Random Sampler...

Our entertainment center in our living room has little cabinets on each side and a couple of days ago, this is what Mark discovered......she needed a little bit of help getting out.  It was reminiscant of the days when Emma was this age and she used to do the same thing!

Mark and I have decided to enroll in Bountiful Baskets.  Yesterday was our first time picking up our produce and we were very pleased.  We had so many yummy things and we figured that it is cheaper than buying all of this at our local grocery store.  We are hooked and are looking forward to ordering regularly!  Next time we will order breads and maybe some granola, too!

Happy Easter, Happy Spring!

'Tis the Easter season and with that comes the annual coloring of the eggs.  Even Clara tried to get in on the spirit and she and I did a couple of eggs together.  She had lots of fun trying to do what her big sisters did.

Daddy was a good helper, too.

Easter morning dawned pretty chilly actually so the girls went outside to hunt for Easter eggs with coats on.  Clara was LOVING being outside and she was very happy to carry around her own basket......so adorable.

Emma and Samantha are good sports and helped their baby sister find some eggs for herself.  They walked around with her and pointed out the eggs to pick up.

She really had a good time and all the girls were loaded up with candy and eggs and sweet things.....

 They also each received a new Easter dress for Church and all three girls were beautiful.

How blessed we are to have such a special family and even though we did alot of Easter bunny activities, we are so thankful for the Gospel and what this holiday represents for us.

The Noble Gnarbles!

This past week was the Spring Concert for the Union County Children's Choir that Emma and Samantha participate in.  It was an adorable program about a little fish who lives at the bottom of the ocean and is trying her best to get to the top.  Emma and Samantha played little fishies who may or may not have helped the Gnarble reach her goal.

Here they are with their face paint pretending to be little fishies.... Samantha was a Gnarble and Emma was a Blyfish.

They both had speaking parts and also sang beautifully.  We love seeing them perform and that they have such a fun time doing it!

Clara.....

Last week we enjoyed some beautiful, spring weather and we tried to spend as much time outside as possible.  Since the temperatures were in the SIXTIES we took an evening and went to the park after dinner.  I put Clara in this wonderful swing and she had a ball going back and forth.  She just loved every minute of it so I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures of her big smile!

In typical La Grande fashion, we are back to cold temperatures this week with snow flurries all day today.  Plus, Clara now has a cold.  We sure hope that spring comes back to us soon because this little gal LOVES being outside!

Spring Music Program

Each spring the fourth and fifth graders put on a spring concert and this year the theme was Cowboy.  They sang old cowboy songs and did a little dancing along with it. 

The kids were asked to put together a cowboy costume to wear and we thought that Emma looked adorable!

They have been practicing their songs for several months and back in February a few kids were asked to learn some guitar chords to play along when the children sing.  Emma was so excited to do it - she brought a guitar home and worked on it in her bedroom and looked at online tutorials.  She even went to some after school practices.  I snuck up and took a picture of her playing during her concert.

We are so impressed with her willingness to try new things and learn anything she can!  She sky is the limit for Emma!

School Accomplishments

The past several weeks have been really busy for our family.  Emma and Samantha have become quite accomplished in their school activities for which we are very proud!  They have both been recognized as of late for their hard work and academic achievements!  Several months ago I posted about Emma's invitation to join the Oregon Battle of the Books.  She worked hard and read more than a dozen recommended books and each Monday they had competitions.  Unfortunately her team didn't win but she was able to be recognized in front of the school as being a participant.

Here she is with her little friend MacKenzie at lunch....

After the competitions were over the kids were invited to a special breakfast at the school - all you can eat pancakes and waffles!  What a treat for her.  It's pretty special that only 16 kids out of the fourth and fifth grade were asked to participate in the program so we are so proud of Emma!

The elementary school has a "Math Facts Hall of Fame."  The different classrooms set certain standards in mathematics that the kids work at accomplishing.  When they meet their goal, their picture is taken and posted on the Hall of Fame.  Both Emma and Sam met their goal and were awarded these certificates.  Now each week when I go volunteer I stop and look at their pictures in the hallway.  Emma had to memorize her multiplication tables up to the number 11 and Samantha had to pass a test as well.  What smarty pants they are!

This week was the annual school "Da Vanci Fair."  It is a fair that the children are allowed to submit art and science projects for display.  Tonight we went to look at their projects and see what all of the other children submitted as well.  I love how excited they get when it comes to learning about art and science - it's so great!  Samantha did a self portrait of herself and listed different attributes that start with each letter of her name.

She also did some apple art....

This piece of Emma's art she called "radical art."

And this was a wonderful water color picture she made.

Samantha spent several weeks researching frogs and toads.  She had to learn about their habitats, what they eat, where they live, etc.  Then she wrote out her research and drew a large picture.  She worked really hard on it and she received a yellow ribbon.

Also.... last week a handful of students from the entire school were selected to participate in the State of Oregon spelling test.  Only two from the second grade were asked and two from Emma's class.  Both girls were invited and they took their test on Friday.  While they didn't win the spelling test, it was quite an honor that they were chosen and recognized for their abilities!  We are sure proud of our girls and wonder where they get all of their smarts!!!