Kid Update - Winter Edition

 Emma - Got her first "real" job as a lifeguard at the pool. Really likes it, unless it is busy and there are lots of kids in the pool and that makes her nervous. Shei s doing a great job! Has been enjoying Interact meetings and service projects associated with that. Did some more awesome art projects that blew us away! Her teacher said she loves working with her and her creativity. Started going to Jazz band and that's going well. Enjoys going to the teen book club at the library. Likes some Roblox time, Pinteresting and laughing at funny memes when she isn't busy. 

Callahan - Staying busy with wrestling club, art, Lego building, and gaming. He loves hanging out with his friends and cousins! He's been into making popsicle stick crafts lately and pencil cross bows. Let's not forget some Epic Singlet Boi videos, he did a funny Valentine's special and a silly horror movie with his cousins for that. 

Lucy - Played Junior Jazz, where Mom was assistant coach. Learned a lot and was grinning from ear to ear every practice. Worked hard at her play Annie. Has been getting into back massages and opened up her own "shop" Madame Lucille's Massages. She's pretty good! Went to a cupcake decorating class right before Valentine's Day and learned how to decorate like a pro. 

Coverton - Also started wrestling club. Won a character award from school for fairness. His award said "Coverton is flexible in being willing to work with anyone in our class. He is easy going and gets along  with everyone. Being flexible will help him overcome any challenges he will face in school or out. Way to go Coverton!" He enjoys playing with friends, being outside, helping Mom & Dad, Activity Days (making tops and dodgeball have been his recent favorites), drawing, and watching Dude Perfect or Mark Rober on YouTube. 

Sydnie - Loving preschool still. Started dance class in February and dances her little heart out. So social and loves playing with other kids. Her teacher recently told me how much they love her in the class because she is a friend to everyone and is especially kind to those who struggle, like a boy who goes there and doesn't know much English. She loves playing with our neighbors dog Chloe. Has a great imagination. 

The older two kids had an awesome band "pops concert". They played pop and movie favorites. Super fun time!

Lots of crafting going on here!  Always during the winter. We did shrunken apple heads, painting, snowflakes, Legos of course, rock candy suckers and other fun kitchen things.

We've been spending lots of time at the rec center, got to watch baby Kanon one day while Amy and Kolb went skiing, saw a moose, went sledding a lot, swimming at the pool and more to keep us sane during the winter.

So often my answer is "no" or "later" or "not right now". So every once in a great while we have a "yes!" day where the kids get to pick what we do and we get to do it (as long as it's within reason). This past "yes" day, we played video games in the morning, had ice cream for breakfast, played card games, drew pictures, went shopping, made macaroni and cheese, binge read, went to the park, dance party, watched a movie and went out to eat. One of the only things I had to say no to was "Can we have yes day tomorrow?"

War!

Though there are wars going on all over the world, one that just broke out that is having significant consequences around the world is the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They invaded the end of February. To read and see the news and photographs of what is going on is devastating. It feels so weird like this should be in a history book but it's happening now. Haven't we learned from the past? No one wins in war. It breaks my heart. Mark sent us this funny meme he made up that made us all laugh. This has been kind of hard on the kids as they've lived their lives in relative peace. They don't remember much the conflicts in the middle east and the wars on Terror in Afghanistan and other places. Cov has especially struggled and feels lots of anxiety over this conflict, making sure doors are locked at night, being extra sensitive of sounds, and feeling scared to be alone. So far the US isn't getting involved but we are witholding financial items and closing up air traffic and other means to Russia. It breaks my heart to see everyone evacuating Ukraine and for the losses and pain going on there. The gas is going up terribly right now, and there will be other financial implications. The kids have been praying for Ukraine, and the US (Cov cracks me up when he prays...he asks that our president will send nukes to Ukraine so they can defend themselves...oh, and asks that Trump will be the next president, haha!).  We also had a special fast for Ukraine, refugees around the world, government leaders, and for peace to prevail. Times are unsettling but there is always peace in Christ no matter what is happening around us.  (Photo credit - AP, meme by Mark)