Time on our hands

Sometimes, we have a little extra time on our hands. What do we do with it? Arrange pizza rolls into neat little rows? Well, I did, but Marissa was more ambitious. She got ahold of my bucket of crayons and really went to town! Now I can find any color I want!!! :)

Rob has extra fun peeling potatoes. . . .

Nichole just kicks back for a few minutes. (What a normal thing to do!)

Jamie

Jamie has been really enjoying school this year. It is no surprise that her favorite subject is in performing arts. . . specifically choir. So far, the school has had two public performances. The first one was done on Veteran's Day. She even had a solo speaking part. Since it was during the day, Marissa, Nichole, Selena, and I were the only ones able to attend it. Happily, the second performance was a Winter Holiday Concert performed in the evening. As it was rather late for the littler girls, Rob attended this one with Rachelle and Marissa. The choir even repeated many of their Veteran's Day songs, so Rob was able to hear what I heard. Jamie also participates in our Church choir. Not surprisingly, we often hear her singing here at home--in her room, at the dinner table, in the shower, while reading a book, when taking a walk--pretty much all the time!

Eshter

Our little Eshter is really growing up fast. I keep trying to get the kids to slow down that growing down stuff a bit, but do they ever listen? No! In fact, I think they grow just a little faster just for spite! Eshter really is a wonderful little girl with many interests. She enjoys running around and making noise with whatever might be handy. She will spend a great amount of quiet time coloring a picture or two. She can regale us with clever stories for hours. . . yes literally hours! She also likes to help out with the chores. Her favorite chore is vacuuming. Surprisingly, she is strong enough to do the entire family room. She does a great job too!

Until recently, Eshter went to a different school from her sister, Cerena. Eshter loved her teachers and friends. But, Esther is so bright and helpful, it was decided that the time had come to go to the school closest to our house. Good byes can be very difficult. . . especially when the teachers are so very wonderful! We all really loved Ms. Amundson. She is an amazing woman who does much for the children of our community. Anyone is lucky to be taught by her!

Another wonderful teacher is Miss Tanya! She is just full of energy and life. Esther enjoyed working with her as well.

Miss Danielle is one of the sweetest women we could ever know. Her calm and tender nature will be missed greatly. She even helped the students communicate in sign language!

I wasn't able to catch all the heart-felt and tearful good byes but this one was repeated several times.

Esther actually went to two classes at her previous school. This was the little class that she visited for just a few hours each day. The other class was still busy getting ready for the Winter break when we were there, so I didn't get any pictures of them.

Change can be a scary thing, and this change is no exception. But we are very excited to have Esther and Cerena at the same school! Mom and Dad will be able to participate in so many fun things with both of them now!