Book Fair Diner -Spring 2010

WHAT WAS I THINKING?
The background to how I got roped into another school event...

Me getting ready for Friday by hanging up signs.

This sign (above) has a story. It has to do with Mrs. S - the principal- chasing it in the windy field. This sign was a pain, but stayed up nicely the second time.

Vicki made the order form and I made the rest!

The week after Spring Festival (remember the NASCAR-nival theme) we were having wrap up meetings and my partner in crime, Vicki, heard them talk about canceling the family night event that goes along with the book fair. They were talking about canceling because they didn't have enough volunteers to step up and run the event. Well, this made my friend Vicki a tiny bit ticked. She is a quiet type, so if she appears ticked - she is probably disgusted and might even be MAD!

Wes did the red door, Marilyn cut out the silver on the door, and Vicki did the open sign - twice!

So, I told her to step up and run the event. She brushed me off with reasons. Then I told her I would do it, if she helped. She expressed concerns about not being able to help during the night event (she has 3 kids and a husband that works until 7 p.m.). I told her we could do it. We would find volunteer to work the night of and lots of people to help us do the cute art projects.

This is Susie and she did the sandwich. Sue Ellen did the ketchup and mustard. AWESOME!

Well, then I had to contact the parent organization and let them know that Vicki and I could help, but on one condition. I had to be in charge. (I am so bossy - I know.) They didn't seem to mind. I asked for the budget for this event. I still haven't ever gotten a clear answer, so I am SURE that I am going over budget. But I really don't think they are going to complain about it. I mean what would they say, "Hey Audra. I know you stepped up to help out, but next time don't."? Yeah. I don't think so.

Theresa made this sundae to record our reading contest. RHM is just plain cute!

The problem with being the ex-VAPO president is that I know they have money. So, I tend not to worry about it. I am not saying that I am spending thousands, but I might be over doing it a little.

Diner booth - my idea. Menu on the table - all Amy Joy! She is great.

We have a DJ scheduled (cheap, too!), a '62 Thunderbird coming (just bought him dinner), "brown cows" (root beer floats) will be served for $1 - that should help make up for some of my spending with my non-specified budget - and hula hoop contest, chorus, 6th grade STOMP!, Mr. Hayo's dancing the triple swing, OH! and the ART SHOW!

Close up of table. Susie did the sandwiches (books in sandwiches). Hungry to read?

Did I mention this is a book fair event? Oh yeah. That too.

Deiedre made this awesome sign.

I am hoping to get through this week and not be institutionalized. I have had about 2 - 4 hours of sleep each night this week. I am extremely on edge because of this. I am stressed and need to remember that I love to throw a party, esp on someone else's dime. The event is Friday night 6 - 8 p.m. The next morning we are going to the Gila Valley Temple Open House. I am excited, but it is a 4 hour drive to get there. It is just a little hectic, but this is the way I like it. Right?

Vicki made this for the front entrance. PERFECTION! Even with 3-D balloons for lights and book pages.

I have had a lot of help making signs and banners and art work for this event. I could never do it alone. Vicki is my true helper. She is better than me at everything, but I don't mind being in charge. Vicki made this car below. She is very talented. Today she spent 2 hours making the lights on a sign look 3-D. First with 16 cut outs foam circle she painted gold and then decided on 16 yellow balloons barely inflated. Too bad we only had 12 yellow, so she used 4 white and painted them yellow. She is a genius like that.

If you are reading, you know Vicki made this. ROCK ON, girl!

The paper records above are part of a reading contest we had. Pre-K - 2nd grade had to read 50 pages to earn a "brown cow" and 3rd - 8th had to read 150 pages. "Brown Cows" are root beer floats.

Playgroup

Today was playgroup at my house and we traced our bodies (well, the little ones did). I had some left over black butcher paper from the school event I am planning (more to come on that), so I thought if I used a white pencil we could do this.

Well, the white pencil was only visible close up. I needed to make it better. Hmm? Paint! Ah, that's the ticket. I got out my paint and outlined the tracings. It was fun.

This is a good time to point out that my Sweetie is freakishly tall. She turned 3 years old just two months ago, but on our family growth chart she is the same height as RHM was at age 4! She is 4 1/2 inches taller than Princess at this same age. Sweetie is a LARGE 3 yr old.

My very large 3 yr old is beautiful and growing up fast. She is fully potty trained. No more pull ups at night! She is also going through a mimic/copy cat stage. She is so big and most of the time I am proud of her. She is also a mini adult, which is annoying coming out of a 3 yr old's mouth.

Slow down baby. You are growing up fast enough.

Twinkie

My kids are playing a new car game. This is what you do when you drive 15 minutes to school everyday. It is called Twinkie and Pinkie. If you see a yellow car (buses and construction equipment are orange and don't count), you yell, "Twinkie!" If you see a pink car, much harder to find (where did all the Mary Kay cars go?), you yell, "Pinkie!".
It is supposed to be for fun. Well, my RHM is competitive and he keeps score. He keeps mean, aggressive score. He tells his carpool friends, "That one doesn't count" or "I said it first" or "If I don't see the car, it doesn't count." SO...we have to make up RULES to this simple game.

What's funny about this is that RHM is stacking the game so he always wins. HE IS A HORRIBLE WINNER and an even worse SORE LOSER.
RHM doesn't lose at Twinkie, but he does at some Wii games. When my red headed boy loses at Wii games you will see tears, fits and an anger that only red headed parents have seen. IT IS SCARY.
I have to constantly explain to him to LET his 4 yr old friend TJ win one game of Wii or he won't have a friend named TJ to play with. I mean RHM is 6 and losing to a 4 yr old is just part of being the big kid. RHM can't lose. Hates to lose. Ahh, these are the lessons that I thought sports would teach him. I guess I need to try to find him a losing team to join. Anyone know how to teach "How to lose gracefully?"

Seriously - we play card games all the time. Board games too. Tears and competition come out at these times too.

Something new

Travis put together my IKEA coffee table and I love it. I have waited years for this table. I really think that coffee tables and kids don't mix. Babies learning to crawl/walk and toddlers are just the right height to catch their lil' heads on the corners. Then you get tons of finger prints. Oh! And then you can't lay on the couch and doze off while the lil' ones play, because you are too worried about the coffee table.

So, I have had a love/hate relationship with this coffee table.

The hate part was the desire of wanting and not having. Well, the hate is over. No more babies, no more toddlers and now, I own a coffee table that I love! Happy day.

Trying new vegetables (or is it a fruit?)

So I got my Saturday produce at the local co-op and ordered a Mexican pack to make pico de gallo. When I looked inside the bag of onions, cilantro, limes, avocados, tomatoes, and jalapenos; I did NOT recognize these little green things.

Did you what they are?

I have lived in Phoenix for 12 years and still didn't know.

Better late than never. Plus I like learning.

Apparently they are tomatillos. I wanted to know more, so I ask my friends on facebook.
So my friend, Amanda, gave me this recipe. I am going to try it tomorrow.

Creamy Tomatillo Dressing

• 3 tomatillos, husked, washed and cut into quarters (tomatillos are found in the produce section of your grocer. They look like green tomatoes with a thin paper wrapping or husk)
• 1 package buttermilk ranch dressing mix
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup fresh cilantro, washed
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 cloves of garlic or 1 teaspoon bottled garlic
• juice of one lime
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 drops Tabasco sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  

Combine all ingredients in blender and puree. Refrigerate one hour. You will absolutely want to drink this! But don't! There are things that make the world go around and tomatillo dressing is one of them!!
So, I did use some of the tomatillos in the pico de gallo that I made. These little fruits are very similar to a tomato, but more spicy with a very slight tang. They are more bland than a red tomato.

All is all my produce is SO YUMMY!
I am loving it.

Spring Piano Recital

My students. They did an awesome job tonight. Such a fine show. The music was great and they did awesome. I think they don't know how good they are. YOU ARE GREAT - believe it.
me, duh. Picture for my mom.
Ah, the refreshments. SO YUMMY! Someone said I was brave to do a chocolate fountain with kids around. That made me laugh - I mean who likes chocolate fountains more than kids!

Oh! I almost forgot (not really) - Happy Birthday Dad!
We had a chocolate fountain and thought of you! Move closer.

Cold, Slightly Windy Night Game with Sprinkles on Top

Left side - that's MY girl!
Spent tonight taking pictures of EVERYONE. Planning to make a slide show at the end of the season.
Cute girls. Cute team. We have good players and are a SOLID team.
This is Coach Chris. He looks mean in this shot - but looks are deceiving, because he really is great.
Here is Sweetie playing in the dirt - I mean, singing in the rain. It sprinkled slightly.
Travis kept the score book, so that meant I had fun with RHM, Sweetie, and going on a boomerang hunt with Agent J (we never found it). I am sure it was a good game. We won and I saw Princess make a good out at 1st base. YOU GO GIRL!

These are a few of the girls screaming - oops! I mean cheering.

SOFTBALL - I have learned - is all about the cheering.
So you see these "songs" really start to stick in your head.
This is what I heard when we got home:



My Princess is a much better singer than I. I know I messed up the words, but I still believe what I said in the video.

It was late when we got home, but all were still happy(thank goodness).

Ah! The little ones were so glad they hugged all the way to bed.

Farm Fresh Eggs from the city

So my lovely friend, Trevlyn, has 4 hens that lay beautiful eggs for her. I love to buy these eggs from her and feel blessed to have free-range chicken eggs.

This reminds me of the chickens I grew up with in Louisiana or was it Oklahoma? Whatever the state, I remember my Dad cutting off the chicken's head and watching it "run around like a chicken with it's head cut off". Literally. I remember my mom plucking the feathers. I don't really remember eating chicken meat, but I am sure we did. Trevlyn's chickens are more like pets and have names like Rosie, Goldie, etc. The above picture happens to be Rosie. She is broody or according to lil' T, "She wants to be a Mama."
This is what Rosie looks like when she isn't all puffed up. Poor girl doesn't realize that there are no roosters around these parts. The dream of motherhood is a long shot, but keep on dreaming!
Seeing these free range chickens in my friend's backyard makes me jealous. She has a beautiful yard and these chickens just make it perfect!

My Sweetie loves this yard, too!

North Phx Stake play

This stake play was a Broadway review and so fun. Great job everyone. Thanks for a great night of entertainment. Look there is Oliver! Yep, we know Oliver. If you want his autograph, I think I can hook you up - for a fee.
AH - the Johnsons! We bumped into them at the play.
Amanda did an awesome job! She is my friend in the know. I used to live in this Stake and Amanda keeps me in the loop.
Amanda and her youngest Corbin invited us to this event. I love Amanda. She was in the chorus and in most every scene.
Aliceann, my friend. So good at singing and musical directing and as an angel!
Ah! Kent. He was awesome as the cowardly lion, but honestly moving during Les Mis with the flag.

This lovely young lady stole the show as the wicked witch in Wicked and The Wizard of Oz. STOLE THE SHOW!

The Pool is Open

So the kids played "around" the pool, but they had fun!
I cleaned leaves around the pool area and found this ring.

Anyone who has been to my pool in the past 5 years - Are you missing a ring?

Goggles are fun!
It is April and the water is a little chilly, but the pool opened early this year.

My 3 yr old took these pictures I swear...

So, my Sweetie likes to borrow the camera without my knowledge.

This is RHM's 1st grade teacher. Sweetie took this in December while I was in the class taking pictures for a holiday party project.

This was at the band concert in January.

This is in the playroom at the school during Spring Festival planning in February.

This was at lunch when Amber was in town.

This is a few Sundays ago before church

This was when the piano tuner came over on Saturday.

It wasn't me, butt I think she is getting better!