Another UWRF Alumni

The same weekend as Laken's Dance recital my godson and cousin, Chris graduated from UWRF. We drove up after Laken's dance on Saturday to attend his open house and stay overnight at the Highland Inn. Chris is off to Police Academy training to try achieve his dream of becoming a police officer. River Falls always feels like coming back home!

Jill Hogaard Dance Studio Presents, "Imagine That!"

Laken had her dance recital last weekend. She woke up and proudly exclaimed, "It's my special dance!" that morning. She did awesome!! So many parents came up and complimented her afterward. My friend Karen said Laken's performance made her cry. Let's just say she carried her class. They don't want you to take pictures or video during the performance as they have a professional photographer and videographer hired to do that. This dance thing is quite the racket. Last year Brad was able to sneak some. I tried to do the same this year, but got busted by one of the ushers. Some friends of ours said a relative got some video, so hopefully we can publish that on the blog. Otherwise, I'm going to have to pony up the $30 to buy the DVD. She performed to "Good Ship Lollipop" and also performed to "Jungle Boogie" in the finale. This year she had to bring a bag of stuff to do and towel to sit on as she waited backstage the entire performance. She was paired up with a "big girl" as parents don't wait backstage with them.












All dancers get gifts after their performance. We gave her a dancing elephant and Gammy gave her a cool purse!














After the show they let you go onstage to take pictures if you would like.









This her backstage. She performed Saturday at 1:00 pm and Sunday at 6:30 pm. We are so proud of her!! She even impressed her brothers and the best part is you could tell she was having a blast doing it! Next year she will do ballet and tap.

Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner

BzzAgent Jono sent us a Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner to try. Love, Love this thing! It was very easy to put together. We put the cleaner inside the unit, put some batteries in it and attached it to the hanging hook. We have hard water and the Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner has kept the soap scum away. This is any busy mom's idea of cleaning...just a push of a button. I, also, love the smell of the cleaner. It's a very fresh sent. Hard to describe, but like a clean summer day at the pool. Just yummy.




The cleaner comes out the dome shape at the bottom. It beeps to warn you it will be spraying soon.









This is the one touch button. Such a breeze.

Washington Track Meet

Braeden participated in his school's track meet last Wednesday. Here he is participating in the 50 meter hurdles. He is in the front pack in the white hooded sweatshirt. He took 1st in his heat and 2nd overall.










Here he is after finishing the 400 Meter run. He took 1st place in this event. He also placed 2nd in the Jump Rope competition and participated in the triple jump.

Here he is with all his track ribbons.

If you finish 1st or 2nd in an event, that qualifies you for the all-city track meet. He participated in that today. He was pretty bummed with his performance. It just was not his day for whatever reason and he was beating himself up because he knew he could do "120 % better" than he did. There were tears shed, but I did my best to remind him that at least he qualifed as there are plenty of kids sitting at home who were wishing they were just competing. Hopefully, today was just one of those life lesson days.

Clara's 4 month stats

At 4 months Clara weighs 14lbs 2oz - 60%
24 inches long 62 %
She consistently rolls from back to tummy, but gets mad because she hasn't figured out how to roll from tummy to back.
And, as you can see her big sister is convinced Clara is her own life-sized doll.

Preschoolers at the Kasper Farm

Laken's Trinity Preschool class at the Kasper Farm in Steele County, MN. It was cold, wet and rainy!







The cats were the most popular animal among the kids.







Laken got up the courage to stand next to this calf and have her picture taken.





Laken feeds a calf her bottle with the help of Mrs. Kasper.







Dad got to chaperon the trip. We had a great time together!

Laken's Studio Dress Rehearsal

Laken had her Dress Rehearsal for her Dance recital this weekend. She did an awesome job. She loves dancing with the pointe girls and proudly tells us most days that she is going to be a, "big ballerina" when she grows up.

Mother's Day Luncheon

After Laken's Farmer's Market dance. We drove to St. Charles to go to my Grandma Feine's Mother's Day Luncheon. It has been a tradition since I remember to attend one of these Mother's Day Luncheons at one of our churches. The speaker was on doll collecting. Hence, one of Laken's American Dolls in the middle of the table.

The speaker was completely nutso. After she talked about her dolls for over an 1 1/2 and Laken ate two salads and was requesting a third, plus wanting more milk, I decided my girls were ready to be done. We had been there since noon and it was now 2:15. Turns out she didn't finish up until 2:45, but on the bright side my Grandma won a jewelry door prize. The doll collector did have two dolls that I had as a little girl, so it was fun to show Laken those.









For Mother's Day itself, Laken and Preston sang "Fill My Cup" at church with a new verse to include: I love my mommy, yes I do. Her hugs and kisses warm me so. She's a gift from God above. Another way he shows his love. Then, they shouted Happy Mother's Day. They each made awesome cards in Sunday School and School. Laken made me a candle holder at preschool, Preston made me a coffee mug and Braeden wrote me a letter. Nothing better than homemade from the heart gifts! The boys also helped Daddy pick out new computer speakers so I can watch, "Mad Men" and a photo frame collage were they had put photos of me with each of the kids.

Dancing at the Farmer's Market

Laken's Dance Academy performed at the Farmer's Market last Saturday in the sleet.




Laken dancing with her creative dance class. They are too cute!

Laken performing with "the big girls" in the finale number. It was a good practice for this weekend festivities.

Spring Sing

Pudgie had his Spring Sing at school last Friday. You'll find videos below. He was so darn cute. Brad, Clara and I got to attend. He also presented me with a cute Mother's Day mug and paper flowers he handcrafted at school. So sweet!

Washington Spring Concert

Braeden had his spring concert for Orchestra he is in the very back row in a white shirt with multi-colored stripes. Clara enjoyed the music, too. The song they are playing is tune we sing at Clara's ECFE class, so that was fun to hear! May is proving to be a very busy month for us.

Swimming with Girlfriends and My Theme Song

Last week we had one sole 78 degree day, so I let Laken bust out the pool and invite Sophia, Isabella and Ava down for a swim. They had a blast!


Here is my theme song, too:

He didn't have to wake up
He'd been up all night
Layin' there in bed listen'
To his new born baby cry
He splashes water on his face
His wife gives him a kiss and says
It's gonna be OK

It won't be like this for long
One day we'll look back laughin'
At the week we brought her home
This phase is gonna fly by
So baby just hold on
It won't be like this for long

Some day soon she'll be a teenager
And at times he'll think she hates him
Then he'll walk her down the aisle
And he'll raise her veil
But right now she's up and cryin'
And the truth is that he don't mind
As he kisses her good night
And she says her prayers

He lays down there beside her
'Til her eyes are finally closed
And just watchin' her it breaks his heart
Cause he already knows

It won't be like this for long
One day soon that little girl is gonna be
All grown up and gone
Yeah, this phase is gonna fly by
So, he's tryin' to hold on
'Cause it won't be like this for long.

-Darius Rucker

From the Heart Fundraiser weekend

A mere few hours ago, Preston, Laken and Clara and I walked the 5k From the Heart event. I had Clara in a baby sling and Preston and Laken had my friend Michelle push them in our new Bob stroller. The all did remarkably well. We finished in 1 hour 30 minutes. It was super windy, but we finished! Laken even held my hand and walked across the finish line. The event was a benefit for their friend Tyler Harlicker who was diagnosed with Leukemia.

Tyler, Preston and Laken.













Here is a picture of us at the starting line. I had to wake Clara up to be there for the 8:30 am start time. Poor baby! Braeden and Brad were at hockey in Kasson, so I was solo parenting it. Clara is eating breakfast as we are waiting for the gun. Tyler got to do the gun to start the 5k portion. Preston and Laken riding in the lastest addition to our family the coveted Bob stroller. Love this thing.









Along the way were a pathway of signs honoring people or in memory of people. Here is one of the many along the way honoring Ty.


Yesterday there was a spaghetti supper and silent auction. The Nursery school board that I serve on decided we should hold an event for kids. We pulled this off in one months time! We called it "From the Heart for Kids...its never to young to make a difference." We asked the kids to bring a donation and then we had numerous events for them to choose from to create their own decathlon. They brought an activity card around to each event they chose and a volunteer check it off once they completed the activity. After they completed 10 activities they brought it to the snack table for ice cream, water and an apple. I worked the registration table. It was so cute to see little kids who clearly brought money from their piggy banks. We raised over $1270, which was more than any of us anticipated! The photo above is Preston and his friend Andrew doing the wheelbarrow race.









Preston and Braeden in the 3-legged race









Laken in the soccer activity.









Preston and Braeden competed in Tyler's Radical Relay.

Clara's new bed

Clara asleep and just waking up in her new bed.

Early Childhood Sunday

Last Sunday Laken's Preschool sang in church for Early Childhood Sunday. Our family served as greeters before the service and then Lake sang several songs with the preschool. I have to admit I'm becoming my Grandpa Feine and I can't help, but get choked up every time one of my children perform. Unfortunately are camera battery died and that was the only video Brad was able to get.