TEAM Awards

Our elementary school does quarters awards for kids who exemplify a team spirit and always do their best. Andy and Lilia got one first quarter (at the same assembly, thank goodness!) and Benny second. It is always so nice to see how well our kids are doing. They are all great kids and they are loved by their teachers. I am so grateful for these great kids!

Spectators. 

And Benny. 

I love this group of pictures. Such cute kids, but everybody has their moments!

Kindy 500

Our kindergarten had a big race this year and the kids were asked to make a car out of a box for the race (they kept calling it the “Kindergarten 500” or the “Kinder 500.” Don't ask me why it wasn't the “Kindy 500.” Seems obvious to me.). It took us a while to get started on Lilia's, but when we got started, boy, did we! We were going to glue felt pieces for the color (I have TONS of felt), but as we were getting into it, I started to realize that without much effort, I could sew a slipcover “shell” for the cardboard skeleton. Lilia designed the cardboard with me and picked out colors for the car. She also cut out all the racing stripes. It came together quite quickly. She chose 615 for her number to represent her coming age (had her birthday just last week!) and birthday. It was very well thought-out. 

After starting on the car, I started thinking that it would be a shame to just throw all that felt away after. It really wasn't a lot of work, but it seemed like a waste. Spencer had the grand idea to stuff the car and close up the top and bottom after the race! I mentioned that to Lilia and she seemed really reluctant. I asked why and it turns out she wants to be a race car  driver for Halloween.  We agreed to save the car for Halloween and we will stuff it after and keep it as long as it lasts! It will be a nice keepsake of our time in Indiana (however long it ends up being!). 

It was so fun to be there and see all the different cars people had come up with. Really fun to see the “pit crew” (Mrs Dixon's son) running to help any kids who tripped. Lilia was so excited for this race and it was fun to see her. She ended up coming in last in her heat because she was turned around waving to us when they started. She did have a great time, though, and we loved watching her! And we are so grateful it did not get rained out! It was so fun. 

First day of school

We now have three kids in school! I can hardly believe it. Benny, Andy, and Lilia have all been so excited to start school for pretty much the whole summer. 

I remembered to make signs as we were ready to head to the bus stop. It took four different markers to get them done since apparently all of ours are about out of ink. 

Janie gets to join us at the bus stop, now!

The day before school started, Spencer texted to suggest I take the little girls to the children's museum or the zoo on the first day of school. I knew I would need to do something, but, quite frankly, I did not want to set the bar too high!  We settled on a bike ride to the park. 

Janie's first ride on the merry-go-round. Despite what it looks like, she did love it. 

She also insisted on a solo ride on the "big girl swing."  This little girl thinks she is a big girl and ready to keep up with her big brothers and sisters! She's just about there, too. 

And this beautiful girl loves any chance to swing in the little kid swings. I don't ever put her in them, but she has a friend we met there to thank for this ride!

After getting home we had lunch followed by nap time for the three of us at home. Even Anne slept (I am hoping for more of that this year)!! I must say, it was a great first day of school for everyone!

Overheard

Lilia (while Benny was reading stories for story time): "Benny, you're a great big brother."

Injuries

I don't remember exactly what happened, but Anne banged her lip pretty hard ad ended up with a bit of a fat lip. Poor girl. 

The next day. 

A day or two after Anne, Lilia wanted to join the club! You can't see it very well, but Lilia banged her lip. Thankfully they both got over it pretty fast. 

Kids' Play

Andy and Lilia had a few nights of coming up with different "plays."  Nothing scripted and no real story line, but it was fun to watch them dress up and put on a show. They loved setting up the curtain on the mantle. 

The spectators. 

Taking their bow (Benny ended up joining in).

The obligatory "silly picture."

Dress-ups

I had wanted to make some princess crowns and superhero masks for a while and I had gotten a whole lot of felt to do just that.  Unfortunately the felt sat it bags for a while until I decided to make some beards!  I was doing sharing time in primary and wanted to have some kids dress up as some prophets.  And they would be perfect to add to the dress-up box and to use for the nativity!

Then I decided to go ahead with the crowns and masks.  They were pretty fun and the kids really like them.

Already growing up so fast!

Such beautiful princesses!

Such tough superheroes!

Here Anne is modeling the Rapunzel crown I made for Dominic and Jen's kids.  We had them for Christmas and I thought they would love some dress-up stuff for their collection.

Jen sent me these pictures of their kids.  I am so glad they are enjoying them!

Not pictured: The Incredible Hulk and Batman

Alright, alright.  Here is Hulk.