Natalia turns 4!

 It's official - my babies have grown into little girls! :)  Natalia asked almost every day this month if it was time for her birthday party at Chuck E Cheese now.  She also trumped everything with, "Well, it's my birthday," until Tory finally had to hit her with, "It can't be your birthday EVERY day!" Yeah, she didn't swallow that one.  No, she could get the big, purple chair they fight over every day; she could get the pink marker first; she could pick out the music at night; she could. . .  well, she had a good month! :) She tried that for a few days of November, but by then, we all agreed that 31 days had been enough. :)

What a ball she had at her party! It happened to fall on her actual birthday, too, which was fun.  She wanted it to be a Chuck E Cheese so bad!! And it HAD to be an Ariel party. NO! A princess party!! No, wait!! An Ariel party!! So, we got it all! :)  Her highlights were picking out the piñata and the gift bag prizes.  We asked the girls to dress up as princesses, and Jack.... well, he got to pick! :) IronMan Jack was pretty cool!

Turning four was particularly exciting because it meant:
1. Now she could sit in a booster seat like Tory (who cares if the booster seat is used, a boring black, and does not have as many cup holders).
2. Now she can "go upstairs" during her hour and a half at the gym daycare/preschool.  In other words, now she doesn't have to stay in the room with the babies; she can go with the group of 4-6 years old that go to a different room and do fun pre-school activities.
3. Four is just a cool number!

Still can't believe it! Happy birthday, sweet Taya!! We love you!

Barnekor

Tory and Natalia's music teacher, Ms. Linnea, invited them to participate in the Scandinavian Festival by singing in a small choir called Barnekor. They sing in English, Swedish, and Norwegian. They don't know all the words, but it is super cute to hear them. They still sing them at home, when just playing.  It is neat for them to be exposed to another culture in this way.  Kind of funny, too, though, to see them looking so unlike a Norwegian child. :)

Here are a couple links to videos of the event

http://s299.photobucket.com/user/criscia25/media/MVI_6603.mp4.html

http://s299.photobucket.com/user/criscia25/media/MVI_6617.mp4.html

Carnaval!

Tory's School, Sunset View, had a fundraising Carnaval night.  The girls had a blast there last year, but it was held in May, and it was a VERY hot day! This time, being held in October, made it the exact opposite - very COLD! - but kids never seem to mind the temperature outside! Their favorite activity was getting their hair colored.  And.... we did not take any other pictures of the event! Ok! Katriel and Analise were able to join in the fun, too! :)

Fun Times at the Farm

We spent a lot of time visiting Grandpa and Grandma this summer, enjoying all the fun activities at their home. So, here are a few pictures to remember our fun times! :)

The rabbits have had babies . . . again!! :)

They LOVE checking for eggs and collecting them!

Usually, we leave the chickens alone, but wanted a picture with them.....

Enjoying the newest baby on the farm: Lily,  german shepherd.

Don't do anything with the cows, either; well, unless you count eating them - YUM! :)

Caught a picture with Papa - who was tending to the soil. :)

We will be carving those pumpkins soon!

Swinging on the tire swing is always a highlight! 

We kept one of the MANY tadpoles Tory caught in the river this summer, and watched it transform.

Not sure if she is sad to be letting it go, or disgusted with its sliminess. :)

Letting it go in its natural habitat!

A lot of fun times in this room, playing cook or pretending to be puppies, or ponies.

Last Days of Summer

The girls like to play in the evergreen tree in our yard, and are used to Edwin taking pictures of them there.  They are so used to it, Natalia asked Daddy to come outside and take pictures of them.

Another thing the girlies like to do (but not me so much) is to "cook".  This is only the second time I have let them do it, because they like to take flour, water, and a little oatmeal, and pretend to cook by mixing them together. The upside: they are entertained for a good three hours. Downside: the mess!

The last week of August always means the first day of school.  Tory was very apprehensive about having to go back to school.  She begged us not to send her to school and to be homeschooled instead. But I admit that I am not the best teacher at home, and she is in a great school, plus she is such a social butterfly, that we decided to at least give school a try.  Having fun notebooks and folders helped get her excited, and meeting her awesome teachers got the first two weeks off and going.  She is still not gung ho about having to go to school, and it has been a rough couple of weeks since then, getting her to say goodbye in the mornings, but by the time I pick her up at the end of the day, she is beaming and surrounded by a great group of friends.

Second Grade: Room 10 with Mrs. Meads and Mrs. Davis

That last week of August is Tory and Edwin's birthdays, so we decided to go to Fujiyama this year to celebrate.  It was fun! It wasn't till we got home that we realized the girls could have worn their new kimonos they got from the Landons! So, they put them on after the fact, just because they can!

Just a few other odd and end pictures, enjoying these last days of summer!

We say, "Poor Millie" a lot in this house.

Helping me put the sprinkles on the birthday cake for Daddy.

"Poor Millie" is a substitute baby going under Natalia's shirt so she can look pregnant. 

Enjoying some time at the river!