Math Pentathalon

Lincoln participated in his first math competition today.

He's been attending an after school group with his favorite teacher since September where he learned five different math games and practiced playing them with other kids.

Today we went up to Round Rock and met with about 500 other kids to play the games tournament style. They played each of the five games and received points depending on whether they won, lost, or tied.
Lincoln won three of his games and lost two, so he got an Honorable Mention.
More importantly, he had fun!
HOORAY!

I guess he's got some of those math genes Grandma - Thanks!

Spring in Texas

Happy First Day of Spring!

We celebrated today by stopping at Rita's after school for some free Italian Ice - yummy!

Then we stopped by the church to check out the wildflowers in the field next door.
We've had a good amount of rain this spring, so the flowers are really showy.


I have to say, I think the flowers were even prettier as we drove through Lost Pines on our way back from Houston, but I couldn't picture stopping on the side of the highway with Eli - that boy has no concept of caution!

The field by the church was a nice consolation - and I do love those oak trees!

Andrew's Vacation

While we were in Houston wreaking havoc at my mom's house,

Andrew has been in Panama hanging out with his brothers.....


surfing and snorkeling


and celebrating Ben's safe return from another tour in Afghanistan.


He has totally earned this little vacation - he works so hard as a dad and husband and lawyer and bishop. I am so grateful for everything he does and I'm glad he has this little opportunity to reconnect with his family. But I'm also very glad that he'll be home soon...


...because I miss him so much I could bark.

Irish Blessings

My mom made these for everyone today.
Aren't they awesome?
Each one had a different blessing attached and my kids thought it was really cool to get a rainbow and a pot of gold in a bag!

Our Adventures

The kids have been begging to go down to Houston to visit Grandma and Papa, so we decided to spend some of our spring break down there. Here are a few of our adventures...


playing baseball with Uncle Brentand getting a few pointers on technique


making SLIME and watching the Mad Science show at Ikea

flying kites at the park... and getting caught in the kite eating tree

making inventions with Papa - including a helicopter flyer, a bug house, and a catapult

putting on a concert on the back deck


"helping" build a new garden box


and playing with cousins at the park.

We had a great week! Thanks for everything Grandma!
You're the best!