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Monday, December 12, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Here we go again!
I look at the blog and I'm not even sure where to begin...
I may go back to add some pictures and stories of some of the significant events of the last year, but for now, just know that it was a great year! No major transitions or changes. It was filled with fun activities (musical productions, dance recitals, basketball games, fun vacations, great family time, good school years)!
And, once again, we had a great summer. Lots of time spent at the pool (which is getting more and more fun with each passing year!), a few planned activities (musical theater camp, Vacation Bible School, swimming lessons), a couple of mini vacations (first camping trip, a weekend in Omaha), and plenty of relaxed, unscheduled days at home.
But, here we are again...
New school supplies purchased, excitement of the first day of school, and this year, more emotions as E started kindergarten.
We sure are proud of her. This past year (even just the summer) has been big in terms of milestones. She is riding a bike without training wheels, diving off the diving board and becoming quite a swimmer. She has taken on new responsibilities at home (emptying the dishwasher--yay!!, setting the table, etc), so she can earn her allowance. She has been working on saving her money and just recently used her savings for her first big purchase--getting her ears pierced!
Over the last year she has discovered the world of musical theater and enjoys it so much! She was an orphan in Annie last fall and an enchanted tea cup in Beauty and the Beast in the spring. She plans to audition for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe this fall. She also has continued ballet, enjoyed a season of basketball and most recently started taking piano lessons.
Even with all of those fun things, it seems that her favorite activity at the moment is reading. It is commonplace for her to move around the house with her nose in a book. She often has multiple books going at the same time...one in each room of the house! We are so glad that she has discovered the love of reading. Her favorite books right now are The Chronicles of Narnia, The Little House on the Prairie series (which we read as a family), Mary Poppins, Pippi Longstocking, I just realized that this list could go on for quite a while so I will leave it at that!
She continues to be a rule follower, a lover of justice, a compassionate friend and sister, a deep thinker and question-asker, a delight for her teachers, and an overall just incredible person :) She is also very brave...willing to try new things even when it is a little scary. I admire that quality in her! Being my first, I am learning a lot about how to parent each new stage from her. I'm thankful for her grace when I don't get it quite right...and even more thankful for God's grace and His ability to work through me even when I don't get it quite right :)
Wow...kindergarten...seriously, wasn't she JUST 9 pounds with black sticky-up hair?!!
As you can see, the kindergarten theme for her this year is Hello Kitty. To be honest, I didn't even realize she was that into Hello Kitty...apparently she is. Yep, we are so proud of her too!
Not to be outdone by her sister, she had a big year as well. She is also diving off the diving board and becoming quite a fish. She is begging to learn to ride her bike without training wheels, but since we are still paying off the medical bills from her broken arm at the beginning of the summer (dang monkey bars!), we are putting her off for a couple more months :)
She watched sister discover the musical theater world and has followed quickly. She was a townsperson in her first production this spring (Beauty and the Beast). She LOVED it...which isn't a shock to us since she has been singing and dancing for the majority of her 5 years. We often say that she has "music in her heart" as she is often going about her routine activities while humming or singing. That is what I miss the most with her being in school full time this year...her songs had become background noise for my day, and I will miss her sweet little voice throughout my day. Oh, and I just wish you could see her perform her songs for us. I just can't really even describe it, but I hope to post a video at some point.
She also loves to dance, is still hoping to become a ballerina one day and has recently announced that she is moving to New York (or Yew Nork as she calls it) to study ballet at age 6 1/2. Hmm...I'm hoping her local ballet class will suffice :) She has also recently started playing soccer. She is the only girl in her league, but she has held her own. She's stayed in the mix and even scored her first goal.
The best way to describe our girl is that she is our free spirit. She does her thing, is often in her own little world, and loves to laugh. She is also a delight for her teachers. She is easy going and can find fun in most circumstances. At the same time, she is also sensitive...crying at movies such as The Fox and the Hound. I have also found myself comforting her many times when she is crying because her sister is sad...even if it doesn't involve her at all. I love that sensitive spirit. She is the child that is most different from me at this point, so there is a lot that I admire about her...mainly her ability to just have fun! I will miss her while she is in school, but I know she is so ready...and it is better than her being in Yew Nork, right?!
Our Buddy...what else can I say?!
Oh man, this little man most definitely keeps us laughing. And yes, we are pretty proud of him too (do you sense a theme?).
His main activities include riding in the car to ballet drop off, sitting in the carpool line to pick up sisters from school, running around the field while sissy is at soccer practice...yes, he just goes where we go right now. Thankfully, he seems to enjoy it...most of the time :)
He will get to be in his own class this school year while we attend our once-a-week Bible study. Otherwise, we are looking forward to some relaxed days of playtime and running errands of course!
He is really into anything that goes...trains, planes, tractors...I have become quite knowledgeable about heavy machinery. In order to teach all the correct names, I've had many tutorials while driving down the road...and I will be corrected by the 2-year-old when I don't get it right!
Speaking of 2-year-olds...he is definitely showing some classic 2-year-old behaviors. He likes to "do it by himself" as well as let me know tantrum-style when he does not approve of my actions. But, thankfully, his overall sweetness, polite attitude, and cute face more than make up for the unpleasantness.
I always said that I was nervous about having a boy because they are just kind of weird. He is displaying this weirdness...random, strange, growling/roaring noises, running around the house and then falling on his face...somehow it doesn't seem quite so weird when it is your own kid though. It is actually kind of cute and quite funny :) He has great facial expressions and really likes to get us all laughing at him.
He is the baby and is treated that way by his sisters...especially the oldest one. I think he will always be their "baby brother". He talks...a lot. But I'm thankful to have him as a companion throughout my day for a few more years :) I'm so thankful that I get to parent a little boy...after bows, tights and many tiaras, it is fun to play dinosaurs and trains.
I thank God every evening that I get to be the mama of these three amazing people.
What a blessing!
I may go back to add some pictures and stories of some of the significant events of the last year, but for now, just know that it was a great year! No major transitions or changes. It was filled with fun activities (musical productions, dance recitals, basketball games, fun vacations, great family time, good school years)!
And, once again, we had a great summer. Lots of time spent at the pool (which is getting more and more fun with each passing year!), a few planned activities (musical theater camp, Vacation Bible School, swimming lessons), a couple of mini vacations (first camping trip, a weekend in Omaha), and plenty of relaxed, unscheduled days at home.
But, here we are again...
New school supplies purchased, excitement of the first day of school, and this year, more emotions as E started kindergarten.
Can you believe this girl is in 2nd grade??!!
We sure are proud of her. This past year (even just the summer) has been big in terms of milestones. She is riding a bike without training wheels, diving off the diving board and becoming quite a swimmer. She has taken on new responsibilities at home (emptying the dishwasher--yay!!, setting the table, etc), so she can earn her allowance. She has been working on saving her money and just recently used her savings for her first big purchase--getting her ears pierced!
Over the last year she has discovered the world of musical theater and enjoys it so much! She was an orphan in Annie last fall and an enchanted tea cup in Beauty and the Beast in the spring. She plans to audition for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe this fall. She also has continued ballet, enjoyed a season of basketball and most recently started taking piano lessons.
Even with all of those fun things, it seems that her favorite activity at the moment is reading. It is commonplace for her to move around the house with her nose in a book. She often has multiple books going at the same time...one in each room of the house! We are so glad that she has discovered the love of reading. Her favorite books right now are The Chronicles of Narnia, The Little House on the Prairie series (which we read as a family), Mary Poppins, Pippi Longstocking, I just realized that this list could go on for quite a while so I will leave it at that!
She continues to be a rule follower, a lover of justice, a compassionate friend and sister, a deep thinker and question-asker, a delight for her teachers, and an overall just incredible person :) She is also very brave...willing to try new things even when it is a little scary. I admire that quality in her! Being my first, I am learning a lot about how to parent each new stage from her. I'm thankful for her grace when I don't get it quite right...and even more thankful for God's grace and His ability to work through me even when I don't get it quite right :)
Wow...kindergarten...seriously, wasn't she JUST 9 pounds with black sticky-up hair?!!
As you can see, the kindergarten theme for her this year is Hello Kitty. To be honest, I didn't even realize she was that into Hello Kitty...apparently she is. Yep, we are so proud of her too!
Not to be outdone by her sister, she had a big year as well. She is also diving off the diving board and becoming quite a fish. She is begging to learn to ride her bike without training wheels, but since we are still paying off the medical bills from her broken arm at the beginning of the summer (dang monkey bars!), we are putting her off for a couple more months :)
She watched sister discover the musical theater world and has followed quickly. She was a townsperson in her first production this spring (Beauty and the Beast). She LOVED it...which isn't a shock to us since she has been singing and dancing for the majority of her 5 years. We often say that she has "music in her heart" as she is often going about her routine activities while humming or singing. That is what I miss the most with her being in school full time this year...her songs had become background noise for my day, and I will miss her sweet little voice throughout my day. Oh, and I just wish you could see her perform her songs for us. I just can't really even describe it, but I hope to post a video at some point.
She also loves to dance, is still hoping to become a ballerina one day and has recently announced that she is moving to New York (or Yew Nork as she calls it) to study ballet at age 6 1/2. Hmm...I'm hoping her local ballet class will suffice :) She has also recently started playing soccer. She is the only girl in her league, but she has held her own. She's stayed in the mix and even scored her first goal.
The best way to describe our girl is that she is our free spirit. She does her thing, is often in her own little world, and loves to laugh. She is also a delight for her teachers. She is easy going and can find fun in most circumstances. At the same time, she is also sensitive...crying at movies such as The Fox and the Hound. I have also found myself comforting her many times when she is crying because her sister is sad...even if it doesn't involve her at all. I love that sensitive spirit. She is the child that is most different from me at this point, so there is a lot that I admire about her...mainly her ability to just have fun! I will miss her while she is in school, but I know she is so ready...and it is better than her being in Yew Nork, right?!
Our Buddy...what else can I say?!
Oh man, this little man most definitely keeps us laughing. And yes, we are pretty proud of him too (do you sense a theme?).
His main activities include riding in the car to ballet drop off, sitting in the carpool line to pick up sisters from school, running around the field while sissy is at soccer practice...yes, he just goes where we go right now. Thankfully, he seems to enjoy it...most of the time :)
He will get to be in his own class this school year while we attend our once-a-week Bible study. Otherwise, we are looking forward to some relaxed days of playtime and running errands of course!
He is really into anything that goes...trains, planes, tractors...I have become quite knowledgeable about heavy machinery. In order to teach all the correct names, I've had many tutorials while driving down the road...and I will be corrected by the 2-year-old when I don't get it right!
Speaking of 2-year-olds...he is definitely showing some classic 2-year-old behaviors. He likes to "do it by himself" as well as let me know tantrum-style when he does not approve of my actions. But, thankfully, his overall sweetness, polite attitude, and cute face more than make up for the unpleasantness.
I always said that I was nervous about having a boy because they are just kind of weird. He is displaying this weirdness...random, strange, growling/roaring noises, running around the house and then falling on his face...somehow it doesn't seem quite so weird when it is your own kid though. It is actually kind of cute and quite funny :) He has great facial expressions and really likes to get us all laughing at him.
He is the baby and is treated that way by his sisters...especially the oldest one. I think he will always be their "baby brother". He talks...a lot. But I'm thankful to have him as a companion throughout my day for a few more years :) I'm so thankful that I get to parent a little boy...after bows, tights and many tiaras, it is fun to play dinosaurs and trains.
I thank God every evening that I get to be the mama of these three amazing people.
What a blessing!
Friday, September 3, 2010
New Beginnings
We've spent the last few weeks transitioning from the relaxed days of summer (and we had a GREAT summer!) to the routine of a new school year.
First, this girl started 1st grade!
She likes her teacher (I do too!), and as usual has already been marked as a good helper to the teacher. She does a great job listening and following directions which sometimes leaves her a little frustrated with the kids that choose not to do the same. She is a good friend and seems to play with someone new everyday at recess, but she also has started to form some good friendships with the girls in her Daisy group. Besides spending her days at school, reading like a maniac, and playing with her sister, she also started ballet this year. So far she seems to really like it. Her teacher is a good combination of loving yet having high expectations...seems to be a good fit for a girl that loves routine and order : ) We are pretty proud of this girl!
Then, this girl started pre-k!
We got to spend a couple of weeks together after sissy started school and before it was her turn. She is such a sweet girl. She loves to play make believe, and can sit for hours in her room playing with dolls, her doll house, etc. She also loves to sing and dance, and it has become normal to hear her little voice in song throughout most of my day. She started pre-k just this week, and we are SO excited for her year. It seems that she has suddenly become a big girl. She is getting a chance to make her own memories with one of our very favorite teachers. It will be a great year for her I know. She is following in sister's ways in that she is a good listener, and is a delight for her teachers. In addition to her four afternoons at school, she attends Bible study with me on Wednesday mornings. She is going to have a wonderful year in that class as well. AND, she gets to continue her work to become a real ballerina :) as she takes ballet/tap/jazz again. SO many fun things going for this girl!And then, there is this guy...
Oh my goodness...I just don't even know where to start with this little man! He still has his mama (and his dad if we are really honest!) wrapped around his little tiny fingers :) He is sweet and snuggly, funny, smart, happy, and overall a pretty easy and fun little man to be with! Although I made him sound like a little piece of perfection, he is 19 months old which means we are starting to see his own opinions come through which can lead to tantrums when he doesn't get his way. He can also be a bit ornery when it comes to his sisters. He LOVES to find their water cups...it seems like that water tastes so much sweeter than his own. He also likes to get in the middle of whatever they happen to be playing which often doesn't end well as he doesn't play by the rules :) He makes me smile a whole lot, and I am really enjoying our time together (even though a lot of it is spent in the car...oh the life of the 3rd kiddo!) when the "sissies" (one of his favorite words) are at school. One of my favorite things right now is his greeting to Eric when he gets home from work at the end of the day. He gets SO excited as soon as he hears the garage door open and starts saying "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy..." and runs to the top of the stairs to watch for him. It is awesome :)
Monday, August 16, 2010
Just stoppin' by to say hi...
Well, so much for my grand attempt at posting once a week. It sure didn't seem that hard at first. I hope to post a bit more once we get back into the school routine as I think there are some people out there that might still like to read this every so often. Until then, at least here is a new picture to look at!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Living in a Fairytale
We spent all of last week almost completely consumed by Cinderella! Molly had a wonderful time in her first stage production, and I have to say that I do think she was the cutest little blue bird there ever was : )
Here are the stats from the weekend:
Mommy and Birdie
The ending pose
The last number
Walking down the aisle holding Cinderella's wedding dress!
H and Ellie came to a production together : )
With the Fairy Godmother :)
Cinderella!!
Grandma Becky and Papi Larry flew in for the performance!
Following opening night with Daddy
The birdies :)
Ready for the first show!
Getting makeup...those eyelashes were crazy! Not sad that I am done putting those on!
Here are the stats from the weekend:
- 7 days (approximately 50 hours!) spent in the auditorium for rehearsals and the show last week
- 6 (2 1/2 hour) shows
- I spent 15 hours watching Cinderella from Thursday-Saturday
- The constant stream of Cinderella songs in my mind has finally ceased (a week later)
- Molly went to bed 2 1/2 hours past her bedtime every night last week
- Amazingly, there was only one meltdown...which only lasted 10 minutes
- 1 fall off the stage! Yikes...thankfully no broken wings and our little bird was able to flutter right back on the stage :)
- 1 set of crazy, blue, feathery false eyelashes
- Many new friends made
- We are pretty sure this is just the first of more shows in our future!
- Lots of smiles and fun memories made...it was especially a fun time for me to spend with Molly. We had a lot of good one-on-one time, and it was fun to hear her excitement. She kept thanking me for letting her do this...so sweet.
Here is our little bird...
With her cousins after the show
Mommy and Birdie
The ending pose
The last number
Walking down the aisle holding Cinderella's wedding dress!
H and Ellie came to a production together : )With the Fairy Godmother :)
Cinderella!!
Grandma Becky and Papi Larry flew in for the performance!
Following opening night with Daddy
The birdies :)Ready for the first show!Getting makeup...those eyelashes were crazy! Not sad that I am done putting those on!
Sweet little bird
CRAZY bird!!
CRAZY bird!!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Not enough time!
My week slipped away with no post. It is one of those times where there just aren't enough hours in the day.
Here is what we are up to with more detail and pictures to come!
Molly--It is Cinderella show week!! Our little bird is busy, busy, busy rehearsing for the production that starts this weekend. Lots of pictures to come!
Elliana--Dance recital rehearsals (she is LOVING ballet), in the homestretch with activities such as Bible study and preschool. Looking forward to summer and the pool.
Charlie--Busy, teething, cute, busy, needy, curious, talkative, not quite walking (ugh...working hard on this one...he has all the skills but seems to be choosing not to do it!), and did I mention, busy? :)
Eric--He is also busy! His company launched their website this week which required many extra hours. Check it out: www.tribunephotos.com. Pretty proud of him!
Me--Well, once again, it should be obvious what I am busy with these days :) I'm enjoying this new phase of "activities"...but still figuring out how to stay organized with it all!
So much more to come! : )
Monday, April 5, 2010
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