Color

I've been pondering this question for awhile.

Do you think color is important?

I think being introduced to crayons and having the opprotunity to explore with them is important. It builds fine motor skills and is most definitely a stepping stone to writing. But the actual art of coloring...in the lines....back and forth....making it pretty.

Is that important?

I'm pretty sure my kindergarten grade card had a place to mark "Colors Neatly".

Our kindergarten card doesn't anymore, but I think it did when I started teaching.

I'm just not sure how important it actually is.

Emma is better at it than Colby, obviously...he's a boy and doesn't like it.

What is the value in teaching a child that shows no interest to do it nicely?

Seriously?

I know, What if they don't want to read b/c they have no interest? Are you going to make them learn?

Well, yes.

But what job interview are you going to go to where they ask you to color neatly in the lines.

If it appeals to you...it will come naturally....

so....what do you think?

New Couch

A random picture of a very spoiled puppy that I can't get to move down where I want it...

I have recently picked out a new couch. Our old one is falling apart. It's been through 2 baby and toddler stages. Lots of spilled drinks, crumbs, flu, etc. So....I got to pick out a new one. I love this! The only thing I would change would be having a chaise on it also. I could not find one that EVERYTHING I wanted, but wouldn't you know that I found a separate chaise that I love also!

I'm actually very excited about the chaise not being attached b/c I can move my furniture a little more. We all know how much i love to move furniture!
The chaise was crammed in the van, but the couch won't be delivered for 3 to 4 weeks:(....

Then it's on to rug shopping!

Sneak Peek and then some

So we all know my camera is crap and I haven't done anything about it. However, Saturday was Emma's dance dress rehearsal. We had a great time. There were curls, fluff, tulle, sequins, mascara, lights, cameras, and action! It's everything I had dreamed of when I had a little girl. We got there at 8:30...after a quick run to Mrs. Kenney's who saved the day! This is Emma's first dance. It's her tumbling class and also her favorite. They do back bends, cartwheels, etc.

Her second dance is ballet. I love this outfit and also the bun. I wish it was higher on her head so you can see it. Hopefully, the night of her recital she does better with dancing. She'd been up since 6...and we did this dance about 1:00.

I like this picture.
Isn't this precious? Miss Melody is a miracle worker!
Last, she does tap. It's to "You Ain't Nothin' But a Hound Dog." She also likes this one. Who wouldn't with the tail!!

Once again, her performance is Friday, April 30th @ 6:00 @ The Crossing. The doors open at 5:30. Her first song is the 2nd performance, so be on time:) Tickets are $5.00 at the door.

When I got home, I had mountain, and mountains of laundry waiting for me! I conquered it!

This is Duke. He's a lab/husky mix. So far, he has a great personality. He naps and then plays a lot. He likes to bite and is hilarious to watch run on the hardwood. The kids love him!
Can't wait to see what this week holds.

Recipes~

Self-filling Cupcakes

1 pkg of German Chocolate Cake Mix

8 ounces cream cheese

1/3 c sugar

dash salt

6 ounces chocolate chips

Prepare cake mix according to directions. Line cupcake tins and fill cups 1/2 full. Cream softened cream cheese, sugar, and salt. Mix in chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoon into center of each filled cupcake. Bake at 350 degrees approx. 15-20 mins.

Fudge Jumbles

2 c. packed brown sugar

1 c. butter, softened

2 eggs

1 teas. vanilla

2 1/2 c. flour

1 teas. baking soda

1/2 teas. salt

3 c. oatmeal

1 pkg. chocolate chips

1 11 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk

2 tablespoons butter

1 teas. vanilla

1/2 teas. salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Great 15 1/2 X 10 1/2 jelly roll pan (I use large rectangle stone). Mix brown sugar, 1 cup butter, eggs, and 1 teas. vanilla in large bowl. Stir in flour, soda, and 1/2 teas. salt. Stir in oats. Reserve 1/3 of oatmeal mixture. Press remaining oatmeal in pan. Heat chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons butter in 2 quart saucepan over low heat. Add milk, stirring constantly until melted. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 teas. vanilla and salt. Spread over oatmeal mixture. Drop reserved oatmeal over chocolate mixture. Bake until golden brown for about 25 to 30 mins.

April 22, 2010

To most this is just another date....

Or a reason to celebrate Earth Day....because you know we all want to.

For me, it's a day to stop and remember.

Remember an uncle...that left all too soon.

My Uncle Everett was really a brother.

An uncle only a year older than me.

We grew up 1/2 mile from each other.

He died 1 month shy of his 18th birthday...my junior year, his senior year.

It truly amazes me how 13 years can go by and yet, to me, it seems like just a flash.

I wonder, would Vance and him be friends or cautiously circle each other?

What would he be doing? Farming with Grandpa or have struck out on his own.

Kids?...Most definitely! One does not grow up being the uncle to over 20 nieces and nephews and not have a fondness toward kids.

What would he think of my kids?

Would he come watch them play ball and be present at dance recitals?

In some ways, time just stopped on that day. In my head, he's still almost 18 yrs old....but in real life he would be called Dad. A 31 year old man!

I can't imagine it...but yet I can! I can imagine him working hard, providing for a family, cherishing a wife...really I can and I'm sad. Not for him, but for me b/c I didn't get to see it. Most often I don't dwell on this life altering time in my life...I mean really, who can? You would sink into a depression so deep you could never get out. But today...today I'll allow myself to remember.

Colby's ball schedule

Colby's games this year.

He is on the team Tallman Auto Parts.

Their shirts are red.

Sat. May 22 Newland Field @ 1:30

Mon. May 24 Edina @6:00

Wed. May 26 Newland Field @ 6:00

Thur. May 27 Brashear @ 7:00

Tues. June 1 Edina @ 6:00

Wed. June 9 Edina @ 6:00

Mon. June 14 @ 7:00 (we'll probably miss this one)

Fri. June 18 Newland @ 7:00

Mon. June 21 Memphis @ 7:15

Thurs. June 24 Newland @7:00

Mon. June 28 Newland @7:00

Tues. June 29 Steggall @7:00

Thurs. July 1 Newland @ 7:00

Remember that the Newland Field only has one set of bleachers, so bring your own lawn chair.

Can't wait to see them in action!!

p.s. Emma's dance recital is Friday, April 30th @ The Crossing (old shoe factory). It starts at 6:00. Costs $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for kids.

The Trampoline

Here is a video of Emma, Colby, and Natalee bouncing on the trampoline. You should see the first video...oh so gentle. The rougher they get, the more she giggles. If there was ever a lull she would start trying to rock herself. What a princess:) We had lots of fun playing with her on Monday!!

The Weekend...

This weekend started on Thursday afternoon. Jeanne organized an egg dying extravaganza for Emma and Sylvia's class. They seemed to enjoy it!

Thanks Jeanne!
Colby and Grandma hung our at his party. Our 'bonus grandma' Penny came and hung out with Emma. I didn't get a picture?(. Thanks Grandma and Penny!!
MaKinley came and stayed with Emma and I picked up the Shaw boys for the Nursing Home egg hunt on Friday.
Natalee was there too.

She enjoyed herself:)
On Saturday, we had a photo shoot in Easter outfits. I curled Emma's hair. It was gorgeous. More to come on that.
We also colored eggs. Emma's favorite (Jenn pay close attention b/c she'll quiz you.)

Colby's favorite.

The Easter bunny came to visit.
We went to Sonrise Service and then had breakfast at Jenn's. Mom cooked for all of us! YUM!!
Lauren invited some friends:)!
My cute kiddos.
Monday Natalee came to visit. Poor Girl doesn't have anyone to play with. The kids took turns pulling her around the yard.
She rocked on Vance's old rocking horse.
And jumped on the trampoline!