It's April 1st!

Five on Friday with a bonus.....

1.  Samantha started the week with a bang.  Sunday she went to her friend Heidi's 7th birthday party and the theme was "fairies."  She went all dressed up with wings included.  While there they made several crafts including a fairy forest and then she got glitter sprinkled in her hair which I'm still getting out:)  It was her first "real" birthday party.

2.  We picked Samantha up from her party and headed straight for Kindergarten round-up at Midland Adventist Academy.  We're hoping from some pictures from Mr. Dave later.  There she got to meet her teacher and the other kids that will be in her class (there will probably be 10 total). She also got a tour of the school.  We learned that she will start school on August 16th.

3.  Both kids have been working on a bit of "school work" this week.  Samantha has been working on some phonics and math while Blake has been working on matching a word with it's appropriate starting letter.  They both are doing so well!

4.  Both kids started swimming lessons Tuesday night.  This is Blake's first time and he loved it although the water is very cold.  He had a smile on his face most of class.  We got a lot of pictures of him but no pictures of Samantha yet because they won't let the parents in her class until the very last one.

5.  While eating supper Wednesday night we were discussing the shows on PBS that the kids had watched that morning and we started to talk about the show Super Why.  Samantha proceeded to tell us that she no longer liked that show because she to old for it and it was for 2 and 3 year old.  Blake said he liked and and she told that was because he's 3!

6.  It's a new quarter for Sabbath School so we spent quite a bit of time this week changing the classroom.  We are trying to grow some rye as part of the decorations so the kids helped me with it...

And pictures...

She dressed herself just like LillyAnna this day including braids.

Blake wanted his picture taken too!

Blake rolled out the noodles for chicken noodle soup all by himself.

5 Things on Friday

We've had a busy week!!!

1. Monday Samantha's friend Heidi came for a play date. The girls and Blake played inside as well as out. They played in the "fort" and played dress-up in the house. Later they went outside to blow bubbles and "gallop" down the driveway.

2. Tuesday is our usual library day. Blake loves to play on the computer while Samantha is in story time and did again this week. He can type his name all by himself. In the afternoon Samantha made up her tumbling class we missed during the winter session. It was a f-u-l-l day!

3. Both kids had their annual check-ups on Wednesday. Samantha is in the 50% for both her height and weight. Blake is in the 50% for his height and 30% for his weight. They came out just fine except this is Samantha's last check-up before school which meant she got 4 shots!!!!! At this age the anticipation is horrible. Luckily 2 nurses tackled the job and did 2 at the same time. She was rewarded well with a popsicle, 4 stickers and 4 suckers. Thank goodness there will be no more shots for her until she's 10!

4. I love how Blake randomly gives me a hug and say "I love you mom!" He's quite affectionate and loves his family!

5. Samantha got her 5 year pictures taken Wednesday. She loves to get her pictures taken and did a great job. Blake gets his taken next week.

Last Sabbath we celebrated Blake's birthday in Sabbath School.  He was so afraid of being up front that if he could have crawled inside me he would have!

Sunday we went to the model train show...

Playing outside can be silly...

We had a house full of people last week! BeBe and Papa has planned on visiting so BeBe and I could go to the Princess Diana exhibit that's here in town. The week before Uncle Paul and Aunt Jenney asked if they could come too.

It was a house full with 6 adults and 5 kids but we had a great time. BeBe and Papa arrived Sunday night (in record time!). Monday we ran a few errands. The kids spent quite a bit of time with Papa as they opted out of some shopping.

Monday evening the cousins arrived and Tuesday was our explorer day. Everyone went down to Union STation where my mom and I visited the Diana exhibit and the rest of the family saw the model train exhibit and crossed over to Crown Center.

The rest of the week was spent at home enjoying the wonderful weather. The kids loved being outside while they could! One night Samantha had a sleepover in her room as Ellie and Dane joined her. It was tough to get them to quiet down but we eventually did.

We were so thankful they decided to spend their time with us!

We celebrated both Blake and a little of Samantha's while everyone was here...

Catching-Up

Here are a few things about the kids...

1. Samantha has learned to "stash" things on the top shelf of her closet if she wants to keep them away from Blake. She can stand on her hamper and reach stuff if it's on the edge but Blake can't quite make it yet.

2. Travis was working on the dishes on evening and cracked a glass while transferring it from one sink to the other. Samantha told him he'd better be careful because he's getting old!

3. Blake has really worked on his "l" sound. He pronounces it so well!

4. Blake has used the word "delicious" and "beautiful." It's so cute coming from his little mouth.

5. Samantha wanted to surprise me one evening by cleaning her room. Her room was out of control and I told her I'd help her with it right before stories. Well, she told me to stay out and after a bit I offered to help and she refused. This went on several times and when Travis came home (he worked late that night) she took his help. It was so endearing to me and made her spic and span room so much more beautiful.


Here are some random pictures...

Getting ready to shop with monkey.

Monkey sometimes has to come shopping with us.

Our Sunday morning tradition is Starbucks.  Samantha gets a hot cocoa.

While we were waiting for Dad we decided to check out the lawn mowers.

Samantha's friend Gianna and her sister Alexa came over to play one day.

Samantha designed these snowman and helped Blake make his with a little help from Mom.

Blake loves his monkey!

Spring is in the air and the kids are LOVING being outside whenever possible.

Blake Turns 3!

It's hard to believe that Blake turned three this past Sunday! The poor guy was probably confused because we started celebrating on Friday!  We gave him his choice of where he wanted to go and he picked Pump It Up.  Travis took the day off so we could all go and play...

Right after Pump It Up we headed out to Great Bend to visit the grandparents.  We hadn't been there since Christmas and the kids were anxious to get back.  I had no responsibilities at church so it was a great weekend to head out.

Right after arriving the boys got their haircuts from Travis's friend Dave who does a wonderful on their hair.  While they were getting their haircuts Samantha and I picked up the birthday cake.

While there the kids played and had a good time with the grandparents.  Samantha even got in some coloring time...

We celebrated Blake's birthday Saturday evening.  He was so excited to open his presents but so shy when it actually came to it.  He wanted me right beside him the entire time and I had to get him started.  Once he got started though, he went right to it.  We were so happy that Travis's Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Jimmy came over to help us celebrate...

Blake hates to be the center of attention so when it came time to blow out his candles he didn't want to.  Both Samantha and I had to help.  He loved the Thomas cake though and I'd say he had a wonderful birthday!