Yesterday morning Sara got a big haircut. Her slacker Mommy forgot to take before pictures. Sorry. But just know that we cut about 7 inches off.

Ok. I went and looked for a "before" picture. Here's the most recent one I have that shows her longer hair.

Nathan and Matt's first 5K

Back in August, when we started school, Nathan and I began training for a 5K. Unfortunately, I ended up with shin splints that forced me to stop running. So, Matt took over (it's just easier for him to run to begin with). He and Nathan completed their first 5K last Saturday. Nathan finished in 30:02 and Matt in 30:03. They did great! Here are a few pictures:

Before the race:

The cheering squad:

As they arrive at the mile 1 marker:

As they arrive at the mile 3 marker:

flashback ~ 5 years

I enjoy looking back at old pictures, so I thought you might as well.

Sara singing

school pics

Here are some pictures of our school setup:

starting school

We started school today.  This is our third year of homeschooling.  Nathan is third grade (well, by age anyway) and Caroline is Kindergarten.  Sara is doing a little work as well, but I think it might be a challenge to keep her from doing Caroline's work as well.  :)  I didn't take any pictures today, but I'll try to get some this week.

beach family

double toothless (take two)

On Wednesday (May 9th), Caroline lost her first tooth. We had been told by the hygienist back in March that it was a moving a little, but Caroline hadn't said anything more about it. Well, on Wednesday, it was just about ready to come out. I had already warned Matt that he might have to pull it after church. It was so loose that I had even tried to pull it...and I DO NOT like wiggly teeth. A little later, Caroline came and told me that her tooth had come out. I asked her where it was and she said she didn't know. Great...she had been eating some peanuts. I was pretty sure I knew where it went...down with the peanuts.

Her second tooth was also wiggling and I knew it wouldn't be too many days before it was ready to come out. On Thursday, it was very wiggly. After Matt got home, I encouraged both he and Caroline to try and pull it. I didn't want another swallowed tooth. She hollered a little, but as soon as it was out she was happy. Now we have a double toothless girl!

In case you are wondering...the first tooth was retrieved. Caroline really wanted that first tooth (and so did her Mommy).

haircut day

All the kids got haircuts today. Well, Caroline got a "cut" and the other two just got trimmed. Here are the before and after pictures of Caroline.

good and muddy

I attempted to take some "good" pictures of the kids this morning. They were not really in a cooperative mood, but I got some decent ones. Then, this afternoon, they headed outside to play and ended up having fun in the mud. I hope you'll enjoy these updated pictures!

(No, she was not unhappy...she's just extra uncooperative for picture taking.)

Sara's bag

Well, I tried not to be a post slacker a the beginning of the year, but it just didn't work. But I don't intend to give up posting here since it is kinda like my scrapbook. Anyway, Sara has been asking me for quite a while to make her something out of this owl fabric that I had. I don't even know where it came from, but it was not my favorite. Anyway, last week I broke down and made her a bag (like Caroline's frog bag) using the fabric. Here it is:

Day 13 - Nathan

Nathan's second 8th birthday party (it was supposed to be the first but was rescheduled due to Sara's December illness).

dining room table

We bought our dining room table right after Matt and I got married. Children have added quite a bit of damage to it and it needed some serious help. Right before Christmas I started refinishing the top (like I needed more to do). I was able to finish it last weekend. It's definitely not perfect, but it is is much better shape now (for about two weeks probably).

Before

After

Day 11 - Caroline

This has been Caroline's spot on the couch for the last four days. She's been in quarantine with a stomach bug.

Day 6 - Caroline

Mommy: Caroline, smile.

Caroline: Why did you take my picture?
M: For the blog.
C: But my hair was in my face.
M: Ok. Smile again.

C: Now will you take a silly one?
M: Sure.

Day 2 - Sara

Sara was enjoying watching Daddy work on the plumbing (inside the air return).

Day 1 - Nathan

He was reading through geology fact cards - a Christmas present.