Christmas Week

The kids were off of school this week and I loved having a few days to do Christmas stuff with them before the big day.

Friday afternoon Jack and Sam came for some cousin time. I had made some extra gram-cracker houses so we took advantage of the left overs and made up some more.

Then when it got dark we took them over to see the lights on Comstock and found snow. (well fake snow, but still magical) In the morning I took the kids to our not primary activity for cookie decorating, coco, reindeer games and The Grinch. 

John and Shannyn got back to our house is the late afternoon we chatted for awhile. Since it was Shannyn's birthday we went out to celebrate at a German restaurant. Man is this place is a Mesa gem. The food was so yummy and the atmosphere felt like I had just stepped back into Germany There was even an accordion player with lederhosen.  I would love to do again. We ended the night at the Mesa Temple lights. No need to say more than awesome.

On Christmas Adam we all slept under the tree.

We hosted Christmas Eve this year. All 27 of us. We were tight and cozy but every one fit and had a good food to eat and good entertainment,  I actually made 2 hams just to make sure there was enough. Everyone pitched in a brought something to share so that was really nice that is all didn't fall on me. I do still dream of hosting a lovely dinner party, with beautiful table settings and white lights. Maybe next year. 

As per tradition the kids performed the Nativity. My favorite part, to sit still for a moment and think of the humble birth of our Savior.

 Then it was on to more festive entertainment. Leave it John to bring the fun. This time it was a karaoke machine.  We had some good laughs and good moves.

When everyone left the kids exchanged their gifts. I think the theme this year was straws .

 We had smiles, hugs, and thank yous. Then off to bed for Santa to come.

All I want for Christmas is Lights

This year I told my family that all I really wanted for Christmas was to see all the lights that the holiday had to offer. Part of the the deal was that I wanted them to be happy about it and excited to see all the lights from all over the city. My team was good to me and we made it to all the light events on my list. And they, we had a great time. So these are all the places that we went. Of course not all on the same day but throughout the month
First to the the balloon glow in Gilbert. Oh how I just love the light and how it glows in the night sky.

Second we met up with John and went to the Tempe Town Lake boat parade. We made a whole evening out of it. We took the light rail down. Ate at a cute pizza place and headed down to the lake. Man it got cold and I was not prepared for it. John and Shannyn teased me for not wearing the proper shoes. I've lived in Arizona so long I barely wear socks or own a pair of shoes that cover my feet.

 But that was not going to take away from the night. The boats where cool and I loved to see the lights reflection on the water. There were some creative boats like star wars and this one of the leg lamp. LOVED IT.

Made a stop at Comstock ST that won this years neighborhood light fight. Sadly no pics of the lights but we did get a bad picture of the kids and the snow machine.

The kids were in heaven. Since the line to drive into the neighborhood was about a mile or more long we took a little side street parked and walked over. Perfect evening in my opinion.

To finish it off, lights at he Mesa temple always a delight and beautiful.

6 Week Challenge

Back in November I joined my friends on a healthy eating challange.  I just wanted to see if I could start some better habbits and loose the 5 pounds that I'm always trying to get rid of. But I never tried to hard because I would still have my ice cream and sweets.
Back up to October I went in for a check up and some routine labs and my doctor was concerened that I was showing some signs of being pre-dibetic.  ME the gril that exercies 5 days a week, but yeah I do like my sweets.  It was a good time to challenge myself.
I was secptical because the challenge is very loose. You would get points for doing certian things, logging your food, water intake, 3 servings of vegtables, 2 serivngs of fruit, no sweets except for one day of the week and exercise.  Now where in the challege dose it restrict what you eat or how many caloires, so it was my choice to eat good foods and not cheetoes.

The water intake was the hardest for me. I was just not used to drinking that much. And some days I really wanted a treat but I passed it up so I would be able to earn maxim points. I was way more selective in my sweets which I think is such a great healthy practice. The digging in the pantery for the last of the chocolate chips had stopped so I was really greatful that I feel that I really kicked the sugar habit. I didn't over do it during Thanksgiving, just giving that day a free day and moved on.

The results were great, I feel great. I lost the 5 pounds, I drink a lost more water. I am always trying to fit in all my fruits and vegetables and I'm making better choices on my sweets. Added bonus is that I came in second in the challenge and won 1/2 of the pot.  So I treated myself to some new workout clothes. More than anything I feel acomplished, I set a goal, stuck to it and I feel great. I'm happy that I found a way to get my diet back into check when things get a little out of control.

December 12

Last addition for this year.

1.  Started out early on a morning run with Amy E.weather was cold and dark. Just as we were finishing our 5 miles it started to rain. Running up to the house and seeing our Christmas lights just makes me a happy.

2.  A favorite breakfast of mine. Oats, banana, nuts, chia seeds, cinnamon and a little bit of honey.

3.  Out getting the food for the week. I always love to wear my orange shoes.

4.  Kevin sent me a video with him singing at the top of his lungs, This is what he does when he misses me at work.

5.  Our buddy Baxter is back for the weekend. I hate to admit it but I do like this dog.

6.  Getting preschool magic ready.

7.  Max went ice skating with his primary class. He had a good time and wants to go again. I love his primary teachers they are wonderful.

8.  Making our way to the Tempe Town Lake Boat Parade. Trying to catch the beautiful sunset.

9.  Boy cousins together so silly.

10.  A favorite family of mine. So happy that we met up and hung out together.

11. Wow a picture with our whole family. Thanks Max for not looking at the camera.

12. The boat parade was so neat to see, Here is the Minion boat. It ended with Santa and then BAM fireworks light up the sky. All around a great day with my team.

November: little things

Trying to keep up with life is great and hard and exhausting. So here are the little things this month. Lilly really wanted to girl date to go pick up things for science camp. She wanted to be all ready. This sign was at the door that day now we have half of the days left. YIKES!!!

My super dishwashers. I was a little surprised how well these 2 washed the dishes. They will sure have a lot more practice since our dishwasher motor has died and we won't have the part installed until next Friday.

One of my many trips to Costco this month I was hit by a tiny moment of sadness.  As I stood in line to have a receipt checked I realized that I will not get a smilie face on it because my kids are all big and in school.  And I do recognize that shopping solo is a luxury for many but, I missed my big kindergartner that was my constant sidekick his whole life.

I'm so nerdy but really under $2 a gallon just makes me happy.

I know this picture is out of focus but what a happy occasion this was. We found, or should I say Lilly found the lost case of DVDs. We were sure they were lost forever on a road trip somewhere. But no Lilly had taken them on a babysitting job and found them in her bag. yeah!!!

This is totally embarrassing, and funny, and well a real moment from life. One day I was feeling board of all my clothes so I said hey lets go try on whatever I want with no intention to buy anything. And then I thought "I should take pictures of all these outfits and pretend I'm some famous Instagramer that people care about what I try on in the store." I went to a really fancy store, Target, and then hoped over to Down East.  Well my no intention to buy held strong in Target but I really really wanted the pants I tried on. However in Down East I caved. I found a dress and 2 shirts all marked down super cheep and I had a gift card so they came home with me. And now I have some cute things to wear when I'm subbing. I did go back and buy the pants form Target a couple weeks later. It was a sign I had to have them because they were 50% off.

Preschool, Preschool I love you! L is for lion.

No thanksgiving tree this year, everyone just made a long long list of all our blessings and boy do we have many.

My friend let Lilly and I try out these curlers. I'm so silly for not taking a after picture but she had curls all day. That is unheard of for this little girl of mine. We can't wait to try them again.

Perhaps the most exciting thing this month is that we got to dog sit for a week. I'm still not a dog person but is was fun to have this little guy around. The kids were a great help and to be honest we kinda missed him when he went home. Oh he was a good dog. 

Two things that I don't have pictures for.. 

Subbing: I got to sub at the kids school this month. I loved it!! Now that I have been around I know how great our school is and I loved being down the hall from my kiddos. I got to see them at lunch and they came to my room at the end of the day. It was awesome. 

Pack meeting Carnival.  For pack meeting this month the boys planed and put on a carnival. Best pack meeting I have ever been to. Cotton candy, popcorn, games and photo booth. Max has such great leaders and I am so grateful for the time and effort they put into their callings. We are truly blessed.

2015 Thanksgiving

Our thanksgiving festivities started with Luke inviting us to his classroom to share their friendship stew.  He had a place mat made and the cutest little turkey hat you did ever see. We had a great time in his classroom with his friends. 

 The next morning was the annual ward turkey trot. The cousins came to participate and to cheer us on. Lilly, Max and Kevin all ran the mile. Kevin surprisingly finished first in the mile. He was pretty happy about that since he hasn't done any type of exercise in forever. Max and Lilly were consistent and finished the race.  I'm very pleased with what they accomplished.  Luke was pretty bummed that we didn't let him run in the mile, because I wanted to run the 5k and Kevin wanted to try to do well in the mile. So that left Lilly and Max to run with Luke and I'm not so sure that would have been a good idea. So I promised him that next year he could do it.

 Luke however did run in the kids races and had a great time.

I planed to run slow and really just get my workout in to make room for all the great food I was planing on eating over the next couple days. Then they said go and I was toward the front and I kinda took off. I found my friend Amy, she was using her son as a pacer and we went for it. 9 min mile a P.R. for me so I was pretty happy.

Thanksgiving was nontraditional this year. We had a waffle breakfast after the turkey trot and the turkey bowl. Amber and the girls got in line for some Black Friday shopping and we spent the day just chill'n and having a hamburger dinner. Really it was kinda great. 

On Friday I made dishes for our thanksgiving feast that we were having that afternoon. After I got all the food ready, I got to go to the temple and witness a family sealing of my friend Amy to her their adopted son. I loved being there and it was an especially sweet occasion.

Shortly after getting home we hopped in the car with stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls and pie in hand and made our way to Amber's to have Thanksgiving. a wonderful meal, excellent company and we didn't even mind that it was on Friday. All things are good when you are giving thanks.

Thoughts on Subbing

On Friday I took a step back into the public school system as a substitute teacher.  I was a nervous and excited all at the same time. Mostly I was peaceful and confident. I'm not really sure how you can feel all those things but I diffidently did.  Nervous because off all the unknown, excited because it was something new and familiar at the same time. Peaceful because I know that this is what I am supposed to be doing right now, and confident because I have done this before, I got this, I know my strengths and weaknesses I know how to teach.

(shameless selfie)

First grade, 28 kids. This what scares me most about school and teaching 28 kids in first grade that is a whole lot of kids.  More then there should be in my option. I tend to forget that is what I send my kids into every day but I know that 28 kids in primary grades is not the best teaching model. 

The day went well.  But hey I'm the sub, I remember thinking lets see what we could get away with when I was in school. So there was a lot of "can I go to the bathroom" and some of  "Mrs. so and so let's us do that"  But I saw through their tricks. The class was not easy. There were a few that were notorious for disturbing the peace with their teacher there. So I didn't feel too bad when they did they same for me.

At the end of the day I was wiped out!!! Exhausted! I could chase my preschool class around for days and wouldn't be as tired. But that is the difference.  My preschool class is mine. I love them. We are a team.  When you go into someone else's classroom you are guest and you do your best.

Being a sub is what I expected. I would give directions, keep the peace, be caring, have a warm smile, make them laugh, help when needed, entertain for a bit  and wait for the bell to ring. All in all I'm chalking it up for a good experience and ready for some more.

November 12

1. It is cold enough for hot chocolate in the morning. 

2. Taking a sip

3.  I really love my red pants.

4.  Do you see how much I paid for gas today. Calls for a Happy Dance.

5.  Since it was sooo cold this morning Luke put on his favorite hat.

6.  In Preschool we played a rousing game of Roll the Turkey

7.  One of my preschooler is sharing her pomegranates with me.

8.  Kevin planted winter grass yesterday. Crossing my fingers that it grows.

9.  This water bottle my new demise.  I'm in this healthy eating contest/group and you are supposed to drink 64 oz of water a day. It's killing me. I never drink that much water.

10 and 11 Some sit down homework time.

12.  I accepted my first subbing job for Friday. Just checking out the dress code.

October little things

Here are some snap shots from our October. On conference weekend. It was wonderful to hear the talks. I took note and some of the kids took notes. Luke's notes but I'm not really sure that it is about anything he heard in conference.

Primary program was this month.  They are happier about it than they look. It was Lilly's last one *sniff, sniff 

 

 Preschool pumpkin patch field trip always a good time. I love my  job and I love my class.

 Since we were headed to the pumpkin patch we had to learn all out the farm. Cute little piggies.

My smarty girl came home with this 100% on her math test very pleased because she was the only one to get a perfect score.

 Max had a pumpkin project this month. They had to make a pumpkin resemble a famous Arizona native. Cesar Chavez was his assigned person.

Max got to go to a fun morning of cub scout day camp.

I'm all caught up with Downton Abbey. I'm a little embarrassed to admit how few days it took me to watch all the episodes. It was a great escape.

The kids made it over to the cousins fall festival.  I couldn't resist getting a picture of this cute pineapple.

Halloween 2015

Will pumpkin carving every get any easier?  Max carved his himself (the one on the right) he did a great job. Luke drew his (on the left) and then I carved it. Lilly got her pumpkin all scooped out and then was too tired to carve it, that is why we only had two. If she was cool with that I am too.

 Oh they are getting so grown up. As I was taking their pictures I realized that we might have just one or two more years where they will all want to trick-or-treat.  Even this year we split up. Max wanted to go with his friends and Lilly with hers. Luke tagged along with the girls and was tired after we rounded the block. After everyone got home they were very happy with their loot. Our neighborhood is full of kids every year and I always run out of candy in an hour or two. I had 200 pieces. Goodness but I love it, to have a neighborhood busting with kids is pretty fun.
And now I present to you the Pineapple, the Nerd and Maverick.

 Finally our Maverick is dressed as Maverick.

 Lilly had been planing this costume for a year now so she was pretty happy to wear it. I borrowed it for my preschool party and I was pretty happy too.

 Max really didn't want to dress up this year.  Early in the month we talked about him being Greg from Diary of the Wimpy kid.  When it came time to get ready to go out on Halloween night he had a melt down and didn't want to go. I was soooo thankful that Kevin was here to talk him off the ledge and come up with a costume that he was happy with. Really the cutest nerd ever!!