state float parade

this was our first year participating in the school’s state float parade. each child was to make a ‘float’ out of natural materials that represented the state they were assigned. not an easy task for a 10 year old. especially when you don’t have skills in architecture or design. but i let kira go with the flow, do what she wanted, because in the end- it’s her project, right?! i was very proud of her. she pulled it off. and then i saw all the other floats. and i was seriously taken aback. ok, built in caves? swaying whales hanging from the ceiling? life size beavers made out of pine cones? an entire town made out of beans?! i am not saying they were not beautiful. they were beautiful. they looked like miniature versions of the Rose Parade! (and yes, the rose parade judges were there at our school judging! as well as the rose court! this was big guys!) but they did not look like they made them completely on their own. and that’s the thing- how much do you help your child? i helped kira as far as breaking the sticks to spell out tennessee. she made everything else. davy crockett, the log cabin, the guitar, etc. and you can tell. 🙂 you know i wanted to take over and construct the Grand Ole Opry and Elvis, but i did not. 🙂 anyways, i know either way you look at it, if you particiapated and showed some effort, you will get a good grade. but in the end, who’s grade is it- the parent or the child? part of me couldn’t help but wished i took over a little. that’s just natural. you want people to oooh and aaaah over your child’s things. there has got to be a balance. i get so stressed out over these kind of projects. i told chris that he is now in charge… and that he had better get thinking now that we will have 3 more kids to go through the system. 🙂

December 10, 2005 7

full plate

it has begun. the busy-ness of activities. it seems that kira has very little spare fun time on the weekdays. she started the flute and practices 20 minutes everyday. it is so cool to see the progress. it is so true- practice makes perfect! she is getting the hang of it! and she has joined the 5th grade drama team to perform Annie. love that movie. that is a 3 day a week, 2 hours at a time commitment. i am glad she is getting her feet wet with these activities now, before she goes to middle school.. so she can figure out which one she is going to continue with. and don't forget sports. she does softball in the spring. she enjoys all these things, but what she really wants to do in middle school is be a tigerette (junior cheerleader). i can't help but smile when i see her fill up her plate with all these things. she is so opposite of me. i did the piano, that's it. haha. can you believe that when she goes to bed at night, she is still NOT tired? she is such the little go-getter extrovert. 🙂

October 15, 2005 3

what a trooper

my girl- hasn’t missed a day of school since 2nd grade (she’s in 5th now). she hardly ever gets sick. but now, she has a little scratchy voice and over the weekend her throat was hurting. so this morning i let her sleep in, thought her and i could have a little QT today while the boys were at school. but nope, she was up and dressed, telling me she is much better– in that cute little raspy voice…totally trying to sell me. she hates to miss out on school stuff. especially since they start band tomorrow- and she will be learning to play the flute. awwwww. so she goes. off to school with her thermos of soup and healthy snacks. gotta love her dedication, though, huh? i watch her go and hope to God that the throat thing disappears and i don’t end up being ‘the-mom-that-sent-her-sick-kid-to-school’ that everyone hates so much. haha. don’t worry, i know that green snot/fever/diarrhea means STAY HOME. just wish all moms knew that. 🙂

September 19, 2005 11

treat time :)

today is a day to be relished. for the first time in about 10 years i am alone. all of my children are in school. caleb started his 3day preschool this week. when kira started school, i was taking college classes…not that fun. when cam started school, i already had caleb. and next year when caleb starts kindergarten, i will have el bebe in tow. so these next 6 months will really be appreciated. and now-all is silent except for the tapping on the keyboard. what does one do with one self? there are a million things to do like clean the house, laundry, pay bills, etc– but that is so ordinary. so expected. like the kids are gone, i should be able to get lots done. yeah right. i just want to sit and soak in the silence. i did take care of things like go to the DMV- and as i was driving home, i was wondering what i should do. i passed our little coffee shops and saw other moms from our school socializing and having their lattes, and if i was feeling the least bit social, i would have stopped, but i’m not, so i didn’t. i thought about getting a pedicure. now that would have been a treat. maybe i will do that friday. 🙂 instead i stopped at our little candy shop, bought my favorite little treat and came home. to scrap. my favorite thing to get lost in. to be able to create things and cross things off my list. love that so much. laundry- do not love so much. so you see, the choice isn’t really that difficult. 🙂

don’t even hate the chocolate gummy bears until you’ve tried them. they are delightful. 🙂

September 14, 2005 14

first day of september

school started today. kids went to bed a little late on accident. i was worried it would be one of those crazy, grumpy, rushing mornings- but it wasn’t. i dragged myself out of bed and was pleasantly surprised to see my little 2 lovebugs up and getting ready. they were pretty happy. caleb on the other hand, did not want to get out of bed… he was… not so pleasant.
i love this picture of them. the 2 big kids- looking at the new changes at school… caleb trailing behind- probably thinking about his quiet day without them.
they’ve been the 3 musketeers all summer.
sad to think he’s left behind for the day.

ok. not so sad. 🙂 haha. we went to our favorite bakery for breakfast- something we used to do a lot since caleb was a baby and the big kids were at school. he would sleep in his carseat and chris and i would have quiet time to start our day. today, was not so quiet.
and also, on this first day of september in 1976….

one of my favorite people was born. autumn rosa!!!!! 🙂 (the momma here- not the girl- she’s cute too but it’s momma’s day) 🙂 my funny and so-cute-when-she’s-serious cousin… one of my bestest friends…love you girlie. happy birthday!

September 1, 2005 8