There is beauty all around

Recently I have been finding signs like these on my girls' doors.

First Annie, then Katie, then Suzie.  They each have their own rooms but finding these signs is kind of funny because they are often asking if they can sleep in each other's rooms- especially when they are scared at night.  (I refuse to let my kids sleep with Eric and I because they are all perpendicular sleepers-meaning they don't sleep laying next to me, rather they sleep with their feet in my back.  So I have offered to let them sleep on the floor next to my bed but none of them have taken me up on the offer because our bed is raised off the ground about 6 inches and their imaginations run wild with what could potential crawl out of those 6 inches.)
So really these signs should read "No siblings permitted- except when I hear noises at night and think hobos are crawling out of my ceiling." (Their a hole in Annie's ceiling about 6 inches in diameter that we have never patched up from some pipe repair we had to make a few years ago and she swears a hobo lives up there.  Although I think only a hobbit hobo could fit through the opening!)
Anyway I was looking closer at the sign on Katie's door and noticed that in attempt to not copy her sister outright, choose to have her sign say,
"No siblings prohibited"
Uh- Katie- I don't think that means what you think it means!
And even though I don't let Suzie sleep with me-she's the worst of the perpendicular sleepers- I will let her cuddle with me at night.  She is my most affectionate child and one night while she was laying in bed with me watching TV she asked me,"Mom, who do you like to cuddle with the most- Dad, me or the blanket?"
Mom: Dad
Suzie: Why?
Mom: Cause he's soft and squishy
Suzie: And what am I -hard and talky?
I don't know about the "hard" part, but as my sister can attest, she is most definitely "talky."

My kids aren't the only ones getting awards around here!

Since we are approaching the season of end of the year assemblies and awards being given for straight A's, perfect attendance and all around awesomeness- I thought I would throw out my own recent award. 

That's right I got a "Dream Big " award from Arby's.  It's kinda big deal!;) Not really but I did get to have my picture posted at the Arby's close to the school I teach at along with two of my students.  Since my kids ADORE Arby's I took them there one evening and made them take a picture of me with my award and my picture. 

And even though this award isn't that big of an accomplishment, the little girl who is pictured below me, is one of my biggest accomplishments this year.  One the first day of kindergarten she screamed for two hours- no exaggerating!  Then she spent the first three months running around the room and crying whenever anything new or out of the ordinary happened-like the day I switched seats.  She took her name tag off her new seat and proceeded to rip off the name tag where she use to sit and replace it with hers.  She also vehemently refused to go with anyone to do any sort of testing- which if you are familiar with any school environment these days- that happens ALL the time.  But after some pretty intense behavior modification over the past 6 months, I am proud to say she is much more well-adjusted to a classroom environment.  She goes with just about anyone to do testing without complaint and she has learned to handle change a bit more gracefully.  She still has her moments but she has done an almost complete 180.  And I can honestly say I will miss her next year.  Which I can't say for all my students!;)

Viva Spring Break

This year's spring break wasn't as nearly as eventful as last year's- in a good way!  After going through about five different ideas for spring break that ranged from Yosemite to Grand Targhee, we finally decided on the most obvious choice- St George.  It was so obvious because my parents, who are currently on a mission in Las Vegas, had their time share week for part of the same week as our Spring break.  So we decide to not pass up free lodging and the opportunity to see grandma and grandpa. And bonus- my sister, Natalie and her family were going down too so we got to spend time with them too. We spent the week swimming, hiking in Snow Canyon and playing.

We also went down to Las Vegas to see Grandma and Grandpa.  We decided that since we were in Las Vegas, we should go down to the strip. My kids really wanted to go to M&M world. But after hiking over 16 blocks to and from M&M world from where we were parked to discover that M&M world is really just 4 levels of stores, lets just say my kids are so over the strip.  I told them it was like the hikes we take when we go to National Parks, but with different scenery. 

 

Not sure it was the best decision to take my kids- it was quite the education for them.  I knew it was a very stimulating environment to say the least because I had been there about 13 years ago.  But it is a whole new experience when you take your 14 year old son.  He couldn't look up at the buildings for the billboards, he couldn't look down at the street for the fliers and he couldn't look to the side for the bus signs.  I really wish I had brought some blinders for him.  But he was a good sport and it did create some good jumping off points for some good conversations with our kids on the way home.  The best quote of the day was by Suz.  We were walking out of the Venetian after having lunch there.  It is one of the hotels where you don't have to walk through the casino to get to the food.  But we got a little turned around and ended up walking by the casino on our way out.  Suz turned and looked at all the slot machines and said, "Oh- so this is where the arcade is!"
We decided next time we go to visit my parents, we will do our sight-seeing at the Las Vegas temple instead.  And after talking to my friend Lori- the fountain of all knowledge, I've come to find out that there are some pretty cool sights that are family friendly in Vegas- and a real candy factory that I think is more like what my kids were envisioning when they heard M&M world.  So next time, Mom, I have some great places to go!
But all in all-it was worth it to spent time with these people!

Different Strokes

Last Sunday night Eric found reruns of "Different Strokes" on TV and got the kids to watch it by telling them it his and mine's version of "The Suite Life of Zach and Cody."  Even though it was super cheesy, it did bring back memories and I could totally remember the episodes from almost 30 years ago!  Finn especially loved Arnold and his catch phrase "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?"  Eric explained to the kids how we actually had to watch it on TV at a certain time and would look forward to when it was on each week; how we couldn't watch it "on demand" like the kids can do now.  The kids were amazed by this.  We also talked about how we didn't have remote controls- we actually had to get up to change the channel (Although in my brother's case, he would sit on the floor close to the TV and use his freakishly long finger-like toes to change the channel!) It was truly on of those "We had to walk through the snow to school 10 miles uphill both ways." types of moments.  The kids' concensus was that we must have had a pretty dull childhood! :)  In the course of the conversation we talked about how we didn't even have the internet, cell phones or even cordless phones- at least when we were younger.  We described how the phones receivers were attached to the phone so we had to sit by the phone to use it.  At this point Suzie remembered that Grandma Shauna still has one of those types of phones in her kitchen.  After she mentioned this she paused and then giggled and said, "She's old school."  Accurate description!

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!