21 June 2009
Happy Father's Day!
A super Happy Father's Day to my dear dad, and to my kids' dear dad! We are sure blessed to have them! Love you guys!
16 June 2009
Is that all?
Sunday afternoon was Kelsey's graduation open house, which was very nice. We ate ourselves silly and really enjoyed the sunshine and relaxation with family. We also finally got to see Shawn & Lori's remodel for ourselves and it sure looks wonderful. They have beautiful hardwood floors now, and a lot of other terrific-looking changes. We wish Kelsey all the best of luck in everything. She is working for the summer at Amway, and will be taking a full schedule of courses at Western Michigan University in the fall.
Monday I spent most of the day working on genealogy stuff - transcribing the guardianship records that arrived over the weekend from Fort Wayne, and researching the families to which they applied. In all three cases, I knew very little about the children who were given guardians, nor about their parents...and in all three cases the guardianship papers cleared up a lot of questions. I also sent off for a few Michigan records that I wasn't able to find last week at the library.
Today I worked a long time on a possible new website for Mom's quilt shop - Quilt-n Friends in Sterling Heights. It's temporarily being tested here: http://www.stainedglassaccents.com/quiltnfriends/index.html. If anyone has any helpful advice for the layout (which is a little obnoxious - there is too much text on the index page)
The kids are so far enjoying their vacation. We've visited the library Mondays, and they've picked out good books which they've devoured. Esme has read Julie's Journey (an American Girl story) and has nearly finished Misty's Twilight - these are both books about horses. She has a couple of stories waiting in the wings - The Jade Dragon and Silvermist and the Ladybug Curse. Aidan read every word of the Star Wars Encyclopedia from Dorling Kindersley last week, and all of a two-in-one Star Wars book. Now he is reading Science Fair by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson - he's enjoying it so much he's nearly already finished it!
I've just about finished rereading the whole Harry Potter series in preparation for the movie for #6 coming out next month. Up next for me is Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia, which was lent to me by a friend at church.
Monday I spent most of the day working on genealogy stuff - transcribing the guardianship records that arrived over the weekend from Fort Wayne, and researching the families to which they applied. In all three cases, I knew very little about the children who were given guardians, nor about their parents...and in all three cases the guardianship papers cleared up a lot of questions. I also sent off for a few Michigan records that I wasn't able to find last week at the library.
Today I worked a long time on a possible new website for Mom's quilt shop - Quilt-n Friends in Sterling Heights. It's temporarily being tested here: http://www.stainedglassaccents.com/quiltnfriends/index.html. If anyone has any helpful advice for the layout (which is a little obnoxious - there is too much text on the index page)
The kids are so far enjoying their vacation. We've visited the library Mondays, and they've picked out good books which they've devoured. Esme has read Julie's Journey (an American Girl story) and has nearly finished Misty's Twilight - these are both books about horses. She has a couple of stories waiting in the wings - The Jade Dragon and Silvermist and the Ladybug Curse. Aidan read every word of the Star Wars Encyclopedia from Dorling Kindersley last week, and all of a two-in-one Star Wars book. Now he is reading Science Fair by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson - he's enjoying it so much he's nearly already finished it!
I've just about finished rereading the whole Harry Potter series in preparation for the movie for #6 coming out next month. Up next for me is Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia, which was lent to me by a friend at church.
I'm also trying out a new thing with Blogger called Zemanta - which lets me link to things I'm writing about, and add pertinent pictures. Is it annoying, or useful?
13 June 2009
Report Cards
The children's report cards arrived this week, and they both did very well.
Aidan received As in Writing, Spelling, and Mathematics, and an A- in Reading. His ratings in the subcategories of these subjects were also very good. He received credit (they don't do letter grades) in Science (structures and functions of living things) and Social Studies (history of Michigan). In gym they evaluate the Presidential physical fitness goals in the first and fourth quarters - in the fourth quarter, Aidan received "satisfactory" ratings in shuttle run and distance run, and "needs improvement" ratings in sit and reach, pull-ups, and sit-ups. So he knows what to work on for the fall, when he will be 9 and the goals will be even higher. His work and social habits were well-rated, also. Good job, buddy!
Here's Aidan's Spelling Champion certificate. We're looking forward to next year's spelling bee, too!
Esme received 1 ratings (mastery) in everything. Her teacher wrote: "Esme has done a wonderful job this marking period. She is a great contributor to class discussions and strives to do her best in her schoolwork. She puts a lot of creativity and effort into her writing."
Congratulations to our fourth grader and first grader! We are so proud of them.
Aidan received As in Writing, Spelling, and Mathematics, and an A- in Reading. His ratings in the subcategories of these subjects were also very good. He received credit (they don't do letter grades) in Science (structures and functions of living things) and Social Studies (history of Michigan). In gym they evaluate the Presidential physical fitness goals in the first and fourth quarters - in the fourth quarter, Aidan received "satisfactory" ratings in shuttle run and distance run, and "needs improvement" ratings in sit and reach, pull-ups, and sit-ups. So he knows what to work on for the fall, when he will be 9 and the goals will be even higher. His work and social habits were well-rated, also. Good job, buddy!
Here's Aidan's Spelling Champion certificate. We're looking forward to next year's spelling bee, too!
Esme received 1 ratings (mastery) in everything. Her teacher wrote: "Esme has done a wonderful job this marking period. She is a great contributor to class discussions and strives to do her best in her schoolwork. She puts a lot of creativity and effort into her writing."
Congratulations to our fourth grader and first grader! We are so proud of them.
08 June 2009
It's All Good
So we had an eventful weekend!
Friday was the last half day of school for the kids. (Yay!) They got home about 12:30, and we all went to Mikado for lunch. Jim and Aidan put away quite a lot of sushi, and Esme and I had shrimp and veggies tempura with rice. Mmmmm...
After lunch we went to see Up, which was wonderful. Such a whole family movie - something for all ages. I wept through the whole first part, and we laughed so hard at some parts that Aidan fell out of his seat. We saw it in 3-D, too, and Esme kept taking her 3-D glasses off to wipe things off of them that "flew" into her face! It was terrific.
Saturday we had breakfast at Marge's Donut Den, and despite having no other plans we were gone a long time! We spent a good morning at the Frederik Meijer Gardens, wandering around the grounds. In the swamp we saw a two turtles, a frog, and some swans; the kids played for some time in the Children's Gardens, too. Then we had lunch at Noodles & Company. After we got home Jim and Esme had a tea party while Aidan and I took a bike ride to the park and back. We rounded off the day with a spaghetti dinner.
Sunday the Dennie family came over to spend the day. We all had a great time, grilled lunch and pizzaed dinner! At one point (at least) the children got out of control - Aidan and Esme, who know better, were playing with the treadmill with Livi. They know they are not allowed on it, let alone to turn it on...and consequences happened, this time. Esme fell while she was on the treadmill and it was running. She has some very serious scrapes on her left leg - a day and a half later they are still seeping fluids and she has a lot of pain when we have to change the dressings and clean the wounds. We really hope the kids have learned their lesson about following our rules this time.
Anyway, it WAS fun to spend time with Chris, Melissa, Jordan, Livi and Caden! They have a new puppy (her name is Molly) and we're glad they had time to come over and hang out.
Today the kids and I had our eyes examined. The verdict: my vision is no worse, no better, but I did need new glasses as both my regular and spare pairs were broken. I even managed to accidentally pick a pair that I could get in an hour! Aidan's vision is significantly worse, and we ordered him new glasses and sunglasses, which we'll be able to get in about 10 days. Esme's vision is near-perfect. The doctor said she has a slight amount of farsightedness which is no concern at all - and she certainly doesn't need glasses. Yay!
On Friday while we were watching Up, Jim got a call from a project manager, and he has a project!!! He flew out today to Raleigh, North Carolina, and began work with RC Donnelly there this morning. Right now he is planning to be there through the end of November, at least. We all take a big sigh of relief and thank God for his infinite plans for good!
Now I'm going to go watch the season premiere for The Closer - Jim and I have a long-distance date to watch it together! We're going to talk at the halfway point, so that he can as usual predict the ending before it happens.
Friday was the last half day of school for the kids. (Yay!) They got home about 12:30, and we all went to Mikado for lunch. Jim and Aidan put away quite a lot of sushi, and Esme and I had shrimp and veggies tempura with rice. Mmmmm...
After lunch we went to see Up, which was wonderful. Such a whole family movie - something for all ages. I wept through the whole first part, and we laughed so hard at some parts that Aidan fell out of his seat. We saw it in 3-D, too, and Esme kept taking her 3-D glasses off to wipe things off of them that "flew" into her face! It was terrific.
Saturday we had breakfast at Marge's Donut Den, and despite having no other plans we were gone a long time! We spent a good morning at the Frederik Meijer Gardens, wandering around the grounds. In the swamp we saw a two turtles, a frog, and some swans; the kids played for some time in the Children's Gardens, too. Then we had lunch at Noodles & Company. After we got home Jim and Esme had a tea party while Aidan and I took a bike ride to the park and back. We rounded off the day with a spaghetti dinner.
Sunday the Dennie family came over to spend the day. We all had a great time, grilled lunch and pizzaed dinner! At one point (at least) the children got out of control - Aidan and Esme, who know better, were playing with the treadmill with Livi. They know they are not allowed on it, let alone to turn it on...and consequences happened, this time. Esme fell while she was on the treadmill and it was running. She has some very serious scrapes on her left leg - a day and a half later they are still seeping fluids and she has a lot of pain when we have to change the dressings and clean the wounds. We really hope the kids have learned their lesson about following our rules this time.
Anyway, it WAS fun to spend time with Chris, Melissa, Jordan, Livi and Caden! They have a new puppy (her name is Molly) and we're glad they had time to come over and hang out.
Today the kids and I had our eyes examined. The verdict: my vision is no worse, no better, but I did need new glasses as both my regular and spare pairs were broken. I even managed to accidentally pick a pair that I could get in an hour! Aidan's vision is significantly worse, and we ordered him new glasses and sunglasses, which we'll be able to get in about 10 days. Esme's vision is near-perfect. The doctor said she has a slight amount of farsightedness which is no concern at all - and she certainly doesn't need glasses. Yay!
On Friday while we were watching Up, Jim got a call from a project manager, and he has a project!!! He flew out today to Raleigh, North Carolina, and began work with RC Donnelly there this morning. Right now he is planning to be there through the end of November, at least. We all take a big sigh of relief and thank God for his infinite plans for good!
Now I'm going to go watch the season premiere for The Closer - Jim and I have a long-distance date to watch it together! We're going to talk at the halfway point, so that he can as usual predict the ending before it happens.
04 June 2009
Reigning Champion
Aidan managed to hang on to his Class of 2018 Spelling Bee Champion title this afternoon at school. His last word was "denominator" - but a lot of other tough ones came up on his turn - "professional" and "chrysanthemum," for example. He did a really good job and we're proud of him.
Aidan's friend Mason did an excellent job, as well - and came in second! It had to be tough for the guys to compete directly against each other - it was sure tough for us moms! - but they both did a terrific job.
Aidan's friend Mason did an excellent job, as well - and came in second! It had to be tough for the guys to compete directly against each other - it was sure tough for us moms! - but they both did a terrific job.
03 June 2009
More Baby News
I just found out today that our friends Deb and Matt Vogel are expecting a new baby later this year! Congrats, Vogels! Deb and Matt have a son Andrew in second grade and a daughter Rachel in Esme's kindergarten class.
Congratulations are also due to the Schmukers, whose baby boy Jackson was born last month. Kelly Schmuker was Aidan's second grade teacher last year.
A new baby boy is also on the way to the Keller household later this year. Jodi Keller was Aidan's first grade teacher a couple of years ago, and we were kinda hoping she could be Esme's first grade teacher next year, too! We'll definitely understand if she'd prefer to be home with her new baby, but right now we don't know her plans.
Congratulations are also due to the Schmukers, whose baby boy Jackson was born last month. Kelly Schmuker was Aidan's second grade teacher last year.
A new baby boy is also on the way to the Keller household later this year. Jodi Keller was Aidan's first grade teacher a couple of years ago, and we were kinda hoping she could be Esme's first grade teacher next year, too! We'll definitely understand if she'd prefer to be home with her new baby, but right now we don't know her plans.
01 June 2009
New Design!
So, what do you think of my blog's new design? I'm checking out some new background and header tools, so you may see it change a lot in the next few weeks. Comments or advice, anyone?