Mid-Year Goal Check-up

Since it's now halfway through the year, I thought it would be a good time to check in with myself on how my goal/project list was coming along.

Here's a quick recap of my project list:

• Master bathroom remodel (it was in the works last year until too many things came up).  In fact it's scheduled for the 21st!! DONE!!! And it is so, so amazing. I love the bigger shower and the wider, deeper tub.
• Finish up Davin's quilt (Eric has even promised me a trip out to my parents to quilt it after I'm done-bonus!) I've booked my flight, the top is done, I just need to finish up that border.
• Make 2 new recipes a month (there is a cookbook for a reward when I've finished) I've done well with this one, there are some that we won't make again, and others that have already become favorites.
• Stain the my bathroom cabinets and the cabinet at the top of the stairs (I did the other two bathrooms last summer). Still need to do.
• In general finish up some of my UFO's out there. Hall bookshelves in (need to decorate)-man we have a LOT of books; hall picture table done; family room bookshelves decorated; girls room shelves updated; Eric's office got a needed update (desk, bookshelves); put up new sliding door curtains (no more taped up vertical blinds); new outside lights (that work!!).  Still to do: paint the kids' rooms; build the boys their bookshelf bench; paint the kitchen/family room (and repair drywall cracks); decorate the wall above my desk; decorate the hall bookshelves (and buy the end units)...

There are some other things I'd like to make sure I do: 

• I want to keep up with reading conference talks After PT for my ankle I've dropped down to two a month-better get back on this one.
• Keep going to the temple regularly (and with a new temple opening this should be fun) Yup, and it makes such a difference.
• Have more family activities (bike rides, camping, hiking, etc) We're doing okay, but could do better.
• Mop the floor weekly :) (this one has suffered since my surgery) Um, yeah...better get on that.
• Finally take a weekend with just Eric.  Nope, not with Eric in charge...where is the time for this one?
• Enjoy reading more :) Eh, still not feeling it like I used to, perhaps this summer...

SoCal-a much needed break

With scout camp the last week of June, and since both Eric and Aidan would be going, this meant that we would be taking a later trip up to Utah this year.  I really didn't want to sit around all summer long, with nothing fun to do, so I called up Tom and Heather and asked if the kids and I could come and see them for a couple of days.

Ah, the joys of California snails (and tree frogs at night)

I've missed our "golden" hills, these are the hills right behind their house.

Cousins!!

This has to be the biggest, and coolest science center-EVER.

Plus it's free, has a kelp forest, 

and the space shuttle Endeavor.

We also had a great time at the beach.

Digging, and burying people in the sand, 

dancing in the waves, 

and making "sand castles".  Plus a few sunburns.

After a fabulous two days, we were on our way back home.

This is such a great spot to stop and get a milk shake.

Math Mania Mama

This past week in math, the 8th graders have been teaching each other different concepts.  Aidan took on logic puzzles.  He made up a mini lesson, along with three puzzles-two for in class and one for homework.  Aidan showed me all of his work after the fact, and he did a fairly decent job for a first attempt.  Then this afternoon he asked me to make him a logic puzzle to solve.  I haven't made one up in a LONG time-15 years perhaps-but I was up for the challenge.

So this is what happens when my Aidan asks me to make him up a logic puzzle, can you solve it? (The boy wasn't expecting a 3x3 puzzle-I'm a math dork, what did he expect?)

Four friends named Rose, Violet, Daisy, and Lily, each has a favorite flower.  These flowers happen to have the same names as these four friends.  Each flower is a different color: Red, Purple, White, or Yellow.  Which girl likes which flower, and what color is each flower?

No girl likes the flower she shares a name with.
Rose's flower is not red, but the rose is.
The lily is not yellow, but Rose loves her yellow flower.
Lily's favorite flower and color both start with the same letter.
The daisy is a sunny color.
Violet does not like the color of her name.

PS: thanks mom for instilling in me a love of logic puzzles.  Now I get to torture my own children-hehehe.

Reflections on the school year

Well, here we are, at the end (almost) of another school year.  This one started out on the wrong foot-literally.  School started just two short weeks after I had my ankle surgery.  I spent 6 weeks total in a cast, unable to drive that entire time.  And I was so grateful for thoughtful friends and family members who offered me rides and some much needed bolstering.  By early September I started PT three times a week while the kids were fully settled into their classes-Maddie in Kindergarten, Eme in 2nd grade, Davin in 4th grade, and Aidan in 8th.

September flew by with all of my appointments, and the ability to DRIVE and leave the house on my own again!! I feel like I blinked and the month was over.  But in reality it was a long and rough month, PT was far more painful than I had anticipated (so much worse than with my knee).  My recovery was slow and hard, but I am so, so grateful for my wonderful PTs, they made the unbearable, bearable.  Plus, I read at least one conference talk a session, while I was iced and "zapped".

Just as September was coming to a close, my beautiful daughter turned 8!! Eme had been a joy in my life (and a bit of a pill too). She is my mini-me in too many ways-not only does she look like me, but she also acts like I did (mom you were right, I got what I deserved :)  After Eme's birthday we found ourselves in October.  October brought with it (not cooler temps) but general conference, fall break, Eme's baptism, my birthday, my first sub job, watching a niece once a week, Eric's annual trip to Utah, and Halloween.

November was really the month that shouldn't have been.  Eric's mom fell and broke her knee just a week or so before Thanksgiving.  Another rough month in under 6 months, but the Lord strengthens us through our trials, right? So Eric's mom should be made of steel by now.  We all pitched in with household chores, watching Olivia, and just being there for mom.

December brought so much peace and joy (plus Davin's 10th bday), and far too many evening activities for school/church/etc.  But despite all of the craziness, I love it.  I love the decorations, I love the smells, the music, the cooler weather.  The peace and love that cannot be denied.  It's always a good month :)

January and February flew by with me working more and more, and just keeping up with all of the kids' school work/church activities.  It also was the last few weekends we had to ourselves for a long, long  time (11 weekends and counting).  March brought a temple dedication, and pouring rain for the youth cultural celebration, and spring break.  April brought Maddie's 6th birthday-I just can't get enough of this girl-general conference, Easter, and lots of sub jobs for me.

And now we find ourselves in May.  There have been monthly classroom volunteer time, seasonal parties (for three kiddos), field trips (I only went on two), mommy/daddy tea/donut parties, so much homework, 4 band concerts, weekly scouts, bi-monthly activity days.  And I think, for the first time maybe EVER, I am looking forward to summer vacation.  We all could use the break.

Field Trips with my Girls

I finally got picked to go on one of Eme's field trips!! And lucky for us, it was to the butterfly pavilion!

The chrysalis room. The one on top is the largest moth, and it has no mouth. It only lives for a few days-just long enough to lay eggs.

I got a friend, it stayed there for a good 5 minutes.

Eme had not one, not two, 

but THREE friends at once!

Easter Egg Hunt

Ah Easter, that time of year where we get to torture our children by hiding their eggs too well.  I think this is Eric's favorite activity-EVER.

Just a sampling of what we do with our eggs-yup that is one in the ceiling.

Baskets with small treats first-followed by the hunt.

This was the second year I gave each kid their own color.  It made things so much simpler, they knew right away if it was one of their eggs or not.

Happy 6th Birthday!!

This little bug is now 6!  I still have a hard time believing that she's growing up.  But, thankfully, she is just as sweet as ever, and always happy to be my little buddy.