Spring is on its way!!!

A few weeks ago Emma was one of two kids chosen out of her school class to get to attend the Young Authors Conference. She was so excited, especially because one of her best friends was the other one chosen. One of the things she had to do was write a story (the theme was funny stories) so she went to work on writing a funny story. She came up with "The Super Cat". She did a great job, and when she was finished we proofed it and added a little bit more to make it a little bit longer and sillier. At the conference they have an author that comes to talk up reading and writing, this year it was Chris Rumble. I liked that he made a point that to be a great writer you have to be a great reader. He even helped the students come up with a story by showing them how he does it. He did a great job and I was really impressed with the program.

Chris Rumble teaching them how to brainstorm to get ideas for a story.

Once they were done with listening to the author they divided up by grades and went and read their own stories to the other students. Emma was reluctant to get up in front of the others, but she did it and did a great job. I hope that she keeps wanting to write, she has a wonderful imagination. She also loves to read, she loves Ramona books and she has just found the Nancy Drew books, they are a little bit hard for her but that's okay she is enjoying Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew (more her level). You can usually find her reading if she has disappeared.

This week has been Spring Break for the kids. We haven't really done anything this week except Tuesday; Clark had some friends over to play Xbox. They had three T.V.'s with Xbox's and two of them were linked together. Clark and Ryan had a blast and Andrew slept through most of it (that was the best part). Then yesterday we went to the park for a couple of hours and Andrew slept through that too, he must of been a tired boy. He woke up just as we got to the car and I was putting him in his car seat. But that is okay I didn't have to chase him all over to keep him from getting hit. Today we worked in the yard, and Emma played with a friend. Emma and her friend concocted a plan yesterday that she would take a change of clothes to Young Women's with her (she had to come with me) and her friend would ask her mom if they could have a sleepover. Well it went their way and she spent most of the day with them. She had fun and that is all that matters. We aren't going to do something grand this break but maybe go to the park again, so I hope the kiddos have enjoyed not having to go to school. They are not looking forward to the next few weeks (testing) but they will endure and do a great job, they are so smart.

Update on the garden.

Clark took the day off today and worked on the garden, we had to put a fence to keep the dogs out. It looks great, now to stain it, I even got it planted. Yea for springlike weather, hopefully it won't freeze, I planted my tomatoes, now I've got to find squash and zucchini plants.

Aggie is so upset with us. She had made a bed in the dirt and was mad when the fence started going up. She kept trying to get in, and every time I went in she was right there to try to sneak in. Hopefully she doesn't find a way in.

While we were outside trying to get the fence up Andrew took off with the hammer and was trying to help. He would walk around and hit whatever he could.

The almost finished garden area. Peas, radishes, tomatoes and a cabbage. No, I wasn't planning on cabbage but Emma brought it home from school, her class is having a competition to see who can grow the biggest cabbage (the stake claims 50 lb heads, we'll see what happens).

Andrew was sure tuckered out after we came in from working in the garden. It sure is nice to have a sleeping baby to get things done. ( I actually planted the garden while he slept).

One of Andrew's favorite things to do, relax and read a book (notice the foot resting on the container) he cracks me up. When he saw the flash he just had to pose, CHEESE!!!!

What a cutie!!!! He is always so happy!!!