Introductions

 Eden and Z both had to introduce themselves to one of their classes with a visual presentation.  Here they are!

This says: My name is Eden.  Reading and writing are my favorite pastimes.  I live in Sioux Falls, SD.  I am 12 years old.  I like to play instruments like the viola, the trumpet, and the piano.  Other things I like (pictures of pineapple, sushi, rain, duck, and travel).

This says, "When I grow up I want to travel to different places, I want to write stories that people will enjoy, I want to learn to play all types of instruments.  Things I don't like . . . "  And, "Interesting things about me:  I became an author when I was 8 years old.  I have two rabbits and two dogs as pets.  I am going to Europe with my family this summer.  And, "Once, when we were at the zoo, my brother annoyed a goose and the goose chased him."

You might have to zoom in on this one to read what Z wrote.

Z and Luna

 Luna is so long-suffering!

First Day of School!

 First day of school -- 7th grade and 11th grade.  Let's go!

Summer This and That

 Oh summer, how I love thee!

Time to relax.

Watching fireworks!

Winnie, our new bunny

Working outside

Summer's bounty

Pool time

Gorgeous hair-do and gorgeous hair.

Visit from Papu and Yaya.  Here we have two peas in a pod.

Another gorgeous hair-do!

Butterfly House

 I took Eden and her friend Alice to the Butterfly House.  Beautiful butterflies and beautiful girls!

Cousin Time!

 Christie brought her girls for a visit because Charis was doing a volleyball camp at USF, so we got some good cousin time!  Eden, Faith, and Katy had a great time going to Amah's and playing dress up:

They helped me put up the swing I got for Christmas and Katy enjoyed it very much!

And Eden got her face painted!

And Eden and Faith worked on their special handshake.  There are two versions of it.

 

Sweet 16

 Z turned 16 years old!!  I can hardly believe he's gone from this:

To this:

Christie and her girls were in Sioux Falls for the birthday, so we had lots of fun celebrating.  We did a compare and contrast with the food -- pizza from two different places, doughnuts from two different places, that sort of thing.  Then we had games related to the number 16 -- first person to get 16 rubber bands in a cup and putting 16 clothes pins on poor Z's face!  What a good sport he is!

We love you Z!  What an amazing 16 years it's been!!

For a bonus, check out one of my absolute favorite videos of Z: