So Blogging is back!

I really don't know if it is back for anyone else, but after a hiatus of blogging only occasionally- I will be back to blogging regularly.  Not because I have any adoring readers begging for more but because my parents have decided to go on another mission and the blog is the best way for them to catch up on our family.  So here goes for my parents and anyone else who cares...
Shakespeare...
Our school's annual 6th grade Shakespeare festival was this past week.  Annie was a fairy in "A Mid-Summer's Night Dream."  She did a great job. 

The Shakespeare festival is a wonderful tradition that has been going on for years at our school.  It is kind of like the "pinnacle" of the students' elementary school years.  The 6th grade teachers have done  a fantastic job of making it something the younger grades look forward and aspire to.  Last year Annie was in a 5th/6th grade split that was taught by one of the teachers who started the festival and has perfected it over the years.  So Annie got to participate in the festival last year as well.  This teacher retired after last year and I was so grateful that Annie got to experience Shakespeare with the famed Mrs. Johnson.  But this also caused me to be a little wary this year because Annie's current teacher is a first year teacher and I wasn't sure the festival would be up to the same level as before.  Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised at how well Annie's new teacher did.  The plays were great.  There were a few differences- like the number of plays the class did- but overall the class did a fantastic job, which I know is often a direct result of the teacher.  Being a teacher myself, I made sure to let Annie's teacher know how well I thought it went.  I can't imagine taking on something like Shakespeare- especially as a first year teacher.
Funny Annie story- recently I was taking Katie to her violin lesson and Annie was in the car.  Katie asked for a piece of gum.  I reminded her that she wouldn't be able to chew it for very long.  Annie asked why and Katie told her that her violin teacher doesn't allow her to chew gum during her lesson because it could fall out on the violin.  Annie replied, "I think my piano teacher appreciates it when I chew gum."  I asked her why and she said, "Cause I think my breath stinks when I count out loud."  (Annie's piano lesson is in the morning and I think quite often she has morning breath when she goes to piano.:)
Katie never ceases to amaze me.  The other morning I went downstairs to make sure Finn was up and moving so he wouldn't be late for school.  He and I leave for school about the same time and if I don't hear him stirring while I am getting ready, I usually go downstairs to check on him.  Well this particular morning I found not only him awake in his room but also Katie.  The scene I walked into was Finn staring intently at Katie while she was sitting on the edge of his bed with her knees tucked under her chin talking.  When I walked in Finn turned to me with a look of amazement and said, "Katie has been explaining the distributive property to me.  I didn't even know what that was until the 7th grade!"  I looked at Katie and she was proudly beaming about blowing her older brother's mind with her math prowess.  She even drew a picture to demonstrate.

I tell you what, this new math curriculum is serving Katie well!

Now onto Finn.  He recently received his Life in scouting.  I have to be honest here- I really don't know what that entails or its full meaning except that it is the last step before you can start working on your Eagle project.  I always feel guilty when I go to courts of honor where Finn gets awards because they always give a pin to the mothers and make a big deal about how so often it is the mothers who should receive an award as much as the scout because of how much the mothers do to help their boy scouts.  But truth be told, Finn was born to be a scout because I do very little when it comes to his scouting.  He makes life easy for me!
Recently we were driving in the car and the song "I'm Still a Guy" by Brad Paisley came on and Finn turned to me and said, "This song is about me."  But then it got to the part about the french painting and how the girl sees beautiful art and the guy just sees a naked lady.  Finn gives me a sideways glance and says, "Well except that part."  All in good time my pubescent teenage boy, all in good time!
Last but not least, Suz!  My last post was all about Suz so I'll keep this short and sweet.  Suzie and her BFF, Hannah were playing at my house.  They decided they wanted to do a workout video- my main form of working out these days.  They started the video and a few minutes into it they decided they needed to go get bottles of water.  I walked by and noticed that when they got water they also decided they needed a little workout snack as well.

 

Yep-those are chips next to their water.  Every time they would pause to get a drink they would also have a few chips.  Now that's my kind of working out!  "I like pop!" (That last comment is for my sisters!)

Suzie Shortcake

My baby turned six last month and I can't believe it! Suzie has such a unique personality. All my girls are strong in different ways so it is fun to watch them grow up and see their strengths develop. One of Suzie's strengths is that she just doesn't care what others think of her. She is her own person and you can love her or hate her but she isn't going to change for you. She is also very tender hearted and isn't bothered by people who are different from her. There is a little girl in her class who is in a wheelchair. Suzie and she are friends and they have played together a few times at each other's house. Suzie invited her to her birthday party. On the day of the party a few friends had arrived before this little girl. I overheard one of the other girls from her class ask Suzie who else was coming to the party. When Suzie mentioned this girl the other little girl said, "But I don't like her." Suzie replied very unapologetically, "Well she is my friend and I wanted her to come to my party." I don't know if this other little girl's feelings were because of the girl being in a wheelchair or because of some other experience, but I was glad Suzie stood up for her friend and that she isn't intimidated by her being in a wheelchair. I know some of this may be her age- 5 and 6 are pretty innocent ages where the world hasn't tainted you too bad- but I do think some of Suzie's "Devil may care" attitude is inherent. (sidenote- I thought the saying was "devil make hair" for the longest time and couldn't for the life of me figure out why in the world it meant someone who is carefree.)
I wanted to include a few more Suzie stories in honor of my happy-go-lucky Suzie-Q! ANYONE who knows Suzie even remotely knows how much she loves food and not just any food mind you, she has very discriminating taste. Last fall Eric was bottling spaghetti sauce for our food storage and he asked Suzie if she wanted a taste. He held out a spoonful for her and after she tasted it, he asked, "So how is it?" pretty much expecting her to sing its praises. So I think he was a little taken back when she replied, "A little bland." The funny thing about this is that Eric proceeded to defend his sauce to her saying, "Well when we eat it- it is mixed with meat and we also put sugar and balsamic vinegar in it so it won't be so bland." I reminded Eric that she was only 5 and probably didn't even fully understand what "bland" meant.
Another time she was at our neighbor's, the Hills- where she goes afterschool while I finish up work, having lunch. She asked Maren, my friend for some peaches. Maren pulled some canned ones out of the cupboard and after Suzie tasted them she told Maren that she actually wanted "chilled peaches". Maren was a good sport and laughed at her while putting them in fridge but I would have quoted the kindergarten mantra of "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit."
All this eating has caused Suzie to have a bit more girth than those around her. She isn't fat, she is just a healthy size 6/7. She and Katie are about the same size and soon Suzie will pass Katie up. I was talking to someone about this and Suzie over heard me. She said with a sly smile, "That's cause I'm an eater girl."
Then another time she was talking to my friend Maren- again my friend who watches her for me and also has a daughter, Hannah- Suzie's age. Suzie was comparing herself to Hannah by saying, "I'm taller than Hannah and fatter too." Maren said she said it in the most casual way- not like it upset her or anything- more like "My hair is blonde and Hannah's is brown." She has a very healthy self- image! This may also be encouraged by the boy in her kindergarten class who she tells us thinks she is "hot"- Bode! She has many tales about how Bode puts his fingers in the shape of a heart around his lips and makes kissy noises. He has also asked her to be his valentine and he even went so far as to give her a kiss on the cheek! When she told me this I asked, "What did your teacher do?"- mostly because I want to know how to handle this kind of situation if it ever happens in my own classroom. She said, "The teacher didn't see." I said, "What do you think she would have done if she had?" Suzie replied, "I think she would have said 'I didn't see that coming.'" Just like I didn't see that reply coming either!
One more funny Suzie story- During Christmas season we were watching one of the many "Charlie Brown Christmas" shows together. This one wasn't actually about Christmas- it was about Linus and his blanket. Lucy kept trying to get Linus to get rid of his blanket before their grandma came to visit because Lucy insisted that she would get rid of it for him. Having loved many a blankies- or "be-be"s as Suzie refers to them- into threadbare oblivion, I think Suzie felt an enormous amount of empathy for Linus. Anyway when Linus's grandma finally came into the show, Suzie turned to me and said, "Linus's grandma is an elephant." This may not make sense at first, but think about it-all the adults on "Peanuts" shows the adults do sound like elephants with their "wah-wah-wah-wah"s. Excellent observation!

We love you Suz!

Doggie Drama Postscript or Our Compromise

So in my last post I detailed the great lengths that Annie went to to try and get a dog for Christmas.  Eric and I held a pretty hard line with a "Beg all you want but the answer is still 'No'" position.  Until... I opened the letter Annie had written to Santa and shared it with Eric.  This is how it went:
Dear Santa,
    All I want for Christmas is one thing.  That thing is an adorable puppy.  If you could get me this I would be the happiest girl in the world.  All we have to do is convince my parents that I AM responsible enough to have one.  I definitely know I am and I hope you to do.  Please just make my parents not so strict.  I really know I am responsible enough and if you could make my parents feel that way I would be SO happy.  PLEASE I will do anything just let me get a puppy for Christmas!!!!!

What surprised me about this letter is that it is evident that Annie still has a strong belief in Santa.  She is 11 1/2 and I thought her faith might be wavering a bit, but this letter leads me to believe otherwise.  Although I did overhear her questioning Finn, "Tell me the truth- is there really a Santa?" recently so she must be catching one some.  But for Eric this letter did more than confirm Annie's staunch belief in Santa, it struck that "daddy's girl" chord pretty hard because soon after reading this letter he started talking about letting the kids have some sort of animal.  I know I have mentioned this before but I will say it again.  Eric puts up a hard exterior at times, but he is just really a big softie inside, especially when it comes to his kids and more especially his girls. 
At first he talked about having chickens so they could be useful.  But the kids weren't too over-excited about that idea.  Then he said something about rabbits and the kids seemed happy about that prospect.  Of course we still had to downplay the idea of really getting bunnies for Christmas because we wanted it to be a surprise.  But about 4 days before Christmas- which is when Eric usually starts his Christmas shopping- Eric called me and told me about some Lionhead bunnies he found for sale on KSL.  His exact words were, "Oh Kari they are the cutest little things."  My first thought was, "Wow!  That was one powerful letter! I've never heard Eric say 'cutest little things' like ever."
So Christmas morning and day my kids were busy with these:

Cloudy and Katie

 

Oreo and Annie

 

They really are cute little things and one of the best things about them is they have to stay outside. They can come in for a few minutes but they get uncomfortable above 45 degrees.  So for now we are keeping them in our shed.  Then come spring we can move them outisde in a hutch in the shade.  they will shed by then so they won't be so uncomfortable in the heat. 
As I have been watching my kids with "Oreo" and "Cloudy", I can see the significance of having a pet as a child.  They have been very cute with them and taking good care of them.  Although this is only the first week and the novelty may wear off soon.  But I overheard Katie tell Annie, "Now when I am in the school and they ask who has a pet, I can FINALLY raise my hand!"
Then on Christmas Day Suzie came inside after being in the shed looking at them and she exclaimed, "Well I made sure the bunnies were alive, that they got some exercise and that they were feed."  I replied, "That is kind of like what I do for you.  I  make sure you stay alive, exercise and eat."  She responds, "Well I never exercise and I didn't have lunch today."  Interpretation: Just in case you were thinking you were a good mother for letting us have a pet, you may want to think again!

How the Public School System has served Annie a little too well.

It seems these days that many people complain or comment on the sad state of our public school system as a whole.  So I am writing this blog to show how well our local public school has served Annie in her quest to get what she wants. 
Over the years our kids have asked for a dog.  Neither Eric nor I are big dog lovers.  We personally would rather raise, clean up after, pay for, feed and care for children rather than dogs.  But every few years our kids start a "Can we please have a dog?" campaign.  We have historically been able to appease these requests by agreeing to a lower maintenance animal like a fish or hamster- which we have managed to kill all of.  For good evidence of this, read here.  Or by convincing our kids that the allowance, birthday and Christmas money they saved for over a year for a dog would be put to better use invested in an IPAD.  (True story- the last "Can we please have a dog?" campaign was about 2 years ago and Eric and I were able to talk Finn and Annie into using their money to buy their very own IPAD.  Much less poop to clean up after an IPAD.)
Well with the holiday season approaching, the latest "Can we please have a dog?" campaign is reaching a fevered pitch.  Last Wednesday Katie and Annie were doing something on the computer and every time Eric or I walked by they would get all nervous and cover up the computer screen while saying, "You can't see this."  When Eric got home from work on Thursday night it was revealed what the girls had been working on... A "Why We Should get a Dog" powerpoint.  After showing it to us, Annie asked, "Well what do you think?"  Eric answered, "Impressive presentation but the answer is still no."  And it really was impressive.  If I could figure out a way to display it on my blog I would. (Incidentally if anyone knows how to do that- please let me know!)  And  not only do I have no idea how to put a powerpoint on my blog, I also have no idea how to create a powerpoint at all.  My girls' knowledge of this skill can only be attributed to our awesome school computer-lab teacher, Mrs. Gritton.  In second grade Katie was making her own powerpoints!
Not to be deterred but Eric's no, Annie immediately excused herself from the room saying she needed to go write a letter.  The next morning I found an envelope addressed to "Mother and Father" on my nightstand containing the following letter: (Please note the letter was written in her best cursive)
"Dear Mother and Father,
My one and only desire for the holidays is a desirable little puppy.  I know you think it's ridiculous.  But if you actually take it seriously, it's actually a resonable plan.  I know you think he (meaning the dog) won't be happy but if we train him right he won't even have to stay in the laundry room (We had said the dog wouldn't be very happy with us because he would have to stay in the laundry room all day cause we wouldn't be home most of the day.  Two notes- In my and apparently Annie's mind all dogs are "he" and I know many working people have dogs that they leave all day but we are grasping at straws here as to why they can't have a dog.  Desperate times call for desperate measures.) Plus you could get us a dog over Christmas break so we would have time to train it.  You really should consider it and take it seriously.  I have worked really hard and I don't like it at all when you tease me about it.  All I ever hear is 'No we're not getting a dog!' It really makes me mad.  So I was just wondering if you would just actually think about it.  It would make me very happy ! (smiley face)
Love,
Annie (Smiley face, heart)"
Well the first thing I thought when I read this letter was "The public school's renewed emphasis on persuasive writing has really made a difference in Annie's writing."  At least in my kids' school district there has been a big push for writing, especially persuasive writing over the past few years.  I remember Finn getting so upset because he had to write a persuasive essay in P.E. and he couldn't for the life of him understand what in the world writing had to do with P.E.  But I think this letter demonstrates how well Annie has learned some persuasive writing techniques.  (For another example of Annie's former parent-guilt ridden literature please read here.  You will see how much she has progressed.)  But this writing includes some great parent-guilt inducing strategies.  She begins with the absolute of "my one and only..." to appeal to our emotional side. Then she moves into using "reason" to appeal to our intellectual side.  Then she plays the "I'm such a good kid" card (which she is by the way) to appeal to our responsible side.  Then she whams us with the teasing/"it makes me so mad" rationale to appeal to our parent guilt side.  Then she drives it home with the ubiquitous "It would make me very happy." to appeal to our "a dog is cheaper than therapy later on" side. 
All I can say is "Brava my little dog lobbyist, brava!"  Unfortunately the answer is still no.  And I think Annie sensed this because she is launching an all out media blitz.  Yesterday she performed her "All I Want for Christmas is a Puppy." piano piece written and composed by her and then today she handed me a sealed letter for Santa.  She must be appealing to a higher power!
So for anyone who might be worried that the public school system is failing their child, just say no to their "one and only desire" and see how many different ways they can come up with to convince you otherwise.
P.S.- If you happen to see Annie in the next little while, please don't say anything about this letter.  She thinks I am teasing her when I put things about her on my blog and though it may seem that way, I really am not.  I just think they are so cute I have to record them and I'm hoping she will be glad one day that I did.  Or else I will be paying for therapy or that "desirable little puppy"!

Summer of...

In an effort to recap the past three months, I'm recording some of the events that highlighted the summer of 2012.
*All-Star Softball- Annie made the all-star softball team and Eric coached her team.  They were in three tournaments and they got to be in the local parade.  They didn't win many games but it was a good experience for her and dad.  Although I'm not sure about my kids competing in competitive leagues.  It is really intense and we only had a month and a half of it.  I'm not saying kids shouldn't do it.  I just don't know if it is for our family.  It is a lot of time spent on one activity.  That being said, Annie enjoyed it.

*Parades- I mentioned that Annie was in the local parade but so was Finn.  He participated in a summer marching band where he got to carry a suzaphone in two local parades.  He's not so sure he wants to do this again, but if he does he is considering switching to a much lighter instrument like a flute!

*"Call Me Maybe" car dance- Yes, this does refer to the song by Carly Rae Jeppsen.  Eric showed my girls the Youtube video of the Harvard baseball team lip syncing and doing a car dance to this song and my girls loved it.  So whenever the song came on in the car, they would sing at the top of their lungs and try to recreate the dance.  There is even a rumor of Eric doing it as well with the girls one day on the way home from a softball game but he has yet to do it for me.  I guess he is shy!
*20 year reunions- Both Eric and I had our 20 year reunions this summer.  We both attended them- Eric's was here in town and mine was back in Georgia. It was so fun reconnecting with old friends.  We have both kept in contact with several friends over the years, but there were some we hadn't seen since high school.  I was especially sad when we left Georgia because there were some people that were a big part of my growing up that I will probably never see again- because I don't really plan on going back to anymore reunions.  But it was funny because when we were getting ready to go to Eric's reunion, which was after mine, Finn said, "Why do we have all these reunions? Don't we do this every year?"  Uh-no!  Pretty sure a 20 year high school reunion only happens once!  Here are some pictures from Eric's reunion. 

 

 

And here are some from my reunion.  And in case you are wondering, yes I did wait until after my 20 year reunion to chop all my hair off.  I am that vain!

 

 

 

This is my favorite one of my friend Lara and I dancing.  Eric did video me bustin' a move but until he learns how to upload video onto my blog, those will remain private.  I'm not embarrassed when I am out on the dance floor but after I watch the videos I realize I really should be!

 



Funny side story from our trip back to Atlanta.  On the way back to the airport we stopped at a gas station in downtown to fill our rental car up before we returned it.  It was a part of Atlanta that I would not want to be in at night but I felt okay because Eric was with me.  When Eric got out of the car to fill up the tank, this big, black, toothless man came up to him.  He was real friendly and chatty with Eric.  In the course of the conversation the man mentioned that he had size 15 feet.  This remark of course caused Eric to look down at his feet and when he did he saw one black toe sticking out of a worn out flap that should have been the top of a shoe.  When eric looked back up the man smiled sheepishly and said, "Yeah- I could use a new pair of shoes.  You think you could help me out with that?"  So Eric gave the tooth and nearly toe-less man a few bucks.  When he got back in the car I asked him why he gave him money- since he usually doesn't give money to people on the street.  He replied, "Are you kidding me?  That show was worth a couple of bucks!"
*After a year and a half of pretending like I was going to have to go back to work- I actually got a job.  At the end of the June I was offered a job teaching part-time kindergarten at a school about 10 minutes away. When the principal called she asked, "So would you be interested in this position?"  I'm pretty sure I answered, "Yes?" because I was secretly hoping I couldn't find a job and then I could say,"Well I tried but the field is just too saturated so I guess I will just be a stay-at-home mom for another year."  Or something like that.  But the universe had other plans for me because I'm pretty sure this is what I am suppose to be doing and where I am suppose to be- much to my chagrin!  So I spent the summer trying to prepare and buying things I thought I would need for kindergarten and came to find out that about 75% of what I had bought was already stocked in my classroom.  Some of it I can take back and some I can't because I bought it from a lady who was quitting teaching kindergarten to stay home.  So my new mantra isn't "Be Prepared" like the Boy Scouts, but rather "Being prepared is for suckers.  Live in the moment!"  Although I say that a little tongue in cheek because I think kindergarteners would eat me alive if I wasn't somewhat prepared!
*Making money!  Both Finn and Annie started some summer time money making ventures.  Finn and a neighbor kid mowed a few neighbor's lawns and Annie and some friends started a weekly babysitting club for kids under 8.  Both were fairly successful although Finn isn't quite sure if he wants to mow lawns next year because spending 2-3 hours a week mowing lawns seriously cut into his watching every episode of "Survivor man" and "Myth Busters" time.  But I'm hoping the lure of the almighty dollar might persuade him again next year.  He was able to buy some golf clubs with his hard-earned cash.

And Annie learned some great lessons about babysitting and I think she definitely wants to babysit again next summer because she already understands the lure of money.  That girl loves to buy things!  She has had to start over saving for contacts many times because she keeps finding things she just can't live without.
*Pass of all Passes- Yes we were like many thousands of other people and bought the Pass of all Passes.  I thought it would be a nightmare trying to use it and that we would be at the same places everyone else in the Salt Lake Valley were.  But it was surprisingly not too bad and we were definitely able to make them worth my parents' money- cause they were actually the ones who bought them for us.  We went to the Tracy Aviary once and to Seven Peaks about 7 times.  Of course we had grand plans to use them at least once a week but 8 times isn't too bad.  And I feel bad because I only took pictures at the Aviary.  I forgot to do it everytime we went to Seven Peaks.  Oh well- "Live in the Moment"- right?!?

*Olympics- Not only did we love watching the Olympics on TV this summer but the kids participated in their own Olympics up in Park City with cousins where they won medals for things like treading water in a hot tub, synchronized diving and hiking with a good attitude.  These Olympics weren't sponsored by McDonalds but rather by Grandpa and Grandma.

The medal stand with three proud recipients

 

All the participants!

 

Here is Annie, Katie and our cousin Jacob showing how they medaled in the pencil dive!

Well those are some highlights from our Summer of 2012.  It was a great summer and we are sad to see it end.  Here's to a new school year and new adventures for us all!

Warmth- Suzie style

The other night Suzie was laying in bed with me and said, "Mom, laying in bed next to you makes me warm."  I thought she meant that she was literally hot so I pulled the comforter off her and asked,"Is that better?"  She said, "No, what I mean is when I lay next to you I feel warm inside." Can you see why she pretty much gets whatever she wants?  Who can resist comments like that?!?

Accomplishing Goals and All the Wrinkled Ladies

About 3 years ago I created a 100 item bucket list and put it on my blog.  I have accomplished a few over the years but this month I can check two off the list,
#67- Break 100 in bowling.  I accomplished this one today!  I took my kids bowling this afternoon and I started off with my usually pathetic bowling skills.  I truly am an awful bowler.  I think I over analyze it and try really hard to keep my wrist straight and follow through but I end up always to one side or the other and quite often in the gutter.  For the first six frames I had a total score of 31-really!  Here is how my mind worked during those first frames.
First attempt thoughts-"I will just bowl whatever way cause I am with my kids at a nearly empty bowling alley." So then I would generally get about 6 pins down.
Second attempt thoughts- "That was pretty good.  I bet if I kept my wrist straight and aim for the few remaining ones I could get a spare."  So then I would get a gutter ball because I was so focused on doing well.  So for the first six frames my score went like this:
3-0
1-0
6-0
6-0
6-0
9-0
No joke.  So after the 6th frame I decided to just have fun with it and told my kids we should all do a granny bowl for the next frame and see who gets the highest score.  My kids loved it and I actually scored during both attempts.  So from then on out we came up with new ways to bowl and names to call the moves.  So a strike and a few spares later my score was 106!  Now I know this probably doesn't count as an official breaking 100 in bowling, but I'll take it because I don't think realistically that I will EVER get 100 in a serious game of bowling.  But in case your bowling skills resemble mine- here are a few of the moves we used and the names we created for them:
Granny shot- spreading your legs and swinging the ball between them and letting it go as your arms come forward
Granny with cataracts shots- Same as above but with your eyes closed
Drunk granny shot- Turned around backward, legs spread, bent over and rolling the ball between your legs
Drunk granny with cataracts shot- Same as above but with your eyes closed
My personal favorite and most successful shot was the drunk granny.
You're welcome for the pre-Pioneer Day gift!

The other bucket list item I accomplished this month was #21- Donate my hair to "Locks of Love."  I was planning on taking a picture of my hair and my hairdresser cutting it off but then I forgot.  So here are some recent pictures of me at our ward girls camp performing "All the Wrinkled Ladies" with the other YW leaders.

Note my bishop in his own tutu and purple hair.  He was a good sport.  Although he did get out of actually dancing cause here he is creating a strobe effect with two flashlights.

I love this one cause of the face of the leader behind me.



I love this one because I had told the leaders just to follow my lead during part of the song.  Here I was trying to "drop it drop it drop it low", thinking they wouldn't really be following me to the floor and low and behold they actually were.

So you are welcome for your second pre-Pioneer Day gift!