The one where nothing really happened

January 26-29, 2018
Scratching my head and shrugging my shoulders.  Because I don't really know what happened to the last weekend???  We weren't particularly super busy like we are sometimes, but nothing super special really happened either.

I do have a few pictures to share showing some memories that were made this weekend.  Pioneer basketball homecoming was Friday night, so the five Stillwater Dream Weavers went to that.  Lara had a long day at a wrestling tournament in Blackwell on Saturday.  Sunday we did church in the morning (we had been going at night, but basketball...)  where we got to see Emma and hug on her, and then Jake had 3v3 games in Edmond.  Another weekend in the books!

Stillwater High School Pioneer Basketball Homecoming

Lara and Colby took  pictures

Emma discovered Jake has GROWN a bunch

Emma is 5'8" - so I guess Jake is too!

Lara declared THIS is her favorite song (and video)!

Thomas Rhett - Marry Me

ONES

Yesterday was January 25, 2018.  Jacob "Jake" Weaver officially turned eleven years old at 8:15am.  I still can't wrap my mind around it.  Part of the reason for that has to be that he is almost 5'7" tall and weighs approximately 150 pounds.  Another part is that we are 4 short months from him graduating from 5th grade and leaving elementary school forever. Maybe it's because he's a middle child, and an easy child, and the ride has been pretty smooth so I've just been coasting along.  All of those reasons, plus a million more, are what makes this milestone so incredibly special for Jake and our family.

It was just another Thursday, for the most part.  We made a big deal Wednesday night about him going to bed for the last time as a 10 year old (even took a picture of it), and we all came in to his room to wake him up with a birthday song and greeting, then it was off to school.  That was all at Finn's insisting.  Then it was off to school - just like another day.  His classroom teacher always makes a big deal out of birthdays, so he got a crown to wear!  He also took No Bake cookies for his class to share with them as a special treat.

LAST PICTURE AS A 10 YEAR OLD

Special birthday crown at school

Mom and Dad snuck up to the school at lunch time (so Finn wouldn't spot us because he didn't want Big Brother to leave the school) and stole him away for his favorite fast food meal at Wendy's - the 4 for $4.  But he gets medium fries and drink, so it becomes a 4 for $4.99! LOL!

FOUR FOR FOUR

Once everyone was assembled for the evening, we opened presents.  Lara and Finn got him lots of sour gummies and sour patch kids  - his favorites!  And a pack of basketball cards.  Mom and Dad ordered some special gear from Solid Rock Basketball for him, but it didn't arrive in time for the Big Day, so he got pictures of the new gear...  Then it was off to a family dinner!

Jake really did have a nice birthday.  He is such an easy going kid, loves life, love his family.  He truly enjoys school, and he is so passionate about everything that he does.  He either has a basketball,  a video game controller, or his iPod in his hands at all time.  He is an AWESOME big brother to Finn, and such a wonderful little brother to Emma and Lara.  He is kind, and sweet, and FUNNY!  He is smart and talented, and JOYFUL.  He is an excellent human, and we are loving watching him grown into the man God intended him to be!

Eleven has started off so fun, too.  He told us he felt like he had grown, so our "measuring stick" these day is Lara; she hasn't grown in almost a year.  So, they stood back to back as we headed out the door for school - and yep!  Looks like he has grown!

As we were loading the car to go to school and remarking on how today was colder, cloudier, and MUCH windier that yesterday, Jake said, "I'm glad my birthday isn't January 26th!"  I asked why, and he replied, "Because the WEATHER yesterday! It was like Mother Nature was being extra kind to me!"  Yesterday was sunny and the high was in the mid-60's. These are the kinds of things that make us smile.  He is a treasure for sure!

Jake - through the years!

The One with the Kitchen Sink

January 19-22, 2018
This weekend was FINALLY a little slower paced, but not necessarily by design.  We said NO to some things in order to make sure the important things (like REST - flu and cold season is BAD this year!) got the attention they deserve.  We are 2 weeks in to the semester, and Lara felt so very far behind, she asked the wrestling coaches if she could stay back for the tournament Friday and Saturday to get caught up - she had to make up some assignments and a test!  Plus, REST! When she was looking at the week ahead last week, she said, "I just can't even!"  That's teenager for "I need a break."  Thankfully, they understood and she was able to attend to her schoolwork.

In the meantime, Lara and I are doing something we like to do on rare occasion; we are reading the same book.  I got an alert that the book "Elanor and Park" by Rainbow Rowell was on special for Kindle, so I bought it after reading a few reviews.  I told Lara what I got, and she said she had always wanted to read it!  I finished it in a couple of days, and now she is almost done with with it.  I can't wait to talk about it with her! (I really liked the story.  Enjoyed reading it.  The ending... well, Lara needs to hurry up!)

Saturday was a pretty easy day.  The kids got up and did a few chores, and were all set to take it easy and watch OSU host OU for Bedlam basketball.  Emma and the M-O Lady Panthers were in a tournament in Coyle, so I secretly caught a ride with Nana and Grandpa to take in her last game, while Lara watched Jake and Finn.  Emma drove us back to Perkins after the game, and I went back home while she stayed with Nana and Grandpa.  That's where she tried her hand at plumbing and installed a new kitchen sink for them.

Finn and Lara and WiiU

sometimes you have to get IN the cabinet

Sunday, the Stillwater crew got up a little earlier than our usual lazy Sunday mornings, for a Britt Weaver "adventure" day!  We sure love these days!  He says he's taking us on an adventure, and we just play along.  (Lara had a heads up; I didn't want to mess up any other plans she already had).  We ended up at Quail Springs Mall in Edmond for a 10;30am showing of the Sing Along version of The Greatest Showman!  The boys were thrilled!  It was the 3rd time for Jake, Dad and I to see the movie, and the 2nd for Lara and Finn.  Plus, we could sing - LOUDLY - and it was OK!  Such a fun adventure.

After the movie and lunch, it was off to Solid Rock for Jake's jr nba 3v3 league to start.  He had 2 games, but first we got to watch the OKC Thunder "Storm Chasers" put on a little show and throw out some free swag.  Pretty fun way to kick of this league!  Nana and Grandpa brought Emma, so we could all watch Jake's team win both of their games, and we all got to celebrate Grandpa's birthday!

All in all, a pretty fun weekend.  Hard to believe January has gone so fast and we only have one more weekend left this month,  I wonder what it holds in store for the Twisters?