New Post :) Isaac's piano update

Hi Everyone.. (Great Gordon and Lou Lou specifically , ;), It's been a fun summer and now we are back at the grind stone... Isaac and Jacob are doing well with homeschooling this year, with Isaac in 3rd and Jacob in 1st (he tested out of Kindergarten), they keep mama hoppin'.

I hope to update the blog with all our summer fun soon, but here's a quick post with a new video of Isaac playing a piece that he's worked on for several weeks. It's perhaps his most difficult piece yet.

Hope you enjoy it, and hope everyone is well.
We love and miss you all, Nancy

Big, Big Jets

We visited the AAR aircraft maintenance facility in town today. Mr Bauer, one of our friends invited us out with his family for a tour. They had 7 or 8 Southwest Airlines 737-300's in the facility, in various states of repair. We had a tour of the insides and out, the first time the boys have been in a plane.


In 20 days the insides are stripped and every rivet inspected. Then they are reassembled. Isaac thought it sure looks empty, doesn't it.



Isaac and Jacob Krosschell with Jake and Nick Bauer, on the flight deck.


We thought that Great Gordon would especially appreciate the paint room (hanger), where they were preparing this jet for a new look.


Hours later, Isaac is still wearing his safety goggles.

Spring Hike in the Woods

The Krosschell boys took their first spring hike at Eagle Creek Park Saturday. It was warm, as it has been for weeks and it was good to get out before the leaves obscure the views. The boys really are best friends and it is a joy to let them go on ahead and watch them interact. (Not too far ahead mommy, don't worry.)

Throwing rocks into the reservoir.

There was a better spot for picture with the hillsides of bluebells, but too many bees for them to sit long enough for a picture.

Soccer Season

Isaac and Jacob have started another season of Upward Soccer here on Indianapolis's west side. For Jacob, this is the first year he gets to play, rather than watching his big brother from the sideline.

Isaac is a member of the Flash, and has played once. His first game was rained out. His coach is teaching positioning, in addition to ball handling skills and shooting. Its coming slowly, but positioning is taking root in their fertile little minds.





Jacob is a member of the Bears. These kids are age 5 and playing for the first time. Their games are really just mob-ball, but they are learning to get along and remember which direction their goal is in. Jacob is working to earn the 'most Christlike' award in an upcoming game, which gives Nancy and me opportunity to teach him how to respond to the kids who push. This is a subject of great consternation for him.

Junior Festival Awards and Spring Recital

Yesterday, we enjoyed a Spring Concert of piano student from various teachers. Isaac played a smokin' hot rendition of "Race Car Rally". It was so fast, we were sure he would crash, but he did not :) Before the recital, Isaac and others from Mrs. Hudson's class who participated, received their awards from Junior Festival. Isaac participated last Saturday in 4 events: Sight Reading, Theory, Piano Hymns (2 pieces) and Solo (two memorized pieces.) He received superior ratings in each event and was only one point away from Super Superior in two categories, which means he only had one mistake :) We continue to be very proud of his accomplishments and hard work and he his having a great time with piano.

Hymns for Great Gordon

Great Gordon goes in for surgery tomorrow, so we decided that Isaac could play his two hymns for Festival next week for Great Gordon to tell him we are thinking and praying for him.

We love you and miss you bunches and bunches!

Get well soon, Grandpa!

A New First

As the boys grow older, we have fewer and fewer, "firsts" and I could kick myself for not "blogging" back then. With two reflux babies, sleep was the number one priority back then. As we see them grow and change so quickly, I truly try to appreciate all the new "firsts" we have and cherish them in my heart. Today was one of those days. Dad took Jacob's training wheels off today because he has been asking about it since last fall, and we promised we would do it when it "started to warm up in the Spring." Today was the day, and we got to see him do it for the "first time", on his own, on the first try... in Jacob fashion...he never gives up.

Pajama Day in Pre-K!

Jacob enjoyed PJ (Praise Jesus) day in preschool a couple weeks ago. They had fun talking about things that began with P and J, .. like Jacob, and each child brought their favorite "stuffed pet" to class. They made a visual chart based on colors of the pets, another great PreK math skill.

I had to take a picture at the end of the day, because Mrs. Elaine and her curlers made it a Kodak moment. Here's Jacob with a few of his classmates on PJ day.

Natural Born Leader

We had our parent-teacher conference for Jacob's preschool class this morning. I just find it funny that they have"conferences" in preschool. Nonetheless, it was very informative, and his teachers take their jobs very seriously.

They said that Jacob is top notch academically and leading the class. He likes crafts, puzzles and the 10 Commandments DVD. In comments, they wrote, "Jacob has a dominate personality and is a leader at play. He is at times mischievous and at times very well mannered. He enjoys school."

They told us that he was a "natural leader," and that we should spend time reading to him about leaders in the Bible and how they led well and how they led people astray. They said that other kids really do follow Jacob. I thought that was a great advice.. because leading can be good and it can be bad.

He's growing so quickly, and the little baby is no longer there.. he's officially a boy. We pray for him to be a godly leader who loves the Lord with his whole heart. Interestingly, although he is one of the taller boys in the class, he is not one of the oldest. He's really in the middle for his age in that class.

Next week is PJ week.. they get to wear their PJ's and slippers (he's excited to wear the slippers that Grandma Krosschell knitted for him recently), and bring their favorite stuffed "pet." I am sure he will bring brown bear. PJ week.. Praise Jesus! I think they are so clever at Discovery Days and I know he will miss going to class next year.

Pinewood Derby 2010

Isaac had his Cub Scout Pinewood Derby Car race today. His is modeled after Racer X of the Speed Racer cartoon. Number 10 of course for Wolf Den 10

Isaac won 4 of the 6 races he was in and finished third of 10 boys in his den, earning this trophy.

Jacob was able to race against other siblings and parents in the Open division. He came home with a pin for participation. Jacob raced on of his Dad's cars from his childhood in Brookside Church Cadets. It didn't win 25 years ago either.

Sledding Fun

We got about 8 inches overnight in Indianapolis, and today was a beautiful, sunny day. Daddy planned ahead and bought another sled earlier in the week. Michael also shovelled the drive 3 times in the past 24 hours and then we spent over 2 1/2 hours sledding at Rhodius Park. All those years at the Parks Department are still paying off ;) We had a great time. Here are a few pictures from the day. Love to grandpa and all those out there who follow the blog. GO COLTS!

Slowly, but surely....

Isaac is working hard on piano and progressing to both hands on many pieces. He is currently preparing for the Hendricks County Music Festival in March. He doesn't always want to practice, but he is doing so well. Sorry it's sideways...:( Any ideas on how to rotate?



Here's a video of Cukoo... :) Love to you all!

Nancy

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

We are having our second snow of the winter, first of 2010. The boys are just like their daddy, and love the snow. Isaac is big enough this year to really help shovel the driveway, which is fantastic! It seems the drive gets a bit longer the nearer to 40 I become. :)