Caroline was so proud...

After I picked her up from Daisy Scouts the other day, Caroline wanted to show me the bulliten boards outside of her classroom. Some of her writing was displayed on it (along with some of her classmates' writing). Beautiful work, Caroline!

In this sample, she wrote, "I like to play with my dolls. It is fun!" In this sample, she wrote, "Me and my Dad made a pinewood derby. I was happy."

Lincoln Log Construction Zone

AKA: Our living room.
When I was a kid, I loved Lincoln Logs. They are such a fun, classic toy, and I'm so glad that we have a great big bin of them. They made for some good Friday night fun at our house!

SNAP

Today Caroline learned how to snap. She has been practicing a lot lately, especially because her Kindergarten class is singing a song for a program which involves a little snapping. She told me that if they can not snap, her music teacher said that they could click their tongue, but she was having none of that. True to form, Caroline has been practicing and practicing and practicing, and tonight it finally paid off.

Without further ado, here is Caroline....snapping...



Soon after this video was made, we read stories to Caroline and tucked her into bed. Upon closing her door for the night, we fully expected to hear a lot of snapping sounds emanating from her room. We did. :) What we didn't expect was this...A few minutes later Caroline emerged from her room and walked into the bathroom. When she turned on the water at the sink, we asked her what she was doing. She replied, "My fingers are getting hot from snapping. I have to cool them down."

Now that is some serious snapping. Who knew your fingers could overheat from such a thing?!

While Daddy was shoveling...

Caroline whipped up this sweet little snowman. She even accessorized it completely by herself with a sandpail for a hat, leaves for facial features, sticks for arms, and a shovel. She was so proud that she came running in the house telling me to grab my camera. She knows how things work around here.

Evan and Ryan

Two sweet little boys...born 4 days apart... ...made a huge mess of our playroom today and had a fabulous time doing it. They played with most of the toys in the playroom, not staying with any one in particular for too long.

This is the one that held their attention...our jack-in-the-box. Batman? Nah. Buzz Lightyear? He's OK. But Jack? That's where it's at. ;)

Blue and Gold Banquet Boys

Today started with waking up bright and early from a sleepover. Then it was off to our church to Seth's Rite of Enrollment for First Communion. All of the 1st Communicants had to bake a loaf of bread to share with a member of our church asking for their prayers in return. Seth proudly shared his loaf of banana bread with a sweet couple next to us.

Then it was off to Henry and Seth's Blue and Gold Banquet...

...where Seth earned his United States Heritage medal and badge (and had his face painted by his Dad)...Henry was awarded his Webelos badge......and had his face painted by his Dad.With both of her brothers getting their faces painted, Caroline actually got a little jealous. She wanted me to paint some rainbows on her cheeks. :)

Wondering what Evan was up to? We were feeling brave, so we took our nap-deprived 3 year old to the banquet. It could have been a recipe for a complete disaster, but it was actually a good thing (and I am not being sarcastic when I say that). After his dinner, he crawled up into my lap and fell fast asleep for a good while. We might want to follow that same game plan next year. :)

What a week...

Birthday parties, homework, playdates, doctor appointments, pink eye and a virus for Seth, 1st communion meeting, swimming lessons, sledding and a hike, dinner/planning meeting with Dave's uncle who is helping us finish the basement this spring, physical therapy for my back, exercise routine started, going to sleep earlier, cleaning the house, catching up on laundry...

I don't know if we could have been busier this week. I suppose it's possible though. I'm happy and feeling hopeful, inspired by the things we have started and ready for more next week. Life is busy, but good.

(I took this picture of Dave and the kids when they took a little hike behind our house. Can you see them? I'm not sure that I can, but I know they're in the picture somewhere.)

The Gift of an Ordinary Day

This touched me deeply...grab a box of kleenex!