Happy Easter

Soccer

A is playing soccer this spring for the first time. There are 6 boys and 3 girls on her team. She did a great job and had lots of fun!

Spring Break

We started off our Spring Break with a sleepover with A's friend V. The girls seemed to have a lot of fun, and we dyed our eggs while she was with us.

 I love playing in the garden.  It's a bit early yet, but I did plant a few flowers. I was inspired by a picture in a magazine. I think they're cute. I hope they last.

 A went to her cousin's birthday party. I thought she looked so cute all dressed up.

We went to the Oregon Coast and stayed one night at Rockaway Beach. We took the kids to our favorite candy store in Seaside.

 We were blessed with a reprieve from the rain, and it was even sunny for most of the afternoon. It was still pretty windy and cold, but the kids enjoyed getting in the sand. We brought Charlie along for his first away vacation with us.  Despite some car-sickness, he was a fun companion to have along. He seemed to love the beach as much as the kids.

3rd place

A earned 3rd place this week in a coloring contest with all of the 1st grade students at her school. 

Nicely done, A!

Mini-Knights Cheer Camp

A participated in a one-day cheer camp last weekend. Then on Tuesday evening, she and the other girls got to perform at the boys' basketball game. A and her cousin, A, along with over 50 girls performed. They had a great time, and we just may see more of her counting to 8.

Snow Day

It seems like every year in January our snow-deprived city freaks out because of a few inches of snow. This year was no exception. I believe there were three inches total. It's nice for all of us though. We rarely use the snow gear. Plus, J was off of work that day, so we got a little extra time with him. The kids braved the elements and made their first-ever snow cat (you noticed the tail, didn't you?).

We also drove up into the hills to find some serious snow.

All in all, not a bad way to spend a Wednesday.

A Season of Programs

We have finished the season of programs galore, but I have to admit that I loved them and am a bit sad that they are over. Thank goodness for videos. Maybe you'll enjoy them as much as I have.

JD chose to be a donkey. One of the ears fell off during the program.  But did that deter him? Absolutely not. He just kept singing and singing.

 

A  told a joke: What was the Pilgrims' favorite music? . . . . . Plymouth Rock. Get it?

A learns verses at her school. I loved capturing her reciting them. It's her genuineness that I love the most, I think. I hope that you never lose your enthusiasm for memorizing God's Word, sweet girl!

Charlie

We have had Charlie for a month and a half now, and we are all head over heels in love with him. We have songs that we sing to him. We've given him a middle name, and it's hard to imagine life without him. I will readily admit that I am the one who resisted getting a dog, fearing that it would be like having another child (except without maternity leave). But, he has been absolutely wonderful.

Now, I didn't say perfect. A few weeks ago, I came home to this:

Poor scarecrow. But, we wouldn't trade him for the world.

JD's birthday

We celebrated another birthday at our house, oh, about a month ago. And my Spiderman-loving son celebrated with Spiderman-themed parties.

 He is now sporting a new jacket, courtesy of Nana and Papa.

 He also has a new robe, courtesy of ND Grandma and Papa, as well as several other Spiderman items.  

A boy can never have too many, apparently.

JD celebrated at school too. It was a fun-filled day!

This I Overheard . . . 2

JD: Why did God make sharks?
A: Well, JD, God made sharks to protect the water.
A: He also made sharks so that people don't swim too far out into the water.
A (to me): That makes sense, right?

This I Overheard . . .

A: Justin Bieber invented "Let's Get this Party Started"
Me: No. He didn't. How do you know Justin Bieber songs?
A: Mom, he's cool.
Me: Really?

Long pause.

A: Mom, what IS a Justin Bieber?
Me: (smile and sigh of relief) He's a singer.
A: So, he's real?
JD: Does he have a mouth and nose?
A: Yeah (with attitude). He's a singer.
JD: Oh, I thought you said he was a beaver.

A Learned to Ride a Bike!

We gave A a new bike for her birthday two years ago, but she hasn't been overly excited to ride it. It bothered her when it was slightly off-balance, etc. and she felt more comfortable and confident on her scooter, so it didn't become much of a priority to ride her bike. But a few days ago, I told her that it was my goal for her to learn to ride her bike, without training wheels, before school started. She said, "Okay" without arguing, and so today I figured was a perfectly good day to start practicing. Little did I know that she would only need my help until the end of the block and then took off, and never looked back. Go A go!

New Bible

On A's school supply list, she needed a specific Bible, which I had to order on Amazon. When it came in the mail, she got really excited and sat down to read it on the stairs. JD came down the stairs and was excited for the new Bible too. A offered to read it to him. A opened to Genesis and read "and God saw that it was good, and it was." For soooo many reasons, this brings me such joy!(JD's mosquito-attacked face after camping)

Walupt Lake, WA

We enjoyed two nights in the mountains earlier this week at Walupt Lake. Everyone had a fun time exploring the campground, taking the boat out, etc. Unfortunately, despite lots of bug spray, our guy was really attacked by the mosquitoes. J and his sister, J, and JD all seem to react pretty strongly to the mosquitoes. They didn't seem to bother him too much, but he looked awfully beat up after only two nights. Even one day later, the swelling has subsided, thank goodness! My poor guy!

Sun River Lofgren-Style 2011

We enjoyed another family vacation in beautiful central Oregon. 13 people and one labradoodle enjoyed hiking, biking, swimming, feeding ducks, and riding ponies. There was also a live animal in the wall between our closet and hall stairwell, so things were never dull.

A with her cousins S, 8, and A, 6

Riding the ponies is always a highlight

This year A and JD had a GREAT time swimming in the pool. They kept their life-jackets on, but their confidence in the water was fun to see. Another year of swimming lessons, and maybe we won't need the life-jackets. We'll see.

We hiked a trail to Benham Falls. Most of the family hiked 2 miles. JD and our nephew, B, couldn't handle that route, so we joined them at the last 1/2 mile and everyone got to enjoy the waterfalls.
A is quite fast on her scooter, and on a bike/scooter ride, she had an accident that scraped up her knee and leg pretty badly with some serious road rash. But she was incredibly brave, and, thanks to daddy's medical training and my first aid kit, she was ready to take the scooter for another spin the next day.
JD is quite the stunt-man on his bike. He doesn't need to put his feet on the pedals. Or at least not when he's trying to show off!

Home Depot Fun

A few years ago, when we were in ND, a friend asked A where she lived. Her answer: Home Depot. I am glad to say that now, as a soon to be 6 year old, she knows her full address, including zip code, and three phone numbers, all with their area codes - and none of the answers include Home Depot. But, we do enjoy going there for our various house projects. And now we have a monthly reason to go: Kids Workshops! This month the kids made pencil boxes, which included the use of wood glue and hammering 8 nails. No one was injured, and everyone was proud of their work. Next month, who knows what we'll make!