She Did It!

Grace has been tentatively mulling learning to ride a bike with no training wheels.  She is not fond of anything that will possibly cause her the slightest bit of pain.  And she knew that riding a 2 wheeler was probably going to cause her some sort of pain.

 

So for a couple of weeks, she would just kind of look at the bike.  Then she decided to sit on it, but not really go anywhere.  Then she started coasting down the driveway, aiming for the grass so that it would cushion her landing.  No peddling, just coasting.

 

Finally, after seeing the big boys having so much fun riding their bikes wherever they wanted, she must have decided enough was enough.

 

She came inside to tell us that she was going to learn to ride the bike.  It was time, she had decided.  It took her 2 tries, and she had it!

 

And now she rides around like a maniac, going way too fast, and just about losing it around the corners.  The neighbor almost backed up over her, because she was going 65 miles per hour and didn't have time to stop before his driveway.

 

She has been grounded from turning around at the neighbor's driveway.  But she still rides like a maniac.

 

April Fools

It is widely known around this house that I love April Fools' Day.  I start planning for the next year on April 2nd.  The kids go to bed the last night of March both excited and afraid.  Just the way I like it.

 

They are very fond of me gift wrapping them into their rooms, so even though they expect it, I oblige.  They think it's fun to grab whatever weapon (toy) they have handy, and break through like a ninja.

 

And, of course, I always switch the cereal around, hide bubble wrap somewhere around the house, and put something weird in the milk.

 

But this year, I snuck into their rooms that night, drew all over their faces, and put nail polish on their toes or fingers -- whatever I could reach. Even the boys.

 

They were laughing so hard when they woke up with dark eyebrows and mustaches (except Andrew -- he did not appreciate the painted fingernails).

 

  Matthew told me the polish on his toes was "gross", but then he let me leave it on for 3 days.

 

Joey was not as happy as Matt was about all the pranking.  He did not appreciate the painted fingernails.

 

 

Little painted boy toes are cute!!!

Easter Eggs

Dyeing Easter eggs is always a fun event, even if we were so busy that we actually waited until Easter afternoon to do it.  Seriously, it was an almost fail this year.  And, of course, I bought dye for the eggs at the store, and then Ben reminded me that I had already purchased 2 boxes on clearance last year.  This happens every year, so that's just the way it is.

 

I was really excited about this year, though.  I bought the sparkly egg package, and our eggs were glitter-riffic.  They came with super cool little bowls, which we have kept for fun snack times. 

 

Everybody picked a color to start with, and then they all negotiated with each other to switch after a few eggs.

 

 

Haley was so happy to be there, participating like a good child.  One more year.  Just one more year. 

I filled the bowls a little too full, as you can tell.  I forgot to account for the volume of the egg.  Sheldon would be tsk-ing and shaking his head at me.

 

Epic

We have one word for Uncle Sam's Easter Egg hunts: Epic.  They will now, and forever, be completely impossible to complete.  We're still looking for eggs.  From last year.

 

I think we have less than 10 to still find from this year.  Maybe my grandkids will find them someday.

 

Uncle Sam's hunts require physical, mental, and emotional skill.  And you should probably bring a snack, because you're going to be out there for awhile!

 

Highlights from Hawaii

Andrew took his first trip to Hawaii at the beginning of February.  I think he was most excited to miss over a week of school.  He also had his tonsils out last November, so his attendance record is suffering a bit.  But his teacher told me not to worry about any make-up work.  I asked and asked for work for him to take with him.  She wouldn't give him any.  He didn't need it, she said.  And he has straight A's, so I guess she was right!

 

I knew Andrew would love Hawaii, and he did.  He wasn't even homesick, and he was sad to leave.

 

Here he is overlooking Waikiki, where he stayed at the Hale Koa.

 

 

 Andrew found lots of animals to befriend, including fish, lizards, turtles, and birds.

 

One of his first stops was to Pearl Harbor.  He enjoyed the ferry ride over, and loved learning about its history. 

 

One of the best highlights of the trip was the Polynesian Cultural Center, of course.  It is probably the most fun part of Hawaii.  Everyone there is happy and funny.  There is great music and food and games, including throwing spears: 

 

 

 

Andrew also got to hike and swim at waterfalls: 

 

Here's more of Pearl Harbor.  This is part of the USS Arizona, sunk down in the harbor, and the wall of names of those who died.  Andrew also got to tour a submarine, which was loaded with guns, much to his pleasure! 

 

 

 

 

He loved the food, the weather, the smells, animals, and cool plants and trees that cover Hawaii.  It is definitely a cool place to be!