Star of The Week

Garrett was the Star of the Week at Prairieview Elementary School in Mrs Jones 3rd Grade class. He put together a poster highlighting his life as well as a display of items that represent his interests. We were also able to show the slide show that we put together for his baptism last year. He was pretty proud of his DVD, the kids thought it was cool as well. The whole family came in to watch him report on his special life. He is a great kid. There is a funny story that goes with this picture. Look carefully at this picture and you will notice a sort of strained smile on his face. Garrett is the complete opposite of Aubrey when it comes to animals. He is more like his mom, animals are best viewed from a distance. He really wanted to include his pets on his picture posterboard but Sunny wouldn't hold still for a picture. Garrett had to pick her up! As were were attempting to get the picture I realized this was the first time Garrett had ever picked up Sunny. Aburey mauls her on a constant basis, but Garrett keeps his distance. So look closely and you will see this is a slightly strained smile.

I was so proud of my kids as we were in their classrooms. Mrs Jones said that Garrett was "a great kid, I wish I had a whole classroom full of him." and then Mrs Smith, Aubrey's teacher said, "when I have kids I will be calling you so I can have my kids turn out just like Aubrey." I told them both they were great kids from the get-go. I hope that I have had some influence, but I am not crazy enough to believe that their greatness is due to me or Scott. Most the time I just hope we don't mess them up too much!!

Valentine Tooth

Oh how we waited in anxious anticipation for this day to arrive. Aubrey finally, finally, finally lost a tooth! She would come home from school with a sad look of disapointment and report the next tooth lost at school. She was the very last one to loose a tooth in her 1st grade class. At the first sign of a wiggle, Aubrey worked and worked on loosening her tooth. Finally on Valentine's Night we were enjoying our family dinner dance. Such a wonderful evening, one that I think will become a tradition. We had a candle lit fondue dinner complete with sparkling cider and tablecloth. We all dressed in our finest clothes and then went downstairs for a dance to the kid's favorite High School Musical (or High Musical and Dalyn calls it) soundtrack. We were dancing away when we notice Aubrey's tooth hanging by a thread, or probably a root. So she decides to allow us to pull it. Brace yourself, clench the fists, shut the eyes oh here we..... it's out? We didn't even have to pull. It basically fell out into Dad's hands. Of course now Aubrey will report to anyone who she comes in contact with that she has a very special tooth "becuase it fell out on Valentine's day".

Dance Diva

We were so proud of Aubrey and her Dance Debut. She was asked by a friend to go to a dance camp to learn a routine to be performed at the Mead High School Basketball half time show. She was excited to go and then we found out her friend was not going to do it; too nervous. So we asked if Aubrey still wanted to go by herself. She though a moment and then said, sure! She did great. She didn't know a soul, but she made several friends by the time it was over. She danced and performed like a star. She is our little Sunshine.

Cheese Glorious Cheese

Ok, so I have always enjoyed a culinary challenge, so here is my next adventure. Homemade Cheese. I would have never considered it a possibility until I read Barbara Kingsolver's book Animal Vegetable Miracle. She talks about growing and making as much of your own food as possible. This note already resonates with a tune I like to sing. I love the idea of knowing exactly what goes into my family's food and therefore, into their bodies. I love the idea of my kids knowing the work that is required for their sustenance to hit the table. I love the idea of spending time in the kitchen making things for the health and well-being of my family. Food is how I show my love. I so love my family and I so love food! Why not put a little more effort into both! Here is to my next undertaking. Of course this all comes when I am attempting to make my own bread, use my dried beans, and make more of my own cereal and possibly even yogurt. As I have to remind myself, something has to give in my life when I have taken on a new project. So come to my house for some yummy food, but please don't use my bathroom!

One Track Mind

Is it a boy thing or just my little slightly obssesed Dalyn realizing his passion for STAR WARS! It is constantly on his mind. We lay down to talk at night and he rattles off the names of countless star wars creatures with all their minute characteristics. Count Ducu, General Grievous, Ahsoka, so many I can't keep track. I am fast becoming a Star Wars expert as I am in training 24/7 with my Star Wars Coach keeping up a constant training ramble. "Mom, did you know that General Grievous has a blue light saber?" "Mom, who has a brown light Saber" "Mom, are clones good guys or bad guys" Mom, I want to be Count Ducu because he can double jump". Dalyn wakes up to Star Wars on the brain and as we lay down at night to talk about his day, yup you guessed it, he is planning his Star Wars Birthday party (in June). So here's to my little Storm Trooper~ love you Jedi Baby!