The time has come.....for Zachary to get braces. His teeth were pretty straight on the top row but the bottom were crooked - and as we have the ability to get him braces we decided to move forward - much to his dismay! He has gone through the transition now fairly well and they don't hurt - and thankfully now in today's world (vs when Amy had them), they only have to get them tightened once every 2 months. He'll have them on for about 2 years and then he'll be done!
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| Before |
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| And after! |
Addison finished up her Adventurer's investitures in April, it was a pretty good program - in and out within an hour! Bravo!
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| Very large group! |
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| the two girls with their trophies! I love Addison's bun! Success! |
Kaleb had a school project to highlight something notable about Florida and he chose the Everglades. This meant several days of sitting down to help guide/craft the project with him (with him doing as much as was possible all by himself). He did a GREAT job - we were super proud of him! He made (from different mediums), a blue heron (wikistix), alligator (pipe cleaners), turtle (modeling clay), coral snake (beads), manatee (stuffed felt that he sewed), Seminole hut (popsicle sticks). The teacher loved it so much that she asked to keep it for future classes as examples! :)
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| Congratulations Kaleb, you did a GREAT job! |
Soccer season is drawing to a close, but it is always a highlight in the spring for the FCSL league at the school. They have a grand time playing - even though they did not win this year. Zachary's team goalie (best friend Blake) broke his hand playing soccer (BOO, was so awful), and several other players were gone over the season so his team did not have really a chance at winning. With Blake's hand being broken, Zachary stepped in at the goalie and discovered that he REALLY likes being a goalie and is quite a good goalie. In fact one game they played against one of the better teams in the league and saved a gazillion (technical term :) attempts at goal - and as Amy walked away proud as a mom could be, she heard another Dad (who doesn't know us) say "Wow, that team just won becuase of their goalie - he was incredible". Yep, this proud mom thinks so too! Let's note however that after what happened to Blake it was a requirement for Zachary to wear the goalie gloves with the metal fingers to avoid having a broken finger for him!
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| Zach's team - Zach is in the yellow goalie shirt |
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| Zach and two of his best friends David and Blake (with Blake's hand in the cast - poor kid) |
Karis coached Kaleb's team again, super sweet bunch of kids - he kept remarking what a nice group it was. They didn't win, but that is okay.
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| Evan and Kaleb |
Zachary is still in the city league, and one day our friend took some pictures with her more professional camera and caught some good shots of him. It is always fun to see them in action!
In grade 6, one of the highlights is that the class goes to Camp Kalaqua for a week of Outdoor education. We didn't accompany Zachary, so he had a week of experiencing life free of parents! :) We knew the other parent chaperones, so we would periodically get pictures of them throughout the week. Bless those chaperones for getting the energy to do that all week!
For Good Friday, Amy took the day off and spent the day with the kids as they ddin't have school. We had an opportunity to participate with "Inspired Bags" which is a foundation run by a friend of ours - they were handing out bags on the Neuro floor at the hospital - the bags include something for all five senses, and we prayed over the bags prior to delivering them. It was a fun experience
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| Yvonne sharing with the group the intention of the bags, the blessings they are intended to bring |
After handing out the bags, we went to the hospital chapel where the chaplain did a "washing/blessing" of the hands ceremony -- that we may always use our hands for good in the world around us. It was really impactful - we hope that these moments will make an impression on our kids lives!
With April of course came Easter, and the Hilliard Easter party, which is always a lovely opportunity to get together with friends and visit. The kids love it of course to play, face painting and to hunt for easter eggs!
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| No idea where the desire for au nicorn came this year,but a unicorn it was! |
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| Holding the kids back at the start of the easter egg hunt while the finishing touches were handled! |
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| And then they were off! |
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| Wtih their baskets full! |
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| Ali was in the bunny rabbit outfit - Addison is no longer nervous about the Easter Bunny! |
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| Thanks to Jenn to helping to host the party! |
In late April, a dear friend of Amy's came into town with her family - the Vohwinkels. Amy always does the Corproate 5K (walk, let's be clear!) with Stephanie and so they have lots of time to catch up. Afterwards, the family came over the next week to enjoy the lake and then we joined the Biris at their home for a combined visit. It was lovely - we wish they lived closer than Texas!
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| Right before the 5K |
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| Zachary and Lucas (the other two Vohwinkel boys were not out there yet) |
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| And Addison and Sophia |
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| Playing at the Biris |
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| The whole group! |
Random pictures:
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| Little moonwalker ready for space |
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| FLEC held their spring concert out at Ponkan Park amphiteater with fireworks at the end - it was quite the show! |
