Our Garden

You might have heard me say that I love my back yard. When we moved in, the previous owners had a garden in the one spot in the back yard that had any chance for sun. It quickly grew into a weed garden under our care. We finally tilled the ground a grew grass. Then, we decided that that spot was a great place for the trampoline.

This year, something came over Erik and Andrew and they decided to put a garden back in the one tiny sun spot.
We weren't sure how well this garden would grow, because it was under a big shade tree. Then that tree split and we had to get it taken out. Now that part of our back yard is very sunny all day. Perfect for the garden. Erik and the kiddos planted strawberries, peas, lettuce, zucchini, tomatoes and pumpkins. So far it has been a very successful little garden.

Look at the picture again, and up by the swing set you will see a big pumpkin plant slowly making its way across our yard. It reminds me of one of my favorite picture books...We had some extra pumpkin seedlings, and so Erik planted an extra seedling in the back corner of our upper back yard. Unlike the main character in this book, I have always wanted to grow pumpkins in my yard. I love the idea of pumpkins. I love making pumpkin recipes. Here's hoping we get some fun pumpkins for Halloween this year!

Activity girls

Today I was lucky enough to help out with Activity Girls at church. This is a fun group of girls ages 8-11. They meet two times a month. They get to participate in service and other fun activities. It is really a neat opportunity for Emily.

Today the girls delivered crayons and other school supplies to the Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. The sick children and some siblings will get to use these crayons, paints, and colored pencils while they are staying at the hospital.

The new home

I grew up in this house.

Our family has lived on Upper Terrace for almost 30 years. We moved here to Minnesota and I entered the first grade. I have no memory of our Ohio house, or our New Jersey home or our New York house. Only Minnesota. I was a good home.

My parents have decided that it is finally time to move. To be honest, I am really not feeling sad about this move. I am excited for my parents. Their new home is going to be perfect for their needs. We now get to build new memories of going to Grandma and Grandpa's house in Apple Valley.They are now going to live about ten minutes away. The kiddos are looking forward to riding their bikes to their new house, swimming in their lake and having over nights in the new house. We are excited to have them as neighbors.

3 out of 4 done!

Every year, Emily has four dance performances. This past weekend was the third show for the year. It was at the Mall of America. The girls did a great job. They were able to do one dance and then they preformed 1/2 of a new dance that they are learning. They looked confident and like they were having a great time.
Emily invited her friend Maria to come and watch the show. Afterwords, they went on one ride together. They decided to go on the Pepsi Roller Coaster because it is the longest ride in the park.We were going to stay and enjoy the amusement park, but it was so crowded. We decided to go home and come back on a less crowded day. Really good choice!

I have a concert tonight too

It is time for the spring music shows at school. Andrew's was first. I love watching the Kindergartners preform. The theme was music through the decades. Andrew got to be Buzz Lightyear in the "You've Got a Friend" song. That was a fun surprise.

Time is really going by fast! Our last kindergarten music show.
Last night was the fourth graders turn. Emily got to introduce a song

She also got to participate in a dance scene and play the tambourine We have an amazing music teacher. I am always so impressed with what the kiddos learn in music class. It is an amazing music experience and exploration rather than just singing some songs.

On the way to Emily's concert, Ryan mentions that he has a concert too tonight. Seriously? Was he planning on letting us in on this secret at all? This is one of the many fun differences between sons and daughters (specifically Ryan and Emily)...Erik checked the school website from his phone, and yes fifth graders were on too.Ry knew all the songs and seemed to be prepared for this surprise concert. I am glad he got to participate in the show...and that we were able to go to it.

Shorter and Sassier!!

Emily has long hair, or should I say Emily HAD long hair?

She decided it was getting too long and too tangily. It hurt to brush through it each morning. So, she decided to get it cut off.

It is still long enough to put into her dance bun, but short enough to not get so tangled. She is one happy camper!

Four little ducks all in a row

We had our neighbors over for a fun game night. When it was time to for them to go home... this is what we found. (Ry and Trenton were still up playing wii-1:45am!)