What have I been doing

I think sometimes stress can manifest itself in different ways...like the previous post. ;) The last couple weeks have felt really busy. Giving two baby showers, decorating chairperson for the stake women's conference(decorating 30+ tables on a tight budget), birthdays, race training, scouting (Good job Andrew on your Arrow of Light), 3rd grade art show (Good job Sarah on having your work choosen for display), reupholstering my couch (with help I might add) and a "rockin" ward talent show (go Chad!). Here are just few pictures to illustrate.

Amazing

Yesterday morning, I had my recommend renewal appointment with a counselor in the stake presidency. After a little chatting, we began the formal interview with a prayer. After the prayer, he paused and said, "I have the impression to tell you that you are a great mom." Given my recent feelings (as noted in the last post), this was an amazing tender mercy from my Heavenly Father.  This was an incredible confirmation that He knows me personally and loves me. This unexpected affirmation of love is one I know I will heavily rely on in the coming months and for that I am so grateful.

A grand experience...

Grandma Chris wanted to do something special with Sarah for her 9th birthday. She made reservations for High Tea at the Grand America hotel. We were seated in a beautifully decorated lobby complete with crystal chandeliers and a harpist. The hors d'oeuvres and specialty hot chocolates were delicious. However, it was the "tea flower" that stole the show. Upon our arrival, our waitress placed a small bundle in a tall, stemmed glass. After a few minutes, we saw the hot water do it's magic. It opened up revealing a beautiful flower. It was so fun to watch. After our "tea" we wandered around the hotel enjoying the paintings, antiques and beautiful furniture. Sarah even got to watch a bride in the courtyard. What a special and indulegent afternoon indeed...thank you Grandma Chris!

Feeling incompetent. Feeling stressed. Feeling blessed.

So I haven't been blogging much lately...not sure that anyone has noticed. Sometimes my mind gets much too jumbled with all the things I have to do, all the things I should do and all the things I want to do. I hate feeling this way and when I do, my weaknesses really seem to look me right in the face. Lately, I've been feeling the pressures of motherhood wearing me down.

I worry that I my preschooler won't willingly tell me letters, let alone be reading by the time kindergarten starts. Why are so many other kids reading when they reach kindergarten?? I worry that I haven't found the perfect childhood hobby for my kids. Since when did our children need a childhood career? Seriously, sometimes I feel like if you haven't found your child's "chosen hobby" by the time they are eight, it's too late. Things are getting way too intense and competitive if you ask me. I worry that my older kids don't know all the Articles of Faith and that my youngest doesn't like to pray. I worry that my house isn't as clean and organized as it should be. I worry that I don't scrapbook anymore and my youngest one wonders where all her pictures are. I worry that I'm not enjoying motherhood enough and this time really is going to be over before I know it.

And then I take a deep breath.

I feel blessed.

I know everything will work itself out. It has to. I wasn't reading when I started kindergarten and somehow I managed to graduate from college. I trust that my kids will find something they are passionate about...even if they aren't on a competitive team or the most coordinated one in dance class. I know my kids are absorbing more of the gospel than I ever did at their age and I even passed off my Articles of Faith. Somedays I get my house clean and the laundry done...a lot of days I don't. I know my kids know I love them...regardless of the number of scrapbook pages each of them have (or don't have). I know this mothering part of life will be over before I know it, but I know that motherhood never ends. However, I am trying harder to hug them a little more, look into their eyes more deeply and listen more intently and get angry a little less. And I when I fail, I just try again.

Is a 5yr old still considered a toddler?

Because Jenna, really, really still seems like a baby to me! Today Jenna turned FIVE. My baby is five years old. I could go on and on about how it doesn't seem possible, but I won't. This was a fun birthday for Jenna...it's the first year that she has really anticpated her birthday (for about 3 weeks now!). She woke up this morning to the traditional signs on the door and a waffle breakfast served on the "special" plate. I decided to spend the day savoring this time with my "baby." We read books, did puzzles and baked her cake together. She is really into puzzles and helping my bake right now...I love that. Later, she had her gymnastics class and today was family day. The g'parents met us at the gym to watch her show off her stuff. After, we headed home for dinner, presents and cake. I'd say all in all, Jenna had a wonderful day!

Moving up the ranks...

 Andrew just received his Arrow of Light. In spite of not being the most "scoutly" of families, it has been wonderful to see him working hard on his scouting requirements. It seems like just yesterday I was buying Josh's first little blue Cub Scout shirt  and now, Andrew is wearing the more mature khaki shirt of the Boy Scouts. There was a wonderful ceremony for the boys receiving their Arrow of Light. Scouts dressed in full Indian dress conducted the ceremony. It was really fun for all the scouts to watch. At the end of the program, he was given a ceremonial arrow as a keepsake to remember his achievements. Well done Andrew....congratulations!!

Earth Day...an accidental celebration

On a whim, my mom called and asked if we could me them at The Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy. After some quick shuffling of afternoon schedules, we headed over. It just so happened to be Earth Day as well...what a happy coincidence and a great way to celebrate our earth. We've been to this little aquarium a couple of times and we love it. We are in Utah so  you must keep your expectations accordingly. That being said, I couldn't think of a better use of an old grocery store (or was it a Robert's? lol) It really is a wonderful little place to visit and we couldn't wait for a return visit since they added the penguins. The kids had a great time running around with G'ma and G'pa. As always, the jellyfish, little "Nemo's" and stingrays are a big hit. We also loved seeing the Octopus and all her eggs dangling to the side of the tank. It was bittersweet to observe the circle of life there...knowing she will soon die after laying her eggs. By far, the highlight was the penguins. They really put on a show for us and we could have watched them all day. It was so fun watching them chase each other under the water...they are fast! And have you ever noticed how a penguin gets out of the water...very cool and cute. This was particularly fun for Andrew to see, who has had a love of penguins since he got "Ping Ping" when he was a toddler. We are so glad G'ma and G'pa called and we could spend the afternoon with them...what a great day!

Spring Break: the non-food part

On the way down, we thought it would be a good idea to take advantage of what our own state has to offer. We made a day trip to Bryce Canyon. Although the bad weather arrived just in time for Utah's spring break, we still enjoyed our stop. It was windy and cold and it snowed off and on the whole time we were there. We pretty much drove to each lookout, ran to edge, ohh'd and ahh'd for a minute, snapped a picture and ran back for the car. We were able to do a quick hike outside of the park that was really fun for the kids. For Jenna, it was all about being able to touch the red rocks. The kids were happy to take a dip in the indoor hot tub and pool after such a cold afternoon. We are looking forward to making another trip so we can enjoy more hiking and scenery. 

While in Phoenix, we made a return trip to the the Arizona Science Center. We went last year and loved it so much, we wanted to go back. The kids love all the interactive exhibits. This year the climate exhibit (complete with wind and rain) was a big hit as well as Chad studying the inner workings of a toilet (ahem...I wonder why). 

We stayed at the the Scottsdale Resort . We were pleasantly surprised by how nice it was for the price we paid. Of course the kids enjoyed the pool. They also enjoyed the fire pit at night, making there own hot chocolate in the morning, riding the bikes provided by the resort, a little hide and seek and attending the Easter petting zoo the hotel put on. The grounds were just beautiful and I couldn't get enough of the fragrant orange blossoms. I would highly recommend this place. I'm not sure if rates are always as cheap as what we got, but it's certainly worth checking out. My sister got even a cheaper rate than we did with her AAA card (we booked on hotels.com) While out and about, Ryan drove us by Frank Lloyd Wright's last house he designed. He died before it was completed, the home was in the family until his kids recently died. It's on the market...do you think we can afford it? I'm ashamed to admit that I've yet to visit FLW's desert compound, Taliesin West, where he finished his career. Next trip for sure.

 

To counteract a few of the calories we consumed, we planned a family hike to one of Ryan and Jodi's favorite spots. We hiked a trail in the Superstition Mountains that led to a waterfall surrounded by petroglyphs. Ryan claimed it was an easy one mile in and one mile out hike. Glad he played a trick on us cause I'm not sure the kids would have lasted had they known we did over four miles. It was so cool to get up close to these Indian petroglyphs that are hundreds of years old. More and more, I'm coming to appreciate and enjoy the beauty of the desert landscape. (of course, we were there in spring) The flowers and vegetation were just beautiful (even the "female" cactus I just had to take a picture of...I know, I know I'm 12yrs old).  The weather couldn't have been more perfect (it hovered at 75-80 degrees the whole trip).

We really need to thank Ryan and Jodi for showing us such a wonderful time. We loved spending time with them and are looking forward to our next visit with them!

Spring Break 2010: food in Phoenix

We rolled home last night a few pounds heavier than when we left. Am I ready to eat at home for awhile now, maybe. Do I need to get to the gym? For sure. Was it worth it? Oh yea.
When we let Ryan and Jodi know we would be headed their way for Spring Break, we told Ryan we wanted a serious food emphasis on our itinerary. Chad and I are novice Food Network fans and one of our favorite shows often features Phoenix area restaurants. We've been looking forward to sinking our teeth into some of these menus. I'm not sure what it is, but there seems to be an abundance of good restaurants in Phoenix. We ate out almost every meal and didn't even scratch the surface. I will admit, by the last day, we were feeling a little sluggish and ready for some water and a workout. We did manage to get in some physical and mental activities, but food was definitely at the top of our list this trip. Here is a run-down of where and what we ate:

Joe's Farm Grill: This was a total trip. An old family home and farm turned organic, fifties-ish burger stand, farmer's market and coffee stand (Agritopia as they call it). Urban and old school combined. Known for it's burgers, pizza and salad, this was a fun place especially for families.I had a delicious burger with pesto. After dinner, you can enjoy the gardens.

Over Easy: Next was eating at Over Easy. Our first choice was Matt's, but the wait was too long and the place was way too small (not enough room w/ kids), so we happily headed over to another well known spot. This breakfast spot was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and we couldn't wait to try it out. I had the banana caramel pecan french toast, it was very good. Chad had the chicken fried steak...the gravy was fabulous. We really wanted to go back and get the jalapeno biscuits and gravy. We really liked the gravy. Maybe next trip.

Next, we had a "taco challenge." Yes, a head to head comparison of two different taco stops...two lunches in one day:

La Condesa:This new addition to the authentic Mexican taco scene in the area was just discovered by Ryan. They had a very cool selection of salsas...loved the creamed cilantro (kind of like the Cafe Rio dressing). We had a delicious dogfish shark taco and an incredible conchinita pibil taco (with just enough sweetness). Loved how this place was decorated; lots of Day of the Dead, Frida and lucha libre art (check out picture of Josh by the bathroom).

America's Taco: It was hard to compare these two places...both are very good. This one might win because the menu is broader and they carry Coke products (for me, that is crucial). They tout themselves as having the best carne asada in Phoenix and mmm....it was really, really good, it had just the right amount of char on the meat. The day we were there, they happened to have fresh civche as a special...very, very good. The kids loved having there own bottles of soda and I was pleased they had Coke products.

Humble Pie: Pizzaria Bianco in downtown seems to be the place to be (thanks in part to Oprah), but with a 1-2 hour wait and dinner only hours, we wanted a close 2nd. Since I haven't frequented many pizza joints in the area, I had to trust my brother on this. I love pizza from Costco to Estee;  NY style, thin crust or deep dish, I pretty much love it all. This was good stuff....really, really good stuff. It had a nice thin crust with little burnt edges from the brick fire oven. I went with a traditional Margherita, nice and simple. Loved it. Chad had the SOP (sausage, onions and peppers...w/ ricotta). This was seriously amazing. The sausage was the standout and it is locally made. My brother got one w/ a fried egg on it, very good, too.  Did I mention we really, really liked this pizza?

Matt's Big Breakfast: This is another breakfast joint featured on Food Network. We had tried unsuccessfully the day before to eat here and to make sure we didn't miss out, we woke up at 6:30am to beat the morning rush (and we left the kids behind). I love how you simply write your name on a note pad as you arrive. After a small wait, we were seated at our tiny two-top in the front window. This place was charming to the max. Very small and intimate and very diner-esque but, in a cool, non-cheesy way. We were told to get the Chick and chop (pesto crusted pork chop with eggs), the waffles and the orange juice. Simple, yet amazing. I don't know how they did it. A waffle is just a waffle, right? Holy cow, somehow, this really was the best waffle I've ever had. There was nothing fancy about it either. Also, the pepper crusted bacon that came with it....I think it was the best bacon I've ever had. The orange juice? I've had good freshly squeezed OJ, but once again, somehow, this was a step above. The pork chop was really good but, to be honest a bit dry. What I loved about this place is that you can tell it is as equally loved and frequented by the locals as it is by tourists. The people were so friendly even though they could easily be overwhelmed by the crowd.


Queen Creek Olive Mill: Ryan claimed this place had olive oil cupcakes better than Sprinkles so naturally, we had to try it out. They make their own olive oils and in a huge range of flavors, too.You can take a tour (we didn't) and eat (which we did). They mostly do breakfast, sandwiches, salads and gelato. I got the Manzi panini...it was delicious, but I felt a little small. The cupcakes were super moist and good, but I still put Sprinkles on top (the frosting was definitely lacking). I thought this place was very good, but was disappointed by how pricey it was; $46 for lunch w/ the family seemed a bit steep especially considering this is a casual order and sit down place.


Culinary Dropout: Just by the name alone you have to be intrigued. This trendy restaurant is in the center of the posh Scottsdale shopping area. Yes, Chad and I proudly had our van valet parked. Walking into the restaurant felt like walking into a very hip and funky design magazine. We were a little freaked out by the staff. They all appeared to be acting and modeling drop outs; all with a very strict age limit of twenty-something and dress code of whatever is most designer(no consistent dress code what so ever). We joked that they must be filming their own reality show while working there. Loved funky mix of wing chairs, leather sofas, side chairs and dining tables. The place was very dimly lit by super cook green crystal chandeliers. I think it's obvious by now, that at this place, the style upstaged the food. And the food was quite good, too.


Roaring Fork: Another trendy Scottsdale spot. We went to take advantage of  happy hour pricing (I don't think servers love us non-drinkers, but oh well). My fish tacos were quite good and we all loved the kettle of green chili pork.


Sprinkles Cupcakes: What can I say? I don't know if I can think of many cupcakes that are as good these. By far, Red Velvet is the best. Love the lemon and carrot, too. Vanilla and chocolate leave much to be desired in my opinion...maybe because they lack cream cheese frosting? These babies are pricey, but worth it. I think I ate 6 over the course of the weekend.

The Soda Pop Shop: Fun for the kids....endless choices of soda flavors from blueberry, apple, strawberry to Mexican Coke and apple beer. They claim to sodas from around the world. Just be sure to brush your teeth when you are done...they sugar content is over the top. We were also hoping to make it to the The Sugar Bowl with the kids for ice cream...maybe next time. 

A word about restaurant bathrooms. It's long been known that you can tell a good restaurant by how clean it's bathrooms are. But, what about by how cool? Several of these restaurants had uber cool bathrooms. Joe's Farm Grill is partially outside and so are the bathrooms. They have frosted glass walls (lots of natural light), are unisex (I was a little freaked out by the urinal) and cool Barbie and Ken dolls cased in glass in the walls. At Culinary Dropout, the funkiness of the restaurant carried into the bathrooms with dark wood paneling (hello 70's), antique warehouse light fixtures and a troff sink so cool that I had to take a picture of it. La Condessa featured a life size lucha libre wrestler on the door.  I love that they didn't stop their vibe in the dining rooms...talk about a complete dining experience.

As you wish...

Several weeks ago, I found this note from Sarah on my pillow. She and Jenna leave notes often on our pillows and we just love it. It always cracks me up to see what will be written and how words will be spelled. This particular note contained a plea to get out of Utah and head to somewhere warmer. Per her request, we will be heading to Arizona tomorrow for some family time. We are looking forward to spending time with Ryan and Jodi, lots of good food and hopefully some sun.

Church bench reunion...

After 5 1/2 years, our family is reunited once again on one church bench. Today Chad was released from serving as a counselor in the bishopric. This calling has span a ward split and two bishops. It was definitely a bittersweet day. With the length of time he has served, we sensed his days were numbered. Chad has loved this opportunity to serve. The bishop joked that there might be a revolt among the youth. Chad was especially connected to the youth and will miss being with them. I, for one, will miss seeing Jenna sit with him during the closing hymn. (The bishop has a son the same age and both kids would sit on their daddy's laps during the closing hymn.) However, I am looking forward to having a shoulder to lean on and a hand to hold. Oh yes, sleeping in and watching the CBS Sunday Morning News in bed won't be so bad either. :)

Some of you might find it interesting to know that Nick Madsen, a dear friend from Colorado, was called to replace Chad. We had fun teasing the Madsens that our plan had worked....now they know why we wanted them to moved into the ward! ;)

Nine must be our lucky number

Admittedly, Chad and I are not the most outdoorsy people. I don't even have my own bike (should I be embarassed to admit that?). Since family bike rides have not been a regular occurence around here, it's not surprising that our kids seem to be at a more advanced age when they finally learn to ride. Josh and Andrew were 9'ish when they learned, so Sarah is right on target being nearly nine herself. We worked on it last summer, but didn't quite get there. Earlier in the week, I took off the training wheels, lifted the seat and sent her around the block. I figured she could use some practice kicking off and gliding. The next day, I went out with her again and within 10 minutes, she was off! The smile on her face was priceless, it brought a tear to my eye. She was just beaming with a pride...the sense of accomplishment she felt was palpable. Yay, Sarah!

No coat needed....naturally

There must be an unwritten rule that is not cool to wear weather appropriate clothing to Jr. High. This morning, with snow on the ground, Josh hops in the car "senza" coat. (pulling a little I-talian there) I make a comment and he replies, "I need a coat?? Should I go back and get one?" Pulling out my best "love and logic" answer, I respond, "No, I guess you don't need a coat." I really had to bite my tongue from giving him a lecture. I kept telling myself, if he's cold he will learn and he has to learn for himself (a la "Parenting With Love and Logic"). As carpool continued, I wasn't sure if my mind should be put at ease or I should be more perplexed. One boy we picked up not only had no jacket, but was wearing shorts. As we pulled up to school, we were surrounded by kids with no jackets, shorts and get this....flip flops. Yes, I'm sure of it: there is an unwritten rule that you should dress completely opposite of what is appropriate.

I can have my cake and eat it, too

And, the calories don't count on your birthday, right?! Talk about a cake. Check this out; red velvet cheesecake. Holy cow. Delicious. Of course Chad went out of his way to spoil me. He never fails to surprise me and make me feel so special. He loves doing things for me and I love that he does things for me! I'm one lucky girl. 

On Sunday, I asked my primary class how old they thought I was. One child exclaimed, "Fifty-nine!!" Today a girl came to the door selling magazines and asked if my mother was home. I think she was hoping for a sale and proceeded to tell me she thought I looked fourteen or fifteen (is that even a compliment?). So, let's just split the different and call it good at 37. Not that I'm having a hard time with my age advancing, but I will say that saying this number felt like a bit of a jump. You know how some birthdays just make go, "Hmmm, I'm getting older." Clearly, the best solution for any uncertain feelings is...CAKE! And, I enjoyed plenty of it.

I'm sailing away....

One of my favorite Styx songs is all too appropriate for the send off of my boys "little boy" room. If you know me, you know that I've always loved a good nautical theme for a boy. A little boy. Not a big boy and certainly not a teenager. Yes, my boys are growing up and it's time to let them move onto older themes. sniff sniff  The sailboats have more than done their job...they've been used in three house. It was time to let them retire. I actually had a hard time putting together their room. If you have boys, you know there seems to be limitations on what you can do for a boy. Once they get older, you can't let a theme (ie. sailboats) over take the room and yet, I didn't want the room to be consumed by a boring color palate.

Enter navy, green and orange. I think I found a good middle ground. And can I just say, I love the green on the walls....it's a great green....a boyish green. I have two favorite finds for the room. Can you guess what they are? The lockers and the Times Square photo. The lockers were another awesome KSL classifieds find. Cost me all of $100. They were a minty/appley green...nothing a little navy spray paint couldn't fix. (If you ask me, spray paint can fix just about anything) And that cool wall art, you ask? My beloved IKEA for a mere $60. Love, love it...feel like it brings just the right amount of cool to the room. The metal bookcases (had to saw the legs down to make them the right size) and the navy ledge shelves by their beds (perfect for Ipod and book holding) are other IKEA finds. I also love Josh's little music/lounge corner. I just knew my old paper rack could be put to good use...perfect for holding all his music and magazines. I also love the guitar hanging on the wall...useful art!

Lest you think I'm a ball of energy and just completed this, dont worry.  I did this almost a year ago, but never got around to photographing it! See the "very clean" before photo? Well, I thought of not including that and letting you think my kids rooms are always clean by using only the cropped shots. That's why I never got an after shot...the room pretty much always looks like that and you just can't have a messy after shot, right? So, today, after a big family cleaning rally, I knew my photo-op had arrived and it would quickly pass if I didn't take advantage of it. SOOO....there you have it, the boys (not so) new, improved,  and more grown up room!

In America's history, I see a light of liberty....

Today was the 5th grade program. This program was about America and it was full of history and patriotism. Andrew's favorite song was the one in the title of this post. I, too,  loved this song. There were a couple others that were new to me as well. They also sang the "Star Spangled Banner"(two verses!), "Fifty Nifty United States" (who can forget that one!), "This Land is Your Land" (a childhood favorite). Andrew was part of the "history police." He delivered his lines perfectly and with feeling, it was adorable. The program ended with a touching tribute to all those who have served and are serving in the armed forces.

Better than any medication...

...blue skies, a surprise flower in bloom and sun! As far as I'm concerned, it is SPRING!!! Spring colors, new growth and more sun. There are few things that make me happier. I have had a smile on my face all day. Once March 1st hits, I am full of spring fever. I don't need to wait until the 21st and my little crocus that surprised me this morning confirmed it as well. Certainly it will snow again, but no matter....spring is here!

The dining room is at 90%

I was recently reading a friend's blog and she talked about being a 90%er. That is so me. I tend to get 90% of a project done and either lose steam, run out of ideas or the money is gone. Pretty soon, I just accept how it is and call it good. So, that being said, here is the dining room project that I started 4 months ago and finished 4 months ago. Hopefully someday it will have curtains and be fully accessorized, but for now, this is how it will stay.

In the original post about this project, I mentioned a possible splurge. Can you see what it is? It's the new columns under the arch. From the day we bought the home that "floating arch" has driven me crazy. Where you see the white panels, there was nothing at all. I am a visual person and the arch was visually unsupported. Now, my eyes are at ease with an arch that is supported by the white paneled columns.

If you had ever told me I would have a metallic gold dining room, I would have laughed. Thankfully we are all allowed changes in opinion and taste. I love, love the result. I used the Ralph Lauren Regent Metallic paint. It is the Parlor Gold. A bit more pricey, but worth it.

One of my favorite things in the dining room is the chandelier. That was a find from the KSL classifieds. A mighty good find of $65(it retails for $400!)! This light was brand new, all I did was paint it black. I already had the table.  I am still working on the perfect centerpiece...any ideas anyone(please)?  I recycled the chairs from my previous kitchen table by painting them black. Yes, they are a bit casual , but I love the look with the upholstered end chairs (IKEA). Those IKEA chairs were so reasonable and are so fabulous. The slipcovers are fully removable (washable!) and the chair is very sturdy and comfortable. These were half the price of the chairs I almost bought from Pier 1 which felt very cheap.  I am so happy with the crisp black, white and gold scheme and I love how it coordinates with the living room. I am planning on painting the living room a color with a little more "umph" and something that will hopefully compliment the dining room.

So, whose ready to come over for dinner?

One memorable night....

  ...and to think he almost missed it! We had made some weekend plans with friends before we realized the conflict with the Daddy Daughter Date night for the Activity Day girls. For about 1/2 a second we thought, "Eh, we can miss it." So glad that insane thought quickly left. I don't think I've seen Chad and Sarah have this much fun in a long time. Chad texted me a couple times through the night to let me know and I think the pictures speak for themselves. They were both beaming! What a special night!

A week of celebration!

I think it's safe to say Andrew had a good birthday this year. After all, the celebration stretched throughout the week! Monday, we celebrated as a family, Tuesday he had a special dinner date with G'ma and G'pa Jensen, Friday he had a bowling party with friends and that night he had a birthday sleepover with Grammy and Papa in Provo.

A little project...

My sister, Heather and I did a fun project yesterday. We made upholstered headboards. All it took was some plywood, batting, fabric, nail heads and staples. Final cost? Fifty dollars! Not bad for a king size headboard. Since we were limited on tools and talent, we kept the design profile and details very simple. Once we worked out a few kinks, it went really fast. I think it turned out pretty good and it's nice to finally have a headboard!

Andrew just turned 11....

...and he still has a twinkle in his eyes. Seems that not even age can dull that angelic twinkle.
How can it be that 11 years have passed since my "Angel Andrew" was born? His entrance into the world was a bit rough for mom, but he has more than made up for it. Andrew is my "pleaser" child; always wanting to do exactly what he should. Well, I guess I should be a little more clear: he does exactly what he should when it comes to schoolwork...not so much when it comes to housework. ;) We all need something to work on, don't we? Recently, at parent-teacher conference, his teacher wished she had "twenty-five Andrew's." I'd have to agree, the world would be a little bit better with more of us like Andrew.

Andrew started out his birthday with waffles and bacon served on the special red plate. On the way to school, he was serenaded by the carpool. Seeing Sarah whispering to the others to organize the singing brought such a smile to my face. Andrew chose Training Table for dinner....he's a burger and fries kind of boy.

The celebration will continue through the week with a dinner date with G'ma and G'pa Jensen, a bowling party on Friday and sleepover with G'ma and G'pa Medeiros. Happy Birthday, Andrew....we love you!!!

True Story

While sitting at parent-teacher conference this last week, I discussed possible solutions with the teacher to help my child make sure work is turned in. We've had some issues with work not being turned in. I am all for my child learning self reliance and responsibility, but this is the third grade we talking about here and there still needs to be guidance.

The conversation begins with me asking,

"Do you call for the kids to turn in their homework each morning or at certain time during the day?" 

(I wonder what the classroom routine is. I wonder if my child is just not hearing this "call" for work, if she is day dreaming or if she is even aware that homework needs to be turned in.)

To this question, I get the reply,

"That's a really good idea. 
I think I will start doing that."

I was speechless.

Andrew takes the D.A.R.E. pledge

You know the school has a successful program when your child comes home talking about it. For the last three weeks, Andrew and his fellow 5th graders have participated in the D.A.R.E program. This is an anti-drug program that teaches kids the dangers of drugs and ways to cope with the pressures they will face. I tell you, Andrew sure loved this program and took it very seriously. (That's my Andrew!) Each of the students were asked to write an essay about what they learned. Two children were chosen from each class to read their essay at the assembly...and Andrew's was chosen. (That's my Andrew!) Like I said, Andrew took this program to heart...so much so, that he even wanted to include it on his Valentine box!
I could tell Andrew was very excited about the assembly...he only asked me three different times if I was coming and if I knew what time it was at. The assembly was really fun for the kids...complete with Miss South Jordan and the Jazz Bear. Andrew did a great job reading his essay and even received a goodie bag for this recognition. After the diplomas were passed out, the parents were treated to a performance of the D.A.R.E. song. Good job, Andrew and always remember what you learned!

A little love....

We started the day with a favorite tradition: pink heart pancakes and pink milk. The kids love it (and it's easy, too!) This year the plates greeted them with special certificates and a favorite magazine. (I did say "little" in the title, didn't? lol I'm all for keeping things low-key.) When I was trying to think of a little something to give each of the kids, there just wasn't anything I felt was worth spending money on. Besides, what is Valentine's day all about anyway? What better than a little one-one time with each parent? I think the time spent will be much more rewarding that some silly gift or over-priced game we could have given them. Chad and I said, "No gifts." Apparently, Chad doesn't know what that means. He treated me to my favorite "V" chocolates. I, on the otherhand, am a woman of my word....I gave him a card.
After church, we headed up to Kaysville for a Valentine's dinner and FHE. Crazy and yummy as always. It wouldn't be a Jensen gathering without something spilling, breaking or melting. This time, it was a plastic bottle of sprinkles melting all over the stove. Cameron headed up a great FHE discussion on emergency preparedness. I feel pretty okay with the efforts I made so far, but got some great ideas for improvements and additions. This discussion also served to sufficiently freak out Sarah. lol All in all a great night!

Earlier in the week, we had a great time decorating cookies with Grammy and Papa. G'ma Ginger even came, too! Midweek was consumed with getting the valentine cards filled out and the boxes done. Sarah requested a cupid this year and Andrew really wanted his box to feature D.A.R.E. (the anti drug program he just completed at school). Jenna's preschool teacher requested that the kids not only write their name on all the cards, but the names of the classmates as well. I was so impressed with how well Jenna did...that was a lot of writing! I had a 'sweet' surprise when Andrea dropped off some of her super gorgeous sugar cookies. They were almost too pretty to eat...almost.