Earth Day

Today was Take Your Child to Work Day, so Isabelle stayed home with me.  Her big project with the kids was to celebrate Earth Day.  She read the kids 4 different books about Earth Day and then we had 2 projects.  For the first project, we took a paper plate and squirted some blue and green paint on it.  Then we turned it onto a piece of paper and spun it around one time.  We ended up with two pictures of the earth!  It turned out much cooler than I thought it would.  The next project was to plant some seeds.  I bought basil because I thought the parents might actually be able to use that, haha!  I forgot to take pictures during all of this, but I did get pictures of the finished product!

Spring Piano Recital

Isabelle and Xavier had another piano recital last Sunday.  Xavier practiced on the recital piano right before he performed and this turned out to be a bad thing.  He did great when he practiced, but when he performed, he apparently forgot what he was doing and had to have Miss Heather sit next to him and sing the song.  So, we know for next time that he doesn't get to practice first!  Isabelle did wonderful, as usual.  She played two songs, but we only had enough life on the SD card for one of them :-(  Enjoy!

Xavier got a certificate for performing at the recital.

Isabelle got a certificate for the recital as well as a ribbon for performing at the OMTA Solo and Ensemble recital at Graves Piano in October and a medal for performing and being judged at the OMTA District Festival Competition at Capital University in February.

He's Rolling Over!!

Amy sent me a video of Hudson rolling over this morning.  It looks like he's getting chunky!

Easter

After the soccer game, we headed out for the Bertke and Selhorst Easter parties. We tried to get a group shot with all of the great grandkids and everyone looked great, except Anna and Xavier of course!

Then the grandkids and great grandkids...again, our kids cooperated really well!  At least Isabelle looks happy to be there!

 Egg hunting!

 Egg hunt at Grandma Selhorst's...

 Levi "walked" with Emily and Paul while they filled his basket...

Grandkid picture!

Now with Grandma and Grandpa...

We took a family picture after church.  I wonder how long it will take until we can get everyone to cooperate for a family picture!

Spring Soccer Starts

Isabelle's first game was Saturday morning.  She was goalie, of course, for the first half.  She played mostly defense the second half, but did get a break for a goal and made an assist on the team's second score.  The final score was 2-0!  It looks like this should be a good season!

Daycare Easter Party

The daycare Easter party was last Thursday.  We made foam bunnies and chicks hatching out of eggs.  We also had a pinata with lots of yummy candy!  Everyone got a chance to break the pinata and then I gave it a little help and Xavier finished off the job!

Isabelle and Anna's Birthday Party

Mom cooked and served the food at the St. Louis Church retreat on St. Patrick's Day.  Me, Emily, and Rachel helped, so in return, mom hosted the birthday party at her house!  There was a fairly somber mood at the party, but the kids didn't really notice and had a great time hanging out with everyone and opening their presents!  Xavier was very willing to help Anna and she actually took him up on it!

Isabelle got "William and Kate" collector's dolls. 

And a helicopter that she can use her iPod to fly!

Grandpa Selhorst and Xavier gave Anna some bubble wrap and 3 Hershey's kisses!

After Anna opened Kelli's two presents and her card she said "That was a great present" and ran to give her a hug.  Only Kelli received these remarks about her gifts!  She must be Anna's favorite!

Isabelle had "Green Velvet" cupcakes (side note:  adding green food coloring only makes the brown look more brown, so really she had brown velvet cupcakes) and Grandma Selhorst made Anna a Belle cake.  Anna's reaction to the cake:  "Why didn't she make a Beast cake?"  Never enough to satisfy...

Grandma Selhorst

Grandma Selhorst passed away on March 17, the night of Isabelle and Anna's birthday party.  We visited her that afternoon and got our last pictures with her!  She's a happy woman up in heaven with Grandma, Marty, and all the angels!

Springtime Outside

It's time for a big update!  I think the high on Isabelle's birthday was 75, so we all played outside and ran to meet her when she walked home from school!

Xavier is so excited for his bike to be out and he's gotten really good at riding it!

 Poor Levi thinks the Exersaucer is jail, but at least he gets to be outside!

 On their way back after getting the birthday girl!

 Happy kids!