Anna was there too of course, but she was sick. :(

Anna got braces! She wasn't too thrilled and she still struggles after they're adjusted, but she's getting used to them. It's crazy how fast her teeth are already moving.

We celebrated Chinese New Year with friends like we did last year. Will remembered it from last year and was super excited to go back.

Noah had his 5th grade Robin Hood play. He had two parts, and the one closest to the end was a villain, hence the all black clothing. Fifth graders are so cute!

Kate turned 6 years old on Valentine's Day and about a week later she had her panda party. We can't believe this little chicken is already 6 years old!

This wasn't an event really, but one night after violin Anna and I ran in the grocery for just a few items. As we walked past this drink case a gigantic stuffed sloth fell on her. For the next 10 minutes we both laughed uncontrollably while she tried unsuccessfully to get him back up on top of the case. She was even singing the Lion King song. It was hysterical and I took numerous pictures of her attempts which just made both of us laugh even more.

In early March we went to the Maple Syrup Festival again. It was hard to believe it had been five years since we were there last, and Ben didn't really remember it at all. It was fun for Kate and Will to say it was their first time going, and for it to be almost like the first time for Ben too! They all had fun and want to go back next year.

Ben has been on fire with reading and I love it so much! Actually all of us have been reading a lot more lately, and I can't get mad when Ben looks up and says, "Oh, I forgot to eat because I was reading this book!", or when Anna sulks around the house for a day because her library hold is taking longer than we thought. I totally understand her pain! Today I've been reorganizing the built in bookshelves in our sunroom and I keep walking back in here just to stare at them. Ahhhhh.... Though seeing how many unread books I own should probably keep me out of bookstores for a while. Maybe. ;)

Like most of the country we've had our fair share of unexpected snow. This picture was taken by Noah's teacher, on a day that they were the only school in our city that didn't cancel classes. Honestly the roads were fine where we live and even Anna and Noah could admit that it shouldn't have been cancelled. But they had such a good attitude about having to be there that their teacher took them all outside and let them throw a snowball at her. She's a brave (and super sweet) lady!

We hung out with cousins while they were on Spring Break. We went to an indoor trampoline park and a pizza buffet, essentially their dream day. They were pretty excited to spend the whole day together.

Easter was good, but a little slower than usual. Grandparents were sick and unable to host everyone at their house that weekend, so the large family gatherings were postponed for a few weeks. But it was nice to have a more relaxed weekend and still have the fun Easter activities with cousins later in the month.

Anna turned 13 in early April. How?!?!!? We're so proud of this girl. Without sharing too much of her personal information, she hit some speed bumps a few months ago that just made things hard for a while. But she trusted us and we worked through some things and wouldn't you know she is soaring once again?! We knew she could do anything she put her mind to, and she is proving that day after day. I'm so proud of her, and I'm so glad she is ending this school year on such a high note. Love her and her fierce little self so much!

And this big boy just turned 11. Again I have no idea how he got to be almost as tall as me and almost finished with the 5th grade. He's still such a sweet boy, but I love watching him branch out and grow with friends and sports and other interests. Like Anna he hit a hard patch mid-school year, but he's also coming out of it like a super star just in time for summer. 

Last weekend we had their combined birthday party with family. Anna wanted a llama party and Noah wanted a basketball theme, so here is how we compromised. They both loved it all!

Now we're looking at only 4ish weeks of school for the little three kids (I don't even count that 4th week since it's only field day and one half day), and just 5 weeks left for Anna and Noah. We have some fun plans already set for summer but I'm looking for more to fill those in between days. I'm sure the kids will have plenty of ideas of their own!

And more cousins at Nathan's sister's house.

Kate and Claire helped Uncle Doug "style" his hair. He's always a good sport with Kate. So much so that this year out of everyone coming she asked, "Is Doug coming?!". 

That weekend our city had it's yearly parade and event where they light up many of the buildings downtown. We hadn't been for a few years but we thought all of the kids would like it this year. Last time we went we had a stroller, so we knew it had been a while. The parade was sort of blah, but this float made everyone either happy or terrified. The adults were happy because the fire from those hot air balloon bases (I'm sure those have a real name??) was nice and warm on a night that was pretty chilly. But the kids - mostly Ben - did NOT enjoy the fire. He was convinced it was too dangerous and he swiftly left his spot in the front and bee lined back to my side until that one had passed. It really was kind of crazy.

About 15 minutes before they would turn on all of the lights the kids were getting a bit unhappy, just cold and bored with the parade. We decided to sit on the courthouse steps and just wait it out, and they were happier there. We kept counting down, "8 more minutes....6 more....now just 4 more!". 

When Santa rode down the street on some kind of electric sleigh, things got more interesting. Some girl near us screamed out, "SANTAAAAAAAA!!!!!" and Anna could not stop laughing! Finally they counted down from 10, and fireworks and lights went on.

As we walked back to the car Will thanked us and said he thought the night was super fun. We told him being out walking around downtown in the dark reminded us of China, including how many people were out!

Anna made an entry for her school's pumpkin carving contest. This was "Hedwig in a scarf". Pretty impressive for doing it that morning!

Anna's Heritage Girls troop put on a little Fall carnival at school.

We asked for a small little Iron Man mask on Kate's cheek (her choice), and we were thinking it would be about the size of a half dollar. Instead she hopped out of the chair and turned to reveal this. She thought it was super cool, of course.

That same night we went to a Trunk or Treat event at their little 2 day school. It had to be moved inside due to rain, but they still had a blast and got absurd amounts of candy.

See?  ;)

Will carved his first pumpkin. He REALLY wanted to do this and had been asking for weeks. When stores first started putting pumpkins out as decorations he was pretty confused. He had only thought of pumpkins as food that you eat, so why were people leaving pumpkins on the floor and putting them on their porches? I guess it would be like us seeing someone decorate with broccoli or something, ha! But once he knew we could make designs in them, he was all about it.

Noah was so sweet helping him follow a stencil.

The results - Anna's cat

Noah and Will's silly face

On Halloween night my mom and stepdad and sister and her family all came over for chili and snacks and trick or treating. This year we got smart and took hot cocoa with us as we walked.

The kids had a ton of fun as usual. They got  loads and loads of candy which they devoured for about two days and then we gave the rest to our violin teacher. This was Will's first Halloween and he kept saying, "All the people give me candy! They so nice!". The thrill of his night was when a firetruck stopped in front of us with the lights on and then the firemen got out and gave candy to all of the kids. I may have accosted the poor man and blubbered on how Will hadn't been in America that long and how he was making all of Will's dreams come true because he also wants to be a fireman. The guy was like, "Okay, great!", ha ha! 

This girlie decided that she wanted to be the same pumpkin that she was last year. Of course it still fits! 

Ben kept hugging the minion instead of smiling for photos. The guy playing Gru had more of a mafia accent and he kept saying Nathan was David Beckham, hee.

Noah chose his costume and thought it was hilarious at home, but then started to doubt himself when he noticed everyone was staring at him at the zoo. We told him they were all laughing and smiling because they liked it, but he wasn't enjoying all of the attention...to the point that he started saying he wanted to leave. When we got over to these Toy Story characters they called his horse Bullseye and had fun talking with him. As we walked away he said, "I changed my mind, mom. My costume is awesome".

You can see who was out in the front running to every candy booth. That little pumpkin had some crazy fast legs that night!

This one is extra blurry, but it cracked me up...especially Iron Man Will.

Most of the characters weren't super enticing to the kids, but the princesses especially looked so lonely standing there waving as we walked past. We convinced Kate to take pictures with a few of them just because we felt bad for the girls! She did question this one pretty relentlessly though, "Where da Beast? Why he not here?!".

They zipped through the hay bale maze in 4 seconds. Remember when they were teeny and we'd have to go in and find them? Oh, Little Monkey is breaking my heart!

Hee hee hee!

The boys had to have this picture. Will has been asking for an Iron Man suit since we met him, so he was thrilled to finally have it.

Kate was so funny with that big ol' hook.

It was about 80 degrees that night and it was humid because storms were on their way. Some of the kids were super hot in their costumes and I busted out laughing when I pulled off Kate's pumpkin hat and saw her hair completely slicked down with sweat.

And poor Will! He was so determined to stay in character, but he was drenched by the time we took his suit off.

We don't normally strip out of the costumes right there at the zoo exit, but they were more than ready to get out of them on that night. I kept telling them that Halloween night will be cooler, though this week's temperatures have me unsure. Come on, Fall weather! We're depending on you to show up!

I'll leave you with this one just because it's hilarious.  ;)