Ballet Pictures

Can you tell we had ballet picture day?! Pictures went so fast at the studio we decided to take a few extra on our own at the gardens. Here are the best of the lot I thought. :-)

A New Bird Visits

During school yesterday - does anyone notice how the most side-tracking, interesting things can happen "during school" - we had a new bird visit us. We finally figured out that it might be a baby bird. It didn't fly away when we opened the door. It just walked around. It didn't dawn on us that it might be a baby until it didn't even fly away when Dime petted it and picked it up. When we realized it was probably a baby, then we all went away. It walked on through the playground, and then we didn't see it anymore. As no cat was in the local premises during this time, we hope that it is still ok. We plan to ask our Pastor, a bird enthusiast, what kind it was.

Dessert's Bunnies Attend Sunday School

Sunday we brought Dessert's Bunny's baby bunnies to Sunday School! The kids loved it and it was a fun to watch them.

A Few More Magic Pictures

The kids love to see themselves on the computer. :-) Thanks again!!

Impromtu Magic Show

Wow!! Did we get a special treat on Saturday!!! We ended up having quite a bit of company as you can see in the photo. (One kid wasn't even in the picture yet as she was changing into dry clothes after hunting frogs in the pond.) Uncle B. had stopped by after doing a magic show in the area and after some visiting offered to do an impromtu magic show for the kids. He did balloons, jokes, and magic tricks. It was a hoot to watch the kids as he had them be his assistants. Thanks a gizillion! Uncle B!!

The Mixed-Up Sport Girl

Deer was practicing flute one day and came in to show me something. We all had quite a laugh at her outfit - flute, basketball t-shirt, and new swim goggles! Thanks for the smile, honey.

Baby Cousin Arrived!!!

Drum and Deer got to go with Mom and Gma & Gpa to see their new baby cousin. He is beautiful and was so calm and peaceful. Just a little honey! We can hardly wait to see him again.

Ramblings

It may seem nuts that when I post I have so many different posts. It seems the computer has become a hot item and it is hard to find a time to use it. I used to use it in the wee hours of the morning but sleep has become a necessary commodity. So when I finally get a chance to post I have alot saved up. :-) Our family is very excited about the Narnia dvd coming out this week. We finished reading the Narnia set of books and then they have been listening to them on cd.

I've been reading several books by Ted Dekker lately. Black, Blink, & Thr3e. I started the Trilogy with Black and then found out there are 5 holds out at our local library for the next book, Red. Bummer!!! I am pleading with every friend I know to find out who owns the book, Red. :-) I thoroughly enjoyed Blink. It has been my favorite so far.

The Lord provided someone to teach ballet in our studio for 6 weeks this summer!! We are so excited and looking forward to this opportunity. We will see how it goes and then consider the fall. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I've gone through alot of emotions with ballet the last few years. I think it will feel funny to have the girls come and not be the teacher. I really do enjoy teaching. I just know it is not for our family right now. Maybe in 20 years. :-) The teacher is a former student of mine who has continued her lessons and is now beyond my skills. She will have the advantage of her skills and energy and the disadvantage of her age but I am confident that she has the necessary guts to do it. :-) Cool!!! I'm excited!!!!

School is coming to a close. About 6 weeks left. Yippee!! I'm not sure who is more excited, the kids or myself. I enjoy the learning part but the get up and get it all done is tuff. We actually will probably be working on science and history during the summer as we have found it a challenge to keep up with these subjects this year. I'm praying for wisdom on these decisions.

My brother and sister-in-law's baby is due now!!! I am looking so forward to enjoying a new little boy in the family. I'm sure I am not as eager as she is to get this part over but I really, really am excited. I hope I don't drive them crazy wanting to come "help". Good thing I've got my own crew to work with or that new little bundle would be irresistable. I can't wait to smell him and cuddle him. :-) Mmmmmm...........

Dessert's bunny had babies today!!!!! We are so excited. Hopefully she will be a good mama. They will be just the perfect age for Easter. I've promised to bring them to my 2&3 yr old Sunday School class eventually - Lord willing. I'm so nervous about this first week that she will take to caring for the babies.

Gotta hit the hay. Mornings come too fast. :-) Especially Monday mornings. :-)

Sammy Squirrel Visits

We had a visitor at the bird feeder! We were able to get quite a close look at him as he busily munched on sunflower seeds. We promptly named him Sammy. Hopefully he will come back to visit soon. When we moved here the squirrel population was zilch. Friends from town have trapped about 10 squirrels and brought them out to help repopulize our area. We are thrilled when we see them up close. :-)

Basketball Excitement

Saturday we finished the last game of the basketball season for us. Drum, Dime, Deer, and Duke had a great learning experience. We really appreciated the work put in by the coaches. Drum is #75. Dime has a white shirt. Duke is in a full run down the court. Dime was very excited to actually make a basket during the game! Great work Kiddos!!

Happy Birthday Drum!!!

Drum was so excited to celebrate his birthday! He enjoyed his favorite cake - cheesecake (to the little kids disappointment - Gma K surprised them with a "real" cake with frosting - which helped save the cheesecake for those who love it. :-) He was stocked up with his favorite candy bars. He mostly received money this year and is saving in anticipation of what he might purchase. His blue teeth are from a taste of the blue frosting right before pictures. Yippee..... :-) We love you, Drum!!

Awana Derby #2

A couple Saturday's ago, Deer had her Awana Derby. She made a gymnast car and had a good morning with her friends! Great Job, Deer!
We had no cut fingers this year because Dad did all the cutting on the saw. We found out it was ok if the dads handled the major equipment. We were glad not to have any ER visits. :-) Deer has planned on this gymnist car for so long, even though we were iffy on whether it could be made. Finally I had her get into the pose she wanted and tried sketching it on paper and then the wood. She and Dad took it from there and somehow cut it out from the wood. Then Deer did the painting with some guidance from Mom. She had a trouble racing it as it turned out just a tad too tall to fit under a piece of wood that was on the end of the ramp. So she didn't win any awards - but I think she still has a cool car and it was neat to see her vision become a reality. :-)

Happy Birthday Dessert!!

Happy Birthday Dessert!!!! We enjoyed celebrating his birthday with family and friends. He wanted a brownie cake with lots of frosting and sprinkles. While the other kids were at basketball that morning, Dot and I were in the kitchen working. Dessert wanted to have some of the bread dough, so I told him to clean off a spot on the counter. He picked up Dot's CD walkman and started towards the stairs to put it down. Halfway there he turned to Dot and said, "Dot, if you give me a quarter, I won't wreck this." He's developing an interesting sense of logic. I found out later that the other night he told Deer, "If you come downstairs with me, then I can play with your ball." Hmmm....Quite a positive way to look at things from his point of view.

Earrings and More Earrings

Lately I've been working on my earring hobby. My sister-in-law took some to her work to sell - thanks!!! and it is fun to see a few ladies at church wear them. I love making them and most everything I've made I'm willing to wear if it doesn't sell. Sometimes I really hope they don't!! It has been fun to use them for gifts, although we have discovered not everyone has pierced ears. :-)

Stampin' Weekend

Recently all the girl relatives got to spend Sat & Sun at my Sister-in-Law's doing a Stampin' Weekend. We all had a blast!! and came home with cool cards and lots of inspiration. Within 24 hours the two girls had the card table all set up in their room for their Stampin' corner. They discovered quickly how nice it was to have a fully stocked stampin room. We were really spoiled. They hounded me until the following Wed. when we finally got tape on the dispenser like Aunt J's and a few papers to work with. :-) It was fun to visit, eat, and make cards. We had so many snacks I had to eat most of the peanut butter m&m's myself. I did share a few. We learned how to use rivets, ribbon, fancy glue dispensers, and chalk to make our cards look like works of art. So cool!! Thanks so much, Aunt J!!!

Awana Derby

AWANA DERBY!! A few Saturdays ago the boys had their Awana Derby. Duke was to young to race his car but they all had a blast working on their designs. Nobody placed this year for speed or design but they have their cars to remember their fun time. Great Job, Boys!!!

A visiting Opossum

Wow, I can't believe it has been so long since I've updated. Life sure seems to fly by sometimes. They say that the older one gets the faster time goes. At this rate I think I'll be going at jet speed before too many years go by.

We had some excitement at our house the other day. I looked out the window and was surprised to see our cat, Kip, patiently following a slow moving animal. I informed the troups and we rushed out to see what we could see. The animal steadily walked and by the time we got there was starting up a small tree. With the camera, I was able to zoom a closer picture. It was an opossum! I hadn't realized an opossum's face was so white. It was a blast. Rosie, the dog, and Kip waited and waited for the possum to move but I think he or she outwaited us all.

What's New?

Dot and Deer have been learning a new skill - making bead rings. They have turned out so cute and are fun to wear.

We've been watching the Olympics - especially the skating. Way to go! Sasha Cohen!! She had an awesome performance last night and is now in first place for the short program. I can't wait to see the long program. I feel nervous for her.

Because of watching the Olympics which is typically over about 10:30 we have all been sleeping in! Dessert slept in until 11:15 the other day. Kinda switching our schedule around a little but makes it nice for evening activities because the kids are still awake and not exhausted. I can't wake them up early or I'm sure we'd have to deal with the "sick" thing. The Sleep factor is a medical fact! Got it documented on Creation Moments. :-) I know it's not a cure-all but sounds good when one is tired and wants to sleep in. :-)

Last night we went to a couple of basketball games at the Christian School near here. The kids had a blast and both games were so close! We won one and lost one. I think Duke and Dessert mostly liked the food stand. :-) Deer got to play a short scrimmage during half-time of the girl's game. She was a little at lost of what to do - she is still new to the basketball thing - but she got out there!! :-) Drum and Dime got to play a short scrimmage during half-time of the boy's game. They both got a chance to make a shot (no score) and had a blast hustling!! Was so fun to see them out there. A totally new experience for the three and me. :-)

Papa W was a hoot as all the hollering bothered his one good ear!! I couldn't believe it. Here is a gentleman deaf in one ear and the hollering is bothering him. He said at times even his deaf ear hurt!! I guess they aren't used to so much noise at their house. :-) We'll have to send up ALL the grandkids more often.

Dessert was a hoot himself the other day. We had stopped at Gpa & Gma K's house and Papa wasn't there so Dessert asked Gma where her Dad was? :-) Yep, my mom still does look young. :-)

We had company Sunday, Monday, & Tuesday. We have had a blast and feel like social lites. I love having people over. We are having a quiet day at home today. Except Dot, she has ballet. Then Awana tonight.

Dot starts up preparation for her last speech tournament in March. She enjoyed the total break for a week or so. She's enjoyed catching up on some computer and reading time.

Uncle J's coming home for a long weekend in March!! We are all looking forward to seeing him!

Only a little over 5 weeks til P & D's baby boy is due!!!!! Yeah!!!!! I can't wait to hold him....

This weekend is Drum & Dime's Awana Derby. They have been working hard on their cars. I will publish a finished picture when they are done. Deer is working on hers for her Derby in March.

The girls will miss seeing them race as they will be on their way to WI for a Girl's Stampin' Weekend!! We are looking so forward to going! I'm getting a kick out of thinking of Dunk doing the Awana Derby and Church by himself with 4 boys. :-) I hope no one gets lost... :-) Don't worry - Gma & Gpa W will be keeping him and the kids in line - translate that to making sure Dessert is not lost. :-)

We got our taxes done!!! Na-na-na-na-na-na! :-)

Found out today that every hair follicle produces hair for 2-5 years than rests for 4-6 months. As humans grow older the resting time gets longer. So the reason some people are bald when they are older is because the hair spends more time resting than it used to. Wake up, Hair!!

Happy Valentine's Day, etc. :-)

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!!
We spent ours sleeping in and then finishing up school for the day. The kids has a blast opening their cards from G&GK and devoring the candy - some didn't quite make breakfast first - oh, well. It took Dime until 5 o'clock to figure out today was really Valentine's Day. I guess I didn't do a whole lot to prepare for the day and make it seem special. Sat and Mon kinda stole the show. Dunk filled in by coming home from evening school with surprise Valentine treats and small gifts for the girls. Yeah!! They all went right to sleep on their sugar high. :-) Any day is great that starts with sugar and ends with sugar!

Saturday was the St. Cloud Speech Tournament. It went very well but was a busy, long day. Dot gave her humurous interp. speech 3 times and spent several rounds as a timer. Daisy did registration, judged one round of the junior tournament, then worked in the Tab room til the meet was over. It was fun to learn what goes on behind the scenes. Bed felt so sweet on Saturday night. Mmmmm....

Monday we went skiing!!! Dot, Drum, & Dime got to go skiing for the very first time with Papa K., Dunk, & Daisy - who haven't skied in ages. The kids did fantastic! Of course, Dime went down the bunny hill a couple times and was like, ok, that was fun, now lets go to the black diamond hills! They thoroughly enjoyed themselves and it was fun to get to make that memory with them. The old folks did fine as well. We are a little stiff and sore from the unused muscles complaining but nothing a little massage (hint, hint) wouldn't help. It was sure a blast!

Deer had her first experience at a Christian school. She went with her friend, A., on Monday. She sat by her in the classroom and got to join in on the activities for the day. She said it was fun and she would love to do it again but she didn't learn much, so didn't think it was the best place for her to go to school. :-) I was nervous besides being eager for her to go because I was worried that she would love it too much. I filled her in that some days are more fun than others and that if she went she would obviously do more learning. She is ahead in her math so that seemed easy for her and then it was a spelling test day and play rehearsal day, etc. She loved phy. ed. :-) and seeing her friend! No way, I'd send my easiest student for someone else to get the credit. I have to have some motivation to keep homeschooling even if it wasn't me that made her that way. I'm glad she got the opportunity to see what a classroom is like and learn a little of what it is like for her friend at school.

Dessert is going through a "only Mommy can do it for me" stage. I think it is because of being gone so much last week. I drove for ballet on Wed, then Awana wed night, then speech club Thurs night, the Speech Tournament on Sat, then skiing on Mon. He'll have time to make it up as there is no speech club this week and the rest of the week is very quiet. I think everyone is enjoying seeing each other again.

I've been busy working on some new earrings. I really wish I could find someone interested in selling them for me. Not a store as then I have to spend time making a cute label, but someone person to person. I really enjoy the hobby. It is fun to create new earrings. Some I make I really hope they don't sell! I have sold a number to friends at church which is fun. We will have to see what happens to the new set...

TTFN - Ta, Ta, For Now