new sparkle for her step

new ribbon

grace was SO surprised when she received a medal in gymnastics.  at the end of each month, the teacher will award any student if they have completed all the requirements and are ready to move up to the next level.  i watched grace hopeful as the teacher brought the award at the end of class.  she was so anxious to see who it was for and was SO EXCITED when she realized it was for her!  what a great surprise!  off to the 5 year old class :(  growing up fast!

two girls with bows

newest addition

owen is a lover of animals...any animal.  lately, he has been begging asking for a new kitten.  you see, the boys alternate nights of sleeping with marlo so that is leaving half of the week sleeping catless :)  he was specific.  he wanted a little boy and he wanted to name him snickers.  i could do the boy...snickers not so much.  the deal was made so mommy always gets to name the pets since i am such a name snob.  name still being narrowed down, but here is our new little cutie.  he is PRECIOUS!

newest addiction

with the ability for multiple players to work together at a time on the new, exciting levels, the mario brothers have definitely invaded our home.  as of today we are only on level 3...update soon!

monster jam!!!

barnyard beauty

couch potatoes

well now that wyatt received his best (early) birthday present ever, a new laptop from cappy bobby and gommy, this probably will be the scene for quite awhile...or at least for the better part of this morning.  this week wyatt began his video game programming club at school.  they utilize mit designed software that allows young designers to program using a building block online system similar to legos.  we got up early this morning to get him his own email address so look to your inbox for an email soon!

baby bears

http://www.wildearth.tv/static/wildearth/channels/we_bear_den.html

Lily gave birth this morning!  Watch live here!

free enterprise (well for $16 per student)

i am a huge believer in active and hands-on learning and enterprise village is probably the best example of this.  for many weeks, the 4th and 5th grade students have been busy preparing for their day on the "job."  wyatt learned to write a check, balance a checkbook, the process of business and free enterprise, and the importance of savings, charity, and responsibility.  he was required to choose a career, fill out a job application, and complete a job interview.  though he did not receive his first choice position of supply clerk at mcdonald's, the position of advertising agent at the newspaper was very fitting.  we arrived at the village and went straight to work.  the business manager needed to go to the bank of america to get a loan.  upon returning from the bank (which was about 30 feet away across the "courtyard"),  an employee went and purchased supplies and doors opened about 20 minutes later.  after the first shift, the "bookkeeper" handed out paychecks which the students would take to the bank to deposit.  they, then, could go shopping (for real) on their break at all the local shops (bic store, cvs, sweetbay to name a few), get a check up at the hospital, visit the dali museum, or view a movie.  brighthouse networks visited each business and delivered a remote control.  upon turning on the t.v., we found the students that worked at hsn selling products live on air.  students could visit the printing store to get an i.d. badge and then could stop by the bucs shop.  we could call on the phone that was hooked up to request a song at the radio station.  the lawyers worked busily on several cases (mcdonalds was being sued since someone slipped on a pickle) and the mayor worked on his speech to deliver the results of the voting done during the day.  the recycling company visited and the charity came by to deliver and then pick up the collection cans (i was so proud of wyatt---he donated 4 times!).  as ad agent, wyatt visited every store manager and sold ads.  he then delivered the ads back to the newspaper for editing and printing and  he had to go back to collect payments.  the best part for him (even with tired legs) was walking around selling papers at the end of the day.  25 cents gets you all the days news.  it was a great position for him.  i was assigned mcdonalds for the day.  i was able to help the 4 students assigned there sell and distribute snacks and then lunch (mcnuggets, burgers, cookies, and milk).  wyatt loved coming by and purchasing a fanta.  it was like free enterprise disney world!  it really was a great day!  cannot wait to do it with owen!  he too wants to work at mcdonalds.  we will see in a few years!

back from WORK

two weeks of substituting with 20 2-year olds and then coming home to a house full of kids and a hubby does not leave much time for blogging.  so here i am, back!  i loved all the sweet baby hugs and love i received each day and now am happy to be able to be back to hugging on my sweet little ones.  thanks to my mom and dad for all their help with grace.  here is some of owen's fantastic work that came home with him friday! 

wyatt's first you tube video

ringing in 2010

we ALWAYS love celebrating new year's eve at home.  we always start with a gourmet, home cooked meal with all our favorites followed by some outside fun...fireworks in the driveway and then a neghborhood walk in the dark.  this year we added mario kart on the wii, scrabble, sorry, operation, and strawberry shortcake memory to our list of to-do's.  we finished up with an-almost-midnight snack and then around 11:30 they started to nod off to sleep.  they came so close.  todd and i carried them up to bed then watched the spot in times square where we had just been a few weeks before.  the last decade started with a bang.  the first 5 years gave us our precious children and the favorite years of my life thus far.  the second part took our sweet anna leaving us devastated.  hoping the next 10 years are magical and full of happiness.  if hard times must come, may they be only ones we can endure without broken hearts.  may our children experience days of wonder, smiles, love, and pure joy.  here is to a happy new year and new decade!