Ohio Animal Report

Recently, Noah's 4th grade class completed a report on an Ohio animal. They researched their animal, wrote a short essay and then constructed their animal using paper mache. It was a time consuming, but enjoyable class project. The class did an outstanding job creating their animals and they're proudly displayed in the media center for all to enjoy.

There are many animals residing in Ohio, but Noah chose the 'big brown bat'. His essay is well written and I think he did a great job creating his bat from paper mache--LOVE the eyes!

Fun Times at the Fun Fair

Our elementary school sponsors a HUGE Fun Fair each Spring as our prime fundraiser. We use the Central High School gym for the event. Games and activities line the perimeter of the gym and additional games fill the center section. There's a cake walk and raffle on numerous items ranging from gift certificates to football tickets to a trip to Disneyland (nope--didn't win that one!) It's a big event--one that the students look forward to each year. This year, I baked cookies and actually walked around with Noah for a while rather than manning a station.

While Noah enjoyed the games, Alexander and Maddie helped with the Little Tykes Basketball station earning Community Service Hours for their volunteer time.

Their activity was busy for the entire hour they volunteered--basketballs were constantly airborne.

Noah's favorite game was the Sponge Bob fishing. He dropped his line, hooked a little something and then reeled in his catch. He said this was by far the easiest game, so he visited this particular one several times.

We enjoyed our afternoon at the Fun Fair and look forward to attending next year.

My Spring Friends

We awoke to snow this morning--an unexpected 4 inches of snow! Alexander left for the bus around 7:20am this morning and when I went inside to my perch to watch him cross the street (shhh--don't tell him I spy on him every school morning!), I noticed two feathered friends sitting in the snow. My favorite childhood story is "Make Way for Ducklings"--it was one of the first books I bought for Alexander--I think before he even arrived! I've always referred to Mallard ducks as Mr. and Mrs. Mallard because that's what they were called in my favorite book. My parents love ducks and I think since they enjoy them, I've developed the same fondness over the years. So, you can only imagine my delight when I noticed them in the front yard! Mrs. Mallard made the cutest snow tracks to reach her resting spot. I took several pictures of my friends before returning to my morning responsibilities. When I returned to look later, they were gone, but their tracks are a reminder of my wonderful surprise this snowy morning!

What a Season!

Rike Center, Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio

March 13, 2010

Alexander's team has triumphed through injury and illness; victory and defeat; and the Blackhawk family and friends have watched in amazement the tremendous growth of this team over the past several months. The team lost their first couple of games--by a point or two--won a game and then lost BIG time to a team that climbed the ranks to the number one seed. The Blackhawk season ended with a 3-4 standing. Then, the tournaments began. The boys weren't expected to advance far in the tournament rankings, but they shocked everyone by winning their first game. The second tournament game the Blackhawks were HUGE underdogs. They played the number one seed, an undefeated team, that absolutely spanked them earlier in the season. The Blackhawks won again and advanced to the Semi-Finals where they won again. This past Saturday, the Blackhawks had the honor of playing the Championship game inside the Rike Center located at Otterbein College in Uptown Westerville, Ohio. Their coach is a student at Otterbein, so it was a thrill to watch "his" team play on "his" turf. The boys played their hearts out, but it wasn't enough to win this time. Were they victorious--absolutely--they had an amazing season and it was a thrill to watch this team progress successfully! To Alexander and his entire Blackhawk team--a BIG congratulations!














Announcing both teams at the start of the Championship Game located inside the Rike Center, home of the Otterbein Cardinals.

Alexander played his best game--EVER--Saturday afternoon.

He dribbled down the court,

Scored free throw points and baskets,

And played awesome defense!

Presenting the 2010 Blackhawk Boys 7th/8th Grade team-- our champions!

Willy Wonka and the Hot Chocoloate Factory--Take 2

Just a few more "Willy Wonka and the Hot Chocolate Factory" pix to share...

When Noah first appeared on "stage" with the other grandparents, I had to giggle. The quilt covering the grandparents really was a great way to make them appear they were in bed. Ms. Candace did such a wonderful job creating the play--it truly was an amazing performance by all the participants!















"Two peas in a pod" for sure!
























Noah spent the second half of the play "spying" and moving around--quite quickly I might add! The photographer did a great job capturing him in action! Noah thoroughly enjoyed this part!

Congratulations to the entire cast and crew--again, what an amazing performance!!

We've been enjoying unseasonably warm temperatures the past few days and brilliant sunshine too. It's been a welcome change after the snowy winter we've endured. As the snow melts slowly away, more and more signs of spring are being revealed. Crocuses and tulips are charging through the ground preparing to add much needed spring color to our yard.

Until yesterday, the majority of our yard was snow covered. Today, the only snow remaining lines the driveway--ever so slowly it melts more and more each day. Maybe the snow will be gone by July--a few days ago I wasn't so sure! Looking into the backyard, only a tiny amount of snow remains near the steps leading from the deck to the backyard. Sophie has enjoyed the warm temps as much as we have. She's been soaking up the sun on our deck and prancing around the yard--very happy, or so it seems.

March has entered like a lamb--we've thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful springlike weather, but realize that there may still be more winter ahead. For now, the sunshine and warmer temps have been a welcome break from the bitter cold. The rain arrives tomorrow and stays indefinitely; that's OK, I'm just thankful it won't be snowing the next 5 days!!

Noah's been busy too!

With the boys growing up so quickly, rarely does art work make it's way home. I was THRILLED when Noah arrived home from school recently with this amazing piece. His interpretation of Van Gogh's "Starry Night"--I LOVE it!

Recently, Noah's elementary school hosted a Saturday morning Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser. The music teacher arranged for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders to perform throughout the morning. We arrived mid-morning at the breakfast and anxiously awaited the scheduled time for the 4th graders to perform. They sang some wonderful songs and also played their recorders. One recorder can at times be a little hard on the ears, but shockingly a number of recorders playing together is quite nice! This performance was Noah's first ever concert--so it was quite special. He enjoyed singing and playing the recorder and I'm so happy we were able to attend as a family.

For the past 6+ weeks Noah and his best buddy have been taking a drama class together. They've practiced, memorized, rehearsed and now performed "Willy Wonka and the Hot Chocolate Factory". All of the kids worked very hard on the production and it showed. Noah had several parts including G'pa George (pictured below as he recites his lines), Winkelman and a "snipe". He was dressed in a white overcoat with sunglasses and "spied" during the portion of the performance that happened at the Wonka Plant. Oh my--he and his best friend were really fun to watch!

Noah receiving his hot chocolate mug for his amazing performance in "Willy Wonka and the Hot Chocolate Factory". Noah, we've enjoyed watching your events too! SO proud of you "Mr. No"!

Could It Be...

...yes, it's MORE snow! We're under another "Winter Storm Warning" until tomorrow morning with the possibility of total accumulations up to 9 additional inches. OK, Mother Nature, hello, are you listening...we've had enough snow this year! It was attractive the first few times, but I do believe we're fully aware of what snow looks like. Can you please send Spring flowers and warmer temps??

Enjoying The Day With My 3 Valentines!

We decided to spend our Valentine's Day together as a family snow tubing at Snow Trails in Mansfield, Ohio. We had an incredible afternoon! Was it cold--abosolutely! Were the lines ridiculously long--absolutely! Did we make memories to last a life time--absolutely! We waited in line for half hour or so each run only to race down the track in mere seconds. Our first trip down the trails we hooked together; holding onto one another's tubes as we twisted and turned our way down the hill. Trey and Alexander opted to belly slide the next time while Noah and I went tantem--SNOW much fun! On the third trip down, I was finally brave enough to venture on my own and LOVED it! I think I spent more time travelling backward, but it was crazy, fun!

The snow lines were ridiculously long; in fact, at one point and time, there were no tubes remaining for the people still waiting in line to enter the ski lodge! Crazy, busy, but OH, so worth it!

We waited in line for quite some time before making it to the conveyor lift up the hill. Noah, above, resting inside his tube (stacked on top of Trey's) waiting for Dad to pull him along.

The boys enjoying their ride up the hill. The skiers were flying down the hill next to us--amazing to watch! We found a gentleman decked out in his cowboy hat and affectionately deemed him "Cowboy Man"--he was fun to watch!
























Noah and I in 2nd lane from the left barrelling down the hill!

My three handsome, and slightly frozen, Valentines. Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours!

Have Snow, Will Shovel!!

We ventured out after lunch and decided to remove "Round 1" from our driveway and sidewalks. Trey has a snowblower from his Dad, but with him in CA, I've not a clue how to work his toy. So, we used good 'ol elbow grease! One of our neighbors was thoughtful and shoveled our sidewalks for us--thanks! Today's snowfall is much lighter than the snow that fell over the weekend making shoveling much easier!

Once we finished shoveling at our home, the boys ventured to our neighbor's house and started the process all over again.