WInter Parade

Today was the annual Winter Parade for Lake Wylie Elementary and the Steele Creek area. There are floats representing the various classrooms at the school, as well as many area businesses. The parade route starts at the school and actually runs right down the main street in our neighborhood. The first year that we lived here we heard a marching band and were like "What the Hell?" Normally Scott and I are very involved in the parade since we have access to a truck and trailer, but after 4 years I decided to take a break. My taking a break resulted in Ryan's class not having a float, but that is not as bad as it seems since he didn't want to participate,so he wasn't upset. Probably he was glad to have a break from hearing me bitch about making the float. So it was win win. Let me tell you, it is much easier to just drop your kid off at his float and pick him up at the end. Sam's class rode on an antique firetruck which was really cool. He is not visible in the pictures, though, because he ducked down when he saw us on the parade route. Little stinker!! If you notice the two kids in the front corner looking down, that is where Sam should be. Click on the pictures for a larger view. Even though it was a cold and wet day, a good time was had by all!

Advent wreath or Menorah

As many of you know, although I do try, we in this house are just not the most devout religious folks in town. I'm going to relay a story about Ryan that proves this very statement (let's keep mum about that, this post has not been "Ryan Approved." Ryan goes to Faith Formation (what we used to call Catechism or CCD)once a week and will make his First Communion in the spring. We have been working very hard on memorizing all of his prayers and such, but I think that some important facts about Catholicism and Christianity may have slipped through the cracks. In FF on Monday he made an advent wreath as a craft. They must have been talking about Advent and the calendar and the liturgical year, because he came home, showed Scott his wreath and asked Scott if he knew what part of the calendar we were in. Scott answered "November" and there was no further discussion. Later that night I was asking Ry about Faith Formation and what he learned about Advent and his craft he made. His reply to me was "Well, I made that candle thing for Hanukkah." The child thought he made a Menorah! Something is clearly lacking in his religious education. I should get right on that.

Dirtbike Days

Last Sunday we made our first trek down to the dirt bike track. This is one of Sam's all time favorite activities, and Ryan is starting to get into it as well. I currently have to go with them because Ryan sticks to the tracks, while Sam and Scott take to the trails. I CANNOT WAIT for the day when this becomes a Boys only activity and I get these Sundays all to myself. That is Sam in the top picture and Ryan below.

Operation Christmas Child

In some of our previous posts I have written about how Ryan's teacher likes to promote "giving back" to the community. So far we have done a walk for the homeless and after the holidays his class is going to sell hot chocolate in the mornings at school and give the proceeds to charity. I thought I would help her out by organizing the class to give items to put in the shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. The kids each brought in items and we had enough to put together a box for a boy and a girl. If you go online and make a donation to help with the shipping they will track your box for you and let you know where it ends up and what the kids are like in that region. I think that the kids will enjoy knowing that information. The one hiccup that I came across with this project was how to explain to a group of seven year olds why Santa can't find these kids. I explained that the boxes were given to the Moms and Dads so that they would have a gift to give to their kids since they don't have much money for gifts or many stores where they live (or the Internet, because online shopping did come up!)

Community Service Saturday

This was "Community Service Saturday" in the Lockwood house. Ryan and I did a walk for the homeless through Uptown Charlotte. His teacher has been trying for a "giving back" theme for the class and this was part of that lesson. Although the turnout from his class was minimal, Ryan had a good time and learned something valuable in the process.

Sam went with his scout troop to plant trees in Huntersville as part of an effort to clean the air for the County. I guess he learned something as well, he just hasn't quite been able to verbalize what it was. He talked more about the Arby's that was provided for lunch and how many roast beef sandwiches he ate. And if you look at the front page of the local section of Sunday's Charlotte Observer and spot the red shirted blur, that is Sam.

Scott helped out the Upper Class community by finishing up wiring for a new million dollar house. Good to know everyone hasn't been hurt by the economy.☺

A Message from Ryan to The General

THE YANKEES WIN THE SERIES!!!

THE YANKEES WIN THE SERIES!!!

IN YOUR FACE OLD MAN!!!

Halloween

Aren't they awesome! Ryan rock-n-rolled all night as Paul Stanley from KISS, which was a big hit with kids and parents alike. Sam made his own costume this year, which was a Wii controller. It was a little touch and go with the rain, but we managed to squeeze in about 90 minutes of trick or treating between the showers.