Minnesota State Fair - 2011

4th of July!

 Playing a little bit of catch up in posting -

Here's a glimpse of our festivities 4th of July weekend.

Family Updates

~Summer Updates 2001~

ELI:
Just like his brother at this age, Eli will also sit for extra long periods of time for books - he really gets immersed in art coloring and painting as well...

He's found new love of puzzles!
It's amazing the skill he has for even very complex puzzles intended for older children...

Funny Phrases:

"Hey wat's dat?"

"How 'bout _____" (fill in the blank of what he wants to do at the moment...watch a show, read a book, wrestle...)

"Zoey, don't take my arm!" (when she pulled her leash hard)

"Hey, let me talk!"

"No, let ME do_____ !"
Eli is so insistent on doing things on his own, that he will even re-do, re-open/close things to feel he's done it....open fridge to put back cup- close it and re- open it to 'find' his drink.....put blanket back on couch *under a pillow* to remove the pillow and "find" it - i'll re-close the garage door so he can have the satisfaction of opening it...etc. etc.
current favorite song - 'happy birthday - sing it to several people even if not present.

He likes to play the "I love" game:   He'll say "I love ______" and fill in the blank several different times in succession from captain hook, to batman as well as mommy, daddy, owen.

It's pretty hilarious that he'll occasionally speak about himself in the 3rd person:

"Don't do that Eli!"   (rather than, "Don't do that to me!")

Knows almost all the lyrics to 'Sweet Caroline'

Favorite Shows:
Scooby Doo, Super Readers...

Eli is very passionate about life all around - Absolutely delightful when he's happy, yet the world comes crashing down when upset.


OWEN:
Is a complete sponge of learning!
Favorite school projects:
- Learned about maps - made a city with boxes
- Solar System
- Civil War
- Sight Words
- Reading short stories
Bible memory - He memorized several consecutive verses which he recited at his schools Creative Expressions Night.  He was then rewarded with a medal for his efforts which he still wears regularly! :)

Owen began  T-ball over the Summer!

Owen began planning his (May) Birthday party back in February (he's a planner like me)
He's been missing Arkansas.

He thoroughly enjoys our new family tradition/ritual of family pizza and movie night every Friday night!


Owen sayings:
"Are you kidding me?"
"Seriously?"
"I'll tell you one thing...."
(so adult) :)

Birthday Gifts 2011

Since the boys had separate parties this year, we had a family gift opening morning in-between the parties:

Eli's favorite:  Peter Pan figurines!

Owen's favorite gift: - The game, Candy Land (his 'big' gift was having a large party with friends)

Mega Frisbee, art supplies, new tank top and game

Peter Pan toys, 2 new shirts, pirate hook, part of art set, and the movie, Peter Pan

Eli's 3rd Birthday : A Pirate Party!

For the last several months, Eli has been infatuated with pirates. So, of course we centered his Birthday theme around them! He loved everything!

below the cake is a favorite birthday gift, peter pan figurines!

Eli loves to sing Happy Birthday to everyone...even himself! :)

 

Captain Eli enjoying his cake...

Birthday guests included Papa and Nana Kalvik as well as some neighborhood friends!

Tessa (in the pink coat) will be in Eli's preschool class in the fall!

An Interview with Owen after Graduating Kindergarten

Owen with one of his best buds, Brian, at Graduation picnic.

I am really good at: Reading

I like to: Play Star Wars

My favorite thing to learn at school: How to Read

1 person who makes me laugh: Daddy when he plays "monkey man"

One word that describes me: Joyful

I am really happy when: I get to play in the gym at school

I am really sad when:  

When I don't get to do something fun because I've been naughty

My favorite book: The Star Wars Book from the Library

My favorite TV show:  Curious George

My favorite vacation:  The Beach at North Carolina

I like school when: We get to learn about fabric and paint

I don't like school when: WHAT!? I never don't like school!!

My favorite season:  Summer

My favorite toy: My Guitar

My worst nightmare: When a monster was chasing me.

Things that make me mad: When Eli is mean to me.

Favorite sport:  Basketball

I like my Dad because: He makes funny faces sometimes.

I like my Mom because: She holds me.

I like my family because: They take me places.

Happy 6th Birthday, Owen!

Owen Chose a 'Braves and Bandits' theme:

Owen helped bake and decorate his cake!

He invited friends from church and school!

Eli has always eaten his Pizza up-side down....HA! :)

The guests could make either a headband with feather or cowboy/girl hat on headband:

Group photo!

Happy Birthday to Owen!

We ended the party with a pinata!

T-Ball!

Owen began T-Ball this spring through Minneapolis Parks and Rec!

Here he is at his first practice:

All the individual teams are sponsored by Cub foods but his teams was "The TWINS!"

Of course, Eli had to get in on the action too... :) And yes, it was COLD on that first practice!


A little video commentary from Dad:

Easter 2011

We had a family reunion of sorts over Easter weekend in Urbandale, Iowa this year.

All of the extended 'Leonard' Families gathered together at David's Aunt Linda's for brunch on the Saturday before Easter.

It was fun to meet spouses of David's cousins as well as their growing families that we'd only seen photos of for the past several years.

After brunch, we had an egg hunt for all the kiddies:

 

 As always, the boys had a wonderful time playing with their cousins!

Spring In Minneapolis

Well, early spring looks pretty different here than it did in Arkansas, that's for sure!

A week after the first day of spring, we received about 6 inches of snow.

It only took Eli all winter long to actually begin playing in it.

Usually, he'd go out for mere minutes before being ready to come back inside.  I think we spent more time getting him ready to go out compared the the amount of time he was actually outdoors!  I think it was probably because his clothes were so big he couldn't really move around.  He's pretty much the abominable snow boy with all his winter gear on! :)

Owen, however, is quite accustomed to the weather.  His school has kids play outside at recess as long as the temps are above zero.  Hard core!

We did manage to have some family fun during Spring break, despite the snow, though!
Here's Owen and I just minutes before his first ride on a roller coaster at the Mall of America Nickelodeon Universe park!

and here's a pic of us that the cameras on the coaster took:
(sorry about the flash glare, I just snapped a pic of the monitor displaying them)

It's so fun that Owen is tall enough to ride the 'BIG' rides.  You can barely see him and David in the front row in the lower right corner.(click on the photo to enlarge and you might see David with his arms up - Owen is sitting to his right). 

Another favorite was the bumper cars:

Eli had fun on a few rides himself!  He recently got a hair cut that I think makes him look like such a big boy!  *sniff, sniff* ;)

And yes, he's still sporting that Pirate hat.

 He requested a hook, so we got creative with some cardboard!

Hopefully the next round of photos will show some outside photos and maybe even a little GREEN!  :)