4th grade Science Fair.... check

So the science fair is over! This was a fun project for Jackson. He seemed to really enjoy every step of the process, including making his science project board. It was an entirely different experience for me that when Steven had science fair projects -it was nice for him to be an interested participant. He used lots of my scrapbook stash in making the board, but he thought out every portion and made sure each part of the board was exactly as he wanted it to be. He was pleased he got 35/35 on the board and 98% on the project overall.

So this week has passed quickly.. let's see what happened....

The book fair is over! We sold over $11k in books in a week and surpassed our goal of $9k --which makes me pleased as punch for my final go-round as the chairperson! I feel a let-down about giving it up.. had a meeting today with the new chairpeople and it seemed strange, almost like I am going thru a grieving process. It has been a part of my life, twice a year, for 9 years. Hard to let go of, but relieved to let it go. Handing over my binder and box of stuff made it seem so real... so very real.

I had jury duty. What a pain. Call in, wait, call in, wait, call in, excused. So I completed my service and am happy about that. I wanted to actually go and participate, it seemed like fun and I would enjoy seeing the process... but not this time.


Saturday I headed to weight watchers and logged a 3.2 pound loss for the week. I have started doing the Jillian Michaels Shred workout DVD and it is making a difference! I can't wait to see how the results play out after 30 days. I am enjoying it -so that makes all the difference. I have lost a total of 49.3 pounds since June. I am really seeing it now in clothing sizes, my confidence and how I feel about myself. I am so glad that I finally got to the place where it was important for me to do this for *me*. I feel so blessed by my family and how supportive they are of the changes we are making and the habits we are learning.

Steven's baseball season is off to a not so good start. He is playing well -but his team has lost all 3 games they played last week. We have a little bit of a break --played last Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.. now they don't play again until Thursday. He has pitched, played 3rd and outfield. He made some good plays, pitched well and has hit at most of his at bats. As usual he makes the pitcher throw alot of pitches, working the count and definitely is not an easy out. He only struck out once out, which is great. I wish I could remember more details, I will try to be better at blogging after the games.. but they are all at 7:30 and not over til close to 10 -at which point I usually just want to go to bed. It is hard with those late games on school nights, because we all still have to be up and going early regardless. What I do remember is that my kid has the best attitude! He is really turning out to be a leader on his team -always cheering the batter on, making positive comments to others and really doing his best to facilitate them working as a team. It has been noticed by others too. He is also making an effort to better his own batting. He and his dad are headed to the batting cages everyday.. he must really want to see that home run I know he has in him!

The boys went home with their cousin after the game Saturday and stayed on Sunday all day. We got there to celebrate Logan's birthday about 3 with a family dinner. The food was yummy and everyone seemed to have a good time. The boys were very excited about the World Tour game for the Wii (my husband included).. it was fun to watch. Ciera and I took a little girl time in her room and played with the new beauticontrol mineral makeup. She liked it as much as I do --and is getting so good at putting it on! I was awed at how grown up and girly she is.. I had alot of fun with her!

Since the boys were gone, we had a peaceful night at home (doing laundry) and then went out for breakfast on Sunday -my favorite meal out!~ We found a new little local cafe (new to us, apparently it's been there forever) that we really like and it was great to just have some time together not talking about the kids.

Monday Jackson came home not feeling good -his allergies are catching up with him as the weather is warm, hot, cold, warm, cold, warm. Plus I think he was tired from a long weekend. I had a ton of work to catch up on with the quarter about to end and the book fair the week before.. but I set it aside once he got home and we watched some tv and talked and read. He is loving the Twilight books -on book 3 now and I love that he wants to talk to me about the book and what's going on it. If only I could remember! I need to reread -so I can keep track of what happened in which book! He was so disappointed that a kid in his class (who hasn't even read the books) told him that they get married.. he asked some questions and I had to tell him he was straying dangerously close to plot points -did he really want to know. He said no. It's so hard to read something and not have it spoiled, I want him to enjoy the anticipation of the book -those books are good at that.

Tuesday I worked and worked, then met my husband for lunch. We headed to our favorite Mongolian BBQ restaurant and enjoyed a nice lunch together. Then I met up with a friend to drop something off to her and she helped me pick out some new shirts in my new size! That was fun!!! Then home, homework for them, work for me. Made dinner and off to karate Jack & I went. I was surprised when my MIL walked in to watch -Jackson was thrilled! I guess he invited her at his brothers baseball game and she didn't know that it was ok to come to watch. We ended up going to Dairy Queen afterwards to have dessert and talk. I was surprised to hear Jack say to his grandma that he is going on a trip with his other grandma to New Jersey. He was so animated and excited -I really enjoyed seeing that. Plus he told her that he is going only a few weeks before his birthday -so maybe he'll get to have a party there. My mouth dropped open because that was the first I had heard of that. I explained that his birthday was still several weeks away and I didn't want him to get his hopes up about that.. he said that he wouldn't, but didn't I know he was going to be 10? That's an important birthday like my grandma whose gonna be 60 this week. My MIL was laughing out loud and I could tell she was enjoying seeing me squirm -but hey, it's better to know what they are thinking sometimes, right? LOL

Today seemed to rush by in a flash.. I worked, took the dogs to the park and met Jon's cousin Michelle for lunch. I love spending time with her -she is so genuine and real, always positive and sunny. I have missed her and am so glad we have re-connected. We discovered that we both still like to scrapbook -so I am hoping she will join me to scrapbook soon! Then home for the book fair meeting, kids came home... Jackson had a playdate with one of the kids from school, Tanner. Tanner is a really cute kid, hi is autistic but they get along really well. Tanner comes into Jack's class for library, music, computers and Jack is one of the helper kids. He also goes about 1x a month to Tanner's house with a play therapist -they are working on teaching him socialization, it helps to have other kids there. Jack really enjoys it and thinks the hour goes too fast. Today they played cosmic catch, trouble and nerf ball. Then I made dinner and Steven went to baseball practice. Jackson and I took the dogs to the rabies clinic for vaccines... it took us 45 minutes, but was just $5 each -where out vet charges $50 ==so we saved $90! I was so happy he went with me as River barked and barked, I don't know that I could have held onto both of them the whole time we waited. I got home and my mom was waiting outside to take me to book club.

Now I am home and tired! My mouth has been so dry all night, I have had several glasses of water, but can't seem to quench my thirst. I don't know why, but I must finish this up and get some more water and then I am headed to bed. This post got waaaaaay long, but at least it is all out of my head! Maybe now I can sleep?

and the winner is...

Every book fair family night there is a guessing game. This time it was a jar of popcorn. Jackson's guess was only 3 pieces of popcorn off from the answer and so he was the winner! He usually doesn't go to family night as it is a long night and I am so busy during it that it wouldn't be easy for me to keep track of him. Last night though, as a fourth grader, he decided he wanted to come and work. So he worked the bake sale with the other kids and also worked the table with the guessing game -handing out slips and explaining the game. So what did he win? $50 in his choice of books from the fair. Here he is with some of his choices.. the new book by the Spiderwick people, Hotel for Dogs book and Do you Doodle (which is a fantastic book to help with sketching and seeing how to draw everyday things -it will be great for on the plane in a couple of weeks)... Also he got some super cool markers that can change color.. then he decided to go for the Twilight poster (which is already on his wall)with the little bit of money he had left over. He picked every item himself and carefully logged what he was buying to make sure he didn't go over his winnings. He was very proud of his win and so was I. He even asked me to take a picture (then asked if I was going to blog it...) of him with his prize and so here it is!

Here's wishing this guy had a special day!

It's not many people in this life I can say "I remember the day you were born" but with my nephew Logan, I can. I remember the day (really the night) vividly. Steven and I were in El Paso, waiting for his arrival. Our plan was that I could be at home with Steven and Ciera when the baby came. Brian and I caught a late night showing of Shakespeare in Love after the kids went to bed. We got back to their house and Cyn was sitting up by the piano. She quietly explained she needed to go to the hospital and it was decided quickly that should Ciera wake, she would prefer her father's company to mine in the middle of the night. While don't remember what time it was clearly, it was after midnight for sure. So off we went to the hospital. Once it became clear that the delivery was coming within a few hours... I headed back to the house and swapped places with Brian who barely made it there in time for Logan to be born. I took the kids over later in the day to meet him. Somewhere there are great pictures of Ciera and Steven holding him, but dangnabit that was before I went digital and I can't put my finger on it in my tired state.


So clearly I can see him, this tiny baby boy who is now not so tiny. I think it is bittersweet, his birthday today -because it signals that all too soon my own little guy will be turning double digits as well.

As I was looking for something I came across this picture over the weekend, and knew I would share it today -I intended it to be this morning, but my morning was not one filled with extra time or memory of needing to blog. (I'll get to that later!)
Logan right after he turned 5.... and right before he turned 10.

Jackson says Logan would be his best friend, except they can't be friends because they are cousins... They have a great time together and a bond that I am certain will last thru time. He is getting more animated and sharing more every time we see him. Such a great kid who I am blessed to have in my life.

Happy birthday Logan! We hope it was every bit as special as you and that you enjoyed every second of it (Jack says "even if you did have your birthday on a school day"). We are excited to celebrate with you this weekend!

On to the more boring stuff.... my day was not the kind you would plan. I had to be at school early (8 am) and had tons to do before the classes started touring the book fair. My coffee tasted horrible. Sometimes this happened, the whole pot just has a bad, metallic taste.. usually only on the days I really need coffee.. then at the last minute, on the way out the door, I remember to put the roast into the crock pot for carnitas. I double checked to make sure I turned it on.. and headed off. School was busy, we had enough volunteers and at 11 I mad a quick trip home to let the dogs out and pick up a notebook. When I got home I thought it was odd that I didn't smell the dinner cooking -well, turns out I forgot to PLUG IT IN! Geesh. I was so not surprised based on how my day had gone so far... So we ended up eating out and the carnitas just finished cooking (has to cook on low for 10-12 hours) and we will have that on Wednesday instead.
It was a long day by the time I got home at 4.. got the kids homework done, took the dogs to the park, dropped Steven at baseball practice, went to dinner, came home and checked work emails/assignments, placed a beauticontrol order, confirmed my spa for next week and now I am blogging. Then I am going to bed, so I can do it all again tomorrow... except we have to add that Jackson has karate and Steven has a 7:30 pm game --the start of his season!!! As much as I am looking forward to the game, I know it will mean a really late night for us all....4 days left to go in this crazy busy week.

Sunday thoughts...

Well the weekend is coming to an end and I wish it would continue. It has been a nice weekend with few commitments and lots of flexibility. We had opening ceremonies Saturday for little league. Steven's team got a bye and don't play until Tuesday night. We watched a couple of other majors games and I got to visit with people I haven't seen since last season. I do love lazy nights hanging out at the ball field.

For Lent I gave up internet surfing.... there were a few caveats of cours -I still post to my blog, can go to my google reader 1x per day and also can have Facebook up when I am working. But I haven't looked at new blogs, been to messageboards, surfed at all. I find that this has given me more free time and more to think about.

I love the internet, I really do. I find the connections I am able to maintain with friends both here and out of state are wonderful. I have been able to get in touch with friends I had lost touch with and catch up with them after so many years. People from all parts of my life -some I found, others found me. Many are people I thought of often and some are people I hadn't thought about much at all -but the connections are still very real for me. I have had more closure of the past thru Facebook than I have in the last 25 years. At the same time, I feel like it is a time-sucking thing. I get caught up and forget to go to bed. Or start looking at something that leads me on a wild goose chase and an hour later I realize it's been an hour! My experiences have been mostly positive online and I have met lots of people I hope to know for a long time. It has occured to me that thru the internet we can also be connected to people we don't realize. I have become very aware that everything online is public and can be seen by people I don't intend. Whether posting on my boards or my blog, I am always cautious about saying anything that could be hurtful to someone else whether I think they will read it or not. Too many circumstances can lead people to read something and be hurt and I would not want to be responsible for that.

Let's see what else is new... Steven got his report card and ended up with one B the rest As. Now the B was disappointing to him as it was like 89.32 and that is a B, when on the progress report 2 weeks earlier at 89.52 it was an A. He understands that the responsibility is his though, as he failed to remember to retake a test last week and that would have ensured him the A. So he is taking a new trimester as a new opportunity for planning better and remembering homework or test retakes...

Jackson finished his science board today for the science fair. I hope to get a picture and post it tomorrow. I signed him up for basketball and that should start in a couple of weeks.

Tomorrow the book fair week begins. I have our menu down I think.. of course it is always subject to changes...

Monday -Carnitas, salad
Tuesday - meatballs & gravy, egg noodles I mean Corned Beef- Happy St Patricks Day!
Wednesday - pulled pork sandwiches, macaroni & cheese
Thursday- chicken pot pie
Friday -grilled cheese and soup
Saturday - Meatball sandwiches
Sunday --Logan's birthday dinner

Hope you all have a wonderful week! I will post as I can:0)

Crocker Art Ark Forgotten Post

This actually happened back in late February, but I guess I never got around to blogging about it. The Crocker Art Museum has a trailer called the Art Ark. We have it at our school every couple of years (as the themes change). This year the theme was the Gold Rush. The trailer is divided into 3 sections.. one about visual art, one about dramatic art and the third about still art. They had some amazing paintings and photographs in the still art section. The picture here is of Jackson in the visual art section -it was a camera that projected his image into a static screen -reminiscent of when tv stations stopped broadcasting and all you saw was fuzz. The kids really enjoyed this part of the exhibit -watching themselves and each other as the camera caught their movements in the static. The best part of the time we spent at the Art Ark? Just being there with Jackson. He has such a wide appreciation for art (all kinds) and I admire that. I am sometimes quick to judge or dismiss something as "not my style" but he gives each work time to consider what he does and does not like about it. There was also a puppet stage with Gold Rush scripts and and divided photo depicting Sutters Mill in the past. It was quite a lot of history along with art. This was a great subject for them, as their big Field Trip is coming up to Coloma -which was a big part of the gold rush.

Today Jackson spiked his new short hair... it was so cute! He kept saying no picture, so I didn't get a chance to get one. I will though, then I'll post it! If you haven't seen his blog -he choose to chop his hair the other day.. before and after pictures are located on his blog.

Yesterday Steven's team had baseball practice 7-9:15 --which I really think is too late. We went early to see his friends play a scrimmage game. He got his D-Backs jersey. They ended up playing a scrimmage as well, so I called up his dad to come watch too. I stayed until about 8:30 -when Jack was just anxious to go home and read. I saw him catch and sit one inning... I saw him have one at-bat and he struck out, but got a piece of the ball several times. Right after I got home, my phone buzzed a text message.. I thought to myself --if he hit a home run I am going to scream out loud! I hate missing any of the game, but we have a younger one whose needs have to be considered as well.... so sometimes, I just have to miss some. Apparently Steven was the lead off batter and he hit a triple all the way to the fence! He told me later his coach commented that he sure runs slow..(really my husband explained what he said was that he had thought his kid ran slow, then he saw Steven). I asked if that meant it could have been a home run.. Steven smiled an impy grin and pointed at his dad saying -that's what he said! The bad news is he got stranded at 3rd and didn't score.. but he got there! I really think he has the potential to hit some home runs this year.. he is stronger, has worked hard on his swing and those fences sure aren't that far away.

Today is book fair set up day. We start at noon and will hopefully be done by the time school is out. A great group of ladies are coming to set up -so it should go quickly.

Photo Catch up

So here are my girlfriends and me in Dallas. It was super cold in that hotel -I think I wore that sweater the entire time! We had such a great time and learned so much that we are now working on putting to use. There were great new products introduced --mineral color makeup and "instant facelift" set. I am excited about the possibilites and opportunities with this company! Where else can you play with makeup and make $50+ an hour?

Friday, Jackson received an academic award at the assembly! He found out that he had earned a 4.0 and had straight A's on his report card! This is only his 2nd report card with grades and he is really excited about it. This meant he was on the Superintendents List! Grandma, Papa and I all re-arranged our schedules to be at the assembly and we are so glad we did!

Sunday we took Sammy for his test. He has completed 8 weeks of obedience training. He is a smart little guy and is learning quickly most things.. except to come when called -he struggles with that still! We tried to get a picture of him wearing his graduation hat, but this is the best one I got. Mary (the trainer) also got one of Sammy (hat on) with Jackson -so when we get that I'll post it too.

Steven played his heart out on Saturday. The had 2 scrimmage games for his little league team (season starts next week) and both went to the other team. Those teams remain intact after last season -adding only 1-3 players. Stevens team only retained 3, adding 9 new players to the team. This was their 2nd time on a field together. The coach is excited about how they played -saying that it was good to see them in action, making notes of what to work on before the season starts. Steven did an awesome job pitching and catching. He caught 2 long innings (due to fielding errors) in the first game, then pitched 2 innings, they played 3rd and outfield.. then there was a break for dinner at which time the weather went from 63 and sunny to about 54 and dark. His legs started to stiffen up... the coach asked him about catching in the 1st of the 2nd game.. he opted not to, but was a trooper and went back to catching in the second. I am not sure how long he stayed behind the plate, Jackson and I headed home at 8:15 after 5 hours out at the field. I was frozen and needed to warm up! So my picture share is Steven's shiner. He got hit by a ball during warm up (not even the game) and he readily admits it was his own fault. The scratch was there on Saturday, but the black eye came out on Sunday... when he finally got up at noon!

It's almost book fair time.

For the last 8 years I have run the school book fair. 2x a year for a week my entire life (and my family's lives) become caught up in the craziness of this event. I love the book fair and enjoy the time at school and interacting with the kids. I had to make a decision and this is my last fair.. #16. I will miss the event itself. I will not miss the hours and hours of planning or the full time job of it for 9 days from set-up to financial closing. I will miss having a project to work on with my mom -she has been my co-chair for several years and my #1 helper for years before that. But it is time to call it quits. I feel it, I know it, which doesn't make it any easier, although I really thought it would.

So our delivery is Thursday. I have 2 new additional co-chairs this year. Friends who are planning to take over next year, as they have 1st graders and will run the fair for several years and help it grow. I will admit this has been struggle for me. I am not good at delegating, preferring to do it myself and ensuring that way that it will be done to my satisfaction and on my time schedule. I am struggling with that right now, but doing my best to let go and knowing that the fair has a momentum of it's own and it will continue on,no matter what we do or fail to do.

That said, I have 3 days to get my life in order. To get all our clothes clean, get ready for baseball season to start, grocery shop, make my returns, clean, finish my work for my job so I can clear a whole week for the fair, make menus for 10 days, plan meals for days when I will come home exhausted and we will need to eat before heading to karate and then baseball --all in the same night!

I have been trying to make the menu for 2 days. For some reason I am having a hard time remembering crock pot recipes we all loved and eat. I really need to use the crockpot 5-7 times in the next 2 weeks.. so if anyone remembers anything we loved or has a tried & true recipe they loved --don't hesitate to forward it on to me, please!

Time changes are not my friend. I was up early today, hoping it would mean I would go to bed early tonight... obviously that didn't work! I haven't downloaded my pictures for this week but I have some and those posts will be coming over the next couple of days as a strive for a balance of sleep! A sneak peek of what's coming: Sammy took his obedience test, Jackson's academic assembly, Steven's scrimmage games... and more.

A weeks worth of updates...

So here in our house time is flying by... Steven has practice just about every day for baseball. He seems to enjoy it and is learning, which is really all I ask from a sport. He has had to put basketball on hold for the time being, but will pick it back up once the baseball season starts and they are down to 2 games, 1 practice.. vs. 6 days a week practice! Jackson has been focused on his karate and spending time with us. I love that! He wants to watch something, play something, see something or do something with me... not always convienent for what I have to do.. but I make the time because its important, to him and to me.

I left early Thursday morning and flew to Dallas for the BeautiControl Leadership conference. I was dazzled, inspired, overwhelmed and tired by the time I got home Sunday night. After picking me up at the airport, we stopped at the Natomas Sizzler (where they have a FABULOUS! salad bar) and then headed home to bed. I learned so much during my trip - much of it about me and how I view myself. I took away so much, I am really happy I went.

I woke up Monday and knew I was sick. A quick trip to the dr. confirmed strep throat, which she said I probably picked up on the plane to Dallas. 24 hours of antibiotics & rest and I feel alot better (although I also have a lot of to-do's that aren't done!~) I will get done what I can and not stress about the rest!

Tonight I am hosting a Premier Designs jewelry party. I am super excited about the products - having actually worn jewelry every day for the last 10. I am most excited to have a night to hang out with my friends, trying on jewelry and chatting. I am making green pepper soup, chinese chicken salad and will pick up french bread. Simple, but yummy and filling on a cold, wet day.

It is still raining here... it has been since I got home. It is not as cold, maybe because there isn't any wind? but still damp and dark. I feel like spring has to be on its way, right around the corner and I am excited for that.

Steven's team is playing 2 scrimmage games this weekend. I am happy to report that the forecast says it should be 57 degrees and cloudy - but no rain! They are playing 2 strong teams (both had lots of kids return from last year, whereas we had 3/12 returning) and I think that putting them out on the field is the best practice at this point, actual play. The coaches put the kids thru lots of conditioning and drills.. but they have only had the opportunity to practice on a field once because of the rain. Opening day is in 10 days... they don't actually play until the 17th so we have about 2 weeks left.

I feel like my brain is spinning in 15 different directions. I am not sure how coherent this post is.. yet I feel good about having got so much of this info out of my head. I am a big fan of the "brain dump" ... get the info out and written down, then you don't have to think/dwell on it.

Today I need to pick up the house, sweep/mop and run to the grocery store for milk, bread, etc. I am hoping the rain will stay stopped long enough to get the dogs to the park.. they are going a bit crazy inside and even walks aren't getting their energy out. The park doesn't open today until 10 a.m. and I will be there then if there is no rain.. just bring towels to wipe them down before getting back in my van. I am planning to sneak a little nap in if I can.. antibiotics really make me feel tired and a short 45-1 hour nap helps a bunch (it did yesterday).

Wanted to say a late happy birthday to my cousin Chris! Hope everything went great for you on your weekend birthday! (he was born on Feb 29, so they celebrate both Feb 28/Mar 1 on years he doesn't get his actual birthday).. you are a teenager now and that is so hard to believe!! We are thinking of you on the West Coast kiddo!