Back in 2010 Walker had private swim lessons at ISU... it was a disaster, the swim instructor thought she was helping him overcome his fear but in fact she made it worse. He would cry about going to ISU... he would cry the entire drive sobbing, "I don't want to go!"  and making himself so upset that he'd throw up every time!  After a month we decided since it did not get any better we'd try again later when he was a bit more ready.

I'll always remember the heartache I felt when I saw him in the pool...

Fast forward to 2016 when the Scouts announced that a MANDATORY swim program was happening at none other than ISU...

At first Walker was like, "Nope not going to go!"  He does not like to swim... he eventually did learn the basics but he just does not enjoy it. And the thought of going to ISU to swim gave him all kinds of anxiety... parents too! (I don't think we had been back to this pool since those 2010 lessons).  He knew that in order to get his Eagle in the future he'd have to pass a swim test and this was one of the first steps along that path.

As the time got closer he said, "I don't want to do it but... I'm going to suck it up and go!"  I kept reminding him that he was a lot older now... knew the basics and for him to be vocal about the process... let other's know that he was nervous and unsure so that they could help him.  For him having his face wet and unable to see gives him an uneasy feeling... knowing all that we got brand new speedo goggles... and had to get a new swimsuit..(try finding that in the middle of winter!) Off we went to the first night of the 2 hour program... I may have said a few prayers along the drive.

First thing first... no swim instructors... just the boy scouts and the first thing was a swim test!!!  They had to jump in the deep end and swim 6 laps!!!  I thought... well that's it.. we will be leaving in 5 minutes.  Walker waited until he was the last kiddo and asked if he had to jump in.  They replied he did!!  Luckily they also said if he wasn't ready for the swim test he could just go to the shallow end with the other boys... whew! (for the record none of the boys completed the swim test... seriously 6 laps!)

They started slow and with the basics... THANKGOODNESS... it built up Walker's confidence and by the end of the first night he was jumping into the deep end!  This is a much better go around at ISU this time.

Every Sunday until the end of February we are here doing this program. While the other parents just drop off their boys I stay... to ease my anxiety and his but he is totally rocking it... just like I knew he would!  One thing that I really like is that each scout swims with either an adult or older boy who has already passed the test. Here's to overcoming challenges and fears... love you so little Bug!

Took Ainsley to the High School elective/extracurricular fair... how is that even possible??

This week was a big week... she had to choose which High School she wanted to attend in the fall.  Majority of all her friends will be all attending the same school but a few decided to go to one of the other schools... so odd to us that they get to choose which school.

As we walked thru the halls it felt like I was in a dream... how could this little girl be ready for high school??...

and weren't we just in high school??  She's an awesome kiddo and even let us hang out with her as she explored the different clubs and classes.

Some of the things we checked out... the Cheer team, the Lassie Dance team, Art classes, Choir and Drama.  She will do great at this new adventure... she's a bit nervous about finding all her classes in the fall since she thought the school was so big but she's excited for a new challenge.

Walker's city Basketball league got started up this week. He was able to have the same coaches as last year and most of the boys that played last year are on his team as well.  He sure has grown taller the past few months... the comparison is most noted when standing next to other 6th grade boys...

I knew he'd grown a bit lately because he seems to be starting to eat us out of the house.  Case in point... last week we went to 5 Guys for dinner and he asked if he could get the "normal" burger not the "little" burger we ALL usually get... oh my!

Walker had his first big scout adventure... Ice fishing!  This was the scene... cold, snowy and all day!

He braved the cold... ripped apart worms for bait and was super excited that he caught the first fish.  He was a tired boy with wind burned red cheeks when he got home later that night but when I asked him if he would go again he said, "Yes!"

The first project of the new year was for Walker's science class.  They were to make a model of the ocean floor.

First up... homemade air drying clay to form the structures. It was quite an interesting combination of ingredients... water, cornstarch and baking soda... ended up using 2 boxes of baking soda and an entire box of cornstarch.  You actually cook it on the stove... was so weird but effective for the project...

The next day he painted and labeled the ocean floor. I ended up taking him to school early in the morning the next day so he didn't have to worry about it on the bus! He did an AWESOME job... and actually enjoyed making it!

Found out yesterday he received a 100% on the project... yea!! Nice job Bug.

This year leading up to Christmas felt rushed... super busy and some days down right exhausting.  This year we failed miserably on Christmas decorations...

With the rearranging of the TV in the front room there was a lack of where to put the Christmas tree which didn't mess with Stewart's optimal movie/gaming experience.  With the doggies out and about about regularly in the other room the thought of the tree in there with some of our most precious ornaments didn't set well in my mind.

As the days drifted into early December I decided to put up the small guest bedroom tree in the living room and fill it with previous years of Christmas photos... I got two photos re-sized and printed to fit in the ornament photo frames before Mid December took over! While cleaning up the kitchen/dining area I was constantly picking up and moving Ainsley's "must have 3 boxes of flavored candy canes for the season".  And decided to make the tree less Charlie Brownish and put all the candy canes on the tree... it was really more of a convenient factor for the kiddos while watching a movie to lean over and pluck a candy cane off an eat it!! (this picture taken a couple days ago... just about picked clean.)

This year Ainsley requested some light strands to decorate her room... it was such a big hit that Walker wanted to do the same as well. Kiddos actually wanted to leave them up year round for an extra bit of fun...

It was amazing the difference this year made of not having those couple extra hours to myself in the afternoon like I've had in previous years... if it wasn't for online shopping during my lunch break at school... I would have had to miss a kiddo event to do some shopping and that is always the last thing I want to miss!

I baked and wrapped down to the last possible night this year... had to play catch up on the advent calendar some days... did not do neighbor gifts this year... and we totally didn't do our drive around looking at lights with hot cocoa this year, watch any of our holiday favorite movies or even head to Lava Hot Springs for our annual Pre-Christmas soak... but we did share the holiday together as a family laughing... eating way too many goodies... and really savoring the time together... which to me is the BEST CHRISTMAS gift anyone could ask for... I am truly blessed this year.

For months all I've heard is talk about iPhones... the specs... the cases... the apps... the constant chatter of group texts and picture sharing etc... when asked specifically on why an iPhone, Ainsley sat down and promptly wrote out a list on all the reasons... she actually had some good reasons.

So fast forward to yesterday, these two were absolutely giddy in the Verizon store...

She was eligible for an upgrade on her phone so... guess who was an extremely happy girl...

The Daddy was also pretty excited..he too got an iPhone so the scene last night at the dining room table... no dinner taking place... just these two sitting next to each other setting up their new phones... learning all about certain features and smiling the entire time... fun times!!

One of my favorite Christmas activities is going to the Festival of Trees... in past years I've been one of the decorators for the Gate City School Tree.  This year because I switched schools I wasn't able to participate but we attended this years Festival of Trees because both kiddos performed with their choirs.

It was one of those crazy... overly busy days... of course because really do we roll any other way??

Walker had a Lego robotics tournament practice right after school and had to leave his team early for this mandatory choir performance.  He was brought dinner in a bag and had to change in the car on the way to the Performing Arts center.

Luckily Ainsley's cheering at the basketball game was cancelled... or that would have been even crazier!!

Walker and the 6th grade choir students...

and Ainsley with her group, the Franklin Singers not only sang but performed their swing dance... so FUN!!!

One more with her besties... love these cute girls!!!

Some days she is still in her cheer uniform and let's me take fun pictures...

Way back in November... on Thanksgiving day I told the kiddos it was Mandatory that they help with Thanksgiving dinner... for two reasons.  1.  They need to know what is involved in making dinners... they don't just magically appear and 2.  Time is flying by so very fast lately and the thoughts of having just 5 more Thanksgiving dinners while Ainsley is still living at home makes me freak out a bit.

Bug was all about helping so it was an easy task for him... he actually asked a head of time if he could help with dinner. He loves stuffing so that was his chore... with a little guidance I let him just make it...

He has always been my little kitchen helper, as he gets older and leaves the nest... I'll know he will be actually able to cook for himself... a good feeling!  He did an awesome job on the stuffing...

It was funny though... his eyes kept tearing up when chopping and sauteing the onions... My old cooking eyes didn't notice a thing!

Ainsley was "ugh... " about having to make something but since Yams are her Thanksgiving favorite I had her make those.  She is the perfectionist and people pleaser and kept asking questions like, "Is this okay??..Am I doing it right??"  Little by little she will be able to leave the nest knowing more than how to cook Ramen noodles... or so I hope!

For this Mama I was truly Thankful to spend some extra quality time with each... hopefully made a lasting memory for them too!