February 24, 2013

Since we were out of town last Sunday, I didn't get my "Power Hour" and hence our life didn't get documented.  But, lest you concern yourself with thinking everything was silent here, let me assure you-things are still busily trucking along. 

We just got back inside from playing outside as a family.  Last night we were "blessed" as I often hear in Sacrament meetings prayers with moisture-in fact the sky was working full time the entire day yesterday to produce a likely 6 new inches to our existing snowpack.  So since the blessed sun decided to show itself I decided that we all needed to get outside and get our wiggles/grumbles out.  The sun was blinding as it reflected off the sparkles that lay everywhere.  We took off our coats, threw snowballs, tried to build things but realized the snow just wouldn't pack, tried to rescue Clara from her brooding state (where a chicken goes into a type of depression because she wants to set a batch of eggs) looked at animal tracks, and enjoyed the fresh air.  How much we are all hoping for spring.  In desperation one day this week, the little girls and I pulled out the wheat and planted a few pots of our traditional wheat grass. 

 Last weekend we headed up to Centerville to spend time with friends and family.  We had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed just getting away.   Rhyse was even able to attend the much anticipated Bunny Party with her dear friend Sonya.  I loved giving Getti's kitchen and dining room and fresh (monochromatic I might add) new color and especially talking with Devin and Getti about marriage and relationships and life. 

 Yesterday Breck and Lan had another swim meet.  They did great trying new events, getting some PR's and some good times.  It was the last qualifying meet before State and though they really hoped to qualify in something they are realizing that most people don't qualify after only 2 meets.  They are already planning and anticipating next year.  I'm so proud of them for working so hard at this new sport.  They are improving so much! 

 The day before Valentines was "Special Friends day"  in Capriel's class.  Rhyse and I were lucky enough to be invited to be Capriel's special friend.  So we got to go to school and listen to her awesome songs "Skidamarinkadink" was my favorite, decorate valentines bags, and even be served a valentines cookie and drink.  Capriel is so happy and fun and has so much sparkle.  She does really well in school and can read her scripture verse just like everyone else now. 

 Talia was in charge of bringing treat for activity days last week.  She got on pinterest (my girls already know right where to go for ideas:)) and picked out these special rice-crispy valentiny treats.   She made lots of batches for her group and teachers and special friends and I believe can now make them from memory without any help. 

 Here is Breck-gorgeous I must say for having just woke up, enjoying her valentines Breakfast.  The heart eggs were a joke (they always stuck in the mold) but at least the pink pancakes weren't quite as flesh colored as last years breakfast attempts! 

 Here's Talia's valentine's outfit.  She couldn't quite bear to actually wear the red shirt all day, but she sure is good at putting together fun outifts.  

 Capriel and Rhyse and I had a fun Valentines delivering treats to special friends and neighbors.  At one house, an elderly gentleman gave her a candy cane that was almost as thick as her arm.  Rhyse woke up Valentines morning grumpy and contrary to everything and anything.  She didn't want to wear pink (what?) and chose instead to put on a Halloween shirt which was very fitting to the dark mood she found herself in.  She refused to deliver treats to one of her friends and screamed at kicked at who-knows what.  She has been having more and more of these incidents which can be VERY taxing on our patience. 

 Brecklyn has been finding more time for art lately.  Here a few of her latest.  The bottom, obviously, is Brielle and is a watercolor/ colored pencil piece that she gave Brielle for her 2nd birthday.  I can't believe how well she captured her impish little smile. 

 Here are my attempts to document Landen actually independently choosing to wear jeans to school!  He got a pair for Valentines and he looked awesome in them.  Landen is growing up so quickly.  He is really funny, fun, and responsible with his schooling. 

 Capriel finished her first bball season.  She had a great time and I don't think noticed even once that she was the only girl on her team.  She LOVED getting out on Saturdays and being allowed to run.  She was good at stealing and a good dribbler (very random and cauotic to watch) and would often get the ball all the way down the court and just forget to shoot.  She always had a smile and became a very tenacious defender. 

 Here's my Tal with her bball team.  Tali improved immensely this season.  I will remember this season by her steals and fast breaks, her calm faced but very intense and aggressive defending, and the way she kind of prances on her toys until she is comfortable and in the groove.  She has a great coach and is really enjoying learning the game of bball.  She is going to keep playing with this same team for another season. 

Breck wanted to take this picture.  Last night I needed something fun to do and decided to try my hand at dying a bedskirt for Rhyse's room.  It was fun to do with the kids and the result (though lighter than I'd hoped) is acceptable.  I got to teach for the first time in YW.  Certainly a different experience than CTR 6, but I felt like it went ok.  Teaching really stresses me out and takes me a lot of time, but I also find it fulfilling. 

Craig and I have been able to have a couple of fun dates in the last weeks.  First we went out for our Valentines date to a Music and Magic show at the AMerican Heritage Center.  It is a setting filled with restored American west buildings.  We enjoyed a dinner, fun conversation with new people ( I actually found someone who loves to garden) and then a magic/music show.  The show was given by a husband and wife duo.  The man was the musician and performed his numbers in conjunction with his wife a concert violinist.  Her numbers added such an interesting element and mood to his tricks and rounded out the evening well.  I've never been to a magic show and though I tried to thinking logically and use a critical eye, I was completely stumped as to how he accomplished the various tricks. 

Then two nights ago we went to a show Craig got tickets for as a Christmas gift.  The group was Chanticleer which is a 12 member male accapella group.  They were incredibly versatile, completely in tune, with this very focussed, tightly harmonized sound.  It really was astounding.   I haven't listened to many male sopranos, or for that matter altos, so it took some getting used to to not be turned off to the gorgeous thrillingly high sounds being created by some of these men!  Being the immature concert goer that I am, I must admit that I did have to stifle a few chuckles and the ludicrous juxtapose that was before me. 

Craig has just finished writing his first accapella song on the Finale software program.  He has spent so much time and it is going to be awesome.  I am amazed at all that is going on in his head. 

I'm reading a book about teaching your children to be independent and am finding a high level of drive to teach them the skills that will help them be fully functional adults.  I know that the kids are highly motivated to begin their "training sessions" right away!