Grace- a Star of the Theater

Grace has been attending an acting class since October in preparation to be a play the class puts on at the end of the school year.  Her big day was last Saturday and she did an excellent job as a fairy and a chameleon in Rapunzel.  She had speaking lines as a fairy.  Next year she'll move up to the 2nd to 5th grade group.  This year she towered over almost all the other little fairies.  We had a little melt down after the make up went on because she thought she looked too old.... So she covered up her face the whole time she was a chameleon.  By the time she came on as a fairy she was okay with it or she had wiped all the makeup off.  It was fun to have Grandma and Grandpa there.  Grace was super excited to have one of her most favorite cousins, Alex, there.  We were all glad that Allison could make it too.  We all celebrated Grace and her great performance at Cafe Rio afterwards.  We were happy to see Uncle Jesse there too. 

Allie the Athlete

Allison ran the Thanksgiving point half marathon on Saturday.  Go Allie.  Sam and I ran from the car to the finish line to cheer for her.  She is an inspiriation.  Behind my fat smile, I am thinking, I need to get myself to the gym.  I went today.  I hurt.  I am going to run one at the end of the summer.  Feel free to join me.  It feels so good to accomplish something and be in shape!  Thanks Allie for your good example... always.
Side note:  James, Marmee and Papa were  running the Kentucky Derby marathon this same day.  Go Runners!  My dad ran it in 2:08.  Great job papa!!!!

An Isaac Perspective

There was a time I would look through the pictures I had taken on my camera and find a group of odd, low to the ground, half faced pictures. This would mean Isaac found my camera. I loved to look at them to see a little of how Isaac views the world. Then I would say a prayer of thanks giving that the camera survived. It has been a while since I have found this little surprise on my camera.

                                     

He must have seen a squirrel because that is where it ends.

At the park

On Thursday I had the good fortune to of watching little Cason.  We had to run a few errands, but at last we made it to the wooden park.  My kids love this park.  As a special treat, I will drive them there even though it is not on the way to anywhere.  (Don't tell Jake.)  The weather was a little windy, but we played until the rain... and Aunt Heather came.

I am in ridiculous mourning

I have been LOVING the chance to update my blog this year, especially after my sister-in-law introduced me to a site that would group all of my pictures into a nifty collage, easy to put on my blog.  This site was called picnik.  I say "was" because as of the 19th, it was no longer available.  I know I have only used this site for a few months, and it is ridiculous that I have become so attached to it. If anyone knows of a site similar to this, please share the secret with me.  I will still continue to update my blog on a regular basis.  It is the only New Year's resolution left to cling, and I love to look back.  My favorite is the Halloween video from a couple of years ago.  Sam is so cute; I can barely stand it!  That night seemed so chaotic.  Looking back though, I wish I would have just relaxed a little and enjoyed it more.  I am trying to learn some from my mistakes so I am trying to cram everything in to this blog that makes me smile.  Hopefully, it makes you, and my future self, smile too.   

The Tulip Festival

Amid the beautiful fragrant flowers, secret gardens, tinkling streams and rushing water falls... BOYS WILL BE BOYS.

Isaac's favorite day!

Jake heard on the radio that the army base down the road was doing an artillery demonstration Saturday morning.  He drives Grace and Isaac down there at 8 am because you are suppose to be there at 8:30 and Jake is sure the line is going to be very long.  They were some of the first there and found out that the radio station had misbroadcast the information.  It was suppose to be for media and VIPs.  Since Jake was there early they got to sit with the vips and the other 300 people who showed up had to sit further away.  Jake was very proud of himself.  Jake and Isaac could have stayed there all day.  Grace on the other hand was ready to leave after the first earth shaking BOOM.