Happy Birthday Kate Bugs!

My baby is 7. I can't believe it. She has grown up so much in the last year. She wanted to celebrate this year by going to the local spa and playing dress up. They have tons and tons of giddy-ups the girls can play in, and a runway they can prance around on and watch themselves on the big screen. The little girls had an absolute blast. They came up with some of the most outrageous costumes I have ever seen. After shimmying the afternoon away, they got to enjoy pink hot chocolate and cupcakes, while wearing their tiaras. It was fabulous, and the best part is that I didn't have cook, clean or entertain!

Kate and all of her girly friends.

Kate shows off one of the many lovely dresses complete with sunglasses and fur shawl.

Some girls sashey down the catwalk, Kate does cartwheels. One handed no less.


Sheer Joy.


The many lovely girls and their beautiful garbs.

Yummy.

Baby Kate





Love you to pieces my little Kate Bugs!!

It's been awhile!

Tons has happened since my last post. I decided to start the blog last year as an answer to my crappy journal writing. It worked well for a while, but now it has become crappy blog writing too. I'm going to do my best to catch-up!! Here are the deet's in a nutshell...

April

Max and I celebrated our 15th Anniversary on the 28th. We were married in the SLC

Temple on a dreary, rainy day. We decided to go away for the weekend and celebrate in low key fashion. We were able to re-live the first date again by eating dinner at Olive Garden and then attending Wicked at the Capitol Theatre. (our first date was Les Mis and Olive Garden) I had seen Wicked on Broadway, but Max hadn't seen it. It was AmAzinG!!! We both loved it. On Sunday morning we went to Music and the Spoken Word and then to Brunch at the Grand America. I'm pretty sure I gained about 10 lbs just at brunch. They had every food imaginable, and guess what? I think I tried them all. After eating, we rolled ourselves down to Temple Square and enjoyed the gorgeous grounds there. It was such a nice weekend and I am so lucky to have such a wonderful man to share my life and eternity with. I can honestly say there is no one I would rather be with than him!!! I love you sweetie.

FLASHBACK...gotta love those shoulder pads and the big curly hair. Oh my.

Dancemania

It is that time again...dance! The girls had their first dance competition yesterday. Sarah has been dancing for several years now. Ali decided this year that she might want to try her hand (or legs) at it. I can't believe how far she has come! For not knowing how to do anything a few months ago, she did a great job! I was extremely proud. Ali's team took 1st in lyrical, 2nd in jazz. Sarah's team took 1st in lyrical, 2nd in jazz, 3rd in character. With two dancers, we were at the high school pretty much all day, but they had a great time.

Sarah's team was the half-time entertainment recently at a pro-sports basketball game.

Wild Winter Weather

I just had to take pictures of this blizzard a few weeks back. At 4:00 there was not an ounce of snow in the yard. By 6:00 the boys were out shoveling. And shoveling. And shoveling. Mother Nature dumped 5-6 inches of the cold white stuff on us. Funny thing was that within a few days, it was gone. Kate talked me into to coming outside to build a snowman with her. I got us both all "suited up," and within about 5 minutes, she was done. She wouldn't even let me take her picture. I especially loved Sam's earmuffs. Desperate times require desperate measures!

I am a winner! I'm good enough...smart enough... and doggone it I WON! You can too...here is how.

Pay It Forward~
The Rules
1. Be one of the first Three (3) bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me.
2. Winners, you must post this challenge on your blog, meaning that you will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift for the first 3 bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway!
3. The gift that you send to your three Friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It’s the Spirit and the Thought That Count!
4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate Linky Love!If you are not one of the Top Three Commenters on this post, you can still play along. Post it on your blog; start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same!

In a nutshell, leave a comment and be one of the first 3, you win. What you win I have no idea. It might be "handmade" from Taipan. I'll have to really think about that.

Happy playing!

School Daze

You may remember from an earlier post that I began working this year. I was the skill builder at my kids elementary school. In November my Principal informed me that an opening would be coming available in January. The current teacher was getting married, and would be leaving our district. I graduated with a degree in Special Ed back in 1996, and since then I have tried to keep my license current. I really had no intentions of teaching, but the opportunity seemed too good to be true. Part time, mornings, at my kids school, 5 minutes from my house. I mean c'mon. So, I applied and got the job. Ever since then my life has been a whirlwind. Guided reading groups, comprehension strategies, running records, fluency practice, sight words, phonics etc. etc. etc. It has been an adventure to say the least. I am teaching in the "learning lab" or "resource room." I have 6 groups of 3-6 students and each one meets for 1/2 hour. They are all cute kids and I have enjoyed the opportunity.

Best moments so far: Seeing growth and progress. Getting to know the kids and their cute and quirky personalities.

Worst moments so far:

1. Having one student ask me if I was sick.."you look really sick, are you sick?" um no, I'm just fine thanks!

2. Spending an entire week on sequencing...reading, writing, and even a really cool lesson where we sequenced the order to make crackers and peanut butter sandwiches. At the end of the week I asked the students why we made the sandwiches and one response was "um for a snack?" Ugh.

Birthday Girl

Poor Sarah has the very worst birthday in the whole wide world. December 26th. The year she was born, she was the best Christmas present ever. Now she just gets neglected on her b-day. She was almost born on the side of the freeway thanks to a lazy nurse who just really didn't want to work on Christmas. (can't say that I blame her...but c'mon!) This friendly nurse told us no less then 4 times to "just stay home, you're not in labor" after we called with concerns about my contractions. So, being young and dumb, we did. Luckily, common sense and extreme pain took over and we rushed to the hospital. Eleven minutes later, Sarah was born. What a beautiful baby she was. Sad to think she is already 12 years old. She has become such a beautiful young lady. She is bright, talented, friendly, and such a blessing in our lives. Happy Birthday sweetie!