Declan turned 8 years old on May 21st. Where have the last 8 years gone? He sure has changed alot over the last 8 years. We measured on our growth chart and he grew 2 3/4 inches since his last birthday.

Birth

1st birthday

2nd birthday

3rd birthday

4th birthday

5th birthday

6th birthday

7th birthday

Declan also lost his 5th tooth the night before his 8th birthday. So the tooth fairy visited him and he got 2 gold dollars from her the morning of his birthday. He was so excited she gave him an extra gold dollar since it was his birthday.

He is now 61.2 pounds and 52 1/4 inches tall. That is huge from his 8.12 pounds and 21 inches long when he was born.

Silly Hair Day

Isaac's class had different things they had to wear or do last week in Kindergarten. Well, Thursday was silly hair day. Isaac was planning his hair all week and we had to find some colored hair spray. I wasn't about to spoil him being so adventurous with his hair because this is so not his normal character. He choose 4 different colors. There is a green and orange stripe along the top of his head. Red on the bangs and back of his head. And then blue on the sides. He also had me spike his hair for all the colors. He was so proud of his hair and loved the attention he got all day from his friends and classmates.

The Rock

One of Jeff's employees thought we would like this rock that he had on his place. Jeff was very excited about it when he saw the pictures. We gladly took the rock and are making a flower bed around it in our front yard.
Jeff had it put on the flat bed Innova truck and then another employee brought his Bobcat over to help us get it off the truck.

They hooked a chain around it and pulled it off the truck.

I am pretty proud of myself for getting this picture. I actually wanted the rock in the air, but this is pretty cool too.

A neighbor kid was also over watching us unload the rock, so we have a picture on the rock with Declan, Nicholas, and Isaac.

Here is the rock. It is cool with it being so smooth and flat on the top. We have to buy more bullet edging to make our flower bed around it.

Nickelodeon Universe

We took the kids down to the Mall of America to Nickelodeon Universe a couple weekends ago. They had a great time on the rides and the aquarium, but the highlight was meeting Spongebob and Patrick.

This is Isaac giving Patrick and huge hug.

both kids hugging Spongebob.

These are crabs in the water that you could touch. Isaac was not having any part of touching them. Jeff tried to do it with him, but Isaac couldn't do it.

Declan thought it was cool t touch them.

Declan looking over the pirate ship lookout.

Isaac

Isaac and me on the bumper cars.

the boys waiting for the log ride. We had to ride that a couple times. The kid that was in the front go the wettest. They loved it.

Declan on the merry go round.

Isaac

Mother's Day Program

Isaac's class did a Mother's Day program that was so darn cute. Isaac is in the back row 3rd from the right. I had a hard time taking picture without Ethan in the picture because he almost hides Isaac.

This song was really cute about putting his mom in a box and keeping her forever. Yes, I cried. I am such a sap.

Then they had to decorate a hat for mom to wear. It was made out of a paper plate with pipe cleaners, ribbons, and other stuff. I was supposed to help him make it, but he told me he had a plan and I could help when he was ready. He was so serious when he was making it and I could not help but laugh at his serious face.

My mom also came to the program with me. He was very excited to see Grandma because I didn't tell him she was coming.

Isaac and me with my new cool hat.

Spring Activities

What else do you do when it finally gets warm outside------go golfing with Dad. I went along this time and took pictures of the kids. Here is Declan.

Here is Isaac golfing.

I also took a couple photos of the house from an angle that I didn't take last year. I can get some pretty close shots from the golf course. Our yard is waiting for the sprinkler system that should be starting this week and then we can get the grass planted. Grass is something you take for granted until you don't have any and have dirt or mud all the time.

We have also been busy with Roller Hockey 2 nights a week with the boys. They absolutely love it and work really hard. There are a few dads there with the kids and they just play hockey games. They are soaked with sweat when they are done and love all of it. Declan loves playing with the older kids that come and likes to challenge himself.

Isaac here was trying to dodge my picture and I ended up getting a pretty cool shot.

Close up of Isaac in his helmet.

Declan

Sioux Hockey Players

The Sioux hockey players participated in a fundraiser for the Northlands Rescue Mission in Grand Forks. The players signed signatures and they also served the dinner. We got the kids out of school early and took them and Declan's friend, Mason up to Grand Forks to meet the players. Unfortunately for the mission, it was under attended, but it was good for us.

It was advertised that the 1st 200 people get a signed puck. Well, since there were less than 50 people there the kids got several signed pucks. Jeff and I gave ours to the kids, too. Here are Declan's pucks.

Here are Isaac's pucks.

Mason, Declan, and Isaac bringing their T-shirts down the line for the signatures. You buy the shirt for $10 and that is what the guys sign.

Isaac and Ryan Duncan. He was the boys' all time favorite player this year. He was a senior so the kids are trying to decide who to choose for a new favorite player next season.

Declan and Ryan Duncan

Isaac and Brett Hextall

Declan and Brett Hextall. Brett is in the running for next year's favorite player.

Isaac and Brad Eidsness. He is also in the running for the next favorite player.

Declan and Brad Eidsness

There were 17 hockey players there, so we got group pictures with the rest of the guys. I used a text option on a picture program so we don't forget who they are.

The kids had a blast and wore their new signed shirts to school today. Isaac also had show-and-tell in Kindergarten so he brought pictures of him with the 3 players to show. What a great thing to meet players, but it is a shame they don't advertise more and get more people there. I heard about it from someone who went last year and was scrapbooking with me last weekend. It was fun!