Memory Band Donations for 2007

We just sent in the donation that we compiled by selling the memory bands honoring Melinda that Becky designed and ordered. We still have a few left over that we weren't able to sell, but all told, we were able to send $390 to Komen for a Cure in honor of Melinda Marie Evans. We have to find a cure. We have some other ideas for fundraising for 2008, but we are still working our the details. For now you get a hint - Pink Tag Sale.

Merry Christmas 2007!

We woke up this morning and had a leisurely breakfast while we opened presents. The boys were excited to see that Santa had brought them something they had asked for. Aaron got a Larry Boy car with Larry Boy and Alfred action figures. Alex got Mario and Donkey Kong plush toys. We were all blessed with lots of presents from our family and friends.
While we received and appreciated many great gifts, the boys were particularly excited about 2 of them. They found out that Grammy and Grandpa Hardage would be taking us to Walt Disney World in Florida for Spring Break. We've been wanting to take the kids for a while but we hadn't been able to coordinate time off and the financing for the trip. Plus we think Aaron is now old enough to enjoy the parks and keep up with the pace of the vacation. Secondly we got the family a Nintendo Wii which has a unique controller that responds to its position in space which allows for some fun moves. You can swing the controller like a bat to hit baseballs for example, or use a bowling motion to throw spares and strikes. Alex though he might be getting a handheld videogame, but was thrilled to see that we had gotten a Wii.
Becky decided that we would honor Jesus's birthday with a Happy Birthday cake for Christmas dinner dessert. A couple of weeks before, Alex asked if we could honor Melinda with it also, since she was in heaven with Jesus. We couldn't say no. We found a cake covered in chocolate frosting and "1000" chocolate chips to honor Melinda's love of chocolate. We smiled as we talk about about what we loved about her. It was sad but nice. We miss her.

We hope your Christmas was filled with love and good cheer. Merry Christmas!

Posing in a Winter Wonderland

It was very nice for Santa to pause his present delivery preparations the day before Christmas to pose with the boys. They did a great job this year in matching sweaters.

They found Santa at the Children's Winter Wonderland that we go to every year. I couldn't go because of work, but Becky was able to take them with Grammy & Grandpa Hardage. That strap across Alex's chest is holding the case for his birthday camera. He's been taking a lot of pictures and video since getting it. Tonight we're going to Nagoya for dinner which is a Japanese hibachi style restaurant where they cook the food on a big griddle at your table. Should be a fun Christmas Eve.

Four Rudolphs

The hand tracing reindeer antlers were such a big hit, theat we all got to wear a pair. A little red face paint on the nose allowed these three to blend in with Aaron's stuffed Rudolph friend. I know it is hard to tell them apart, so I'll help. The real Rudolph is front and center.

Just a Swingin'

Alex and Aaron got to spend the first Friday of their winter break at one of their friends' houses. This family has 5 kids with kids both Aaron & Alex's ages. While Aaron got to attend a birthday party there in the morning (and check out the 5 Munchkin swing), Alex got to spend the afternoon there for a holiday craft party.

They made several crafts and Alex tried them all. One of his favorites was a set of reindeer antlers made from tracings of his hands. I want to add that I am in awe of a parent that will host TWO kid parties in one day in her home. I doubt we'll ever be that ambitious, but we were inspired.

Pulled Out at School

Alex's baby teeth don't stand a chance. This one he pulled out at school and kept going. The school nurse wrapped it up so that he could show us and present it to the tooth fairy. It's hard to believe that I used to spend hours convincing him that his early baby teeth were loose enough for me to pull.

Aaron's Winter Concert

This year's Preschool Winter Concert was a big treat. Aaron had been practicing in class and did a great job. His P-3 class sand several songs with their teacher, Mrs. Meinecke, by themselves. Then they joined the 4 & 5 year olds for another couple of songs. The older kids finished out the concert, and we had a nice reception in their classroom that Becky helped plan as Class Mom.

Those Garlands Look Good Enough To Eat

To decorate the tree this year, Becky continued the tradition of stringing popcorn and cranberries on thread. This year Alex was old enough to help with the stringing with his own needle and thread and did very well. Aaron helped by handing a piece of popcorn to whichever one of them needed it next. Of course, if they weren't quite ready for the next piece he was holding, he ate it.

Alex's Winter Concert

Today we got to attend the Lower School Winter Concert which had a very nautical theme. The Primary classes had been studying the ocean this past semester and the music reflected it. Alex and his classes got to dress up like fish and act out one of the songs, "Swimmy", onstage. The older students took turns playing Christmas bells between acts and when they took the stage they sang a medley of songs about China because of the School's international focus and adoption of Mandarin as the additional non-Western language that they're teaching the older students. The Lower School Choir finished with a holiday medley. Alex really gave it his all this this time and it was fun to see him have this much fun, especially with his favorite song, "Nautical Bash". Splish, splash, splish, splash...