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.