Track Club

Our community has a free intro to track program, so of course we thought we would give it a try. It is especially nice because Jacob is finally old enough to be included. It is amazing how much they each have improved already. We are focusing on developing their personal skills, and not looking to see if someone is gaining on them. Last week Mary unintentionally came in first in her group for the 400 meter run. Once she realized she had potential, she became very determined to win again. She ran her little heart out. It is fun to see them really work and improve.

Anna is also having a great time learning to do the long jump and beating the other boys. She told me she doesn't want to run unless she can be first, but she seems to be getting over that.

Jacob is just glad to be involved. He doesn't seem to notice everyone around him wether they are in front or behind him. He just watches his little feet as they run down the track. Unfortunately his shoes are a little heavy, but he is convinved they are the fastest shoes around.

Class Adventure

Mary's teacher Mr. Wade has been awesome. She has had so many positive experiences in his class. For the end of the year field trip the kids and the parents went on an adventure hike on a trail not far from our house. I was very glad Moss was available to take her. As you can see below they caught crawdads and other live things. Mary was so pround that her dad was there to catch the most things. Lizzie, who is also in the picture below, has been Mary's best friend in class. They had a great year together.

Brooke's Belated Birthday Celebration

We finally found a day to celebrate Brooke's life with cake and gifts. It might not have happened at all except the kids were insistant that her birthday be celebrated properly. So she received 2 gifts, playdough and a piggy bank that sings and counts. She was thrilled. She is very aware that the pig is soley hers, and protects it vigilantly.

Mmm. Mmm.

Family friendly camping

We have discovered a way to have all the joys of camping without the hassle. There is a great state park north of us about 15 minutes and nobody is ever there. We get to go and have a fire, complete with roasting marshmellows and hotdogs, and the kids get all dirty. We don't have to set up a tent, put kids to bed, or have a terrible nights sleep. we always stay long enough to get really smelly from the smoke, and tell lots of stories. In fact, last time we were booted at 10:30 because it is only for daytime use. We have even trained the kids to sit together and tell their own campfire stories so we can talk as adults. The kids love it and play in the dark until they are exhausted and fall asleep on the way home. It is definitely a family favorite, and of course it is even better to have great friends to do it with.

We even dress them like they have been camping for days!

Do you think 4 marshmellows is enough?

Happy Mother's Day

Plumbing 101

The kids received their first tutorial on how to change the wax seal under the toilet. As you can see they were all very anxious to get right in on it all. Although disgusted with the idea of what goes down the pipes, they were very intrigued with the whole process. Thank goodness for husbands who can fix things!

Fun with Friends

I just love these pictures of the kids. Maybe because they tell of the coming summer, being outside and consuming popsicles and ice cream. We had our friends Morgan and Emma over for a family night since both of the dad's were stuck at a pathology conference on Monday night.

Jacob's First Skateboard

Jacob spotted this little skateboard in target, and was desperate to have it. Our neighbor friend, who is about 10, is quite the skater and Jacob has been dreaming of the day that he could skate and jump like Cody. We helped Jacob work and save up his money so he could buy it. So finally last week he had enough money to get it. I thought he might change his mind as we walked through the toy isle, but he was determined. He was very proud to demonstrate his skills to everyone. It is such a shame that kids ever grow out of their self-confidence and belief that they can do everything great.

School Carnival

Our school had their first carnival, and the kids were very excited. Since I would be going it alone with the kids, poor Brooke got to stay and play at a friends house. The games were a lot of fun and the kids had a great time running around seeing all their school friends.

Anna with some of her Kindergarten friends, Lanie and Jonah.
(I had to include this picture since he claims Anna as his girlfriend, but don't tell)

Mary is counting up her lute to see what great prize she might be able to pick out. Unfortunately the prize did not live up to her expectations, or even work for that matter (thank you oriental trading co.) and the night ended in tears. But hopefully the great memories will win out.

More carnival

It just isn't a carnival without getting your face painted.

Beautiful Brooke

Our little angel Brooke has turned 2 years old. The time has slipped by so quickly. Brooke is such a happy and bright little girl. She is also very clever and observant, which has worked against us over the past year. She has been our busiest toddler by far. I can't seem to get anything done, but her. One moment of Brooke unattended could lead to hours of repair! (see previous entries.) Despite her creative ways, she is such a fun girl. She is now very aware of her rights as a member of our family, and she will no longer tolerate any inequality. Her favorite thing in the whole world is my make up drawer (see previous entries). She especially loves mascara. Well, actually her pacifier is the truly beloved possession. I don't know how we will break her of it. Oh well. We love you Brooke!

Jacob is Growing Up

Jacob is absolutely thrilled with his new bike. We got it at a garage sale a few weeks ago. He jumped right on it to show me it was just the right size. It took him a little while to get used to its size. His previous bike was so little he had complete control. The other day our neighbor friend was out riding his bike with training wheels. Jake raced past and proceeded to explain to the boy (who is 6) that if he practiced he would be able to ride without training wheels "like me".

Good bye Pip

There occurred a tragedy in our family before we left for Florida. Poor little Pip was a victim of weed poison. The girls took him outside to show the neighbor kids, and they let him run around on the grass. Unfortunately he digested some poison, or at least that is what we think. Fortunately it was not a slow and painful process. He just stopped breathing all of a sudden. It was an extremely sorrowful experience for the kids. They all cried and cried, even Brooke tried to join in by crying sympathetically. The girls wrote the sweetest letters wishing Pip a good time in Heaven, and letting him know how much they loved him. Despite the fact that it was just a hamster, it was a real reminder that death is so final. There is no going back. The kids still miss him, but fortunately we still have Silky to love and adore.

Pip's burial, the neighbor kids came to mourn with us.

The end of the trip