Braces!

We have entered a new era as both Nora and Henry start having some orthodontic work done. On our first visit they made a scan of Henry's mouth in order to make his space maintainers and measured Nora for braces. He was pleased to learn that he didn't have to have spacers put in as was originally planned and could have popcorn for a few more weeks. He will have four teeth taken out next month.

On her second visit Nora had braces put on her top teeth to bring them a little closer and make room for a tooth that is coming in crooked. They are supposed to be on for six months to a year. So no gum or chewy candy for this child.

(And no picture of her with the new braces, but they look good on her.)

Nora on horseback

We have very kind neighbors and they let Nora ride their horse. 

Nora's Birthday Tea

Nora invited three friends over for a tea party.

The other kids went to Mimmu's house so that the girls could chat in peace.

They made felt flowers to take home and played for a bit.
And made their own pizzas for dinner.

Nora's early birthday

We celebrated Nora's birthday with Anja. On Friday night we had cake after dinner.

On Saturday there were presents and we had a more festive dinner. Iso fixed up my old bike to give to Nora.

 

 

She hadn't learned to ride a two-wheeler yet, but she picked it right up!

Take Our Kids To Work Day

Nora got to go in to work with Mark this year. She got to see Mark's office and they visited with a coworker that goes to our church. There are quite a few tours and activities for the kids. She saw a demonstration where they made ice cream with liquid nitrogen and everyone got to taste some. They also went to a robot demonstration and one on cameras.

 She stayed and had lunch with him then we picked her up and brought her home.

She had a great time.

A haircut for Nora

Nora wanted a haircut and her hair was long enough to donate to a good cause.

We made two pony-tails and cut them off and then sent her to a salon with Mimmu who also wanted a haircut.

She came back looking ready for summer and much older.

Potholders

The kids got a potholder loom for Christmas and have been taking turns making potholders. Nora's first one, made Christmas Day, went to Anja and Liisa. This one Nora made for Cynnie.

Henry wanted to make a pinwheel design.

I help finish the edges but they choose the colors and do the rest of the work.

Quite the outfit

Nora and Henry were in desperate need of new tennis shoes so we went out the night before our trip to Idaho to try to find some.

Nora's look seemed worth recording.

Acting class

Nora took a two-day acting workshop after Christmas at the local children's theater. She was excited to go.

The play was Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

They made some of their own props (crafting!) and helped come up with their lines. She had a great time. They had a performance for the parents at the end of the second day of class.

Lost in a good book

She is a girl after my own heart.

She's reading Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild here, a book I have read many times.

A wedding

A friend from our church had a lovely fall wedding. Mark and Henry stayed home to take care of Helena, so Nora, Penny, Millie, and I represented our family.

They had a brunch reception with lots of delicious food.

Penny was my helper that morning when we dropped some things off at the church. She is able to ask the same question repeatedly despite getting the same answer every time. 

We wish them a long and happy life together!

Crafty

Nora has taken to weaving mats out of the iris leaves.

I think she was inspired by playing with a potholder loom that belongs to a friend.

Oldest and youngest

Nora is a good big sister and likes helping to take care of the baby.

 Feeding Camilla is one fun way to be useful.

A happy sight out my kitchen window

Nora is now tall enough to take down the laundry.

 Hooray!

Fair entries

Nora and Henry each drew a picture to enter in the fair this year.

Nora's cheerful party scene.

Henry's river scene was inspired by a vintage LL Bean catalog cover.

Nora received a second place ribbon and Henry got a first. It was fun to see them hanging up at the fair and to look for pictures drawn by friends.

Hiking

Mark, Nora, and Henry met up with some friends on a Friday morning to hike up Badger Mountain.

Everyone had a pretty good time. Nora was stung by her first bee when they were at the top. Henry was impressed with the rock steps that were built into the trail.

Roller skating

Nora's friend Jill had a skating party for her birthday and Nora was so excited to go. It was her first time on roller skates. She did a great job. There were a few laps of hanging on the wall, but by the end she was moving without support. She did fall, but she got up each time to try again.

Successful skaters.

Best of all, she got to share this "first" with Grace.

Nora's 8th birthday

 It was fun to have Grandma and Grandpa here on her birthday.

 

She opened presents after breakfast, including a camera that she's been hoping for. She had fun playing with that for the rest of the day.

Mimmu and Iso joined us for dinner. We ate BBQ pork on rolls, coleslaw, roasted asparagus, and Nora's favorite pasta salad.

Nora asked for a rectangular chocolate cake that said "Happy Birthday." We had salted caramel ice cream to go with it.

 Now she's eight!

Birthday week treats

It was our turn to bring lunch to playgroup so Nora chose the menu and we brought cupcakes.

It's fun to celebrate with friends.

Nora's pre-birthday celebrations

Anja came to visit this weekend so we had an early birthday celebration for Nora. We had chili for dinner and a chocolate layer cake with salted caramel ice cream. Enough dessert for two nights.

She got a watch from Anja. It has three bands that you can swap. She was really pleased with it.