Nov-Dec Fun

It's been a while since I updated this blog. Life has been flying by with school, sports, activities, work, etc, etc. Can someone please stop the merry-go-round and let me off?

Lauren started basketball. She is on a team with 3rd & 4th grade girls. This is the first year she has been old enough to play. The coaches for the team are amazing! They really do a nice job of teaching the girls the basic skills needed. The first few nights of practice I was worried if anyone would remember that they had to be dribbling the ball. The girls have all come a long way and they look like a real team out there. It has been challenging for Lauren as it is a fast paced sport with lots to think about. She has gotten the hang of it and the last game she had 4 steals & fast-breaks!! Now if she can just get the ball to go into the basket on those opportunities.

Benjamin has started wrestling. I was very surprised when he said that he wanted to try it. Boy, oh boy, is it fun to watch. Just imagine skinny little boys dressed in singlets (like a leotard) wrestling around on the floor. He is working really hard at learning the moves. He has a couple friends in his group and they always pick each other to practice with. There is definitely two different mentalities amongst the kids there. Some of them (like Benjamin & his buddies) who are there to have fun and are always smiling and laughing. The others are very serious about this sport and are there to perfect their moves. My dear son might get a huge eye opener when it comes time to wrestle in the tournament. Yes, tournament. There are two of them. ha!

Noah recently finished a session of swimming lessons. He is turning into a real fish. He practiced floating on his back, blowing bubbles, going underwater and practicing his ice cream scoops (paddling with his arms). Unfortunately he didn't pass this level this time as he needs to be a better listener in class. Uh-oh.

Here's some other things we have been up to.

Dave doing a little Christmas decorating.

I hope Noah didn't see him standing up here!

Reading with Grandma Petersen

Tying flies with Grandpa Petersen

Climbing trees.

Note the bucket on the ground to assist his ascent. The first branch is above my head. UGH

More Halloween/Fall Fun

Carving Pumpkins

Lauren carved hers at school and was at a Halloween party while we did this.

Yes, she said that was ok.

Noah carved the face on his pumpkin all by himself. He drew the design on the pumpkin and went at it with the safety knife. Both Dave and I were very impresed.

Halloween Night with our friends Danna & Lynn


Lauren in the leaf pile.

Halloween Preview

A quick preview of the kids in their Halloween costumes. We went to a party on Saturday night so they got to wear them then.

Look at this fabulous picture! They even look like they like each other!!

Lauren as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz

Benjamin as Jeff Gordon (2nd year in a row)

Noah as Spiderman

Carver County Fair!!

County Fair 2009

August 4-9th was the Carver County Fair in Waconia. We have been looking forward to it all summer long. The kids worked so hard on their projects and with their animals to prepare for it. For 5 days we spent hours each day at the fair. By our own choice! (yes, we are fair junkies). We looked at exhibits, ate fair food, cared for animals, worked in the 4-H Foodstand, went to the demo derby and so much more. All 5 of us entered in different competitions and all 5 of us earned ribbons....even Dave! It really was a wonderful week. We can't wait for next year. Hope you enjoy our slideshow of the fun we had.

Twins Game

On Sunday, we all went to the Twins game. After the game they let all the kids run the bases. A few pictures from that experience.

In centerfield


Batter up!

Running the bases

On the Twins logo behind home plate

Play Ball

TBall & Coach Pitch Softball are in full swing. All 3 kids are so excited to be playing this year. Here are a few pictures from the action so far this summer.

Noah

Playing his first year of TBall. I can't believe how excited this kid is for each game.

Benjamin

Playing his 3rd year of Tball. I am coaching his team.

Next year he will play Coach Pitch Baseball....FINALLY!

Lauren

Playing Coach Pitch Softball. They actually have outs this year. Each player also has a limited number of pitches to hit the ball.

Bowling

Lauren

(look how grown-up she is here)

Benjamin



Noah & Dad

To celebrate the last day of school, we all went bowling. It was tons of fun and the kids were really good. I was afraid I was going to get beat at one point by one of them!

Thank you teachers

Lauren & Miss Fritz

Benjamin & Mrs. Chris(tianson)

Noah & Ms. Cherie

Noah & Ms. Andrea

Thank you to all of the wonderful teachers that helped my kids grow & learn this year. You are all amazing & talented people. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and helping my children achieve unbelievable things this year.

Look at all that learning going on...

Relay Races




Tug O War

Concerts

----------------------------------------------------

Singing

Tugging

Field Trips

Track & Field

Pet Day

Park Races

All in the last weeks of school. Ahhhh, the joy of being a kid!

Lauren's 8th Bday

Lauren celebrated her 8th birthday on Friday with a Rock Star Birthday! Eleven girls (including her) came to our house for the big party. They decorated their own inflatable guitars. Then they were made into rock stars by putting on wild make-up and nail polish. The final touch was creating crazy hair complete with colored hair spray. As you can see from the pictures, it got wild. The girls got to play on the Wii (we borrowed from a friend). They played a karaoke type game where they could sing along with their favorite songs from artists such as Hannah Montana, Camp Rock & Cheetah Girls. Happy Birthday Lauren!

Look at those rockers!

Singing on the Wii

With the giant birthday brownie

First Communion

On May 3rd, Lauren celebrated her First Communion. She was so beautiful and looked so grown-up. I can't believe she is old enough for this event in her life. After Mass, people came back to our house for snacks and cake. They could only stay a short time because she also made her piano recital debut the same day. Whew....can anything else go on in the month of May??

Lauren & Benjamin

(he was such a great brother for her this day)

In front of church

Who said my little girl could grow up??

Lauren and her friend Payton. They have known each other since they were 3 and they were in the same Sunday School class this year.

Soccer

April & May have been full of soccer action for Lauren & Benjamin. They each play one night a week plus each a game on Saturday. I am the coach for Lauren's team with a friend of mine. I think this is the 3rd year I have been her coach. Next fall Lauren's age division will start seperating the teams by gender so she'll play on a team with all girls (she is very excited about that). Benjamin plays on a team with a couple of friends. He is also already trying to convince me that I need to coach his soccer team next year too.

Lauren

Following the action

Planning their stategy

Benjamin waiting for his turn on the field

Look at that kick!

Taking the ball down the field

A Visit to the American Girl Bistro

The Mall of America recently opened an American Girl Store and Bistro. Several months ago when Lauren heard about it, she made a special request for Grandma & Auntie Molly to join us there for lunch. On Saturday, we made a special day of shopping for her First Communion dress and had the opportunity to visit American Girl too.

The store itself is quite the experience as it carries all the dolls, clothing, books, accessories in the American Girl line. Girls can also bring their dolls to get their hair done in the salon. The dolls can join you in the Bistro for to eat and if you don't have your own doll, you can borrow one there.

Lauren making sure her doll is comfortable at the table.

She borrowed this doll and named her April.

Teaching her doll to wave

Grandma Petersen fixing the bow in April's hair.

Lauren

Interview about Mom

A friend on Facebook recently did a survey of her 4 year old son about what he knew about his mom. After reading the answers and laughing my head off, I knew I wanted to do this with my kids. I interviewed all 3 of my kids last night to see what they knew about me. The results were interesting, hilarious and disturbing all at the same time. Enjoy



My Mom - by Benjamin, age 6

1. What is something mom always says to you? Yes and No
2. What makes mom happy? When I give her a card
3. What makes mom sad? When I hit somebody
4. How does your mom do to make you laugh? By tickling me
5. What was your mom like as a child? Like Lauren
6. How old is your mom? 35
7. How tall is your mom? Big
8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? Cyberchase (I have never seen this show!)
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Go on the computer
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Handing out ice cream (LOL)
11. What is your mom really good at? Teaching
12. What is your mom not very good at? (didn't have answer)
13. What does your mom do for her job? Works at the Fieldhouse
14. What is your mom's favorite food? Pizza
15. What makes you proud of your mom? when she gets me ice cream
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Luke Skywalker
17. What do you and your mom do together? play games
18. How are you and your mom the same? We have green eyes
19. How are you and your mom different? That we both have different clothes
20. How do you know your mom loves you? She makes things for me
21. What does your mom like most about your dad? When she kisses him
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Wild Wings


My Mom - by Lauren, age 7.5

1. What is something mom always says to you? Great job on the test
2. What makes mom happy? When I do my best
3. What makes mom sad? When I make the wrong choice
4. How does your mom do to make you laugh? By telling me funny stuff
5. What was your mom like as a child? You liked space ships, you wanted to be an astronaut
6. How old is your mom? 35
7. How tall is your mom? Bigger than me
8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? Wheel of Fortune
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Play with Benjamin & Noah
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Knowing the most about space
11. What is your mom really good at? Reading
12. What is your mom not very good at? Gymnastics
13. What does your mom do for her job? Works on a farm
14. What is your mom's favorite food? Celery
15. What makes you proud of your mom? Because she is special
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? An astronaut
17. What do you and your mom do together? We sew & read
18. How are you and your mom the same? We both like space
19. How are you and your mom different? Mom has black hair and I have brown hair
20. How do you know your mom loves you? Because mostly she is nice (I love that she said "mostly")
21. What does your mom like most about your dad? That he likes space
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? The moon


My Mom - by Noah, age 4

1. What is something mom always says to you? Put on your coat
2. What makes mom happy? Noah!
3. What makes mom sad? Didn't get there in time (to the bathroom)
4. How does your mom do to make make you laugh? Your hair (I have no idea what this means)
5. What was your mom like as a child? You were baptized
6. How old is your mom? 5
7. How tall is your mom? (hold hands apart about a foot)
8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV? Basketball
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Read a book
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? For laughing (he laughs)
11. What is your mom really good at? Sewing, playing in the snow, driving
12. What is your mom not very good at? Training wheels
13. What does your mom do for her job? Do it on the computer, Fieldhouse, farm
14. What is your mom's favorite food? Giant Pancake
15. What makes you proud of your mom? Takes me to Safari Island
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Mickey Mouse
17. What do you and your mom do together? Dress up as Star Wars and make you laugh
18. How are you and your mom the same? We have green eyes to go through sandstorms
19. How are you and your mom different? We dont' have green eyes
20. How do you know your mom loves you? Gives me hugs & kisses
21. What does your mom like most about your dad? He gives zerberts
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Safari Island

Have you stopped laughing yet? ;)

4-H Project Day

On Saturday, Lauren & Benjamin participated in 4-H Project Day. They could choose 2 different workshops to learn more about a 4-H project. The sessions they chose were "Bread in a Bag" and "Exotic Pets"

Bread in a Bag was exactly what it sounded like. They learned how to read a recipe, measure ingredients and mix it in the bag. Once the ingredients were combined they kneaded it on the table. Benjamin had the most unique kneading technique by far. (check out the picture below). We got to take the bread home and bake it too. mmmmmmm

Lauren mixing her bread

Benjamin "kneading" AKA punching

The Exotic Pets workshop introduced them to a 3 year old boa constrictor snake. The kids all got to get up close and personal with the snake while asking a lot of questions. (No kids, we can't have a snake as a pet!)

Benjamin petting the snake

Lauren holding the snake