Making Cookies

Making cookies with great helpers. 
Elizabeth dangled the measuring spoons for Aaron to play with,
but he was more excited about grabbing on to her! 
He's at the fun age where he's figuring out his hands can be tools.

We are One Nation -- The Song

I haven't been able to find the lyrics only online.  So, just want to have this to remember.
(This is not our school.)

We are One Nation

When we first moved into our home, we heard mixed reports about the elementary school our kids would be attending.  The demographics are diverse in many ways.  It takes in everything from nice "home neighborhoods" to several apartment complexes clustered around the school.  It's the most ethnically diverse elementary school in the district.  Although some great families we know school-of-choice thier way to different schools nearby.  We felt like it would be a good thing to give it a chance.

This week at Nathan and Joshua's elementary school they had a Cultural Fair one evening for families.  The next afternoon at school was a Parade of Nations.  The Parade of Nations was just like the Olympics opening ceremonies.  You can see from the pictures that most were dressed in amazing clothing from the countries their families are from.  The rest of the children from the school clapped and cheered as they entered.  More than 20 different countries were represented!  The last to enter was the United States...represented by the special needs class.  It was a great moment to have those children enter dressed in cowboy garb and red, white, and blue to great applause. 

To finish off the moment all the children sang together a song they've learned in music this year, "We are One Nation".  In the next post I'm including another school singing the song.  I think the message is so meaningful...especially in a setting like this.  It was one of the most "moving" moments I've had in a long time.  It makes me so grateful Nathan and Joshua have the chance to have some of their best friends be from Korea and India and Pakistan.  The diversity I once felt might be a detriment to their "education", I now feel is one of the greatest assets!  These are such quality families working so hard to pass on the heritage of their family and the best opportunities they can for their children's future...just like us!

 

 

 

One of the sweetest parts to me was watching the parents and grandparents in the audience...so invested in the moment!

Lepruchaun Traps

Joshua's Kindergarten teacher assigned each child to make a Leprechaun Trap.  Joshua took his to school with high hopes of really catching one...and was pretty disappointed when all they caught was a note on the white board calling them "tricky kids" and one gold coin in their traps. 

 

While Joshua made his trap, Nathan -- always the creator -- made one too.  Complete with two rooms, a set of stairs, a pillow, and a gift for the leprechaun.  On St. Patrick's morning at our house we didn't manage to catch anything either.  But the leprechauns did leave us some St. Patrick's cookies and our favorite soda, Vernor's.

St. Patrick's Day

Lucky Charms and Green Milk

In order to convince Joshua to let us take down our Valentine's door decorations, we needed a fun plan for St. Patrick's Day.  We love the e-cards from Jib Jab, so I told the kids we'd make our own paper "Jib Jab Leprechauns". 

Each child created their own.

 

Family Tree Beginnings

 

For a long time I've wanted to have a place in our home to display pictures of our extended family.  We wish we could live closer...but I figure there are still ways to help our kids feel connected.  I found this vinyl tree at Target and we've put it on the wall above my cedar chest on the landing upstairs.  Now we've started getting "the fam" up!  I'm just mounting pictures on card stock and taping them up with painter's tape, so we can update easily as we grow.  (Bethany this is your inspiration to send me pictures for the other half of the fam!)

At first I thought we didn't need our family's pictures on the tree...but now I think I want the kids to know (visually) that we're a part of this group.  What do you think?

Favorite Quotes of the Week

Nathan...on his way home from school after getting to do a skit in front of the class with one of his favorite friends...

"That's why I'm smiling 100% ... as far as my jaw can go!"

Joshua...

"At school some people can't even resist me I'm so funny!"

Elizabeth...while wielding a sword and chasing Joshua...

"And BEHOLD!  I got ya!"

Elizabeth...when I stepped on something sharp with my foot and needed a band aid...

"Lay down, Mom.  I'll be the doctor and you be the prisoner."

Three Months Old

 

I wish I could freeze Aaron at this age.
Although the first few months were really rough with reflux...he's turned into such a happy little guy!

Art Show

Nathan loves to draw and works very contentiously on his school projects.  We were so excited one of his school art projects was chosen for the school district art show!  Nathan's is the middle one on the top row...the heart made with chalks and paint.

Pinewood Derby

 

 

 

 

Our first year with a Cub Scout.  Greg and Nathan spent many happy hours scheming about their cars.  I was just afraid we'd leave the evening in tears!  We were pleasantly surprised when Nathan got 3rd place!  Nathan is already sketching plans for next year!  =)

Valentine's Doors

I had seen a cute idea on another blog about a mom "heart attacking" her kids doors for Valentine's.  I had gotten started, but hadn't finished it by the Monday evening before Valentine's.  So, for Family Home Evening we each got 5 slips of paper and wrote something nice about each family member.  Then we taped them to each person's door with painter's tape.  I had not idea it would be such a hit!  Nathan and Joshua wanted to add to the doors each day for several days.  Joshua cried when I told him it was time to take it down!  I think we've started a tradition.

Fun with Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma would practice the Wii after Nathan and Joshua were in bed at night in an attempt to even up the competition!

Nathan and Joshua's favorite board game -- "Ticket to Ride".  They can both give us a run for our money!

 

 

Aaron's Blessing Day

 

Aaron Rex's blessing day.
It was so special to have family here...especially meaningful that is was Dad (Rex) to stand in the circle for the blessing.  

Nathan's Baptism

 

 

 

The kind of moment parents dream about.
Earlier in the week Nathan said, "I've been waiting eight years for this day!"

Nathan's 8th Birthday Party

 

 

Nathan's 8th Birthday Party -- With pizza, slot cars, a lot of silly chatty boys, and a little bit of Wii.

A Ballerina and A Cute Grandma

 

 

 

Grandma and Grandpa Franson came to visit at the end of January.  One of the things Grandma brought with her was a ballerina outfit and some music for Elizabeth to dance to.  This is Grandma teaching Elizabeth the basics of ballet.

2 Handsome Guys

 

Late January -- 2 Months Old -- On our way to church

Auto Show Pilgrimage

 

Still one of our favorite family traditions!  This year we just sent Greg, Nathan and Joshua.  They had a great time!

First Smiles

 

 

 

Where's Aaron?

 Mommy's little helper...

Playing at the Church -- The Days After Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the days after Christmas we loved to head to the church so we could all get some exercise and play!  While Greg played football with the boys, I would hold Aaron and do laps around the gym.  Elizabeth found a doll in the nursery and would do laps with me holding her baby.  When I tried to get down closer to her level for the picture...she had to kneel too!

A Little Bit of Snow and A Lot of Work

 

 

Please note the snow shovel.  Snow had to be brought in from all parts of the yard to make this snowman possible.  =)

Christmas Day

 

Christmas Morning

One of the more memorable moments was Nathan's first attempts at his new roller blades!

Christmas Dinner -- ironically after all the analyzing about gifts and trying to find just the right things that would be a hit -- the most loved gift of the day was the book of Mad Libs.  (Fittingly in the picture...we did them all through Christmas Dinner.)