Cross Country Districts 2010

Yep, it's that time of year again... Cross Country Districts.

These girls were all smiles BEFORE the race.

Paige Simpson, Sarah Bruneel, Rylee, Alexis Patten, Kirsten Forester & Melissa Brown

I estimated that Rylee finished in the first 1/3 of the pack.
She said she came in 60th out of 200+ girls.

She ran 1 1/2 miles in 10mins 33 secs.

I have no idea what a "good" time is, but it would be a VERY good time for me! :)

I'm proud of how Rylee improved her position and time each race. She said she FINALLY experienced what it meant to "hit your stride". Her goal was to not stop and keep her friend Melissa in sight.... she accomplished both.

Way to go Rylee!!!

Matchy-matchy

Not to be outdone by my cousins, here's my own version of, "Matchy-matchy".

For Abree's birthday, I sewed a skirt for her, ballerina doll and Barbie.
She was so excited she wanted to wear them to school the next day.

Ballerina doll and Barbie would have gone too, if I hadn't convinced her it was probably not a good idea.... maybe "Show and Tell" day.

Abree Turns 6!

I can't believe it... Abree turned 6 years old on Tuesday!

If your baby is 6, then what does that say about the mother?

When I asked her what she wanted her cake to be like, she had discussed it with Treyson and they had come up with... a round cake with a CROWN.

My version is quite simple, but she was happy.

In the morning, I had my "Positive Parenting" class. Abree usually comes with me and is watched in the gym of the institute building, along with tons of other kids and lots of crying babies. She is compliant, but doesn't love it.

For her birthday, I wanted to make the day special. I called up Marianne and asked if she could have a play-date with Emylie. Marianne being so sweet of course said YES and offered to take the girls to McDonalds and even gave her a cute ballerina doll as a present.

Emylie and Abree are taking dance together.

After class, I picked Abree up from Marianne's and she was all sorts of excited. She had to tell me about the NEW McDonalds, what she ate, what they played with and showed me the cute ballerina doll.

Next, I took her to school. She got to bring a snack to share in class. I put 22 Capri Suns and 22 packages of crackers in her backpack. It was so heavy, I wondered if she would tip over before reaching her classroom. Later she reported she had made it. Whew. :)

For dinner, Abree had requested BEEF hotdogs and chips.

Go figure.
After dinner, we opened presents.

She LOVED her new PINK Zhu Zhu Pet named Sweetie.

Gifts- Hooked on Phonics reading games/activities, Silly Bandz, VSmile Lion King game, Zhu Zhu Pet purple bed/blanket and pink carrier/blanket, and her ballerina doll from Emylie.

Make a wish.

Her kindergarten class sang to her and she got this crown and a pencil from her teacher.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweet Abree Autumn!

I love you!!!

New Birthday Tradition

Just over a week ago, Jason approached me with an idea. He wanted to start a new family birthday tradition. ---The week before your birthday, would be an appreciation week. During that week, our family would write notes, make little gifts, be extra nice to the birthday person (including not fighting with them), do their chores, etc. --Abree overheard Jason and got really excited. She thought it was a grand idea, with her birthday coming up next. I too, thought it was a great idea..... and not just because, my birthday is right around the corner. :)

The next day, at my "Positive Parenting" class (taught by Carleen Tanner), we talked about TRADITIONS. Jason's new idea fit right in with what we learned that day.

Sister Tanner feels that celebrating birthdays, should only be second to, celebrating Christmas. Celebrating birthdays gives us an opportunity to focus on the individual, who is an important part of the family group. I totally agree. I LOVE birthdays! Some of the things she's used over the years are; birthday balloon wreath, quilted birthday banners, birthday pillowcases, special dinner plate, birthday survey and a birthday chair cover.

I liked the idea of making a birthday chair cover.... doable and simple. It would also serve as a visual reminder to appreciate the birthday person, during their week. With Abree's birthday fast approaching, I got to work on it right away.

I printed out letters and a cupcake, traced them to Wonder Under, ironed them to fabric, and then cut them out.
Next, I made a slip cover out of pillowcase we had and ironed the letters and cupcake to it.
Then I sewed around everything, with these results.
I'm very new at applique. My stitching around the letters has room for improvement...although it's hard to see in the photo, it is quite uneven and funny looking in places.

I'm happy to report, I finished it before Abree's birthday and it works quite nicely.

Happy BIRTHday to our new Birthday chair cover and new tradition!

Gang Bangin'

Maybe "gang bangin'" isn't quite what I mean, more like Taylee is now a part of the gang WITH bangs.

First Rylee, then Abree, now Taylee.

BEFORE

AFTER

Taylee doesn't usually have an audible opinion when it comes to her hair, but just recently she decided that having bangs would be cute. She gently nudged (strategically begged)me into finally cutting them for her.

She loves them, but says one drawback is when she gets sweaty in PE, her hair looks dirty. Nothing a shower can't cure Taylee. :) Funny.

Happy Birthday Mrs. Matthews!

Yesterday, was my first day to volunteer in Abree's kindergarten class. I helped kids with an alphabet exercise, played color/shape BINGO, traced and cut shapes for homework and helped them to finish up their "I Am Special" book.

While I was there, I found out that Mrs. Matthew's birthday was on Saturday. She said she planned on spending the WHOLE day, at Boise State (ESPN Game Day, tailgating and game).

Inspired by the kid's, Abree and I made Mrs. Matthews a BSU rock and card.

"Dear Mrs. Matthews,

You are a great teacher. You have fun activities. Hope you have a great birthday.

Love, Abree

PS-Have fun at the BSU game."