Merry Christmas from all of us!

Our Christmas season has been filled with holiday crafts and baking, plenty of singing and concerts, just enough snow to say we had some, Nutcracker dancing (kinda), shopping and wrapping, great Christmas stories, eating, eating, eating, parties with friends, vacation planning, finals at school, not enough house cleaning, and a greater appreciation for our Savior. We hope you have a very merry Christmas and a fabulous new year! We love you.

Lauren's New Hairdo

After waiting out years of growth we decided to end the battle with the tender head. I kept thinking that at some point this girl would just relax about getting her hair brushed, but alas, with every 1/4 inch of growth the screams and shrieks were becoming more and more unbearable. I snapped. I took her to get the car washed and she came home looking like this. We're both delighted. She LOVES it. She feels like a new person.

All-District Honors Choir

Maddie and Emma both auditioned for and were accepted into the all-district honors choirs for their schools. This meant many rehearsals, some at far away schools, for several weeks and culminated in a great day of music last week. The top orchestra, choir, and jazz band musicians in the district came together to give one fabulous performance. I was so proud of both of them. They worked hard to get their music memorized and perfected. I was crying tears of joy and pride for their accomplishments. Loved Every Minute Of It!!!!

Random Act of Culture

Homeschool

After spending most of last year jumping through hoops with the school district, only to be informed that my sweet little Lauren does not qualify for any extra help, I have decided to take matters into my own hands and give her the help she needs. They did tell me that she could do "Pioneer Reading," which is a fun name for Title 1reading, where she can get extra help learning how to decode words. But she tested very well in decoding. That isn't her issue, so I'm not sure why they thought that would be the solution.
I am blessed with a child for whom regular school just doesn't seem to sink in. She's a bright girl in many ways and is super resourceful and independent. But she pretty much hates school and does not see the value in trying to succeed with it. So, just to fill some of the educational gaps I'm having her go to school in the mornings, where she does reading and math and then she comes home to do reading and math. Right now she's getting basically no Social Studies or Science, but I think this will be time well spent. She can pick those things up later. We can't just go on thinking that the basic skills will eventually come. They need to come now and I seem to be the only one who is worried about it.
We've been going for about 3 weeks now and so far, so good. She's already come far in many respects. I couldn't be happier about the results. Hopefully she'll be ready to jump right back in by next year.
Whatever spare time I used to have has vanished, but the sacrifice right now will pay off in the long run, I'm sure.
Wish us luck!

Halloween 2010

Everyone looked adorable for Halloween this year.
Ellie - cowgirl
If I ever find time I will post a picture of me wearing that skirt when I was about that age. I love, love, love that I kept all my dance costumes. My kids have gotten so much use out of them.
Lauren - Wonder Woman (her favorite super hero)
Emma - American Girl Doll, Molly
Maddie - Belle
Maddie "made" her Belle dress for a Personal Progress project. We had to do the bodice twice because the size was weird. We were using a little girl pattern and it fit like a little girl (short and wide). We had to modify it to make it more womanly. We were both pleased with how it turned out. Her friend dressed as Cinderella and they were helpers at the school Safe Halloween, which was soooooo packed with kids. But it was really cute. They acted just like Disneyland princesses and talked and waved to the little kids and when they came upon other "princesses" they acted like they were their best friends and had been looking everywhere for them. I'm sure they got more pictures taken that night than anyone at the school. Kids were lining up to get their pictures taken with them just like at Disneyland.

Cakes

I auctioned off birthday cakes for the YW auction last spring. These are the cakes I made for the winners. I'm still experimenting with frostings and fondant and designs and stuff. But I really like making cakes. I get to be creative and then don't feel like I'm obligated to keep my creation. It soon disappears. And, if it doesn't turn out so great, oh well, it still tastes pretty good.

This little girl wanted a lemon cake. I would normally do a princess cake pink, or purple, or blue even, but didn't think either of those would be too great with a lemon cake. Also, the princesses were a little too big for the cake and had to be held in with wire. They do look like damsels in distress about to fall off the ledge. I would probably put this in the cake wreck category. I will not be happy, though, if I see it on there next week. Don't even think about it. Please. I couldn't handle the shame.

Riding at Daniel Boone's Farm

Last Spring our Young Women held an auction to earn money for Girl's Camp. We recently cashed in on 2 of our big purchases. This riding trip was totally worth every penny. (The other one was an Amazing Race throughout the city. It was great---and very exhausting. I no longer think I would "kick-butt" if I was in the real show. More details later.)

A lady in our ward owns the land that originally belonged to Daniel Boone. And on part of that land she has this stable and indoor riding arena. She teaches horsemanship and riding. Since this is an experience that my kids have little to no experience with I made sure we won this auction.

The day finally arrived with great anticipation. (Except for Maddie, who wanted to go to Homecoming with her friends. Silly girl.)

Sis. B. taught us how to take care of the horses, how to lead them, how to saddle them, and then how to ride them. By the end of the night EVERYONE was riding independently and holding their own reigns. Emma was doing great. She looked like a natural on those horses. I think she would like to take regular lessons. We'll have to see about that.

The evening included a bonfire and cookout, but we were running short on time and made plans to do that part on another day.

Homecoming 2010

These are Maddie's besties.

This is Maddie's very good friend, Sam.

Already with the shoes off and the evening had just begun.

This past weekend was Homecoming for Maddie. She went with a group of friends (not a date) which seems to be the way of it these days. I actually quite like that. Unfortunately, we had a big horse-riding adventure planned for the same evening. This left Maddie out of that and I wasn't there to help her get ready and take pictures and stuff. But, such is life. Everyone is so very busy. She looked adorable and had a great time with her friends.

Maddie's Birthday

This post is late in coming, but Maddie has turned 16! No, she's not dating. No, she's not driving. And it's all okay. (Just thought I'd get those out of the way right up front because everyone asks.)
She had a fun party here at the house. Lots of friends came. They played games, ate food, listened to music, and sat around the fire pit. She got flowers (because I remember Ronda gave me flowers when I turned 16 and I thought it was so cool), cutie balloons, and a Twilight themed birthday cake. (It's supposed to look like Bella's cake. I fully intended to do a three-layer cake, but once I got started, realized that that was A LOT of cake. I couldn't imagine what we would do with all of it, so I stuck to just two layers. It's not an exact replica, but pretty good for a beginner. I still haven't quite figured out how to get the corners squared with the fondant. I bet I could have done a better job if my cake were styrofoam like the movie cake was. But this post is supposed to be about a birthday, not a cake, so. . .anyway. . .) Yay! Hopefully she will get a license soon and she can start doing some of the driving. She's so busy and that keeps me busy too. Aint she cute?

(I hired this nice lady to be a stand in Mom. She's a lot more photogenic than me. Thanks, Jacque.)

Big Day at the Zoo

 

 

 

Richard took the kids (little girls plus two neighbors) to the zoo last weekend. He said he wanted to take the kids to the zoo, I didn't really want to go, they only wanted to go if their friends could go, and that's how it happened. On days like this I don't ask questions, I just go with the flow and wait to see if it really happens and this time it did. I really needed/wanted a break and he was willing this time.
They did everything there was to do there. They got the Safari Pass which gave them access to most every ride and show. They stayed for 3 1/2 hours and came home. It was perfect for everyone. AND Lauren caught the frisbee from the seal. What could be better. Thank you Richard.

YW Girl's Camp

 

 

 

 

I just found these photos that Emma took at camp this year. Unfortunately Maddie was unable to go, but Emma had a great time. She is really turning out to be the adventurous type. I'm so happy. Maybe we can start doing more outdoor family activities. Their camp was full of fun things to do including swimming, horse-back riding, rock climbing, and more. The weather even cooperated which was nice because the day before they left there was a huge rainstorm which made a muddy day for the leaders who went early to get things set up.

Balloons Overhead

 
 
 
Several of our days during the late summer have gifted us with the unexpected surprise of hot air balloons flying low directly over our house. We must be in the path of a balloon training course or something. I'm not really sure why they're there, but it sure is fun when we see them. It makes me want to get in one. I'm imagining being inside and then just jumping out into "our" pool. Then I'm waving up and calling, "Thanks for the ride."
Wow. That's kinda weird now that I write it down. I must be in need of some excitement in my life.