Today was an absolutley beautiful day after a long, cold, bitter winter. Savannah was itching to play baseball but when we got to the park, the ball diamond was locked up still...she did get to play for a bit though.
Day 92 - April 2, 2014
Every year I say that I will begin the scrapbook albums that I give my parents and in-laws for Christmas earlier. But realistically, I get busy and most of the albums get done in November and December...not because I have so much time during those months but because I have to get it done. So today, I really got started on sorting through pictures that will go into the albums. I am hoping to be more organized and finished by November this year...time will tell :)
Day 93 - April 3, 2014
I came down the stairs and found the kids playing Battleship...I love it when I see them getting along and not playing electronics.
Day 94 - April 4, 2014
Songs from the movie Frozen are sung all the time lately. So when Mark sent me a link to A Frozen Father ("Let it Go Dad Parody"), I had to share it with the kids too. The kids all crowded around and watched it...they found it quite funny. However, they asked to watch it a second time and then started singing those words. Better? Probably not but good for a laugh :)
Here is the You Tube video...Enjoy
Day 95 - April 5, 2014
Today, I made Chocolate Chip Cookies...a new recipe. I made one batch for trial and I doubled the next batch...I wonder how long they'll last in the house. I may have to have a hidden cookie stash.
Day 96 - April 6, 2014
Both Mark and Alex deep in thought and planning strategy while playing Stratego.
Day 97 - April 7, 2014
Savannah joined the Praise Team at school and she has been very excited about it. She asked me to come to chapel this morning as it was her debut on doing the actions.
Day 98 - April 8, 2014
Pretty bummed that I lost some pictures on my camera card :( So I had to recreate something that happened. Cropping at Fellowship...sketch layout books come in handy
Day 99 - April 9, 2014
I lost my Battle of the Books pictures on the camera card and had to use my iPhone picture. Both boys competed in the Battle of the Books competition in Strathroy today. The team did extremely well playing in the Senior Division with 2 seniors and 3 juniors on the team. The team placed 3rd out of 6 teams...very proud of them all.
For those wondering what happens at Battle of the Books, I'll try and explain it...
The kids are required to read 10 books. At the competition, they meet with other teams to battle. During the battle round, questions are asked and the team needs to say what book something happened in and who the author is of that book. For example...What book does someone have a toupee? The answer would be "The Man Who Loved Clowns" by Wood. Points are given for correct answers. The second round is the lightning round, where you have 3 minutes to answer as many of the questions that are given. The team may pass and come back to a question at the end. The stratedgy should be to make a quick decision on the answer and move on to the next question. Hopefully someone will remember the answer when you get back to the question you passed on or incorrectly answered. The more questions answered correctly, the more points you get. At the end of the day, the point are tallied and a Champions banner is handed out to the winning team.
Here is the list of books the kids had to read this year...
Shattered by Walters
Hope was Here by Bauer
Wednesday Wars by Schmidt
Elephant Run by Smith
Silverwing by Oppel
Navigating Early by VanderPool
Ghost Canoe by Hobbs
The Man Who Loved Clowns by Wood
Thunder Over Kandahar by McKay
Urchin of the Riding Star by McAllister
I had a great picture of the day that I loved...when I went to download the pictures from my camera card, I somehow lost them...So gone is the picture that I was going to use...a picture of Savannah with her Wings hat backward chilling with her cousin Cailyn, they were both eating 1/2 a cucumber, one of their favourite snacks and Savannah even had a real smile. So begrudgingly and sadlyI took a quick picture of my pile of mementos and pictures that I have been organizing...
Day 101 - April 11, 2014
Tonight we enjoyed a wonderful Easter program at the kids' school. He is Risen was a program that the students shared the good news of Jesus through poetry, black light, tableaux and music. We are so thankful for the program that the teachers put together and it reinforces why we chose the school we did for our kids. The program flowed beautifully and demonstrated God's love for us...
Savannah Drumming in Rhythm Ensemble
Alex in the Concert Band
Casrten in a Tableaux Scene
Video of Savannah in the Black Light Performance
Carsten had a great day today...a trip to Koffee Korner in London, a store where you can pick out different kcups for the Keurig. Carsten was proud that he picked out his own coffee and paid for it himself...his Coffee Around the World collection :) He also made this awesome model at Kim's house.
Day 103 - April 13, 2014
This evening we had some street hockey happening after church. The kids enjoyed having the VanMaanen boys over to join them in the fun. The weather was beautiful and a nice way to end the day.
Day 104 - April 14, 2014
My yummy supper...Grilled chicken breast with broccoli and cheese
Day 105 - April 15, 2014
I realized I hadn't taken a picture of the day yet when I got to bed at 11:58 pm...not wanting to go grab my camera I turned the light back on and took a picture with my iPhone...it's my Build a Bear bunny that I sleep with...this picture is for you Liz, who posted a picture of her monkey recently :)
Day 106 - April 16, 2014
After school today, I had the kids help out with a good cleanup and purge of the basement. It feels awesome to walk downstairs and not step on toys, especially Lego. I wonder how long it will last??
Day 107 - April 17, 2014
Carsten, Savannah and I went out for a couple things tonight after supper...one of our stops was Staples. Savannah loves Post-it Notes and was thrilled to find a whole row with lots and lots of Post-it Notes here. We all had a good time browsing the aisles.
Day 108 - April 18, 2014
Following the Good Friday service, it was nice to spend the rest of the day with my family. We enjoyed time reconnecting, including some target practice and 4 Wheelin', followed by a great supper. Thanks for having us over Mel & Kyle
Day 109 - April 19, 2014
Carsten and Savannah were enjoying some trampoline time and Grandpa joined them...he can still do a flip :)
Day 110 - April 20, 2014
Today we were able to rejoice that Jesus Christ is risen. I saw this picture on Facebook a bunch and found it very fitting for today...
"The sting of death is sin,
and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God!
He gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ."
~ 1 Corinthains 15:56-57 ~
I am loving this song Christ is Risen by Matt Maher and it seems perfect for today.
Day 111 - April 21, 2014
Easter Monday...we decided to join Kim for a nice hike in Springwater...here's the kids at the beginning of the hike, eager and ready to go. We followed up the hike with a picnic lunch at the park. It was a beautiful day!
Day 112 - April 22, 2014
The kids often want a pet and we have been seeing this rabbit in our backyard a lot...that counts as a pet right???
Day 113 - April 23, 2014
We had a surprise for Miriam, one of our ladies who has joined our AM Bible Study this year...a little showering of love as she is expecting a little one soon.
Day 114 - April 24, 2014
Savannah has been having a quite a few headaches lately...not sure what we will do once we run out of this stuff...it seems to help. If anyone knows where I can find this stuff reasonably priced, please let me know.
Day 115 - April 25, 2014
PD Day for the kids today and dress up fun was being had downstairs this morning. The kids have room to play since the basement had a good cleaning up a week or so ago and it's remained pretty tidy :)
Day 116 - April 26, 2014
Jennifer came for a visit today and after a game of Catan, we moved on to Monopoly and here are the last two players going for it all...
Day 117 - April 27, 2014
Savannah wanted to drive home from church and she acted like she could do it no problem. She flipped her hair and said, "See you in the ditch Dad"...Soooo very glad she still has 7 years before she can drive.
Day 118 - April 28, 2014
My shoulder/back has been very sore lately...Giving this medicine a try...
Day 119 - April 29, 2014
Lots and lot of rain today but it was nice to be reminded that spring is here...a nice plump robin.
Day 120 - April 30, 2014
Yesterday Kim and I went to see God's Not Dead. I would highly recommend seeing this movie. I will post the movie trailer too :)
