Summer's End

School is about to start, and I am ready!  Not that it hasn't been great spending time with my kids, actually I have loved every minute, but I am ready to start teaching!  The smell of the books, putting up posters and in-boxes for my students, lesson plans, activities and possible writing assignments-it is all so exciting. 

Farming Time

Well, we went on a little adventure to Grandpa Wayne's farm in Beaver (a few weeks ago). Spring is in the air because baby calves are being born. We thought it would be fun to pet them, but their mothers are just too good and kept them away, protected from us. The kids thought climbing on the hay was a good substitute (and climbing in the old tractors, and climbing on the fences...at this point I was starting to wonder if my kids might be part mountain goat!). It was a nice windy day for all, and it was topped off with a treat from the DQ, which is why I really went!

Still Winter

I know that I should change the background, but it is still winter here. It seems that it is going to be winter for awhile. Even in cold weather the kids keep growing, darn them! Harper has her first "wiggly" tooth, which she woke us up at three in morning to announce to the family. William is practicing hard at "dynamite", which is some sort of basketball game like "horse". Schools must be getting better because it is a lot easier to spell horse rather than dynamite...yea No Child Left Behind Act?! Ellie is navigating Middle School with all of the friend drama, braces, and me riding her about handing in her assignments. Our discussion usually going something like this:

Me: Ellie you need to hand in your assignments.
Ellie: But mom I know it.
Me: How does the teacher know you know it, if you don't hand it in.
Ellie: Because I know it.
Me: Hand in your homework...or else. (followed by stern eyes...I try to channel my father here).

Yes, it is deary and I am fighting the wearies. All the kids can do is continue to hope there is enough snow to ski in. Perspective. Happy Winter Day!

Christmas Tree Lane

Last week was Christmas Tree Lane, and Harper was part of the entertainment. Well, it wasn't a solo, but it was great. She didn't miss a shuffle nor a ball change. I was so proud...she nailed it, which is something that I never seemed to do. So here is a little picture of her back stage; she is still sporting that "I did awesome" glow! She danced to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, which is why she is wearing antlers. It's not a look I normally encourage, but she's so cute she even makes antlers look good.

Merry Christmas!

We started our season by celebrating in Disneyland. I know that they say Disneyland is the Magical Kingdom, but in Christmas...it was extra magical, extra special, just extra! We were able to see an amazing light display on the "It's a Small World" building. It even snowed on cue, which didn't impress my kids too much...guess it's just a reminder of what they really want--snow, and more than a few flurries, so they can go skiing. Getting back to Disneyland wonder...the castle was fantastic! I had no idea that Christmas lights could be that pretty. Also, the garland, garland, garland that was EVERYWHERE! If you ever need wreath or garland ideas, go to Disneyland. Plus, the gardeners at Disneyland had planted poinsettia in the ground. I have never witnessed such a wonder...poinsettia growing directly from the dirt, in flowerbeds. Gardening in California does give you many more planting options?!

The trip was fantastic for almost everyone; Ryan had a case of food poisoning, so it wasn't quite the magic he was anticipating. But to top our whole trip, Gary Sinse read the Christmas Story while choirs from the area sang Christmas Hymns. It was the perfect last night in Disneyland for 2011. Merry Christmas!

Thankful!

Since, this week is Thanksgiving I would like to say that I am most thankful for my family! I have three great kids and a wonderful husband. Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's the Link

Sorry! I hit publish without the link! Let's cross our fingers and hope that everything works.

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