Bikes, Monkey Bars and Fish

Ever since Blake learned to ride his bike he's been on it.  He rides pretty hard too.  He will race down hills and around corners.  One afternoon I noticed that the back wheel had completely worn through so we went on a search for new ones.  We found them at the Trek store near Travis' work.  The guys in there were so kind.  While there we also picked up some new pedals because they were broken too!

Samantha's class went on a field trip to the newly opened SeaLife Aquarium.  Ms. Wallace said that anyone could join them so Blake and I decided to go.  The kids really enjoyed it.  I was on my toes the entire time making sure I had all five kids I was in charge of.  Sharkie, their mascot even came out beforehand to greet everyone.

Here's a picture of Samantha playing on the monkey bars...

We stayed and had lunch with Samantha and her class after the field trip  so Blake got to play on the playground too.

Blake has so enjoyed storytime at the Bonner Springs Library.  In fact, he's quite upset if we ever miss it.  Miss. Jeanne did the Alphabet Express this year and every week was a different letter followed by a craft.  He's Blake with a few of his crafts....

Sabbath was another beautiful day so we took Grandma and Grandpa, who were visiting for the weekend, to the park.  They started out by riding on a bike ride, the boys a bit farther than the girls.  Blake found a caterpillar on his path and brought it back for Samantha.

Doctor's Appointment

We just went for the kids' annual check-ups.  Both were so happy to hear that they didn't get shots this year!

Dr. Martin spent so much time with us talking and answering our questions.  She commented how they were such good kids and respectful.  She also commented about Midland and how she heard is was an excellent school, in fact, some kids have left because it's so academically challenging!

Samantha is in the 50% percentile for her height and her 30% for her weight.  She's really slimmed down. Her blood pressure was 110/70.  Dr. Martin commented how Samantha will probably be tall like me one day.

Blake is in the 60-65% for his height and 25% for his weight.  Definitely a tall and skinny little guy.  His blood pressure was 102/70.

It's always great to get good reports from the doctor and we praise God that we are rarely sick especially enough to go to the doctor!

Misc. Things

I had totally forgot to celebrate Blake's birthday in Sabbath School since we were out of town so the kids reminded me and we did that.

We went on the Eager Beaver field trip to the Shawnee Fire Department and learned all about fire safety and the fire station.

Dad made us this beautiful raised bed so that we could plant a garden this year.  The kids absolutely loved planting everything in their certain places and making stakes for them.  Now they enjoy watering it and waiting for the plants to come up.

Samantha has conquered the monkey bars (no pictures yet) complete with blisters on her hands.

Blake has mastered his bicycle without training wheels.  We had to get him a new back tire because it was completely worn out.  One Sabbath he spent 3 hours on it and last Sabbath Travis took the kids on a long bike ride.  He is so happy!

Samantha has really done well on her new roller skates!

Samantha has been dreaming of getting the American Girl McKenna for quite some time.  Travis and I finally decided that if she wanted it she was going to have to buy it herself.  We suggested that for her birthday this year she ask for money instead of gifts so that she could get McKenna.  She got money from us, BeBe and Papa, Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Cheryl and Papa Joe and Gloria.  She had enough!  We were able to go to the American Girl store on her birthday to get McKenna!

She opened her other presents after the trip and she got a watering can from Blake and new rollerskates from mom and dad.

We were at Grandma and Grandpa's during Easter this year.  We had planned on going for the weekend but ended up staying a couple of extra days to attend Grandma Ellie's funeral.  Despite the fact why we stayed and partly why we were there the kids had a good time.

Grandma suggested so go to the high school of the egg hunt and the kids had a good time....

They've been looking forward to dying Easter eggs ever since last year so Grandma let them dye them at her house.

Samantha had wanted to go fishing so bad and had called Grandpa before we got there to ask if we could go.  Grandpa got them their own rods and everything so we took a couple of hours to go fishing. Samantha was the only one to catch something although Blake had one that got away.

Samantha got to open her presents while we were there...