She Told You What?!?

Kelton and Kaylen have been excited beyond believe about St. Patrick's Day. We've talked and talked and talked about it, wearing green and especially about the leprechauns.

Today when Kelton arrived home he brought with him the art/writing project of the day and, no surprise, it centered around St. Patrick's Day. The surprise came bursting forth when he read it to me.



It says:
Who: Leprechaun is a kind of male faerie.
Where: They (are) said to inhabit the island of Ireland.
What: They are not real.

Read that last line again: They are not real.

WHAT?? Who said she can steal the magic of childhood that some parents allow their children to believe? WE allow them to believe and I am a little pissed off that she took it upon herself to say otherwise.

I asked Kelton how she knew for sure they weren't real and he said "I don't think she does because *I* think they're real."

Which is fine and dandy but still.......but STILL!

I would love to take all the "magic stealers" who insist on ruining things for kids who *want* to believe and lock them up behind a nice sturdy aluminum fence installation.

Seriously. Ruin it for your own kid but don't ruin it for mine.

What's next? The Tooth Fairy?

*side note: I think "faerie" is as weird way to teach 1st graders in the United States how to spell fairy. I'm just saying....not that it isn't "technically" correct.......

St. Patrick's Day Greeting!

It's St. Patrick's Day - are you wearing green? I wouldn't want to have to reach through this computer screen and pinch any of you. :)

It's yet another rainy morning here and I'm finding it difficult to feel motivated to do anything more than read blogs, catch up on Facebook and drink cup after cup of coffee. A big kudos to those of you who hit the floor running to your treadmill this morning. I tip my Irish Green cap to you. I hear the sun is supposed to make a limited engagement appearance this afternoon and if it does maybe I'll muster the energy to take Kaylen on a bike ride. (Well - she rides and I have to try to keep up with her on foot. Darn her for learning to ride so well - it's getting to be quite the challenge.)

I was hoping to go to my moms club get together today but Kaylen appears to have a cold. A runny nose, sneezes and a cough are a dead give away, I suppose. *sigh* I'm glad that she will be over it by the time we head up to Seattle for the big "cousin birthday bash" in a couple weeks but her timing for this week isn't the greatest. A couple friends and I were hoping to get together tomorrow for a Scrapping Day but I have my doubts I'll be able to attend. It was cancelled last week due to one of the grown ups being sick. I guess it just isn't destined to be.

I sent an email last night to let them know I most likely will have to cancel and I jokingly said that I wish we had video conferencing capabilities. That way I could be here scrapping and they could be there scrapping and yet we could still chit chat and hang out. If only..... :)

Time to get another cup of coffee so I will bid you farewell and wish you a very Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

My Puddle Girl

credit: Dani Mogstadt "Don't Rain on My Parade"


And the rest.....





And in case you are wondering - boots wash up in the washing machine quite nicely. When she took these off I actually poured the muddy water out of them. Eeeeeew! :)

Look Who Came to Dinner!

A few weeks ago I was reading Audra's blog and discovered that she and her partner were heading up this way from Southern California. In her blog posting she suggested meeting up with me on their way through and I, of course, jumped at the chance to finally meet this person I knew only through my computer screen.

I'm not sure how we stumbled across each other originally- that's the joy and fun of blogging; you get to "meet" people from all over the world!

They ended up driving from the land of Mickey Mouse and arrived in town early in the morning Friday. By late Friday afternoon, they were sitting in our living room. So much fun!!

I'm sure by the time pizza was on the table they were thanking their lucky stars they don't (yet) have children as our two were all about getting a cheap laugh and stealing as much attention as they could get. The kids even disappeared into Kelton's room for a bit where much quiet talk took place. The next we saw of them they had "switched lives" with Kaylen becoming Kelton and Kelton becoming Kaylen. Like I said - they also go for the cheap laughs and laughs they did indeed get. Silly kids.




You may note that they incorporated Disneyland into their theme of dressing up which was done in honor of our Disneyland loving guests. The kids really enjoyed sharing their memorabilia of their trips (a few years back) and talking about all the things they could remember.

Audra and Dylan were so sweet and brought gifts for the kids. Among them was a DVD Disney Bingo game so we ended our time together with a few games. It was so much fun and since they left, we have played many, many, many games. Needless to say, it was a huge hit! (Thank you, guys!!)

Before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye to our new friends who honestly didn't feel like "new" friends. It's amazing how connected you can be when the only contact you had ever had was via the computer. I'm usually uncomfortable around new people until I get to know them but as soon as they arrived I was instantly at ease. Dakota and Dylan are both in law school so much of dinner was taken up with "law talk". Audra and I eventually moved into the living room and left them to their "torts, con law, etc. talk.

It was sad to say goodbye but we are so glad they were able to stop and visit. And we all hope they will come back again another time.

Have a great time in Forks, guys! I can't wait to hear all about your "adventure" there! :) :) :)

Sunday

We were feeling restless yesterday so after a much needed trip to Costco, we headed down to one of our favorite malls. We hit a few shops like Crazy 8 (and bought Kelton a few new shirts)and The Disney Store (where we bought flip flops which were 2 pair for $8). We walked by lots of other shops like shoe stores, sleep number bed stores and even a wedding dress shop (which I find funny to have in a mall but whatever....). On our stroll up and down the mall the kids set their sights on one of the Fun Foto booths and wanted their pictures taken.

The climbed in and had their 4 pictures taken and then we decided a family photo strip would be fun. We all squeezed in and here is what we got. Please notice how silly the boy child is. :)

Shhhhh! Don't tell anyone!

Isn't this funny? I couldn't believe he let me take his picture but you have to agree that he is just too much. :) Silly little man.

His accessories lasted about as long as it took me to hit the button on the camera. I love moments like this - where he just throws himself into whatever is there. (Though between you and me - I think he only put on all this stuff to torment his sister who wanted it all for herself. Whatever. I think it's a funny picture.) He was quite a sight with the dress up stuff mixed with his "Extreme Skate" black sweat shirt. :)

These Boots Were Made for Walking

Lovin' the boots! :)

(Pay no attention to the Santa shirt. It's Christmas all year long around here. :) )

Another Sunny Day

The sun is shining so it MUST be summer, right? Well - if you are 4 years old this is exactly what it means. Who cares that it's 54 and windy?

Kaylen desperately wanted to go outside (in fact, she is still out there. I'm too cold to be out there any longer so I'm in uploading photos and blogging) so out we went. I love the way she entices me by saying in her oh so sweet little voice "You can take pictures of me!" How can I resist?

So here you go - pictures of my darling girl.

Look at those eyes! Look closely; one is blue and one is green.

Climbing a tree? Nah - more like hugging a tree. :)

This would be *after* running across the yard and slipping in the muddy grass.

Ever the gardener girl - she is already planning her garden.

*sigh* Isn't she adorable? :)

An Afternoon at the Park

A friend sent out an email to a bunch of people today inviting whoever was free to join her and her kids at the park. The sun was shining so I said I would love to go and run off some kid-energy. After all, it was an early release day for Kelton and a long afternoon stretched out.

I pulled on my heavy winter coat because even though it was sunny with a 50 degree temperature, the wind was whipping but good. The kids, of course, opted to fore go common sense coats and went with the spring look.
As it turned out only three of us where brave enough to go (and about a zillion other people, all craving fresh air, who were there). It was a nice break and the kids had a great time. (But a special note to the Parks and Rec department....it's time to unlock the park bathrooms. Thanks!)

Kaylen and Evan spinning on the swings.

Evan (big brother to Jaren)

Kelton who is waaaay too cool to be at the park these days. At least, that's what he wants you to believe. :)

Baby Jaren

Goofy child of mine.


I actually kind of love this one.....so innocent looking, right? :)

Monkey girl swinging on the rings and the dropping to the ground.

Trying to get a picture of my with my kids but no one wanted to cooperate. Figures. :)

The boys: Kelton, Evan and Nick

My cool kid and the flower princess. :)

Exciting News

Kelton bounded off the bus tonight bubbling over with excitement. He was tested in reading today and he is reading on a solid 2nd grade level! He is thrilled and I, of course, am as well and had the "happy tears" to prove it. Having your child do well and be proud of himself is an amazing experience! I will never, ever grow tired of it happening.

Yay him!!!!

I have to say, I am not surprised. In recent weeks I have noticed his reading skills improve by leaps and bounds - and his excitement with reading is doing the same thing. It is just so cool to watch.

Lately he has volunteered to read Kaylen her bedtime story (I still get to read his though) and it's one of the moments in each day I look forward to. It's surreal to hear him read the stories to his sister that we read to him when he was small. Full circle, I guess.

The other day he discovered the comics. How I adored watching him on his bedroom floor as he read the strips out loud.



I've also noticed lately how "grown up" he is becoming. More able to control himself and think things out before acting. More calm. He's easy to talk with and we have some good conversations. Gone are the days of one sided conversations - now he is an equal, and eager, participant.

I do long for the days when he would drag his blanket ("Baby" is what he calls it, and yes, he still has it but now it's only a bedtime thing.) around the house all the while sucking on his binky asking for juice in a sippy cup but at the same time this new place where he is is truly amazing...and wonderful...and fun. He is growing and changing right before my eyes and every day brings something new.

He is almost seven years old, this little boy of mine. I'm not sure how that happened but here we are. And my baby is reading at a second grade level. And he LOVES to read which thrills me beyond belief.

These are the good times. These are the times that make all the other times worth it. I am so, so, so proud of him.

Seriously Awesome!

My co-chair and I are seriously awesome and yes, I am tooting my own horn. :)

I just received a call from Scholastic to congratulate us on a job well done with last weeks book fair. In her hands she was holding the financial documents I submitted this weekend via their website and she informed me that we posted the highest earnings on record for our school.

Highest on record.

I am thrilled. Beyond thrilled, really and oh so proud of Ingrid and myself. It was a huge amount of work and we really rocked it - and rocked it hard.

Last week, while crazy busy and beyond hectic, was so much fun. I'm actually feeling a little post-book fair blues today. I made a warehouse run this morning for books that we pre-sold because we ran out of them and then delivered them to the classrooms. When I went by the library area that we called home all of last week I was hit with a wave of sadness. The cases and boxes were stacked in the corner waiting for the Scholastic truck to pick them up today. I wanted to run over there, fling open the cases and open for business. I loved the excitement from the kids and the noise level, while deafening at times, was intoxicating. So much fun.

Kaylen, on the other hand, is happy to not be at school. She was such a trooper last week but on Friday the Vice Principal summed it up well; "Happy joined us on Monday and Grumpy is leaving us on Friday." Friday was beyond miserable with her but Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday went fine. Thursday was hit and miss with her attitude but Friday she was a sick and tired of being at school all day...and she made a point of letting everyone around her know it.

Dakota came by on Friday just as we finished packing up and cleaning. We loaded everything up and headed home where I was gifted with a really great watch from Eddie Bauer. It's pink and I totally love it. Most of all, I love the thought behind it. So sweet. And then, as if it hadn't been a big enough day, the kids and Dakota decided we should go out to dinner. My choice! I picked the Spaghetti Factory and off we went.

After dinner we decided to stop in at Target to pick up cold cream to wash the face painting off of Kelton's face. (The kids got their faces painted the night before at Dr. Seuss Night. Kaylen wanted hers off before bed that night but Kelton wore his to school the next day. His teacher had painted it and told him "I expect to see this still on in the morning!" He was all too happy to comply.)

Going to Target was *not* the biggest idea we've ever had. We ended up removing the kids from the store and Dakota took them to the car while I bought the cold cream. When I came through the doors into the parking lot, I could hear Kaylen SCREAMING. Lovely.

It took a bit but we finally got her into her car seat and off for home we went. I can't really blame her - it had been a very long week for her and the trip to Target pushed her completely off the ledge. *sigh* But still.......it was a nice time of feeling appreciated by my family.

Here are a few photos of the week to share:

Is this thing on??

Someone wrote and said my blog isn't coming up - weird. When I log in to the main page it isn't showing but when I hit the March archive it's all there.

Must be a glitch on the Blogger side of things......

I'll keep an eye on it.

Thanks for the heads up!

Casey is a Rock Star!

This blog has been hijacked by Dakota.

I wanted to hop on here and say that

Casey is a Total Rock Star!

She, and three friends, two of whom do not even have kids at our school, completely rocked the Scholastic Book Fair this week! As of this morning they were $1500 over last year's total - and this is an all new PTO group running the show. Correction - this is CASEY running the show, with the assistance of her wonderful sidekicks. (This is where Kaylen generally kicks Kelton....get it?)

Last night, while the kids and I were enjoying Dr. Seuss night at Kelton's school, we got to watch Casey in action among throngs of eager kids and parents with cash and credit cards in hand. When it was over, the principle let me know what a fantastic job Casey has been doing with the Book Fair. She didn't need to tell me, as it was obvious, but still, nice for her to recognize my Wife's hard work and talent.

I know you've all missed her posts this week, but let me tell you, she has been working her *ss off this week, and will be doing so all day today. They - sadly only two or three people - start clean up at 3:00 today. It's been a very busy and WILDLY SUCCESSFUL WEEK!

GREAT JOB, CASEY!!