Angelfish's baptism

We couldn't figure out where to put an extended family collection of 27 loved ones in our apartment, so we met half-way in Virginia for Angelfish's baptism. It was quite fitting since she was also born in Virginia. She's wearing the dress Grandma O made for Aunt T and was a full participant in her baptism. She sang a musical number with her sisters and cousin. And she gave a talk about baptism all in addition to getting immersed and confirmed by Dad. This is the good stuff!

Bad things happen when you leave the city

We returned from a house hunting excursion just in time to join our lovely neighbors in making a movie with hundreds of her birthday balloons falling from her 5th floor window. We thought, why would we want to leave the city?

Serendipity

It generally take us 6 months to plan a Saturday afternoon BBQ with friends. But this little party came together miraculously and we're so grateful for our good friends, familia Turley! Check out their gorgeous daughter Ava, Torpedo's intended. Or maybe, I should say, our intended for Torpedo.

Hoighty Toighty

Angelsifh and her Dad get hoighty-toighty at the theatre. What a fun show, but a big surprise when there was a nudey-patootie as the brother's learn their manners. Yikes! You just never know with those theatre people.

I shall take no tea

I'm playing blog catch up a little. This is a picture from Angelfish's last day in public school. They held a Character tea party, but as a colonial patriot (Felicity Merriman) and a Mormon girl, Angelfish brought lemonade. Not pictured, Mom trying to dress as George Washington (recently read 1776 by David McCullough and recommend it), but ended up looking more like Napoleon.

Funny Moment: Giving a hint to one of Angelfish's classmates about my character, I said "I was the general of the Continental army in the Revolutionary War, the first president of the United States and my face is on the one dollar bill." "Are you a person or an animal" Just another reason we home school.

Mom's Birthday

This year I got flowers for my birthday. First, it was the gorgeous bouquet of roses from My Hero, my one true love. Then we played a game called "Elimination Celebration," in which I had to choose between an iPod, zoo membership, new car stereo system or a botanical garden membership. Whew! That was a tough one, but I finally chose the garden and we've all enjoyed it. We went 2 days later to see the Magnolias at their peak. That's also when I first told My Hero about baby #5. I guess I'll be in bloom this season as well. =)

Growing up Finnish

My Hero and the kids all filed for Finnish citizenship June 2006. Here Star proves she's serious about it. She made these beautiful Pulla entirely on her own without any supervision. I see the spark of national pride in those blue eyes.