Visiting the AZ Capital for School Choice Week

 Back in January, the AZ Charter School Association organized many schools around the state to visit the capital (or is it capitol?   - that's why my kids go to a better school than I did growing up).  We were scheduled to visit 2 elected officials.  But it turned into visiting 4.  2 Senators and 2 AZ House of Representatives. 

 We were given a lite breakfast and a cute yellow scarf and stickers to wear around.

Heidi - CEO of Reid Traditional, President of AZ Charter School Assoc, and Vicki VAPO President

We had to sign in to visit with an representative or a senator.  Then we waited in a lobby or small waiting room depending on which building we were in and phoned back into the representative's or senator's office. 

me waiting

cute security guard

 At these meetings we had about 15- 20 minutes to talk to them about Charter School and why choice school are important in the state of AZ.  We talked about how Charter School would like to receive the same funding per student that the public school receives and there is a bill about allowing charter schools to solicit building funding that private schools are allowed to do.  It was all very interesting to me.  What I learned is that our elected officials like to talk about there needs and wants so much as we were there to talk about ours. 

The best part of this day was talking about my favorite passion - my kids' school.  I loved every minute of it and was like a school girl anxious and ready to share at a moments notice.

Extra pics from the trip to the Capitol

Phoenix Art Museum

 We have another artist in the family.  All of my kids like to draw.  Agent J - comics.  Princess - anything.  RHM - was entered in an art exhibit by his art teacher. 

 Tortoise and the Hare in watercolors.  TOO CUTE!

They had a nice reception that Travis took RHM to after school one night.  So nice.

Braces

 Princess got braces for the first time the week after her 13th birthday.  She was excited to get some.  She already had seen her older brother start this process, so she was more prepared.

 Here is the BEFORE (above).

 self portrait in the mirror

 orange and green - her favorite colors

And a shake to round out the morning...she rocks! 

RHM's flag football

 The moment after the Pinewood Derby, we left to go to RHM's flag football game.  Travis is the coach and RHM's friend from school is on the team and his Dad is the assistant coach. It is a young, tough team.  Our token girl on the team, Hannah, ROCKS!  She can catch anything.

 All in all, it is a great team and Travis loves to coach.

 RHM loves football and wants to move on to tackle football next season.  Mom - that's me - is not sure about that. 

 Sweetie loves games, because she gets to play at the playground and Princess shown above gets to watch her - fun - not!

 RHM with his orange hair and an orange in his mouth.

Love the team parents making a tunnel at the end.

1st pinewood derby

 RHM has been in cub scouts since August 2011, so this is his first Pinewood Derby.  Even though this picture doesn't show it, he was excited to go.

 This event took place on a Saturday morning.  So fun.  I believe there were 15 cars or 15 boys there with cars to race.  The great scout leaders that we have, decided to have a "dummy" car to make it an even number of cars for the two lane track, but let's be honest the dummy car was there to LOSE to every car it raced. 

 RHM lost every race and never got a chance to race the "dummy" car.  He was sitting across the way in his seat tearing up.  No tears...yet, but eyes were red.  Poor guy.

 The rest of the family was fighting over or playing with Saren.  Too cute baby, but let's go back to RHM. 

 I walked over to the leaders and pointed out that RHM was upset, and they immediately fixed it.  There were a few tie breakers that needed to happen so RHM had one last race against the dummy car.  YAY!  RHM won a race!  GREAT JOB SON!  (Note to Dad, work harder on the car next year.)

RHM,
       I promise to make sure your Pinewood Derby car doesn't come in last place next year.
Love,
Mom
xoxox

The surprise part of turning 13

 My Princess had a great birthday and a great group of friends that helped surprise her outside of Panda Express.  Her birthday was January 11 and we surprised her two days later on a Friday.  Silly String is the key.

Rheanna, Kristina, Ellie, and Princess - birthday girl

Princess got this headband as a gift from her church friend, Sarrah.  Ellie talked her into wearing it for this picture.  THANKS!  I love the birthday headband.

These lips were the hit of the night.  Have you ever seen zebra lips?  I haven't.

Sweetie wanted to go see Beauty and the Beast in the movie theatre.  That was the rues that got Princess out of the house.  The "girls"  (me, Princess, and Sweetie) were going to see the movie and then stopped at Panda on our way there, then Princess' friends surprised her. Then Travis came to take Sweetie to the movie.  Too cute!

This was Princess' fortune.

Then we were on to Jester'z, a family friendly improv club.

 The girls had a great night at dinner, the improv club, and at Cheesecake Factory.

 Great night.  Good times.  And she was SO SURPRISED. 

Later, Princess told me, I am not allowed to throw her a surprise party again. Whatever.  I guess 13 year olds are fickle.  She seemed to love what we did that night, but never again.  :(