I think we're gonna make it...almost there...the end is in sight! Whew! What a crazy, busy month May has been. The girls were in two performances with their performing group on the 9th (I help direct the group so it was busy for me, too). Ryan & Katie were in separate casts of their school's Charlie & the Chocolate Factory at the end of last week. I choreographed 4 Oompa Loompa dances for that as well. Ryan was Grandpa Joe and Katie was Veruca Salt in the play. They both did a great job. Ryan still isn't sure about the whole performing thing, but he had a good time. He even sprayed his hair silver for the part. Everyone is still talking about sweet, gentle Katie's obnoxious Veruca- let's just say she really got into the part of a spoiled brat! She is sad now that the play is over- she had so much fun playing a part so completely different from her personality. She really got to exercise her acting chops and I think she's hooked. Don coached both soccer and baseball this spring, and that's been a bit wacky. Soccer is over now...Softball is over...three more baseball games left...Of course, we still have a dance recital and two piano recitals in June! School's out in one month!

We definitely have a full life, but it's worth it to watch the kids find and develop their talents. Well, most of the time it's worth it- things have been a bit out of balance this month. I'm definitely looking forward to everyone sitting down to dinner together again as the rule and not the exception as it has been the past couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to walking home with the kids after school because we don't have to be anywhere and being able to say "yes" when they ask if they can have a friend over. I'm also looking forward to curling up with a good book during Collin's naptime instead of running around like a crazy person. I'm not sure when that's ever going to happen, but it's a nice thought! Looking for some good book recommendations...

Spring Break 2009

Sorry we haven't updated our blog in awhile. Things have been a bit busy... It has been nice to be on Spring Break this week. Since Don is a school teacher, he got to be home with the kids all week. In addition to some quality family time, he also had the chance to re-build the front fence which was partially torn down last summer. Everyone is glad the fence project is done and we are very excited about how it turned out.

Spring Break also means Easter! This year the kids had the chance to do two fun Easter Egg hunts. The first was down at Grandma and Grandpa's in Maple Valley. Grandpa planned a challenging clue-based egg hunting experience for the kids that they thoroughly enjoyed. Apparently someone (I won't mention the redhead's name...) commented that last year's clues were too easy so Grandpa made sure this year's were extra challenging.

On Saturday, Nana and Uncle Dan visited and the kids enjoyed a second egg hunt, this one in our backyard. This was Collin's first experience with hunting eggs. He REALLY enjoyed being outside. Talk about a curious kid! Collin is an amazing explorer. He seems to feel compelled to check out EVERYTHING. After collecting a few eggs, he dropped them and started to chase the cat. His attention was later captivated by the Magnolia bush and then the grass and then the slide and then.... The other kids had a blast chasing down the hidden eggs and chocolate bunnies (Yes, their bunnies were hidden too). Only one tragedy. We were unable to locate one egg. Squirrel must have gotten it...

Happy Birthday Collin!

We thought that you might enjoy a few snapshots of Collin's birthday bash. The photos focus on his foray into the frosting. What a fright! We can hardly believe he is already one.

My baby boy turned 1 yesterday! It's hard to believe- the past year has gone by in a blur. At about 2:00 in the morning Wednesday night, as I lay on the couch with him because he's getting his molars (Collin never gets one tooth at a time. They always come in pairs!) and preferred screaming to sleeping, I realized that last year at that time he made his entrance to the world. Apropos that we were up anyway! We got some cute pics that we will post shortly. He seemed most impressed with the balloon and card Nana brought for him- so much for gifts! He takes 5 or six steps at a time before he plops down on his bum or falls flat on his face. He also got a big boy haircut last weekend. Sigh. It really does go by too fast.

Don and I realized we should start signing the blog posts so readers would know who is writing, since we take turns. So, this is Rachel, signing off!

Cooking Collin

Collin update... The little big man has taken his first steps and is enjoying his expanding world. There is no low drawer in the kitchen that he has not emptied, no cupboard he has left un-searched, no mysterious object he has left untasted... His favorite place in the whole world right now is the dishwasher. We call it his "Cave of Wonders." Whenever the door is down it is just about all we can do to keep him from crawling inside and playing with all of the treasures found within.

This evening, we heard noises in the kitchen and were surprised to find that Collin had pulled open the warming drawer on the oven and, upon finding it empty, had climbed right in! (Note to self... tape warming drawer closed until further notice...) Collin has been exploring the stairs, the cat, any open toilet, the space underneath furniture, the cat's food dish, Mom's Cub Scout bag, the piano books,... the list goes on. It has been fun watching him scoot around. He investigates EVERYTHING with enthusiasm. We are, at this point, VERY grateful that he has not yet learned to climb. We vividly remember when Nathan, not yet two, pulled the kitchen drawers out just enough to get a toehold and climb up to the kitchen counter. From this vantage point he was able to just reach the top of the refrigerator (where Rachel had moved the cookie jar) in an attempt to secure a clandestine snack. He would have pulled it off too if he had not nudged the cookie jar off the edge of the fridge. Ah.... boys...

Collin... Goin' Mobile.

Collin update. He's not walking yet but is getting VERY good on his feet. Thought you all might enjoy a little video of the little happy guy.

The Day of Reckoning

The day has arrived. After an extended Christmas vacation (Thanks to a couple of timely snow days), tomorrow we go back to school and assorted activities. Sigh. I've come to love the unstructured life, especially since Don gets to be home, too. Perk of having a teacher-husband, though I'm not sure it outweighs the pay. Christmas was wonderful, but, alas, back we go.

Actually, after two and a half weeks of being couped up inside with 5 kids, snowplay notwithstanding, maybe it will be a good thing to send 4 of them (plus Don) out the door tomorrow. It will be so quiet when Collin is taking his nap...maybe I'll reclaim that closet...or scrub the bathtubs...or maybe I'll curl up on the couch with a good book and enjoy the peace! That is, until 3:30 rolls around and the girls and I head off to performing troupe. Basketball practice for Ryan Tuesday, Stake meetings for Don that night; Cub Scouts for me and Nathan, Scouts for Ryan, and Activity Day for Katie on Wednesday; early morning piano lessons for all, Chess Club for Nate, Dance for Sarah and Bball for Ryan on Thursday...

Maybe I'll just take a nap tomorrow...