Kite Fun!

We have a lot of windy days around our area, and a big field behind us- perfect for kites. Here we are on an early spring day, kite flying high.

It's quite funny to watch Nate run back and forth to keep the kite up.

A kid at heart, I had to get in on the action, too.

Elin does the kite for about 1 minute and then is done. She prefers the playset for now.

Everyone's had the "wind blows the kite away" experience, right? Well, we did. As Nate tried to rig the handle to a stake in the yard, the wind got the better of it. Off went the kite across the field, and off I went after it. Running as fast as I could, I couldn't catch it! Luckily a tree in the next neighborhood caught the handle, string out to it's end. After borrowing some nearby tools and a ladder (thanks to those friendly people), we managed to get it back again. Nate has now been instructed on hands-on flying only.

Food Fun!

Sometimes we have to be creative with our food... but hey, whatever works, right?

The other day we made some tasty home-made pizzas. Here's a margarita pizza, one of my and April's favorites (love the fresh mozzarella!)-

...and here's a pepperoni pizza, the kid's favorite. April's brother, Steve, who served his mission in Milan, Italy, I'm sure would question our American style (Steve- you'll have to cook us some more pizza to teach us).

Nathaniel's Graduation

This week we celebrated Nathaniel's graduation from kindergarten. It's been amusing to see him have such a bittersweet attitude toward it. On one hand he has been so excited that he is one of the "big kids" graduating, on the other hand he's truly sad that he's done at this school. He felt better, though, when he learned he can always return to visit. Here are some pics of the "graduation" at school...

Here are some journals of different projects that the students have put together.

Nate's journal... I think it's a self-portrait :)

These are some flowers that all of the students have recently done... I think Elin's is top row 2nd from left.

And Nate's is bottom row far right... I was impressed!

When my Mom showed up the morning of the graduation the kids were ecstatic... it took them a few seconds to figure out who they were really looking at. Nate was so happy to have Mama here... thanks Mom for making such a long trip for a short visit!

The grads with their teacher, Ms. Ashley.

After their march-in, Ms. Mary Ellen had some words for and about each of them... quite humorous. It sounds like Nate did his share of keeping things lively for the group.

A cool side-shot of Nate with his teacher.

Here we are enjoying some cake and other snacks after the ceremony... definitely the part they had been waiting for.

Nathaniel with his two proud parents. I did let him know that, if he really likes this graduating thing, not to worry because he has plenty more to look forward to.

The kiddos in their main classroom... Nate holding an awesome picture taken by one of his teachers. Happy graduation Nathaniel!

Chironomus Plumosus Invasion

Don't you wish you could have several million of new friends too.

Thoughts by Nathaniel

We were in the car the other day and Nate piped up from the back, "Dad before Elin and I were born, were you and mom Twomen?" It took us a minute. He was talking about our last name.

Elin Speaks

Elin made a lego house. I asked her whose house it was. She replied, "It is Elin's house, but (as she is trying to shove her head in the lego house) I don't fit in it."

Washington DC Installment #3

So with pink eye under control (after three rounds), ear infections getting better and much less coughing and laundry in our house, I now have time to actually do a real post on the last leg of our DC road trip.

On our last leg, we went to visit Uncle Steve and Aunt Mishay (April's brother and sister-in-law). They were so sweet as to jump right in and do the kid thing with us. We went to a children's museum, a park, on a picnic, dyed eggs, hunted for eggs, and ate easter lasagna - I don't have a picture but you should all be very jealous! We are also total losers b/c we did not take a picture of all of us with Steve and Mishay. Lame. But here are some of the pics we did take!

Here is Nate dying his egg with tissue paper. Spray with water, apply tissue paper and the dye transfers by morning. Cool stuff.

Nate and Elin on a climbing wall. No wondering why they are both in gymnastics.

Elin loved picking corn at the museum! Grandma Jan would have love the "fresh market" for the kids.

Saturday, we had a picnic in a park with lots of fun creatures. The snake did not want to get picked up as you can see from the bite mark on Jase's hand. He left the turtle alone :)

We dye some more eggs outside on the patio to save the house!

The lovely dye!
Photography ala Steve! Mom helping Elin with her eggs. She wanted a brown one for some reason.

Cute Mishay and Elin!

Two cute faces enjoying ice cream!

Easter morning we kept the kids at bay for an hour or so, but then they were about to burst- "Can we please go downstairs now!"

Elin with her treasure trove.

Nate and his stash.

The scenery was so lush and beautiful. This is on our way back home. We were sad to go!

Elin's School Pics :)

Elin was very excited last week to have her picture taken. Here are the results.