Lots of Bronwyn

Here's a bunch of unnecessary photos of the baby girl from over the last couple of months.  :)

Bron often turns her wrist around like this, almost like she's double-jointed or something.

I don't think I posted this picture here before.  I like it especially because my mom made and sent this sweater for Bronwyn.  I think it's so sweet.

Cuddle with Daddy.

Ready for an outing.

Wearing pink for Valentine's Day.

She's intently studying her hand.

She got excited.

Sunday afternoon.  Tends to be a good time for a couple of pictures.

These next three I posted for the funny faces.

Yes, she has a mother.  I just never get in any pictures with her. 

The best kind of school breaks are holding the little "dumpling," as he calls her.

Calvin's Birthday Post

 Calvin started off his day with a cinnamon roll, a slice of bacon and a strawberry.  His birthday fell on a Sunday.

Fast forward to his birthday dinner:  Mexican Shepherd's Pie and a fruit-filled jello salad.

Excited!

This was such a great card.  He loved it.  On the inside it said, "...and remember, never trust a dog to watch your birthday cake!"

Gumballs from Cecily.

A neat sucker from Amelia.

King Arthur from Aunt Leslie.

A cookskin cap from Dad and Mom.

His first airsoft BB gun from Mom and Dad.

The funny looking package turns out to be a play (wooden) Kentucky long rifle.

"Happy Birthday to you..."

He walked around and passed them out to everyone.

Cecily and I made his cupcakes together.

Now the taste test.

Naturally, it gets a thumbs up.

When each of the boys has a birthday, Peter reads Proverbs 3 out loud.

A jolly, good celebration.  May the Lord bless my boy, this, his eighth year!

Ice Skating 2013

A lot of my posts have an annual update.  :)  If you've read my blog for a while then you've seen our pictures from past ice skating trips.  We try to go at least once a year, as there is a homeschooling day at the rink once a week during the winter.  I'm hoping in future years to possibly go more like once a month.  It would be nice for the kids to actually develop some skill at it, which is pretty near impossible to do when going only once a year.

Amelia got right out on the ice this year.  It helped that this older girl decided to stay by her side and helped her.  I think this girl was about 10 years old and she was so sweet.  This picture of them holding hands only happened about half way through the skating time.  In the beginning Millie just went around the rink holding onto the wall.  After the first hour she really started to feel confident and would turn in circles holding onto this girl's hands and skating on her own without holding onto anything or anyone.  Yeah, Amelia!  A great start for her.  I think she's got it down now.

Samuel works a little on his technique now that he doesn't have to worry about just staying off of his seat!

Go Millie!

I couldn't convince Cecily or Calvin to try the ice.  They both put on skates and confidently went out to the rink, only to decide there was NO way they could try it.  :(  I hadn't paid to get skates myself, as I needed to stay with Bronwyn.  Elijah was at home napping while Dad was working, but Bronwyn had come along.  What ended up happening, is that Will's skates bothered him and he got frustrated and wanted a break.  I tried on his skates and since they fit me, he stayed with Bronwyn and I went out on the ice long enough to help Cecily and Calvin get a start.  Funny, but that was all they needed.  Little girls came to help Cecily right away and she started having a great time, although she mostly stayed on the wall.  At least she got comfortable with it. 

I think I say this every year, but Ben RACES the entire two hours.  You see he has taken off his sweatshirt now because he gets so hot.  He might go around the rink about 3 times in a sixty second period!  Not really, but close.  He sleeps like a rock the night after and his legs are killing him the next day.  He doesn't do most things part way.  I just try to make sure he's careful of the other skaters!!

Calvin got the hang of it too.  For my most cautious child, I was pleased that he finally got pretty steady and enjoyed it.

Takes some concentration, but he's got it!  Will was bummed out most of the afternoon, so I didn't end up getting a picture of him this year.  We may go again this coming week.  Maybe he'll do better this time.