packages

Getting packages from Grandpa Chuck is always a treat because the kids KNOW that there will be artwork in there from Alexandra. It's nice to have such a talented cousin!

Matix's school performance

Matix's first grade class had a performance of Aesop's Fables, and Matix was asked to be the narrator. He worked really hard on his lines and did a fantastic job. The little kids couldn't come to it, so the parents were able to focus on the performers. It was really nice to be able to devote our attentions just on our sweet Matix. Paul miraculously was able to get off work for an hour and came to see it! Mrs. Sheets was very strict, but loving. She knew what she was doing and the kids all knew their parts and did a nice job. 

Matix is on the far left, and was dressed as a monkey.  His group did "The Old Lion".

Pics with his favorite friends. Jack, in the top picture, but was in a different play. Quillan, in the bottom picture, was the lion in the same play as him.

So proud of our favorite 1st grader!  Matix kept his eyes locked on his teacher and followed her cues. His hard work paid off and he did a GREAT job. He was happy with his performance too, which was good. He loved that it was just Mom and Dad watching him too. No distractions, no interruptions. We love you cutie boy!

Student-led conference

Hawken got to do another student-led conference and he LOVED all the attention on him and his accomplishments from school. He's such a smart boy, and always tries his hardest. Ms. Oncken was the PERFECT teacher for him. 

On a rainy day I can seek first to understand and then be understood by "calling my cousin and calling my grandma and grandpa" :)

"Dear Yertle the Turtle, can you be better?"

My handsome man! He was FAR above average and as impressive as ever. Paul couldn't make it to this, but I took a million pictures and videos for him.   Hawken was so happy to be the star of the day. And I was happy to celebrate him, he's so amazing.

Here's a couple video clips from the day too. He was one of the kids asked to read something (although it's hard to hear), and then they sang some songs and did a few chants that they did each morning. It's very cute.

Solace and Lullaby entertained themselves reading books in the book nook area.  They were very good during it, so I could focus on Hawky.

And a cute one from the car of just these 2 babies. I love them, especially when they love each other.

Hawken the narrator

Watching and listening to the kids play is one of my favorite things. They are at such lovely ages. Hawken likes to narrate what he's doing (even when he's not playing), but I especially love his car races. I filmed a minute of this, although the race went on for several laps, and several minutes... 

FaceTime

Thank goodness for sisters and killing the time while we had to be out of the house for showings. Heather and I FaceTimed during one such occasion and it was great. The kids were busy on the playground, and I was bored to death. :) I love technology.

trail mix

Trail mix can be really fun to make with the kiddies. We made these small snack bags for the kids and I think they turned out pretty good, although I ate as many of them as the kids did... We used raw almonds, multigrain Cheerios, raw pumpkin seeds, raw sunflower seeds, dark chocolate covered blueberries, and chocolate covered sunflower seeds. It was tasty!

extra kid

One of Lullaby's friends, (and also one of my preschoolers) Jared, got to come stay with us for a couple days while his mom and dad were at the hospital delivering their newest baby brother. It so happened that his little visit landed on free cone day at Ben and Jerry's so we took him out. I'm sure he thought it was a regular day in our life, but it was a treat for us too.

We also had play time at the splash pad after school with the big boys. They liked having an extra big boy around to play with. And Lullaby loved telling everyone at preschool about it the following week. The other preschoolers then told their mommies to get pregnant so they could come stay with me too. Ha ha ha.

Dr. Kim

Our kids originally liked Dr. Kim because they have a grandma with that same name. Later on, the kids would cheer when I told them it was time to go to the doctor's office. Dr. Kim was the BEST pediatrician. His office was already running late because he spent so much individual time with each patient, which I appreciated and came to expect the delay. He remembered things the kids had told him and he would talk to them about all kinds of things. Their interests, their friends, what they ate, what they did for fun. He was phenomenal. The only better pediatrician would have been Paul, but luckily for all the adults of Hawaii, he's family practice. :)  We miss you Dr. Kim!

Lullaby the comedienne...

At the doctor for an ear infection (which she was clearly feeling much better from), and I asked her to smile for a picture to send to her dad... This is the face she gives me. So typical Lullaby. She's such a silly thing. :) I also took a little video clip and sent that to Paul. I don't think he ever has a boring work day, thanks to his 4 silly kiddies.

Matix the artist

Matix is always thinking up new ways to be creative. He is so awesome. He had been thinking (and talking a lot) about patterns, and came downstairs with this camel made from a repeating pattern of 3 dots and 3 dashes. He started in the very center with the three largest dots, and went from there. No picture or image to copy from, just his brain. I'm ever so impressed with him.

cousin birthday

We were invited to Linnaea's birthday party this year, and Lullaby especially was excited. They are cake and drank lemonade and had a great time. Happy birthday Linnaea!

Sully and Duncan spent the whole time outside blowing bubbles. I think they came in only to eat snacks, and then they were right back out. They are pretty cute together, and get along pretty well now. Sully is 2 and Duncan is 3.

I hung out with baby Kjerstin mostly. We took some pictures using the Snapchat filters... SO funny. Gavin played with it a bit too. :)

Nerf Party!

Hawked and Matix were invited to an after school Nerf Party, just for fun. Madsen and Ryan made plans with their mom, and it was a really fun play day. Most kids had their own Nerf guns, but we borrowed some of Madsen and Ryan's. They had PLENTY. They also brought some snacks for everyone. It was really fun for all the kids, and I bent the rules for the day for the kids to play fight with their friends. (It was also jammie day for 1st grade, so there were lots of kiddies in jammies...)