Such a Fun Week!

 We've been having such a fun week.  Grandma and Papa came to visit, and they were able to participate in some of our activities.  First, the kids ran another race.  This time, they remembered to save some energy for the end!  Grandma and Papa helped them get ready.

Jenna ran hard.

 Amarin kept stride and came in 1 min 25. 

 Love the look of determination on Char's face.  Wish I had a close up!

The humidity was so high, we left Gus home.  Papa "raced" with Laura this time.

After...cookies and juice!

and ribbons! 

 Jacob thought hanging out in the tree was pretty fun, too.

 The next evening, Jacob had his final band concert with his school.  The local mayor spoke about how their town was recovering from the horrible destruction caused by the tornado last November.  An offering was taken during the concert to benefit their band students who had lost instruments in the tornado.  Over $2,000. was raised!

The concert began with the National Anthem.  Gives me goosebumps every time!

 Jacob, and a few other young men, read the Gettysburg Address.

Most of their music was patriotic.

 This is Jacob...behind the tuba!

 They played the Star Wars theme, and characters walked on stage.

Kids had fun meeting them after...well, some of them.  Some were pretty scary looking!

 Grandma and Papa left for home, and we went golfing...mini style.

Jacob is very serious about golf.

 Char...not so much.

 Teaching his little sister how to aim her club and how to stand.

 She preferred to use the club as a microphone and sing along with the radio.

 Friends met us there...

 and ate lunch...

Such a fun week.  And it's only Wednesday!

Happiness is...

water gun fights with Papa when he visits!

It was a pretty even battle.

Papa has the experience of being a police officer and hunter...

Char has youth, agility, and crazy speed!

Behind the Wheel

A few months ago, Jacob informed me that he could start driving next year.

After I grabbed a paper bag and stopped hyperventilating, 

I calculated the months.  Yes.  He could be driving with us next year.

Breathe.

He has been wanting to go out driving with his dad for some time.

Because apparently he is the "only 14 year old to never have driven behind the wheel of a vehicle," save the tractor.  I had no idea he was this deprived.  What were we thinking?

Sarcasm aside, he did finally make it out to a quiet, dirt road yesterday with Jamie, while we visited with friends.  He did great, and even stopped in front of our friends house to wave to me...and then stepped too hard on the gas pedal and threw stones.  Yes...we still have one more year.

Ousted...

from my own kitchen!

The boys wanted to cook for a party we are having tomorrow night.

A few of Jamie's colleagues from other countries are coming for dinner.

So, Jacob took over making shortbread cookies and donuts, Amarin made sausage tarts, and they paired up to make the deviled eggs.

AND...

they remembered to clean up...mostly.

I'll take it.

On Your Mark...

Their first official race.

A local running club organizes a 1/4, 1/2, and 1 mile race for kids under 12.

The youngest go first.

Yes, that means we waited while toddlers...toddled...down the path.

There were so many that they must have had four or five heats of their own.

Most of them tripped over the one next to them, and ended up in a big, crying mass.

Anywho...once it got to the kids who could actually run, 

our four youngest, and Gus, participated.

(Jacob is officially too old!)

They officially registered, received a running number, and waited for their heat.

Laura's number ended up on her back because she kept trying to eat it.  Goofball.

 Jenna started out in the front of the 7 year old pack.

She learned that sprinting at the beginning of a longer race does not work well in the end.

I have to say, though, her running has greatly improved since we first saw her at age 4.

The girl couldn't run.  It was more of a waddle.  Now she can fly!

And that would be the end of my photos.  The phone died after Jenna ran.

But, Charlie held the lead in the 9 year old heat for 1/2 the race, as did Amarin.

Next time, they won't sprint at the beginning, for sure.

Laura and Gus (with me) finished the 9 year old heat, right after the 10/11/12 year olds finished their heat.

But she did it, and she had a fun cheering section as she finished.

They loved it, and can't wait to run again next Monday.

Easter Egg Thief

I found the egg, and I'm not going to let go of it! 

Where did you get all those eggs, Char?

 Jacob, you have more, too.

 Well, now I'm mad and I'm going to throw yours on the ground.

 Back in order finally for a photo!

Training Wheels - Be Gone!

We took Jenna's training wheels off her bike Friday.  She and Jamie worked yesterday afternoon.  Only one little scraped knee.

The Resurrection

He is risen, indeed!

A Guys' Birthday

 We celebrated my "big guys'" birthdays yesterday.  Since they LOVE cars, a friend designed a special cake for them.  She did an awesome job!

Jacob will be 14 this Friday, and Jamie is...another year older.  :)

 Happy birthday, honey!  Love you!

Jacob's Recital Song: Saber Dance

Charlie's Recital Song: Symphony No. 1

Jenna's Recital Song: The Train Song

There's chatter in Jenna's video because I had to redo it.  I pushed the wrong button during her actual performance.

Amarin's Recital Song: Pachelbel Canon

The Piano Recital

Tonight was the first time all four kids played in a piano recital.

They were ready!

They arrived a little early so they could practice.

Jenna was the first of them to play.  She played a simple tune called The Train Song, 

and with her big smile.

Charlie was next, and appeared so casual about the whole thing.  His song was Symphony No. 1.

Amarin had the longest song, Pachelbel Canon.  It was beautiful.

Jacob had, by far, the fastest song, Saber Dance.  It is a fast one to begin with, but add a little nervousness, and it was downright speedy.

Here they are with their teacher, Mrs. B.

 She is our pastor's wife, and the piano player at our church.

She is phenomenal, and I love her southern gospel style!

And let's not forget the best audience member ever...Miss Laura!

She may clap in the middle of the performance, but she just loves the music!

Most important, they did their best and had a fun time.

Weekends

Made for relaxing...

Amarin is being his typical "engineering" self, 

 and Jenna worked her first 100 piece puzzle.

Biology Assistant

Biology is much more fun with an assistant!

Solo & Ensemble

Today was solo and ensemble.

Jacob was in two ensembles, a duet, and played a solo.

Not sure what they received on the last ensemble piece, but he walked away with two firsts and a second.

He "rocked" his solo, Jamie said, and the judge said he was playing way beyond middle school level.  He suggested that Jacob play a bigger tuba so he can get more sound.  Thankfully, the tuba he has at home is indeed bigger...just needs tuning.  Well done, Jacob and ensemble guys!!

It's a Beautiful Sound

Sisters