Rollerskating

Sunday afternoon Martin Luther's FCE (Friend's of Christian Education) hosted a rollerskating afternoon. This was the first time any of our kids have been on real skates. It was a hoot to watch them. Evan is a big kindergartner now so he just wanted to skate with his friends without any help from either of us. His skate-near-fall-step-skate-wobble-step-fall style of skating was quite popular in that age group. Hans preferred to hold Dad's hand, hold the wall, or pretend to play arcade games. Lydia spent most of her time with me alternating between holding my hand and standing in front of me while I pushed her around the floor. We'll probably find our way back another Sunday afternoon.

*Due to camera battery issues we only have a few pictures that are all of Evan**

1. Evan on his own.

2. Evan with his friend Presley.

Famiy Flight Fest

Saturday afternoon we attended yet another EAA event. As part of Family Flight Fest the museum was filled with special activities ranging from puzzle making to paper airplanes, egg dropping to pedal planes, aviator goggle making to scavenger hunts, and model airplanes to remote control blimps. We arrived shortly after lunch and stayed until the exhibitor were putting away for the day. The kids each came home with a bag of aviation loot and plans to go back next year.

a. Hans working on a puzzle.

b. Evan and Nathan teaming up for another puzzle.

c. Lydia modeling her aviator glasses.

d. Four Smiths ready for some flying adventures.

Kindergartener for a Day

Two weeks ago Hans got to attend kindergarten round up (an open house style information evening) in anticipation of next year. Excited doesn't even come close to describing how he feels about getting to go to school. Today was "Kindergarten for a Day" and the first thing I heard hims say when he woke up about 6:40 this morning was, "This is the BEST day of my life!" His feet have yet to touch the ground.

A little more MI

A few more pictures from our MI trip.

1. Aunt Tammy is a great reader!

2. Nice weather means time outside in the front yard.

3. We also found a backyard with a swamp behind ripe for exploring.

4. The Sear Tower out the van window on the way back home.

Playing with Michael and Tammy

This past weekend our family of five headed east to Michigan to visit Nathan's brother Michael and his wife Tammy. It might not be a typical spring break destination but we were all very excited. Friday evening we relaxed at their house while Michael fired up the grill for the first burgers of the season. We also watched Alice in Wonderland with the kids in anticipation of an "excursion" that was to take place on Saturday afternoon. After a lazy morning on Saturday we headed to a nearby town where a small children's museum was hosting a Mad Hatter Tea Party. Upon our arrival Michael and Tammy announced that they were kidnapping our kids and Nathan and I were to proceed down the road a bit farther to the Fenn Valley winery where a winery tour had been purchased for us and the guide would be waiting. Depending on which family member you ask you'll get different answers as to who had the better afternoon. The kids loved the tea party with endless opportunities to explore and play all while spending time with Uncle Michael and Aunt Tammy. Nathan and I spent our time learning about the amazing wine making process from a top wine maker all while tasting a dozen varieties of wine. (Yum!) We followed up the tasting with purchasing several bottles to take home (and one to share with M&T that evening!). After our separate afternoons we met back up for dinner back at Michael and Tammy's. It was a wonderful, wonderful day and we still owe Michael and Tammy a huge thanks for our "date." After church and lunch on Sunday we had to find our way back home. Our time went too quickly and we hope to make it back to MI to visit again sometime.

The pictures are of the kids at the museum taken by Tammy via her phone. They missed their parents the whole time. Or not at all. :o)

Fish in the Pool

Tonight was the last night of the kids winter swimming lessons. Last fall the boys were able to start lessons and Lydia was able to join them once she turned three. All three kids loved the lessons and are sad today was the last day. The next rec department classes come out in April so I'm sure we'll be signing up again.

1: Lydia practicing taking "big scoops" with her arms before getting in the water.

2: Hans swimming with the noodle.

3: Without a doubt Evan's highlight was getting to jump off the diving board the last two weeks. This week I caught him mid leap.

Q & U

This afternoon at 1pm the letter's Q & U will have the annual renewing of their vows. They attribute their long, happy marriage to the fact that they are always together. We wish them many more years of wedded bliss.

This event is enjoyed yearly by the kindergarten class at Martin Luther School. After the ceremony there will be a brief reception with cake and a few dances such as the Hokey-Pokey and the Chicken Dance.

Puddle Stompin' at the Park

Last Friday & Saturday we had a glimpse of springlike weather. The snow was melting rapidly with the temps in the low 40s. As a result we made three fun purchases at Fleet Farm. The kids are now proud owners of puddle boots! Saturday afternoon we tested them out by walking to nearby South Park and stomping in as many puddles as the kids could find. They also loved getting on a playground for the first time in months. Since then we've had nearly six inches of snow and temps back below zero but this weekend is supposed to "warm up" to the 40s again so we may just have to find a few more puddles.

1: Stomp, stomp, stomping along.

2. Learning to pump herself on the swings.

3. Ever exuberant Evan learned that puddle boot help keep feet dry but don't guarantee it when you're running through deep puddles. He's dumping the water from his boots into the creek.

4. Nathan and the kids on the stone bridge in the park.

Playing the Winter Away

A few weeks back my parents came for a winter visit. Since the weather keeps us indoors more often than not this time of year we were looking for some appropriate entertainment. We found it in one of our favorite Oshkosh locations: the EAA museum. I'm not sure either of my parents knew what to expect when they signed up for a tour from the kids but I think they got their money's worth. We spent several hours looking at the display air craft, watching brief informational videos, checking out various historical aviation areas, and hitting kid venture with a gusto. I wish I had great pictures of Mom on the hang glider simulator or Dad turning the wind turbine on a bike but we were too busy playing and having fun. The one picture I have here from the museum is of Dad and Lydia playing with the blower that demonstrated Bernoulli's principal. If you look at the top you can see Dad's hat high above their heads. Morning sort of slipped into afternoon while we enjoyed ourselves.

Other highlights of the weekend were having a slumber in the living room (aka: pile of blankets), a heated Candy Land Game, and some quality time reading with a side of cuddling too.

Visits from both sets of grandparents within a matter of weeks makes those long winter days a lot more fun. We love you guys!