Latest Happenings

Warning: this is a long post...lots to catch up on!

Mitchell made the Varsity Golf Team at his high school. We were so proud of him! The coach kept 12 players, and he is one of two Freshman kept. He has been practicing with the team each day after school. This past week he has come in 3rd place on the team...WOW! We look forward to a great, winning season for Mitchell and the MHS Chiefs!

Meredith has been busy babysitting, studying and hanging out with her friends. She plans to nanny for a family this summer. These 3 little girls have fallen in love with Meredith! They request her as their sitter several times a week. They tell their mom she is the best sitter they have ever had. They love that she plays with them, and she always brings her hair stuff to do their hair. Their mom tells me how she loves the example Meredith is to her girls. Meredith loves being with them, too.

Max had the cutest program at his school a couple of weeks ago. It was a salute to the red, white and blue, in honor of President's Day. The teachers chose him to be one of the greeters at the door since he is so friendly. He was so cute on stage. We were so proud of him because it looked like he knew every word to every song. His mouth was moving the whole time, not missing one word. When he got home that afternoon I asked him to sing his favorite song for me. His favorite was GRAND OLE FLAG. Here is the first sentence (in Max's words), "Your a candle flag you're a hot wired flag...." haha! I thought I would die laughing. As the song went on it sounded like there was a little Chinese mixed in with it. He occasionally got a word or two right...haha! It was so cute! 

Speaking of Chinese, Max started Chinese school today. When Max came home to us a couple of years ago he only wanted to speak English. If we ever spoke Mandarin to him, he would say NO! So, we didn't even try to keep his language, but now where we live they offer Chinese classes every Sunday from 2-4 and Max wants to go. He was excited as he and Baba left for class. He kept telling Baba he is excited to make some new friends.  Michael came home telling us how neat it was. He said they don't even speak English at all it's all Mandarin. The teacher told Michael that Max will pick it right back up just by being immersed in a class room such as this each week.  Max was excited because he built a wooden car. His homework this week is to paint his car. He will get his books next week. We are all excited for Max to preserve his native language and keep part of his past alive. Normally we wouldn't do anything like this on Sunday, but this is the only day the class is offered and we feel it is important for Max. 

Max had to take his birth certificate to register for class.

Here is his car he made.

We have turned into quite the soccer family! This past week Spring Soccer season started for Mallory, Maggie & Max. They each have 2 practices per week with games on Saturdays. We have discovered that soccer is Maggie's passion. She played indoor this winter and fell in love with the sport. She is such a hustler out on that field, never missing a beat! No doubt Max loves soccer. He loved playing indoor this winter. I liked him playing indoor a little better than outdoor simply because indoor kept him a little more confined. His first outdoor practice all he wanted to do was chase the other little boys around and karate chop them!! I had to tell him he needed to listen to his coach so he would know what to do when it was game time. :) Mallory loves soccer too, but her true love is tennis. She started tennis lessons several months ago, and she is a natural at it! Her coach has been very impressed with her from day one. He always comments on how focused she is. He is already ready to place her on a team. I must say she is not only good at tennis, she is cute as a button out on that court! ;) 

We have a new baby boy at our house...meet Ollie! He is an adorable Goldendoodle puppy. His mama is a standard poodle and his daddy is a Golden Retriever. We all wanted a big dog to stay inside with us. One who would be smart and train easily. I wanted a running/walking partner ;) He has been the easiest dog to train. He is super smart. The first week we had him we taught him to sit, lie down, leave it, "speak", and he already goes to the door when he needs to go out to potty. We love him SO much!!!

I have been busy with all my church responsibilities. I am the activity days leader and yw camp director. With camp right around the corner we are super busy with certifications and all the requirements for camp. I kinda laugh that I am the one in charge of camp...I am the farthest thing from a camp gal! I am loving it though! I love my activity day girls, especially with my little Maggie in there. We have fun Wednesday nights planned for the remainder of the year. Lots of cooking, service work and crafting :) 

I have also discovered a new love...ZUMBA! I love going to Zumba classes several times each week.  Working out has never been so fun! I have also started going to Boot Camp class...not so fun! ;) 

Michael has been keeping busy at work. He has been given another promotion! The plant is bringing in a new car and they have made this "his baby" so to speak! He is over all the interviewing, hiring, etc...I am always so thankful for him and how he works so hard to provide for our family. We were recently invited out for dinner with his Korean boss and his wife. His boss told me over and over what a good man Michael was...something I already knew ;)