give thanks

Today, I got to attend "feasts" at both of my girls' schools. Shelby has an interesting pilgrim hat, doesn't she? A little home girl 'tude on the pilgrim garb. Anyway, although my pics are less than perfect, the day itself was. I am really lucky and today alone, I have things like this to be thankful for:
- 2 sweet, beautiful girls
-a child who ate almost nothing off of her plate but carrots and dip
-a child (the other one) who ate mashed potatoes, cornbread muffins, and pumpkin pie-no chicken legs though!
-homemade treasures that come home from school, especially handprints made into turkeys
-an S on my Thanksgiving card from Shelby, the first written S ever from her. S is for Shelby!
-patient and creative teachers
-the opportunity to be a stay at home mom
-5 days of no school, beginning today--no waking up early tomorrow.....wahoo!

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dancing with the stars

Confession: I am so into this show!

And my kids are too, they break into dance just as soon as it starts, and them mimicking the techniques is hilarious. Olivia is all about people sliding on the ground, especially between their partner's legs, so when I dance with them (c'mon, I do--I am a good mom!) she attempts that. Good fun. I actually would like to take her when the tour comes to town, but the cheapest ticket is about $60. If there is a rich philanthropist reading this, or someone with a box at US Bank Arena, call me!
Shelby, her dancing is coming along as well but the funniest thing she's got going is the way she says: Carrie Ann Anarbor (could not find the correct spelling of that on line). She sounds dead on the announcer. Honestly, if I were not so lazy, I'd fire up the video camera and get her saying it next to the TV while the show is on b/c it is THAT funny.

Confession: I actually voted last week and tonight!
Today I gave 3 votes to Helio and Julianne, and 2 to Jennie Garth. Pin It

storyboards

These are called storyboards. You make them by choosing pictures, uploading them into PhotoShop, and with a wonderful thing called an action, it resizes, and centers them into the given arrangement. Truly great! So I made the top one as a little test and had it printed at MPix, framed it in black, and showed it off to my family so they understood what I meant. My Mom, Tyler's grandma, *almost* cried. His mom did. That makes it all worth it!! No regrets ever about buying my camera (Digi Rebel XT) or slowly learning the magic of PhotoShop, albeit time consuming and still, mostly an overwhelming task. The bottom storyboard is made from the 3 photos my Mom selected as her favs, and we arranged them like so. Pretty cool too.

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ordinary miracle

Yesterday, while driving around in command central ( my 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan, nicely equipped with a DVD player) my kids were watching Charlotte's Web. They got it for Easter and it had not come out of the package until yesterday. Nothing like a new movie in the car to capture their attention. By the time the day was nearing it's end, and we picked Olivia up from her after school art class, the credits were rolling as we got close to home. And the sweetest song was playing, and I was getting teary listening to the lyrics (coincidentally this song is by Sarah McLachlan, who I once saw in an elevator in LA at the Mondrian Hotel, it was the only brush with fame we had on that trip-unless two of the parking attendants were stars of a Doublemint Gum commerical, as we strongly suspected) Back to the topic at hand...

Lyrics:
It’s not that usual when everything is beautiful
It’s just another ordinary miracle today
The sky knows when its time to snow
You don’t need to teach a seed to grow
It’s just another ordinary miracle today
Life is like a gift they say
Wrapped up for you everyday
Open up and find a way
To give some of your own
Isn’t it remarkable?
Like every time a raindrop falls
It’s just another ordinary miracle today
Birds in winter have their fling
And always make it home by spring
It’s just another ordinary miracle today
When you wake up everyday
Please don’t throw your dreams away
Hold them close to your heart
Cause we are all a part
Of the ordinary miracle
Ordinary miracle
Do you want to see a miracle?
Its seems so exceptional
Things just work out after all
It’s just another ordinary miracle today
The sun comes up and shines so bright
It disappears again at night
It’s just another ordinary miracle today
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Anyway, I love this song. I loved the melody and the words and as a Mom, I witness ordinary miracles every day. Deep, huh? I also witness kids throwing fits, peeing in their pants or refusing to eat dinner; but fortunately there is a lot of goodness to outweigh that kind of business. Pin It

level of participation

Granted, there are people who do more but I feel like I am in full swing as a volunteer at my girls' schools, especially Olivia's. And I love it but sense I may soon come close to the point where I need to say NO at times, to save my own sanity. On Tuesday, for example, I had a 9a meeting to discuss Classroom Projects for the Grand Event fundraiser held in March. I returned to school at 3:10p to pick O up. Dave and I both went back at 7p for her teacher conference and a run through the Book Fair. Shew! The conference went so well and I am very proud of Olivia. VERY. Tomorrow I will work at the book fair during her scheduled library time, which apparently is no easy task since the librarian said, they all come with a certain amount of $$ to spend, but always want more. I understand that feeling all too well! I also am in charge of supplying a crockpot full of beef BBQ for the Thursday conferences. See what I mean? Busy life. Today I also typed up the letters asking for Christmas Gift donations for the teacher. Remember, I am the room Mom...

If you are ready for something delicious, and a one pot supper, try my Mom's Barbecue (that's how we spell it!).

Barbecue
by Bev Anderson

1 bottle Heinz Ketchup (8 oz)
1 small onion diced
2 tbs dry mustard
1 tbs sugar
2 tsp vinegar
2 lbs ground chuck

Brown meat and onion together in skillet. Drain grease. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes.

Serve on buns with cole slaw. Yum. Pin It