Benjamin at 6 AND a half!

I took a few snapshots of Benjamin the other day while we were at Samuel's soccer game... I just thought I'd post a few of our handsome 6 1/2 year old (and if you've ever had a 6 1/2 year old then YOU know you can't forget that 1/2!)

Benjamin continues to amaze us with his young mind. He truly enjoys school and is soaking up so much on a daily basis in kindergarten. He seems to remember everything and he comes home from school so happy and willing to share all the new facts he's learned.

He has an awesome Spanish teacher who has sparked an interest in not only the Spanish language but also the hispanic culture and history. He was excited to tell about Cinco de Mayo and the significance of Mexico beating the French.

He has also learned lots of songs in Spanish this year and this coming Friday the parents have been invited to Spanish class for a special program. And, after attending his Spanish Christmas program, I'm looking forward to this upcoming program. They dance, they sing... who knew learning Spanish could be SO MUCH FUN!

He also LOVES to sing and has such a joyful spirit. Some of his current favorite songs to belt out at any given time are "We Will Rock You," "Walkin on Sunshine," "Summer of '69," and his all time fav, "Eye of the Tiger."

We adore our lil man so much and could go on and on about him but I will restrain and leave it at that for now.

Presenting "The Chapman Brothers"

Today the boys were playing around with my MacBook and a program on it called "PhotoBooth". It is a lot of fun and the boys love it! We watched some videos from when we first moved here and I was laughing so hard I was crying but I'll save those for another post.

Instead, I present to you Benjamin singing "My Bonnie" which he learned in music class at school complete with gestures.

I challenge you to watch this without laughing...you'll see what I mean...

You've gotta love little siblings!

Our Little Fashionista

I'm not sure exactly when all this started...but sometime during the past few months, Grace has turned into quite the fashion diva. She is often found trying out any accessory she can get her lil hands on... hats, gloves, necklaces, shoes, boots, sunglasses, wristbands even her baby dolls' clothes...well, as far as she can get them on before getting stuck in them.

She just loves to try on anything and everything she can. So, recently when I was looking though some pictures I realized I have quite a collection of our diva in some of her different digs. Thought you'd all enjoy them!

Spring is in the Air!

We have had a few nice days here weather wise and we've been enjoying more outside time again!It's been a looooooong time since I posted any updates but I thought I'd take a little time to post a few recent pics of the kiddos that I've taken during some of our fun times outside.

Enjoy these pics of the kiddos and their big grins!

One Amazing Lady

I have been so blessed with a wonderful mom who is also my dear friend.

As a child, I enjoyed curling up with her and listening to stories of her childhood. I learned so much about my relatives and what life must have been like for her growing up with so many loved ones around her.

I am one of four children but she always had a way of making each of us know that we're special. She still does. I think it's a gift she has... she's a natural mother... a nurturer. And I remember hearing her change the song "You Are My Sunshine" to "You are my daughter... my only daughter... you make me happy..." I loved that. (And I think Grace will too).

When I was younger, I was amused by her abundance of silly nicknames for me... and would answer to any and all of them. Growing up, I loved her French toast... and when she instituted a Wednesday night French toast night I made sure I left where ever I might be to make it home to remind her.

As an adult and a mom myself, I am in awe of how she survived raising four kids who all admire and respect her in so many ways.

She is amazingly thoughtful, supportive, kind and giving. (My family is spoiled by the amount of packages they send us here in Germany. They're our lifeline to Target and Walmart!)

And there is nothing like being in the room when my mom starts laughing... it's rather contagious... and entertaining in itself.

If you are reading this blog, chances are... you know my mom. And today that amazing lady turns 70 years old! A few years ago I put together a montage of photos on her birthday and now I've redone it to include some recent photos.

On your birthday and always, Mom, I admire and cherish you as a grandmother, mother, and friend.

With Love,

Schmert MaGert

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Grace at 18 months old

Our silly little Grace... always up to something... AND she just looooooves hats, shoes and just about anything else she can put on and off.

Grace at 16 months

Here's a pic I took of Grace a couple of weeks ago. She is already 16 months old and discovering new things every day. Her latest accomplishment was climbing to the top of her brothers' bunk bed. AHHHHHH!!!! Somebody STOP that lil girl!

But she is precious and sweet and LOVES a good book. When she is quiet and not in my view I worry and think she is into something or climbing somewhere she shouldn't be but I often find her sitting quietly with a book.... just looking at pictures.

Grace also enjoys wearing anyone and everyones shoes that are bigger than hers around the house. It seems to be a daily occurrence that someones shoe is missing as we try to get out the door.

She also loves necklaces and hats! She has some beads that she puts on and takes off all the time. (No one warned me that girls are pre-programmed for this kind of stuff). And she also enjoys hats! She has an assortment of winter hats (mostly hand-made from my Aunt Shirley) and she often puts on anywhere from 1 to 4 hats at a time. It keeps her busy and she often puts a giggle in our family's hearts.

We love our sweet and busy little girl!