The 2012 Spring Program

Every spring the kids' school puts on a Spring Program that totally blows me away each year.  This was Samuel's first year to participate. Of the 2 hour program I think he may have sang a total of about 15 minutes.  Everything seemed to distract him, including us.  He wasn't allowed to wave, but gave me the biggest typical "Sam" smile whenever our eyes connected.  Oh well, he was adorable to watch anyway!! 

It brings me to tears whenever they begin and I hear all those children's voices singing praises to our Creator!!

Happy Birthday Jack!

Jack hit double digits this year!  It was the year of Star Wars for Jack.  All of a sudden everything he did was related to Star Wars in some way...legos, movies, books, games, etc. 

So for his birthday I got him the books as well as the movies.  But, like all good moms (?) I told him he couldn't watch the movies until he read the books. Well, he ended up crying on his birthday because he thought the books were way too big!  Yes, my 10 year old was crying on his birthday!  I felt like a cruel mom and wanted to give in, but I stuck to my guns and low and behold he had the first book done in just 2 days and has actually enjoyed reading them!!!

Jack didn't want me to make him his cake this year (is that a sign that he's growing up?).  Instead he wanted a Reeses Ice Cream cake that he had seen at Weis.

Happy 10th birthday, Jack!!

A smile is contagious...

...isn't it?



Bob had a few days off this week, so he was able to finish the chicken coop.

The hens seem to be enjoying their new home.  In fact, Bob carried them into the garden so they could scratch for bugs and the scaredy cats ran right back into the coop.

 Some clean up still needs to be done, but otherwise it turned out well.

"Hey, this place isn't bad!"

Bob also had time to plant up the garden with all sorts of good stuff, as well as some blueberry bushes.

 Red Onions

Yukon Gold Potatoes

Bob could spend every waking minute outside!!

The blueberry bushes

He had a good couple of days off...back to work tomorrow!!

Happy Birthday Samuel!!

This year Samuel got to celebrate his 6th birthday by having a friend party.  He chose to take them to Hooplas which is very similar to a Chuck E Cheese.

Samuel continues to be a sweet little boy.  So much so that I don't know where he gets it from!!  This year has been a big year for Sam.  He began Kindergarten at Northumberland Chrisitan School where his favorite subject is chapel.  He also wanted to take in his Bible for "Show and Tell".  I think this boy is headed for seminary someday.

He also played basketball for his first time.  I didn't get a very good picture of Sam, but he is number 15 ready to take a shot.  Samuel doesn't prove to be very aggressive when it comes to the athletic fields, but was a surprisingly good basketball player.

He has also learned to read (he is enjoying the Magic Tree house series right now), tie his shoes (Hallelujah!), ride his bike without training wheels, play the piano, among many other things.

He is such a great little brother as he does anything Jack tells him to do...even if it is to go pick up foul ball after foul ball or help Jack and Emily with their chores (someday I think he's going to wise up).  He is also a great big brother as well.  Max loves it when Samuel gets to stay home from school on Mondays and Fridays.  And Sam always has time to play with little Abby...he can always get her to talk.  He's a great little babysitter when I need some extra help.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAMUEL!!

Chickens - Part 2

Max is probably the one of all the kids that pays most attention to the chickens.  He checks on them multiple times a day.  Here I found him reading one of his Thomas books to the chickens.

"Am I going to have to stay cooped up in this box my whole life??  Please, please let me out!"

Well the coop is taking shape.  Bob the Builder has gone to work!!

Bob is especially proud because the wood used was wood that he had milled from our very own pine trees here in the yard.  Not done yet, but getting closer.