From Anneke

Remember the reason for the season.

Love, Anneke

Princesses and Princes

Anneke - i am anneke is anybody in YOUR FAMILY HAVING A BIRTHDAY. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? me and luke and marcus are playing spies. We have baby sister names Mallory. She is the 4th spy. Marcus is the first spy. I am the second spy. Luke is the third spy.

(She didn't feel that one space was enough.)

Marcus -I wonder what this has to do with princesses and princes. Do I have to blog about them? I will not! If I write about anything, it would be what I want. How about babies? I love little kids.

Long time

It is not that we haven't been doing art, it is that I have been focusing on other things. Plus, my children seem to have forgotten about the blog. But, since our last post each child has come a long way. In this post 3 separate mediums are explored.

Marcus with water color-

He did this at Cub Scouts and displayed it at home. I thought it was a worthy first affort. I love the wind blowing in the lion's mane.

Anneke's favorite - markers

She had to make a label for the door. She is finally moving past stick figures. (For her, she can't sit still long enough to do what she wants, so this is a rarity.)

Luke found a pen one morning and asked for paper.

This was unexpected. Developmentally speaking this is almost a year ahead of schedule. These are known as tadpoles in Early CHildhood development, because that is what they resemble. Children typically do not produce them until between 3 1/2 and 4 years. It shows an awareness that is pretty advanced. So, I saved it and it is his first contribution. I know many may be unimpressed so this may not occur often, but I loved it.

(Marcus was telling me that random pictures appearing around the house like this were Luke's, but I kept thinking they must be Anneke's because there was no way he was producing that work. Then, Luke brought me his family picture and I literally cried. It doesn't seem that long ago that he couldn't even draw circles.)

A helping day

Marcus - Today we did a lot of cool things. First,we went to get some fruits and veggies at . We got to help fill the baskets. Then, we got to go to our neighbor's house. AND GUESS WHAT? I GOT TO HELP HERD CHICKENS! AND I GOT TO HELP PICK PEAS!

Anneke - today we did a lot of cool things. we got to go to git food. did you too? [that's all she wanted to say]

Mom's Day

Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

Anneke again

Anneke -

After school I will do my homework.

My favorite book is Junie B. Jones.

I like to play hopscotch with Fransisca and Valeria.

In Las Vegas I saw a hotel. A car I saw was a limo.

Bowling

Marcus -

FHE fun

For a Family Home Evening activity we folded a paper 4 times and drew an alien. Anneke did the top, Marcus next, then Andy (Daddy) and on the bottom was Mommy. We had a great name, but no one can remember it now.

Anneke's Creations

I need to talk to Marcus about his art work because Anneke has been dominating the blog. Anyway, here are more Niki Sue creations.

I was surprised when my Grammy gave me earrings.

After school I will go on a picnic.

My favorite thing about Clifford is that he is so big.

Virtual Refrigerator

Anneke has started to bring me her work to scan into the computer. She is so proud and I am getting a backlog of her work. This is turning into our "virtual refrigerator". (That is a good blog name, but probably has already been used.) Anyway, enjoy the latest batch. I am hoping to get them to actually write something on here soon so it is not just me.

"On windy days I like to let the wind blow my h(air)"

(This one is my favorite. Not only did she actually draw the wind, but she is dancing in the wind. Very Anneke!)

"I would (like) to go to visit (one of) my uncles."

"I celebrate (St. Patrick's) day"

"On rainy days I like to go out side and get cold and go back inside and drink hot chocolate and watch a movie."

"I want to go to Disney Land."

"I like to eat for dinner macaroni."

"My birthday is in July."

(I know I am not consistent with how I translate, but I am not sure how to be. Sometimes she does really well sounding words out and sometimes she doesn't. I am doing my best, though.)

More Anneke

Anneke asked me why I like her pictures so much. I think it is because she has never shown much interest in drawing life. The first two show her development in both writing and drawing.

I like to go to the swimming pool.

On sunny days I like to go to the swimming pool.

In school we cannot go past the computer.

Outside I like to jump on a friend's trampoline.

At my house my job is to wipe the table.

My favrit prd wus the walhta m gat.

Okay, I know this says "My favorite part was the..." and then I have no clue. Really, does anyone have any ideas? I think it has something to do with Valentine's day consider the big heart.

Anneke's food

Anneke -

My favorite food is macaroni.

After school I will go to a restaurant.

Lately Anneke has been doing a lot more artwork. Today she gave me these two specimens.

Self Portrait

Anneke -

There are 5 letters. M for Mom, D for Dad, C for Caspian, M for Marcus and a blown up A for the artist. Oh and this is a self portrait.

Valentine's

My children love to make their own Valentine's. I don't know if I save money or not. That is not why we do it. Last year I spent a couple of weeks cutting out hearts from construction paper. I gave them stickers, glue and paper along with the hearts and they personalized each card.

This year Anneke wanted "a heart note" and bat signal to give away. I thought of putting a bat symbol in a heart, but of course my husband thought of making a bat symbol in the shape of a heart. He made 4 different versions.

Marcus chose this one:

I made this heart note according to Marcus's specs and Anneke liked it, too.
This is the one Anneke chose:
Quite frankly I liked one they didn't choose. Anyway, they were for our children. It was fun to let them personalize and come up with sayings. Marcus wants to give conversation hearts, too.

Anneke at work

I am sorry it has been a while. Things have been a bit crazy. When Anneke gave me these, though, I had to share for a few reasons. 1) She finished her work and drew on the back. 2) She is moving away from stick figures and "tad poles". 3) Her writing is improving so much. (BTW she is still not as old as Marcus was when he started kindergarten. Weird, huh?)

Anneke -

On rainy days i like to mac zantcasl. (Make sand castles)

I like to play withni my brbes. (with my Barbies)

"This is what makes me happy, drawing!"

Bug Book

Saturday was not an easy day. No one would do their jobs/chores and I was extremely frustrated and near tears by the time my husband woke up. Just after that my two oldest brought this book out to me. (The first few pages scanned alright, but after that they are harder to see, sorry.)

"Bugs that go with your favorite things. By your kids. For our mom.

"This bug stands for Dad. Guess why." grasshopper (Andy does not like these bugs AT ALL)

"This one is for your oldest (son). Guess why." Dragonfly

"This one is for your daughter. Guess why."

This one is for red. Guess why.

"This one is for your youngest. Guess why." Froghopper Nymph (He likes frogs and is small.)

Jewel Beetle. "This one is for The Beatles. Guess why." Bug is singing Lucy in the sky with diamonds.
"This one is for your (r)Love. Guess why." Rove beetle with r crossed out and L in it's place.

The last page said, "Those were some of your favorite things in BUG STYLE."

Anneke made the back cover and it said, "Anneke is a Princess"

The day ended on a better note.