Karate Kids-Yellow Belts!

Both boys have been enjoying their new karate studio. Alex is in a "Little Tiger" class, and Luke is in a regular class. They had belt tests in April. Both earned their next belt, which was definitely a hard thing to do (some did not). Alex earned a White Belt Yellow Stripe, and Luke earned a Yellow Belt. We are very proud of their hard work, especially since they have had to learn a lot of Japanese phrases and numbers, and that sometime can get confusing with the Chinese.

Sensi reading Alex's promotion. 

Sensi reading Luke's promotion. 

Our Last Kindergarten Registration

Alex is officially registered for kindergarten! He had a great time at Kindergarten Registration, especially since he has been to the school a lot and knew many of the teachers. He is officially ready for the Chinese Immersion class.

So excited!

He loved going to lunch.

He had the baked ham with green beans, macaroni, a roll, and the had a special cake that day for the kids.

By far, his favorite part of the day was the bus ride around the school parking lot. This was Luke's favorite part too. It is so cute to watch the kids act like big stuff as they ride the oval loop between the elementary and middle school (and if you have lived here before, both of these schools are new, elementary-four years old and middle-one year old.

There is the bus on the service road between the schools.

What a big kid

It was hard to see, but this is one of two Chinese Kindergarten classes.

Alex had a great day with Mr. Chiang and hopes to get him as his teacher (we won't find out their teacher assignments until the week before school starts).

I think Edward owes me big time for filling out all three kids' sets of kindergarten registration paperwork, not to mention each beginning of the school year paperwork packet.  That's always a nightmare!

A Boy and his Cat

Alex spends every afternoon with Jonah. They love to sit and play together every day. Jonah will definitely miss Alex being home when he starts kindergarten.

Easter

He is Risen! We had a great Easter, even though our plans to visit Edward changed at the last minute. Alex came down with a fever Thursday, the day before we were to go and see Edward in Virginia. So, Edward was able to come home for the weekend instead. By Saturday morning, Alex's fever was gone, in time to celebrate Easter on Sunday.

Alex's basket

Luke's basket

Madison's basket

Easter morning

Ready for church 

After church, we stopped by Krispy Kreme. It doesn't help that the only one in town is down the road from our church. 

We dyed Easter eggs that afternoon.

Happy Easter!

Church Easter Egg Hunt

Our church always has an Easter Egg Hunt on Palm Sunday. This is the first year in the last three it has not rained. We had a pizza lunch at church after the service, and then the kids were split for the hunt. Preschoolers has one area, and elementary kids had a separate area I was with Alex, so I don't have pictures of them. Alex had a great time, specifically hanging out with his pal, Drew.

Alex and Drew...Drew's parents live by is, and his dad works in Family Medicine at Womack, so he and Edward will be working together. Drew's mom is a pediatrician, but when she isn't working, these two love to have play dates!

On the hunt

Success!

The Boat

We bought a boat in March, and when the weather warmed up, we were able to take it out on Jordan Lake. We had a great time and look forward to spending a lot of time on it in the years to come. Next time we go out, hopefully the water will be warm enough for tubing, kneeboarding, and wake boarding.

Baseball

Luke started baseball in March. This year, he moves to the coach-pitch league. He has been doing well, but they have only had two games so far. He has gotten a hit at each game (he had only been at bat once each game too). He is enjoying it, and we are enjoying watching his skills improve. Madison and Alsx miss the cutoff dates to play softball and t-ball respectively with their birthdays. The cutoff is May 1, and they have May and June birthdays.

Luke ends up being the youngest in the 7-8 year league because he barely makes the age cutoff!

The Dentist

Alex enjoyed going to the dentist the other day for his teeth cleaning. He was telling jokes, one after another. 

He also told the dentist that the "Clemson Tigers are the best." It sure is going to be quiet at the house when he starts kindergarten.