First Day of School 2016

     Dainel - 2nd Grade         Chase - Kindergarten

Daniel is 7

Dear Lord, your gifts are many.

I’m grateful for everyone.

One of the greatest gifts you’ve given

is the gift of a wonderful son

 
 

Thank you for his life dear Lord.

Watch over him I pray.

May he be safe and free from harm,

as he goes about each day.

 
 

Bless him through life’s trials.

Help him choose right from wrong.

An example be for all to see.

Standing tall, and proud and strong.

*Poem by Ron Tramner

Chefs Jr.

If your children go to public school you will quickly learn about a million "enrichment" classes you can pay to have your child be involved in. There's everything from theater to robotics. 

We weren't going to keep Daniel at school longer than he needed to be there - 3pm is his favorite time of day because he gets to come home and be with his family - and we surely weren't interested in paying for a diverse array of skill sets we might be able to teach him from home. So, ...

... So, a month ago JJ started teaching the kids basic programming through games such as "Tynker" and this last week Angie started "Chefs Junior," a monthly cooking class for ages 4 and up in our home (a.k.a. Chase and Daniel). 

Daniel got to pick our first food endeavor: Doughnuts. 

Soooo good! Recipe here.

Between Angie's love for cooking and the boys' love for eating (and being involved in the process), we are planning for many more classes such as this. Perhaps to Chase' dismay, not all sweets.

School's Out

First Day of Winter Break

First Day of School

Daniel filed in line with the rest of Mrs. Stroud's First Grade class this morning with a small sense of fear, but a lot more curiosity about what the day ahead would hold for him. Here's to Daniel's first full day of school!

Chase left the house in tears, but a few high school musical songs, a piggy back ride from dad, and a little re-introduction to his friends later he was joining circle time with the rest of his buddies/super hero friends. Pre-K. What a big boy you are, Chase.

We love you boys!

Happy 6th Birthday, Daniel

Daniel,

This has been the birthday that never seems to end. Although today is your actual birthday, we got the ball rolling a week and a half ago with your birthday party at Moe's Bowling Ally. We scheduled the event so early in hopes of avoiding a clash with your baby sister's birth. And it's a good thing we did. Gloria was born less than 48 hours after your bowling bash.

Your friends (Addie, Faith, Matthew, Peter, Porter, Louge and Dylan) and family joined the fun. Even Jeremy made it out for the occasion, although he left all the bowling to his Daddy. It was a great afternoon.

April 23 arrived today, which meant a birthday breakfast before school, where your class sang to you and gifted you with a new book, silly straw and rainbow pencil. After school Nonna whisked you away to P,F, Chang's for lunch - a tradition that began last spring when you and Nonna scouted out their kid's low main and free birthday-boy dessert. (Make sure to note how big the piece of chocolate cake was.)

Happy Birthday, Daniel. 

We are so proud of the caring, compassionate, thoughtful, clever boy you have become. 

We pray for all your years to come.
 May God's gracious and merciful spirit shine among them.

A Little Christmas Cheer

I videotaped the Children's Christmas concert rehearsal at New City Church. As the actual performance unfolded I wished I had been filming then as well. My friend's son, 3 years old, fell down the stairs during the first song, then got back on stage unscathed, laying on his tummy facing the opposite direction of the congregation, kicking his boots wildly for all to see. He got off stage during the last song to chat with mom and dad, then emerged back on stage when it was time to receive his accolades. He gave a big bow. Hilarious!

Boy, Do We Have Some Catching Up To Do!

Florida in March with Pop Pop and Christin

Daniel's 5th Birthday

Bowling with friends and family, and a party at home with the rest!

Another fun soccer season for Daniel and JJ

Farm Time with Grandma Heidi and Grandpa Tiger

 A visit from good friends from Oregon

And into summer vacation!

Like Mother Like Son

Daniel has taken a liking to photography. After receiving a great point-and-shoot Sony camera for Christmas, Daniel has been documenting his life, taking pictures of everything from Christmas ornaments, to his toys, to foods he's eating. He has also used his parents and Chase as his subject matter.

It's exciting when your child develops an interest or characteristic that mimics your own. I have long been an avid photographer and hope Daniel will find creative expression in this art on his own, too.

Here's to you, Mister "Picture Taker!"

This Was Not My Idea

2013 Video Blowout

We looked through our video camera last night and noticed we had a bunch of videos we had never saved or uploaded for others to see. These all took place at various times during 2013.


Daniel Scores His First Goal in Soccer



Chase Sings "Joy to the World"



Demolition Derby in the Garage



Boys Play Games with a Clothes Hamper



The Boys Play Ring Around the Rosey

Tricks and Treats

As you can see, the boys enjoyed celebrating Halloween this year. Fortunately, the fact that both Chase and Daniel found out they had Hand Foot and Mouth Disease Halloween morning didn't dampen their spirits, or the the decibel level which they could scream "Trick or Treat!"