Maggie’s teacher asked if anyone wanted to send in videos of themselves reading stories to share with the class. Annie and I did one together today to surprise Maggie.

The kids had a special video call Friday night, all the way from the North Pole.

It definitely wasn’t a traditional visit, but I’m so thankful that the kids were able to spend a little time with Santa this year.

Luke was picked to be the student council representative for his class. He was also nominated to run for office. So today he made some campaign posters.

He’s running for Parliamentarian. If he wins his duties will be maintaining and interpreting procedures. He’ll also have to keep track of whose turn it is to speak during student council meetings.

You’re supposed to sing this next one – A, B, C, D, vote for Luke. It doesn’t translate as well to a poster, but Luke was so proud of it.

This one is my favorite. Dave gets credit for the pun.

He had to write a speech too. My mom helped him with it and I think they did a fantastic job.

Hi my name is Luke and I am in fourth grade. I am running for the position of Parliamentarian. I would like to run for Parliamentarian because I enjoy having responsibility and being helpful.

I like to be involved in my school and I think I would be a good Parliamentarian. I like helping people and I also enjoy being a good leader. I am respectful and responsible. I think I would do a great job keeping track of whose turn it is to speak during our student council meetings.

When I have free time or when I’m not in school I like to go visit family or spend time with my cat, Harris. I also like playing soccer, baseball, and basketball.

Remember to please vote for me, Luke for Parliamentarian.

He’s got my vote!

Maggie had to decorate a pumpkin like a character from a book for school. She spent a lot of time debating, but finally decided on the pug from a book she recently read.

Annie was so excited to help.

The girls finished it up tonight.

And I think they did a fantastic job.

They had a great time doing it too.

Putting Luke to bed and he seemed like he had something on his mind. So I asked him what he was thinking about.

Luke: I’m just thinking about things I can’t control right now.
Me: Yeah? Like what?
Luke: I’m thinking about when I’m grown up and I’m an electrician. I’m thinking that maybe when I have to go change a lightbulb or something I can play them a couple songs on my violin too.

Luke has been asking about violin lessons since he was seven. We promised him that when he turned nine we’d look into it. It just so happened that his new school offers band and orchestra, so he’s able to get violin lessons at school. He had his first lesson yesterday and loved it.

Just some random pictures (still from June, let’s just pretend I’ll catch up someday) of the girls playing with the water table and play sink.

“I need to do a good job washing dishes or my pretend mom will ground me.”

Maggie wanted a picture of her sitting on the side of the water table.

Annie tried to copy her and ended up falling in.

I know I’ve been sporadic with my posting, but you may have noticed Maggie’s short hair in the video of her doing her one-handed cartwheel. In the middle of June the kids got haircuts and Maggie decided to donate her hair again.

The cuts turned out great and the three older kids were all thrilled with their new hairdos.

Annie didn’t get a cut, but she did get a “let it go, let it go” braid just like Queen Elsa.

Maggie is already talking about donating her hair again in a couple of years, but until then we’re both really loving her short hair.

Luke was super excited to celebrate his “Golden Birthday” this year (it’s when you turn the same age as your birthday – in Luke’s case, turning 9 on the 9th).

It was a hot day, which was perfect because one of Luke’s gifts was a slip and slide.

He and his cousins also had water guns and a pretty fantastic water balloon fight.

My mom offered to pick up a cake for Luke. She couldn’t decide and so he ended up with two. He was thrilled and tried to convince us that meant he should have one cake for dinner and the other for dessert.

It was a fantastic start to Luke’s last year of single digits.

I hope it’s a great year for him – he’s such an awesome kid.

Some fun new accessories for our backyard monkey bars arrived this morning. Adam installed them (with minimal help from me) and Annie couldn’t wait to test them out.