Problem Solving At Its Best

Oh, those summer days!

This is a post that I started back in August
but never got around to finishing.

Now, I sit looking at the pictures and longing for the warm weather, the green grass, and seeing
my loved-ones in shorts and t-shirts.

Here in the midwest, we still have ice on the driveway
and snow patches in the yard. 

The temperatures are way below freezing every morning.

But hope!

Today we're supposed to reach 52 degrees!

Like Paul said as he was leaving for work this morning, "Bring it on!"

So, in memory...and in hope...I bring you this long-lost blog post from last summer.

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We were just finishing up Josh's birthday party, and Paul was tossing the soccer ball around to Charlie.

What happens if you kick a soccer ball too hard and high?

Can you see it?

I think I realized what had happened when he started throwing a football at the top of the Blue Spruce tree.

What would you do if you got a soccer ball stuck
in the top branches of a Blue Spruce?

I think that it was pretty good problem solving.

Problem solving at its best!

And he was successful!

"Now, Charlie, where were we?"

So...here's the funny part.
The really funny part.

Weeks later, I walk outside, and this is what I see.

Mmm hmmmm.

Hey, Matthew!

Will you take the rolls of toilet paper to the bathroom?

Problem solving at its best keeps on trying...

even in the face of frustration.

Or maybe with the face of frustration.

And trying...

Problem solving includes planning...

like counting the toilet paper rolls to make
two even towers.

Halfway there!

Problem solving means 

that sometimes you have to start over.

Problem solving at its best.
Like father, like son.

The Busy Season

This has been the busy season.

Every year, just as the start of school comes around, so does the extra-curricular activity.

Basketball begins in September for Carrie.

She had a small team this year...only 6 girls.

Six very special young ladies.

She celebrated the end of the season 

last night at her basketball banquet.

Her Senior banquet.

Hard to believe.

Carrie has also been busy at the piano.

She has practiced, memorized, and performed, and competed in order to be ready for her college auditions.

This is also the busy season for Robotics.

William began his season in September and has spent a lot of time building the robot to meet 

the specific challenge for this year's game.

He and his friend, Jesse, have a team 

called the Bot-E Builders.

Planning, building, competing, modifying, competing, rebuilding, and competing again.

That's what a season of robotics looks like.

Today he is heading over to take the final pictures 

with this year's robot.

His end-of-season party will be in just a few weeks.

This spring, William, Josh, and Matthew are also involved in Upward Basketball at our church.

William is the assistant coach for Matthew's team.

This is Joshua's first year in Upward.

He is a Cougar!

He has really enjoyed practicing and playing and is looking forward to the day when they start keeping score.

His height is one of his biggest assets.

This is Matthew's second year playing Upward.

He is a Bulldog!

Matthew really likes playing too.

Especially since he gets to play with his best buddy, Eli.

It really is hard to believe that another 

busy season is winding down. 

I enjoy the busy season activity but am always ready for the slow rhythm of late spring and summer.

And then, right on schedule, I'm all rested up 

and ready for September again.

For everything there is a season,
    a time for every activity under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Snow! Snow! Snow!

Deck the Halls

according to Matthew

Deck the hall with boughs and hollies!

Fa la la la la...la la la la!

Tis the season to be jolly!

Fa la la la la...la la la la!

All us now our Dave and Carol!

Fa la la... la la la...la la la!

Fa la la la la...la la la la!

I'll be pretty sad when he learns the real lyrics.

 Here comes the snow!

We are all anxious for the 8-10 inches that are predicted!

We decided that we better go out and 

play in it while we can.

It's supposed to get to -13 degrees by morning.

That's the actual temperature...not the windchill!

Charlie loves the snow as long as we're outside with her.

She's looking up at the snowflakes.

They are huge!

Absolute joy!

Paul was making really big snowballs
and throw them up in the air.

Charlie was trying to catch them
and then bite and eat them.

It was a really wet snow.

Perfect for a snowman!

The kids' snowman was inspired by the snowman,
Olaf, in the movie "Frozen."

Except our snowman had a zucchini nose.

Here he is!

This home protected by our pistol-packin' snowman!

Then back inside for chili and cornbread!

Real quick...I have to share something else Matthew said this week, because if I don't write them down somewhere, I'll forget them.

He was holding in one hand his big Hershey Kiss that he won at Eli's birthday party.  In the other hand, he had a penlight he got for Christmas.  He held out the Kiss and said, "Dark Chocolate!"  Then he turned the light on the Kiss and said, "Light Chocolate!"

He's a funny guy!

Enjoying this snowy day,