8th Grade Dance

I don't remember having a big deal eighth grade dance when I was in jr high but Kaylee's school presented her with the opportunity to attend "Skyglow" 2013.  Really Skyglow was the theme of the dance not what it is always called. I'm just trying to create an excitement for the event.  At first I was kind of against the whole thing (it cost $20, people were going as "couples", some kid even rented a limo) but Kaylee went with a great group of friends and even though her report was "it was okay", I'm going to translate that to mean she had a lot of fun.  Once I embraced the dance I probably got more excited than I should have and we went shopping for a new dress. Have you tried to find a modest dress for a middle schooler?  I tell you what it's a frustrating business and threatened to dampen my spirits.  We finally found one, and even better it was an excellent price.  The girls met up early at the school to take pictures and they were totally and unintentionally color coordinated! Cute huh!

Kaylee, Miya, Riely, Kyla, Lillian and Carly

I can never figure out why people think squinting straight into the sun is so great for pictures

Happy Mother's Day to ME!!!

I know this is a little late, but for mother's day my only wish was to get family pictures.  Well not just family pictures, family pictures with no complaining.  No complaining about what I made wanted them to wear, or what I did to their hair, or face or anything.  This group knows me a little, and they know I can get a tiny bit carried away when it comes to family pictures but let me tell you they delivered!  I am very happy with the results, even if as Aiden said several times through a clenched teeth smile it was "only for mother's day".

P.S. I just learned how to make photo collages ( I know I'm a little behind on the times...don't judge!)  so I may have gone a little overboard, but I'm okay with it:)

Talent Show

I am always impressed when my kids decide they want to get up in front of a group of people to perform.  That isn't the sort of thing I myself enjoy so I'm really glad when they can break out of their comfort zone.  Aiden tried out for the talent show with an act of singing "Home Means Nevada" while hula hooping.  He made it!  Buuuut there were two other hula hooping acts and in an effort to get as many kids in the show as she could, the teacher combined his hula-ing with theirs.  He was a little downhearted that he wouldn't get to do it on his own or sing his song but the show must go on.  (There is a video but blogger isn't letting it upload. I'll keep working on it)

Pioneer Hoe Down

Part of the fourth grade curriculum is studying Nevada history.  Aiden's school had a hoe down to celebrate history and I got to help.  I didn't get many pictures because I was stationed at the steer roping station the whole time but it was fun to watch the kids and they had a fantastic time!

My cute cowboy

He's a natural

Apparently that's my schtik

shtick (from dictionary.com)

noun Slang.

1.

(especially in comic acting) a routine or piece of business inserted to gain a laugh or draw attention to oneself.

2.

one's special interest, talent, etc.

Whenever I see someone jump off of something or take the stairs to fast or run on uneven ground, I think to myself "You could break your ankle that way."  Why does this thought come into my mind?  Because that's what I do.  I break or badly sprain my foot more often than someone should.  The latest injury to add to the list?  Coming off the last step in front of Panda Express and rolling my ankle on Wednesday night. (Tada! they didn't even have the dish I wanted, boo!) Luckily for me (if you can call it luck) the car was just a few steps away and Chris was in it so he was able help me get me into the car and off to quick care.  Within minutes there was an egg sized lump on the side of my foot.  I never even get a cool story to go along with my injuries.  Let me tell you, I know the lady at the check-in desk, the nurse and the doctor are just trying to make sure I'm not being abused or something but it's a little embarrassing to have to repeat over and over that really I'm just a klutz.  The quick care doctor thought I might have a break but she wasn't completely sure so I was referred to a podiatrist.  I couldn't get in until Monday so it was a weekend of crutches for me. (crutches are lame btw)  Chris being the super terrific husband that he is, took a couple of days off to help me out, and if it hadn't been for the injury it would have been a nice little vacation.  The podiatrist said it was a class three sprain (hooray no cast and no more crutches!) I have to keep it wrapped most of the time so I don't get to wear any of my cute shoes for a while but I guess I should b grateful for the walking without assistance part of the deal.

The pictures don't really do it justice.  The bruising looked like when the people on "V" peeled off their skin to show their true alien self.  Chris is afraid of it.

Staycation

I have really been wanting to get out of town lately and of course spring break would be the time to do that, right?  Plans didn't really come together buuuuut we live in a vacation destination (duh) so we decided to take advantage of that fact.  We got a couple of rooms for cheapie at Sunset Station then did everything that place had to offer.  There was the pool that was was fa-reeezing. I braved putting my feet in for a couple of minutes and the kids only lasted a few minutes longer than that.  Next was the arcade, dinner at the food court, and off to the movies where we watched "The Croods". The kids took advantage of having their own room and stayed up late.  Dalin was looking forward to the buffet  the entire time and he wasn't disappointed .  Really he wanted a plate full of bacon of which he ate maybe three pieces. Then it was off to bowling.  It was less then 24 hours but it was a fun break.

Of course I forgot to document the fun (so much for new year resolutions) so I only got this last minute buffet picture

Spelling Diva

The state spelling bee!  Chris was hoping for a moment of fame (because they would of course want to know how he's been preparing Kaylee for this her entire life), but they didn't  record this show. There were 31 kids and Kaylee did really well.  I think she was 18th out?  Something like that.  I think it was a great experience for her and I think she even had a little bit of fun.

A luncheon for the Bee winner.  She got her own center peice

I went up to take a picture while she was spelling. Unfortunately this was the round she got out, and she's pretty sure I jinxed it by moving.

With Kendall Tenney.  She's pretty much a local celebrity now

Happy Birthday Ashton

Here are some of the party down highlights from Ashton's 12th birthday!

Leaving school in the middle of the day for a mom and dad lunch at Ghengis Grill

Ashton doesn't really love cake so she had a personal sized watermelon with candles.  Unfortunately watermelon in February isn't super fantastic.

Friend party at the bowling alley

Ashton wanted to ride the zip line over Fremont street.  Dalin didn't weigh enough and the other boys weren't up for it so it was the girls had a bonding adventure

After the ride...let's do it again!