Becca is 3!

Becca actually had 2 different birthday parties. First, Jake's great friend Joshua had his birthday part at Bounce U and his mom did a special cupcake for her. Then we had our family dnner with dessert. She wanted brownies with ice cream! Yummy!! Then it was present time. She opened all of the cards first and then the presents! She recieved a new coat,Dora crocs, panties, pants, Littlest Pet shop horse, dry erase board, and a dress! Here are some pictures of her special day!

Becca at Bounce U! Her first dessert of the day!

Allison is signed up for Kindergarten!!

On Thursday, we signed Allison up for Kindgarten! I can't believe she is going so soon! Her schedule will be Monday through Thursday, all day. She is excited!

Alexis and Allison were completing a project together!

Lexi's 9th Birthday

Alexis is ready to begin the day as a 9 year old!

Lexi getting ready to open her presents.

A new bathing suit! Something she always gets since we live on the water and our good friends do too!!

Reading a birthday card from Aunt Aggie and Uncle Denny

Her birthday treat! A mint choc chip ice cream sandwich!!

Lexi's Birthday Party

On Sunday, March 22nd, I took Alexis and 4 friends the the ceremic studio for a few hours of painting. We will see our finished project next week.

Lexi and her friends in the van on the way there!



Lexi hard at work painting!

The Birthday Girls (Leah, our babysitter turns 16 on the 23rd, Lexi 9 on the 24th, and Becca turns 3 on the 28th!)

Alexis and her cupcakes!

Family Reading Night

The Cast of A Caterpillar's Voice

Jake was a deer.(front row, green pj's)

Lexi completing a hunt using the newspaper!

Lexi and Alli at the computer lab

On Friday, March 20th, our kids school had a family reading night. They had many different locations around the school with different activities. They had a sessions on reading the newspaper, milk and cookies, the computer lab where kids could go on reading websites like http://www.shelsilverstein.com/indexSite.html , Jake was in a play for the school, and parent resources on how to get children reading!! We had a great evening especially because everyone was in their pj's!!

Allison's Legs today

Allison was doing well this past week with no more spots until Friday night, Saturday morning. At least she doesn't have any new pains. She was out running around today, being a typical 4 year old. Please con't to say prayers for her.

Jr. Jazzercise

For the past 3 Thursdays, Lexi has been part of a Jr. Jazzercise group. On the last night they performed this little dance. She enjoyed! She earned a couple of Girl Scout patches for completing the work. Both her and Jake want to be part of the summer camp. It will be something will look into.

Pictures of Alli's legs

We went to the Ped doctor today and confirmed what we were told at the ER last night. She will have good days and bad. Tonight is a bad night. She can't walk. Her feet and ankles are swollen and achy. We are icing them now to see if that helps.

I took a few pictures tonight. The red circles are new ones and the purple ones are older. She keeps getting more on her legs. This virus could be 4-6 weeks to be cleared and she can have a relapse if not healed.

We appreciate the phone calls and notes from our friends and neighbors. It means a lot to us.

Allison's ER Trip

Last night around 9, I took Allison to the ER in Ann Arbor. She has been developing these bruises all over her legs and arms. She also has complained that her legs hurt. She developed a lot more yesterday and they were deep purple. I called a friend, who is a PA, and she recommanded that we go in. So then I called our ped's office and the nurse on call suggested the same. She was already in her pj's and robe, so we slipped on some shoes, packed my laptop up with some movies, and away we went.

She has 2 viruses one causing the bruise like spots. The first one is minor and it is Fifth Diease (or slapped check), caused by a cold that she had the week prior. The 2nd one is called HSP (here is a link: http://www.medicinenet.com/henoch-schonlein_purpura/article.htm ). It is inflamation to the blood vessels. It is a little more serious if they find proteins in her kidneys or blood in her urine/stool. We are going back today to our ped for a recheck. She will probably have to do this for a few weeks to make sure it hasn't spread to the organ.

She was an angel. Even in her discomfortment she had smiles!

Alexis at her Religious Medal Ceremony

On Satureday, March 7th, Alexis and 12 (one couldn't make it to mass) other girls received their Catholic Relgious Medals at the 5 PM mass. Each level earned a different medal. This took roughly one year for all of the girls to earn. They had to visit shrines, go to different servies, complete community service and more. This was beyond any other requirements for other awards or patches. Alexis and her friend Angie, did this together. It was a great learning experience for all! She is all set to begin the next level (Jr. Girl Scouts)medal.

Also, if you could say an extra prayer for the leader, Michelle. She made sure the girls completed the needed requirements and overall their cheerleader. On the Thursday before this, she was hospitalized. She learned that she is battling blood cancer. She couldn't not be at mass and I know how proud she was of these young ladies.

All of the girls who earned medals

Alexis and Father

Father with all of the girls

We had dinner at Pizza Hut afterwards. Grandpa Zettel, cousin Sara, Grandpa and Grandma Grewe came down for this specail time.

Another picture of dinner!