Reflections

This year Ben, Rosie, and Jane participated in the Reflections contest. Ben entered the visual arts category again. He got first place for K-2 Primary Division at school and an honorable mention at Regionals:

Rosie entered in the dance category this year. She won first place for the K-2 Primary Division at her school and then won first place at Regionals! Her submission went to States this year - the first time one of the kids has gone to States!

Jane also entered in the dance category. She won first place for the 3-5 Intermediate Division at school and then won first place at Regionals, as well! Her submission also went on to States this year - we are so proud of these kiddos!

School awards:

Regional awards:

Their journey ended at States, but what a fun competition!

Kids, Cats, and K9s

Rosie and Ben had an event at school recently called Kids, Cats, and K9s. The second grade partnered with Heritage Humane Society to profile their animals up for adoption. Rosie got Chad, and Ben got Nellie. There were also some very funny animal names like Sherlock Bones and Furricane Jane. Anyway, it was a very cute event. There was a pig and several dogs there to visit with.

All the 2nd graders also came home with stuffed animals!

 It was a very short and sweet event.

W&M Women in sports and halftime game

Jane's basketball team was invited to play in the halftime game of a W&M women's basketball game. She was so excited. Right before the game they had a sports clinic for kids where they were able to try several different sports: field hockey, cheer, volleyball, dance, lacrosse, and soccer. They loved meeting all the women athletes:

Women in sports clinic:

Then Jane's team played in the halftime game. She got to do the jump ball. They were down several players so two younger sisters (including Rosie) got to dress out for the game just in case not enough girls showed up. Much to Rosie's chagrin, five girls were available. She still got to sit on the bench but didn't play.

They also loved getting on the jumbotron! Halftime clips:

 

And last but not least, and video of knockout from basketball practice. Rosie took on Jane and won for the first time. They're both good shooters: 

February wrap-up

February has been freezing. We keep thinking there will be some sort of reprieve from this weather, and then it turns worse again. Even parts of the river were frozen over!

Jane finished a crochet succulent:

We had a great family dinner at Lauren's, were able to celebrate Eric's birthday with him, and these kids played for hours on the stairs!

Ben acting like a "grown up" putting his towel around his waist after the shower, hah!

Jane had some fun birthday parties - one where she got to go see The Wizard of Oz at the historic Byrd Theater in Richmond with organ accompaniment! Then they had Mellow Mushroom and Menchies.

Gaby came to the kids' basketball games on her birthday and then Chris and Rob took her out to Sal's for dinner.

Ben doing a word search at the ophthalmologist:

Yearbook covers were due for the annual contest. Ben and Jane entered this year.

Jane, Ben, and Rosie made TWO Jeopardy games for us while we were at Eleanor's basketball game one night. It was very fun!

Jane has been hard at work on her science experiment - required for 5th graders this year. She decided to mix solutes into water and see which solution froze fastest.

Valentine's Day cookies (at a red light).

"Watching" siblings' basketball games:

Eleanor got a very sweet pearl necklace from a friend where you had to open the clam yourself and find the pearl. It was a very fun/cool gift!

Eleanor finished her National History Day project (much to all of our relief).

Jane had a glow day fractions party at school - we love her creative teacher!

Playing with cousins at the park (and Rosie up in a tree!):

Rosie has been busy with hair chalk this month:

Dress up time!

Overall February was a great month, but I am tired of the constant cold, wind, and rain. We had several anticipated snows that mainly became straight ice and had ice on the ground for well over half the month without melting - much longer than I've ever experienced living here! We also had our 8th snow day this month. Spring sports all started this past week and next week and those fields have been cold!