Adult Playland 5K

The Insane Inflatable 5K run in Lubbock, TX. was the perfect choice for an annual 5K!  There was a group of 6 crazy friends that all did it together that made it extra special (not to mention all the inflatables!)  The group consisted of Clay, Laura, Julee Nielsen, Kim McCloy, Adam Westenhofer and Jodi Westenhofer (who even did the run being 5 months pregnant!!).  We all felt like we were kids again jumping out hearts out!!!  Definitely a FUN run!

 

 

Napoleon Dynamite

When CJ came up with the idea that he wanted his pinewood derby car to be in the shape of a stick of dynamite - Laura immediate told CJ, "Well, you could name it "Napoleon""  At first he gave Laura a blank stare and wasn't quite sure why Laura would come up with such a name and wasn't quite sure how much he liked the name idea either....however, it only took him a minute to figure it out and as soon as he put 2 and 2 together, he was soooo excited about the name!  As a result, we got Napoleon Dynamite quotes all through dinner for the next few days...I guess Laura had it coming when she recommended a name like that!  Yes, yes... Napoleon Dynamite has become a family favorite- and the kids can quote it better than the adults!  So, no Napoleon didn't win first place on the derby race track, but it sure won first place among the Ward crew!  Go Napoleon!

CJ goes UPWARD

CJ's sport of choice for this year was basketball.  His team was THE HEAT.  They did really well - They worked hard and played hard which made it really fun for everyone!  CJ improved so much during the season and loved it! It was fun for us as a family to go and watch CJ play and cheer him on!  Good job CJ.  GO HEAT!

Claimed Cookies

COOKIE, COOKIE, COOKIE...Well, it all started while Detric was helping Laura bake oatmeal cookies.  He was constantly wanting dough...so when they were finished,  Laura gladly let him lick the spatula.  Well, after she handed him the spatula, Laura ran to the bathroom real quick - and when we say, quick... I really mean it was quick.  When she came back...she found that the little man had licked his spatula clean (and decided it wasn't enough dough for his cookie pleasing self)...and so he proceeded to place the now clean spatula on the floor, climb up the barstools, and start licking the actual uncooked cookies for more dough.... oh my goodness!  Laura could not believe the sight she saw!  This kid is determined when it comes to cookies.  The first word that this kid learned was Mom, the second was COOKIE...  I kid you not.  This kid loves COOKIES!  and I guess he wanted to stake claim to a few before they even got in the oven to make sure that even though he is the youngest and the smallest - he still got his fair share!  This kid cracks me up and constantly keeps us on our toes!

Minecraft Party Time

 

 CJ requested a birthday party this year, so on a Friday night in March, our house was taken over by a bunch of rowdy, but fun 10 year old boys.  We played "Shoot the Creeper" where we placed a creeper head on some little people and shot them with foam balls;  "Pass the Parcel" where the boys tried to open a wrapped parcel with fork and knife while dressed as a viking, "Don't mine at night" where we hid a stuffed creeper outside in the backyard - then the boys all had to seek the creeper while wearing headlights and then lastly, we had "Minecraft Boxing" where we had Steve and Creeper box heads that the kids wore and took turns boxing. 

 

 The dessert of choice was chocolate cupcakes with mint frosting served with chocolate chip mint ice cream.  I think the only thing we would change about the night - was making the party a little bit longer!   We needed a little more time to play the games adequately- everyone was having sooo much fun with them!  But, I guess that is a good problem to have - too much fun - rather than the alternative- a bunch of bored boys looking for mischief!  Happy Birthday CJ.

 

 

 

Warning...10 year old approaching!

What, CJ is now 10?  Holy Cow.... CJ's 10 year old birthday was filled with a consistent theme...Minecraft.  Creepers, creepers, Steve, and more creepers!  For his birthday cake - his request was score cake with a Steve from Minecraft on the top.  Oh boy...challenge made.  Let's see what Mom can pull off this time!  If you have never heard of or seen Minecraft - this cake might look a little weird to you- but honestly....Laura is pretty proud of herself....a face with all different shades, and shaped into a square on the top of score cake...check.  It looked pretty good, but tasted even better!  It was gone quick!