Monday, November 2, 2009
Preschool
Jacob had a little preschool performance for parents the other day. It was awfully cute and I was surprised that he didn't have an attack of shyness. I half expected him to boycott once he saw how many grown ups would be watching!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
What We're Up To
Got some blog catchin' up to do! Fall rolls around, life gets extra busy, and the blog goes down the tubes! All is well at the Nielson house, though.
Jacob...has been feeling like a very big boy for the past month. He started preschool in early September and has been loving it. I think, because he's the youngest of five and has waved goodbye to sibling after sibling on school mornings for years, he has been extra excited to join the ranks of school-going kids in the household. His two best buddies, Micah and Elijah, are in his class, so that makes it even better. This is the preschool that all five of our kids have gone to - Betty's Preschool. Kind of fun.
Danny...had a rough start to 1st grade and for the first few weeks kept telling us that he "hated" it. The biggest problem was that his teacher was "SO MEAN!" She actually requires the kids to sit in their seats when she gives instructions - can you believe that?! The nerve of that woman! :) They can't just get up to get a drink or use the bathroom, either. They have to raise their hands and ask permission! Horrible. Thankfully, Danny has since come around and now really likes his teacher and first grade in general. His reading is coming along, he has some good friends and he comes home happy just about every day. Danny has also been busy with soccer for the past 6 weeks or so. He had a good season. Sports + Danny = TLA (that's True Love Always for those of you who can't access your 5th grade memories very easily). Basketball begins in a couple of weeks and he can't wait.
Alyssa...is really liking 3rd grade a lot. She enjoys her teacher and has a nice little group of friends. She is in a special program which requires a lot of extra homework, but has kept up on it pretty well so far. In addition to school, Lyssie has been busy with piano lessons and soccer and enjoys both. She has played for the same wonderful soccer coach the last 3 years - one of those people who keeps is all in perspective and is so supportive and encouraging of the girls on her team.
Haley...likes 7th grade (especially not being the youngest in the school - a lowly 6th grader) and is working on balancing her social life and love of athletics with her academics. She is just finishing up volleyball on her school team and has really enjoyed it. Haley is a hard worker and puts her all into the things she undertakes (minus room cleaning). She has continued with her piano lessons and is doing quite well. She is also still playing the Alto Sax in the school band.
Amber...LOVES high school (thank goodness!) She was more than a little bit nervous about starting up at Wa-Hi (Walla Walla High School) but now seems to have found her niche and is doing very well. Wa-Hi is the only public high school in town and is quite large (4A). She loves band - playing at the football games, marching in the town parade, etc. It was really nice for her to have that little network of friends from day one. She also loves seminary and is so glad to finally be going to school with so many other LDS kids. Her grades are off to a fantastic start - we are so proud of her! Wa-Hi's parent/teacher conferences were a couple of weeks back and Brad and I kept thinking, "Amber Nielson? You ARE talking about Amber NIELSON, right?" :) Lest you think we are horrible parents, we do know she's an awesome person. It's just funny when you hear attributes attached to your kids that you don't see a lot of at home - like "self starter", "motivated", etc. One teacher even told us that she nominated Amber for Student of the Month. We are really proud of Amber's hard work and happy for her that she is enjoying high school so much.
Amy...has been busy, busy, busy! It is definitely a full-time job to keep things running smoothly in this household! Each day is full and varied. I find myself employed as a chauffeur, personal assistant, hair stylist, nurse, chef, tutor, counselor, advocate, wardrobe consultant, judge... The nice thing about this middle stage of parenthood is that it's a bit easier to carve out time for myself. I have been hitting the gym regularly, which makes such a big difference in how I feel - my energy level, my confidence, even my ability to stay organized and get things done. I also continue to love to read, though I fear I have an addictive personality. I can't just casually read a book. I dive into it and everything else is drowned out until I finish.
Brad...has been busy with the usual. He had some Continuing Ed courses to take out of state and the office said they'd pay for spouses to tag along, so we enjoyed a 5-day get away while my parents came to tend kids. It was fantastic! Since then he's been back to juggling work, his calling and his family. He's a great juggler of those things :) He usually goes straight from work to someone's game (be it soccer or volleyball) and then off to meetings of one kind or another. We love him and appreciate how hard he works for us. Life is about to get a bit busier for him as basketball season is upon us and he plans to coach Danny's team and Asst. Coach Alyssa's.
That's about it from Walla Walla! The kids are anxiously looking forward to Halloween, though I have done very little in the way of costumes this year! Time to get creative, I guess!
Jacob...has been feeling like a very big boy for the past month. He started preschool in early September and has been loving it. I think, because he's the youngest of five and has waved goodbye to sibling after sibling on school mornings for years, he has been extra excited to join the ranks of school-going kids in the household. His two best buddies, Micah and Elijah, are in his class, so that makes it even better. This is the preschool that all five of our kids have gone to - Betty's Preschool. Kind of fun.
Danny...had a rough start to 1st grade and for the first few weeks kept telling us that he "hated" it. The biggest problem was that his teacher was "SO MEAN!" She actually requires the kids to sit in their seats when she gives instructions - can you believe that?! The nerve of that woman! :) They can't just get up to get a drink or use the bathroom, either. They have to raise their hands and ask permission! Horrible. Thankfully, Danny has since come around and now really likes his teacher and first grade in general. His reading is coming along, he has some good friends and he comes home happy just about every day. Danny has also been busy with soccer for the past 6 weeks or so. He had a good season. Sports + Danny = TLA (that's True Love Always for those of you who can't access your 5th grade memories very easily). Basketball begins in a couple of weeks and he can't wait.
Alyssa...is really liking 3rd grade a lot. She enjoys her teacher and has a nice little group of friends. She is in a special program which requires a lot of extra homework, but has kept up on it pretty well so far. In addition to school, Lyssie has been busy with piano lessons and soccer and enjoys both. She has played for the same wonderful soccer coach the last 3 years - one of those people who keeps is all in perspective and is so supportive and encouraging of the girls on her team.
Haley...likes 7th grade (especially not being the youngest in the school - a lowly 6th grader) and is working on balancing her social life and love of athletics with her academics. She is just finishing up volleyball on her school team and has really enjoyed it. Haley is a hard worker and puts her all into the things she undertakes (minus room cleaning). She has continued with her piano lessons and is doing quite well. She is also still playing the Alto Sax in the school band.
Amber...LOVES high school (thank goodness!) She was more than a little bit nervous about starting up at Wa-Hi (Walla Walla High School) but now seems to have found her niche and is doing very well. Wa-Hi is the only public high school in town and is quite large (4A). She loves band - playing at the football games, marching in the town parade, etc. It was really nice for her to have that little network of friends from day one. She also loves seminary and is so glad to finally be going to school with so many other LDS kids. Her grades are off to a fantastic start - we are so proud of her! Wa-Hi's parent/teacher conferences were a couple of weeks back and Brad and I kept thinking, "Amber Nielson? You ARE talking about Amber NIELSON, right?" :) Lest you think we are horrible parents, we do know she's an awesome person. It's just funny when you hear attributes attached to your kids that you don't see a lot of at home - like "self starter", "motivated", etc. One teacher even told us that she nominated Amber for Student of the Month. We are really proud of Amber's hard work and happy for her that she is enjoying high school so much.
Amy...has been busy, busy, busy! It is definitely a full-time job to keep things running smoothly in this household! Each day is full and varied. I find myself employed as a chauffeur, personal assistant, hair stylist, nurse, chef, tutor, counselor, advocate, wardrobe consultant, judge... The nice thing about this middle stage of parenthood is that it's a bit easier to carve out time for myself. I have been hitting the gym regularly, which makes such a big difference in how I feel - my energy level, my confidence, even my ability to stay organized and get things done. I also continue to love to read, though I fear I have an addictive personality. I can't just casually read a book. I dive into it and everything else is drowned out until I finish.
Brad...has been busy with the usual. He had some Continuing Ed courses to take out of state and the office said they'd pay for spouses to tag along, so we enjoyed a 5-day get away while my parents came to tend kids. It was fantastic! Since then he's been back to juggling work, his calling and his family. He's a great juggler of those things :) He usually goes straight from work to someone's game (be it soccer or volleyball) and then off to meetings of one kind or another. We love him and appreciate how hard he works for us. Life is about to get a bit busier for him as basketball season is upon us and he plans to coach Danny's team and Asst. Coach Alyssa's.
That's about it from Walla Walla! The kids are anxiously looking forward to Halloween, though I have done very little in the way of costumes this year! Time to get creative, I guess!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
First Day of School!
Well, here they are on their way out the door this morning:
The High Schooler:
The Middle Schooler:
The 3rd Grader:
The 1st Grader:
The almost Preschooler who didn't want to be left out of the pictures:
The High Schooler:
The Middle Schooler:
The 3rd Grader:
The 1st Grader:
The almost Preschooler who didn't want to be left out of the pictures:
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Happy Birthday, Danny!
Today is Danny's 7th birthday! He sorta got cheated out of a birthday party last year because poor Haley was right in the middle of her pneumonia drama when he turned 6. His birthday last year was the day before she was life-flighted to Seattle! As parents, we had bigger things than birthday parties on our minds (unfortunately for Danny!) So, this year he got to have his long-awaited, Spongebob-themed birthday party with friends (yesterday). We BBQed, jumped on the trampoline, slipped on the slip 'n' slide and, of course, enjoyed presents, cake and ice cream. Here are a few of the highlights in pictures:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DANNY! WE LOVE YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DANNY! WE LOVE YOU!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Summer '09
Just a quick update on what we've been busy with...
MID JULY:
Took the kids to the Great Wolf Lodge and had a ball with the water slides! This truly was fun for the whole family! We had a blast!
END OF JULY:
Amy made the trek to Utah with 6 kids - talk about feeling brave and invincible! All went well and no one threw up on the way down OR back (groundbreaking!) Amber and her friend, Emma, LOVED EFY and had a ball! The rest of us LOVED visiting family and friends!
AUGUST:
Next week is our annual camping trip in Waterton National Park. It really is THIS pretty, too (Canadians, feel free to back me up on this!) In addition to the lovely surroundings, we'll also have the pleasure of seeing lots of family. Doesn't get better than that!
MID JULY:
Took the kids to the Great Wolf Lodge and had a ball with the water slides! This truly was fun for the whole family! We had a blast!
END OF JULY:
Amy made the trek to Utah with 6 kids - talk about feeling brave and invincible! All went well and no one threw up on the way down OR back (groundbreaking!) Amber and her friend, Emma, LOVED EFY and had a ball! The rest of us LOVED visiting family and friends!
AUGUST:
Next week is our annual camping trip in Waterton National Park. It really is THIS pretty, too (Canadians, feel free to back me up on this!) In addition to the lovely surroundings, we'll also have the pleasure of seeing lots of family. Doesn't get better than that!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
A Big First
Danny lost his very first tooth last Sunday! He was pretty thrilled about it, too. I don't think I can tell the story as well as he can, so I'll just be his typist. Here he is, verbatim:
"I was at church, in Primary. And...well...I was wiggling my loose tooth really hard back and forth and all of a sudden it popped out and landed on my friend's pants! And he wasn't really like grossed out or anything. He was like, "Eww" and "Cool" at the same time. There was lots of blood on it, too, and Sis. Gilbert (Primary President), she told me to go to the bathroom and clean up all the blood. And how I cleaned it up is I got this dry paper towel and I wiped it on it lots of times. Before I did that, when I was still in Primary, I touched the hole in my mouth and there was blood all over my finger. And that's how I lost my tooth!"
So, quite the exciting Sabbath Day for Danny! Happily for him, the Tooth Fairy remembered her duties and left him a dollar (she is notorious - at our house, anyway - for being flaky and forgetting to stop by).
"I was at church, in Primary. And...well...I was wiggling my loose tooth really hard back and forth and all of a sudden it popped out and landed on my friend's pants! And he wasn't really like grossed out or anything. He was like, "Eww" and "Cool" at the same time. There was lots of blood on it, too, and Sis. Gilbert (Primary President), she told me to go to the bathroom and clean up all the blood. And how I cleaned it up is I got this dry paper towel and I wiped it on it lots of times. Before I did that, when I was still in Primary, I touched the hole in my mouth and there was blood all over my finger. And that's how I lost my tooth!"
So, quite the exciting Sabbath Day for Danny! Happily for him, the Tooth Fairy remembered her duties and left him a dollar (she is notorious - at our house, anyway - for being flaky and forgetting to stop by).
Thursday, July 2, 2009
What We're Up To
A brief update on our comings and goings:
Jacob...
...is happily playing outside with Alyssa and Danny all day, every day. Their favorite thing to do is to get their swimming suits on and turn on the sprinklers (sprinkler under the trampoline is a favorite at our house.) Jacob is probably our biggest raspberry fan as well, and since we have our best crop of raspberries ever this summer, he can often be found out back picking and eating handfuls of them.
Danny...
...started off the summer with a week at Nana Jo and Papa Jim's house, while I was at Girls' Camp with Amber and Haley. He enjoyed spending time with them and then got a little homesick near the end of the week, as he has never been away from home alone before. He loved flying home on the plane, though (with Nana accompanying him.) In other Danny news, he has an increased chore list this summer and is loving it! With Amber and Haley working so much we have given a few of their chores to younger siblings for the summer. Danny's still at that age where chores are fun, so we're milking it for all it's worth!
Alyssa...
...also inherited extra chores from Amber and Haley, but is less enthusiastic about it. She did enjoy, however, getting to spend a week-full of days playing at her friend's house with Jacob while I was at Girls' Camp. Next week she goes to Nana Jo and Papa Jim's house for her one-on-one time with them (they try to have each grandchild who is past kindergarten age come visit on their own for a few days each summer.) She is really looking forward to it and is positive they have big things planned for her (no pressure, Nana and Papa!)
Haley...
...has had a summer so far that's consisted of picking strawberries, attending Girls' Camp and now picking strawberries again. She gets home from work by 1PM each day and hurries to shower and run out into the neighborhood to play with friends. She loved Girls' Camp (her first year) and is anxiously awaiting the end of the strawberry season!
Amber...
...Amber's summer has closely mimicked Haley's. She loved Girls' Camp and is now back to picking berries in the morning and processing them in the afternoon. She has gotten the Top-Strawberry-Picker-Of The-Day award twice now. Learning to work hard and getting to experience the satisfaction that comes with a job well done has been great for her. Up next for Amber: EFY in Provo!
Brad...
...is staying oh-so-busy with his work schedule and church responsibilities. He continues to make us feel that we are his #1 priority, however, and we love him for it. He coached Alyssa's softball team again this year and assistant coached Haley's. Their seasons came to an end in June and I could almost hear the sigh of relief as his schedule went back to normal. He did a great job Mr. Momming things while I was away with Amber and Haley, and now he is up in Canada for a cousin's wedding.
Amy...
...has been busy with the usual, mostly. I had fun at Girls' Camp but am always so glad to get home. It's hard to farm kids out for that long and not be able to communicate with them to make sure everything is going well. I was happy to be able to be there with my girls, though - especially considering it was Haley's first year. Think I'll take a hiatus now until Alyssa turns 12 and goes for the first time :) We have raspberries and cherries coming out of our ears right now, so I've been busily freezing (and pitting) them. I love being able to hear the kids playing outside while I am working in the kitchen. So fun to have them home for the summer!
Jacob...
...is happily playing outside with Alyssa and Danny all day, every day. Their favorite thing to do is to get their swimming suits on and turn on the sprinklers (sprinkler under the trampoline is a favorite at our house.) Jacob is probably our biggest raspberry fan as well, and since we have our best crop of raspberries ever this summer, he can often be found out back picking and eating handfuls of them.
Danny...
...started off the summer with a week at Nana Jo and Papa Jim's house, while I was at Girls' Camp with Amber and Haley. He enjoyed spending time with them and then got a little homesick near the end of the week, as he has never been away from home alone before. He loved flying home on the plane, though (with Nana accompanying him.) In other Danny news, he has an increased chore list this summer and is loving it! With Amber and Haley working so much we have given a few of their chores to younger siblings for the summer. Danny's still at that age where chores are fun, so we're milking it for all it's worth!
Alyssa...
...also inherited extra chores from Amber and Haley, but is less enthusiastic about it. She did enjoy, however, getting to spend a week-full of days playing at her friend's house with Jacob while I was at Girls' Camp. Next week she goes to Nana Jo and Papa Jim's house for her one-on-one time with them (they try to have each grandchild who is past kindergarten age come visit on their own for a few days each summer.) She is really looking forward to it and is positive they have big things planned for her (no pressure, Nana and Papa!)
Haley...
...has had a summer so far that's consisted of picking strawberries, attending Girls' Camp and now picking strawberries again. She gets home from work by 1PM each day and hurries to shower and run out into the neighborhood to play with friends. She loved Girls' Camp (her first year) and is anxiously awaiting the end of the strawberry season!
Amber...
...Amber's summer has closely mimicked Haley's. She loved Girls' Camp and is now back to picking berries in the morning and processing them in the afternoon. She has gotten the Top-Strawberry-Picker-Of The-Day award twice now. Learning to work hard and getting to experience the satisfaction that comes with a job well done has been great for her. Up next for Amber: EFY in Provo!
Brad...
...is staying oh-so-busy with his work schedule and church responsibilities. He continues to make us feel that we are his #1 priority, however, and we love him for it. He coached Alyssa's softball team again this year and assistant coached Haley's. Their seasons came to an end in June and I could almost hear the sigh of relief as his schedule went back to normal. He did a great job Mr. Momming things while I was away with Amber and Haley, and now he is up in Canada for a cousin's wedding.
Amy...
...has been busy with the usual, mostly. I had fun at Girls' Camp but am always so glad to get home. It's hard to farm kids out for that long and not be able to communicate with them to make sure everything is going well. I was happy to be able to be there with my girls, though - especially considering it was Haley's first year. Think I'll take a hiatus now until Alyssa turns 12 and goes for the first time :) We have raspberries and cherries coming out of our ears right now, so I've been busily freezing (and pitting) them. I love being able to hear the kids playing outside while I am working in the kitchen. So fun to have them home for the summer!
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