Gardening Competition Update.

Well, it is hard to tell who is winning.

On different accounts we are both winning and loosing.  

You be the judge. 

Any helpful feedback and tips would be much appreciated 

to us gardening novices.

Here is my little table top plot.

I have not lost a plant yet, but it seems like my plants growth is stunted.

I got fruit very quickly, but my plants are very small,

which means they are yeilding only a few massive looking edible veggies/fruits each.

I have to prop them up w/ broken bricks to keep them standing tall.

Is this because my container is too shallow?

Over watering?

Some of the leaves are turning a lighter more sickly yellow w/ brown on the edges.

(man I sound pathetic) 

Here is K's ground garden.

We lost the strawberry plants right away.

They are too tempting for animal life.

The mint has quadrupled in size.....now to figure out what to do with it.

The pumpkin is huge....lots of blossoms that will hopefully produce.

Watermelon is hanging in there....the pumpkin is trying to cover and 

consume it, but it hasn't won out yet.

Corn is getting taller and taller.

His tomato plants are finally producing tomatoes, 

I counted at least 22 today.

His plants are much bigger than mine, even though they are kind of falling 

all over the place.....does that matter?

I have a few seed packs of chard and one or two other items 

I am going to try in containers today or tomorrow.

This is fun and exciting!!....and sometimes scary, and sad.

Here are some pretty spots around the yard.

The white flower in the top left rectangle is one of my favorite plants.

It is my favorite because it popped up like a weed in our scuzzy back 

yard.  I dug it out and transplanted it in my black pot months ago.

It is strong and hearty and spreading in the pot.

I am thinking of trying to take some to transplant 

in another space now.

The pink flowers next to it are coming back into their own.

Never give up on a plant.

That is what I am believing and seeing for myself.

Keep nurturing, pruning, and loving, it just may hang in there and

come back around.

The middle picture is a little spot I really love back behind the bigger 

bushes in our front yard.

This space is right by our hose spicket. 

Really no one sees it but the person creeping back inbetween 

the bushes to water.

It is a quite little gift of beauty.

I assumed that red leafed plant had died long ago.....

but it found the right conditions and lives on.

If anyone would like any of these plants, just let me know.....

I have lots of certain things around the yard that I can tell you

can live through just about any neglect and turmoil,

and still thrive.

I will hook you up if you stop by.

..............................................

The kids are doing great.

Here are a few conversations we've had lately:

Lawson asked me to cut his hair two days ago.

I did.  He requested I buzz the sides quite short,

and leave a little extra on top to "style".

This I did happily....I have been waiting for this moment.

The moment when one of our boys gave a dang about 

using a gel, or doing something with their hair on their own.

(Ryker's hair is pretty good w/out gel, he has a decent style, 

and his hair is pretty silky)

So after the hair cut I helped him style it with a little gel.

(hold it....no lie.  look what just got delivered to our door.
flowers from my parents for Mother's Day.
Awwww!!
Wow.
I LOVE YOU GUYS.
Thank you.
What a delightful surprise on a run of the mill old Wednesday.

: )

Ok, so anyway.....he came home yesterday and said that he was 

relieved that none of his classmates had said that he changed his 

hair "just to get the girls".

He had been hesitant to use gel because he didn't want to give that impression.
But, it didn't happen, so he was relieved.

This past week at church, I said to M that I wouldn't mind if she
married a certain boy in our ward.
It was fun to see her shocked expression.
Her embarrassed blush, and gall that I would suggest
a boy eight years her senior.
Well....I couldn't help it.
I like that boy and can see him as a son in law.
It was really the first we had ever actually talked about who she might marry.
We decided that probably certainly she had not met the lucky boy
she might one day marry.

A few weeks ago Ethan was washing the dishes,
the rest of us were at the table talking.
The random topic of "kissing tag" came up.
The younger kids were like, ew, I would never play that.
From the other side of the kitchen we heard a soft......
"I might play it sometime".....
we loved it.
He brought down the house.
I really think he meant it to.  : )

Ethan had to make cup cakes yesterday for one of his classes
(tough assignment)
This morning I made muffins for breakfast.
He said, gee mom, you could have told me that this was on the bottom
of them.  Be MINE.
I guess that was a big topic topic during class.

My workout friend Barb gave each of her mom friends a little pail

that says, 

"Good moms have messy kitchens.

Laundry piles. & Happy Kids".

I love it.

Came home and threw away my old pencil holder on my desk.

It is a good message to be reminded of each day.

I grew up with a mom like that.

Last random detail:

Go try Iced Choffy.....It is so super good!!

Or better yet, come try it here!

FCAT Bonding ....

 This week starts the "dreaded" FCAT testing for Florida Students.

What school is all about these days.

The ever anticipated, hyped up week long state mandated tests that 

judge how our kids are doing in school.

Dumbo.

Huge waste, unfortunate, and all that.

But, just because I, and I'm pretty sure every other parent feels the same,

 means nothing.....they will still happen.

So around here, and everywhere that children are in public school,

I am sure these tests are built up,
and 

focused on like crazy.

One of the big tips is to have your children get
enough sleep this week.

 Also, to be sure to get a hearty, breakfast each day.

The rest of the days of the year.....what ev.....but these few days,

really be careful and attentive and whatever you do 

don't mess up.

Ok.

I'm down with that.

So I make the big announcement,

Kids, tomorrow expect a big FCAT breakfast.

I want your brains to be in full gear.

They all say the FCATs are easy, and don't seem to notice all the hubbub....

which I am grateful for.

Yesterday I woke them up with the wafting smell of bacon, eggs, and crossants.

Plus a mini super charged green spinach shake which they all appreciated.

We all sat at the table and enjoyed our breakfast together.....

minus K : ( he is back in Asheville.

Last night L says, hey mom, I don't have testing tomorrow, 

but could we have another FCAT breakfast in the morning?

Heck yes we can.

This morning we sat down to Colleen Johnson's best ever 

banana chocolate chip bread muffins 

(recipe will be provided!!)

Along with dark chocolate silk Almond milk K purchased.

Yummo!

So, here is the part I really wanted to write about:

We are again sitting together at the table with a cloth on 

and the whole shebang.

We are enjoying our hot muffins.....

and Lawson says,

Hey everybody, 

When was a time when something really painful happened to 

you that you remember?

(crickets)

We are all intrigued.

He has us reined in.

We aren't sure if this is leading up to a punch line,

or if he really wants to know.

I say that I have one.....

Do you guys remember the time when the horse stepped on my foot and I fainted 

into the barbwire fence?

Mom!!  You can't always use that one.

Ok, what about the time I dropped my jello in grade school and I 

hit my knee picking it up and fainted off the bench.

Are you kidding!!?  That is so long ago.

Ok, ok, wait.....oh yeah! 

Having all of YOU!!

That hurt pretty badly.

No, that doesn't count.

Finally having kidney stones was accepted.

M remembers the time that Ryker pushed her down

onto the bricks after she head butted him in the 

Stomach trying to be friendly. 

R reenacted that several times and we laughed our heads off.

L shared the time he had a painful pimple 

right on his nose.  

He had to pop in a huge rush because 

his friend was waiting outside for him.

It was the most painful day of his life so far.

R recalled the night he ran into the spicket at church playing

man hunt.  It tore his favorite jeans and he has the scar to

prove it.  Lawson showed us his scar on his leg from doing the 

same thing another time....

Ethan....we were all looking at him,

waiting....he said, well, it hurt pretty bad having Mursa and

going on the sling shot ride several years ago.

We roared with laughter,

and
amazement at how long Ethan went on not telling Kev 

and I that he had a huge boil like cyst on his rear-end.

It was so sad.

He was so embarrassed, and it hurt him so badly, he was limping,

(YES we asked obviously.....he told us it was from his bike crash,

which he really did have at this same time)

He would not sit on his butt.

I remember getting mad at him for always reading on his hands

and knees behind the couch.

I was like,
what is going on?

Let's take you to the doctor!.....NO.
I'm fine mom.

It is nothing.
He was so adamant.

One day K gave him a little swat on the rear, 

you know how sporty guys do.....

like to say, that a boy!

Ethan came unglued and went off on him.

We were all dumb founded.

Gee....K does not know his own hand strength.

The night of the slingshot ride in Orlando we had taken the kids 

on a "special" outing to see the live Pirate show.

All through dinner on the hard benches

Eth had to sit on one side and try to make it

through with out saying a word.

He never complained.

........

I have been baking bread, making favorite cookies....

all in the name of FCAT.

Not really.

Guess I am just feeling so grateful for our children.

 I am so broken hearted and afraid for the Provo, Utah family whose

little girl did not come home from school yesterday.

Charice Beaumont.

This could be any one of our stories.

Provo is a safe place.

Satellite Beach is a safe place.

I guess this is hitting me so hard because 

the little girl reminds me of M.

I know the place....

McCauley rides her bike to school often.....mostly with Lawson 

on his skate board, but occasionally she will ask if she can 

leave early.... sometimes I say yes.

I am back to riding with them.

Why wouldn't I?

Who cares what class I have coming up...

I have time to be with our children and soak them up.

While they are in my care.

While I can Behold Them and Learn from them.

I am sure you are praying for the family as well. 

...........................

M has become quite the responsible little mother's helper.
(L reverently snuck these shots for me.)

Last night during his Family Home Evening presentation R found 

this long attached hair.

It took him forever to pull it out.

(I'm kind of surprised he didn't recall this as his most painful event!)

The rest of us had a grand time watching and offering to hold

his under eye skin down while he pulled.

A great shot of L during Soccer.

 Sure love these guys.

.............

One more thing real quick.

Last night the most glorious thing happened.

I was saying good night to the boys.

I had gone over and said to Ryker, come here and give me 

a big hug....he did,

next thing I hear....or think I may have heard, but doubted it very much,

was 16 year old Ethan say,

hey, can I get one of those?

................

He did say it.

................

1st Annual Garden OFF!

Our Long Delayed,
first attempt at gardening in Florida,
has begun.

I have wanted to start a garden forever.

I have listened to friends gush and ooooooooo and awwwwww
about their mega successes. Their fresh thises and thats.
The constant glee over, we have thus and such
coming out our ears!

I am convinced they have all the answers and we have none.
(Well, really only one friend).

I have partaken and drooled over her families produce,
they are always generous in sharing.

I have felt pangs of jealousy and inadequacy.

I have always known we need to have a garden.

But I have just believed we don't have enough information to try.

What is the point of trying?
I know it's not going to work.
We aren't brilliant enough to garden in Florida.

OK.
Get over it.
Maybe it boils down to one thing only....
L. A. Z. Y.
....too Lazy to try.

Luckily,

Lawson needed a family project for his Family Life Scout merit badge.

So Boom!
We are going to be Gardeners!

Just one problem.....

his name begins with K.

This certain person would not conform to the right and proper way

of growing a garden beach side in Florida.

He does not "believe" in purchasing dirt.

God gave us all the dirt we need right here under our feet.

He will not concede, or trust that no plant will grown in our amazing, 

salt laden sand Heavenly Father provided for us.

He won't back down.

He won't believe me when I tell him about my friend's successful garden....

and about all of the notes I have taken.

I know what to do, lets not reinvent the wheel.

Let's follow a PROVEN PLAN for our area.

Here are the school's gardens and raised beds.

I also grilled our gardening expert there...

she told me the same things my friend did.

We WILL FAIL, our plants roots will die, if we plant in the dirt.

(Exibit #1 - School garden....purchased dirt, beds that separate FL dirt from touching garden soil.  Look how hearty, healthy, and strong)

He is sticking to the FACT that Florida is one of the top growers of 

carrots in the world!!

Do we....(the kids and I were all on one garden team) actually

believe that these huge gardeners go purchase bags of dirt?

Do we seriously think they lay down weed controlling plastic or newspaper?

That they raise their planting beds?!!!

Don't think so.

After a bitter struggle.

He won all of the boys over to his side.....and McCauley half way,

cuz she planted items in both Kev's garden and mine.

Ok, that is fine.

I am just happy that we have our own garden(s) to love and nurture 

and do our best with.

This is not about winning,

or whose garden does better.

Mine is the little one up on the table away from the 

contaminated ground.

I am so happy with the kid's feeling of stewardship over our new little babies.

They literally weed and fret over it every day, 

(the one on the ground, mine does not get weeds) 

WITH OUT BEING ASKED!

They go out together to check on it.

They play catch out by it.

Send progress photos and updates to K on his trips.

(Look at the new growth, the small corn plants pushing through for life, sun, and air....

such a miracle.  The blossoms, the beautiful detail.)

 We are struggling to keep a strawberry attached long enough to become

fully ripe.

Our Animal robbers are very active.

M had very good intentions of saving a little strawberry,

she built a brick barrier to keep the animals away.

It had a hole in the top for sunshine....

that plant died over night.

Hey, it was worth a shot.

This bush is out front.

I purchased and planted it in this pot when we moved in thirteen years ago.

At one point I could see it was getting too large for the 

small container, so I wanted to replant it 

to give it a fighting chance.

I went to move it and realized right away that it had taken 

care of the matter on its own.

Its roots had broken through the bottom and were 

firmly rooted deep in the soil below.

I was thrilled.

Good job buddy!

I love this plant because just about every year I am sure it is the 

end of its days.

I just know it's dead.

It goes brown, very dormant, unattractive,

it really looks completely dead.

I get ready to replace it, and then just like magic....

the tiny green buds begin again.

This plant gets tons of beautiful bright yellow flowers

pretty much all summer long.

It tricked me again just this month.

I knew it was all over.

Dang it, I'm going to miss you little guy......

yet look at it now.

(yes, I am a slow learner.)

 You can see our first tomato below, 

(my plant....no big deal I just figured you were curious)

That tree out front has a twin sister we planted around 5 years ago.

I was 94% sure they would not make it.

How could they?

We don't know the first thing about taking care of trees properly!

Yet once again, 

nature takes over and is proving me wrong.

I love these trees, they are beginning to offer shade and beauty to our 

small yard.

These pink flowers are on the front porch....

I always check out the clearance section at Lowes.

I see what is half price and nearly dead.

Why pay full price when it likely will die anyway?

LOOK AT THEM!

GORGEOUS, Generous Blooms, plenty of life!

That big black pot on the bottom is from several years ago,

That one guy, my competition, purchased me an extremely thoughtful 

Mother's Day gift one particular year.

I was very surprised.

This container was jam packed with tons of lush, beautiful plants.

I have managed to keep a few of them alive.

It is amazing what a little watering can do.

I love that Heavenly Father provides such Bounty.

Such FOOL Proof ways for us to feel satisfaction and joy.

I hope to be like that plant I mentioned, the tree that dug its roots in for dear life.

Not to be swayed by the wind, or tossed.

Grounded. Alive. Faithful. Steadfast. Solid. Strong.

Back to real life again.

Spring break has come to an end.

What a great, fun, unplanned, unscheduled week we had.

The week began with our big annual ward cake auction and spagetti dinner.

This is the one fund raiser we do each year to benefit the youth program

and help with high adventure trips, scout camps, etc.

My Choffy cake went for BIG BUCKS!!

It is a pretty hot ticket item around these parts.

Grab the RECIPE HERE if you'd like it. 

The pictures below are a few of the items we bid on and won.....

the I-Phone cake by one of our young women,

Ryker and Aaron's cheese cake (mom's recipe),

Giant chocolate cup cakes.....

There is Tina and Christi w/ Tina's S-more Cake....SUPER YUMMY!

Toby's Tower of Doom-nuts.

It was a fun night and a huge success. 

We also had a court of honor for our scouts.

Toby got his Eagle....Great job!

Ryker is in the pipeline for his.

 This is where the week got really good....

for me : ) anyway.

I was pulling jobs and projects out of my hat like a magician.

The kids would have been happy sitting the days away in front of the
computers and gaming systems.
But not I.

I certainly don't mind a portion of each day being taken up with that past time,

but while there is still breath in my body I will help them 

make other,
 better choices on how they spend the majority of their time....

even on Spring Break.

I had the gang out cutting, and hacking down dead wood in our yard,

they dug out stumps, 

Axed through limbs and carried them out.

I LOVED IT!!
(and truth be told....I don't think they minded it much)

This got them energized to put on their backpacks and ride to 

Walmart for something they needed for their gaming system....

cuz oooops, I'm stuck at home trying to get caught up on some important things.

ALRIGHT!!  See you in a while...You go boys!

Cookie was here with us for a short visit as well.

She is always a welcome guest.

The weather has been pretty chilly, but we managed one afternoon at the 

beach with friends.

It was so relaxing and enjoyable to sit and visit and listen to 

the waves wash in and out.

The kids had a blast creating this Lord of The Rings structure.

LoVE the work of imagination!  and Team Effort!

 Another Favorite project:

The ceiling of the play room.

I have been putting it off forever, because it is
soooooo hard and tedious.

Well, that is because last time I did it by myself, probably pregnant.

This time,
I demonstrated  how to wipe every slat and groove,

moving the ladder and rinsing the cloth often and squeezing almost all of the

cleaning solution out so it doesn't drip into your eyes, etc.

Then Ryker and Ethan finished the job!

Having older BIG KIDS IS A DREAM!!

When they have something they really want to do,

and all they have to do is get "mom's job list done first"

They are angels and extremely hard workers.

It's called LEVERAGE.

It keeps the peace and makes everyone happy in our home.

M dusted and vacuumed the entire house,

she is happy listening to my little ipod.

Look at the team doing dishes, they figured it could be done

quicker if one rinsed and the other washed.

GOOD JOB GUYS!

I Love spring break.

I get sooooooooo much done with these guys around.

I kinda hated to see them go back so soon.

Hope you had a wonderful Easter.

Go for it .... WREAK HAVOC!

Today I made a good choice.

Whooohooo!

I made a deliberate decision to put this cake, and the pile of extra 

frosting into the trash, rather than gorge on it myself...

(like I would normally do).

HA!

I did it!!

I cried just a little bit, 

but surprisingly not because I was mourning my loss,

but because I felt proud and THRILLED that I was being the 

master over my addiction.

I took charge.

I know I have a problem with "Baked Goods".

I admit it.

My name is Melissa.

I am a baked goods addict.

I cannot get enough cookies, brownies, cake, or chocolate

of any kind.

If I take one bite,

I cannot satiate my desire for them.

I will eat these items for breakfast, snacks, and lunch.

However, 

Lately

I have been feeling sluggish.

I am still working out a ton, 

but have snuck on a few extra pounds.

I have also been taking some crazy long naps,

and waking up still tired!

I have always prided myself on being like my dad, 

only needing a snappy little 15 minutes to re-charge my battery.

Two  - 2 hour naps this week.

This scares me, and tells me I have a problem that needs 

addressing.

I can no longer shilly-shally around.

On Monday I decided to take back control of my dietary needs.

I am putting my physical nourishment back on top.

I WANT ENERGY.

I WANT FUEL FOR MY BODY.

I got out my cute little food journal.

The last time I wrote in it was on March 1, 2012,

that was also the last time I stepped on a scale.

Well, accountability is back in town,

and it feels really good!

I am excited.

Three days into it.....so far so good.

I found this little snippet from Jillian Miacheals,

(this was after I had already wreaked havoc on the cake!!)

I do have a problem with wrecking, or wasting food.

I have a firm belief that it should not go to waste....

cuz, well.....THAT'S WASTING.

and that's wrong, throwing money down the toilet.

M.U.S.T. F.I.N.I.S.H.I.T.A.L.L.

But I am going to get over that mind set.

NO.

I am THROUGH with that mind set for myself.

If if is crap, put it where it belongs.

If the kids didn't eat it, ruin it.

It's not worth it.

 ............................................

I do not have to be perfect in my eating.

Only CONSCIOUS and AWARE of what my body needs to 

feel alive and healthy.

............................................

I know something about myself.

I don't enjoy eating A cookie.

I don't like a slice of cake.

I don't want one brownie.

One piece of chocolate is pointless.

If I put one in my mouth.....

I WILL WANT IT ALL.

Of course there are public circumstances which make

having a normal serving possible,

and I guess that will be the perfect time to indulge.

But left to my own devices.....just saying no is a 

better option.

I am an all or nothing person.

I am grateful for the gospel and its guidelines and boundaries. 

They are a blessing to me,

specifically the Word of Wisdom.

Clearly I am still mastering the concept of 

moderation in all things.

Update:

No nap for 3 days.

Feel great.

Today was supposed to be my day off.....but the weather was so 

wonderful, and I felt so good,  I ran 6 miles before dinner.

Yogurt tastes like CHEESE CAKE

100% Juicy Juice is a yummy sweet treat - try Orange Tangerine!

Choffy is my CHOCOLATE Life line.

Thanks for letting me go on about this.

I have probably said these same things all before.....

but when it comes to a head,

best to take it on 

again.

I am on the wagon.

.........................

I don't need it.

I choose a better way.

.........................

 Random nugget:

 This is K every night with his head lamp.

Good Christmas gift mom and dad.

I really liked the word shilly-shally when I saw it on Monday

.....glad I had the chance to fit it into my post.

Word of the Day for Monday, March 11, 2013

shilly-shally \SHIL-ee-shal-ee\, verb:

1. to show indecision or hesitation; be irresolute; vacillate.

2. to waste time; dawdle.

noun:

1. irresolution; indecision; vacillation: It was sheer shilly-shally on his part.

adjective:

1. irresolute; undecided; vacillating.

Great mistake—Make up your mind and don't shilly shally.

-- Agatha Christie, A Caribbean Mystery, 1964

Change is in the air....

This is it....the beginning of the big goal for 2013.

My ticker proclaims it,

we have 9 month, 3 weeks, and 1 day to complete the kitchen ceiling.

I was very HAPPILY surprised when I came home one night to find 

this going on.

Wow!!!

Kev had told me no.

no not now.

no not here.

no remodling.

It will be too big a mess, to much of a pain.

But somehow, he caved.

YEAH!

I haven't really nailed what swayed him in my direction,

but I have wondered about one idea.

The kids and I enjoy watching Property Brothers.

We saw it for the first time at my moms while we were on vacation there.

I decided to set a timer for it.

Every so often, 

maybe once a week, we will hang out and watch 

an episod together.

Kevin thinks we are nuts.....

you are watching this for entertainment?

But maybe it gave him the idea.

We really get into the excitement of the up dating 

and fixing up the homes.  

It is fun to see the transformation and 

talk about what we would, or wouldn't do if it was our home.

Maybe K got swept up in the DIY vibe.

 I love the fan being gone.

I will keep you posted on any new developments.

Recently my mom started sending me her 

 coupon inserts once or twice a month.

I have really appreciated that.

Then two times ago she included an article she thought I would 

enjoy on menopause.

Gee, you shouldn't have....thanks mom.

I actually really liked it.

I liked that it was an unexpected surprise and a little extra.

I had thought it was only the coupons,

which was enough, and already very thoughtful....

However, 

A bonus told me she was thinking about me....

and my aged stage in life.  : )

I mentioned how much I enjoyed the addition the next time we spoke.

A few days ago I received my latest manilla envelope package.

This time I found not only one article,

but THREE!

Yowsers!  

Mom must think I'm sitting around here doing nothing.

I have been dragging them around with me.

Setting them here, then over there on the table, then they were by the

toilet for an afternoon,

then I had them with me while I ate lunch,

(maybe not in that order)

then in the office by the computer while I was waiting for things to 

download or upload.

I have enjoyed the spiritual messages and 

the thoughts on gratitude.

But again, even more than the printed messages on paper,

as I read them, I also got to be reminded of

my mom's thoughtfulness and caring for me.

Thanks mom.

.....................................

Here is my BONUS for you, 

my faithful readers!

There have been many times that I have discovered I am out of 

Lipton Onion Soup mix when I need it for a recipe,

namely Sunday's Roast dinner.

I finally took matters into my own hands and found a recipe for 

Homemade Dry Onion Soup Mix

2 1/2 T. Dried minced onion

4 cubes beef bouillon, crumbled

1 t. onion powder

1/8 t. salt

1/8 t. ground black pepper

Combine and store in airtight container.  

This recipe is the equivalent of one soup package.

(If adding to liquid, there is no need to crumble bouillon cubes).

I have used this recipe a few times.

I have been very happy with the out come.

I hope this BONUS Detail comes in handy.

Love,

M

Collage Madness.

Hey, like I always say, better late than never, 

better in than out,

and don't save for tomorrow what you can do today.

I don't always take my own best advice,

consequently I have a huge onslaught of recent photos I planned to post about

that have built up.

Hence the gazillion collages.

This will save us all time I guess.

First - ETHAN turned 16!!!

Wow!

I have decided that turning Sixteen is a WAY bigger deal to girls than boys.

Eh, yeah, whatever.....seemed like any other day to him.

All he asked for was a full sized store bought cake and two jugs of 

chocolate milk.

Check and Check.

I generously added his own case of root beer, beef jerky, 

and carnation instant breakfast drinks.

Oh yes, 

and his new phone case.

Lately he has been working on a big school project for an event called

"Decade Day".

 He put a lot of effort into his research, 

and info board to display for the night,

but he also had to come up with a canvas painting.

He ended up hiring a girl from his spanish class to paint it.

I asked if that wasn't cheating, he said no, he was only asked to 

come up with the prop, he was not required to make it.

Ok....if you say so.

He paid her $20......if you ask me,

she was robbed. 

Can you believe what an artist she is?

This looks just like the real painters work.

He is also pitching for the JV baseball team and really enjoying it.

Valentines has come and gone, but I just wanted to keep tabs on one cool detail.

M wanted to make valentines for the 19 kids in her class.

I didn't feel like heading to the store to buy any of those

cheap-o run of the mill tear apart valentines,

plus I didn't want to waste money on candy....

so I decided to throw out an idea and see if M would go for it,

knowing she probably would take a pass.

I said hey!

Wouldn't it be fun if you made each person in your class a personalized

valentine this year?

Hey, and you could tape one of my special chocolates on each page

as a unique treat.

OK!

Great idea mom!!

She spent the next four days hammering out her little creations.

They were a feast for the eyes,

here are just a few.

I love the words she choose for each of her classmates.

We just got done babysitting Cookie Quigley for about 10 days.

She is a fun little dog,

but

She is a dog.

Here are a few of my likes and dislikes about her.

I do NOT like her skin tags, but I do like how soft she is.

I don't like that she is always hovering around when the kids are gone,

and yet...... gosh dang it, I don't mind it that much either.

When I'm at the table she comes and will stand right over my foot 

so it is touching her belly.

Good Heavens Cookie.....really?

She will mill around and wait until I get on the couch for a tiny siesta

and climb over and get right into the spot behind my knees.

Cookie is kind hearted and loving.

She makes everyone feel special and important.....except for Lawson,

she comes to me for protection from him.

I don't like that she gets up so early, or that she has accidents,

but we really do enjoy her when she stays with us.

On this night at tennis, she walked M for the solid hour.

She did not want to stop......soooooo much to see, smell, and discover.

People fall over them selves goooooing and gawing over small dogs.

McCauley has been asking to get her hair cut for over a year.

Aunt Keri trimmed it over the Christmas break.

Not good enough.

Finally she broke me.

Why should I care?

I said, ok, lets go outside.

Snip, snip, snip.

She was happy as a clam.

Still talks about how much she loves the length.

Lawson got his retainer, and a phone.

There he is with his phone bag.

He calls it a satchel.

I LOVE that he carries his phone in that sak.

It's cool. 

His phone is safe in there.

He hops on his skateboard and off they go.

Here is the mask L made (creepy). 

He asked permission to go outside and destroy it.

Please do.

He has also made some modifications to his sak, 

he didn't like the plant pattern 

that was on the front.

(I had wondered how long that would last, I had made the bag 

for myself to begin with....it had a cool flower pattern on it,

I was not going to tell him that).

Now it is even better for a kid his age.

Duct tape seals the deal on coolness. 

Here is a fast paced movie re-cap.

You won't want to miss it.