February round-up

I apologize for the long gap between posts! I've been traveling the past two Sundays when I usually post: I was at a library conference in California the first weekend, and last weekend we went up north for my parents' missionary farewell, which was bitter-sweet. I'm thrilled for them to get to do something they've wanted to do for so long, and I know it's the right choice for them, but I already miss them!

Some other highlights from the month (esp. the past week):

Me, at my conference with some writer friends.

 Andrew won the school spelling bee and a Kindle fire.

 Brothers playing devices at grandma's house. (Sadly, this is the only picture I got of the weekend we spent with my family.)

 As has become our tradition, we put together non-candy Valentines. Every year I think it's a great idea, and every year I vow that next year we'll go the path of least resistance and buy them in the store--and then I change my mind. This year actually went well, since even Oliver is getting big enough to help.

 Enjoying some mild February weather at the park.

This past week was the district spelling bee--here's all the winners from the district schools. I think I was almost as nervous as Andrew was.

Andrew's extensive reading stood him in good stead--after four rounds with no kids getting out, the judges switched to bonus words (which none of the kids had studied) and almost all the kids were out in two rounds. Andrew and this cute Korean girl from his school were the last two left! Andrew spelled preceding and duplicate correctly to win an ipad mini! (His sister was very jealous and tried to tell me that he had too many devices and I should give one to her. Which, yes--a kindle fire and an ipad mini in less than two weeks is a lot of stuff to win! But he earned them both).

I wish you could have seen his face when he won. He was so thrilled!

This weekend has been quieter--I had to go up to Provo on Friday for a panel at another conference (this spring is going to be crazy while I get ready for the book release, but things should calm down after that), and I got back late Friday night. Saturday morning, Dan was a judge for the state lego league, and then we just hung out at home. We're hoping to do something more exciting tomorrow--but you'll have to stay posted next week to see if we do!