Christmas Fun

Brecon sings his heart out at the Winter Concert. He did such a great job! Watch the family video for the entire show.

 

 

I thought it was pretty cute that these three wore matching purple shirts to go bowling. They played a pretty good game, but Grandpa was the winning with the highest score.

One of the fun gifts we got this year was a rock tumbler and our very own geodes. It was freezing cold, but Cael had been begging everyday to do this activity. The time finally arrived and they each took a turn cracking them open. It was quite the ordeal, but with many heavy strikes with the hammer, those geodes opened up and we found sparkly treasure inside.

 

Of course we had to make sugar cookies with Grandma to make  Christmas complete. Brielle was a great helper when all the boys were gone to a birthday party. The matching aprons was a perfect gift and looked so cute!

 One of the things I really wanted to do during the break was taken the kids swimming. The prices on some of the indoor waterparks was enough to make me cringe, so I opted for a Holiday Inn Express with a pool. It was a fun adventure, the pool was perfect, and fun memories were made. My favorite was after getting everyone settled down for the night and it was all quiet, Brielle pipes up "I smell stinky butt!" Everyone started to laugh, especially Grandpa Hoopes. We swam after breakfast the next morning and didn't leave until it was time to check-out... most of us had wet hair on the drive home.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Africa pictures from Ben

A week long training for volunteers and other people who will be taking care of the medical facilities to treat Ebola patients

Ben has been able to send us a few pictures from his latest Army deployment to Liberia. He has tried to keep busy helping the soliders who are feeling sick, but most of the day "just goes by" he says. I have to laugh because I am talking to him on the phone during the day more than when he is here at home. This humanitarian mission is also less worrisome and he is able to talk about what is going on, where he is going, and other topics. While he was in Afghanistan, our conversations were very one-sided and I never knew when he was going to call. Lately Ben has been able to call everyday, one or two times.

Some of the cool bugs and creatures in the area. Ben talks about the lizards that are everywhere... long and fast climbing up the training area walls.

At the week long training, Ben talked about how they finally got some food, instead of eating MREs for three meals a day. I know it can get pretty old eating that same thing, so he was excited and enjoy something that was brought in.


His first delicious dinner in a very long time.


 

No School Thursday

It was a gray, rainy, no school day. Decided to take the kids out for lunch, a little shopping, and a trip to the donut shop. While at the Goodwill we found plenty of treasures to spend our money on, especially books. Cael somehow was attracted to a mop that folded and would use it as a grabbing device on his brothers and sister. I asked him to put it away several times, but with no luck. My frustration came to its boiling point when Brecon pushed Cael's mop into a shelf almost breaking several glasses on display. I could tell a worker was not pleased with the childish antics and we quickly made our exit from the store. Our next stop at the dollar tree proved to be a little more exciting. Nothing broken, just plenty of goodies that everyone wanted to buy. Brecon was being very kind and wanted to buy a treat for his brother Connor with his own money. We are having many discussions about earning and spending money, I find it interesting to see our conversations be put into action. It is easy to spend our money, but harder to earn more. I hope these lessons about our finances encourage my children to be wise stewards over their money throughout their lives.

I began reading HG Wells "The Time Machine". It is very interesting to begin these literary classics I was forced to read in high school. Hoping I can understand and appreciate them more than I did back then.

BRECONs 1st grade party

Brecon was walking out the door in his normal clothes when I suddenly remembered it was a cowboy dress-up day for his grade. Luckily, having cowboy clothes on hand is second nature to the Platt's. We grabbed a shirt, hat, bandana, and this guy was ready to go!

All the first graders were in the multi-purpose room in circles for the dance. After they did it, the parents were asked to join in on the fun. We had a fun time shouting "YEE-haw!" slapping our knees, and going circles. Favorite time was raising our arms in the middle- says Brecon.

Mrs. Smith's First Grade Class gets a little crazy in their cowboy outfits 

Brecon  looked especially good later that evening at the hospital. We were getting our flu shots as a family. Now that is one handsome looking cowboy!

Birthday boy CONNOR!

I brought in Mario cupcakes for Connor's birthday treat at school. The kids thought they were pretty cool, especially to find sprinkles inside that would help them grow bigger, just like on Super Mario Bros. Brielle ended up licking the frosting off of several cupcakes before the day was through. I know that Cael and Brecon appreciated having a little cupcake, just not one without the frosting.

As a treat, we brought in mustaches for the class to wear. These kids looked so great and especially grown up with the dark facial hair. It was hilarious!

Carson, Connor, and Braxton pose for a quick picture together and their awesome mustaches

When we opened presents, everyone was excited. More Legos and cool toys from the grandmas, cereal and books from friends and family. What a lucky- Happy Birthday BOY!

MONSTER DASH 5K

Trunk or Treat

We got all dressed up for our chili dinner and trunk or treat with members from our  branch- Cael looked really great dressed up as Jack frost, Brecon in his Ironman costume for the fourth year in a row, Connor as Spiderman going on two years, and Brielle as a West Point cheerleader. We had a white hairspray from six years ago and used that on Cael to give him the frosty appearance. I guess I sprayed a little too close to his scalp- it remained white for a bout a week. 

The dinner was delicious, plenty of tasty soups to try. It's always nice to enjoy dinner without having to cook. Good friends to talk to you and great support from dear friends from church.

Time Out for Women

We found this cute lion on our walk Saturday afternoon. It was hard to find a place without a really long line to eat some food. We finally got sandwiches at a bagel shop which was so delicious. And then I made everyone take a picture in front of this blue painted horse.

we are having so much fun!

I had such a great time going away for a Friday and Saturday trip to Saratoga Springs, New York. It was a good thing to look forward to, especially since Ben had just left on Monday. These women are incredible, The messages were very uplifting and inspiring. We even had a fun sleepover, restaurants, and a little road trip.

I was so grateful for my friends who could watch my kids while I went away. I sure have some great people in my life. Feeling very blessed.