My little Tiger Scout

This year Max joined Cub Scouts. He has been waiting patiently to earn badges since his sister has been in Girl Scouts for 4 years now. Well it is finally his turn! Last night we attended his first Cub Scout award ceremony. It was a room full of boys trying SO hard to sit still and applaud one another for a job well done.

Usually I'm the one handing out the awards at these ceremonies because I am Kendall's troop leader. Last night was special for me because I got to watch and take pictures and really just have fun! Not that I don't love being a leader (it is something special that Kendall and I have) but it's not quite the same!

Max earned his Bobcat badge (that one is a biggie), his compass and music belt loop. Also, he started earning his beads (not quite sure how those work yet). We were happy for him last night. Max is really coming out of his shell and trying new things. He enjoys being with the boys in his pack and LOVES that his Dad gets to help him out at meetings. I look forward to him trying new things and making friends. Scouts really is a great thing to give your kids! It teaches them they are an important and unique part of our world and they can do BIG things!

Here are some pictures of my little TIGER (it's ironic that the first year of Cub Scouts is Tigers because right now Max loves tigers and animals in the cat family)!

Receiving his Awards

 

 

His Beads

Here are the boys looking on as the top selling popcorn boy shaves his Dad's head!
They LOVED it!

Here is the Dad - what a trooper!

 

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Finally! We get to tour HP world, this is what Kendall and I have been waiting for and it was pretty amazing! We had lunch a feast at Three Broomsticks, tasted frozen butterbeer, and shopped at diagon alley. After begging Kendall for 2 days to go on the Forbidden Journey with me, she finally agreed. That ride was the highlight of the whole trip for her (and me)! The only disappointing thing at HP world was the LONG line to get into Olivanders wand shop. We missed the wand show, but oh well there is always next time...



HOGWARTS


 

HOGSMEAD




Kendall was a BIG fan of the Butter beer!
Max not so much...


The Hog really moved - it was quite freaky

 This was our feast - enough to feed 2 families!
Good but not really worth the price in my opinion!

 

Thank God they had this little wand cart outside of the castle!

Kendall really deciphered over which wand to get!

Here she is looking over Luna Lovegood's wand - an excellent choice!

 

Max and his Harry Potter wand

 Stand back this kid has power!

 

Luminos!!!

 

 

 

 

Seussville

At Universal Studios we took the kids to Seussville in Islands of Adventure. So much fun! My kids were at a perfect age for this land plus the longest we had to wait in line was 10 minutes. Bonus! Highlight was meeting all the characters from the Dr. Seuss books. Thing one and Thing two were so cute with my two and really made them feel special!

 

"I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues"- Dr. Seuss

 

                              Simple rides bring lots of fun!

 

 

 

Looks are deceiving
 she really is like thing 1

 




                  We love you Dr. Seuss!




 

Florida: in pictures

I can't believe it has taken me almost a month to blog about our Disney trip. Life just got CRAZY busy over here when we returned. It was like - BAM! Time to bring out my Super Mom cape! Well, things are slowing down a little so I thought I would post some pic's and recapture some of our trip. We really had an amazing time and couldn't of asked for better weather! Sunny every single day we were there! Enjoy the snapshots...

The airplane ride was much better than I expected! Highlight was Max holding my hand so hard during take off and landing. The look on his sweet little face made me want to hold him and protect him. He was so brave!

Yeah - We made it and no one threw up or had a melt down!

This is what we flew into - Beautiful blue skies and palm trees galore! 

Election Day

Today is election day! The kids came with to watch me vote. It was so neat to see them actually interested in what was happening! They asked tons of questions and both had opinions as to who should be our next president.

Kendall, my fourth grader, said she voted for Obama in school. When I asked her why she wanted President Obama to win, she stated a bunch of facts about him and his campaign. I was quite impressed she had picked up so much from school and the ads on TV. I can see her as more of a Democrat (she is a lot like her mama)!

Now Max, the first grader, just made me smile with his response! He said he voted for Mitt Romney because he has "strength" and oh yeah, Ben (his best buddy) voted for him too! Future Republican? Who knows, either way I am glad my children will have the right to vote when the times come! I want them to be an advocate for what they believe in. Instilling in them how important days like today are will hopefully help them on that path! The outcome may not be what they wanted but either way their voice will be heard and that in itself is an important lesson to learn!

Disney...Here we come!

It's here, it's here! We are finally leaving for Florida tomorrow, where the weather is 84 degrees! Wisconsin is a little cold right now (that darn wind). The kids are SO EXCITED! Mom and Dad are too, we could really use a vacation! I feel so blessed to be able to take my kids to Disney again! We went once before when Max was little, he doesn't remember it, but this time he will! I hope my kids appreciate all they will see, I think they do!

Kendall is excited to see the princesses and go to Harry Potter World and Max is excited for just about everything! I can't wait to take the kids to the ocean, my favorite place to be! The simple joy of laying in the sun and digging for seashells will be just as fun as meeting Mickey!

See you in a week or so...hoping I come back with a tan and a few bucks in my pocket :/

spirit week

This past week was Homecoming week in Rhinelander and the schools participate in this through showing their school spirit all week. Each day the kids get to dress up or wear something they normally wouldn't. My kids just love this!

Tuesday was pajama day for Kendall and Mixed up day for Max
Wednesday was career day for Kendall and Hat day for Max
Thursday was Glitter/Glamorous day for Kendall and Blue (which is 1st grades color) for Max
Friday was wear your Hodag colors (Green and White)

Today was an extra special day because both the kids got to represent their school and walk in the Homecoming parade. Brrrr!!! It was a cold one, but they still had a really nice turnout and the kids loved walking with all their school buddies.

Kendall's school had a fun afternoon today! They played tug of war with some of the central teachers and got to have their own parade around the school! Along with that, each classroom made their own banner to walk with in the parade. It's great to see so much school spirit! I love it just as much of the kids.

I know our lives are busy, but just to take some time of your day to do these things with your children means so much to them. They will not remember how clean the house was but they will remember all the times their mom and dad took them to homecoming parade!

We decided not to go to the game tonight because of the frigid temperatures! I saw snow flurries when we were walking in the parade and honestly I think the kids were pretty beat from all the festivities. We still say... GO HODAGS!!!

Dancing girl

I have always loved the quote..."dance like no one is watching", but now when I hear it I think of  Kendall, our dancer! Since she could stand up on her own she has been dancing! Really, I have tons of video of her bopping around in just a onsie! I'm not sure where she gets it from. Jeremy and I sure aren't blessed in that department, but none the less she LOVES to dance!

Kendall has been taking dance lessons since she was three years old. I still remember how excited she was when we bought her first little leotard and pink tutu! And the ballet slippers, oh they were so tiny! I remember how very nervous she was going into that first ballet class, but how excited she was to go back! They used to twirl around and pretend they were princesses. The teacher would pick one little girl to be the Fairy princess and that lucky girl got to make all the other princess go to sleep and then wake them up again to dance! It was the simplest little dance, really, but so special to those girls and their moms! I mean every mom thinks their daughter is a little princess, right!

Kendall continued with ballet and quickly added tap/jazz when she was four! She loved to perform for us, we would sit on the couch and be her audience! I could tell even at that age, dance was going to be an important part of her life! Fast forward five years later...our girl is still dancing! She has picked up hip hop and will soon start conditioning her body to practice on pointe! She amazing me with how much she can remember and how quickly she can learn steps! She hears a beat and goes with it.

Today, at dance class I was watching her before class started. She was hanging out with some of the same girls (her dance friends) she has danced with since that first year of ballet. They were choreographing some of their own moves to a song that was on the radio, they were laughing, and having fun! I thought, "dance like no one is watching" and never change! She just seemed so happy and full of life! We could all stand to practice that once in awhile...

Daddy & kids make a Volcano

I can't believe I forgot to blog about this! About a month ago Jeremy and the kids sat down and created their own Volcano! And boy was this an elaborate volcano. It had a whole little village surrounding it! Dinosaurs and trees, little fish in the river, and a bridge made out of Popsicle sticks! The actual volcano was made by paper macheing it and then painting it brown. The kids enjoyed this and it kept them busy for a few days! I gotta say, Daddy earns a gold star for this one!

 

 

 

            Kendall pours in the baking soda

                 Max looks on in anticipation - love that little face!

Science Fair...Here we come!





A Walk in the Woods

What a beautiful day! The pictures should say it all

 

 Nicolet College - such stunning colors

There is always time for fashion-even when you walk in the woods

kids enjoyed the nature trail where they played on the obstacles

Max really is a monkey at heart

Looking up

Stopped for a rest and to pick some leaves

 Hubby and I get a rare photo together

My munchkins really do love each other

 

Happy Fall!

catching up

It's been awhile since I last blogged. It's been crazy busy over here in the Iwanski household! With the start of school, came after school activities...dance, karate, girl scouts, and not to mention PAC meetings and homework! Today, I actually have a day to catch up! Catch up on my blog, catch up on laundry, catch up on housework, you get the idea!

Fall has really hit the Northwoods the last week or so. We have been spending time outdoors when we can. Last weekend we went hiking through the trails at the YMCA and Buck lake. The kids enjoy this simple activity and they especially enjoyed the hot cocoa afterwards!

We have also been spending some time crafting. I actually made two super cute fall projects that I found on pinterest. I don't know if I am more happy at the outcome of the project or just the fact that I actually had time to finish them! The kids had a blast glittering pumpkins!!! Oh yeah, we brought out the glitter!

School is going well for both kids. Kendall's school has started a positive behavior program where each week when you are showing one of the 4 B's (be respectful, be here, be responsible, and be safe) you earn a Hodag paw that goes in a drawing for a prize. We are so proud of Kendall! She received 4 Hodag paws this week. She told me she has opened doors for people, helped friends on the playground, and turned in her work on time. That's my girl!

Max is adjusting to 1st grade well. He has started spelling homework and has gotten a 100% on all three of his tests! Way to go Buddy! This week his class went to the apple orchard and I was lucky enough to chaperon. We had a nice time except for when that darn bee stung Max in the nose! He took it like a trooper! It was so nice to see all his friends concerned for him and making sure he was okay.

Jeremy and I had a date night the past weekend!!! Jerm's sister and brother in law came up and we had a nice dinner at Holiday Acre's. The scallops were delicious and the best part was No KIDS WERE THERE, which meant there were no chicken nuggets or french fries on the table! It's the simple things really!

These beautiful jack be little's were grown in our garden!

My fall tulle wreath - it looks great on my door


 

Superhero Mania

There is a certain little someone in our house who LOVES superheros right now! He likes to dress up like them, read about them, watch them on TV, and make his sister play them! I have to admit, I love it and relish in the chance to take pictures of said events!

The other day a friend of ours gave us 2 huge bags of little boy dress up clothes (her son had outgrown them). You should of seen Max's eyes when he looked in the bag and pulled out the WOLVERINE costume!  Currently, Wolverine is top dog in Max's world, so he was in heaven and couldn't wait to try the costume on!

The funniest part is now, Max has to try to do everything with his Wolverines claws on. He has rode his scooter with them on, ate snacks with them on, opened doors with them on (that one is tricky). What a hoot! I am so excited for him to see all the superhero's at Universal Studios when we go there next month! What a dream come true for a little boy who loves superheros! and for a big boy who still has a soft spot for them (wink wink Daddy)!

my top ten

Usually I blog about my kids or family but today I've decided to write about ME! This time of my life is very busy!! I am going to school, carting the kids to all their events, keeping up with all the crap housework at home, and trying to have relationships with my husband and friends! When I get a few moments to myself I relish it!

What do I like to do in my free time?

1) Read (and not a parenting magazine)! Something that takes me to a different place and time. I have always loved reading, it is such a comfort to me!

2) Take a bubble bath! It has to be really hot and the bubbles have to be up to my neck! If I can read and take a bath at the same time, I am in heaven! My favorite bubble bath is lavender.

3) Go to the movies! There is nothing better than sitting in a dark theater with a good friend or hubby, sharing a bucket of buttery popcorn and getting lost in a good movie! No kids movies here! Can't wait until November when the last Twilight comes out!  Can someone say Girls Night Out!

4) Check Facebook ( had to put it on here) or Pinterest! They are so addicting!

5) Scrapbook. I love to take pictures and preserve memories. Scrapbooking really is a creative outlet for me and I can get so lost in it (when I have the time) I usually save this for my girls weekend getaways. A few friends of mine scrap also and we have a blast all weekend long!

6) Bake (NOT COOK) and then eat it of course!

7) Have a good glass of wine!

8) Spending an afternoon with my friends who I wish I saw more! Love catching up with them and hearing all about their kids and families. Hopefully we can start our crafting day we have been talking about!

9) Take a nap! especially on a rainy day or a day where you can feel a nice breeze from the windows.

10) Shop! Lucky for me I live in a town that only has a kohl's, jcpenney's, and walmart! I do like to go garage sale shopping and check out resale shops. I just scored Max a super cute Columbia jacket that looks brand new for 5 bucks!

So, there is a little about me! I think I shall get off this computer and go take a bubble bath :)

When did that happen?

As I watched my six year old sit at our dinner table and do his first homework assignment I got to thinking...when did that happen? When did my little boy grow up that he needed to learn to spell the words 'cat' and 'sat'? When did he start receiving phone calls from little friends of his, asking him to play? Wasn't it just yesterday that he couldn't even reach the phone or better yet actually have a conversation with someone that made sense! When did he go from this chubby baby...

to this handsome little guy...

 

 

Later that day I was putting Kendall's clothes away and I happened upon a few new sports bra's we bought for her. I know crazy, right! Again, I was like when did we go from little frilly tutu's to little purple sports bra's? When did the little girl who played with dolls grow up into the tween who loves makeup and tweeny bopper magazines (the posters of One Direction are splattered over her room)? It seems like just yesterday she looked like this....

 


now she is my little fashionista... Just let me breathe people!

Interview with a six year old

Maxwell Joseph - Age 6. Funny and quiet little guy who loves to climb, jump, or run on furniture! Totally a momma's boy! Here is what he had to say when I asked him a few questions...

 

1. What is your favorite color? Red

2. What is your favorite toy? Pokemon Cards

3. What is your favorite fruit? Peaches

4. What is your favorite tv show? Power Rangers

5. What is your favorite movie? The Jungle Bunch

6. What is your favorite thing to wear? Tiger T-shirt

7. What is your favorite animal? Tigers and Cheetahs

8. What is your favorite song? I don’t have one

9. What is your favorite book? Animal books

10. Who is your best friend? Ben Lyon

11. What is your favorite snack? yogurt

12. What is your favorite drink? Juice

13. What is your favorite breakfast? yogurt

14. What is your favorite lunch? Mrs. Grasses Soup

15. What is your favorite dinner? Rice

16. What is your favorite board game? Lego Robot Game

17. What is your favorite thing to play outside? Scooters

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

19. What do you sleep with at night? Blankie Bear

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Tiger Hunter and go in the jungle

First Day of School

I love first days of school! There is just something special about getting all your new school supplies, new clothes, shoes, and backpack. It's that excited feeling you have when you see all your buddies and old teachers. It's looking forward to a new year and wondering what you are going to achieve!

Kendall was all nerves when she woke up this morning! Which we expected since she was moving to a new school. She doesn't like change much and gets anxious with the unknown. She got a little more excited as she put on her 'first day of school' outfit. Which she looked so darn cute in!

On the way to school she asked about a million questions (which is so like Kendall) and I tried to answer them the best I could to ease her mind! When we got to Central, she held my hand so tight the whole way up to her classroom. It kinda felt like I was taking her to Kindergarten all over again! Once she saw a few classmates she knew and talked to Mrs. Linsmeyer she eased up and I knew she was going to have a fabulous day.

Boy, was I right! When I picked her up at the end of the day, she couldn't stop talking about how much she is going to like her new school. She thinks fourth grade is going to be more fun than second or third grade! I see great things for her in the next two years!

I can't believe she is in fourth grade! She really is maturing into such a kind, beautiful young girl! We couldn't be more proud of her!

 Max was so ready to go back to school! This boy needs some structure back into his daily life! We had a great summer but it was time... Max wasn't nervous at all! He woke up ready to go to school and see all his buddies. He lucked out this year because his teacher, Mrs. Condra, looped with him to first grade from Kindergarten. And he loves Mrs. Condra!!!

He was really cute this morning when he was getting ready! His hair had to be just right and his shoes just right, etc. He may turn out to be a little high maintenance after all, oh no!

Once we got to Pelican he sat right down in his new desk (very exciting since last year they had tables) and gave me a high five. First grade boys DON'T give their mom's hugs in public! At pickup he was all smiles and told me about this fun counting game they played with real pennies (he is gonna take after his Dad in the math department) and the fact that they get a science book this year!

My baby is a first grader! We look forward to seeing him blossom more socially this year, he already has come such a long way and we are proud of him for that! We also can't wait to see him get more involved in reading and math.









Not only did my kids start a new year of school today, but so did I! Back to Nicolet for another semester of general eds (yuck) but at least I'm getting somewhere! Today was Algebra (double yuck) and tomorrow is Art Appreciation (more my style)!

Here's to another school year! Hopefully their won't be too much homework!