A Night Out on the Prairie!

Since November we have been making our way through the Little House on the Prairie books. It started as one chapter per night but.....sometimes it was 2 or 3 or more!! The girls became very interested in the life style and have checked out many books from the libraries with information concerning the different locations in which Laura had lived. For their birthday present from Auntie Al, Emily and Erin got tickets to the Little House on the Prairie musical. It was certainly a night to remember! The photo shows Erin and Emily dressed in their prairie outfits (birthday presents from Auntie Al) with "Laura Ingalls" and "Nellie Oleson" after the musical. The photo doesn't show it very well, but Emily has blue ribbons in her braids (as Laura always did) and Erin has pink ribbons (as Mary always did). Erin also crocheted a "lace" collar as "Mary always had a fancy lace collar". (Erin's words!) THANK YOU, AUNTIE AL!!

Happy Spring!

Rumplestiltzkin-Private Eye

Emily, Erin and Trevor participated in their 4-H club's play for the Festival of Arts program. They placed 3rd with their play--and there is possibility of going to the State Fair in August. Emily played the part of the miller, Erin was Happy (the guard/later promoted to captain) and Trevor played the king. It is so awesome to see young kids (especially mine b/c I KNOW I wouldn't have done that at their age!!) on stage in front of a crowd! They did a great job.

A New Look....

Erin had "reading" glasses starting in kindergarten but then the use of them had dwindled down until they weren't worn at all by the end of first grade. She actually went into the closet and dug out her glasses earlier in the school year and wore them occasionally. After receiving a letter from the school nurse, I realized she does INDEED need her glasses....and her old prescription did NOTHING. Here she is in her new glasses. It took us awhile to agree on a pair but I think she found the perfect pair! Although, my "baby" is starting to look more and more like a "little lady".

Spring Treats

With spring in the air, it was only right that Emily and Erin take "spring treats" to school for their birthday! After much searching, I found the "perfect" idea....the girls were thrilled with the rabbit cupcakes!
Erin and Emily on their actual birthday in another brand new outfit! Of course, they just HAD to wear their new rain boots (from Granny) with these outfits!! (They did wear different shoes once they got to school, though!)

Eight Years Ago.......

on 3/16/02 we got to meet our bundles of JOY (not double trouble like soooo many liked to point out)! Terry had known the gender of the babies since our 4mth ultrasound...and never let it slip!! After a full day of doing odd jobs around the house, contractions started at 4:00pm and we went to the hospital at 7:00pm and they arrived within 45 minutes! Trevor fell in love with sisters immediately and made sure that everyone knew which baby was which. I will never forget his first comment when he got to see them for the first time.....Terry & I were each holding a baby and Trevor walked in, looked around and said...."But where is MY baby?" Gma Mickey came to the rescue by bringing him his own baby to hold.

Now, eight years later, Trevor still loves his sisters....there just seems to be a hard time showing it now and then! There is NO DOUBT about who is who when anyone sees Emily and Erin. They are certainly their own person and we will forever love them for who they are --- Emily preferring to be with an animal and Erin preferring to be with her crochet hooks and yarn balls!

Girls...Daddy and I are so proud of you for who you are - don't ever try to become someone that you are not! Happy Birthday, Emily! Happy Birthday, Erin! (To borrow Erin's saying....we love you as much as our little hearts can hold!)

Emily and Erin snuggled together for the 1st few months...and still enjoy the special treat of sleeping together!

Erin and Emily with their cowgirl boot birthday cakes. They both love horses...especially Sasha and Flicka. (The Shetland Ponies that Gma and Gpa have.)

School Storage

Always in pursuit of a cute way to store the kids' school "stuff", I found one when I was cleaning yesterday!! I have been using old meat locker baskets for the kids' backpacks/library books/etc. but they have been just on the floor by the front door. An old library table that am "repurposing" was the perfect size to fit all three on the lower shelf.....and off the floor. These meat locker baskets were previously used at one of our conventions for "dipping" dishes prior to going to paper plates. I guess my house is full of "repurposed" things.......

Our day off.....

There was no school yesterday so the girls enjoyed having a day of "freedom". For the first time, they went off exploring in the woods on their own pretending to be "wilderness girls". Trevor enjoyed his day off at home with a friend playing wrestlers, Bakugan, Nintendo DS, etc. It is certainly true that kids need unstructured play time.....after a strict schedule and deadlines for the last few months, they all enjoyed having down time to do what THEY wanted to do.

DI Competition-Season Complete!

As team manager of the Destination ImagiNation team, it is always a relief for the season to come to a close! Although it is hard work for the kids, lots of practices for all of us, and a very nervous "Mrs. Carlson", it is so much fun to see the kids all pull together despite differences and work together to overcome the obstacles and challenges set before them. These students competed very well yesterday and did it all COMPLETELY on their own with no adult suggestions/help/etc. None of the seven students on the team had competed before and did AWESOME! I am proud of each and every one of them! GO TEAM!!

Donuts with Dad

Terry has been working seven days a week for the last three weeks or so. During this time of hectic days and long hours came the school's "Donuts with Dad". Terry was able to go in late so he could take Trevor to school and have breakfast with him. A nice break for Terry and a special time for Trevor!

School Fun

Today is the birthday of someone very important.....especially to those in elementary school! Our school is celebrating Dr. Suess's birthday today. They have created a bulletin board with the kids decorating a paper book with their favorite Dr. Suess book, reading all week for prizes, etc. Yesterday they had "pink ink" shakes and today several parents brought in special treats. Last night I made Cat-in-the-Hat cookies for the second graders to enjoy.

Erin and Emily with the plate of cookies to share with their class.

Last year I went into school for Celebrity Reader Week dressed up in a Cat-in-the-Hat costume to read Cat In The Hat to the school. The kids were very surprised - and Trevor became VERY embarrassed when a teacher said that this Cat-in-the-Hat had three "kittens" and asked them to come up for a picture. Fun memories to have as Trevor gets "too old" for that!!