Low-Tide

The weather is finally FINALLY getting nice. We are so glad to see and feel the sunshine again! We went to the beach today because it was a low tide day and we got to see all kinds of cool sea life. Katie insisted on wearing her swimsuit and then loved just playing in the sand for the afternoon. Her buddy Eli and her didn't want to go home. In the car coming back she said, "mom this was the best day of my life!" I forgot how much she loves the beach.

All the News from Noah

Noah's pinewood derby car this year was inspired by Tron, his favorite movie! Jason and him worked hard on it and he came in second place in the whole pack! He was thrilled. Noah is doing great in school and won the student of the month for March. He just finished earning his Webelos badge in cub scouting with the help of a lovely den mom. (yeah...it's me.) We have a great time in the den together. Noah suddenly has so many neighborhood friends, it's great. He is out everyday after school in the alleyways playing hockey, soccer, dodge ball, baseball, skateboarding and anything you can think of. The are quite a big group of boys roaming our little area. Noah and I are currently reading Fable Haven together (courtesy of our dear cousin Jessica) and loving it! Things are good in the land of ten year old boys.

Art-Lover

Katie loves drawing and coloring pictures. Actually she loves to make me draw her and I and then she adds the background and colors it. I have drawn us as mermaids, fairies, princesses, playing in the snow, rain, sun, and every way you can imagine. My doodles are nothing special indeed but she is delighted by them and always exclaims over them. She tells me, "Mom maybe you will be an artist when you grow up."

Tuesday Afternoons

Katie loves her little friend Eli. They always play on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons when they are finished at preschool. They have the best time and never get into any fights. It is fun to hear her talk with Eli...the things she tells him and the expressions she uses. When he comes over she doesn't try to dress up or play princesses. She knows it's time to run, race, jump on the bed, and chase each other with her mixer. She loves it.

The Wolf Lodge

That was a lot of blog posting, but this is my last one and then I am all caught up for the moment! We just got back from the Great Wolf Lodge. We had the best time and what better way to escape the snow then to come to the warm and humid indoor water park. Instant summer! We went with those other Paces (Mike, Melissa, Becks, and Finn) and the kids were in heaven. The boys raced around the park together, finally old enough to go out on their own, and loved all the slides, including the Howling Tornado.

Katie and Becks had a good time playing in the little kiddo area and going down the pint-sized slides. Katie was a very good sport, even letting the water bucket dump on her head! We loved swimming in the waves and relaxing in the hot tub. It's so fun to hang out with Mike and Melissa! Katie couldn't get enough kisses on Finners. We just had a wonderful time!!
(Sorry for the lack of pictures. My camera and waterparks don't mix. This lone picture was taken with Noah's point and shoot.)

Winter Weather

We have been having an insanely snowy February. If you know Washington, you know that it doesn't snow here very much, especially not after January. The kids are in heaven with all these snow days from school! Lots of sledding, snowballs, friends over, movies with popcorn, hot chocolate, and games. Not to mention spending all morning in your pj's. It's hard not to laugh at their early morning celebrations over school being cancelled and it's so nice to snuggle them when they come in from the cold.

When Life Gives You Melons...

You're probably dyslexic. Addie has been having the worst time in school trying to figure out how to read! He is a very smart cookie and it has been so frustrating trying to find the reason for his delays. His teacher told me he is the smartest guy in the class at math, but he is falling so far behind in reading and his handwriting is awful. After much thought and prayer we had Adam tested and found that he is dyslexic. Although this means reading many remain a bit of a struggle for a while we are relieved to now be able to teach him to read in the ways that will help him learn and begin to close his gap with his classmates. Adam is such a bright, shiny penny and we love him so much. When we met with his teacher, school psychologist, school counselor, and others they all knew Adam are really liked him a lot. His teacher loves him and has been very actively trying to finds ways to get him the help he needs. I believe that with a kid as sweet and well-liked as Adam, success is just an eventuality.