Artist in the House!
This is Jessica's first completed landscape and I am impressed! She has a very creative side and I am so glad that she is developing her abilities. I was stunned when she brought this home... this is only her second formal painting. WOW!! She did this using water soluable oil paints! Good job Jesi!!
I am grateful for: Jessica's creative side and the chance to watch it grow!

By the Way...
If you've never used ricekrispies to build cake toppers etc... it actually works! I need to make a lighthouse (if you couldn't tell) for our YW in Excellence cake... I forgot the camera so I didn't get a pix of it on the bright blue cake w/swedish fish saying "Let your light so shine." This was my first try ever at the ricekrispy thing and I rather enjoyed it!
I am grateful for: The opportunity to try new things!

Happy Birthday Ken!
This year Ken said he is old... officially in his late 30's! LOL

Ken & Josh are into the "Pie" thing for their birthday desert!
Last night for his birthday, Ken took Josh to see the Harlem Globetrotters! They had a blast and Josh got his basketball signed by the team.

I am grateful for: My old husband LOL! I am so grateful for him and all that he does for our family.

Discipline
OK... so I'm sure everyones kids fight, argue and annoy each other at times. We've tried several different tactics to help these two get along when they are going at it. We've found one that seems to work so I will share it. When the kids are going at it and they've been warned a couple times they have to PLAY a game together that Ken or I pick. This gets them really upset at first but almost always by the end of the game they are friends again. (They also know that if they aren't civil they will have to keep playing games until they are! Only once have they been sentenced to MONOPOLY! LOL)
I am grateful for: These stinkers and GAMES :)

Congrats Jesi!
Jessica got straight A's last quarter and we are so proud of her!!! She was so stressed out about her report card coming... and well, no need to be :)
I am grateful for: Jessica's success and the opportunity for her to feel so accomplished!

Random Stuff!

The kids have had a great break and are getting ready to go back to school this week. I thought I'd share a few pictures of what we've been up to!

Josh has been busy learning to program his Mindstorm...

Jessica has been sewing up a storm with her fashion kit! 10 doll dresses already...
the "dress store"

um.... Ken wouldn't look at me for the picture....

I am grateful for: A new year, new memories, new experiences, new friends and a wonderful family!