Dance, hoops and gold metal

I was thinking of starting this entry with a play by play description of what it is like to have six kids sleep over on a Friday night but I am sure it would give you nightmares. Maybe we can highlight some current events instead.

Maggie had a great showing at her dance extravaganza. It was held at Tattersalls which is where they buy and sell premier thoroughbreds. It was so cool that we want to go to a horse sale this spring and we'll give you that scoop then. Maggie's group did a hip hop dance and it was excellent. Here she is in her psychedelic outfit. She is on the left side in the black leggings. Maggie was one of 3 students selected to represent the school in the area-wide Geography Bee. We are very proud of her. I think the teacher hoped she could answer all the North American questions.

John also had a nice showing. His coach selected him the gold metal winner for this section of multi-sports. This is basically the top award for quarter. On a side note, his friend Archie was one of the kids that invaded on Friday night. Archie's mom was having Archie's little sister (number 5 in the house) at home in a birthing pool. As much as Vivian is begging me to add an addition to the family so that she can experience a birthing pool, I am putting my foot down. Archie's mom is a very brave woman and when she called 20 minutes after the bouncing baby arrived, she sounded as good as new. Amazing!

Being that it is on the eve of March Madness, we felt we must invade the village of Cheveley with hoops. While we are going to pretend this is for the kids, big daddy is quite excited about the addition to the driveway. There have already been a number of battles on the cobblestone. Not quite Cameron indoor but we are loving it none the less. Here is Marshall with his friend, Jordan, from one village over.

The weather is really starting to turn and the buttercups are exploding all over the place. Marshall Sr. and John decided to slip on the wellies and slogged out to do some ditch work in the creek beside our house. Mainly wanted to get thing flowing for the spring showers. John has decided to open a new business so if any of you need some ditch work done, John, his wellies, and his stick are up for the task.

Friday was Red Nose Day in England. This is a comic relief fundraiser that raises money for underprivileged children in England as well as in Africa. People actually wear red noses, decorate their cars with a red nose and have Red Nose t-shirts. The primary school encouraged the children to make a donation and participate in Pajama Day. All of the teachers, including the head master wore pajamas. Here is a picture of Maggie and her friend Sophie.