Spring Fling 2014

April 23 was Walter's class "Spring Fling."  They sang a few songs and we heard about some of the things they learned this year.  Walter was very worried about the Spring Fling and didn't want to go to school that morning, so we were very proud of him for staying to participate and sing.  Since this growing up thing is happening at warp speed, I'm posting all the pictures so I don't forget any of his mannerisms and sweet facial expressions.

 

Waiting to begin - he was pretty nervous. 

We were in the first row, so here's the other part of his class...

Singing

"Five little fishes swimming in the sea..."

...and now "One little fishy swimming in the sea..."



ABC Farewell

More singing

Showing the grandparents his desk.

With Grandpa Will, Grandma Jo,

Gramps L (trying to steal Walter's chocolate chip cookie) and Grandma L



 

Walter made sure we knew that his teacher had paid for the whole school and also made all of the chocolate chip cookies from scratch for the Spring Fling.  As you can see, he thinks very highly of his teacher!  Afterwards, we joined Gramps and Grandma L for lunch at Jimmy John's and then stopped by to visit Grandma Josie on the way home.  It's exciting to see how much Walter has grown and learned this year.  We're thankful for wonderful, caring teachers and praying, loving grandparents.

And then...Easter

And then, three days later...it snowed...again.  I think we got around 8 inches.

 

Our backyard covered in snow.

 

The church yard next door to us.

And when we celebrated Easter four days later, the snow was gone and we had a beautiful day.  Henry and Walter couldn't wait to find the eggs hidden around Uncle Merle and Aunt Jane's yard and spent the afternoon hanging out with their cousins.

The older cousins helped out during the egg hunt, too.  

Palm Sunday

When our Sunday School celebrated Palm Sunday in April, Henry has his first opportunity to do some bell ringing.  He was very serious about it but also thought it was fun and "a piece of cake."  You can see him in action by watching the video at the bottom.  

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First Park Visit

Okay, we have been to the parks near our house but this was the first visit where we didn't have to wear coats and it was above 20 degrees.  It was wonderful!  The boys and I came in for a day (or two - I can't quite remember) and visited with Gramps and Grandma and the Mimis.  The boys loved playing and exploring along the creek at the park.  

 Pretending to fish.

Oops - More March Pictures

Just a few pictures I missed from the long month of March.

 

Spending a little time with Paisley.

...getting ready for the day.

Watching a video with Gramps and Mimi Megan (and Gus).

Walter was in a little bit of a zone before he realized that he was in a very dangerous position with Dottie's rear resting right on his head!

 

This is what I love to see!  They are both turning into very good readers.

 

Taking advantage of a warmer day to play outside.

 

The Great American Egg Drop - Kindergarten Version

At the end of March, Henry had to bring a raw egg in a container that he believed would protect the egg in a drop from the school balcony.  Honestly, Henry really wasn't very interested in discussing ideas for this project, so we watched some videos on youtube to give us a starting point.  We decided to go with the Nerf football plan, but then I saw how much a Nerf football cost...I didn't feel like spending $15 on a football so that we could cut it down to the project dimensions.  So we switched to the flour-filled-box idea...that is, until we discovered Dottie had chewed our old Nerf football down to the needed dimensions!  We hallowed out a spot inside to hold the egg, taped it closed and then dropped it from our house's balcony (as snow flakes and rain started to fall).  The egg survived so all we had to do was wait for the big day.

Henry dropping his egg and container.

Watching the rest of his classmates do their egg drops.

Back in the classroom, opening up the football.  The egg was still in one piece but the shell was cracked - I guess I should have used a different egg instead of using the one we dropped at home.  :)

Some of his friends checking on their eggs - they loved it when an egg was broken and gooey!  There were actually a few kids whose eggs' survived the original fall, only to be broken when the child took it out of the container and accidentally dropped it on the classroom carpet!  

 

A Ray of Hope

In mid-March we had a ray of hope.  The sun came out for a few days and it was warm enough for Henry and Walter to play outside without coats.  Ahhh, it was wonderful!  But then it was back to climbing the walls...

 

...literally!  This was actually taken on the way down.  When I first found him, he was near the top of the window moulding.  And I'll admit this isn't the first or last time I've found one my kiddos climbing these pipes.  Maybe they have a future scurrying up and down coconut trees.



 

Kinetic Sand has kept them calm and busy.  Love it!

 

Back to playing doctor, too. 

 

And a few more weeks of chasing Dottie around the dining room table,

followed by quick rest breaks on the couch.