What a fun weekend we had. A little tiring, but fun. So last Friday night we got home from Disney on Ice and the girls had all decided they were going to have a slumber party. I thought it sounded like a lot of fun, but the moms talked and we decided a little planning would make the slumber party even more fun. I'm not sure where my week went, but somehow slumber party plans didn't make it into it. Then Friday evening I got a phone call from Kiera asking if they could have the sleep over. We decided to let them sleep over at their house, since I wasn't exactly ready. This was their first "friend" sleepover -- not with an aunt or grandma. How fun! But since I wasn't there, you have to sneak on over to the Stephen's blog to read about it -- and see pictures.
Brandon and I got to squeeze in a little impromptu date with the girls being gone. We just rented a movie and enjoyed eating dinner ALONE. Very weird. Brandon had planned to clean out the garage (his car is getting very cold outside), but my date idea kind of postponed that. We started it Saturday morning. But he realized he needed to finish the shutters if he was going to clean the garage out, so that was first priority. We got them put together and brought inside, but when he went to screw a board into the window frame he realized he had lost his bit (and this thing that had broken off his drill). So, then we had to REALLY clean out the garage looking for that. We never found it, but the garage is coming along.
Our afternoon project revolved around cleaning up the yard. Brandon had promised anyone who helped ice cream sundaes. He mowed the front yard, Chloe got the good leaf rake, Sophie got the rake nobody likes, and I got the leaf blower.
Then we had our tithing settlement, and went to the grocery store. We strategically planned to go at 4:00 --the time the big BYU vs. Utah football game started. We figured the store would be pretty empty at that time, but it didn't work. It was as busy as ever, and not only that but they kept announcing the score over the loud speakers. So much for avoiding the hoopla. We got home in time to eat a quick dinner (Sophie made us pancakes -- the girls always fight over who gets to do it, and it was Sophie's turn), then we went to a children's theatre production of "Annie." I've wanted the girls to see that for a while now, but haven't found a theatre putting it on. Then the other day I saw an ad for this little one they were doing in Farmington, and tickets were only $5 so I took the family out. Brandon leaned over to me during the show and confessed he'd never seen it. Well, it was about time.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
warning: this post may bore you
My kids had a whole week of early out (meaning the get out of school at 1:25 instead of 3:25) last week, and that just seemed to throw my schedule out of whack. I don't think I did a whole lot that whole week, but the point of the early outs was so the teachers would have time to do SEP conferences. These aren't like the old parent/teacher conferences my parents used to go to, where they'd sit around and talk about the kid. The kids are invited to these (therefore, the STUDENT, EDUCATOR, PARENT conference). And don't even get me started on how they separate parent and educator, like parents don't educate their children! In any event, we had good conferences. We had to do Sophie's the week before, because her teacher had to be out of town that week. And Sophie had the "meanest substitute ever!" I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt, but when I was at the school and saw her I actually had to agree. OK, maybe not the meanest EVER, but she didn't seem very nice.
So, back to the conferences, they have to set goals. Sophie's teacher pretty much left it up to us a family to work on. Chloe's teacher had already set some goals for Chloe, but then we added one of our own -- to work on piano lessons. So, yesterday I worked on getting some material together for it. I'm going to give Jon Schmidt's approach a try. He has this "67 Fun Songs" book that is supposed to teach 2 years of note reading in 10 weeks. So, I sat down a made a CD for Chloe of the 67 fun songs. He doesn't recommend starting them before age 8, so that's why I put it off, but she seems very ready and isn't that far off.
Oh, which brings me to her 8th birthday. I think we've been talking about her trip for 3-4 years now, but for those who may be out of the loop we're taking her to Nauvoo (and Liberty, Independence, Far West, Adam-Ondi-Ahman, Carthage, Hannibal and St. Louis). I've had every detail of the trip worked out since her last birthday, but have been waiting to get plane tickets. You wanted to hear the long version of this, right? So, the airlines only sell tickets like 330 days in advance, so once I reached that day I started watching them. I soon realized I could get a way better deal on Frontier than I could any other airline, but they don't live by the 330 day rule. They don't seem to have a rule, as far as I can tell. But one day they FINALLY put their tickets on sale -- for the day we wanted to LEAVE. Unfortunately, the weren't ready to sell tickets for our return flight. I didn't want to buy the one ticket, and then be left without a return ticket, so I waited. I watched almost daily for 2 months as flights just seemed to be getting more and more expensive (not the direction I wanted them to go in). Then one day, just as I was thinking me may have to give up and drive, something magical happened. Frontier put our return flight on sale -- and lowered the other flight over $50 a ticket! I was so ecstatic, I purchased them right away (with some slight consultation from Brandon while he cleaned the carpets). And that put us $500 under budget. I guess our trip was meant to happen after all.
Brandon hurt his back again a couple weeks ago. That's another reason that whole week was kind of messed up. I took him to the doctor Monday morning (and learned some interesting things about that guy), but he just gave Brandon MORE medicine. I don't think that's what Brandon wanted to hear. He'd really like to do something to get it taken care of, but nobody seems to think surgery is a good idea for him. The doctor sent another guy over to our house to deliver a "shocking machine" that he's been using every night. He doesn't like it much, but he is improving. Last week he made it to work one day (and another day he drove all the way down there, only to discover he couldn't walk from his car to the office so he turned around and drove home). This week he's gone in every day!
I had those tickets to "Disney On Ice" for last Friday, but the way Brandon was feeling there was no way he could sit through it, so he offered his ticket to one of Sophie's friends. We took Kiera along with us. It was so fun. The girls were really cute, and well behaved! Kiera was a little hesitant to leave her mom, but once we got in the car they were having a good time. Chloe had been at a birthday party, but I had to pick her up early to leave. She brought a big 'ol bag of candy home from that they shared in the car. That may have added to the excitement. So, about 5 minutes into the show the girls are just mesmerized. I looked over and Kiera was giving me a thumbs up. I said, "You like it, huh?" And she just goes, "Better than I expected!" I even have a picture to go along:
I haven't been very good at getting my camera out lately. My "daily pictures" project is going down the drain. I did have a photo shoot last Saturday, and another one today, but I didn't get any of Brandon lying in bed. He'll probably forgive me. If you've read this far, "CONGRATULATIONS!" This is what you get when I don't blog for awhile. I'll try to be better at updating more often.
So, back to the conferences, they have to set goals. Sophie's teacher pretty much left it up to us a family to work on. Chloe's teacher had already set some goals for Chloe, but then we added one of our own -- to work on piano lessons. So, yesterday I worked on getting some material together for it. I'm going to give Jon Schmidt's approach a try. He has this "67 Fun Songs" book that is supposed to teach 2 years of note reading in 10 weeks. So, I sat down a made a CD for Chloe of the 67 fun songs. He doesn't recommend starting them before age 8, so that's why I put it off, but she seems very ready and isn't that far off.
Oh, which brings me to her 8th birthday. I think we've been talking about her trip for 3-4 years now, but for those who may be out of the loop we're taking her to Nauvoo (and Liberty, Independence, Far West, Adam-Ondi-Ahman, Carthage, Hannibal and St. Louis). I've had every detail of the trip worked out since her last birthday, but have been waiting to get plane tickets. You wanted to hear the long version of this, right? So, the airlines only sell tickets like 330 days in advance, so once I reached that day I started watching them. I soon realized I could get a way better deal on Frontier than I could any other airline, but they don't live by the 330 day rule. They don't seem to have a rule, as far as I can tell. But one day they FINALLY put their tickets on sale -- for the day we wanted to LEAVE. Unfortunately, the weren't ready to sell tickets for our return flight. I didn't want to buy the one ticket, and then be left without a return ticket, so I waited. I watched almost daily for 2 months as flights just seemed to be getting more and more expensive (not the direction I wanted them to go in). Then one day, just as I was thinking me may have to give up and drive, something magical happened. Frontier put our return flight on sale -- and lowered the other flight over $50 a ticket! I was so ecstatic, I purchased them right away (with some slight consultation from Brandon while he cleaned the carpets). And that put us $500 under budget. I guess our trip was meant to happen after all.
Brandon hurt his back again a couple weeks ago. That's another reason that whole week was kind of messed up. I took him to the doctor Monday morning (and learned some interesting things about that guy), but he just gave Brandon MORE medicine. I don't think that's what Brandon wanted to hear. He'd really like to do something to get it taken care of, but nobody seems to think surgery is a good idea for him. The doctor sent another guy over to our house to deliver a "shocking machine" that he's been using every night. He doesn't like it much, but he is improving. Last week he made it to work one day (and another day he drove all the way down there, only to discover he couldn't walk from his car to the office so he turned around and drove home). This week he's gone in every day!
I had those tickets to "Disney On Ice" for last Friday, but the way Brandon was feeling there was no way he could sit through it, so he offered his ticket to one of Sophie's friends. We took Kiera along with us. It was so fun. The girls were really cute, and well behaved! Kiera was a little hesitant to leave her mom, but once we got in the car they were having a good time. Chloe had been at a birthday party, but I had to pick her up early to leave. She brought a big 'ol bag of candy home from that they shared in the car. That may have added to the excitement. So, about 5 minutes into the show the girls are just mesmerized. I looked over and Kiera was giving me a thumbs up. I said, "You like it, huh?" And she just goes, "Better than I expected!" I even have a picture to go along:
I haven't been very good at getting my camera out lately. My "daily pictures" project is going down the drain. I did have a photo shoot last Saturday, and another one today, but I didn't get any of Brandon lying in bed. He'll probably forgive me. If you've read this far, "CONGRATULATIONS!" This is what you get when I don't blog for awhile. I'll try to be better at updating more often.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
I Am Like a Star
I think Chloe wants to learn how to play the piano. I have been a big slacker when it comes to teaching her -- I keep putting it off for various reasons. She doesn't really want to LEARN how to play, she just wants to be able to sit down and play some songs. I can understand that. One day she came and asked me to teach her a song, so I did. That's now the only thing we hear coming out of the piano. I'd REALLY like to teach her another song, but I still want her to have LESSONS so she can play anything she wants, not just what I can teach her.
Soph 'n Syd
Friends are THE most important thing in my children's lives. Sophie was pretty bummed when she learned her best friend, Kiera, was not going to be in her class this year. But guess what? It is possible to make NEW friends! Meet Sydney. These two became very quick friends. We still love Kiera very much, but I'm glad Sophie has learned she can make friends wherever she goes. And her friends are learning that if they come to our house they will get their picture taken!
We had raked leaves a few days earlier, but my leaf vacuum kept getting clogged so I had some piles left out in the yard. They were perfect for this impromptu photo shoot.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Happy Halloween Birthday
I've seen several Halloween posts today, so I guess I'm not that far behind. Sophie's class did a little program on Thursday morning. That was fun to go watch. She asked me that morning to take my video camera, but when I went to get it the battery was dead. She told me I could just take my "regular" camera instead, so I did, but when I got there I saw another mom pull out her cell phone. I always forget I have that option, so better than nothing I took a video with my phone.
Brandon really wanted to go, but he was scheduled to give a presentation at work that morning. He's been doing a lot of those lately. I told him they must have forgotten why people become programmers, or think he must need a lot of practice speaking in front of people.
After school the girls got to go to a primary trick-or-treating for food. Then all the food they collect gets donated to a family in our ward. It's an annual tradition, and the donuts and apple juice are as much a part of the tradition.
The kids had Friday off of school. They thought Brandon should have taken the day off as well, but he had too much to do. He's decided at this stage in our kids lives that we need to celebrate his birthday the day before or after Halloween. This year it was the day after. I knew he would be excited to get his presents, so even though it was our day to sleep in, we still got up bright and early to eat breakfast with him and give him his gifts.
The kids got their costumes on and headed out for trick-or-treating that evening. It was such a gorgeous night! I've never seen a Halloween so warm. It's not like the ones I remember as a kid, being driven around by my parents because it's too cold to walk. We'd have to jump in the van with the heater blasting in between each house to try to warm up. There was a slight drizzle most of the evening, which turned to a harder rain by the end, but even it was nice. I was getting a little hot with my pull-over on, so the rain was welcomed.
Saturday was Brandon's birthday celebration. Happy Birthday, B! For his birthday he wanted to go on a hike, which turned into an opportunity for me to get some family pictures. I still didn't get anything worthy of hanging on the wall, but it will do for Christmas cards. You have to wait till then to see. We took a little picnic along and ate after our hike. But in honor of Brandon, I will post one picture: 
Then we came home to take pictures of my nephew. He needed his 18 month photo shoot done. I don't like shooting in my yard, but I do what I have to. 
And then we finally got to go out to dinner. At first he picked a pizza place, but after Chloe's protests he changed to Cafe Rio. I don't think she liked that any better, but you can't please everyone. We hope you had a good birthday, Brandon.
Brandon really wanted to go, but he was scheduled to give a presentation at work that morning. He's been doing a lot of those lately. I told him they must have forgotten why people become programmers, or think he must need a lot of practice speaking in front of people.
After school the girls got to go to a primary trick-or-treating for food. Then all the food they collect gets donated to a family in our ward. It's an annual tradition, and the donuts and apple juice are as much a part of the tradition.
The kids had Friday off of school. They thought Brandon should have taken the day off as well, but he had too much to do. He's decided at this stage in our kids lives that we need to celebrate his birthday the day before or after Halloween. This year it was the day after. I knew he would be excited to get his presents, so even though it was our day to sleep in, we still got up bright and early to eat breakfast with him and give him his gifts.
The kids got their costumes on and headed out for trick-or-treating that evening. It was such a gorgeous night! I've never seen a Halloween so warm. It's not like the ones I remember as a kid, being driven around by my parents because it's too cold to walk. We'd have to jump in the van with the heater blasting in between each house to try to warm up. There was a slight drizzle most of the evening, which turned to a harder rain by the end, but even it was nice. I was getting a little hot with my pull-over on, so the rain was welcomed.
Saturday was Brandon's birthday celebration. Happy Birthday, B! For his birthday he wanted to go on a hike, which turned into an opportunity for me to get some family pictures. I still didn't get anything worthy of hanging on the wall, but it will do for Christmas cards. You have to wait till then to see. We took a little picnic along and ate after our hike. But in honor of Brandon, I will post one picture: Then we came home to take pictures of my nephew. He needed his 18 month photo shoot done. I don't like shooting in my yard, but I do what I have to. And then we finally got to go out to dinner. At first he picked a pizza place, but after Chloe's protests he changed to Cafe Rio. I don't think she liked that any better, but you can't please everyone. We hope you had a good birthday, Brandon.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Pumpkin Patch
I know it's been a long time. I was just getting the hang of things when "fall recess" appeared. The girls had two whole days off of school last week, and it's been hard to get back on track ever since. Plus, we've been spending a lot of time on our kitchen floor. It's coming along rather nicely, and I should have pictures to post any day now! But for now you get to see lots of photos of our trip out to the pumpkin patch. This has been on my list of things to get done for a while now, but things just keep popping up. One week till Halloween -- I figured it was about time. I took the girls right after school. There were a few activities for us to do, but we mostly just picked out our pumpkins. After we got home the girls made a grand mess of the bathroom "washing" their pumpkins. They even used really nice smelling soap on them. Bet you wanna come smell our pumpkins!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Happy Birthday To Me
So I had a birthday last Friday. Brandon got up early and made cinnamon rolls (from a can) for breakfast, and made sure we had enough time to open presents before he had to leave for work. I got a lot of photography stuff, which I hope to put to good use. Thank you to everyone for the cards, gifts, phone calls and emails! We went out to dinner (which is pretty much a given anymore), but the girls don't like my tradition of The Olive Garden, so I picked Buca di Beppo. They were excited about that -- only because they knew that meant they'd be getting some yummy cheesecake!
I bought myself a little present. It wasn't exactly a birthday present; it just happened to arrive on my birthday. Brandon and I have been working hard on getting our food storage in order. My laundry room was being overtaken by cases of food that I had no room for, and we also decided we're ready to try to figure out this wheat thing so I've been cleaning like mad trying to clear the clutter and organize our food storage. I've been eyeing these food rotation shelves for quite a while now, and I just stumbled across a really good deal. I bought one of their "scratch and dent" units marked way down, plus I had a coupon for $100 off AND free shipping. I spent my whole birthday trying to find a place to put it. We finally decided on a corner in the basement. It's not the most attractive piece of furniture, but I'm so happy to have a place for my food -- and it's ORGANIZED!
Chloe and Sophie were most excited about the box it came in. They were doing all kinds of crazy things with it. I overheard them talking about sleeping in it, but I did't think it would actually happen. Sure enough, Sophie spent the whole night IN the box. She put it on Chloe's bed, and Chloe ended up just sleeping at the bottom of the bed.
And then I got another fun "present" yesterday. I've always had a bit of luck. I use to win stuff all the time. When we lived in Sheridan sometimes it felt like I was the only person who'd call in to the radio to win stuff. Salt Lake has a bit more competition so I don't try that often. Well, yesterday I was running errands. I had just pulled in to Target's parking lot when I heard them announce they were giving away tickets to Disney on Ice, so I thought, "What the heck, I'll give it a try." So, I sat in my car for a while and I actually won! 4 tickets even, so I can take the whole family. Then I had to sit in my car for a few more minutes, just so I could listen to me on the air. I usually sound pretty stupid, but I have to say I didn't think it was too bad.
I bought myself a little present. It wasn't exactly a birthday present; it just happened to arrive on my birthday. Brandon and I have been working hard on getting our food storage in order. My laundry room was being overtaken by cases of food that I had no room for, and we also decided we're ready to try to figure out this wheat thing so I've been cleaning like mad trying to clear the clutter and organize our food storage. I've been eyeing these food rotation shelves for quite a while now, and I just stumbled across a really good deal. I bought one of their "scratch and dent" units marked way down, plus I had a coupon for $100 off AND free shipping. I spent my whole birthday trying to find a place to put it. We finally decided on a corner in the basement. It's not the most attractive piece of furniture, but I'm so happy to have a place for my food -- and it's ORGANIZED!
Chloe and Sophie were most excited about the box it came in. They were doing all kinds of crazy things with it. I overheard them talking about sleeping in it, but I did't think it would actually happen. Sure enough, Sophie spent the whole night IN the box. She put it on Chloe's bed, and Chloe ended up just sleeping at the bottom of the bed.
And then I got another fun "present" yesterday. I've always had a bit of luck. I use to win stuff all the time. When we lived in Sheridan sometimes it felt like I was the only person who'd call in to the radio to win stuff. Salt Lake has a bit more competition so I don't try that often. Well, yesterday I was running errands. I had just pulled in to Target's parking lot when I heard them announce they were giving away tickets to Disney on Ice, so I thought, "What the heck, I'll give it a try." So, I sat in my car for a while and I actually won! 4 tickets even, so I can take the whole family. Then I had to sit in my car for a few more minutes, just so I could listen to me on the air. I usually sound pretty stupid, but I have to say I didn't think it was too bad.
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