Sunday, April 26, 2015

Little Helping Hands

This week’s highlight was that the kids got to help Hallie at a service project gleaning lemon trees.

We have been greatly blessed over two weeks to have an extra car in the family. One of the sisters Hallie visit teaches and who visits Hallie has let us borrow one of their cars while her husband is out of town. It really is amazing to not have to plan our day to the minute working out rides. Thanks, Marie!!!!

On Monday, Landon went to a new occupational therapist and finished the day off with gymnastics. He had no trouble falling asleep. 

Eliza has mentioned several times over this past school year the name of a little girl she likes to play with at recess. The two are not in the same class, so it has been hard for us to see what this little friend looked like. Hallie finally saw little Leslie today. Eliza and Leslie look quite similar, and it was the cutest seeing them walk together toward their classrooms.

Landon stayed home from school on Tuesday. Poor thing – he has been struggling with allergies this year. He was good to go and raring by Wednesday, though. He and his sister were apparently well enough to cut their Renaissance Pleasure Faire pennants to ribbons. Not cool. 


Eliza found the eye that has been missing from her white teddy bear since before our move from Michigan. Apparently it did make the trip! Now her bear is fully restored. 

Eliza must be getting ready for a growth spurt. She took siestas two days this week, something she has not done in a very long time. 

Hallie has been given some new sisters to visit teach, and Hallie had the chance to do service for one of them. That service extended on to several other appointments this week for this same sister. One thing we cherish as a family is helping others.

On Wednesday, Mike did his normal work in Landon’s class. We are blessed that Mike has been able to be in Landon’s class on a regular basis. The kids seem to really like him, and he enjoys being there with them. For the most part, the rest of the day was not eventful. It is good to have days like this on occasion.


On Wednesday night Hallie flossed her teeth, and afterward part of one fell off. Thank heavens Mike’s sister Emily was able to get her into the dentist Thursday morning. Hallie had already committed to watching Sawyer for Carly in the morning. Mike was willing to cover for Hallie until she could get there, and it all worked out great! Eliza has fun helping with Sawyer. It is so cute to see her all excited over little munchkins. Hallie’s tooth is not exactly perfect, and she will have to go back and get it fixed some more.

Friday was Eliza’s day for gymnastics.



We have worked hard this week at getting the kids to get along. Part of this involved distracting the kids with Legos.
The boy knew he had gotten himself in the doghouse. 


Horse-headed Mecha, complete with articulating limbs

Version 2.0


Kai from Ninjago looks right at home! 

Mom and the kids participated in one of several Just Serve Helping Hands projects in Ventura County while Mike taught up at CLU. For the service project, they gleaned lemons from a grove of 70 trees in town. The fruit will be distributed by an organization called FOOD Share. The kids really enjoyed getting outdoors and serving others in need.




A jacaranda in lovely lavender bloom, one of many throughout town.

Grandma and Grandpa B. participated in another local project: Clearing brush from Conejo Creek.




Such a lovely view!


We had stake conference this weekend, and while we had to split our time going to sessions, we appreciated hearing the advice and counsel from our general authority, Elder Call, and from stake, mission, and temple presidencies. Of special note was the advice to participate in family councils and conduct personal interviews with each of our children, advice which resonates with that which Mike and Hallie received when they got married. Our kids thrive on the personal time we spend with them, so we’re happy to take the counsel to heart.  

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Birthday and Scandinavian Celebrations

We celebrated Mike’s birthday at the Renaissance Fair and our family’s Scandinavian heritage this week.

Sunday was all about Renaissance England, as we shared in last week's entry. Landon's crossbow continues to be very well loved. Speaking of things loved, the boy loves his mom and his cat. 
 

Mike had a fair amount of work-related activity on campus on Monday, but he also got to spend some time with his parents and Alie when they went to lunch at Yolanda’s. Then Mike and Merle went to the Reagan Library to see the vintage cars before Mike had to return to campus for a faculty meeting.
Juan and Eva Peron's car








Western panorama. The chaparral has returned to its customary dry state (click to enlarge).  

After the meeting, we had cake at Grandma and Grandpa M.’s. All in all, a fun day!
Courtesy Nothing Bundt Cakes. Note the LEGO candles.



Tuesday found Eliza at the doctor’s office for her four-year well visit. We have found a nice doctor close by, and Eliza had a clean bill of health to go along with her shots.

Mike volunteered at Landon’s school and got a sneak preview of his in-class art work.


Eliza brought home her own art too.

She didn’t make it to school on Wednesday because her shots left her feeling under the weather. She slept for most of the day, and then (feeling full of energy), she had a hard time going to bed in the evening.

Eliza played medic to Landon after he came home from school with a skinned knee.

We have followed the news about the upcoming Star Wars movie with growing interest, so when the new trailer came out, Landon was all ready to watch some more. We watched the original for movie night.

Saturday turned out busy and beautiful. Hallie and the kids watched Cru play baseball while Mike worked, then we went to the 41st Annual Southern California's Scandinavian Festival on the CLU campus.






(Mike did some retooling later.)


Butter knife. The boys wanted theirs extra sharp. 







The Acro Flyer was a major hit.


Taking a liking to a viking


Kids vs. adults playing kubb

Vintage Volvo

When we got home, the kids persuaded Dad to take them to the pool. In April. It's going to be a great summer!


We're proud to report that Diamond completed the semester with a stellar GPA. Great work!