Packing peanut baseball, spiked hair, and static balloon fun!

Now the kids had a BLAST playing baseball in the house with a broom and a bag of packing peanuts. They did this Friday night after Sweetie's birthday dinner. Don't look too close at the pictures. You will see laundry on the staircase. I really need a new dryer.
This is my handsome poser. My oldest rarely gives me a good shot for the blog, but he loves his spiky hair after a shower. All I can think is, "He needs a haircut."

Saturday afternoon, Agent J decided to take his long hair and make magic. Sweetie and RHM were impressed.

He was even timing the balloons to see which one would stay up the longest.

Fun times with great kids!

Sweetie turns 3!

Blogging sometimes turns into year round "Christmas cards", as my friend would say. Always staying so positive and only blogging about the good. It is really too bad that I don't air more "dirty laundry" on this blog, but today I am going to dump a little. Just a bit.

Here it is:
I don't see the point in giving a 3 year old a birthday party (even a small one with just family). I mean seriously people, my 3 yr old gets what she wants almost everyday. Her life, up to this point, is ONE BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY!

I am not naive enough to think that the terrible two's stop at 2. I know the terrible two's start at 15 months and end at 4 1/2 years old. Why, oh why, does she have to throw fits, act up, and generally be unhappy EVEN on a day when she gets everything she wants, because it is her birthday? I really don't get it. I know she is spoiled, but really - can't she be happy and agreeable for at least 1/2 a day!

Anyway...keep reading and notice that in the pictures the birthday girl looks pleasant. Just keep in mind, there is an extremely emotional girl behind these happy faces.

This adorable cupcake puppy was given to Sweetie the day before her birthday. Amy, my adult friend (and photographer), was unable to come to the party on Friday (she left for a trip to Disneyland - excuses, excuses), so she brought this cake by early. Sweetie loved it and barked at the cake while she ate it. SO CUTE!
Before I had my epiphany about 3 yr olds not needing birthday parties, I planned a simple lunchtime pizza park play date with her friends.

It was a nice distraction and a beautiful day. Look! She is happy with me in this picture. YEAH!
Park Play date turned out nice. Everyone seemed to have fun. I personally loved being able to catch up and talk with my friends who had just had babies.
LATER THAT NIGHT: The family had just finished singing to our baby when I took this picture. She isn't a baby anymore, but I like the nickname - it fits her. This "baby" is potty trained and taller than any of my other kids at this age. She will be a giant among women.
Sweetie loved opening presents. She really got into this year and knew it was her birthday!
Drum roll from big brother before every present was opened. He did this all on his own and was very sweet.
She loves keys (esp. when people give her their real keys). She felt so important!
Agent J finished with a science project at school about blizzards. Anyway, he decided to make it "snow" for Sweetie for her birthday!
Ah, the mess that fake snow/packing peanuts/or "packing nuggets"(that is what Agent J calls them, but that sounds like petrified chicken nuggets to me) makes. At least the older ones know to clean up. They know that cleaning up makes Mama HAPPY!

Now time to move forward to teach Sweetie what makes Mama happy! (Answer: an emotionally stable 3 yr old) Is that possible?

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

(Mom's jacket and sister's hat)

More pictures to come...

Exciting news last night...

Spring Festival...it's coming!

-nival 2010

I am in charge of the school's spring festival. We started planning in October and February is a busy month for us. Lately I have been making iron-on patches for our coveralls and hats! SO CUTE!

I have an AMAZING committee of 7 women heading up the sub committees and LOTS of parents (tons and tons of) support. This year's theme is NASCAR-nival. We are having all of the usual things, plus a Pinewood Derby for 5th - 8th grade and the teachers too, a bike rodeo with the Phx Police Department on the basketball courts, and a STAGE with lots of performances outside.

Right now, EVERY class and homeroom mom is busy turning in the class baskets. Next week, the ticket sales committee will be in full force and I will be watching the weather report. We are hoping to have the NASCAR-nival on March 6th, but it has been raining here lately. Oh well. Whatever happens, which ever date we have it on, the festival is always a huge success.

Here are a few details:


Race Car for Education will be in the middle of the field, plus a motorcycle cop too!

Petting Zoo and Pony Ride
Bouncy House, Obstacle , Cotton Candy, Sno-Kone, real Kettle Korn (I LOVE KETTLE KORN), and Cotton Candy!


Oh! Jamba Juice is coming too!
Let's not forget the train ride.
Performers like the Tae Kwon Do, cheerleaders, dancers, pianists, singers, AZ Bluegrass Association, and the school band! Sadie the Arson Dog will be giving a demo as well.
This doesn't even mention the class game booths such as the peddle car race, pit crew obstacle, oil slick cupcake walk, steering wheel toss, key fishing, or the powder puff derby. Oh, such fun. The list actually goes on and on. 8th grade is in charge of the food booth with hot dogs, nachos, and quesdillas, so come hungry.

What is that you say? You can't come.

Oh.


That is too bad.


You will miss all the fun.
(You really should try to come! It is going to be the best party ever!)

I will try not to have TOO MUCH fun without you.

You should come.


We could have fun together!

It hailed today while I taught piano. We had to stop and take a few pictures. Teeny, Tiny Hail, but it hailed in Phoenix. Crazy!

Happy FULL Sabbath Day

Today started a little different then most Sundays. I had the privilege to help a friend and sew on 6 patches on her husband's U.S. Marines uniform. My friend's husband is getting ready to go to Afghanistan in April and guess what? She doesn't sew. Neither does he, I guess. ;) Actually, I happened upon this opportunity to help her and I honestly felt honored. As I sewed on these patches, I thought about the soldiers that serve our country and protect our freedoms.

I felt like this was the least I could do.

I will give you a little tip here, that my mom taught me when Agent J got into Cub Scouts. Clear thread. It worked wonders on patches and hides my lack of straight lines.

AFTER CHURCH:
We are lucky enough to have a balloon artist in Sweetie's nursery.
Thank you Bro. S!

We all had fun trying on the butterfly hat!

My model Princess.

Sweetie took this shot of me!

My honey and me in the kitchen making lunch (or is it dinner?). I am not liking 11 a.m. church. Getting home at 2 p.m. makes it hard to know when to make dinner.
Once RHM saw I was taking pictures, he grabbed his most recent school project off the fridge and struck a pose. Isn't Mr. Gallon cute?
Then I realized that I was missing a shot of "Mr. Cool" Agent J. He was laughing at us trying on the balloon hat, but had to have a straight face when I put a camera in front of his face. Too cool for the camera.
NEW CALLING - well, 3 weeks ago, that's "new" right?
I have a new calling as the ward humanitarian aid person, specialist, or whatever you want to call me at church. Basically, I am my own boss (I have a theory about this, but...not for today) and I get to organize activities for the members to work on. We have had a goal to do 20 hygiene kits in the month of February and everyone has really come through. I can't even tell you how cool it has been to come home and find a "surprise" of donated items on my door step. PEOPLE ARE AWESOME!
After church today, we have completed 17 kits and have over 12 partial kits to work on. We will easily surpass our goal. AMAZING!
A hygiene kits and information about them can be found here then click on Humanitarian Service Project Guidelines go to page 3 for details.

It is amazing what we can do when we all work together. I feel fulfilled from seeing the fruits of every one's labors. Being able to witness this charity is humbling.

I feel blessed. Family. Friends. Service. Great day. Happy Sabbath!

Happy Valentine's Day

AND SO ARE YOU!

Valentine's Class parties

This school year I did something CRAZY! I signed up to be the HRM (homeroom mom) for RHM's 1st grade class and Agent J's 6th grade class. I thought it would be easy to plan a 6th grade party and leave, but basically I shot myself in the foot. I need to learn from K.I.S.S. "Keep It Simple Stupid." Duh! Someday I will learn.

Anywho...this year for the Valentine's Party on Friday Feb. 12th I set up a chocolate fountain with all of the fixin's for the WHOLE 6th grade (about 80 kids, plus parents and teachers). I couldn't just plan a party for Agent J's room. I had the great idea to coordinate with all 3 HRM's and work out a party for all 3 classes. Hungry yet? It was an awesome plan and from what I heard it turned out nice.

After I set up the food for 6th grade, I left to go "run" the 1st grade party. In 1st grade we ate nachos, grapes, veggies, and cupcakes. It was a yummy lunch, if I do say so myself. Everyone chipped in and brought something to share. After lunch, we played BINGO until everyone WON and got a prize (we played one game of BINGO for about 15 minutes 'til all 26 kids shouted "BINGO!"). After they picked a prize they went to the back of the room and picked up their Bear Valentine box that we had made the week before. The teacher was smart and had them pass out their valentine's ahead of time. It went smoothly and was easy.

After I cleaned up the 1st grade party (with lots of parents helping), I went upstairs with my 3 kids out of school and ready to go home to clean up the 6th grade bash. UGH! I was tired, but it looked like they had fun. The room wasn't too messy, but that chocolate fountain was greasy and a pain to pack up at the school. Note to self: bring large trash bag next time to wrap up messy fountain. Then the kids had to help me load the van with stuff from both parties. They were troopers. It took us 3 trips to the van, but we did it.

I would like to THANK Princess' HRMs for putting together an awesome party. Princess had fun and I never made it to her party either. :( It is o.k. She had fun and next year, she wants me to HRM for her. This is amazing, because the last time I was Princess' HRM she HATED IT! She said I laughed to loud and that I embarrassed her. I told her that I cackle just like Grandma Dawn and just like she does too! Poor girl. We all laugh too loud. Anyway, I guess enough time has passed and she wants me back - next year, maybe next year.

I have no idea why I put myself through this silly party stuff, but I do know that I LOVE IT! Typing about it makes it seems like a chore, but I secretly (or not so secretly) love to watch my kids have a GREAT time! I can't wait for the end of the year party! One more to go...

next time I hope to remember my camera

A trip to the post office

I found myself kidless Tuesday for a little bit, so I decided this was the perfect opportunity to run to the post office. The night before our family had made valentine's for the 6 missionaries serving from our ward and I really needed to mail these letters. I had a feeling the valentine's were going to be late, but I thought better late than never.

So I get to the post office, happy and full of love. I was excited, because I was following through with a project. Most of the time I get something started, like writing the Elders, and then not having a single stamp in the house or not having an address will slow me down or cause the letters to become recycling in 6 months. Ugh. I become too embarrassed to actually mail the letters after so much time has past.

Anyway...back to happy and full of love. I was finishing a project my family did. YEAH ME!

So it was 1pm. The line was L O N G at the post office, because it was still considered the lunch rush. Only 2 people were working, so I decided to stand in line thinking happy thoughts. I mean, how lucky was I to be standing in line with NO KIDS. That is a mini-celebration in itself.

The line moves forward and more and more people get in line behind me. The conversations and negative comments of those standing in line at the post office begin to get louder and grow in numbers. People are saying stuff about the post office, the government, and the workers' ability or lack thereof to have customer service skills. It was interesting to listen in at first, but then it started to get me down. I decided to be as friendly and positive as possible when it was my turn at the post office.

I walk up to the male post office worker, "Hi! How are you today? I would like to buy some stamps for these letters." (big cheesy grin)

Male mail worker with no eye contact, "Anything else?" (curtly) As he asks this, he is putting a stamp on the 4 letters going stateside.

Me, "Nope. That will do it. THANKS!" All of a sudden, I notice the stamps that he is putting on the letters look like this:
Me, "That is VERY funny. Those stamps make me laugh. You see those letters are going to single young men who are serving 2 year missions and are not allowed to date right now." (still have a big cheesy grin)

Male mail worker, "Is that all ma'am?" He placed higher postage stamps on the other 2 letters going to Mexico and Argentina.

Me, "Yep." (sheepishly)

Male mail worker, "NEXT!!!!!!!!!!"

I left laughing. Still happy and full of love, but wondering what those boys are going to think of that stamp.