"R" is for reading

"A" is for Awesome little...I mean BIG boy who can now read in his own.

"N" is for Never getting tired of reading, reading, reading.

"S" is for Seriously loving every second of him reading to me.

"E" is for the End of the era of ever being able to spell something in front of him to hide something fun.

"N" is for New adventures, new characters, and new experiences.

Ansen, you are such a big boy and we are so excited for all your new adventures!

We love~love~love you!

Let's get physical

The guest room has turned into a multipurpose room. We can now pump iron til our arms are bulging with muscles and all sorts of other painful worky-outy stuff. Just to make sure it was safe for Jason and I, I put these kids to work making sure everything was set up properly.

(I wouldn't want to hurt myself)

Rammy even helped provide resistance. What a good helper.

Love my little workout buddies!

It runs in the family

I know you thought I was talking about our amazing good looks but actually I was talking about good grades.

Our 3rd grader has wicked awesome grades (just like her sister). Good job Braley! Keep up the great work!

We love you a super duper lot.

I said...

I said:

"You guys can go upstairs and put on a movie." They heard:

"Climb in my bed, mess up my sheets, get super comfy and cozy and watch a movie." They have been super helpful today, we did make it to church on time (which is HUGE...we are loving this 8 o'clock church because we have all day to veg-out afterwards but getting up at 6:40 six days a week is getting old--and it's only January!) and they ate a really good dinner so they did earn a movie.

Tomorrow there is no school, again. We have had a day off every week since going back after winter break. They are thrilled and so am I cause we are cleaning out closets. Hip hip hooray!
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In other news Ramses got "the procedure" this week. If you ask the kids what happened to him they will tell you Rammy got his nuts cut off. Not what I want to hear from them but I can totally blame it on Jamie and Jason for teaching the kids that. Rams is recovering well and I am glad its done with.

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Speaking of Jamie. She's getting married! In April! In New Zealand! On the beach! We are really excited for her and Zander. I wish that I could be there but it just isn't in the cards for us. Know what is though? A family trip to New Zealand next winter. We are going to go when the weather is awesome and when Jamie can show us all the sights.

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That's the here and now on us today.

Catch you soon.

Ahhh, friday

It's Friday. Yippee! No school Monday! Hurray!

This morning these three were up before me. They got dressed without my help. They brushed their teeth and did each other's hair without being asked to. They wouldn't even let me make breakfast. They piled into the car and we were all happily on our way. Each got out of the car in a super duper good mood with an "I love you Mama!" I think this afternoon calls for homemade these:
And an episode of their favorite show:
Wipeout.
(According to all my friends on facebook last night was awesome)
I love my kiddos and I love that this morning went so smoothly.

Seen and heard

I'm not gonna lie. Things are pretty exciting around here right now.

For starters (and I know I keep saying it but just put up with it, ok? mahalo) Kahau is consistantly coming home happy from school. Everyday I am being handed corrected paperwork with 80%, 90% and 100% written at the top of the page. She is so proud of herself and we are still wicked proud of her. Yesterday Kahau came home with a 90% on a math test. I gave her a big huge hug and told how excited I was. He response? "Mama, pleeeeease stop getting so excited. I am going to have A's and B's all the time because I really like school now."

I am still smiling.

Next up. Braley. This girl is a sponge. Give her something to read and she will come back with it memorized so be ready to hear about it. Honestly this was one of our conversations yesterday.

B: Mama? Can I tell you something about Hawaii?

Me: Yea, sure.

B: Well Hawaii was made the 50th state for America--that's us Mom, we're America-- in 1959 and 1959 was 52 years ago I did the math and when it became a state it became a state on the very best day of the year it was August 21 and August 21 is my birthday so that is why it is the greatest day ever and this year my birthday is on a Sunday and I don't want my birthday to be on a Sunday so I was thinking of talking to someone important about it like maybe the President but not President Obama, President Monson because his birthday is August 21st too and I bet he doesn't want his birthday to be on a Sunday do you have his e-mail address?

**Notice how I didn't use any periods? That's how that girl speaks. A mile a minute.

She really is too cute.

Last, but not least, Ansen. He is a reader! Ansen has figured out the fun of reading and he is hooked. Whenever he gets the chance he wants you to sit with him so her can read his Bob books to you. I am very happy that he has found reading to be fun. Yesterday he was reading the dog his books. He had Ramses tucked in a blanket and had his head resting on a pillow while he read him stories. Rammy was soaking it up. When he was all done Ansen announced "Tomorrow I want to start reading the dictionary!" Then in the same breath he said "Mama, what's a dictionary?"

I think the dictionary out weights him!

Like I said, things are exciting around here.

Big game today

I think the whole sate of Oregon is standing on pins and needles. Today is the BIG game. The game. The National Championship. Here at our house we are Beavers fans but today we are rooting for the Ducks (we've even convinced Braley....she is a Beaver through and through.)
Grandpa is coming over, there is going to be game food and we are excited for kick-off!
(I can't believe I am about to say this *cringe*)
GO DUCKS!

Zumba

I teach Zumba. I really like it. I got a really nice e-mail today telling me that I have helped someone change not only their physical appearance but their personal feelings about themselves. This great lady lost 40 lbs and is feeling really good about herself inside and out. Love it!Just some Zumba happenings:

*Trick or Zumba*

*Varsity basketball team shakin' it*

*Last chance workout on Thanksgiving morning at work*

Do you live in the area?

Swing by my classes and let's work out together!

Remember when?...

Remember when Jason and I were struggling to figure out what was right for Kahau because school wasn't going so well?

Remember when we just wanted her to like school?

Remember when we hoped that we made the right decision in changing her school?

Remember when we hoped she would make new friends and blend-in with everyone?

Remember when we prayed she would love her new teacher and he would love teaching her?

Remember when we were struggling with all the "what-if's"?

She loves school.

We made the right decision.

She has good new friends.

She loves her teacher and he loves teaching her.

No more "what-if's" only

"how far can you go?"

We love you Kahau and we are very, very, super extremely happy for how well you are doing!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Happy New Year

Welcome 2011.

We are excited for you to be here.

Please be kind and fun and warm and full of really good, extra special surprises.

Love,

The Widing's