Rainy Day Target Practice

The kids found another way to "recycle" recycling. We don't really drink a lot of soda, but we did host a Super Bowl Party a couple months ago, and I hate turning in the bottles, so we still had bottles and cans in a bag in the garage. Perfect for target practice.

Target practice hd from Andrea Moffat on Vimeo.

Aubrey decided she preferred to be the bullet retriever rather than a shooter. Watching them shoot their Nerf guns at their targets made me chuckle a little at my very suburban, Oregonian family. When I was growing up, I shot real guns in the woods. Our kids can go out with Grandpa to get that experience. He's got real guns. :)

Sunriver Spring Break

We just got back from a marvelous few days in Sunriver. Our friends, the Wilsons, were there at the same time and stayed in a condo just two doors down from us. We enjoyed some good family time and friend time, as well--just great! We rode bikes, played games, read, played basketball, played at the park, ate ice cream, took naps, went out to dinner, watched movies, went swimming (not me--a little too cold), and just had a very fun and relaxing time. Yes, it felt relaxing, even with all the activity. We came home refreshed after our three nights away. I didn't make much effort to take photos. I just enjoyed our little vacation.

I jammed my ring finger playing basketball with the kids--parents vs children--and it swelled up pretty big. It got worse the next day after I took this photos, turned colors and everything. I had a sausage for a finger. Then something happened to my knee, and by day three of bike riding, it was pretty painful. I pushed through the pain, though, for the sake of the fun. ;-) I also had a bad cold, so I had a red nose, a purple finger, and a gimpy knee. I'm getting old!

Brothers wrestling

Grant finally grew big enough to be fun to play with. Joel's been waiting a long time for this. It's good there is a three and half year gap between them and good that the more aggressive, intense brother is the younger one (fewer injuries this way).

Basketball

Joel just finished another season of YMCA basketball. Greg assisted, and they both had a great time. Joel got to play with friends and his cousin, Sam, which was pretty exciting. They played against each other in soccer, so it was fun for them to get to play on the same team for basketball.

He's a fish

We put Grant in his first swim lessons, and I was completely shocked on the final day of the session when I got to watch and see his progress. He was amazing! He didn't stop moving, for one. It seemed like he was underwater more often than not. I couldn't believe it! He went from not wanting to get his face in the water to jumping in on his own and staying underwater. He was actually swimming--rolling from his front to his back, floating on his back, jumping in and trying to kick and swim. He did so well, the instructor is having him skip the next level and go straight to the big pool, the level that Aubrey just finished. Crazy! I'm trying to get him into the next session of lessons, so he doesn't lose any momentum. We'll have to keep a close eye on him this summer for sure (he seems to have no fear!), but it's so exciting to think of having four swimmers soon!

Service opportunity

Kari's piano teacher, Katie, and her sister play their instruments and put on a little concert once a month for the residents of a small, local retirement/nursing home, and students are allowed to come along if they can and play for them, too. The kids didn't have school this last Friday, so it worked out for Kari to go. I absolutely loved it. First of all, Katie and Sara are both very talented musicians, so it was a joy to listen to them play. Second, it was a privilege to watch Kari serve along with them in that way, to share her gifts and talents with others. It was a little long for the kids, but they did so great, sitting there, smiling at the older people, being good for an hour. Grant sat on my lap the whole time, content with his goldfish crackers and milk. It's a wonderful ministry Katie and Sara do. I could see from their interactions that they have spent a lot of time there getting to know the residents and talking with them after they play for them. I'm hoping Kari will be able to tag along again sometime, maybe this summer.

Almost all the songs they played had an Irish theme, since it was March and all. Joel liked all the fast songs. He said those slow ones were boring. :)

Kari played "Irish Wedding Song."  She played it super fast (a little nervous, I think) and kind of botched the ending, but it was ok. I was proud of her. :) It's only the second time she's played for other people since starting lessons a year ago, January.

Kari playing Irish Wedding song at retirement home from Andrea Moffat on Vimeo.

And here's part of  Katie and Sara playing "Riverdance."

Kari's piano teacher and her sister playing Riverdance from Andrea Moffat on Vimeo.

Aubrey got a little tired and decided to relax.

When the program was over, this man wheeled himself up with a Irish piano book in his lap and asked Katie to play and sing some songs with him. It was very sweet.

Aubrey is Six

Aubrey had a fairy doll party, a theme she finally decided on just days before her party. While overwhelmed a little during the present opening time, she loved her party with family. They played a hot potato-like game with Barbie doll, and we had some fairy decorations. She was pretty easily pleased. :)

Ready for her birthday breakfast with Grandpa, which they did a week before her birthday, since she had a day off of school then. She had chocolate chip pancakes and actually ate her breakfast this time! The kids love that special time with Grandpa.

Aubrey still holds Tiger Lily like a baby, cradled in her arms, and Tiger Lily still puts up with it from Aubrey.

She puts up with it for a while, anyway, then pushes away.

Practicing with her new hula hoop and in her new skirt, which she bought with birthday money. The outfit is all her own doing. She sure likes sparkly, shiny, bright clothes!

 

Ever since Aubrey was tiny, she has seemed older than she really is. I think six suits her, though. She was meant to be six, and she's finally there.  I think she should stay 6 for a while. Let's not grow up too quickly, little girl. I like the way you enjoy life, your quick smile, and your infectious giggle. I don't particularly enjoy the intense, dramatic expression of emotion when you're sad, angry, or upset, but I guess we don't get one without the other. We'll help you figure out how to handle all those emotions and express them in appropriate ways. I love your free spirit and your sense of style. I love the way you love to be with people and to be part of the school-going crowd. You add an element of fun to whatever we're doing, and we couldn't imagine life without you.