Blog school

Not long ago my mom called up and asked if I (along with my s-i-l) would be willing to teach an enrichment class on blogging.  Now if you just paused and laughed at that last sentence, you did exactly what I did that day on the phone.  I said I knew enough to set up my own but I was sure there were people in her ward that knew a lot more than I did.  She said all it would be is a basic set up class, so I agreed to give it a shot.  I actually learned quite a bit trying to find out more so I wouldn't be completely incompetent.  I learned about html and widgets and now I just need to work on actually posting something.

We all know how time can fly while "surfing the net" (and I was tired of feeling guilty when I realized how long I had been on), so one thing I was trying for was to spend less time randomly searching the blogs I like to read to see who's updated.  I decided to give Google Reader a try, and although I liked having all the new posts come up so I could scroll through them I missed seeing the actual blog and the individuality of the blogger.  Then I stumbled across Google Next.  I sign in and one by one it takes me to just the updated blogs along with their comments.  When I get to the end it even tells me- "Congratulations, you've reached the End of the Internet".  If you click on that it even tells you- "You must now turn off your computer and go do something productive.  Go read a book, for pete's sake."  I must say, when your computer tells you to turn it off you're more likely to do it.

Now I'm wondering, what are your favorite blogging tools?  

Please teach me something!

The danger of flip-flops

If you do a google search of "flip-flop dangers" you will get over 100,000 results.  You have probably seen several news stories recently about why we shouldn't wear them.  There are even the stories about how they could kill you if they get stuck under the gas or break pedals while driving.

Mine didn't kill me (obviously!) but because of them, I required stitches.

While in the garage yesterday, a thin piece of plywood fell on my foot and cut my foot open on the top between two toes.  It went quite deep, so off to the doctor I went for stitches.  I have only required stitches one other time in my life- I was jumping on a trampoline and a spring broke and hit me in the leg (but that could be another post- "The danger of trampolines"!).  They gave me a new tetanus shot (which I'm sure I'll get my money's worth being in scouts and all), stitched me up, and slapped on a bandage.  So now I am enjoying some guilt-free reading time.

Mike has been extremely helpful taking care of things so I don't have to get up.  It's amazing how much trouble an injury so small can cause.  And I would post a picture, but let's be honest- no one wants to see that!  Stitches are ugly enough without a foot attached to them.  If only I had put these on instead... 

... then my foot would still be intact.

So let this be a lesson to you.  While flip-flops may prevent your feet from burning on a hot summer's day...

watch out for falling objects.

The Champions!

After playing 8 games in 9 days (and washing the uniform as many times) the championship tournament is officially over with the Astros winning both games against the Yankees!!!

It was amazing watching those kids play tonight!  And it was one of those games where the Astros were up by several, and then the Yankees came back to be ahead, and then we scored several more runs.  And despite the Yankees having last ups the Astros won 16 to 9.  

Those kids were ecstatic to say the least, and all of us parents were thrilled for them.  When the trophies were awarded to the kids you could see how proud they were.  Every kid should have that moment at least once in their life.  

To celebrate, one of the kid's dads (who owns Sub Zero Ice Cream) brought his equipment and they got to eat ice cream made on the spot!

The best part of the ice cream is watching it be made!  But it really tastes good too!

So, now that they are done I'm not sure what I am going to do every evening from 4:30 to 7:30. Too bad there's nothing good on tv in the summer.

WAY TO GO ASTROS!!!

Baseball

Clay has another hit!  The kid just keeps getting better each game!

Early this spring Clay decided he wanted to play baseball and he has been playing with the Astros.  After a rocky start they pulled together and with the help of their awesome coaches they have made it to the playoffs!  Tonight is the championship game and the team is so excited!!

It has been a lot of fun watching these kids progress through the season and learn to work together.  And we are all so impressed with the main coach- Cody isn't even a dad, he's an uncle of one of the kids and he only has an 18 month old.  I couldn't imagine better coaches than Cody, his dad, and brother-in-law- between them they've helped make the kids into a great team.

So, tonight at 5 we we are going to literally sweat it out to find out if the Astros will be champions or take second place.  No matter what, those kids are all winners in my eyes.

Go ASTROS!!

Special Day x 2

As I was in the kitchen Sunday morning (Father's Day) frosting a cake (not for Mike) after watching presents being unwrapped (not by Mike), I heard Mike say "There's a deer on the front lawn!"  We all rushed to look out the window and there were two bucks, with their antlers covered in velvet, moving across our front yard.  After a quick pause they headed west into town.  Maybe they were looking for their dad to wish him a Happy Father's Day!  Or maybe they were Fathers hiding from their kids.

Not only were we celebrating Father's Day, we were wishing Clay a happy 9th birthday!  The two coincide about every 6 years or so and Clay was the one getting the cake and opening presents (don't worry, we didn't forget Mike!).

The two main things Clay wanted this year were- 

The Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague book

(We were able to get Brandon Mull himself to wish Clay a Happy Birthday on the inside cover!)

 

And this cake (those are sea creatures on top- of course!) that looked like this inside-

We called it the neapolitan cake, and it was delicious!

So, Happy Birthday Clay!

--and--

Happy Father's Day Mike!  

In honor of my dear husband here is another deer story.  

(it starts under the picture of the deer)

I guarantee you will laugh!

Called to serve!

The call was made official today.

I will let the uniform speak for itself.

I have been asked to be an Assistant Den Leader in the Bear Den.  

No, the picture doesn't make the shirt look big.  It really is big.  I was pregnant with Tyler the first time I was called to this position (about 7 1/2 years ago!) and for some reason when I went to get the uniform I purchased a large.  I guess I thought it had to cover my pregnant belly, but in the three years I  had that calling I only needed it that big for about 4 months.  My plan is to pull out the sewing machine and "take it in".

I was shocked when they called me to scouts back then.  After all my oldest boy wasn't even one and a half, but this time around I will actually be with one of my own kids.  Clay will be moving up to the Bear Den in one week when he turns 9, and who knows, if I'm in for 3 years again I will get to see Tyler go through too!  So now there's no excuse for Clay not getting his Bear award!

The tag on the shirt says it is an "Official Blouse".  Do people still call shirts blouses?  Would you call any of the shirts you wear a blouse?  What is the difference between a blouse and a shirt?  If they are the same thing, why don't we just call them all shirts?  Blouse is one of those words that sounds funny said out loud.  And now I'm done typing it.

*****************************

In honor of getting to go back to Relief Society I made myself something to carry my scriptures. 

For the past 3 years I hauled all my stuff to church in my Primary bag, but I thought it was time for an update.  I was tired of digging through the bottom of my bag trying to find my keys, so I added this key pocket on the front and it has a pocket on the inside for pencils/pens and whatever else.

As I sat in R.S. today I felt like I should be somewhere else.  And although I would have loved to hear the nursery lesson "I am thankful for my mouth", it was very nice to hear about spiritual gifts.  When I went to pick up Eliza from nursery the Leader that replaced me asked how I liked it "on the outside".  

I have to admit, it felt good!

Family Reunions

I was looking at the summer months on my calendar and noticing how peacefully blank nearly all of the days are.  It's such a change from the hectic months of school when all of the boxes are filled in with tiny writing.  I'm sure it will gradually fill in a little, but I was surprised to think how many of those could be filled with family reunions.  So I decided to make use of the little numbering button that has, prior to this moment, been left ignored, and list the reunions I could attend.  Here they are...

1. My mom's side that she and her siblings take turns planning every year
2. Mike's side that rotates through his dad's siblings
3. My dad's side that goes back to my grandma's siblings
4. My mom's side again, this time rotated through my grandma's siblings (I think this one got cancelled though.  It's a long story where the person who told my mom she had to plan it said she wouldn't come)
5. There's usually one on my dad's dad's side
6. And if I really wanted some family history info I could go to this one

There will, of course, be the usual other family gatherings and barbecues between the immediate family that don't count as family reunions.  And then there are the weddings and various showers.  So I will be seeing certain members of my extended family more than usual this summer.

But now I'm wondering how many reunions you could go to.  And that's why I've added a poll.  It was up prior to the background change when it was erased (among a couple of other things), but we'll try it again.

What's your favorite thing to do at reunions?

Need a book to read?

Clay came home from school last fall really excited about a book called Fablehaven that his teacher was reading to the class.  He started telling me all about it and I decided that it would be good for me to know what he was reading/hearing, so I got a copy and read it.

And I liked it so much I read the second book.

And the third one that just came out a couple of months ago.

Next year #4 will come out.  Is that the end?  I don't know.

The book was completely clean, and if they kept it that way I could see it as a movie you could actually take your elementary age kids to.  And there aren't very many of those these days.

The author is coming to the library on Monday where they have planned an evening of festivities.  It sounded like something fun to take the whole family to, but unfortunately it is sold out!

So, if you are looking for something you could read to your kids (or just to yourself) I think you'll find this entertaining.

Big mistake!

Tonight I made the worst mistake a mom can make.  

I forgot about the after game treats!!!  

Ooohh, that is bad!  I mean, no one wants to be the kid whose mom forgot the coveted treat.  That treat, no matter if it is a meager fruit snack or granola bar, is what makes a win even better, and a loss bearable, or even forgettable.  What was I to do with the game ending any minute and there is no way I can make it to the ballpark before it's over and the kids eagerly start looking for whoever has the grocery bag of goodies.  

Well, lucky for me, my quick thinking husband took action and saved the day (and my embarrassment)!  He bought from the concession stand enough drinks to supply the team and all their individually wrapped brownies (have they always sold those?).  Granted, the treats cost double what they would have had I remembered and been prepared, but, I learned my lesson.  When you agree to bring treats to a game, write it down on the calendar.

Or at least send along a quick thinking husband. 

the end... and the beginning

This has been a crazy week. I don't remember it being like this when I was in school. It is the week of "why do they go". But I remember thinking it was one of the best weeks of the whole school year.

I don't even know what my kids did at school on Tuesday as they had already cleaned out their desks on Friday. But, Wednesday was the highly anticipated Dance Festival. The kids had been practicing for weeks and, like it or not, they were all ready to show their skills.

At the end of last year, Clay said he wanted to get Mr. B for 3rd grade. Then he found out Mr. B makes you hold hands with a girl at the Dance Festival. So, no more wanting Mr. B. Once Clay found out all the 3rd grade teachers make you hold hands he changed his mind back and he was lucky enough to get Mr. B for a teacher. As the Dance Festival grew nearer I didn't hear any complaining about the holding hands part. I guess the dance was fun enough that part was forgotten.

We had to put out blankets really early in the morning order to get pictures without the back of a bunch of other people's heads in them. We got a great spot, and once the festivities started had lots of fun watching Tyler and Clay having fun. Eliza's been coming to the school with me enough I think she thinks she should participate too! The boys were great!

Thursday was Field Day and I had offered to help with Tyler's class in the afternoon. They were going to walk over to the park to play some games and eat a popsicle. A couple days before the big event, Clay's teacher asked me to help with their games in the morning, so Eliza got to go play with Grandma all day while I spent all day at the school playing games and even eating lunch with my boys.

Clay and all the other 3rd graders got to rotate through games all morning including my rock, paper scissors tag I taught everyone as my contribution. They seemed to love all the activities and they were much more fun then the competitive races we did when I was in school. I mean let's face it, you all already knew who was the fastest from going to recess with them all year. Why have it rubbed in your face while they get a ribbon? Water games are much more fun!

When the weather changed the sack lunches had to be eaten inside and the trip to the park with Tyler's class was canceled. We took over the 3rd grade's PE time so we could play kickball in the gym (that meant Clay had to watch a movie- poor kid!). Then Tyler and the rest of the 1st graders rotated through classrooms for other games and all had a great time!

Friday they only went for an hour and a half, and the start time was moved up 15 minutes. To me this was a clear sign the teacher's wanted those kids in and out so they could start summer break. Clay and Tyler got the great news that they had passed to the next grade (I've yet to see someone who didn't although I know it occasionally happens) and both got the teacher they wanted for next year.

Everything ended on a good note. But I have to admit I was more than a bit shocked when that night at dinner Clay said he couldn't wait for school to start. What?!? I guess I'm glad he likes school that much! But when Tyler joined in Clay's sentiment later that weekend I promised the boys I would play with their friends over the summer. Maybe that will help.

So, now we face 11 weeks of summer break. That's right, I counted it. I'm sure there will be plenty of things to do and the time will fly by, but for now my boys are thinking- so much time, so little to do. I think I will go make a chore chart!

One last ending... I was released from nursery. I have had a lot of fun with those kids and they sure are cute! I was in there for a year and a half this time and enjoyed getting to know Eliza's future peers. I guess this summer we'll have to invite some of her friends over too!

This became a true journal entry, sorry. I may try to add some pictures in later (I promise I have pictures of the kids at the Dance Festival!), my computer just wasn't cooperating. I hope you all have a great summer, and I would love to know what plans you have to keep busy and have fun!