Hallie experienced more success as she prepares for her bariatric surgery, and both kids had Friday off for teacher in-service.

Before the Pinewood Derby on Tuesday, Hallie looked after Jacob (Eliza’s classmate) and his sister Molly. They played together at home and the local park. Hallie had a chance to visit with friends from Landon’s school and from church who live near the park while the kids soaked up the sun and burned off some steam.

Then we were off to the races! As mentioned above, Landon held his own and learned about the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. After the race ended, Mike discovered that one of Landon’s wheels had broken and an axle had come loose. Makes one wonder if the boy’s car might have done even better. . . .

After the race, we chatted with the kid whose car won. We took pictures of his car to see what we can learn for next year. The boy who won this year had also brought his car from last year. Landon’s broken car came in second in an impromptu three-car heat.

Missing a weight too!

On Thursday after dropping off the other three, Hallie picked up her mom and they headed for a walk to the local shopping center. The two ladies have wanted to visit a store there without the kids. There were a lot of fun things that they saw window shopping, and it was a beautiful day for a walk. Eliza was thrilled to see her Grandma at pick up.

After teaching at the University Mike went out teaching with the missionaries. While waiting for them at church, he saw the kids’ contributions to the Ward Primary bulletin board.

Toys and laundry. We’ll have to hold them to their commitments!

With both kids off from school on Friday, Hallie had her hands full. She got brave and let them do her hair.

Later, after we got home from gymnastics, dressed in pajamas, and ready for movie night, Hallie came running down the stairs yelling, “Get in the car! Get in the car! We gotta go!” She had received word that the Mister Softee ice cream truck was in the neighborhood. Yay for a spontaneous treat run!

On Saturday, we went to the movies to see Kung Fu Panda 3. For Christmas, we’d received a movie theater gift card from Uncle Riley, Aunt Breanne, and Porter. It’s been a while since we have all gone to a movie together, so this was a real treat.

A local kung fu school made the premiere into a recruiting event. Clever! 

Sunday brought some very welcome rain. Here’s to more green hills in our near future! By the afternoon, the sun had returned and the winds had kicked up. The kids watched The Princess Bride for the first time today. They liked it. “What?!” you ask? “They’ve never seen The Princess Bride before? ‘Incon-theve-able!’” Yeah, yeah. The kids’ parents were teenagers when the film came out.