Woot Woot!!!

Andrew is a YELLOW belt!!!

He had his first belt testing last Friday and he did awesome!!  I don't think I have ever seen him so nervous about something before.  He kept telling me all afternoon, "Mom, I am SO nervous.  Do you think I'll pass?"  I have to admit, Ryan and I were just as nervous for him.  But he knew his stuff and was prepared.

 Showing the trainers his form

He had to see how many push ups he could do in 1 minute.  He could do 31!  

He also had to see how many sit ups he could do 1 minute.  He could do 28!

Last night was the award ceremony where he was awarded his yellow belt.  We were all really excited for him!

I got to tie his new belt on him!

"One step closer to black belt!"

Celebrating at Yogie's Yogurt afterwards!

Way to go Andrew!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Super Citizen

Andrew was picked by his teacher and classmates as the March Super Citizen!  He was very excited to be selected!  It is quite an honor!

Some of things his classmates wrote about him:

• "Andrew is a super citizen because he tries his best and he practices acts of kindness."
• "Andrew is a super citizen because he works hard and follows Miss Peterson's directions."
• "Andrew is a super citizen because he is always here."
• "Because he always makes friends with someone and helps kids that need help."
• "Andrew always reflects respect."  
• "He is the smartest one in the class, he is sweet and talented.  He shares, he is very thankful."

We are so proud of you Andrew!!!

Board Breaking

Two Saturdays ago, Andrew had the opportunity to give board breaking a try at Tae Kwon Do.  He was SO excited about this.  He did awesome!  I have to say it is pretty amazing to see your 8 year old break boards!

He tested for his yellow belt last Friday.  We will know by the end of today whether he passed or not.  Keep your fingers crossed!!!!

Friday Favorites

I have been really thinking about my little family and families in general lately.  Ryan and I have noticed a lot of bickering between our kids and a lot of disconnected-ness in general.  I have always had an inkling that technology had something to do with it, but, darn it...the TV is the BEST babysitter! :-) And the ipod can keep Rach entertained for HOURS!  However, good old fashioned fun and laughing had diminished quite a bit in our household.  Then this past weekend as we were listening to our church General Conference the thing that stuck out the most to me was something that Rosemary Wixom of the General Primary Presidency said, "....disconnect from technology and reconnect with each other".  I LOVE this and feel it is an answer to the contention and confusion in our home.

So with that said, before conference I had found a couple books that I LOVE that help and they are my favorites this week!

Unplugged Play: No Batteries. No Plugs. Pure Fun.  I actually saw this book at the science museum gift shop and flipped through it while the kids were looking around.  I knew instantly that I wanted to check it out at the library to have a closer look.  And then I just bought it off Amazon.  It is FULL of games and activities the kids can play without technology from ages birth to 99!  It is awesome!  We have played some and the kids love them.  Highly recommend!!

The Happy Family Game.  I found this at the library this past week and it is such a fun book.  It is full of questions and pretend scenarios that you answer.  You really get to know your family members better and have fun!  I will probably buy this one!

Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry by Katrina Kenison  I saw a video on facebook a couple weeks ago of her reading a excerpt from one of her books, The Gift of an Ordinary Day.  I looked online at our library and they have several by her and this was one of them.  I REALLY love this book!  I will probably buy this one too.  It would be an excellent book for book club or just to discuss with other moms.  It has really made me stop and think about what kind of a mother I am and what I need to do to slow down.  Again...highly recommend.

One last one...

Celebrate: A Year of Festivities for Families and Friends by Pippa Middleton  I just saw this at the library a couple days ago and I had to snatch it up.  I mean, really, who could resist something by someone closely connected to Will and Kate? ;)  I have heard about it and I wanted to see what kinds of things she does.  So far I love it!  I think I may need to buy this one too!

St Patrick's Day

I'm back-tracking a bit.  I've decided I REALLY need to blog more often than once a month.  I have just been posting pictures and such on Facebook, but realized that there are some who are not on FB.  And my kids LOVE to go back and read all the blog posts.  So get ready....

We had a nice St. Patty's Day!  The kids made a leprechaun trap and were anxious to see what the pesky leprechaun would do this year.  Andrew was probably the most excited about it all. It was so cute!  He actually got up at 5:00 and asked if we could get up!  He didn't get up until 7:00 on Christmas Day!  Go figure!  I talked him into 5:30.

 He wasn't excited or anything ;)

Saturday night (St. Patty's Eve, as Andrew calls it) I was at Wal-Mart and found this adorable St. Patrick's dress.  They only had one left and it was a 24 month.  I totally bought it anyway because I KNEW Annie would look so cute in it!

Wordless Wednesday