Two happy and sweet faces...

...our daughter's and the first bloom on the pansies she helped to plant!
She discovered the first flower this morning. :)

Pictures of our Pansies' Progress (sorry, I couldn't resist the alliteration!):
2/16 Seth and Caroline planted the seeds. Next year we'll probably plant them at least a couple of weeks earlier.

4/6 We had a big April snowstorm. Our pansies helped us remember that spring was truly on its way!

A Dino-mite Day at the Zoo

What a perfect day to go to the zoo! Most of the time when we go it seems that its at least 90 degrees. Today we were actually wearing jackets!

The kids were soooo excited because this year's attraction was Dinosaurs Alive, featuring 20 something animatronic dinosaurs. Evan was a little afraid at first, seeking out Henry and I when it got to be too much for him. But he soon settled and was eventually trying to feed the dinosaurs! The other kids were loving it, although we all admitted that the dinos sometimes made us jump. I love how in this clip, Henry is comforting Seth like a big brother should. :)


One of the tour guides was sharing a lot of information with us as well as asking the kids a lot of questions. Of course, our future paleontologist (Henry), really impressed her with his knowledge. She said that she'll be watching for Henry Nosek, famous paleontologist, someday soon. He was beaming!

We can't wait to go back!

Henry and Seth's Art Gallery and Mom pops

At the end of the year, the kids' art teacher sends home many of their projects they have kept at school. Its always such a treat to see all that the kids have done, their creativity and beautiful work. We'll be hanging these up in our playroom to enjoy over this next year!

To borrow a phrase that my dad used when my siblings and I were growing up, I am so proud of Henry and Seth that I could "pop"! They brought home their best report cards ever, improving in almost all areas. And since I'm already borrowing phrases, here's a few from the boy's report cards:
I'm so proud of you!
You dazzle me every day!
Your reading has grown wonderfully!
I am sooo pleased with your progress!
I really appreciate how much you are involved in discussions!
You're amazing!
Such an improvement!

HIP HIP HOORAY for our brand new fourth grader and second grader!

Up

I took the three older kids to the movie theater today to celebrate the boys' last day of school. We saw the movie Up, and we all give it a HUGE thumbs up. Truly, it was a movie that makes you laugh, cry, cheer...all of that good stuff.

It was also the perfect movie for us to see at the beginning of the summer. One of the premises of the movie is finding adventure in your every day life, and enjoying it with the people that you love. So, there I was watching the movie, feeling all philosophical, crying to boot, thinking about this summer.

In past summers, I have filled the kids' schedules with all kinds of camps, sports, classes, you name it. This summer I wanted to try to change things up a bit, and try to save some money. We cut back on what the kids are involved in individually and are planning more activities that I can do with the lot of them. I know that the kids will not stay this age forever, and that there might come a day where they don't want to do as much with their siblings, their family. But right now, we're all pretty excited about it.

HOWEVER, upon bringing the kids home from their last morning of school, I have to admit that I was having some feelings resembling panic. Oh my, what have I done? Two and a half months! How in the world are we going to fill all of that time? I calmed myself by thinking of our plans. We'll be able to go to the pool, the lake, the zoo, museums, and the arboretum, visit with friends, visit my siblings. The boys are going to Cub Scout camp, and all three older ones are going to spend some time at Grandma and Grandpa Nosek's house while going to VBS. It will all be ok. But I was still feeling slightly unsettled considering the vast expanse of the summer ahead of us.

So, while watching the movie with the kids, soaking in the message, laughing and enjoying being with just them, I started feeling less overwhelmed, and more excited about what's in store for us this summer. And I am thankful that we have time to do it all, ordinary or extraordinary. Together.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Orton!

We went over to my sister and brother-in-law's house to celebrate my dad's birthday today, and it truly was one of those days where everything was just right. Perfect weather, delicious food, good company, happy kids. Life is good. Love you, Dad!

Robbie and Caroline having fun with the bubble blower

My Dad kicking back with two of his son-in-laws

Evan cuddling with his godfather, Uncle Bill

Evan sharing his caterpillar with Grandpa

Two years ago today...

...we traveled to Italy for Mike's (Dave's brother) wedding. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MIKE AND VIKA! (My parents watched the other kids while we were gone, God bless them! Evan needed to come because he was still nursing, and it was too expensive to bring everyone.) I happened across a few pictures that I have stored on this computer of our trip, and I thought they would be fun to post. (I wish I had more pictures of the wedding on this computer, because it was amazing! I'll see if I can add some from our other computer.) Evan was only about 6 months old at the time, and it still makes my mind boggle that we did it. We managed to keep up with the wedding and all of the sightseeing pretty well, nursing, changing and toting Evan around in some very historic places. :)

Mount Vesuvius from the city of Pompeii

Evan snoozing in his carrier in Pompeii

Evan and Mom in front of Trevi fountain
In front of the Coliseum
In the Coliseum
In front of some Roman ruins
What in the world was I doing with my baby up that late on the Spanish Steps? Well, being practically on the other side of the world where day was night to us and night was day, he pretty much slept when he wanted to. :)

Rockclimber in Training

Just look at this boy...so strong, so proud, so big. Way to go, Evan! You did it!

The Geologist and his assistant, The Fairy

Henry received a crystal excavating kit for his birthday, and spent a good chunk of the past couple of afternoons freeing 4 pieces of crystal from a plaster block. He has tenacity, that is for certain. He enlisted the help of his little sister, who graciously took off some time from important fairy business to help brush dust away with a paint brush. When he finally got the crystals out and cleaned them off, he was beaming. This boy LOVES rocks, crystals, geodes, anything like that! He's always told me that he'd like to be a geologist, a volcanologist, or a paleontologist. That would not surprise me. :)

I mentioned in another post that Evan's accessory of choice is his froggy boots. Caroline's would be her fairy wings. She even wore them when she rode her bike to school the other day.

The other thing that she likes to wear are dresses, especially the ones that flow out when she spins. Wear both the wings and a floaty dress, and she is a happy little girl!