Well, we have been quite busy since my last post. We were lucky enough to make it up to McCall for the Winter Carnival...albeit for just a day. The kids had such a blast playing in the snow. I, however, was a bit dissapointed--the ice sculptures I remember as a kid just seemed more grand than they did this last visit. Maybe it just seems that way since it's been so long since I've been and everything seems larger and more impressive through the eyes of a child. My children seemed to enjoy it just as much as I did as a child so all-in-all, a successful outing for the six of us.
They stopped playing in the snow long enough for a group picture.
Dad instigated a snowball fight...
The kids have each been keeping busy as well. Gavin spent the last six weeks playing basketball through the Rec Center. He enjoys playing so much and they had him play point-guard this year. His being left-handed has seemed to work to his advantage on the court...he still needs to practice his jump-shots on the right side but does make the shots quite a bit. Gavin was also recently chosen to represent his class in the Nampa/Vallivue School District Spelling Bee. He was the winner in his class, thus gaining his spot in the District Bee. I was so happy for him and we've been busy studying the list of words they supplied: 679 words to be exact. The rules for the Bee may prove to be harder to remember than the actual spelling of the words, however.
Getting ready for defense (Gavin in green)
Benjamin has been tremendously enjoying this semi-warmer weather. He's been a little more motivated to get his homework done earlier so that he can play with his friends outside. Here in the next couple of weeks, he will be starting T-Ball...something Paul and I are very excited to witness. We signed him up for Basketball last year, but then-5-year-old-Ben seemed a bit more interested in dancing on the court than dribbling the ball. I do think this sport will prove to be more successful...now that he's 6 and able to focus a bit more when given direction.
Ben being goofy while @ Planet Kid.
Jacob, Miley and I have been trying to keep ourselves busy at home. The last couple of days have been absolutely beautiful and we can now move our play to outside a bit more often - a welcome change compared to the blustering winds of last week.
Jake has had a recent fear of McDonald's (or as he calls it: Mackendonal's)...I mentioned to the boys that too much of that kind of food is bad for you and my precious, innocent toddler decided it will make him "dead". I have to be honest: I'm enjoying this time while I don't hear the insistant begging for burgers and fries. :) He has also been doing his 'homework' quite regularly and reminds me if we haven't gotten to it by the time his brothers come home from school.
Jake trying to see the pictures during bedtime reading.
Miley is growing a bit more rapidly than I would like...some days I still wish she was only crawling. I love the fact that she is starting to show her personality more, but I desire my baby again. It is certainly noticable that she has three older brothers: she very much holds her own in any situation.
She loves to pose after 'fixing' her hair...
We have also recently found a new church and the kids seem to just love it. I'm so glad to have found one...we (I) haven't been able to go back since my sister passed away a year-and-a-half ago; we used to go with her and her kids. But now finding this one has helped bring back some 'normalicy' to our lives and filled some sort of void I know I was missing. The kids have been putting the pressure on us as well--out of the mouths of babes and all that jazz.
Paul has been very busy at work and I have been very busy looking for work; unfortunately not so much luck on my part so far. I'm still enjoying my time at home as much as possible before I have to go back to work. We will be celebrating our one-year anniversary this weekend. I'm so glad for Paul's niece, Lisa; who volunteered to babysit for us so we can enjoy a rare date-night. I voted to go to the Macaroni Grill, but am now debating on choosing somewhere new-to-us. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
