Kindergarten Field Trip

March 25:  I had fun going on Kinnick's Kindergarten field trip this year.  We went to a local theater to see Peter Pan.

Art Show

March 24:  The kids' school puts on a fine arts night each year.  1st-4th grade sing (Kindergarten sings for Mother's Day tea instead) and all grades display artwork from throughout the year.  The art and music teachers do such an amazing job with this--each kid in the school has 5-6 pieces of art work on display!  The concert is fantastic and the scheduling is great--each grade performs at a specific time so you can go to watch your child without spending hours at a concert.  It is a fun night to see the kids art and we loved hearing Sadie sing and perform her speaking part.  

Kinnick's penguin won first place for his entire grade level!

Sadie's clay frog won first place and "Best Overall" for all 2nd grade projects!

Girlie Time

March 19/March 22:  The girls and I got to have some fun nights out.  We have a good family friend whose son was in the musical "Mary Poppins" at a local High School.  Marc decided he would rather stay home with the boys for some March madness so I ordered tickets for the girls and I to go.  It was fun but it was also very long. We went on a Thursday night so Sadie had school next the day.  I even asked the girls if they wanted to leave at intermission but they really loved the show so we got a snack and stayed.  I enjoy taking them to see live productions. 

That same weekend we had the chance for a small group girls' day out.  We went to see the new Cinderella movie.  It was fun hanging out with other mommies and girls from our group.

Macey, Kinley, Sadie, & Aubrey

 

Hearts at Home 2015

March 14:  I love going to Hearts at Home each year... it's been 7 years in a row without missing a year!  It's a great weekend filled with teaching, encouragement, and best of all--Girlfriends!  This year was no different.  An added bonus--meeting Lysa Terkeurst!  It was fabulous hearing her speak (twice!) and I loved getting to meet her and have my book signed. 

Liz & Lindsey

Stephanie

Talking to Lysa!

 

Gala Time

February 28/March 6:  This year Marc and I got to attend two different Galas.  We went to the YMCA gala and to the 5th annual Gala for the Village Christian Church.  I bought a new dress this year and after years of talking about it, Marc bought a tux.  It was fun getting all dressed up for a fancy night out... twice in one week!

My friend Angie came over to do my hair for the night!

Date Days

February:  Every few months, Marc and I try to take each kid for a one-on-one date... Here were my dates with the kiddos in February:

Macey got new skates for Christmas so we decided to go test them out.  We always have lots of free passes to skate at Family Fun Zone (which means we only pay $2 for skate rental).  We took Macey's skates so this date only cost $2 to rent skates for me... which was a good thing because after arriving at the skating rink, I realized that I forgot my wallet.  I had to pay for our date with change that I found in Marc's car!  We had a great time skating and enjoyed sharing a slushie.

Sadie had really been wanting to go to Sunday open gym at her gymnastics facility.  For her date, I took her and a friend to open gym.  It was a relaxing afternoon for me as I got to sit and watch (and read) for 2 hours.  Afterwards we stopped at McDonalds for an icecream treat.  

For Kinnick's date we went to happy hour at Steak & Shake for 1/2 price shakes.  I took some card games and we had fun playing cards while we enjoyed our ice cream.  We also had to order some french fries because he was "starving".  

I love spending one-on-one time with each of my kids and watching as their personalities continue to change and develop.  I love listening to their stories and spending time doing things that they love. 

Harry Potter

February 21:  True Confession--I LOVE Harry Potter!!  I loved reading each book and Marc enjoyed watching the movies with me.  I was able to share this love with my younger brother Jordan.  I have been anxiously awaiting the day when I could share these beloved books with my kiddos.  In November, Kinnick got a giftcard to Gamestop for his birthday and after going with Marc to purchase the Harry Potter Wii game for our nephew, he decided he wanted his own copy.  On our family vacation to the Dells, the kids ran across one of the Harry Potter movies on television and begged to watch it.  Of course I would not let them watch the movie without first reading the book so we decided to tackle book one as a family.  The kids were in love from the first chapter.  They were listening and comprehending (minus Carver) with fierce enthusiasm... and I was loving every minute of re-reading it.  I don't often re-read book because I have so many new books I want to read, but sharing these books with my kids has been so fun.  We finished the last 3 chapters of book one on our way home from Michigan and immediately began planning our movie night.  We were able to watch "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" the following weekend with Grandma Janet and Aunt NeeNee.  I wanted to have some fun treats, so the kids got to have "Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans (Jelly Bellies) and witches broomstick breadsticks.  The breadsticks were not a favorite, but Bertie Bott's Beans are a MUST for each movie night.  Even Carver requests "I want my Bertie Botts!"  

We have now completed the first 3 books and are halfway through number 4.  I may have to re-read again to Carver one day but I am loving sharing the world of Harry Potter with my big 3 kids!