Timber!!

Highland is notorious for its wind. Last night the wind blew at 66mph. I don't know if that's strong for wind, but it was strong enough to blow down another tree. It looks like this tree was split already and just needed a bit of a nudge.

We had a rope swing that the kids loved to swing on. That could've helped to weigh it down. Good thing they weren't swinging at the time.
Seth said he likes the tree much better this way, "I used to only be able to climb to the first branch, now I can climb all the way to the top!"

Seth decided he wants to sleep out here.






I guess this means Jon gets to get the chain saw out and we get to have a bon fire. But for now, they can "climb" it.

Karate and Pinewood Derby

Tuesday was a busy day. Seth got a new karate belt (green) and Max got to do his first Pinewood Derby.
Seth is working hard in karate and usually having a good time. He always loves it while he's there, sometimes he doesn't want to stop playing to go to karate.


Max decorated his car all by himself. Max doesn't really enjoy painting and making something look good, he just wants to be done so he can go and play. He did have a great time racing his car, he got way into it. His car did really well. Not in the top 3 which is all they announce, but he won a lot of his heats. It was a lot of fun. He's already talking about next year.

The Eager Emeralds

Sweet Maddie has an aggressive side. It's a little weird to see this side of her, but living with three brothers it needs to come out somewhere, and the soccer field is a good place. She loves soccer and loves making goals. I was always a little afraid of the ball and secretly hoped it wouldn't come my way. Maddie is really fun to watch. Go, Maddie!!

There are three girls named Maddie on her team so when we yell, "Go, Maddie!" we're rooting for half of the team.

Easter 2009

I bought Seth and Jon matching ties for Easter. Max hates wearing ties which is a battle I don't want to fight (I hate wearing pantyhose) and Tanner isn't really into matching. They look so handsome.
Here's Maddie with her Easter dress Grandma Marilyn made her two years ago, still fits. Lookin good with the Easter tablecloth in the background.

The miracle of reading

It's such a great feeling to read that first word, then sentence, and then book. Seth has taken off lately. He's probably read a couple of hours today, which is a long time for a five year old. He took a book to the soccer game this morning and in the car and now at home. I love watching how excited he is. He's doing such a great job!

Maddie turns 11!

Since this is an "odd" year Maddie got to have a family party and pick wherever she wanted to eat for dinner. She chose Zupa's and got a fondue dessert which was fun for the whole family. She got a couple of outfits and hamster accessories from her grandparents. She doesn't LOVE cake so we had a trifle. Maddie's so cute. She is one organized girl. As I watched her tape a quarter to the inside of her sack lunch the other morning "so it will be easier to find" I thought she has it more together than I ever did at that age...or even my age now. Happy Birthday, Maddie. I love you!