gold star teachers

A few weeks ago I walked past the room that holds our computer and found this... My 4th grader typing away on the keyboard. At school that day, he had heard about the Gold Star teacher awards. Before I had even had a chance to read the brochure in his back-pack, he was already nominating his favorites. Peaking over his shoulder I could see he had more then "He is nice" comments to include with his nominees. Plus, he had more then one favorite and for different reasons. I wasn't surprised at who he nominated, but what he wrote shocked me a bit, as he was much more detailed about it than I would have assumed. For a few reasons, might I add...

1.) Kids identify with their same-sex teachers tremendously. I know the education program is heavily filled with females and that is awesome. But as a mom to boys...I so, so appreciate the men who have stepped up to the role as teachers in our childrens lives. There is a natural and necessary relationship that happens from boys learning from boys. I appreciate the men at my son's school who teach and reach our boys for the next generation.

2.) Teachers worth is not found in the pay-checks they receive. Unfortunately, our culture runs according to where the money is. But under that surface is a hundred million souls that are richer thanks to a teacher. We've been really blessed with fantastic teachers whom love our kids almost every single year at their public school. Jax nominated a teacher who "likes him for him". Sometimes I forget to see my own son as he was made. Thankful for a teacher who likes him...just for being him.

3.) All kids need a sounding board and sometimes they need one outside of home. Jaxon picked another teacher because she "really listens to me and I can go to her when I'm having a problem". We can not be everything to our kids, but having teachers who can walk alongside you and fill in the gaps is priceless.

4.) While school is for learning, it does not mean desk work needs to happen all day to do so. As a mom, I have had the goal for my children to be life-long learners. I want them to love learning, forever. The teachers that go the extra mile to teach what needs to be learned, but do it in a way that leaves a positive experience with the process for our little learners is nothing short of a blessing. Jaxon chose another teacher for "making learning fun".

I know the schools can not teach my child everything he needs to know for life after school years. But, the partnership they have accepted in the role as teachers is shining through our children...their students. We're so blessed with a great teacher partnership this year and in many past years. So thank you, teachers. If the Hansen's were handing out the winners...you'd be gold star in our books! Thank a teacher today!

a winter indoors

I do not remember a winter this cold since I've had kids. We're an outside family and usually even through the winter months our kids get outside at least a couple times a week. Not the story this year. I think it is fair to say we are all ready for spring. So since the winter was long...here is a long visual post of the 2 days we actually played outside. Okay, maybe a few more then 2...but not much more!

I am seriously over this snow this year. To prove it, I ordered our garden seeds this week. Spring will come...spring will come...spring will come...spring will come...

she's 9 months now!

Savannah is just so fun to watch every day. It seems with each day she adds a little more spunk or an opinion to her little personality. Clearly... she lets herself be heard when needed!

 My mom owns a darling little flower and gift shop in a Midwest rural town. She requested this sweet girl be included in her advertising this spring...so I attempted to squeeze her into the dress and to play the part... but she was hit and miss with the whole idea. There goes my attempt for cute 9 month pictures. But like most days with little ones...you just roll with it!

 Between not being able to crawl in the dress and the sitting still long enough to not leave a blur on the camera lens, I had my work cut out for me.

 This girl is only a few months away from 1...year...old. And this is how I kinda feel about it!

 I can hardly tell you where these last months have gone. They are really just moving along in a way I can't keep up. Though I try hard to pause through out my days and really, really look at and into my children's eyes. A habit that is sadly harder then it sounds.

 Oh, how I have loved adding this sweet face to our crew.

 This unexpected addition has shifted our lives... but that's what little ones are supposed to do. And I am so much better for it.

 I'm hoping this little splurge of personality that seems to be coming out settles well with the big boys in the house...and in the months ahead.

As you can see....they already seem to know how to keep her in the mix.

9 months and counting... 20 lbs, eating anything you give her, on the go. And still stolen my heart. Oh, to be her Mama...a wonderful grace filled gift. 

a valentine day

 I know Valentine's Day is totally cheese-worthy. All those years as a young girl and wanting a perfect Valentine day was such a waste of my hoping....because nothing beats loving on your kids in an extra cheesy way and gushing over pinks and reds just because you can. We don't do much, but we have fun with it. It's the little things that make a day stick out from others, so thats just what we do for our valentine fun.

Can't beat heart shaped pancakes. Oldest trick in the book, works every time.

 Having school aged kids means getting in on some fun classroom parties, so I go to celebrate the simple event and just be there. Nothing says I love you more then just being there.

 Jaxon indulged in treats galore and the beauty of being a 4th grader is your mom can't tell you to stop. Even I know it ain't cool to have your mom hounding you about what you eat in front of your friends... so I watched Jax eat enough sugar and chips for 3 people. And love every single second of it.

 Oh, and this is Jaxon's totally awesome teacher. Totally awesome.

Sis had her first Valentine day and was too busy to pose... but I think she enjoyed her heart pants and pink bow I insisted she stick on her head. 

 It's become our tradition to do a Valentine treasure hunt every year. I make clues, the kids run all over the house, and end up with a treasure of a few little things that we can do together...games, art activities, cardboard playhouses. 

 And what is a Valentine party without a red marked toddler?

 The boys had a picnic dinner in the playhouse and I think it stayed standing for almost 24 hours...almost.

 These three...

 The fun came to a close, but the memory of little things dressed up lives in my heart... in theirs too, I hope.

 Little years and smiling faces and fun days...

It's a full life when I really look.

8 months and counting

Baby Girl is growing. So fast I can't keep up! She turns 9 months old in a few days, so here is an 8 month update! 

 Savannah, often known as Savannah Grace or Sister or Sister Sue or Baby Sister or Sylvester. The Sylvester is my attempt to call her Sister and Savannah at the same time...a tongue tied Mama will spout out random names at times. Including calling your one and only daughter Sylvester. Often.

 Sis is on the move. Crawling like a champ, pulling herself up on everything to stand, and in the 8th month is officially standing on her own too. I think she's working to beat Jaxon's 10th month walking record for our crew. Perhaps a competitiveness to my darling baby girl? :)

 She's in the stranger danger stage. You know the one where if you aren't Mom then you are left with a crying baby? Yeah, while the stage is flattering to me for a bit...I'm willing to share the tot on my hip from time to time :)

 And if you are mom...you get these huge smiles!! :)

 Sister is curious and loves checking out the space around her. Don't worry, that garbage tin is full of mittens and hats...not trash. Even I have some boundaries :)

 Savannah is wearing 9-12 month clothes, eating anything you hand her and even some you don't, nursing still, and napping twice a day! Oh, and has 5 teeth. That a gal!

And her biggest milestone this month... she is sleeping through the night!!! Lets all shout hooray! (Ok, maybe thats just mom shouting!! :)

little hands

 Toddler's are so fun to teach...

 Every little thing is new...

...and these little hands actually will stop long enough to do a little something. A quick something!

our 6 year old!

So it's almost 2 months after Austin turned 6 and when is it too late to post about his 6th birthday? I say never! A belated happy birthday blog post to our second born son who is as different as night and day from our first born, third, and fourth. And good thing. I love the creativity God has when he makes our little people!

  Austin is a gem and we're so blessed by his easy-going strengths and go with the flow personality. He excels greatly in creativity and problem solving and caring for nature and others and living a slow paced life. He is so easy to hang around, a wonderful snuggle bug, and always up for an adventure. He loves to make things, be outside, his tablet at the moment, and one on one time. He often will disappear into a room by himself and verbally make it clear he just wants some quiet time. Out little introvert at heart. His love for school isn't as dynamic as his big brothers, but he adores his teacher this year and the new friends he has made. He'd go camping every day if we let him and he's yet to sleep with any pajamas on. Maybe that will come in the 7th year? :) All in all, we are beyond blessed by this goofy, joyful, and adventurous little boy. Happy 6th year to one of our favorites!

Of course, as tradition seems to have it...Austin was sick on his birthday. Again. 3 years in a row!

We celebrated small and then we celebrated big later...

But he's an easy one to have sick at home.

And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't kind of happy :) It meant I got to keep him home with me on his birthday.

He talked about his Ninja cake for months and we delivered. 

A simple, Ninja themed birthday party with a small select crowd...  Kinda the way he likes it :)

Happy, happy 6th Birthday Austin! You are wonderfully made!

PS However, don't be fooled by a child's gentle spirit and easy ways. I have about gone crazy in the last week as I kept finding myself too early or way late for things. As Jaxon's teacher texted me yesterday that he would be a few minutes out to the van late I panicked, as I was still at home when I got the text. Looking at my house clock I still had 10 minutes to go get them...but then I checked my cell time and I was late!! A little conversation on the way home with the kids about me being late and Mr.Austin was a giggely mess. He simply said, giggeling..." I changed the clocks in the house." All of them. Not a one of them on the right time. Talk about tricking a Mama into thinking she is crazy!!!