Simple Pleasures

Today is another beautiful day in VA. This morning I had to get up and going a little earlier than I would have like because I had to take Kenzie to the mall for a Brownie function (see next post). So I was up and dressed a bit earlier than a normal Saturday morning. Rob had taken the kids downstairs to clean up the playroom and watch TV so I decided to steal a few minutes for myself since Rob will be away next week. So I took my breakfast out to the deck to enjoy the sounds of nature and the sunlight. I had a great time especially watching a tiny little chipmunk stuffing his cheeks and running around. I tried to get a picture of him but he ran away before I could get my camera (note to self bring camera outside with breakfast). But I did manage to get a few pictures of the backyard. I was thrilled to notice yesterday during a walk around the yard that we have tons of Lily of the Valley growing. For those of you who don't know we are renting this house so we aren't sure exactly what was planted her before. Lily of the Valley was one of my grandmothers favorite flowers. I still remember the flower bed next to the house full of them. It was nice to see them kind of a little bit of her amongst where my kids play. I plan on trying to get outside by myself to enjoy nature more often.

Build a Bear

This morning we got to go to Build A Bear for Brownies. As a special treat for all their cookie sales the girls got to have a Build a Bear party. Kenzie had a great time with all her friends. She chose a little brown bear and named it Silky. Silky was lucky enough not to have to leave Build a Bear bear-neked. Kenzie picked out a great summery shorts outfit for her and a pair of sunglasses.

Bugs, Bugs, and, more Bugs

Is there anything that little boys like more than bugs? A few weeks ago I showed Cameron some ants that were on our side walk. Cam was instantly mesmerized. Now he has started to notice them on his own. He loves to pick them up or in the case of the ants try to pick them up. Here are a few pictures of Cam and Kenzie with a few buggy friends from our yard.

Spring in Virginia

Spring is here. That can be good or bad if you have to take care of our front yard. We have a beautiful tree in our front yard. Beautiful until the flowers start to fall. The kids found a good use for the petals.

Making up for lost time

So I have been a little behind on my posting. So I will start with Kenzie.

A two weekends ago Rob and MacKenzie attended the "Me and My Guy" dance for the local girl scouts. They had a great time. Kenzie really enjoyed going out with me to find the perfect dress and shoes. I even borrowed a curling iron from Kim (Thanks Kim) and curled her hair. Unfortunately her hair doesn't hold curl very well so they had all fallen out by the time she came home but she loved it andyway. After their dance Daddy stop and bought his little girl ice cream.



And more exciting news is the on Friday MacKenzie brought home her third marking period report card. Once again our little smarty pants is on the A/B Honor Roll. Surprisingly she got exactly all the same grades in the core subjects. The only changes were a better grade in Gym and a lower grade in Art. The Art teacher commented that MacKenzie is very enthusiastic about her art projects but she doesn't seem to be able to complete them on time. So she is going to work on that. But here are her grades again.

Reading A

Writing B+

Math B

Social Studies A

Science B

Listening S

Oral Language S

Art S-

Gym S+

Music S

And for those of you we haven't told a few weeks ago we received a packet in the mail saying that MacKenzie had been put into the pool to be further tested to be part of the Gifted Education program next year. Rob and I had to fill out a bunch of papers giving our permission and answering questions about Kenzie's likes, habits, strengths, weaknesses, and what she does at home that applies to learning. Then they started testing her first was Math and then was Reading, Writing will be soon. We were very surprised when Kenzie came home and told us that after the reading test the teacher told her that she is not reading on a third grade level but on the sixth grade level. We are thrilled but shocked since MacKenzie learned to read write and spell in German and within 6 months of being in an American school she was on the honor roll and reading three grades higher than she is in. We are very proud of her and will do everything we can to support and encourage her to achieve anything she sets her mind to. We should know if she made it into the gifted program before school gets out.

American Idol

34 years ago.

Happy Birthday Rob. We all love you very much.

Work Release Program

Yesterday I picked up a new outfit for Cam that I thought was cute. Well that was until this morning when I put it on him. It is cute but it looks like a little prison coverall. After I got him dressed I was in the kitchen and he was playing in the living room. When I went to see what he was doing I had to laugh. He had found the broom and was sweeping the floor. He looked like a little prisoner sweeping the floor.