Technology

 The other day Jesse wanted to show us this video that his music teacher showed his class at school. Eden then asked  (in all seriousness) if it was the same video that he watched on her laptop.

This is her laptop.

This is her "regular computer".

Does anyone else think this is hilarious? I love my kids imaginations.

8

My daughter is now 8. Oh my. She's a joy and trip, and blessing and a challenge. I love her tons.

We had a kitty party with her cousins and two friends.  The cousins stayed the night.

On her actual birthday it was just our little fam. She requested Chinese food and there were celebratory beverages.  (In reference to my cake/cupcakes...Eden thought the cats looked sad...then I had the soft kitty song in my head but it was sad kitty instead.  Anyone know what I'm talking about?)

Why you don't see many group pics of the kids.

At school...

J juggled scarves at the school book fair. He was scheduled to do this for 15minutes. He probably did this for 2min. and spent the other 13 bopping around doing who knows what. He's a social bug.

While we were there I was finally able to E's art on display at school. They have what are called outstanding artists and their art is displayed either for the whole year or for a month. She is here with art that has been chosen to be up all year, in a frame.

This was a piece chosen for a month. These skills she gets from her daddy.

J had his 2nd cello concert and did great! He started playing it cool when mom's around. I'm not sure how I feel about this. He wasn't please with me taking his picture here. I don't think he really cared, but he acted like he did. I'm not having it.

Student of the Month

For "displaying exceptional efforts to show courtesy by listening to teachers and friends, showing kindness each day and using manners."


I have to promise her a goofy picture to get her to take a normal one like above.

Festivities for the Girl

"Mommy...am I seven right now?" is what I was asked yesterday morning. My girl wants to know things exactly how they are. She is just a joy in our life and I'm so glad that in the middle of my 3 boys God blessed me with a daughter. She has spunk and wit and a sense of kindness that I've been witnessing her share with others when no one is looking. Love her.

Saturday afternoon we had an Asian themed friend party complete with chopsticks and "sushi". I was extra thankful for the gifts my family had bestowed on us from there travels to Japan and China (my brother and his wife lived there for 5yrs) to help with the details. The girls made their own fans, carried rice (cotton balls) with chopsticks from a post to a rice bowl (for miss kitty), pinned the fan to the doll and were actually fairly successful in eating their snack and dessert with chopsticks.

Any pictures you see and think, "Wow! What a great picture!" was probably taken by dear Tina who stopped by and did some snapping. Thanks Tina!

Sunday afternoon was just us and of course she had to blow out candles on her actual birthday. It's a rule for me. Before that she had her requested lunch of tomato soup from the can. I had leftover butternut squash soup, thank you very much. I'm over MSG in a can.

Then she opened gifts from us and my parents and Grandma Linda.

Thanks Grandma Linda for the tea set!

Giving brother hugs as he gave her all his silly bandz. True love.

Outfits for her and doll.

Opening her most favorite gift from my parents.

Not this doll.

This one, Lanie. (She is also wearing a shirt that I made my attaching socks for sleeves)

"May I take Lanie exploring?" Lanie is a girl that loves exploring the outdoors so that is what they did for the rest of the afternoon.

They stopped to read a book together.

Then they invited me to go for a walk and do some bird watching. I believe Lanie saw the most as she had binoculars and never offered me a peek through them.

Then we said goodbye to Dennis has he left for Maine for a week.

We had some company in the evening that brought ice cream and of course we had to light another candle! Thanks Owen and Mia!

It was a full couple days but I know she felt loved. So after tucking everyone in and cleaning up the kitchen what does one do at 10pm?

They remember their promise to make birthday treats for a first grader. And they are thankful that they had JUST barely enough chocolate to dip the red velvet cake balls and pray that there really are only 25 kids.

7

Applesauce

E had her last soccer game and her coach passed out medals. The rose was from Aunt Denise who coached a different team but had one for her (and for me too!). I think she got more into towards the end. I'm thankful that it's done and we will have our Mon. and Wed. nights more free. With the kids getting home so late from school I always felt rushed. I don't think she's in love with it enough to have to do it again next year...but we shall see!

Here we go...

Soccer. Still on the fence about this. 3 days a week for 7 & 8 yr. old's, Sunday games....gimme a break.


But she seems to be having fun. I hope just enough to want to go and do well, but not enough to return. She told me that next year she will do basketball. what?

The kids had no school on Friday. We used their coupons to go bowling that they earned from the library summer reading program.

This is before bowling. Someone would rather just get to it than have his picture taken.



But that someone won the game. (He did use the ramp)


I could not get over his bowling shoes!



That evening we used the tickets they earned and went to Dutch Wonderland. J and Dennis had gone a couple years ago, but it was a first for the rest of us. Truly a fun family outing. Though I don't know if V will ever trust me again after putting him on some of those rides. Also, my daughter is so brave, she went on the "big" roller coaster with me :)




Saturday afternoon was a birthday party for my nephews who turned 10 & 12. Such a beautiful day. Here is an attempt at all of them w/ their Great Grandparents Krantz.


Did I mention it was a beautiful day?

courage and love

E had a baby tooth pulled today. It had an adult tooth growing behind it for a year and it didn't want to budge. She was so brave!!


BEFORE

AFTER

People keep asking how V is doing w/ B.

You can see that he likes to share. He loves him.

So far so good.

So...B is pretty much the best baby ever. This is him right before bed. He was smiling and cooing away, and he fell asleep while I was brushing my teeth. Every night is about as easy as that one was. Though he does like to stay up LATE.

toothless days

She lost her first front tooth the other night, cashed it in for .75. Yes, we do the tooth fairy. Santa is a no no, but the tooth fairy is okay. Feel free to ask me about this : p


J wanted me to take a pic of our iris'. This is probably my least favorite color, but it looks pretty here.


Last Saturday I went to a few yard sales and was unsuccessful in my search for what I wanted. However, E took some of her own spending money and found an old doll crib for $4. The deal was she had to get rid of something in her room to make room for it. SO, goodbye to Nysa(pronounced with a long 'i' sound, she made it up herself) the cat's homemade home. We made it from a diaper box and it served it's purpose well. Now to the burn pile it will go.



We took an after dinner walk this evening. This wagon was given to us from family that had moved beyond this stage. I LOVE it.