Abby the ballerina

I love watching Abby during her ballet classes.  She is quite entertaining and energetic.  Today it was especially fun to watch as she "showed off" for her grandparents, although grandpa got a bit sleepy and fell asleep during the class.  It was funny so I just had to capture it.  Her ballet class isn't the most technical of ballet classes but she doesn't seem to mind the repetitiveness of the skills she has been doing for the past two years.  I love that ballet makes her happy.

Grandma and Grandpa Kelsch Visit Japan

We were so excited that Grandma Anne and Grandpa Franz came to visit us in Japan.  We did so many fun things together.  We took them to Kamakura to see the Big Buddha since the last time they saw it was many years ago.  We did that while the big kids were in school.  From Kamakura station we rode the cool old school blue train with wooden floors.  It was only a few stops on the train and about a 800 meter walk to see the Big Buddha.  Back at Kamakura station we walked along the shops and ate at our favorite Ramen shop and drank Ramune.  Yum!  

One afternoon we all went up to Yokohama and went ice skating together at the Red Brick Warehouse.  It was fun relearning how to ice skate and to do it with grandma and grandpa.  We had loads of fun and enjoyed watching the beautiful sunset in the city.  Afterwards we went to eat dinner at Bubby's.  The food was delicious but the hot chocolate was the winner of the night.

Over the weekend we were able to stay up in Tokyo at the New Sanno.  We had somehow managed to book two rooms a year ago not even knowing my parents were coming.  That was fortuitous. We played in the pool and just relaxed while we were at the hotel.  While we were in Tokyo we got to eat at our favorite Indian restaurant called Moti's where they completely pampered us and gave us free sodas.  We also visited Ueno Zoo and had fun see all of the animals there and enjoying the warm sun.

The boys got to have their excursion up to electronic district of Akihabara one afternoon to shop for electronics and the girls got to spend some time up at China Pete's looking at dishes.  The last time my mom and I had been there was before I was married.  It was super fun looking around.  I bought some bowls to match the plates I already had and some chopstick holders.  The coolest part of our adventure in this store was watching the cashier lady pull out an abacus to add up our goods instead of using the calculator that was sitting right next to her.  Classic old school Japanese!  We loved having my parents come to visit.

Slices of Life . January

January 3, 2013

The one thing I will not miss about living overseas is the delay in the mail.  We got a huge pile of Christmas cards after the beginning of the year.  It wasn't just a couple of cards but a huge stack.  I can't imagine that many people sent them that late.  I still put up the pictures on our wall and kept them there for the next two months!

January 6, 2013

As the Sunday School teacher for all the youth in our ward I was so excited to teach out of the new youth program, Come Follow Me.  I put together journal books with the themes for each month so that they could take notes during class.  They were a huge hit.

January 22, 2013

I am so lucky to live next to the coolest Japanese family.  Kay and I have become such good friends and between her ability to speak a little English and my ability to use a little Japanese we have been able to communicate pretty well.  Kay was really excited to teach me how to cook some good Japanese dishes so we scheduled our first cooking lesson.  Cooking with Kay was so much fun and the meal we prepared today was so delicious.  Abby and Koto had so much fun playing while Kay and I talked and cooked together.

Little Moments

Everyone always said it would happen but for some reason I choose not to believe it. Life has gotten a little bit busier with every passing year. I don't know how it happened because we didn't really add that more to our schedule this past year. Alas, I am like most mothers who wish time would slow down for just a little bit so I could take a deep breath and soak in all of those little moments that seem to be fleeting away. I will admit that I find myself enjoying all of those little moments with Abby because she is at home with me when I seem to have more downtime. With the older children who are in school I really have to make more of an effort to notice all that is happening in their lives. I love my life but it is a busy one and I haven't been the greatest at documenting all those little things that I don't want to forget about with each one of my children. I used to be so good about writing things down when the kids were younger and changing at a faster pace. So, at the beginnig of this New Year I am slowing down just enough to document a little bit about each one of them.

A B B Y

I am absolutely enamored by Abby.  She is such a joy to have around and I am actually dreading this fall when I have to send her off to school.  Everything she says is either completely hilarious or just the cutest thing you have ever heard.  Her observation of the world around her is amazing and she is curious about many things.  Abby LOVES to talk.  She will talk to most adults and has no problems striking up a conversation with anyone.  With Abby you have to be prepared to talk for quite some time because she usually has a lot to say.  I love it when Abby comes and snuggles up next to me in bed either before going to sleep at night or in the morning when everyone has already left for school.  I call her my snuggle bug and she loves that nick name.  Abby loves to play with friends but she really loves to have mommy and me time.  At home Abby has been working on preparing for Kindergarten.  Everyday she works a little more on perfecting her letters and she reads a small Bob book with me.  So far she can write all of her letters pretty well and has been able to recognize all of the letters and their sounds for quite some time.  She just finished reading Set 1 of the Bob Books with me.  I am surprised at how well she has picked up reading.  Outside of home Abby is enjoying swimming lessons and ballet and has become confident with both.  I can always count on Abby to give me a hug or to put a smile on my face.  She is pure joy. 

Age: 4 1/2 years old
Height: 41 1/2 inches
Weight: 38 lbs
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Dinner: Meatballs
Favorite Snack: Peanut Butter Crackers
Favorite Dessert: Brownies
Favorite vacation in 2012: The Cruise
Favorite activity at home: Playing Sylvania Family and Dancing
Friends: Melissa, Chloe, Callista, Ellie
Favorite Song: I am a Child of God
Favorite Book: The Cat in the Hat

E M M A

Emma has grown up so much lately.  I love her toothy smile and freckled face.  She is growing up to be such a beautiful young lady.  Emma has started to want to do more grown up things such as learning how to sew and listening to appropriate big kid songs.  Emma loves to go to school and is doing really well this year.  She has far surpased the First Grade reading level which is huge for her since she didn't really "get it" until midway through Kindergarten.  She loves to read the Magic Tree House series and has enjoyed having quiet reading time before bed.  Emma loves to draw and comes up with some pretty clever drawings.  She is very creative and talented at home and at school.  Emma is such a joy to her teachers which comes as no surprise to me because she is that way at home.  Emma is starting to shoot up in height and has started collecting more freckles on her face at a rapid pace.  I love it.  Emma loves to play outside and doesn't care if she gets dirty.  In fact she probably prefers to do something where she can get down and dirty.  Then in girly fashion she will come home and want to take a shower.  I love that she can be both girly and down to earth all at the same time.  I can always count on Emma to do her chores without complaining and to practice her piano.  She shows the most promise for piano as it seems to come easy for her and she enjoys it.  In only her second year of piano she is learning how to play an easy version of Fur Elise.  I am always amazed when I see her practice multiple times a day after her scheduled practice is over.  Emma has also been taking private swim lessons and has shown so much improvement.  I know that by this summer she is going to be passing that swim test.  Sometimes Emma can be a bit bossy with her siblings and I can see that her "mothering" side is starting to make an entrance.  We just need to nourish it is all.  I am so grateful for Emma and for her loving nature and helpful attitude.  Emma wants to be loved and to be able to lead.             

Age: 7 years old
Height: 46 1/4 inches
Weight: 42.6 lbs
Favorite Color: Light Blue
Favorite Dinner: Chicken Rolls
Favorite Snack: Banana
Favorite Dessert: Brownies
Favorite vacation in 2012: The New Zealand Cruise
Favorite subject in school: Art
Friends at school: Catherine, Josh, Bella, Matthew, Nia
Favorite sport: Tennis
Favorite Song: Walking on Sunshine
Favorite Book: The Magic Treehouse Series

P E T E R

I can always count on Peter to give me that million dollar smile.  His smile is infectious as well as his laughter.  Peter is so good natured and I know that there is a specific reason why he is in our family.  He is here for many reasons but one is to calm me down when I feel troubled.  He radiates peace and love and that is always good to have in any family.  Peter is a straight A student in school and has really picked up a love for reading this year.  He may not be super tall but he is a giant in love and spirit.  This is the second year in a row that Peter has earned the Citizen of the Month award.  Peter is always kind and super honest.  Peter came home one day and said that his teacher told him that he had never met a kid more honest than Peter.  It's true, you can count on Peter to always do the right thing.  He is always encouraging his friends at school to make good choices with him.  Peter is enjoying private swim lessons and cub scouts.  He just earned his Webelos Badge in scouts and has really improved on all of his strokes in swimming.  Peter still loves running the best and had a blast in running club last fall.  It makes me happy that he loves to run with me.  I just love this kid.

Age: 9 3/4 years old
Height: 50 1/4 inches
Weight: 53.4 lbs
Favorite Color: Light Green
Favorite Dinner: Garlic Chicken Farfalle or Crepes
Favorite Snack: Nachoes
Favorite Dessert: Hot Fudge Sundae
Favorite vacation in 2012: The New Zealand Cruise and Indonesia
Favorite subject in school: Social Studies
Friends at school: Sean, Shawn, Connor, Brandon, Sachi
Favorite sport: Running
Favorite Song: Land Downunder (Men at Work)
Favorite Book: Inkheart

A N D R E W

Andrew has definitely hit his preteen years.  He is almost as tall as I am and he is exerting a little bit more independence as of late.  Andrew likes to do things his own way.  He is learning how to be more organized in school and has really done well this year even though his schedule is so much harder than last year.  Last quarter Andrew made the Honor Roll and I think he was proud of himself for the effort he put forth in school.  Andrew started playing the trombone this year and not only does he like it but he is really good at it too.  Andrew still loves to read but I think the one thing he likes the most is playing Minecraft on the computer.  Andrew is super creative and picks things up really quickly.  Minecraft does get him to think and that is good but he doesn't seem to have an off button with that game.  That is something we are working on.  Still, Andrew is a super great kid and I am so glad that he is in our family.  We can always count on him to tell us funny jokes or to cheer us up.  I can always count on him when I need him to watch the kids.  He is super reliable when it comes to taking care of his siblings.  In fact, he has such a tender heart when it comes to taking care of them that usually Abby will want Andrew to put her to bed.  He just has a special place in Abby's heart.  Andrew's spirit is tender and I love that about him.  He is such a great young man.

Age: 11
Height: 59 3/4 inches
Weight: 83.6 lbs
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite Dinner: Garlic Chicken Farfalle
Favorite Snack: Nutella filled marshmallows and Graham Crackers and milk
Favorite Dessert: Ice-cream sundae
Favorite vacation in 2012: The New Zealand Cruise
Favorite subject in school: Science and Math
Friends at school: Bryce, Matthew, Alex, John, Keoni, Connor, Cameron, Sean
Favorite sport: Running
Favorite Song: We are The Free (Matt Redman)
Favorite Book: Fablehaven Series