Weekend in review

Emily turned 11 this past weekend.  Friday night she wanted a birthday party with a few friends from school.  She had six girls come.  Everyone had a good time.  The girls are really into dancing and had to have a couple of dance competitions.  Emily loves to dance.  For dessert the girls made banana splits.  I think after having cookies, chips, pizza, and soda, the girls were stuffed because there was a lot of left over banana splits!  Emily got Just Dance 3 for her birthday.  She also used some of her birthday money to buy Lego Pirates of the Carribean.  She is dying to play it when she gets home from school this afternoon. Sunday was her official birthday.  We celebrated by having hot wings, french fries, and fruit salad.  Emily and Kate went to bed around 7 Sunday night thinking they would wake up at 4:30 in the morning to play the play station before school.  Well, Kate woke up, but we told them to go back to bed, and there were no further arguments.  I think they realized that 4:30 is quite early! 

Kate's birthday is coming up next.  She is going to have three friends over for it.  I don't mind having parties for the older kids because they just want to do their own thing and hang out.  I have a hard time planning parties for little ones where you have to do all the entertaining, so that's why my little kids don't get birthday parties.  We just have family parties when they are young and have a good time.  I'm glad my kids don't complain.  If I had the money, I would hire someone to do the parties for me! Or maybe, if I lived close to one of my sisters, I would have them do it!  Hahahaha, I know, I always got my younger sisters to do all my work for me.  Isn't a good leader a good delegator?

Seth Singing!

This is Seth singing at 14 months post Cochlear Implant activation.  (The singing is cool, but watching the Popsicle is even funnier!)

He's saying: the bunny, the bunny, oh I ate the bunny, I didn't eat my soup or my bread just the bunny.

Christensen Family Reunion 2011

Happy Birthday, Dane!

 Dane just celebrated his 9th birthday!  He requested squash pie instead of birthday cake this year.  Yum! Yum!  We discovered we like squash pie better than pumpkin pie when we grew butternut squash in our garden last summer and used the squash to make pies at Thanksgiving.  We will definitely be growing butternut squash again!  Dane is now also in the Bear Den!  Hurray!  It's so much fun to have him in cub scouts with me.  

Christensen Family

For Christmas, the Christensen family will hold a family reunion.  We are so excited to see each other!  Not everyone will be able to be there.  I think nine of the eleven children and their families will be there.  Sometime all of us will be able to be together.  I'm so exited!  

The Snow Angel

This is a great book!  Yes I am a Glenn Beck fan, but I didn't realize what a great author he is as well.  It really makes you think.  Oh, I want to write so much about it, but I do not want to give anything away.  You'll just have to read it!

Beatitudes for Friends of the Handicapped

I. Blessed are those who stop and listen to my chatter. You may not understand me; but I love when people talk to me, for I long for companionship, too.

II. Blessed are those who take my hand and walk with me when the path is rough, for I easily stumble and grow weary. But thank you, too, for letting me walk alone when the path is smooth, for I must learn independence.

III. Blessed are those who take the time to tell me about special happenings, for unless you make special effort to inform me, I remain ignorant.

IV. Blessed are those who wait for me. I may be slow, but I appreciate your patience.

V. Blessed are those who are not ashamed to be seen in public with me, for I did not choose to be born thus. It could have been you as well.

VI. Blessed are those who do not pity me, for I don't want pity. All I want is understanding and respect for what I have learned as well.

 VII. Blessed are those who notice my accomplishments, small as they may seem to you. I must work long and hard to learn many of the things you take for granted.

VIII. Blessed are those who include me in their games, even though I may not  understand the rules, I still like to be included in your activities.

IX. Blessed are those who think of me as a person who loves, and hurts, and feels joy and pain just like you do, for in that respect I am normal.