HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR, BIRTHDAYS, A CAT, & "MOOSE"

This semester I was the recipient of a Learn and Serve grant, which paid for two bus loads of my students to visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in March and also sponsored "Surviving the Holocaust: One Woman's Story," an event we held at our high school last Thursday evening. Dutch Holocaust survivor, Ellie Chapman (pictured here signing programs), was a hidden child in Holland. She and her mother were betrayed to the Gestapo and narrowly missed being taken in a round up to meet the same fate as fellow Dutch Jews: death in Auschwitz.

Over 400 people from the tri-state area attended the event and were mesmerized by Ellie's story. Her father was a victim of the infamous Dr. Mengele's medical experiments in Auschwitz. He died of blood poisoning after butane injections in his arms. It wasn't until after liberation that she and her mother discovered his fate. Ellie's entire family perished during the Holocaust.
Prior to Ellie's presentation, Eric Epstein (one of my mentors), author and Penn State professor, gave an overview of anti-Semitism. I also honored the Reverend Doctor William H. Harter (on the right) for his recent award for his lifelong work in building Judeo-Christian relationships and his work in fighting anti-Semitism, racism, and genocide.
These are some of my students who took part in the eveining's events. Aaron (2nd from the left) was selected as the winner of the Schwab Holocaust essay contest sponsored by the Jewish Foundation of the Greater Harrisburg Area. He read his award winning essay and will be reading it again May 1st at the Holocaust Memorial in Harrisburg as part of Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. I am so proud of him. He didn't think his essay good enough to enter, but I insisted. I love telling students. "I told you so!" It was a wonderful evening and we also collected a sizable donation for the Pennsylvania Holocaust Education Council.
This is just a random photo of one of our two felines, Legend. Our two cats are spoiled and think they own the place!
On Saturday we celebrated my middle daughter, Annisa's 34th birthday, and my son-in-law (Becky's hubby) Barry's 31st birthday. I love a reason to make cupcakes, so that's just what I did!

Don't they look yummy !?! They were.

We sang Happy Birthday and they were all smiles!

And of course, they had to blow out a candle!

Okay - so what about "moose?" Here he is! This is my two and a half month old grandson, Jayce, aka "Moose!" He was less than 7 pounds at birth and just a little peanut. Not so now! Take a look at those chunk-a-munka legs!
"Moose" is now over 16 pounds and still growing! Can you see the orneriness in those eyes? And check out the cheeks and chins! Can't wait to squeeze those cheeks in a few weeks!

What's Been Happening?

March has been a busy month, but I managed to get a little scrapbooking done. In January Jim's parents celebrated their 65th anniversary. Jim, his brother, and sisters threw a surprise party for them. I am working on a special scrapbook for them to commemorate the day. The following are two of the pages I have done so far. Hope to finish it by Easter.

The paper and embellishments are from a kit that a friend of mine designed. She opened her own online digi-scrapbooking shop called Truman Studio.
Emme is growing in leaps and bounds and has discovered how much fun it is to tweak noses! She was fascinated by her Pap's nose.
Last week I helped Becky make DC Cupcake's famous frosting to decorate cupcakes for her friend's bridal shower. This is what happened when I turned the mixer on too high with a bowl filled with confectioner's sugar! We were covered in powdered sugar and so was the kitchen! It was a mess! I now have a very clean kitchen!
It's hard to believe as I look out my kitchen window and see snow falling - yes, it is snowing - that just two weeks ago it was warm enough to be outside in short sleeves! Will spring ever come?
I have also been trying some new recipes. This dish - Cheesburger Macaroni - was a featured recipe on Kevin and Amanda's blog ( linked on the left of this page). I modified it somewhat to reduce the fat and added some Tastefully Simple Southwest seasoning to the cheese sauce. I used Mrs. Leeper's gluten-free macaroni. It was delicious! To Aidan and Ryan: "I froze a batch, so when you come for Easter break, you can try it!"
Jim celebrated his 60th birthday this month and DID NOT want a party. I surprised him anyway. Barry. Becky, Emme, Annisa, Sasha, Clara, and Dixon gathered for dinner and cupcakes!
Jim was truly surprised and no, he did not eat all those cupcakes! He shared!
In addition to the handmade cards from the grandkids and a creative story via comic book style graphics from Ryan and Aidan, he got a book about his Philadelphia Eagles (he's a loyal fan) and a new GPS system.
On March 10, I took two bus loads of students to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. After our tour, we had a private session with Holocaust survivor, Nesse Godin. She survived the Einsatzgruppen (SS mobile killing squad), several concentration camps, and a death march when she was just a teenager. My students loved her.
March would not be complete without our traditional St. Patrick's Day celebration. We headed out to TGI Fridays decked out in our St. Patty's gear! Even Emme was ready to PARTY!
Mom-Mom joined us and as always, we had a great time with our family octogenarian. She sure doesn't look her age, does she? She doesn't act it either.
We all know about Becky's Oreo addiction - it's not pretty! Like mother, like daughter - Emme pretended to be watching the table across from us while at the same time, swiping her mom's Oreo ice cream dessert! You go Emme!
Our book club also met this month and read Room by Emma Donoghue. It was a lively discussion and we had quite a feast of food! Can't believe March is coming to a close and April is right around the corner . . . let's hope spring arrives soon!

DESTINATION IMAGINATION!

Last weekend we spent the day at Destination ImagiNation to see Aidan's team compete in a regional competition. This is Aidan's team (3rd & 4th graders) before they were ready to present their challenge. Destination ImagiNation provides educational programs that foster creativity, teamwork, and problem solving skills.

Their team, the Leonardtown Dragons, had to complete their challenge in less than twenty minutes from the time they unpacked their "creation" to tear down.
These two pictures show the boys unpacking and assembling their "Movinator" and the girls were "selling" the product, which was a challenge requirement.
The girls wrote a great jingle and sales pitch and performed it with wonderful enthusiasm!The challenge was to create something that would move objects from the top of a cardboard tower and place them in the kiddie pool below and then transport two objects from the kiddie pool to the top of the tower. The kids competed against eleven other teams and were the only team that had a mirror and magnet on the "Movinator."
After the presentation, they had to answer questions posed by one of the judges.
We anxiously waited until the awards ceremony and were thrilled when the Dragons were announced in second place (first was a group of 5th graders!) and told that they would compete at States at the University of Maryland in Baltimore on April 7th!
We were so proud of the kids and their team managers, Courtney and Kelly! They spent hours with these kids and the kicker is, they could not help them at all! They could only provide the challenge and the kids had to solve the challenge on their own. Amazing!

DINNER WITH KARL ROVE!

This week my son-in-law Cory and I had a "date night!" Yes, that's right - we went on a date for a dinner featuring "The Architect" Karl Rove. I even got flowers! Cory and I are both news junkies and history buffs, so it was natural for us to want to hear a historic figure of the Bush administration.

While everyone was enjoying their meal, Mr. Rove went table to table to meet with each of the 500 attendees. He was warm, funny, and so gracious as everyone wanted to talk with him and get their picture taken.
I was impressed as he mesmerized the crowd with a rousing speech and never once used a note or teleprompter! His vast knowledge of economics, foreign diplomacy, and domestic issues was in evidence throughout his speech.
So touching were the stories about his relationship with our troops.
Everyone who attended the dinner received an autographed copy of his book. I am anxious to read it. He has overcome quite a challenging early life and I enjoy reading about how people face obstacles and break down barriers.

At the end of the evening, Cory and I decided to make "date night" an annual event!

The Face of Jayce!

This is a favorite picture of mine for so many reasons. Just moments before this picture was taken I was changing Jayce's diaper when all of a sudden, he peed all over me, the floor, and himself! I quickly stripped him down, gave him a bath, and wrapped him in a big fluffy towel. He looks so proud of himself!

What contentment! Babies always look so angelic and peaceful!
Big brother Aidan is so relaxed with his little brother. Jayce is a lucky little boy!
When Jayce was born his dad said he let out a lusty cry. He definitely has a set of lungs! Look at the little wrinkled "chicken legs!" For a tiny guy he has BIG hands!

Ryan is such a sweetie and loves to snuggle with Jayce.

There is nothing like a mother's love. This is one special little boy with a mom who loves him very much.

We love you Jayce! Welcome to our zany family!

Welcome NEW GRANDSON!

Welcome Jayce Ethan Andersen, my eighth grandchild! Jayce was born at 6:30 pm on February 1, 2011 and weighed six pounds twelve ounces. He is a little peanut!

Adam is a proud dad!

Jayce is so lucky to have two wonderful brothers and sister. They were so excited to hold him! Kari and Ryan were certain he was a boy, but Aidan was sure he would have another sister. As soon as they saw Jayce, they were thrilled!
I have been so blessed to be with my daughters on their delivery days and to hold the newest wee one in the family so soon after the arrival. These are moments I will always treasure.
Big brother Aidan couldn't be more proud of little Jayce.

Ryan loves babies and Jayce is no exception.

Karianna looks like she is holding a doll. Check out the tongue!

And the yawn . . .

So peaceful!

Yesterday Jayce came home and Ryan was the first to welcome him!

Children are truly blessings from God!