Madison's 5th grade celebration

Today I was fortunate to be able to go help with Madison's end of the year celebration. I am so glad to have good friends that are willing to watch Ashley so I can do things like this. The celebration started first thing in the morning. They walked over to the park that is next to the school where that were different stations set up for the kids to go through. I was in charge of the Checker and Chess station with two other people so I had it pretty easy. The other mom with me didn't bring her camera so she was more then willing to let me follow Madison and her daughter around to get pictures.

They had some really fun stations. They played water balloon volleyball. Kick ball Ultimate Frisbee were just a few of the stations there. I was a bit surprised to see Madison playing because she is so shy. When we talked later she told me it was a fun game but it kind of stunk because the boys wouldn't pass to the girls. She did get the Frisbee more then the other girls though because she towered over all the girls and all the boys. I think she was even taller then one of the teachers playing. She loves being tall because she notices all the advantages that she has. I was really happy to see that Madison played and had the great time. This was a great ending to elementary school. It is very hard to believe that she is heading off to Middle School. I don't know where the time has gone. I know she is ready for it but I am not sure about myself. It is very hard to see your kids get older. She is an amazing little girl and she makes Kevin and I very proud.

Madison had a great day today I am so glad that I was able to spend it with her.

Father's Day

Today was a great day. The girls love to spoil their Dad. They had all their presents set out for him with his special dinner. Kevin couldn't even finish his dinner because they were too excited to have him open his presents. He is such a great dad. Allison made him a cell phone holder at school. Madison gathered a few of Kevin's things from around the house and wrapped them up to go with her card that she made him at school. She just kept on telling him that he was really going to like her present.
Shaving cream, his brush, his blanket and his Ipad. Oh and we can't forget the famous frog that has been getting for the past 4 years for his birthday. We just love the excitement that they put into giving presents.

Ashley got him a book called I love you, Daddy. She has kinda made this a tradition. There is great book store that has children's books for cheap and we always find some great books. We also got him a book we made on Shutterfly and a digital picture frame for his desk at work. He really feels spoiled.

Finally one of the best things of the day was Ashley singing her Fathers Day song for Dad while I was making dinner. It was great. I quickly told Madison to get the camera so we get in on video.

Ashley's Father's Day Performance from Kevin Scharnhorst on Vimeo.

Toy Story 3

Tonight we took the girls to Toy Story 3. Ashley has been waiting for this movie to come out. I can't remember how long she has been talking about it but it has been long time. We weren't going to see it opening weekend but changed our minds because Ashley was just so excited. She was insistent that her Woody doll needed to come with us. The movie was great. Ashley was glued to the screen the whole time. Madison and Allison really enjoyed it too. Normally sequels aren't that good but this one was. When the movie was over I ask Ashley if she liked it and she said, "yep" and then told me that Woody liked it too. We had a great time.

Crazy busy fun week

This week has been crazy but fun. We started out by going to the park with a friend that is visiting from out of town. She moved away almost 4 years ago and I have missed her so much. I love that Shauna has come to visit. She has two little girls and Ashley had a blast with them. They are 3 and 4 so they are the perfect age for Ashley. It was so cute because it was like they are old friends and have known each other forever. The girls played for 3 1/2 hours. I couldn't believe that they just kept on going and going. Ashley had a blast. It was especially nice that we had sun because it has been cold and rainy here.

A few days later we thought we would check out Monkey Bizness with Shauna and her kids. By this point Madison and Allison are really wishing school was out because they had to miss out on a lot of fun. I had never been there so I wasn't sure what to expect but it was the best place ever. Ashley had a blast. I wish I had the energy that she has. She played again nonstop for over 3 hours. This slide was the girls absolute favorite. The girls would slide down so fast. They loved it. We are definitely going to have to go back. I think the best part for me as a mom was that they split the kids up by age so I didn't have to worry about bigger kids. I was totally comfortable and didn't stress over Ashley.

After Monkey Bizness I got to go up to school for Allison's Authors tea. Allison's class has been working on an All about Me book all year. I am so proud of Allison. She did a wonderful job on her book. I can't believe how much she has grown this year. Her writing skills have really developed. Allison has had an awesome year and an awesome teacher also.
Next was the girls field day at school today. I haven't volunteered before so I wasn't really sure what to expect but it was a lot of fun. Allison's field day was first thing this morning. She had a lot of fun at each station.
Madison's was in the afternoon and I as only able to stay for a few of her stations because I had plans with Ashley. It was nice to see Madison cut loose and have fun with her friends. She is always so serious and shy.

To finish out our fun week I took Ashley bowling for the first time. She was so excited because she is an expert. She can beat us all on the Wii. She tried very hard to hold the ball correctly but her little hands were just too small. She did finally decide on granny shot as the best way to bowl. She carried her own ball. It was really nice. We went with the Moellers which made it even more fun. Ashley did very well for her first time she was neck and neck with Sister Moeller for the lead and then Anna swooped in at the end to beat us all. We are going to have to go bowling more this summer. It is a fun cheap thing to do. We have really had a fun week but I know I am looking forward to some down time when the girls get out school next week. I love summer.

Surprise

One of our really good friends turned 40 today and we were able be there at her surprise birthday party. It was a great party.

Dawn is over the hill from Kevin Scharnhorst on Vimeo.

Science Fair time

Madison just finished her science fair project. She chose to plant flowers and see what the best fertilizer might be. She planted 6 flowers and fertilized 3 with different fertilizers while the others were water and sunlight variables. Unfortunately the weather here didn't cooperate and we had to keep them in the house most of the time but it was still a great experiment.

This week she put her poster together with all of her findings.
It was fun watching her. I never realized how much of perfectionist she was. She did a great job and I am very proud of her. I am so happy that she takes such pride in her school work. She is an amazing student and daughter.

Tonight we went up to the school so we could see what all the other kids did. There were some really cool experiments but I have to say I think Madison's was one of the best. Especially her poster.

Weekend in Twin

This past weekend we went to Kevin's parents house. Kevin was itching to get away. He hadn't left town since Thanksgiving. The girls just love to go to Nana's house.

Grandpa had heard that the girls were good at yard work so he had plans to plant the garden with the girls. They were so excited and willing to help Grandpa. Madison was such a big help. Grandpa even let her try out the rototiller. She said it was hard but al ot of fun. After Grandpa and Madison were all done preparing the garden then it was time for planting. This was for everyone. Madison and Grandpa had a good system. Grandpa would make the hole and Madison would hand the seeds to the younger kids. Unfortunately the younger kids have a short attention span and they only lasted a couple of rows and then it was Madison and Grandpa who had to plant the rest. Madison had a great time with Grandpa and then as her reward she got to take a ride on the lawn mower. She had a blast.

After all the yard work was done it was time to celebrate Kevin's birthday. The girls were so excited that we were celebrating Kevin's birthday in Twin because they knew that he would pick Gerties for dinner their favorite pizza buffet. It was a nice dinner and then we were back to the house for cake and presents. Kevin had a great birthday. It was nice to be able to spend it with his parents. Now Ashley thinks that we always go to Nana's for birthday's since we spent hers their too.

While visiting we also went in to see Kevin's Grandma. It was nice to get to see her. We had a great weekend. It was nice to get away and see Kevin's parents.

Bob this is for you, since you think I am such a clutz. Here is what my leg looks like from running into your dishwasher so much.