Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Award Assembly Take 2

We were invited back to the middle school, at the beginning of the week.

This time it was Rylee's turn to be recognized.

She was given an "Award of Excellence" for good character and good work in Health class.
This was a surprise to her...but not to us. :)

Jason was off early from work that day, so he got to come too. Rylee tried to pretend she didn't know us after the ceremony, but we hung around really close and made sure everyone knew, we knew her. :)


The second award she received was given to her for her excellence in P.E. She received a "presidential", signed by President Obama himself...or by his pen machine atleast.


To receive this, you have to meet certain physical requirements; push-ups, sit-ups, 'beep' test (running), etc. Rylee said she thought it was so HARD in 6th grade, but it was a piece of cake in 8th.

Easy for her to say...I don't think I ever met any national physical test with confidence or skill.


Rylee, Matt, Alexis, Erin & Melissa

Cookies in the cafeteria afterwards.


Proud of you Rylee. Nice job.

Monday, June 6, 2011

CLEAN?..I don't think so!!!

Does this bedroom look CLEAN to you???

No, not to me either!


Saturday is chore day at my house. This includes cleaning your bedroom. My kids know all too well, that most of the time, I won't check their bedrooms after they say they are CLEAN... because they are upstairs.



It's a sad, silly fact... I don't go upstairs in my house very often. Upstairs there are kids bedrooms, a bathroom and our "movie room". Everything I need/want is downstairs. I have little need to upstairs. Seems like every time I DO go upstairs, I find scenes similar to this.. and then I get mad and then I start to nag or yell and then no one's happy.

I really need to call their bluff more often... instead of them calling mine. :)

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Granola Bars

I felt like my sister-in-law Karen, when I made these granola bars.

She's always making yummy food from scratch and is health conscience too.

I don't know how "healthy" these are...sure don't taste "healthy". But there is wheat germ and flax seed meal in the recipe...that has to be somewhat healthy, right? :)

The brown sugar and honey is what might make them not-so-healthy.


I think they taste as good, or better, than brand-name-buy-at-the-store kind.
Make some and tell me what YOU think.


Pantry Granola Bars -recipe from Sarah Foutz

2 C. Oats

1 C. Coconut

1/2 C. Wheat germ

1/2 C. Flax seed meal

*1 C. Rice Krispies (set aside, don't toast with other ingredients)


Toast on a baking sheet at 400 for 15 minutes (maybe a little longer, just until toasty). Stir every 5 minutes. After toasting, put ingredients into large bowl.


In a sauce pan, combine the following:

2/3 C. Brown sugar

1/2 C. Honey

4 Tbl. Butter

1/4 tsp. Salt

2 tsp Vanilla


Heat in sauce pan until sugar is dissolved but don't boil. Pour over dry ingredients and combine with *1 C. Rice Krispies. Press into greased 9x13 pan and let cool for 2-3 hours before cutting into bars.

Hint: These freeze well. You can individually wrap them and pull them out for a snack, sack lunch, etc.

Add-ins:

Chocolate Chips

Butterscotch Chips

Raisins

Craisins

Cinnamon

Slivered Almonds



When I made these I doubled the recipe and pressed them into a greased cookie sheet. I added Craisins and slivered almonds to my recipe. When they were cool, I cut them up, wrapped them individually and put them in the freezer. I think freezing them, helped hide them from the kids and made them last longer. Now if I could just forget they are there, they would last even longer. :) YUM!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

A Representative Amongst Us

Friday was an exciting day.



Not only did Taylee receive awards, but Rylee was giving her speech for her

"Rocky Mountain Freshman Representative" campaign.

Zoe Doman, Megan Murphy, Melissa Brown, Rylee, Justine Jewell & Erin Todd



Megan, Melissa, Rylee and Erin were running for next year's Freshman Representative(s), along with Nathan Yorgason and Erika Vives (not pictured).



Going into Rocky Mountain High School 6 representatives are needed; 3 from Heritage and 3 from Sawtooth. So there were 3 positions available from Heritage.... 2 elected, 1 appointed.

Rylee told me that she was pretty sure Erin had it in the bag...she's well known and well liked (popular). She was hoping that her and Melissa might be the other 2 reps. Both Melissa and Erin are in our ward. What a great team they would be. Font size

Rylee's campaign slogan was,


"It will make you SMILEY, if you vote for RYLEE!"



In her speech she included why she would be a good representative and things she could do to make them SMILE. Her signs around the school were bright yellow with smiley faces and she wore a bright yellow shirt, along with her yellow flip-flops.

Unfortunately I missed hearing her speech, because I was in the awards assembly, but I caught up with her right after. She was still shaking from adrenalin. She said she thought it went ok, but kind of felt like she stumbled over her words and completely left out a whole sentence. While I was there she was interviewed by a teacher. She told me that this teacher interviewed each candidate to be able to choose the "appointed" position.



She said she asked questions like, "Why do you think you would be good for this position?", "On a scale of 1 to 10, what would you give yourself?", "What are some of your strengths?" etc.




She told me how she answered. I was quite impressed with her quick-thinking, confidence and applicable responses. Wow.




We waited around to see if they would have the voting results, before school was out.


Nope. We went home without knowing the results. We were told they would email us or give the results to them at school.... on Monday! What?! That's just waaay too long to wait.




When we got home and tried to check email, it wasn't working. Within a few minutes of getting home, Rylee got a phone call from her good friend (and running partner) Melissa.



Taylee and I guessed who was on the phone and what the conversation was, by Rylee's response; a wide-eyed pause, then a squeal and then a happy, run -round dance all over the room, followed by lots and lots more squeals and some "I can't believe it's". :)



Rylee, Melissa and Erin are Rocky Mountain's newest Freshman Representatives!



Congratulations girls!

I'm so excited for you. I think you'll make it a GREAT year.




PS- The little squeals and outburts of excitement continued all night long and into the next day. :)

Friday, June 3, 2011

Go Taylee!!!

An invitation came home from the middle school, inviting me to an awards assembly.


It said that Taylee would be receiving one or more awards from her teacher(s).

I asked Taylee if she knew what the award was for and she didn't, but she hoped it was for excellent work in art class.


It was explained to us, that each teacher got to pick one boy and one girl, from ALL of their classes (in each subject area), to receive these awards. Many of the teachers said it was a VERY difficult decision and that many were deserving.

Taylee was one of the first ones called up, by the principal and received a certificate for "Excellent Attendance"...not perfect, because of one tardy.
And if you ask Taylee about that tardy, she'll tell you a story of injustice and trickery.

I was proud of her for near-perfect attendance, but wondered if she would receive the recognition that she was really looking for.

Then an art teacher went up to announce her choices.... not Taylee.
Awww, bummer.
Oh well, you can't win them all.

Then another teacher went up to announce his choices. He too was an art teacher. What?! There are 2 art teachers?

He said, "Of all my students, these 2 students worked extra hard and did what ever crazy or strange assignment I gave them. I'll let ladies go first. Girl..... Taylee Smullin!"

Yay! I was so happy for her.
Caught in the moment and caught off guard, I stumbled and bumbled to get my camera turned back on, just in time for her to walk back to her seat.

As she sat back down in her seat, she turned to me, I gave her a thumbs up and she responded with a thumbs up and a HUGE smile.
I knew she was super excited, because she doesn't usually emote in public and sometimes doesn't even acknowledge I'm there. :)

Congratulations Taylee!


I'm very proud of you!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Mother & Daughter Spa Night

I have a NEW calling at church!

(I LOOOVED my old calling as, RS meeting committee assistant, but am looking forward to this new adventure. This is the first time I've been in Young Women's, since I was a young woman.)

I am now, one of two, advisers for the 18 (soon 21) Beehive girls in our ward.


This past Wednesday, was my first combined girls activity...Beehives were in charge.

We were to put on a "Pamper Your Mom Night".


It was decided that we would have 3 stations; Nail polishing (manis & pedis), Make-up and Hair Styling.


I made this "Spa Girl" cake for the occasion.

Isn't she funny?
We also had fresh strawberry shortcake and lemon water for refreshments.




Taylee & Bailey

Rachel, Rebecca & Stacey


Carley & Shel

Becca & Britney

Tara & Sage

Michelle & Bella

Katie & Andrea


Hannah & Melanie

Lisa & Cameron

Savannah & Julianne

Erin, Wendy & Maddy

Emily & Issa

Teresa & Cleona

Laurel-our fearless YW president

& Bailey

Maddie & Dee Ann
Katie & Melissa


This activity was REALLY fun. We had lots of participation and willingness.

In the end, there were lots of cute styles, colorful nails and pretty make-up. I even ended up with a new curly hairstyle, courtesy of Rylee.

Wish I had taken a picture. :)


I think this new calling is going to be a lot of FUN!