A full week

We had a pretty full week this week: Monday - Nora's first day of first grade; Tuesday - girls had afternoon school out so we went to the zoo and had parent teacher conference for Kyla; Wednesday - We went to the firestation for Kyla's class fieldtrip, watched a friends' kids, and Daniel had scouts; Thursday - we watched another friends' kids and the girls had dance; Friday - Daniel had work off, I made cards all day, and had craft night that night(woo hoo); Sat - I went to the temple super early with my RS pres, the girls and Daniel had fun raking leaves and freezing their noses off at the church, and we got to play with Addie and Rachel again that evening while their parents went on a date; Sunday was a regular assortment of being late for church, primary talk, priest qourum lesson, Relief Society Pres. meeting, and home teaching (I think we have officially given up on Sunday naps).

Another Trip to the Zoo

In celebration of an afternoon off school, we decided to go to the zoo. It was an amazing day, especially for November. The first thing the girls wanted to see was the reptile house (I know a strange thing for girls). They actually decided we could stop by the butterfly house before we went to the reptile house. We had a lot of fun watching the tiger who was pretty active and finally got to see some mandrils and chimps in their HUGE cage. On our way back to the front gate, we decided to stop in the otter house to see if the were up and swimming. Sure enough they were up having a great time and the girls loved chasing them back and forth across the glass, as if they weren't tired enough. It has been great having a zoo pass; we have already gotten our money worth out of it and it is open all year.

First Grade Here I Come

Nora being too smart for her britches. Last Monday we were called in for an unscheduled parent meeting at Nora's school. Nora's teacher and the school literacy coach had just finished two independent assesments of Nora's progress half way through the marking period. They informed us that she was off the charts in every category as well as socially mature, and it was their recomendation that she be moved to first grade. After a long conference with Nora's kindergarten teacher and the principal and a few days of prayer, we decided that the jump to first grade would be the best thing for her right now. We didn't feel like the age difference would be that big of a deal since the cut off date here in Michigan in December 1, so if she was born a few weeks earlier she would be in first grade anyway.

This is a picture of Nora and Mrs. Bush her kindergarten teacher that we loved so much and were sad to leave. The first week went pretty well. It was a big adjustment having to get going early in the morning and having her gone all the time. She seems to really enjoy it and has started making friends.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention

So after we moved to Michigan we were all craving German Pancakes but didn't have a good pan for it (our old glass one exploded). We tried a few different pans and after failures Daniel figured that we could make popover german pancakes in muffin tins. The first attempt they looked great but were really hard to get out of the pan. We decided muffin cups were the answer. Daniel loves how puffy they get and all the crispy edges. The girls love filling the insides with custard, jam, or syrup. Daniel sometimes likes adding frozen berries before they bake. We have found that if you poke holes in the top while they are still warm they don't shrink too much when they cool and stay completely hollow. We haven't decided what to call them but are thinking "german popovers". I think it needs to be something more personal.

Halloween Fun

How could it not be fun? We kicked it off with a fun Ward Party where Daniel won us an award for the "Cutest Pumpkin". Didn't know Daniel could make things "cute" did you? Well he had Nora and Kyla as architects. Kyla requested the tongue. The girls had fun little parties at school which the girls enjoyed, but here they can't wear costumes to school. We took them trick-or-treating and had a great time, even gave one man a "trick". We decided to head home when their bags were too heavy to carry and they were too tired to walk. We then spent awhile at a Halloween Party at a ward members house enjoying donuts and cider (a very big thing out here). Once we got home the girls had a great time covering the living room floor with their candy and eating a couple pieces. Now it is all on the top of the fridge and they have all but forgotten about it. They probably wouldn't even notice if it gradually "disappeared". In case you couldn't tell, Nora is a pirate, Kyla a witch, and Myka a bunny.

A Party for a Teddy Bear

On Friday night, I got to watch Addie and Rachel, some of our favorite friends, while their mom and dad got to go on a date. We have done this on a frequent basis but hadn't had them since their baby brother was born. So we decided to have a party! The girls are always playing that it is one of their stuffed animal's birthday so we decided to make it come true. They got all dressed up, played duck, duck, goose, and then decorated cupcakes like bugs. It was the easiest party I have ever done! I learned that all the time I spend "getting ready" for a party is not really necessary for kids to have a fun time. Hopefully I will think about that when I plan my next party(but I doubt it).