April 2002

Pinewood Derby and our newest Cub Scout
Being eight years old entitles Elliot to be a cub scout and somehow we managed to get into scouting just in time to be a part of the pinewood derby. He and Alan had a great time working on his car and while he didn’t end up with the winning car, he did get the award for best craftsmanship! I didn’t feel too bad about not being able to help with the car, because I got to sew a bunch of stuff on his shirt!

Room Redo
During Spring Break this year, we decided to give each of the four older kids some money to budget a "room redo." Both the girls really needed a paint job and so we launched into our first time ever wall painting experience! We only made one mistake which I understand to be fairly common – choosing the wrong color! So, we initially painted the top half of Madeleine’s room school bus yellow (a little intense!), but ended up repainting it white with purple below. It really turned out great! We did much better with Tess’s room by choosing just the right color the first time, choosing one color and not having chair rail trim to worry about. Her room was much easier! Next time (if there ever is a next time, I wouldn’t do two rooms at the same time – two floors apart! I also have a new found appreciation for those who paint their entire houses including vaulted ceilings and entry stairways! I myself, would hire it done!

The boys decided not to tackle painting (good thing...) and did some cosmetic fix-ups. All in all, it was a very busy week and a little stressful because we had a deadline of finishing and getting the girls back into their rooms before school started, but it was a fun project and it was really fun to see the difference a little money, color and time can make.

Madeleine’s 11^th Birthday
Madeleine has made it into her second decade of life experiences! She new exactly what she wanted for her birthday dinner – breakfast casserole and instead of cake – cream puffs and Oreo ice cream! So, on her birthday we had Grandma and Grandpa and my sister Melinda with the love of her life (yes, you heard correctly, she has found The One) to dinner. It was our first time to meet him and we’ve decided he passes the test and will e accepted into the family! Anyway, Madeleine received some very nice gifts and we were having a great evening right up to the part where Grandpa was playing a little baseball with his grand kids in the front yard and was backing up to catch a ball and instead of catching the ball, caught a little asphalt with his face by landing face first in the street...ooh ow..... Well, a few stitches later and he is OK and gratefully wasn’t hurt worse. What a day!

A week later, Madeleine had her birthday party - A Backwards Party! We sent out invitations that had to be read in the mirror and all the girls came dressed up backwards. We had them come to the back door where we greeted them with "Bye, thanks for coming!" We hung the balloons upside down from the ceiling and we did everything in reverse; we had refreshments first, then we opened presents, then the craft ( a decoupage frame with a picture of all the girls together), then we had the games. We even found a song to play called "The Backwards Birthday Party." So, all in all we had fun...

Waterford Spring Prom
So, Phillip and Loren went all out and asked girls to their first formal dance with dinner at Rivers, the dance at Red Butte Gardens, flowers, pictures, etc. They went with a big group and had fun with their friends!

Alan’s Birthday
Alan also turned a year older this month with not nearly so much fanfare as Madeleine! His mom invited us to Sunday dinner and made his favorite dish – Halusky and banana nut cake for dessert. On his actual birthday we had Razzleberry pie! All this talk of food is making me hungry! Our favorite thing was the card from his parents that pictured a small rabbit sitting atop a dog’s head – inside it said, "A little grey hare looks good on you!" Thanks, Mom and Dad....at least he has hair...mostly....

Phillip's Winning Design
Phillip entered a design in an art contest for Earth Week at School. His design was chosen and printed on a large quantity of water bottles that were sold to the students as a fund raiser. Neato Reato!

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