My kids are already starting with the countdown. T-Minus 10 days, minus some depending on when you read this post. Every day I get an updated count from Brandon when he crosses off a day on his calendar.
I wish I had some pictures to share but I promise on the next post I will have something.
This weekend was Brandon’s cub scout holiday pot luck. The Tiger’s only had to bring pop, so we had an easy job with little prep. The entire family was allowed to come and once we got there we could see why.. They had a bouncy castle.
The party was held in the high schools activity center, picture a large gym. So there was 2 basketball courts, the bouncy castle, a running track and the tables and chairs I helped set up. Aiden was immediately drawn to the bouncy castle. He got to spend a lot of time in there, as long as the older cub scouts were not being too rough.
After the food the cub scouts got a surprise visit from Santa. It was quite a sight to see Santa playing a quick game of floor hockey with the older kids in his red suit.
Otherwise I have been addictied to facebook. It is nice to reconnect to old friends and to play some online games like Word Twist and just see what everybody is up to. If you do not have an account I suggest you set one up and search to see who you can find online.
Boy do I have a lot to catch everybody up with. Let me start with the annual “crazy cookie creation day”™ this past November 15th. Basically this is a day where Danith invites her sisters, cousins, and her mother to make holiday cookies. This year both sisters, one of her cousins, Lynn, her two girls, and Danith’s mother attended. They made plenty of good cookies which were slowly eaten and sampled as the day wore on. They also make a batch or two anatomically correct ginger bread men, but you will have to ask Danith to show you pictures of these cookies.
On the 22nd of November, Brandon’s cub scout pack participated in a Space Derby. This is similar to the pine wood derby, but instead of cars they make rockets. The rockets are propelled by a rubber band and a propeller. I was in charge of winding the rockets prior to the races and after winding 30 rockets that raced at least twice my fingers were sore by the end of the day. Brandon’s rocket one the first race and then came in second, ok lost, twice. I have the picture on my facebook site and it can be seen directly here.
Next was the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. Danith and Brandon got up early Thanksgiving morning and ran in the family 1.5K while her sister, Megan, ran the full 5K. The bonus was that Brandon’s picture to the left, was featured on the sites homepage since he looks so awesome running. After the Turkey Trot Danith and her sister came home and helped cook a full turkey and trimmings for the Thanksgiving dinner we hosted at our house.
On Black Friday I tried to brave the crowds to get something special for Danith at Wal-Mart. (Sort of an oxymoron, but hey). Due to the trampling death at a east coast Wal-Mart they opened the doors early so all the good items I was after were already taken. Instead I picked up some smaller items for the boys. Later that morning we drove down to Rochester to meet up with my Mother and my step-brothers, Jim and Jason, and their family. My mother rented out the party room at Jason’s apartment complex which has an attached pool. We ate a lovely ham dinner and than the boys and I got to swim. Aiden had a great time and of course Brandon was showing off how close he is to being able to swim by himself.
And finally the snow has come to Minnesota. It is predicted to remain white through Christmas this year which will be a blessing and a curse. With the snow I took Brandon skiing for the first time. He had a blast and should pick it up in no time. I expect by winters end he will be able to ski most of Afton Alps. Now I just need to get Danith out on her new skis!
Have a happy Holidays as at my normal posting rate it will be the middle of January before my next post.
This was actually from Monday the 10th, I have other topics to blog about, but since these pictures were in my phone… Chucky Cheese posting here we come.
I am not sure why but the kids and I go to Chucky Cheese at least once a year. Well I suppose the reason is the kids always have a good time. If they didn’t have fun then the only reason I could think of is that I must be a masochist to endure the torment Chucky Cheese brings. You may ask, What possible torment is there at such a children friendly place? Kids running free with little to no supervision, “adults” (I use the term loosely as some of these parents are barely 18) that have already given up on child rearing, and the general rude atmosphere.
(Be sure to listen to the screams in the background and think of staying here for a few hours)
All that aside the kids love the place. Games galore, each one only one token which can be gotten for under 15 cents each. I have to admit that I enjoy a few of the games myself, skee ball, air hockey and a few of the coin slide games. For those that have never been to a Chucky Cheese the main draw for the kids it to win tickets. With careful play your $10 in tokens can buy your kids about 50 cents of plastic fun.
Also let me leave you with a dance that Aiden did for us on the floor. I did not make a movie just a few quick pictures that I have turned into an animation. Enjoy his dance.
This past weekend we went to the Mill City Museum which is in Minneapolis. This museum is inside the old Gold Metal flour buildings and focuses on the milling industry that built Minneapolis. It was very interesting to hear about the history of the area.
Milling flour was a very dangerous business.. You may not think so but flour has 70 times the power per weight than gun powder. As you mill flour is produces a fine dust that spreads in the air. If there are any sparks or flames this fine powder ignites and causes all the other particles in the air to also ignite which causes a large explosion. The mill building either was blown up or burned down 3 times in it’s history.
They gave a presentation that demonstrated the power of flour dust.. I was able to record it on my phone in the low light, take a look below.
Otherwise this weekend was spent giving the house a much needed full cleaning. I washed the floors, Danith cleaned the bathrooms and the kids helped pick up all of their toys. Max did not help, I need to train him better I think.
Tomorrow Danith is hosting a Bunco party at our house, so I am packing the kids up and taking them to Chucky Cheese. Brandon is excited and I am sure Aiden will enjoy himself once we get there.
Halloween is coming, time to get out the plastic pumpkins, witches and broomsticks. Time to scare all the little kids that come to our door with fake eyeballs, intenstines and scary noises. Well as much as I would like to scare them most of our neighborhood is too young so I will stick to funny stuff… For now.
Saturday morning was the Cottage Grove Halloween Parade and Brandon got be in it. He was part of his Cub Scouts float and got to throw candy at the spectators, and I do mean throw. The kids initially started throwing them nicely but midway through the parade they were literally whipping them at the people. Good thing it was not too hard of candy. [Brandon is Indiana Jones]
After the parade Grandma and Grandpa Braun stopped by. Grandpa dropped off a really cool little pedal car for Aiden. He loved it and tried to pedal on it right away, he is just a bit small but I bet next summer he will be crusiing on it.
Brandon and I followed Grandma and Grandpa to their hotel at the Casino and went for a swim. Unfortunately, I left our packed backback at home. Brandon had his swimsuit on under his clothes so he still got to swim. I got to lounge back and watch them swim. After they got kicked out of the hot tub (A small sign stated 14 and up) we went to have supper at the casino.
Brandon had a blast swimming and in the parade so it was a good day.
Sunday was the first day of Brandon’s Faith Formation class. He really enjoyed his teacher which is no surprise since his teacher is Danith. Aiden struggled through mass, but the good news is that the church has a daycare opening next week where he will be able to play while we are in mass.
After church we hit the video store since it was snowing out! Brandon picked out Iron Giant and Danith wanted a Wii game called Boom Bloks. Brandon liked Iron Giant but not as much as he liked Iron Man.
I will have to post an update about Boom Bloks another day but in short it is a very fun game.
