on the road again...

Since we were driving to Denver to surprise Papa, we took advantage of the drive and  soaked in the sights.  Jeff had work to do in Rapid City which is 5 hours from home AND on the way to Denver. The timing was perfect and we all tagged along.  While Jeff worked, we played.  We went to the pool to pass the time.  The kids will always love swimming.  A hit everytime.  

and Zach's favorite spot, the hot tub.

The next day we became "tourists."  Off to Mt Rushmore we go.  It was truely an amazing and awe inspiring sight.  The mountains made such a picturesque backdrop for the masterpiece. We appreciate them more now as we are away.  The unpredictable March weather cooperated with us.  It was warm enough to enjoy but still cool enough that we were alone in the park.  We had the whole park to ourselves.  We like it that way.
Sadly, I don't think Zach could really see the Presidents heads in the mountain  But, he did master the binocular  looky thing.  

the Princess and the Pea

Avery came home from school excited to try out for the play "The Princess and the Pea"  I was happy to see her desire to try something new.  She has never done anything like this before.  At this point the tryouts were still a month away, I wasn't sure her enthusiasm would continue.  Sure enough, on the day of tryouts she was ready and excited.  It would be a time consuming day with a long audition and I looked to Ellie to stay home and watch Zach.  Sometimes even the best laid plans go awry.  Ellie decided last minute to also tryout for the play.  I have to admit, at first I was frustrated.  There goes the babysitter.  Pack up Zach, grab some activities for a 3 hour block of time and off we go.  As I gathered my thoughts and pulled it together, I realized this would be a great experience for Ellie as well.  I was thrilled to have both girls to jump on this opportunity. It would be a valuable experience to stretch themselves and leap out of the comfort zone and I was eager to see them audition.    As we pull into the parking lot, I just finished my " be yourself and you'll do great" pep talk...Ellie burst into tears.  She didn't want to do it afterall, she was to frightened.  I decided at that point to make her continue.  Infact, I forced her out of the car (still beliving this would be a positive experience)  Luckily, she ran into a friend and quickly wiped away her tears. 100 children tried out for the play in a group audition.  I was in the auditorium and heard the girls tryout.  I was so impressed.  They both used expression when they spoke and obviously impressed the directors as well.  I was on pins and needles as they read the names of the children that would be cast.   First they read Ellie, she made it as assistant director (later was given a speaking part) After about 20 more names, they read Avery.  I was so proud of both of the girls.
    Play practiced started that very night.  Ellie needed to be at every practice, learning all the parts.  She would assist  the director in everything from set, makeup, lining up the characters, songs, dance moves and helping those who forget the lines.  She would run the show.  In the end, the character "tree barker" got sick and had to drop out.  She immediately stepped in and wore both hats, director and character.  Avery was a "dust bunny."  This was the group of young boys and girls who sang and danced 2 numbers.  At first she was disappointed in not being cast as the Princess or the Pea.  It looks like our  7 year old has big ambitions.  But, she was the cutest lil dust bunny you ever did see. 
They did it.  They learned that tough practices and hard work pays off.  They challenged themselves, learned new skills and battled their fears.  They felt the accomplishment of performing on stage.  Sweet reward of a job well done. 

Before the show.

Avery and her 2 best friends made the play.  I brought the girls back and forth each day.

Ellie was happy to see her friends as well.

The cast of characters. 

During the show.

Ellie in her shining moment.  She had several lines in the show.

Avery and the dust bunnies did several song and dance numbers.

After the show.

Papa turns 70

So we surprised him with a birthday visit.  And, when we show up so does the birthday "choas."  We orchestrated a plan and  included Gigi in on the details.  We would drive to Denver arriving late Thurday night.  Early Friday morning we would sneak in and the kids would present Papa with breakfast in bed.  The plan went off without a hitch, except Papa woke up early and Gigi made him stay in bed for quite some time.  A bit strange, thought papa. Although, he knew "something" was up, I think he was genuinely surprised that it was us. 
It was a weekend of "happy things."  We were busy doing things that make up happy. We only had a short time in Denver so we made it special.  Short and sweet but a birthday to remember.

Here we go:
Gigi greeted us at the door early in the morning.  shhh, quiet.

We decorated with birthday banners and artwork.  This one courtesy of Avery.

We prepared a scavenger hunt for Papa.  Each clue had him scamper through the house to find his birthday gifts.

We went to several  fun restaurants.  Our favorite italian restaurant one night and Asian Bistro the next.  We always teach our children to use their best manners and social graces.  Or do we?

We played in the park.  And flew kites. 




And, we celebrated.   Happy Birthday, we love you Papa.  We wish you many more happy moments.

 

Have a sunnyside up kinda day

Breakfast on this April 1st morning.  Sunny side up fried egg with homemade toasted bread and creamy butter.  Looks delish, don't cha think.  I didn't fool the kids but started our morning off with a giggle.  Until Jeff told the kids he was leaving town for 2 weeks.  Zach left the table in tears...but only for a moment.  Ha.

Can you tell what my breakfast prank is made from?

Mall of America

Who goes to Minnesota in the middle of February?  We do.  Over President's weekend we took off to Minneapolis to the experience the Mall of America.  I have always wanted to see it and being in the midwest it's only a few hours from home. But, it was Feb...weather would be an issue. We were doomed for snow.  Sure enough a giant blizzard covered the city of Minneapolis while we were there.  Don't think for one minute it stopped us, sure, it slowed us down a bit but we explored all the same.
The Mall of Amercia was exactly as I had imagined.  Hundreds of stores and endless hours of shopping. Right up my alley (and Jeff's  too, but he's not as willing to admit)  The kids loved it also.  We are raising good little shoppers. They come by it naturally.  Ha. Ha.
    We made a beeline to the American Girl Store. A dream destination by any girls standards. 

But, really the highlight for the children was the Nickolodeon theme park.

Big roller coasters were the name of the game.  Avery is tall enough to go on every ride in the park so there was no stopping this trio.  The bigger, scarier, twistyer, faster,  crazier........the better.  Endless hours of amusement for the Anderson children.  

You can't really tell from this picture, but in this photo the kids are flying through a giant loop, full speed.  Avery can barely keep her head up straight.  The force is keeping Zach's head  pulled to one side. Yikes.  Jeff and I stayed behind, happy as can be with our feet planted securely on the ground.

One of my favorite afternoons was on Saturday.  In  middle of the storm we ventured out for breakfast, and made a quick stop for some movie treats.  We returned to our hotel for a day of a movie watching snuggle fest.  All 5 us changed into jammies, snuggled up on the 2 queen beds (complete with chocolate and popcorn) and watched the movie Nannie McPhee returns.  It was a cute movie, we all liked it.  But, mostly I liked the close knit togetherness. The older my children get, the tighter I want to hold on.  "Together"  is my favorite place to be.  Cheesy, I know.
and since I don't have a picture of this snuggly afternoon.  Enjoy one of Zach asleep in the hotel.  With kiki.

Beiber Fever

Watching my kids make new friends in school is fun and exciting but, with it comes the worry and fears of who they might develop close friendships with.  What will the new friends be like?  Who will they sit with at lunch?   Do these friends share the same values?  What kind of families to they belong to?   Are they being raised with the same morals we are trying to teach our children.  And then ultimately, will my child  feel uplifted and cherished as a person?   Ellie has made a whole slew of girlfriends.  But, I don't know any of them yet.  And, I  worry a bit about the "kind" of girls she is connecting with.  I'm sure "to worry" is a rite of passage for all middle school parents.  I  know Ellie and I know she will ALWAYS choose the right. But a 6th graders life is easier with friends that support and inspire you.

Since I wanted to get to get to know Ellie's friends and the girls are crazy for Justin Bieber, we joined the gaggle of girls bursting through the doors premiere night for the Justin Beiber movie. 

It was my intention to have Ellie invite her "school" friends but she ended up inviting all church friends.  Which was fine by me.  What a great group of girls and hopefully the start to wonderful friendships.

The girls had a fabulous time.  The entire theater was filled with hyper, squealing, laughing screaming girls....and their mothers.  The screaming started at the first clip of the movie and didn't stop till credits rolled.  I couldn't help but think it was cute.  The girls were so passionate!    At one point in Justin's live concert he brings a girl up to the stage during the song "one less lonely girl."  Avery whispered in my ear in a quiet but giddy voice that she wants to be the "One" less lonely girl on stage.  I guess the fascination starts young!

sending love

We've been spreading love around here.  I know this is not the most orginal idea but I needed a quick Family Home Evening idea last week and this was the perfect answer.  We each wrote down things on paper hearts that we loved about everyone in the family.  The kids totally loved it. They were very serious and thought about "real" and special things that we loved about each other.  Then, we read them aloud while putting them up on the wall.  Zachary blushed when the girls read their hearts to him.  I loved them all but, I was especially happy with Ellie's heart to me.  "Mom, you are a good cook and a good example to me. "

The heart decor is the only thing hanging on our walls here in the new pad.  I should mention the temporary new pad is getting on my nerves.  It's been to long to think of it as a "vacation rental."  Nor, is there anything "vacation like" here in Sioux Falls.  But, I am trying to be patient, I know the right home will come along in time.  Wish us luck that it's sooner than later, please.

when life brings you snow

make a snowman!

If these walls could talk

Monday January 31st we closed on our Omaha home.  And with the celebration of selling/ closing on a home comes a flood of memories.  Jeff and I had mixed feelings over the closing.  On one hand we were elated and relieved to have this home sold.  It was never my fave.  Infact, I rountinly complained about this home.  You've heard me, right?  But, it was ours.  And we were happy here for 6 years.   The kids were babies in this home.  We have all grown up here.  In this kitchen

Oh, if these kitchen walls could talk.  It was here that we gathered around the dinner table together every night.  Or almost everynight.    We are lucky that our schedule allows us to be together  most nights. I treasure this time and rarely sign my kids up for anything that might interfere with the dinner hour.  It means that much to me.  If these wall could talk you'd hear about the laughter in our home.  Lots of giggleing.  Jeff is funny, you knew that.  But, did you know he will drop everything in order to make you smile or to lighten your mood with his humor.   If these walls could talk you'd know about the precious and heartfelt prayers that were said in this very room.  You would know that  Avery volunteers to say the morning and nightly prayer EVERY SINGLE time.   If these walls could talk you would hear all about the many lectures and conversations that were had at the dinner table.    With listening ears, this is our perfect time to "teach."  And, in order to stretch out our table time you will likely hear about the conversation games we play at the table.  "What would you rather".  "Telephone."   "Pick a topic and chat".  "Thumbs up, thumbs down day".  Gosh, with all this goodness you will need to know of the typical argueing and bickering that also took place here.  "Not  now, dinner is in 20 mintues"   or "I'm hungry what's for dinner." "Time out for you"   Sad to note, that you would also hear me say...not now "I'm busy"  And with that,  you'll need to know that I'm still learning the balance.  Someday, I will master it like Jeff and will take advatage of every moment to just "be" with the kids. If these wall could talk you would know of the mass choas around the house that ensues while I am preparing dinner.  But in the end...you would know of the beautiful calm and peace that comes together as all 5 of us sit down.
 To just "be" together.