3 weeks old

Things are going well with Christopher. We picked a daycare so that is a big relief. I'm really excited about this center. The owner even told me that Ashly could ride her bike up there and play and help with the kids anytime she wants. That's pretty cool. The center starts at 6 wks and has kids all the way through elementary school. The school kids take a bus to and from the school. Each month they have a theme and color and work on that over and over all month so the kids remember. Well, that's more for the toddler room and above, but they start them learning young.

Ashly and I went to her school conferences on Monday. Everything is going well for her at school. We did not get a report card this time, but her grades are looking good so far this quarter. We signed her up for track in the Spring. It's combined with the other junior high school in Forest Lake. She is choosing to take Spanish next year instead of band, so we will be saying "bye, bye" to the flute after this year. She did a good job playing the flute the last couple years and even though she won't be continuing on with it, it was a good experience for her.

Yesterday the three of us (me and the kids) went around to a bunch of businesses in Forest Lake. Ashly had to go in and ask for a donation for the church. They are doing a Spaghetti dinner and silent auction on April 4th for a fundraiser for the mission trip this summer in July. So the kids are making up themed baskets for the auction. Ashly is going on this mission trip. It's to Wind River, Wyoming. It's on an Indian Reservation and the kids are going to help repair some houses and do a bible school for the children there. Ashly is really excited to go on this 10 day trip and by doing these fundraisers, it won't cost mom and dad so much money! It's a lot of work to do all these fundraisers (many more to come yet this year), but a great experience for Ashly. Ashly went into the businesses on her own while I waited in the car. She learned some good lessons, like that not everyone is nice! I was proud of her for doing it independently, it can be nerve racking to ask for donations even as an adult.