Double Whammy Music Concerts

In mid-March we had 2 music concerts in one night; Paul's and Hannah's. Both did great, we had some good laughs =)

The stars of the evening

Field trip

On the Friday of spring break we went to the Recycling Center and Garbage facility near our house. The kids had a lot more fun than they expected (they thought it would smell awful). There is a nice education center there, 100% made with recyclable materials. There were a lot of interesting facts. For example, 50% of the landfill is filled with paper. Paper that should be in the recycling center and made into other materials. We are going to be more watchful of what we throw away.

Standing near a huge "mountain" of garbage: (what a family of 4  makes in one year)

Interactive videos, you can only go to the next one if you get the answer right

Kate sorting: Garbage or recycling?

Here are three wal-mart carts stacked floor to ceiling with stuff. A nearby guide for how to shop reads, "Do you really need it?"

Paul is sitting on chairs made of tires. (If you can find him in his Camo)

A man of tin at the recycling building

Giant boxes filled to the brim with computers

overlooking a sea of recycling cubes - like bales of hay

 This one is for you Uncle Chris: An airplane made of Mountain Dew cans. The "Monster" of the 20th century.

Kate a roo turns 4

We had a great albeit snowy day today celebrating Kate's birthday. We started with blueberry pancakes on The Special Plate.

We got right to the gift opening opening. A new Hello Kitty Scarf - super cute!
 

Fancy Nancy (and yes she has a shiner)

 And a new Easter dress which she loves.

 

We went to an indoor swimming pool for a "pool party" and tired out the whole crew.

after my shower, a snack!

She got a new owl backpack and matching water bottle from Aunt Sara and Uncle Chris.

Think she likes it?

Ready for pre-school!

 Wearing her new dress before dinner.

Then we had some after-dinner "dancers" and pie. Happy Birthday Kate a roo!

Special hairdos

guess my silly dance

blueberry pie. make a wish!

Running Club Founder visits RCS

On Thursday morning last week, Kara Lubin, founder of the 100-mile club that is becoming very popular in schools nationwide, made a personal stop at Ridgeview for her morning run. We arrived just in time for a photo opp.

Let it snow

a little more this weekend! Kate was the only one to venture into the backyard, but only lasted about 15 min due to the wind. I helped her build a (pathetic) snowman but did not get a pic of it.

She can't figure out which way to turn away from the wind

Sittin on the big snow mound

Kate often asks on the way home if I will stop a few houses away from home so she can run home. She's out the door and off running.

And a cute one of her inside from last week

Dinner

Many of you who read this blog enjoy quiet dinners at home, enjoying your conversation with other adults. You may occasionally sip your wine and wonder what dinner is like around here. Well I'll tell you.

Many nights it's me and the kids racing to get dinner in between homework and bedtime. Sometimes everyone is sitting at the same time, but not usually. I serve as police officer and level chart monitor. (Actually, much of the reason for the up and down out of chairs is to adjust magnets at the fridge.) Last night I thought I'd take a few pictures for your benefit. So you can see what I see.

First, Paul often gets the (very loud and constant) giggles.

Elizabeth, typically the junior police officer, can sometimes lose her cool.

Hannah wouldn't let me document her face-making goofiness, but I tried.




And then there's Paul's air guitar-ing. This motion is usually done with a loud, okay ear-splitting noise that is supposed to sound like an electric guitar. Instead, it disturbs every member of the family, every time. It causes particular trouble during car rides.

So last night Elizabeth looked quizzically at Paul during dinner. He was doing this:

 It's the silent air guitar. (Because he was chewing.) We never knew Paul was capable of such genius.

And then there's Kate, who still just takes it all in. Look out though, she's turning four this month. God only knows what's in store.

Enjoy your quiet dinners tonight!

Weekend at home

Paul had his first trip to The Bennett Store at school last Friday. He earned $8 for good behavior last week and went shopping for some goodies.

He chose these stylish glasses

Hannah and Kate got their dancing shoes on this past Saturday in the front room.

Ready for the runway, Aunt Sara!

Sheldon often gets a bath on Saturdays before he plays with his friend, Froggy.

ahh...

Elizabeth has done an awesome job giving up juice this lent. That said, I have never heard a child bound out of bed so loudly and with such excitement on what is usually a quiet, lazy Sunday. It must be getting to her.

Crazy for juice

Monday activities

Hannah was home sick Monday so we made a batch of Shamrock cookies.

Kate decorates

 Paul likes to put small things inside a cup of ice, add water, and freeze it overnight. It's his "glacier." The next morning he assembles tools and a bowl to destroy it. Thank you, Learning House Pre-School.

Kate and Paul, playing Uno on their own during quiet time. Kate can now play her own hand. You should see her face when she gets to "skip" someone.

Surprise for Elizabeth

On Saturday Elizabeth got quite a shock. Her friend Serafina, who moved away in July, returned for a short visit but Elizabeth had no warning. She was not expecting that knock on the door but was very excited. Fina returned Tuesday evening for an hour to play a bit more. It was as if no time had passed.

"Elizabeth, can you get the door?"

Oh, to be nine again...