Happy "Bear"thday Liz!

Yesterday was Liz's friend party for her birthday. I haven't done one of these for her in a few years, and I have NEVER done a party for eight and nine year old girls, so i was hoping things would be fun. It ended up that five girls could come. We had a great time with the bear theme. We started off by dressing up bears that I had cut out with my Sizzix. The girls picked the papers they wanted for the clothes and accessorized them. Then they stuck the bears on door knob hangers. IT was fun to hear them say, "These are so cute!"

We played a game where the girls popped balloons and there were slips of paper inside. Then they had to do the silly things written on the paper. Everyone was so cute and it was fun to see them be silly. As promised, Liz had her "beary" own cake, and we all sang "Happy Bearthday to you".

After presents and cake we made pencil toppers out of foam shapes, pipe cleaners and curling ribbon. The girls had a great time, and I did too. What a fun group! WE sent the girls home with little teddy bears, gummi bears, cinnamon bears, all in a bag that said, "Thank you Beary Much". Thanks girls for coming!

Birthday Girls

Saturday we celebrated the March birthdays. Brian's mom and dad took the girls to an early breakfast, then Grandpa had a meeting to go to, but Grandma stayed for the party. These are videos of the girls opening stuff from them (and aunts and uncles too). we loved the reactions from the girls. Grandpa, enjoy! Thanks Don and Sue for all you did for the girls, and for Brian and I too.

Megan: some of our favorite parts "I get to be Chloe", "Aaahhhh", and "Now I can sell my bike"

Opening up the scooter! Megan is so grown up!

Liz: some of our favorite parts "HANNAH MONTANA!", Liz loves the container and "There are a thousand beads!"

Liz loves the beads. She is pretty grown up too.

Liz, Chloe and Megan. Sure enough Chloe and Megan match!

Patriotic Program

Yesterday was the kids' patriotic Program at school. The whole school opened with a song called "You're a Hero." And the rest of the program focused on heroes throughout American history. So fun! Michael and the kindergarten sang "Yankee Doodle" in honor of George Washington. Mike was so cute and did a great job!

Marching like a little army.

"Stuck a feather in his hat"

"And called it macaroni"

"There was Captain Washington"

Jazz hands for the big finish

Nathan and the second grade sang three verses of the Star Spangled Banner in honor of Francis Scott Key. Nathan was disappointed that he isn't a Scout yet and couldn't be in the blue part of the flag, but he sange out and it was so great to watch him sing.

No cute choreography, but it was pretty powerful listening to these seven and eight year olds sing about our nation as a "heav'n rescued land" and being preserved by God.

"In God is our Trust" Nathan sang out!

Liz and the 3rd grade sang a Native American song called "Land of the Silver Birch" It was a beautiful song and it was fun to see them all dressed up and singing together.

LIz is such a pretty girl and she was so graceful as she sang and did the actions to the song. It was a joy to watch her!
"Silent and Still"

The sixth grade sang a medley of the anthems of the different branches of the military. As they sang audience members who served in the branches were invited to stand. What a neat way to honor the men and women who have served our country. The program ended with the entire school singing "American Heroes" while a slide show honored friends and family members of teachers and students who serve or have served in branches of the military or as police and firemen. What an amazing way to show gratitude for these incredibly people who bless our lives.

If you are interested here is a link to the video of the kids' performances.

http://eprocrastinator.blogspot.com/2010/03/patriotic-program.html

A few fun things

It has been a long time since I have posted. This time of year is famous for not much and tons going on at the same time. We haven't had a lot of big things, just lots of little things keeping us busy. It has been a great few months and next week kicks of our birthday season.

We got some new sheets and I love them. Best of all they match the quilt I started last January and finally has finished at the end of the year. It is fun to finally use it.

The yellow and white really brighten up the room. And the sheer is enough to bock people seeing in the window, so we leave the blinds pulled up and that lets even more light in!

This is one thing I got Brian for his birthday. I want him to be ready when the boys become Scouts and to be able to go on an occasional hike between now and then. Now he has no reason to say no! Mike and Megan each way less than what he will pack for a hike.