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.

Kindergarten Music Night

Tonight Zhivanna's Kindergarten class at Gilmore had a musical performance. Zhi was so excited to be able to perform and it was great to see her right up in the front row. She was very expressive in her gestures and singing. You can see that she really thought all the eyes were on her and she stood out as a real entertainer among her classmates.

Photo boards for Service Auction

Here you see Akorren and I posing for our picture in BAUUC's (Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church 17503 El Camino Real Houston, TX 77058 (281) 488-2001) Service Auction night photo boards. Glenn made these for the event tonight at 6:00 PM over at our church. This is one of our big fundraising events for the year. It's where we auction off activities, events, services, and goodies to make money for the church. It should be a lot of fun.
With Zhivanna sick with an ear infection and a fever I do not know which of us will get to go out tonight. I would like to go, but it would also be nice to let Glenn go and get all the complements on his work since he was the one who made them. The other two kids are going to spend time with Papa Herman & Lois. And one parent will be at home playing nursemaid to sick girl. Glenn did a good job with the photo boards and I am sure the church members will have fun photographing in them.