Flower play

Austin gave the girls permission to play with the flower petals in the living room when we returned from the recital...






Was it a good idea? Well, let's just say they enjoyed it. ;)

Piano Recital

Allia and all the children did such a great job. This was a fun recital, so many students dressed up to go with their music. Allia played Spring by Vivaldi, so Mariana went up with her and threw rose petals out of a basket. It was so cute and hilarious too..she looked so serious! She had the whole audience giggling. I thought I was videoing but my camera switched modes on me, so no video much to my chagrin. But here is a photo of the beginning of that act as well as a video of Allia playing her second piece, The Merry Widow Waltz.

Nine Days

We had the blessing last night of being able to attend a private screening of the documentary film, Nine Days That Changed the World, about Pope John Paul II's visit to Poland and how he inspired the people to claim their faith and take their country back from the atheistic communists that had overtaken it. It was a beautiful experience, and I recommend this film to anyone who has the chance to see it. It was truly moving. Austin was in charge of organizing and preparing a polyphonic choir to sing several acapella chants as a prelude to the event. Here they are...they did a beautiful job!

Car Wash Kids

We spent most of the day outside yesterday doing chores and playing and riding bikes to check out the community garage sale. Towards the end of the day some neighbors were washing their car, and we decided to join in the fun!


Then the girls decided to wash all of their "vehicles" too.

Water play!

We had some hot temperatures yesterday, and I had just gotten out the swim stuff to see what we still need for this year...so the kids played out in the water and had tons of fun. Stephen, however, waited until the action died down and all the big kids left to venture into the water.

Snack anyone?

Usually if I try to grab a few quiet moments to return emails, read blogs or pretty much anything else that involves taking my attention totally off of Stephen, it ends in some sort of disaster or mess. I was doing exactly that and suddenly startled because it was way too quiet. But here is where I found him. Smiley boy helping himself to a snack of Cheerios on the couch. Technically snacks are not allowed in the living room, but I will give him a break this time. ;)

Fun with Friends

I just love Sunday afternoons when our friends make a surprise stop by our house while out on a bike ride...

We came up with Narnia-esque names for everyone as they braved the rope swing...
"Richie the Valiant"


"Andrew the Bold"


"Allia the Adventurous"


"Mariana the Marvelous"