This little lady is the belle of the ball around this house.

Peter particularly enjoys carrying her and swinging her around. For this dance, Ruth appeared to be just along for the ride.

But what really cracked me up was how Peter had had enough of that dancing stuff…after the dance was over, he felt the need to pump out some push-ups.

Unique style – it must be a Johanik thing.

Remember this picture from 2 years ago, when Peter was 4?

Jeremy was recently caught on camera in this get-up, and boy did it remind me of his big brother:

I am happy for my sons’ dress code; it always provides timely entertainment and a good chuckle.

Before:

Kid: “Mom, can I paint?”

Mom: “Not right now buddy, it’s too messy, and we’re in the middle of school.”  (enter feelings of guilt)

After:

Kid: “Mom, can I paint?”

Mom: “Yes.” (ooh, did I just say that out loud?)

Results: paint tracked onto basement carpet after socked feet stepped into paint palette; paint smudges still on the floor; spilled water; finished masterpieces scattered throughout the house; Happy Kids :)

Still enjoying birthday pancakes after all these years…

I am so thankful to have this big guy in our family. God has given him a soft, sensitive heart and a love for his siblings. He is a hard worker, teachable, strives to reach goals, and has a fantastic photographic memory. We love you, buddy!

Okay, Ruthie, let’s hear it for Derek.  Hip, hip…

HOORAY!

The youngest child in the house is becoming quite mobile. So mobile in fact that the moment she is placed on the ground, she’s off, and if I take my eyes off of her for 2 minutes, the inevitable question follows, “Where’s Ruthie?” Thankfully there are several pairs of eyes in the house, and someone is bound to have her in their sight.

She pulls up on just about everything.

Including the dog.

She likes to be chased (hmm, wonder how that started), so when she breaks away, she stops every now and then to let out a yell before continuing on.

Football games can be tough for the little motor-er, being strapped into the stroller and all.

But she makes the most of it.

Let the season begin. Derek and Peter had their first games of the year on Saturday, and all in one day we experienced the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, bone-chilling rain and sweltering sunshine. It was a great day indeed.

Peter’s game kicked off in the morning, just in time for the skies to open up. The boys were so pumped over their game that they seemed undeterred by the rain. Peter had ample opportunity to carry the ball, which made it fun for him…and for his family.

Here he is receiving the handoff.

He ended up running in for two touchdowns, with one being called back because of holding. He did a great job!

Derek is playing center this year- a multitasking position. Snap, block. Snap, block.

Huddle.

Even Ruthie was into the game. Most of the time.

Jim tasked Jake with taking game film. He did such a great job, Jim put the highlights together and posted them on YouTube for the team to see.

Some mark the end of summer with the beginning of school. Others mark it with Labor Day. In our family, we know summer has come to a sad end when it’s time to take the pool down.

But before emptying the 7600 gallons of water, there must be one final swim. One last hoorah, and today was the day. The air temperature was perfect, but the water temperature was, um, a bit chilly. I didn’t grab the video camera in time to catch Jake jump in, but he howled and shrieked for 30 seconds. Here are the other three boys entering the arctic waters:

If you listen closely, you can hear Ruth in the background yelling out to her brothers. I walked inside and saw this:

I’m guessing she may be part of that polar bear swim next year.

Who knew cells could be so…yummy?

Derek and Peter recently finished learning about cells and how they are put together. It really is amazing, first of all, that we can know about these microscopic “cities” that make up all the different parts of our bodies. It’s also amazing to consider how they function–they produce energy, get rid of waste, reproduce, protect themselves, among many other functions–without us even thinking about it! What an awesome Creator God is.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. (Psalm 139)

So that they would remember all they learned about cells, they completed a project using jello and candy. A kid’s dream. After the jello (a.k.a. cytoplasm) set, they carefully cut openings into it for the cell parts to fit.

Meanwhile, Molly wondered why she did not receive her own bowl full of jello and candy.

Peter found this quite funny.

After inserting the peanut M&Ms (mitochondria), fruit roll-ups (endoplasmic reticulum), sprinkles (ribosomes) and other tasty candies, they put their finished cells on a plate and ate them up.

Midway through school this morning, I came upstairs and saw this:

Boy and dog enjoying the warm sun and cool breeze by the backdoor.