Busy, Busy, Crazy Busy.....

I got a phone call back in March....or maybe the beginning of April....from a Board Member at the younger kids school. (We are at a charter school, so we have a board of mostly founding parents that help run the school.) Anyhoo, she got my name from someone(I really wish I knew who!) that recommended me to be on the Business Partners/Adopt-a-Class Committee. Not only that, she wanted me to Chair the committee.

That threw me. I don't like being in charge...unless it's of my own home and kids, then I'm fine being the boss!

But to be in charge of other things...run meetings, get-togethers, meet deadlines? Eek! I am the Queen of Procrastination. Really, I'm good at it! So to have to meet deadlines and stuff? Stresses me out. I told her I'd be happy to help with the committee, but to let me think on the Chair part and call me back in a couple days. She didn't call back. But two days later I and the rest of the committee received an email announcing me as the new Chair. Help!

I decided to suck it up. I could do it. I have the skills.....just lack the time-management/non-procrastination ones.

Wish me luck. I've already made it through the Appreciation Night, to thank all of this year's sponsors....now we're knee deep in finding sponsors for next year. Hoping our current sponsors want to keep doing it. We have picked up a number of new ones already, and according to the board member I work with, we are already looking better than we ever have at this point.

So that's some of where I've been. It seems like lately, when I get on the computer, I am emailing or updating spreadsheets instead of blogging. Well, that and sorry, but facebook and twitter is a quick way to write and go.

And my apologies to all those I faithfully read for not commenting. I have recently cleaned out my reader and I just did quick reads and no comments....sorry! I'll try to do better.

Odds and Ends.....

Since I mentioned in the last post that Ellie and I are participating in a co-op preschool, I suppose I should post her 1st day of school pictures from, oh, more than a month ago! Thank you to the sweet friends in my ward that invited us to do this. I wasn't sure I'd do it again after I did it with Nicole, but when I realized that: 1. I wouldn't be doing it with a toddler and newborn at home, and 2. It is my last opportunity to do this with a preschooler, I jumped at the chance. And Ellie loves it!

School Pictures

Got the school pictures back, and we're much happier with them this year! They are centered, the kids hair isn't doing anything weird, and their smiles aren't as forced looking as last year's photos. Without further adieu:


Mommy's little buddy....age 3, attending 2 day a week neighborhood co-op preschool! So excited that it's at our house for the next two weeks. :)


Mr. 1st Grade....age 6, loves school, reading ability is exploding, loves math. Told us the other night how long the Euphrates River is. I can't remember the actual number, but it was long! (Although the picture looks like he is wearing a dirty shirt, he isn't. I am not loving our scanner.)


Second grade wonder. Her teacher is holding her back in reading...not because she's failing, but because she can read anything. We are slowing her down a bit so her comprehension can catch up, and just so she doesn't miss the fun books meant for her age. Also just "gets" math. She couldn't be my child. She must've been switched in the hospital! She turns 8 in a month and can't wait to be baptized.


Our High School-er.....I wonder when I'll get used to saying that?! Taking Honors English, Spanish, Chemistry, and Algebra among her classes.....maintaining good grades, and will get credit in them once she makes up her tardies in "attendance school"...Oops! She turns 16 in January and although she doesn't think it's true, the boys are lining up to ask her out. We are afraid. Ron is stocking up on ammunition and building a moat.

Four - three = one, and a SMILE!

Back to school today for the three oldest! I'm left with my little one at home, and so much more peace and quiet that I can't help but smile. Don't take me wrong, I love and adore my children, but how can you miss them unless they leave the house?! That, and too much together time for them equals more and more arguing and fighting, which frankly, drives me bonkers! But onto the point of this post:



Riley entered the world of high school this year. It literally seems like yesterday that we were walking her to 1st grade, so it is just so weird to think of her in high school. She was nervous, but excited. I hope everything goes well for her! I caught this picture as she was waiting for her friend to come pick her up...lucky Riley has a friend that is a junior and has access to a car. :)



Here's a look at our newest 2nd grader, sporting her new hairdo. Nicole and Jared are back at the charter school, and Nicole happily got the teacher she was hoping for. :) The only thing that could've made her happier was if she'd ended up having more of her friends in her class.....but no worry there, she'll see them at lunch and recess, and she'll make new friends in 5 minutes flat anyway!



Jared was so excited this morning he woke up all on his own, and came out all dressed and ready with even shoes on before he'd even had breakfast. First grade. I will admit, I will miss him. All day is a long time to be gone! He is very excited about three recesses and taking his lunch to school though. He told me this morning how he was going to organize his desk as soon as he got there. He is a funny kid! :)



So now, it's me and Ellie. I'm glad I have my little princess here with me for a couple more years! When we were out school shopping, Ellie decided she needed a lunch box. So we let her pick one out. She brought it with her today as we dropped the kids off. Then she asked if it was time for her to go to ballet. Nope, not until Monday! When we got home, she asked that I pack her lunch box with, what else? Lunch. So I did. She then put her cereal spoon down, and ate her lunch. At 8:30 AM! Ellie and I are doing a co-op preschool here in the neighborhood, but that doesn't start until September, so we have to figure out how to fill our days until then. But I'm liking the quieter and peaceful mornings just fine! :)

Riley - On to High School

How beyond weird is it that Riley will be a sophomore in high school next year?!?!?!!! It feels like it was literally two years ago that we were delivering her to Kindergarten. I have a feeling that these next three years are going to go even faster. Riley is somewhat excited to be heading to high school....excited that she won't be in a school with uniforms anymore, but not excited about the change in venue of a new school. Although she already knows a lot of kids there, so it won't be as bad as she imagines!

I was able to get two shots of Riley on the last day of school. The first she was hanging with some of her friends looking through the yearbook, and the next......

Riley was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society! :) We hope she continues to work hard in HS and keep her GPA up. Most of all, we hope she has fun. You only get to do it once, and it's the best to spend it making good friends, having lots of good clean fun, and learning as much as you can before "real life" hits!

If anyone is interested....

Our kids school is having a 5K/1 mi. Fun Run on Saturday April 25th, at 8AM(sign in 7AM). If you are interested in participating, you can find the information HERE.

Entry Fees are $10 before the race, $15 on race day. If you pre-register before April 10th, you get a t-shirt! :) Bonus! You would also get the added fun of taunting me as I make a fool of myself trying to run a mile. I hope to crack the 30 minute barrier...

Heidi....I hear you laughing. ;)

Cool School

The school that Riley, Nicole, and Jared attend was nominated and selected as a "Cool School" by our local Fox affiliate. Today the school was featured in a few different spots on their morning news show. Riley got to go bright and early and perform with the choir, and when the elementary kids got there, they included them in a couple spots about what the different grades did for the Presidential Pageant, and about the school becoming a "Gold Medal" school in physical education, and health awareness.

Here's Riley's spot. You can catch a glimpse of her in the back row when they pan to the far right (at 2:13). Not only does the choir have 2 more concerts left this year, but they are traveling to California in April for a big festival competition at Disneyland.



And next, here's the spot Nicole is seen in. You'll see her run by at 0:32 sec.....she's in the skirt and flowery coat!


Jared was very sad today that he is in afternoon kindergarten, since it meant he didn't get to be there with the TV guys....you can't win them all. :)

A Little Freedom: Take 2

Jared finally reached his long awaited first day of Kindergarten! Whoo-Hoo! He woke up this morning so excited, and we counted down the hours until it was time to leave. (He's in the pm class). We had some lunch, daddy showed up to help escort him, and off we went. Jared proved to be just like Nicole, in that he could've cared less that his parents were there. I was trying to tell him goodbye and give him some last minute instructions, but he was so preoccupied looking around and doing his puzzle that I don't even think my words went in one ear to go out the other....they just flew off into the air, completely ignored!

Jared and his teacher

So now Ellie and I are on our own for three hours a day, five days a week! Of course, it is during naptime, so she'll be involved in that many days, but on days that errands have to be run, she will be my little helper and it will be fifty times easier than it's been in years! :) I don't think she was bored at all with them not home. She does a great job entertaining herself when they are home anyway.
Before long, three hours had passed and it was time to pick them up. Jared was excited about his day, and had fun. He was already talking about how he was happy that he gets to go back tomorrow. It's going to be a good year!

A Little Freedom: Take 1

Riley and Nicole started back to school today...9th and 1st grades, respectively.

It really seems like yesterday that I was walking Riley to her first day of 1st grade.....now she's a freshman?! Whoa! And can you believe it? I actually caught a smile?! Cute kid. Riley has Seminary now (released time from school to take a religious class), she also is taking Algebra 2, Painting 2, World Civilizations, Biology, Advanced Choir, Advanced Spanish(3rd year), and Honors English. Go Riley! :)

Nicole was so excited for 1st grade. The kid is just excited about school and learning. I hope her enthusiasm never wanes. She was happy that she and most of her kindergarten friends ended up in the same class. I was excited for her to start on this new adventure of 6 hours of school....but torn as well! She grew up so fast. I of course got teary as I walked out of the class and Ron laughed at me and asked me why in the world I was crying about more freedom....I wasn't! Those tears would be for joy....my tears were a mixture of pride and sadness that my babies are just getting old so quickly. It was fun to pick her up, she bowled me over with a big hug and was most excited about the fact that she had three recesses! :) I found it interesting when she told me that during her 3rd recess, she and her friends were pretending to go on a rocket to visit the moon, Venus, Pluto, and back to Earth.....funny that they decided which specific planets they were going to visit.

**Stay tuned for "A Little Freedom: Take 2" next Monday when Jared starts Kindergarten.**

I just counted it up....

Three weeks and three days until school starts again here.....August 18th!

Wow.....I have stuff to do! School supplies to purchase, Jared needs shirts, I need to figure out what Riley needs, and they all need new shoes and backpacks!

I really can't believe summer is almost over. :) :) :) :(

Fun with Photoshop

SOOC....straight out of camera....nice, but I think I'll tweak it with a little action and tutorial I found...courtesy of PW...

VIOLA! WOW! I believe this deserves a printing and frame! :)

Oh, and to be fair to Riley, she also finished school today. Had fun getting her yearbook signed by her buddies, and her dad and I are in shock that next year is her freshman year....The kid ended with 7 A's and 1 B....she's gonna have an amazing GPA for this year. Now if she can keep it up for the next 4 years, she could actually have a chance at getting into BYU! (If that's what she still wants to do in 4 years!)

3...2...1....SUMMER!

Nicole's last day was yesterday. Her teacher came to see the kids off, and brought her sweet and adorable new baby for them to meet. Nicole was excited to be done, and is looking forward to 1st grade.

Nicole and Miss Ross, class TA

Nicole and Mrs. Bird, beloved Kindergarten teacher!

Jared's last day was today. He had a cute little graduation ceremony. That I missed in person. Ellie...ummm...barfed all over me this morning. Thankfully Ron was home for the morning to attend Jared's graduation, so we knew when Ellie lost it that one of us had to stay home with her. So we gave Jared the choice of who was going with him. No surprise that he chose his dad! So Ron went and took lot's of pictures and video for me. The teacher also made a darling slide show and gave all the kids a copy to bring home. Thanks to the video I still got to enjoy Jared sharing that when he wants to grow up he's going to be a fireman, policeman, and mailman, his portrayal of Papa Bear in a puppet show, and him doing the chicken dance. If I figure out how to upload video, I'll share it! :) Jared is SO excited to go to kindergarten now! I sure hope I can get him up to speed on writing his letters and numbers this summer....the poor kid doesn't even turn 5 until July 17th....he is going to be such a young 5.....

Jared and his class

Jared's 1st graduation tassel...maybe we'll hang it from the handlebars of his bike!

And last but certainly not least....a classic Ellie look...:)

MARCH!

Wow. It's already March. I'm trying to figure out if it's coming in like a lion or lamb today. It's really warm right now (53 degrees?!) but a bit windy and there's a rainstorm that'll turn into snow by tonight coming in. So I guess that I'll call it a lion day...of course, we'll have to wait 30 more days to really see what happens! I was going to go wash the car....but I'm thinking, why bother, it's going to rain? It needs to be vacuumed so badly though, and I hate using my home vacuum to do it...cause I don't much care what I suck up into the carwash ones....rocks, loose change, plastic bags, cereal and chip crumbs...you name it! But I don't like to abuse my home vacuum in such a way.

Update on my week:

Jared is better.

I was right about Nicole with the strep diagnosis, so she's on abx and on the mend.

Spelling Bee happened. My mom came and I went for about 30 minutes to get it set up and running, then came home. I guess they had a couple little blips with letting kids restart spelling of words, and a misheard word, but it's over and we have a winner. For the second year in a row though, we had a parent come gripe to the judges about how it was run, and heard from another about the parents in the back saying we weren't doing the bee correctly...whatever! If they can do it so much better, they can be my guest! I think I'll start out next year with a disclaimer that if you come to the judges after to complain about how it was run, that you are automatically signing up to be in charge of it next time. That'll shut 'em up. Not to mention: it's a spelling bee, people! Lighten UP!

Ron flew to Arizona early this morning. poop. We all wanted to try and stow away with him, just so we could go soak in some real warmth and sun. He's not having any fun though....he'll be in a hotel listening to focus groups for about 10 hours, and then they'll be picking the results apart, then back on a plane home...he only saw the sun this morning as he went to the hotel.

Well, time to get some Saturday chores and errands done. Hooray! Loads of fun for all.

I can spell cat, C-A-T.....

Anyone remember that song......but I can't spell hippopotamus!


This post is to celebrate the fact that as of tomorrow afternoon, I will be officially done with my duties as Academic Committee Chair, because the spelling bee is tomorrow! Hooray!

I'm ready to be done. I have more than my required hours, and I'm ready to not have something else to worry about completing.

What is unbelievable is that as I was back and forth into the resource room at school this morning, the parent council president asked me if I was going to be back as the chair next year...and I said "YES"?! Oh well. At least I have all the events under my belt now, and as an added benefit, I have all the paperwork, flyers, charts, etc. saved on my computer, so all I have to do next year is change dates, a few names, and hit print. I figure this is the easiest and guaranteed way to get my hours in.

Just wish me luck that the bee goes well....I hate the actual events and having to be in charge....will it go well, will my helpers show up, will it run too short...or worse, too long? ugh.

I just hope Jared has a better day. He pulled the "I don't feel good" card again when I dropped him off for preschool...but something about the look in his eye, and the fact that we could get him interested in something for a minute, but then the whining would start again made me take him home with me instead of making him stay...of course, since I was out of milk and bananas, I went to Costco before actually going home. Poor kid made it until the drive home before he lost his breakfast. I'm glad I paid attention to "that feeling" and didn't make him stay at school. But even more I hope it ends quickly...it isn't over yet though. I'm just so thankful for Noggin, PBS Sprout, Boomerang, and a little Cartoon Network...it is so great to have kid shows available 24 hours a day to help the sickie hours pass a little quicker for him.

"A" is for Apple, and "S" is for Saturday Soccer games!

Well, Jared got better just in time for his 1st preschool field trip to the APPLE ORCHARD! It's great when one of the parents have connections so the kids can go to new and interesting places like this. (Nicole got to go to the dog wash last year!)

Since last week was "A" week, and the Thomas twin's grandpa owns an orchard, the kids got to see exactly where those yummy apples that we get at the store come from. They even got to pick one to eat! (If you have never tried a "Honey Crisp" apple, you haven't lived!) They also saw the fruit storage building where the apples go to get cleaned, sorted, and stored. Then there are some people that this same mom knows that have an interesting menagerie of animals in their back yard.....so at the end the kids got to go see the chickens, peacocks, goats, deer, llamas, and camels! (No pictures of that, sorry! I had to get home to greet Nicole's carpool.)

The kids enjoying the spoils!

Saturday was a return to soccer games. The kids both did well! They seem to have the general idea of what they are supposed to do. That is: get the ball, kick it to your goal. The whole part about passing it to team members that are open instead of hogging it all to yourself will come later I'm sure! At least I hope...





Nicole is in the middle there....her team is in navy uniforms, while the other team was in royal....kind of hard to tell any of them apart in this game! Nicole did get one goal toward the end of her game, and was pretty proud of herself.









**First, a disclaimer: No, our son is not wearing a soccer dress. For some reason, the league gives out uniforms that are veeerrrrryyyyyy large for the kids, and the littlest kids get the brunt of the largeness....most of these kids are just coming out of toddler sizes, and well, they don't make soccer uniforms in 4T. You should see the socks. They go all the way to the knee, then fold completely back over the shin guards to his ankle!

Jared actually had a very impressive goal in his game. The ball was kicked in, Jared got it, then took it all the way down the field into the goal!!! He was basically on fire after that and did really well the rest of the game, ending with one more goal. The best though was the little boy on the other team...he was about to get a goal, but then tripped, so he just grabbed the ball and threw it into the goal! Kids are the best! :)

Preschool begins...

Had to have a picture of the "awesome" new backpack!

Presenting Jared, the cutest preschooler in America, according to mommy!

After watching both Riley and Nicole start school, Jared was more than ready for his turn, and he finally got it today!

I was so proud of my son. The kid who hated nursery just about the entire time he was in it, even when I was his teacher. The boy who hated playgroup, and cried the whole time he was involved in it, even when we were hosting it. My son, who I thought would have to be pried from my leg, screaming as if he were being killed, and forced to stay at preschool, got out of the car this morning, turned, waved, and said goodbye as he happily ran to the door. Good grief, that's two for two! Is it possible? Could it be that I might actually be doing something right as a mommy?!

Jared and Mrs. Bradshaw. (Sorry about the blurry photo...I guess
I should've used the flash, but I hate the flash...I guess it's better than a blurry picture though!)

Jared had a fantastic time at school, and really felt like a big boy finally being able to go to preschool. I think it's going to be a great year! Even better for me, it was absolutely fantabulous to go to the grocery store really quick, with only Ellie in tow...wow...I may actually not dread errands anymore knowing I can get them done while the kids are involved in school.

Kindergarten begins...

Nicole started Kindergarten Thursday. I haven't posted about it yet because I left Thursday afternoon for Arizona! But now I'm back and can share. Nicole was very exited but not overly so, as she was able to get a good nights sleep and was just ready to go. When we got out of the car to walk her to her class, she kept getting pretty far ahead of us, she was ready to start! When the teacher opened the door for the kids to come in, she just turned and said, "Bye", and headed in.....I guess she doesn't have any confidence or independence issues! We did follow her in and she found her hook for her backpack, and then her name at her assigned seat. It was great to see her so happy and sure of herself, and beginning her school life in such a positive way! It made me feel like I've possibly done something right in her upbringing so far. She is still having fun, and tells me daily that she hasn't learned anything new yet. I've told her to be patient! She did learn about the dress code and tardy policy on Friday though....I was in AZ, and Ron just asked her if she had her shoes as he took her to school. She replied, "Yes." He found out it was her flip-flops when he was walking her in! OOPS! So they went back home to change, and by the time they got back, she was late...oh well! I don't think they give kindergartners detention!

What I've been doing for the last week....

What has been keeping me from blogging for the past week since being home from Colorado? Well, 1st, I'm sorta dependent upon my much more technologically savvy husband to help download the pics from his laptop to mine, and then needed his help in trying to figure out Photoshop, and 2nd....I had 2 kiddo's starting school this week, and still needed to get the uniforms purchased! Ugh! Not my favorite thing....some of these uniform companies make some cheap and ill fitting clothing....but I think they are now just about set:


In case anyone is wondering why poor Riley's pile o' clothes is smaller, we do have things left from last year, so we were just augmenting her wardrobe a bit, whereas Nicole needed it all. We did add some more shoes to this plethora of school clothes, oh and Nicole has no red in her pile because only the Jr. High kids get to add red into their uniform-fest.

Riley started back today, and seemed to be happy to be back with friends, but certainly NOT excited about the school work part. No picture of Riley's 1st day....she wasn't into that....maybe I can sneak one of her on Thursday when Nicole starts!