Kids
April Fools’ Day has been around for centuries. In 1700, English pranksters made it popular to play practical jokes on each other. Some believe it began in 1582 when France switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, following the Council of Trent’s 1563 mandate. Those who didn’t adopt the change and still celebrated the new year from late March to April 1 were mocked and teased for being gullible.
When I was a kid, my sisters and I loved trying to fool each other. We pulled all kinds of tricks, from claiming there was a spider in someone’s hair to swapping the salt and sugar in their containers. Most of the time, no one fell for it, but every now and then we’d get a completely shocked reaction, or even a scream. Historians have mentioned pranks like dressing in disguises, and even the weather seemed to join in the fun with its unpredictable seasonal changes. I think most of us have been fooled by that one—bundling up in the morning only to be too hot later, or the other way around. And of course, the weather never plays along for just one day.
As we get older, we have to be much more creative with our antics, because, let’s face it, adults aren’t going to fall for the old spider-in-the-hair trick. They know exactly what day it is. April Fools’ Day pranks need careful planning and should be harmless, because that’s what the day is really about. Of course, there’s always the chance of some unexpected hiccup when trying to undo a prank, which could backfire, but hopefully the people you prank are good sports who understand it could just as easily have happened to them.
Some of the best pranks these days are tech-based, with endless ways to make someone think their computer has gone haywire. A bit of tape over the mouse sensor can make it seem frozen, or you could change the language settings…though from personal experience, that’s tricky to undo if you pick one you can’t read…like Russian or Japanese! My favorite is flipping the screen so everything’s upside down…it’s easy to reverse, so no harm done. There are plenty of low-tech options too, like wrapping the entire office in newspaper or filling the room with balloons so you have to pop your way in. Office pranks are a great way to take your prank game to 
the next level, and they’re especially fun when your target is left completely stunned.
Some people are naturally gullible, while others have a knack for dreaming up outrageous ideas. If you fall into the first group, get ready for a day full of pranks, as pranksters love to exploit that gullibility. And if you’re one of those pranksters, this is your moment to shine. Happy April Fools’ Day! Let the fun begin and let the gullible beware!
My niece, Elizabeth, is one of the busiest people I know. As a teacher who loves her job, by this time of year, she is also looking forward to the end of the year! She has more free time then, to do the many other things she loves to do! Even though it’s only March, she has already begun raking the yard to prepare it for the spring. Elizabeth has a real eye for what will look nice in the yard, and she enjoys shopping for flowers and plants that will create that atmosphere.
Elizabeth also loves to travel and has the opportunity to do a lot of that during the summer. She and her sister, Jenny, and her niece, Aleesia, drove to Colorado to attend a Christian concert earlier this month to see a group of bands they all enjoy listening to. They had a great time and cannot wait to go to the next one! Elizabeth loves concerts and attends many during the year. Especially during the spring and summer. She almost always goes to Nashville or somewhere else to see her favorite singer, Carrie Underwood, at least once a year. She jokingly calls Carrie, her “BFF!”
This year, Carrie will be in Montana. Elizabeth and two of her good friends, Lacey and Jamie, will be attending 
that concert, and spending a few days with Jamie’s family in Montana. They all like a good road trip but haven’t been able to get together to travel for a long time so they plan to take good advantage of this opportunity to do both things.
Elizabeth is also a huge sports fan. Her top three favorites are football (Denver Broncos), baseball (New York Yankees) and basketball (Denver Nuggets), in that order! She and her lifelong friend, Kristina, who lives in Colorado with her family, traveled to Denver last September to see the Denver Bronco’s play, and last week they went to Denver to see the Denver Nuggets play. Elizabeth has even traveled to New York to watch the Yankees play more than once! She is such a sports fan, that her little dog, Holiday has to be dressed up in a jersey for each team whenever she watches a game on television! Her other pup, Gracie, would have to wear a 
jersey, too, except that Gracie has ripped hers off, and shredded them in disgust the few times Elizabeth tried to put them on her! She has been known to dress her other dog, Scout, in jerseys, too, but Scout has escaped lately, since Holiday tolerates it so well, or at least most of the time!
Elizabeth is very close with all her siblings and with her cousins. They all get together during the year for concerts, games, and downtown events. This girl is very rarely not busy. Probably only when she is asleep!
I would have to say Elizabeth is a person of many, many interests and never lives a dull moment! Happy birthday, Elizabeth!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
Astrid Lindgren had always loved words and stories, and while she may not have known it at first, she also possessed the ability to tell a good story. As a child, Lindgren devoured every book she could get her hands on, from the adventures of Robinson Crusoe to the spirited tales of Anne of Green Gables. She penned several creative essays that impressed her teacher, and one was even published in the local newspaper. That story, unfortunately, and the attention that followed, led to teasing from her classmates, and she vowed never to write again. How sad that even in those days, children could be so cruel.
Astrid Anna Emilia Ericsson, later known as Lindgren, was born on November 14, 1907, in a red wooden house in the small town of Vimmerby, Småland, Sweden. She was the second of four children of Hanna Jonsson and Samuel August Ericsson. The family lived on a farm called Näs, which had stood for 500 years and had been rented by the Ericssons for three generations. Her childhood was happy and carefree—after finishing her chores, she roamed the fields and nearby woods freely. With her siblings, she spent time climbing trees, swimming in the river, and playing in the barns. This sense of childhood freedom is reflected in her stories, especially in the beloved Pippi Longstocking books.
Lindgren fell in love with the magic of words at just five years old, when a farmhand’s daughter read her a story. Her first book, Snow White, came from a teacher, and she was thrilled each time she got a new one. In her biography Astrid Lindgren, author Eva-Maria Metcalf shared a quote from Lindgren about her passion for books: “I can still remember how these books smelled when they arrived fresh from the printer. Yes, I started by smelling them, and there was no lovelier scent in all the world. It was full of foretaste and anticipation.”
Lindgren’s life wasn’t easy, even after she escaped the cruelty of her schoolmates. In 1924, she started working for the local paper, the Wimmerby Tidningen. She stirred up the town when she cut her hair into a bob, embracing the “flapper” style of the 1920s liberated women who wore short hair and defied social norms. At 19, pregnant and facing judgment from the Vimmerby villagers, she moved to Stockholm. Her son, Lars, was born in 1926, but she had to place him in foster care because she couldn’t afford to support him. It was the hardest thing she ever did.
While in Stockholm, Lindgren studied stenography and found a job as a secretary, though the pay barely covered food, rent, and train trips to Copenhagen to see Lars. She later worked at the Royal Swedish Automobile Club, writing tour guides for drivers, where she met Sture Lindgren. They married on April 4, 1931, after which she happily gained custody of Lars. Their daughter, Karin, was born in 1934. For a number of years, she set aside her natural ability to write…until Karin rekindled it, that is. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1940s that she began to reconsider her childhood decision. Pippi Longstocking was created in 1941 when seven-year-old Karin, bored and stuck in bed with pneumonia, asked her mother for a story about “Pippi Långstrump” (Longstocking). Karin had made up the name, and it instantly sparked Lindgren’s imagination, leading her to dream up tales about the wiry, spirited, freckle-faced Pippi, whose braids jutted out to either side. Pippi quickly became a favorite with Karin and her friends. Lively little Pippi would go on to make Astrid Lindgren among the most widely translated authors ever, after she shot to fame in the 1940s with her creation of the beloved 
storybook character. Throughout her life, she penned over 40 children’s books, selling around 145 million copies across the globe. Lindgren passed away at her home in central Stockholm on January 28, 2002, at the age of 94. Her funeral was held at Storkyrkan in Gamla stan, attended by King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, other members of the royal family, and Prime Minister Göran Persson. Dagens Nyheter described the ceremony as “the closest you can get to a state funeral.” It was a fitting tribute to a beloved author.
My niece, Amanda Reed has spent most of her adult life working in the banking industry. She worked her way up through the system, and last year she was promoted to Vice President of Operations at Rawlins National Bank. We are all so proud of her accomplishments. Not many people ever achieve such a great status, but Amanda is a very hard-working person, and she is driven to succeed at everything she does. Amanda is a very motivated person. She is a dedicated and loyal worker, and that is, of course, what the Rawlins National Bank saw in her from the beginning. They knew she was the right person for advancing through the company. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see he in the position of President of the bank someday. She is, after all, highly motivated.
Amanda and her partner, Sean Mortensen owned a cabin in the Snowy Mountains. His parents also owned a cabin there too, and a while back they sold their cabin to Amanda and Sean. His parents’ cabin was a better fit 
for Amanda and Sean, so when they decided to sell it, Amanda and Sean bought it. Now, they have sold their cabin, and they couldn’t be happier. They love spending time at the cabin, and they can go there year-round, so it makes the cabin a great purchase. Amanda and Sean love the quietness of the cabin, and the wild animals that sometimes almost seem like pets, because they really aren’t afraid of Amanda and Sean. They have been able to see animals most of us never can, like fox, moose, coyote, and more.
Amanda, Sean, and their daughter, Jadyn and her boyfriend, Marcus are all very outdoorsy people. They love boating, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, 4 wheeling, motorcycling, and just about any other sport you can imagine. They also love hunting and fishing. In fact, right now Amanda and Sean are in Louisianna doing some 
bow fishing and enjoying the area. They are two of the most active people I know. They and a large group of friends get together often to enjoy so many activities that it would make most of us tired just thinking about it. Nevertheless, this family takes that as everyday activities. It is one way to stay young, and they are quite good at it all. Today is Amanda’s birthday. Happy birthday Amanda. Hope your vacation is fabulous. Have a great day!! We love you!!
My aunt, Sandy Pattan and I were talking about the things the current generation does that we and especially our parents (hers being my grandparents) would never even consider doing. Being a child of the 60s, I was less shocked by things that really shocked her. She would never consider a tattoo, and while I don’t have one either, my children and grandchildren do, and so do some of hers. Tattoos don’t bother me these days. Sure, people might expect me to gripe about the styles, attitudes, or something along those lines that is the current generation, and while I admit those things can be irritating at times, that’s not where my mind is tonight. What struck me is the simple reality that one day we’ll be handing the baton over to 
the current generation. Many people cringe at the thought, and when I see some of the kids around, I sometimes feel the same way. But we can’t judge them based on who they are today, because once responsibility hits, they’ll change in an instant…just like we did. No adult can honestly claim that their parents approved of everything about them…the clothes they wore, their hair, the music they loved, or the friends they kept. Sure, some things might have been acceptable, but not all. And what parent hasn’t sighed or scowled when talking about the so-called next generation?
Just as we were once the dreaded next generation and eventually became today’s establishment, they too will become the establishment of tomorrow. They’ll look at their children and friends as the next generation and hope that, just as they grew into responsible adults, their kids will follow the same path. And they will cringe at the things their kids see as 
normal and cool.
Like us, most kids will grow into responsible adults if we instill in them the values we were taught, along with love and respect for their feelings. With that foundation, they can blossom into people we’re proud of. Kids seek approval from someone, so while you don’t need to pretend to love their clothes, hair, music, or attitude, it’s important to praise them when they truly earn it. Without positive reinforcement, they may act out just to get attention. We can’t be absent from their childhood and still expect them to become great adults. Loving, encouraging, and keeping them in our prayers is the most important thing we can do for them…and for the grownups they will become.
We all know about the growing season of plants, but were you aware that children grow faster in the spring due too? That growth spurt is due to several factors, among them, increased Vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for bone growth. Longer days and increased sunlight in spring boost vitamin D levels, which play that very key role in supporting a child’s bone growth. Another factor is that of hormonal regulation…increased daylight hours can lower melatonin levels, which may enhance growth hormone secretion, promoting faster growth. In addition, more time spent outdoors during spring allows children to engage in physical activities that stimulate growth. In the spring, fresh produce is easier to find, making it simpler to enjoy a balanced diet that encourages growth. Altogether, these factors make spring an ideal time for childhood growth.
It might seem surprising, but research shows that kids often grow faster in the spring, thanks largely to more sunlight and better nutrition. Several studies have found that the biggest growth spurts happen during these 
months. For example, a 2015 study of 760 Danish students revealed peak growth in April and May, while a 2022 study of thousands of Texas children also reported strong growth rates in spring and early summer.
The second-best growing season is summer. One of the most significant factors driving summer growth spurts is the relationship between sleep patterns and growth hormone release. Of course, when the kids don’t have to get up early to get ready for school, many of them tend to sleep half of the morning away. Growth hormone secretion occurs predominantly during deep sleep, particularly during the first third of the night when deep, non-REM sleep is most abundant. During summer months, children typically enjoy more relaxed schedules, allowing for longer and higher-quality sleep. This extended rest period provides more opportunities for growth hormone release. The combination of less school stress, warmer weather, and longer days often leads to better sleep quality for children. Without early morning school schedules, kids can follow their natural sleep patterns more closely. CMC Pediatrics emphasizes the importance of maintaining good sleep hygiene year-round, but particularly during these crucial growth periods. Children experience a rush of growth hormones both when they fall asleep and when they wake up. Longer summer sleep periods allow these hormones to work more effectively, contributing to the dramatic height increases many parents observe in their children.
Of course, another big part of growth is good nutrition, and when your child suddenly seems hungry all the time, their body is likely preparing for or experiencing a growth spurt. Their increased caloric demands are very likely part of the need for extra energy as part of that growth spurt too. Growth happens all year round, but kids often experience a boost in spring. Longer days, better nutrition, more time spent being active, and improved sleep all play a role in this seasonal spurt. Parents can help by encouraging outdoor fun, offering balanced meals, and making sure their children get plenty of rest during these lively months. Oh, and plan on needing new clothes before school starts again, because that is just a part of the deal.
My niece, Kellie Thompson has had a year of great blessing…and many blessings. Since her last birthday, Kellie was married to her husband, Tim Thompson on June 28, 2025; became a mom to Tim’s sweet daughter, Jolene; took a honeymoon cruise to the Caribbean; and found out that Kellie is pregnant with a daughter due in June. It has been a wonderful year of great blessing. Their wedding was a wonderful affair, held in a meadow at the top of a hill overlooking Casper Mountain. It was everything Kellie had dreamed of and everything she wanted it to be, complete with the lack of rain…a miracle in itself for June in Wyoming. It was followed by a beautiful reception and dance held on the viewing terrace of Natrona County International Airport. There were even a few take-off and landings…much to the delight of the little kinds in attendance. Then, they enjoyed the summer with their daughter, Jolene before she had to go back home and back to school.
They took their honeymoon cruise from December 12th to December 21st, 2025. They had a wonderful time 
and very much enjoyed spending part of the winter months in a warm climate. They swam, relaxed, and did a lot of sightseeing. While Kellie had been on a cruise before, it was the first time for Tim. The cool thing was that Kellie knew all to cool things to do, so they had an amazing time. And…as we all know, the food on a cruise ship is absolutely amazing. You should never take a cruise while on a diet, hahaha!! Needless to say, Kellie and Tim had no such restrictions. They enjoyed everything their hearts desired. I’m so happy for them. It was a dream honeymoon.
Kellie is one of the lead singers in our church choir. It is a dream position for her, as singing has always been one of the basic necessities of life!! Kellie sings all the time…at home, in the car, taking a walk, in the shower, and of course, in church. Her little baby very much enjoys all this singing. In fact, Kellie’s little daughter jumps and dances in the womb whenever her mommy is singing. With all the singing Kellie does, that makes for a very active baby. She just loves her “front row seat” to the “Mommy Concert” that she is treated to all day!!
Now, with “Baby Girl Thompson’s” due date coming up fast, Kellie and Tim are busily preparing the nursery for her arrival. They have been painting and putting in new lighting, deciding on the theme, and getting furniture ready. Before long, their home will be filled with the little giggles that always accompany babies!! Their daughter, Jolene can’t wait either. She wanted a little sister. I’m so happy for all of them. Today is Kellie’s birthday. Happy birthday Kellie!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
On March 11, 2026, at 5:57pm, my newest great grandson, Graham Theodore Petersen made his entrance into the world. He weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces, and he was 19½ inches long. Graham joins his three brothers, Justin, Axel, and Cristian, the sons of parents, Josh and Athena Petersen. He has already been dubbed with the nickname, Graham Cracker, which is a sweet nickname indeed. A sweet nickname for a sweet baby boy. Graham was born with a pretty good head of hair, of multiple colors. He has bits of blonde, brown, and even a bit of red. That red isn’t so unusual, since his uncle, Andrew Salazar has red hair too.
Right now, Graham is a novelty to his brothers, and they know that they have to be very careful with him, but before long, Graham will have to learn to deal with his “rough and tumble” big brothers, because along with the normal 
fighting kids do, the Petersen boys have regular “dog piles” in their play. Bumped heads and a few scratches here and there, as well as the inevitable bruises are just par for the course. Nevertheless, the Petersen boys love each other very much…most of the time. When one of them is taking toys away or pushing them around, any one of them will defend himself, and one of those “brother battles” will ensue. Those things are a little way down the road for Graham, so he will have a bit of a reprieve. Nevertheless, his brother, Cristian, who is just 13½ months older than Graham, already knows how to defend himself.
While the middle brothers know that they have a new baby brother, they aren’t quite as interested as the oldest 
Petersen brother, Justin. At three years old, Justin is very interested in his baby brother. He wants to hold him as much as he can, and he is happiest when he gets to hold his sweet brother. Graham is a good baby and doesn’t cry much. That could change, of course, but for now, his parents are enjoying the relatively quiet little baby he is. He is a handsome little boy who reminds us all of his older brother, Cristian, with a little bit of Axel mixed in. It’s hard to say what he will look like as he gets older. Each child had their own looks, and they change as they get older. Nevertheless, he will always be a handsome little boy, because he comes from good stock. We are so happy to have our little Graham here finally. The wait seemed like forever. Welcome to the world Graham. We love you so much.
My grandniece, Manuela Ortiz joined our family when she married my grandnephew, James Renville on July 18, 2021. Manuela, who goes by Manu, is a sweet, bubbly girl who has put the sparkle in James’ life. They are opposites in personality, but then, opposites attract, so…there you have it. I think we have all enjoyed the “sparkle” that came with Manuela. She originally came to the United States from Columbia on a work visa with the intent of improving her English so she would be an asset to her company in Columbia, but in the end, she knew that her place was in the United States. She began working toward becoming a citizen. Then in 2019, she met the man who would be her husband. She and James, both knew it from the start.
Manuela and James both love to travel. They have visited many places including Chicago, Columbia (to see Manuela’s family), Yellowstone, and Saratoga, to name a few. Since they both love to travel, I’m sure there will be many more trips in their future. They also love many different activities, like hiking, skiing, and dancing. James didn’t used to dance much, but Manuela is a great dancer, and she has taught his many dances. They had a wonderful time dancing at their wedding, and I for one was quite impressed with both of them. Manuela is so good at the traditional Columbian dances, that she even taught a class at Casper College a few years ago. The taught the Salsa and the Bachata. I’m sure her students had a great time.
Manuela works as a Counseling Manager at the Wyoming Housing Network. While she had intended to learn from them, they saw in her a great asset to their company, and they wanted to make sure she was happy. They 
succeeded!! Manuela has been making her department a better place for the counseling of first-time home buyers, and they are very happy with her work. She is a great manager and an easy person to work with. In May, she completed a year of leadership training. It was a wonderful experience for her and she learn a lot. Manuela is smart, energetic, and very willing to apply herself. Those qualities make her a great leader. I know that her future is just getting brighter and brighter. Today is Manuela’s 30th birthday. Happy birthday Manuela!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
There are classic cars in history that we all know about. The hot rods…the Mustang, GTO, and Charger, to name a few. Those cars were coveted by most teenaged kids at one time or another, but there was another vehicle that, possibly surprisingly, changed a whole era. On March 8, 1950, the first Volkswagen Microbus, officially known as the Type 2, was introduced. Since that time, it became an iconic symbol of freedom and adventure…actually shaping a generation.
The Volkswagen Microbus was developed following the success of the VW Beetle (Type 1). Both of the cars were very popular. The concept for the Microbus originated from Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon, who sketched the design in 1947 after seeing a flatbed parts mover based on the Beetle chassis. The Microbus was designed to be a versatile vehicle for transporting people and goods. The first generation of the Microbus was “powered by a 1,100cc air-cooled engine that produced about 25 horsepower. It featured a unique design with a split windshield and was available in various configurations, including the Kombi (with side windows) and the Commercial (panel van). Over the years, the engine size and power increased, with notable upgrades occurring in 1956 and 1961, leading to improved performance.”
While the VW Microbus was a versatile vehicle, no one really expected what came next. The VW Microbus went on to become a cultural icon, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s. During those years, it was embraced by the counterculture movement. It was often associated with freedom, adventure, and the hippie lifestyle, serving as a mobile home for many travelers and festival-goers. Its spacious interior and customizable features made it popular for camping and road trips, further solidifying its status as a symbol of the era.
The Microbus continued to evolve through various generations. It continued to be produced until 2013 in Brazil, which was the last factory to produce the T2 series. While the VW Microbus has been discontinued, it remains a 
beloved classic, with many enthusiasts and collectors valuing its unique design and historical significance. Like a favorite pair of jeans, the Volkswagen just keeps getting better. In recent years, Volkswagen introduced modern versions, such as the ID Buzz, which pays homage to the original Microbus while incorporating electric vehicle technology. The first VW Microbus not only revolutionized transportation but also became a lasting symbol of freedom and adventure, leaving an indelible mark on automotive history.
