Easter Bunny Photo

Today I finally found the time to take all 3 kids and get the traditional Easter bunny photo a the Baybrook Mall. In years past I have been organized enough to take it further in advance of Easter weekend. I used to have the photo done and the extras already in the mail to the grandparents. It's funny how going back to work and being busy with life stuff changes that. Akorren asked me, "Why do we have to take a photo with the rabbit?" and I told him because it has become a tradition, something that we as a family have done for several years now since living in Texas and it serves as a memory for family and friends who love and care about you. It gives them a glimpse of what you are like at this moment and time near this holiday.
So with his question of why I ponder how long am I going to have all 3 of my kids together, the girls wanting to look like 'twins', getting dressed up to sit for a moment in time with a bunny, still holding the belief that he will bring them eggs and treats on the holiday. How long will this moment last? For the meantime I will enjoy this time just go with it.

Johnson Reunion March 27, 2010

The last family reunion was in IN over the summer in 2008. It is hard to believe that 2 years went by already. This year Glenn & I got to play host. Since we decided not to host it during the middle of the hot summer here in Texas, we knew we would have a smaller turn out. A big exciting thing for this reunion was the fact that Glenn would do tours of building 9 on site at Johnson Space Center. It was a really big deal for much of the family. I loved it because Glenn got a chance to show them some of the neat things he gets to do in his job as an astronaut trainer. It was a joy to see my husband proud of what he does in his work and to share that with his family. Many who went on the tours with him got to meet various astronauts and see things only a few get to; training modules and equipment used to help get up into space. It was a nice few days with every one who could make and surprisingly we did have pretty good turn out with about 30 people on the Saturday of the reunion.

We spent part of the day at Challenger 7 memorial park, Glenn set up to have a canoe, and 2 kayaks for the family to use up and down the river. We also had a friend cook a real Texas BBQ for us with brisket, shredded pork, chicken, sausage, and all the fixins'. After several hours at the park we went swimming back at the hotel where everyone stayed and then the crew came over to our place for Wii play time, karaoke and general story and gab time. It was nice just to be together. We all enjoyed the time we had together. The kid cousins have formed friendships and bonds as each reunion comes around it is time to remind us how important our family is and how much we love them even if we only see them every few years. Looking forward to seeing you all again in 2012.

Zhi's B-day Party

Today Zhivanna had some friends over the house to play. We borrowed a friends Karaoke machine and along with Merlova's amp had some microphones hooked up for the kids to sing into. Instead of her expecting gifts from her guests, she asked that they donate money for her to make a contribution to the American Red Cross to provide relief for the people of Haiti. Since her theme was going to be Rock n' roll/ Disco we got her a guitar to play around with. She is crazy about it and has already made up a few songs about "loosing getting to watch TV" and how "words can hurt", I wonder if I have an lyricist on my hands here? This coming week she will get to try out piano and see if she likes it. We had fun with all the friends who came to play with us, thank you all.

Zhi and her B-day cake

Here is Zhi at Grandpa Herman and Grandma Lois's place after going to the art show reception for the Texas Rodeo and dinner at Mongolian BBQ. What a happy girl. Happy Birthday to our 6 year old!

Orange Belts!

Today the kids tested for their orange belts and passed. They were awarded them tonight by Ms. Sute. It is nice that they are both doing the class together and are at the same level. They only go one night a week but are enjoying themselves. They have done Ninja camp and a few tournaments.

Zhi getting her belt, very excited.

Akorren gets his orange belt (note how wiggley Zhi is)

Zhi Update

Here is Zhivanna's Kindergarten picture, it came out really nice, she looks like her normal happy self. This kid is enjoying school and seems to be a jolly sprite when learning with her class. Currently she is busy with dance and then karate one night a week, she still asks to take piano, do gymnastics and is thinking about playing soccer again. The problem is that she wants to do and be good at everything and we as a family only have time for so much.
I wish I could give it all to her because I know she would just eat it up. She wants to be an artist right now and seems to think that painting and drawing are way too much fun. She loved the Kindergarten school music night this past week and can't wait to get back on stage again soon. It is wonderful to have such a joyful kid.

Akorren Update

Akorren's 3rd grade class pictures came in today. He took a nice photo this year. It was fun to look at his other pictures as the previous years were still in the frame when I went to put this one in. He is doing well in school and loves his teacher, she does a lot of science in class and that goes over big with him. He is now working with a tutor one day a week and does extra reading, and typing practice almost every day to keep him going. He has dyslexic tendencies and the school district will not provide him with any extra help. He did get into the read dog program at school where once a week he works with a trainer and dog and reads them a book for about 30 min. he loves it his dog is a giant poodle named Emma.
He does karate one day a week and loves to play his Pokemon Wii game when he has time in between all the school stuff. 3rd grade really takes the homework He is currently hooked on the BONE graphic novel series and just got to see HP and the Half Blood Prince after reading the book with me. He is a neat kid and we just love him.