A While Ago....

The girls were invited to their cousin's birthday party a couple of months ago, and it was held at a skating rink. Now, besides the little plastic Barbie skates the girls own, and use around the house, they have not skated, and I was really curious what they'd think of a whole rink of people skating. We talked about the etiquette of going around the circle WITH the flow, we strapped on the rental skates, tightened the wheels, and sent them off! What fun they had!

Ainsleigh especially was determined to master it, and she was undaunted as she made her way around the rink, focused on her task, and succeeding! The biggest smile on her face as she passed us each time, not caring that she was going much slower than the rest of the skating traffic, her laps each taking quite a bit of time.

Baeleigh managed to make it around as well, but was a bit more timid, and affected by the other skaters zooming past her. She much preferred skating around with a grown up, and had her confidence when there was a friendly face near by.

Sophie was a star! Who knew a three year old could manage such a feat? She fell, she got up. She skated near the wall, quite happily, and did not let the other skaters get in her way. The rink was large, though, and she prefers not to be too far away from people she knows, so if no one was skating near her, she did not skate. What an afternoon, I was so proud of my brave girls! I took lots of photos, and you can see them if you CLICK HERE

Homework

So, with the girls in Kindergarten this year, they are to do homework each night. Real homework, where they learn the basics of reading, writing, and 'rithmetic.

Or, not. They're five. They aren't supposed to be bogged down quite yet. Around Thanksgiving time, their homework consisted of decorating turkeys, which was a wonderfully crafty, glittery, messy project. And, yes, they were glittery, rainbow turkies. With earrings.

See that tube of purple glitter? It was not full for long! You can see some more of our messy project if you CLICK HERE

Classroom Halloween Party

It was so cute. A class of 5 year olds, all dressed in costumes, and playing games and making crafts. They even got to go around the school in a costume parade!

The Fitches' Future is in New Zealand

So I (Gordon) have been offered the position of National Youth Coordinator for the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand; I have accepted the offer in principle, dependant on the acquisition of the relevant work visas.

Our hope is that we can make this move happen in the middle of January 2010 before the kids start school in February, but we may have to be flexible. If we move we will be living in the capital of New Zealand, Wellington. which seems to be an awesome city from all accounts. And New Zealand seems to be a country equally influenced by both Great Britain and the US, so we should both feel at home.

This has not been an easy decision to make, our family is really settled in Spokane, I really enjoy my current work situation, and because we have so many close friends and family members in Spokane, leaving will bring us much sorrow. However daunting moving continent is, the position of National Youth Coordinator is really exciting and I feel that it suits my gifts well. We really have left the move in God’s hands, believing that He will either open this door, or firmly shut it.

We of course would love to have any of you come and visit us, and if you can hop onto a plane, there will be a house waiting for you to stay in.

Just for Fun...

... I decided to pull out my studio equipment again, dust it off after a summer of resting in the closet, and put my kids to work as models!

And also, who can resist taking photos of my amazing kids?? Not me!

So here are a few to share, and the rest you can see IF YOU CLICK HERE. Enjoy!

Our footie/soccer stars!

HERE are a bunch of photos from Baeleigh and Ainsleigh's first soccer games. The team, under 6 girls, have named themselves the "Pink Unicorns"! With Gordon as their coach, how can they go wrong?!

The games are played 3 on 3 with 4 ten minute quarters. Coach Daddy tends to put the girls as defenders, and Baeleigh really throws herself in to the role. In fact, her defensive strategy tends to be falling down in front of the oncoming ball! They will have games each Saturday until the end of October, take a break for winter, and then they'll start again in the Spring. Fun!

Remember to CLICK HERE for all of the photos!!!

Sophie Goes to Preschool

Can you believe she's old enough already??

Timid at first, and warm and loving when she opens up, I think she'll do great at school!