Hello Family!

The Middle Vander Veens have not fallen off the face of the earth. For months I have lost the sign in info to post a blog. I have been reading everyone's info and love it but thought it was past time to update everyone on us. Hmmmmm... where to start?

First, school is in full swing. We are LOVING it. I was very nervous about this school year. I knew that with Tori starting first grade, we now had to be serious. No more "playing school at home". I was nervous that I would go stir crazy being stuck in the "schoolroom" for hours on end. (I kind of don't like being in once place for too long-a challenge with my personality type.) But it has been amazing. We have had so much fun painting science projects, acting out history lessons, reading signs while shopping, and much more. Tori is a sponge and I love this age. I am sure it will not always be this easy but for now it is so much fun. It only takes us about 2 hours to finish school. Elli has been joining us for some of it. The first "acting" session we had was for History. We are reading through the old testament for History and read the story about Abram and Sarai when Abram lied and said Sarai was his sister. Tori & Elli ran into get their leotards and tutus on for their "play". After discussing the story, Tori stayed "beautiful dressed" for Sarai and Elli got dressed in all black to be "boyish" for Abram. Boy did they get into it! A couple of hours later, Tori was reciting the play we did word for word. It was amazing how effective it was!

Mark is great and so am I. We are going to Niagara Falls this weekend to celebrate our 10th anniversary. Amazing how time flies! We are very excited to get away and enjoy some R & R. My coaching at the Y has been going great. It is growing so much we are very short on staff. So if you know anyone who is looking to get a free membership and can coach gymnastics, let me know. :) Tori just got her hair cut super short. It is so cute on her. She loves it. She told me that she is never growing it out again! I will post some pictures soon. We are getting professional family pictures done tonight actually. YEAH! (Mom says yeah, too... we are kind of well known for our lack of family pictures.) Kind of weird because I love pictures but the sit down, get your kids to sit still aren't so much fun. But it will be great tonight! :)

Anyways, gotta run! Love you all!