More Bragging .... Art Fair

This is just another post bragging about my kids. To some extent that's the theme of this blog, its really my journal that I choose to share with all of you. So understandably sometimes its only entertaining to me. Anyway, on to the bragging...

Today was the homeschool co-op's annual Art Fair. Kaylee entered 4 pieces and again this year she won "Grand Champion" in one of the categories. This year she won for her water color of a mother & baby giraffe in the "Animals" category. Way to go Kaylee!!

Science Olympiad

On Saturday, Kaylee competed in the Region V Science Olympiad. This year, Kaylee competed in 3 events: Science Crime Busters, Trajectory and Amphibians & Reptiles. Kaylee & her partner Emma placed 5th in Science Crime Busters. Kaylee & her partner Madison placed 5th in Trajectory. Here's a video of Kaylee & Emma getting their medals for SCB. Unfortunately, the camera battery died so this is pretty much the only pictures we have from Science Olympiad this year.

Just say no

Max's motto is just say no..... to naps. But he's little and eventually tiredness wins.



The room was clean when Derek put him in bed for the nap.

Signs of Spring

To a boy, nothing says that spring is on its way quite like a giant mud puddle. Yesterday I had 2 boys that were very happy to say goodbye to winter and dive into spring.


Yeah! It's bike time again!




Max was particularly happy with his first pair of rain boots. They are hand-me-downs from Nate and still a half size too big, but he was happy to try them out walking through the mud.




Just a little muddy!?!


Big Brother wanted to make sure Max got to experience the joys of spring bike riding.

Dance Audition Results

Some of you know, Kaylee auditioned for a solo in her dance recital last month. This is the first year, she's auditioned so she's been nervously waiting to hear the results.

I'm happy to share the good news-

Kaylee earned the highest score in the intermediate group and will have a solo in the recital. She will be playing the part of the Cheshire Cat in the production number- Alice in Wonderland. Kaylee hasn't started her private lessons to prepare for the role yet, but we think that it will be a jazz number.

Kaylee is also going to be the understudy for the lead role- Alice, which is a pointe solo.

Obviously we are very excited. There was a lot of squealing as Kaylee called all her friends to tell them the news.

Stinky Pictures

Wondering what this giant cement thing is? Well, it used to be our front porch. Turns out the sewer line was connected to the house under the porch so we had to rip the porch out to get to it.





The sewer line was packed solid with roots. The city inspector said its the worst he's ever seen.





This is what our yard looks like this morning with the hole filled back in.

Still trying to look at the positive, this repair and the landscaping that obviously needs to be done will be good for the "sellability" of the house. We are still planning to list it in the spring. New sod & a new porch will definitely help the curb appeal. And having the sewer repair already done should help make the house more marketable.

Well, This Stinks! (Literally.)

Well, we are having quite the adventure at the Dexter House this week. We live in an older neighborhood. Our house was built in the 60s. One of the things I love about the neighborhood are the mature trees. I especially love the tree in our front yard in fall. (I can't resist putting my favorite picture here even though I've posted it before):



The thing is mature trees and older sewer lines don't get along too well. We've been having to roto-rooter (is that a real word?) the lines more and more frequently in the last couple years, so we knew that the time was coming when it would have to be replaced. Two weeks ago Derek roto-rootered the line hoping to make it to summer or at least spring.

Unfortunately, it didn't buy us anytime at all. And like most things of this nature, the timing of it really wasn't convenient at all. (Of course I have a hard time even imagining a time when sewage backing up in your bathroom & laundry room is convenient.)

This experience has left me counting my blessings. I'm thankful that I live where we have indoor plumbing and running water. There are people in the world today (not even all in third world countries) that do not have these necessities. Additionally, God has blessed us with wonderful friends. Andy & Denise let us stay with them this weekend and Mandy is keeping the kids tonight and tomorrow while the repairs are done.

So while my downstairs literally stinks, my life does not and I'm thankful for the experiences that remind me to be grateful.