Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Usborne Book of the Week, A Kane-Miller title!


I laughed out loud a lot at this one!

"This brightly illustrated sequel to Duck in the Truck and Duck's Key: Where Can It Be? begins with Duck batting in a pickup game of baseball. When the ball he hits gets stuck in a tall tree, he tosses up his bat and a glove to knock it down, and soon all three are caught in the branches. At the story's outset, little Frog is dismissed as too small for ball with his bigger friends, but he surprises Goat, Sheep, and Duck with a clever play at the story's end. The rhyming text flows along rhythmically, while the illustrations dramatize the action and underscore the visual comedy of the narrative. This simple baseball story is a good choice for young children, who will empathize with Duck's difficulties and savor Frog's moment of triumph." - Booklist

Friday, February 20, 2009

Tomah Bound

I have three excited girls and one excited husband who are looking forward to their weekend adventures in Tomah, WI and Ely, respectively. Izzy has packed two bags (one too many) and keeps asking about when we are finally leaving. We'll be traveling with Barbara and using Hugh's car, much more compact than the van. We'll experience a new closeness and shared space on this trip, I'm sure!

We are peaceful, yet wonder if Ben will maintain his job at US Bank. It's kind of a wait and see thing. In the meantime, we try to keep expenses down, make even more frugal choices than we did before, and pray we can accomplish the things we hoped to before the threat of a job loss.

At this time, it has prompted good conversation and reminders of the Lord's care and love for us all. It doesn't hurt to be forced to be creative and resourceful, we shold all be anyway, I guess. Great things happen when we are challenged to think, share, do without, create, etc.

My hope is that we can still expand and improve our life so that we can bless others and work to bear good fruit. I think that will always continue no matter what comes our way.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Colds Upon Us

We got through most of Winter as a family without the common cold. Now we are stuffy in the nose. head, ears, etc. I think we are on the mend though. I forgot how much a cold zaps ones energy.

Ben heads up North for his annual camping trip with the guys. Our back porch is loaded with food and supplies for the adventure.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Mike is NSIC Player of the Week!

Cunningham Named NSIC Player of the Week
Feb. 09

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Northern Sun league offices have announced that Concordia junior guard Mike Cunningham (Minneapolis, Minn.) has been selected the NSIC's Men's Basketball Player of the Week after his second career double-double followed by a career-high 26 point effort in leading Concordia University to a pair of league victories last weekend. Full Release

Mike Cunningham goes up strong for two of his 26 points against UMD

Mike Cunningham averaged 19.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists to lead Concordia to their fifth win in their last six games. He scored a career-high 26 points to lead CU to a comeback win over Minnesota Duluth, erasing a 19 point margin early in the second half. He finished the night shooting 9-17 (.529) from the floor while grabbing five rebounds, dishing three assists and swiping a pair of steals. The previous night, Cunningham’s second career double-double helped propel CU to a double-digit win over Bemidji State. In that game, Cunningham had 13 points and 11 rebounds with six assists in his first career double-digit rebounding performance. He has 10 consecutive double-digit scoring performances including five with at least 19 points along with his two career-highs, 25 at Bemidji State on Jan. 9 and 26 on Saturday night against UMD. He’s averaging 14.9 points in 15 NSIC games this year, two points shy of the team lead.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Doting Aunties

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Stuff Happening This Week

  1. Maddie wraps up learning about the early settlers to America and the Plymouth colony. She begins working on a travel brochure that will entice people to come visit colonial Rhode Island. We are all learning a lot about this state in its early stages.
  2. We are discerning whether or not to send Izzy to pre-school and which one. I like the idea of the YMCA pre-school 3 days/week. I go for a visit and tour today.
  3. Izzy and I will be visiting my friend Sarah who just and her third baby, a boy named Joseph.
  4. Ben keeps riding the bike every day and eating well. Now we have to buy him a new wardrobe really really cheap!
  5. Kate goes to a classmate's house this Friday for a birthday party. She has wanted to get together with this girl for awhile.
  6. Saturday is a full day: helping with a move, a birthday party, fixing up a bike to give away, Lord's Day, and watching the movie "Man On Wire" (recommended by Jacob and Birdie).
Just a snapshot into our life!