Money For Legos Please

 Fieldin woke up full of ambition today. 

He got a box from the garage and painted it and told us he was going to use it to make money for legos. 

A half hour later, we heard the door close and Greta laughing by the window as she worked on her book report. 

He had a sign that said "money" and was standing very still staring at the street in his pjs watching traffic go by. We had to take a picture before we made him come inside. We gave him $2 for his effort. 

Later on at the store he was telling a woman how he tried to earn money for legos and she asked if he got any money? He said "No, I just had people wave at me and laugh". 

I think it is time for a lemonade stand for you buddy. 

Spring Break

We are at the end of Spring break around here. It went by too fast... 

 Lots of March Madness around here. Greta picked her own bracket this year all on her own and was leading the office pool for awhile until San Diego State lost.. she was bummed. 

 Books everywhere. When she wasn't at a playdate or playing with Fieldin she had her nose in a book this week. 

 We went up to Seattle to visit friends over break and one stop is always to Auntie Terry and as usual she loaded them up with Mariners goodies. The Mariner capes are a big hit. 

 lots of rain and Springtime weather this week so we all tried to soak in the sun when we could. 

 Playing mini golf when the weather was good. 

 Greta had volleyball camp in the mornings of Spring Break and she was excited for it. She had a great time. Above, talking form with her coach.. below, perfecting her bumps or as Greta corrects me, her forearm pass.

 Chompers Cat was a little overwhelmed this week so having us gone out of town for a bit was good for him. 

Snacks on the road... It was pretty scarce with pics this week. I saw old friends and didn't even take a picture, so unlike me. 

Things Are Changing...

Things are changing around her so quickly these days.. both kids have changed and grown so much these last couple months that it is like getting to know them again. Normally this change would make me sad and mourn the days they were "little" but I am doing ok..and to be honest I am liking these changes and feeling even closer to them. Greta is changing in so many ways, I feel like we are getting to know this new Greta emerging.. One that isn't as much into playing or "kid" things. She is more independent, strong and curious. Then there is Fieldin.. he invents instead of plays these days and has shot up like a bean pole. 

I've been busy just trying to keep up with them as they change and it was something as simple as beach toys that made me come to terms with it. They are getting older and that is good. (Fieldin is reading over my shoulder as I type..no privacy anymore:) )

For years we have been toting bags of beach toys down to the beach.. over time they have sat there untouched or slightly scattered. Today they were ignored. Greta had her volleyball and a need to explore and look for fossilized rocks. Fieldin used his shovel to dig "water traps" for people walking the beach.. "they will just walk along and step into my sand water trap and they won't even know it!!" (giggle giggle) he said as he dug and flung sand. After his traps were set he headed to the waves with the skim board and the toys sat. And sat. And I realized we are done with them now. 

 Gret searching on her own.. 

 setting his traps

 a fossilized shell shaped like a heart found by Greta 

 more sneaky traps..

 and telling me stories...

 ......and resting after running and running...(Fieldin is still reading what I type...and says he ran through the river by himself and it was fun!)

 and of course messing with brothers traps..

 and skim boarding.

 and the excitement when he did it.. 

 Watching them grow and change is pretty amazing. Some times stressful but very amazing. :) 

By Fieldin: 

you do it alwaz run in fret ov it stand on it

(Fieldin wrote this on his own. He sat and sounded out each word. It says "You do it always run in front of it. Stand on it. I was right, change is pretty amazing) 

Good job Fieldin. Go take a bath now. (he's still reading over my shoulder) :) 

Around Here

Around here I have been lazy about writing in the blog.. we have been busy and enjoying Spring.. I will try harder :) 

 after school wii when the rain is here. 

 The daffodils are done outside now but I loved having fresh picked flowers back in the house again

 "Fieldin lev (love) Greta on the wall.. guessing this is a wookie from star wars 

 her favorite place now.. reading on the porch alone. 

 everythings in bloom(allergy time!) and a happy cat... warm rocks to roll in again... 

 Trillium flowers and wildflowers are peaking out on our hikes. 

Lots of time at the park these days. 

 All the trees have been in bloom and the tulips

We are in the thick of Spring here! 

Battle of the Books Championships

Greta's battle of the books team ended up being the third grade finalists and were undefeated going into the championships. I am so proud of these kids. They are so smart and so full of courage. In the championships they battled against the 4th and 5th grade finalists. As a parent I have to say watching Gret battle makes me nervous and makes me start biting my nails again.. They battled in front of their whole school and other nervous parents. In the end they got third place but they should be proud of how they did. Greta just loved it. Being in front of people doesn't phase her, so she thought it was fun and a great experience. She also won some money toward books so that was what she was most excited about. She has been waiting to be old enough to battle since kindergarten.. so I would say she did pretty well in her first year. Congrats kiddo. I told Gret if her team made it to the finals I owe them a trip to frozen yogurt.. I guess I need to pay up now. 

 Gret's picture projected on the wall

 The "Furious Four" 

 When it was over they were dancing and smiling.. during the battle they were quite serious, competitive and even a bit snippy with each other....

Greta with the roster sheets.. there were alot of third grade teams competing this year compared to 4th and 5th grade. I have to say it is a bit of a relief its over. The battles started in January so this has been on our minds for awhile. 

Our House Got Even Louder

Yes, we are crazy. We bought the eldest a drum. 

A loud drum that echos through the house... 

She's been wanting to learn piano, drums or saxophone after taking choir last Spring. 

With  her other activities we've been putting it off. We helped her narrow it down a bit. Piano takes alot of time with lessons and practice and is quite an investment, especially if she didn't like it. Saxophone was too heavy for her to hold and was also a big investment for an 8 year old. She wanted to play an instrument where she could be taught at home without having to go somewhere for lessons since she only has a few nights a week free. Soooo...since Jeff plays the drums well he can teach her at home in her free time. He knows all about drums so we went to a used instrument store and got a great deal on a very nice snare drum with case and stand. 

 She picked it up quickly. She had only been practicing about ten minutes when I took the videos. Jeff started her out with some basics. I actually don't mind listening. She has a good beat so I find myself bobbing to the music.. ask me if I like it a month from now though... 

As you can see, this guy is not very happy about this new turn of events....

Around Here

 Greta with her I love basketball cupcakes. She starts her next session of basketball this week and is excited. She won't be playing with older/taller girls this session so it will be more low key. 

 The little man still spends time reading everyday. Now that we have two readers there are many more trips to the used book store and library. I love it! 

 Fieldin finished soccer this last week until the Fall. He did great. Next year we are thinking of playing outdoor soccer so he can run more and have more play time. He gets grumpy(like his sister) if he has to sit out a quarter. 

 Greta had a week of crazy hair, pj's etc at school. This day she dressed up as Hawaii on destination day. This girl grew 5/8" this week. It was a long tiring week for her but I think her growth spurt is done for now.. I hope, for her sake! 

 Big news of the week is that Fieldin learned to tie his shoes. He is so proud and will show anyone that will watch. Hes been spending much of the week just tying his shoes for fun because he can. 

 Since he can read some of the words on her spelling list, Fieldin likes to quiz Greta on her spelling words. I love this picture. 

We are seeing sun, daffodils, trees in bloom and a return to hiking season for us. Jeff took this picture the other night when they were holding hands and skipping/running ahead of us. 

Hope you all had a good week with at least a little bit of sunshine. 

The First Science For The Eldest

So Greta and her friend Lauren completed their first science fair project. This project was optional but it was a wonderful learning experience. They worked really well together especially for their first real partner project. They decided on an experiment "sinking soda surprise" to see if sodas & drinks sink or float based on sugar content. Here they are on science fair day(getting photo bombed) with their cute science fair shirts. 

 It was fun and they did great. They hear tomorrow how they did. They stood by their project for 2 hours while classes came through and watched them demonstrate. I think Greta was tired by the end of the day! 

Ball Kid

 It's the end of the season for our ball kid. She will miss it. She loves watching the games, being a part of it, and shooting baskets at half time in front of thousands. When she is one on one with the players she gets a bit shy and I think it is because she looks up to them so much. The team is moving on PAC 12 tournament as the #3 seed. We will be cheering them on from afar. We can't wait til next season. Today she was invited to a luncheon and got a certificate from the team.. 

 Greta and coach Eli. He is a real cool guy and Greta made him an OSU colored bracelet on her loom and gave it to him Friday and he was wearing it today. She thought that was really neat. 

 Taking a selfie with dad at the game. I let her use my camera and it is full... 

 A player threw this to her Friday night when she was a ball girl so she took it today to get it signed. 

 Above at her last ball girl night. She gets there an  hour early and she loves to go out and shoot. 

Friday night after the game with her idol. 

Greta is still loving basketball, she plays her last ball game tomorrow and then starts a new session next week. She says she wants to be an actress and a basketball player when she grows up :)