Nathan's Coins

Nathan has started a little coin collection. He found a few in the street from different countries. (I don't remember which.) Then he started asking if we had some foreign coins too. He started rummaging in our storage room to find the coins from Randy's mission to Korea, and also found some that I had forgotten and saved from my visits to Mexico and Canada. Now he had about 5 different currencies. He was fascinated that there were different exchange rates, and started making up his own conversion story problems.

We mentioned to Randy's dad about his new interest in coins. When he came to visit, he gave Nathan some old silver dollars and other coins that he and his dad used to collect. This made us think of more coins that Randy and I had been given that were collected by our Grandparents and Great-grandparents. I didn't realize we had such a collection. Now all of the sudden Nathan has quite a big coin collection.

It makes me wonder how many people of that generation collected coins, if Randy's and my Grandpas did. It makes me feel that we are making connections to our Grandpas by helping Nathan enjoy the same hobby they did.

Fry Daddy

Randy and the kids gave me a fry daddy for my birthday. After I opened it Nathan said,

"Now you can make us scones, and doughnuts!"

What every mother wants to hear. Randy and I have been giving each other gifts that we secretly want ourselves for a while now, it makes things easier :)

I've made scones twice now, and they were delicious. I use frozen roll dough. Randy has become the expert of making the honey butter. Haven't attempted doughnuts, that takes more ambition.

We found out today that Janae has made the musical theater class for next year. She is so excited. Here comes 7th grade!

March Clogging

We had a fun clogging competition last Saturday and everyone did great!!! Janae and Nathan's teams got first place rankings, and Nathan received a 1st on his freestyle. Janae did some other solo's and received some 1st and 2nds. Marianne's team got a 2nd, and she received her first medal. She was very excited to get it and was happy to be dancing with her team to the song that she knew. She did remind that at the next competition she was only doing her team dances. Just so I understood she wasn't doing solo's like Janae and Nathan. It was a long day because everyone was in a different level, but it was nice we lived so close that I could shuttle everyone back and forth just for their events.

We've registered Janae for Junior High. She was excited about the entire process - practicing opening a locker, signing up for her instrument, and trying out for some classes. She's decide to play the oboe. Now we just need to find a teacher and get an instrument. We know it is one of the most expensive and hardest to play, but she's doing it anyway.

We had a cat spend the night in our garage and wants to adopt us. It hung around all day yesterday and Jared was quite fascinated with the "cat." We came inside too early for him, but we have to make dinner don't we?

February Birthday Girl

Our sparkly princess Julene has turned 5! I have been meaning to post her birthday for a month. We had a fun dress up princess party with her friends.

She and Jared helped make our sparkly cupcakes. Licking the bowl is one of the fun things to do for your birthday. It was a busy week so we had her party two days before her real birthday. It just made it feel like a birthday week. I'll try to consolidate next time.

She finally got her own scooter. She is quite the athlete and borrows anyone elses if it's free. Her sisters were a little jealous that hers is pink. Maybe one of the blessing of getting hers last.

Here she is making her own play dough cup cake. She is always busy making something. She loves to draw, paint, and has become extremely proficient at the computer as well. Julene is the happiest girl I know. I don't know if I've ever seen her be sulky and pout. She tells us yes to what ever you've asked, and then goes and does her own thing anyway with a smile on her face. Her favorite game is Settlers of Catan. We even play just two players during Jared's nap. She is such fun to be with. She keeps up with her big brother and sisters and is so playful with Jared. She's our giggly girl.

We also got to visit my Grandparents and enjoyed the warmer weather down south. We loved swimming, and when it rained found a glow in the dark miniature golf and lazer tag. Nathan's request for his birthday.