Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Mak the Author


Mak's book
Originally uploaded by Keri Ann.
We entered Mak in the Young Authors Contest this year, and he has had so much fun with it! He reads it to himself over and over, and spent a long time illustrating it. Below you can read the book, and see one page of his art work. He wants to share it with the world.

Mak's Book


book sample
Originally uploaded by Keri Ann.
Once upon a time there was a sneaky, naughty boy named Jack, and it was his birthday.

Jack is seven, he invited some friends.

Jill
Pete
Billy
Bobby
Cindy
Jimmy

Six friends plus Jack is seven.

He told them to bring their swim suits, because he had some plans. It was the middle of summer, it was a sleep over, but the girls had to go home before night.

When the friends got to his house, they played a water balloon fight. Guess who got the most soaked? Jill! That was Jack’s plan. She cried and went home.

Jack’s Mom said
“That’s not nice, if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left”.

Then they went on to slip and slide, but Jack put too much water on it when it was Billy’s turn and it knocked off his glasses and scared him, only Jack laughed. Billy called his Mom, but she was at a meeting and couldn’t come get him.

Jack’s Mom said
“That’s not nice, if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left”.

Then it was time for cake and presents. Jack provided a special piece for Bobby. Bobby thought he was Jack’s best friend, so he got the best piece, but inside was a trick, and it made Bobby sick. Only Jack laughed. Bobby’s Dad came to get him.

Jack’s Mom said
“That’s not nice, if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left”.

Jack had put a bucket of water on the top of the door in a back room and Cindy was the first to go in, all her clothes and Mom’s good carpet got wet and she had to go home. Only Jacked laughed.

Jack’s Mom said
“That’s not nice, if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left”.

At night Jack had even more sneaky plans. He played a trick on Jimmy. He knew that Jimmy was afraid of spiders so Jack put two tarantellas in his sleeping bag. Jimmy was too scared to sleep there, so he called his Mom to pick him up. Only Jack laughed.

Jack’s Mom said
“That’s not nice, if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left”.

There were only two friends left at the party. And Jack had more plans. Pete was the next one to get surprised. At 2:00 in the morning, Jack put whipped cream on Pete’s hands, and then tickled his face. When Pete when to itch his face he smeared the whipped cream all over himself. He cried hard enough to wake up Jack’s parents. But it was too dark out to go home.

Jack’s Mom said
“That’s not nice, if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left”.

And it was true, Billy and Pete stayed the night, but it wasn’t because they wanted too. It was because their Mom or Dad couldn’t come get them yet. But when morning came, they didn’t even wait for breakfast, they called their parents, and went home. Jack’s party was not a fun party.

The next day in the park, Jack’s friends came and played a trick on him. They wanted him to know how they felt. They told him they were going to play hide and seek, and he was it. Instead of hiding they all went home. He looked and looked, but never found them, Jack didn’t laugh.

He went home sad, and told his parents, and they said “so finally you learned your lesson”.

Jack decided not to be a naughty or sneaky boy anymore, because if you keep playing tricks you won’t have any friends left.
And that’s true.

The End.

“Listen, my son,
to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your
Mother’s teaching.”

Proverbs 1:8

About the Author:

Makannen van Wingerden
a.k.a Mak attack
is seven years old and lives with his
parents and three brothers.
He likes to play tricks just like Jack.
He enjoys, art, throwing snowballs, jumping on the trampoline. and playing with his friends.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Baby's First Picture


Ultra Sound
Originally uploaded by Keri Ann.
Yesterday we took T.J. and Mak in to the hospital with us so they could see a picture of their new baby sibling. At first they didn't want to go, but as soon as the images came up on the screen they were mesmerized. Everything looks just fine, and they gave me a due date of between Oct 7 and 11. Now we get to wait! Our next big ultrasound should be the last week of May, then we can let you know if it's a boy or a girl!

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Changes


Nina's leaving
Originally uploaded by Keri Ann.
This is a sad week for our family. Nina has been packing up her room in order to move. It wasn't anything any of us chose. Her family needs her support right now because of her grandmother's terminal cancer. So there will be a big empty spot in our home. Though she won't be far away, it won't be the same.

My fun kids

My fun kids
In their favorite tree