Skating

Yesterday was the girls' annual vision field trip to go ice skating. Last year I went with them and had a blast, and this year I decided to check the boys out of school so they could join in the fun. We had so much fun.

Here's Megan. This is her second time skating. She was kind of in tears for the first minute . . . 

  but then this cute volunteer asked her if she wanted to learn how to skate.  Off Megan went and before long she was doing it on her own.

She did still like pushing one of these things around from time to time, but man, she could fly. She was so steady.

 She also liked skating with other grown ups. I like this picture because you can tell that she isn't really needing the help. She loves this field trip and it will be fun to watch her over the coming years.

I still can't believe that this is Liz's seventh time on this field trip. She has gone every year since kindergarten. And what a change.

 She starts off hanging onto the wall, but before long she is all over the ice. She is very comfortable

 So comfortable in fact that she took her camera out on the ice. She was pretty confident that it would be fine, which is was. As we left she said, "I want to make an adventure photobook and put this in it."

This was Mike's first time on skates, and he was a natural. I love this picture because he looks so relaxed as he skates. 

 He was confident and still grins when I tell him he did a great job. 

 all of that being said, it doesn't mean he never fell. In fact, he hit the ice a lot. But he enjoyed it and was so happy when I let him know I got a picture AND video of him falling. He is already asking to go back.

And then there was Nathan. I loved watching Nathan yesterday because I learned a lot about him. Skating was HARD and frustrating for him. I think he fell the most of anyone, and I could tell that he just wanted to glide like he sees hockey players do it. At one point he said, "Mom, it seems so easy for you." 

 I realized that this is probably the first thing (or at least the first thing recently) that has been hard for him. So much comes so easily for him, so I watched closely as he took on this challenge. And you know what? He was amazing. He got back up every time he fell. At times he sat on the bench to take a deep breath and a quick break, but it was never long before he was back out on the ice. 

 He started right by the wall, but by the end he ventured more in the middle. He still fell, but he continued to improve, and throughout the whole experience he was still smiling! What a great kid.

My four cute kiddos. What a fun afternoon we had.

I have some videos too, and maybe those will get posted. We'll see.

January

Michael started off the year by buying himself a new Lego set. This was a great set because the same set of Legos came with instructions to build . . . 

 A plane . . . 

 A car . . . 

 and a robot. I love to watch him make his Lego creations. He concentrates and is so dedicated. Before the Legos came he was a little obsessed with a video game. But the instant the package came he couldn't wait to stop playing to build. 

 Liz had NOVA graduation. NOVA is a program that teaches kids skills that will help them stay away from drugs, prevent bullying and make good media choices. Liz loved being a part of it. She worked hard to complete all of the requirements and also the extra projects. She received three of the four special awards available, the most amazing of which was a golden coin that was given to kids who not only completed all of the work and extra assignments but also show that they are making good choices and putting the principles into practice. We are proud of her.

 Nathan saved his money and bought the rest of the Fablehaven series. It was actually cheaper to buy the whole set than just the three he needed, but we all love having extra copies around the house.

 This was made by Brian's great Aunt Wanda. Megan has fallen in love with this new snuggly friends.

 Dad took the kids to Home Depot to build birdhouses. They had fun and it fulfilled a Webelos requirement for Nathan. 

 We introduced the kids to the Wizard of Oz. A few days later Megan was drawing a poster of penguins and she was singing, "Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my!"

We also showed them the Princess Bride. I had forgotten how funny that movie is. The kids seemed to really enjoy it too. 

See you next year

I came across these two pictures as we cleaned up and headed back to school a couple of weeks ago. I set them on my counter and rediscovered them this week. Both of these pictures make me smile, especially knowing who created them.

Megan's picture had to include a reindeer of course. I love how you know exactly what this picture is.

Mike did such a good job making Santa look jolly. I just think this pictures is so cute, especially the good job he did on the eyes and mouth.

A Fun Gift to Give

One of my favorite gifts to give this last Christmas was a calendar for Brian's Mom and Dad. I have been working on it ALL year, adding pictures to each month of the calendar as that month passed. All of the months share special memories, most of which we shared with them. I loved too that we could add images to the calendar dates, so I put pictures of all of the family members on their birthdays and anniversaries, carnations (Brian's mom's favorite) on Mothers' Day and a shirt and tie on Fathers' Day. It was fun to make and fun to give and I know they are putting it to good use already.

Some Winter Fun

 Brian's Mom planned a sleigh ride for any of the family who could come. It was scheduled for the day after Christmas and we crossed our fingers that there would be snow. Turns out we didn't need to worry. With a large storm right before Christmas there was plenty, and then we woke up to falling snow the day after Christmas. The snow kept falling all that day and it made our sleigh ride so magical.

 Megan couldn't get enough of the dogs running around as as we got ready for the sleigh ride. She wanted them near her the whole time and didn't seem to mind that the young golden one thought her earmuffs were a chew toy.  :-)

 We all enjoyed the sleigh ride. It was fun to watch the kids laugh and talk and enjoy it all.

OUr first stop was to drop hay off for the elk to eat. They are amazing animals to see close up.

 We stopped at the half way point to enjoy the view. Nathan moved to the front of the sleigh and got to call to the horses when it was time to get moving agin.

 After some cocoa to warm up we said goodbye to the horses.

Then the farmer gave each of the kids a turn to sit on the horses. Megan didn't hesitate, and she was sure in heaven.

 Even Mike was willing to give it a try. Way to go Mike!

 Liz and cousin Chloe

What a great adventure. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for planning it!