Par-tay

Friday was Parker's 5th Grade Barbecue
(and my final official event of the school year!)
The PTA provided the food and set up the decoration & Photo Backdrops.

All the 5th graders gathered the last hour of school
for Food, photo's and Dancing!

It was CRAZY...but certainly FUN!

Parker with his friends Xander and Kyle

Parker's secret sign...DFTBA!
(This is a scan of a Polaroid so not good quality)Mrs. Holloway's 5th Grade ClassOnly a few days left of 5th Grade... and Elementary school for Parker (and me!)
It's strange to think that I'm not going to have any kids in Elementary.....
There's no way I'm THAT old!

They like me.... they REALLY like me!

Last Night was the award ceremony at Miranda's school. We received an invitation in the mail to let us know Miranda would be receiving an award, but weren't sure what it would be.
Miranda found out at school that she was receiving the Presidential Award of Excellence. That is an award given to students who maintained excellent grades for the year.
So that one we were expecting....
However, the other awards she received Miranda was not expecting. Each Teacher chose 2 students (boy and girl) to give a Department Award to.

She received one for Science from Mr. Hashimoto, one for World Geography from Mr. Farmintino and one for Choir from Dr. Miller.

Needless to say Miranda was shocked to receive them, but I have no doubt she earned every one. She is such a dedicated student and puts 110% into everything she does. The teachers can't help but like her (ok... I'm bragging a bit, but aren't I entitled?)
We're so proud of her!
It's crazy to think that she will be in High School next year. What an amazing young lady she is turning into.

Manila Mission Blog

We've started a blog to keep family and friends updated about my parent's mission to Manila, Philippines. Check it out anytime!
Manila Mission blog

All 4 One

Parker has had so many projects due this week.... Here's his latest that we worked on this week.
He had to create a musical instrument for class using objects from home.
His original idea was to have an elastic band stretched over two PVC pipes and twist it to make sound. Ok, not a bad idea, but we did a little demo of one and he wasn't too happy with the sound.

So I thought for a minute and suggested he use the drum he made in scouts a year or so ago (can you believe he still has it?)

Parker - "No Mom... then it's not like I made it"
Me - "But you did make it... just not recently"
Parker - "That doesn't count and besides just a drum is boring"
Me- "Well, what if you added a few things to it to make it like a one man band sort of thing"
Parker - "I don't know... like what?"

So then the brainstorming and rummaging began and a little glue gun, duct tape and elastic was put together and voila....
that is how the "All 4 One" came to be
Parker was again pretty pleased with his invention and couldn't wait to show it off at today. Thank goodness there's only a couple more weeks of school left.... I'm about project'd out!

Sink or float?

Parker had an assignment in art class to create something....anything out of a water jug.
He first had to come up with an idea and get it approved by the teacher.
Here is his original sketch
The teacher approved his idea and was anxious to see how he was going to get it from rolling over in the water. Originally, the assignment was to paper mache' the jug, but Parker wanted his boat to actually float so he paper mache'd the jug at school, then took it all off at home.

Parker knew exactly what he wanted to use for materials he just needed a little assistance with how to get it to work.

We cut the jug in half, (I cut out the wrong side according to the sketch) set the PVC pipes in place with florist clay.... but then what?
Then Ryan had a wild idea to use insulation foam to fill the inside with and set the pipes in place. This would also give it enough weight so it wouldn't roll over in the water.

Since I keep everything... I actually had some spray foam on hand and the project was well on it's way. After filling the jug with foam, we let it sit overnight to set up.
In the morning we awoke to a big surprise... the foam had crept up through the PVC pipes and created smoke! It was a little too much smoke for Parker's taste, so we cut it off and just kept the tips to attach later for smoke.

Parker got right to work painting and preparing the boat


(notice Gus and Sophie fighting in the background... he he)I helped out with the "wood" floor made out of paper, and we even added a railing all around the boat. (That was Parker's favorite part)
Soon it was finished and it looked amazing... even better than the original sketch if I do say so myself.

But now the moment of truth.... would it sink, or float????IT FLOATS!!!Parker was pretty happy with the way it turned out and I'm sure he got an excellent grade for all his hard work.

Paalam.....

...means Good Luck or Best Wishes or Farewell in Tagalog, the language spoken in the Philippines. So, all the family gathered for a barbecue to say Good Luck to my parents as they prepare to leave on their mission.
We even had authentic Filipino food brought in for the occasion! It was very delicious.
It was a wonderful day to just hang and visit with everyone...

Some of the family sang at their Farewell on Sunday.
All my siblings except Heather (who is pregnant and on bedrest in Washington and couldn't make it) sang. It was neat to all sing together again....We sounded better than Mo-Tab!!I don't think it's actually hit me yet that my parents are leaving for a whole year and a half. I'm sure next weekend when we take them to the MTC in Provo it will start feeling more real.
Paalam Mom and Dad.... I love you!

Be sure to check out the Manila Mission blog we created to keep everyone in the loop about their mission adventures!

Did you see it?

Just in case you forgot to watch or Tivo it.
Click Here to see Extreme Home Makeover - Las Vegas Edition

And be sure to watch carefully - don't blink
when the family comes home, we're all right behind the family!
Parker even gets a nice close-up!

Mothers Rejoice!

It's because of these two that I get the honor of celebrating Mother's Day
I LOVE to be their mother ... they make me smile, laugh, cry and sing everyday!
I have enjoyed watching their beautiful spirits grow and develop. I'm so lucky to be married to a wonderful man who works hard so I can stay home and spend so much time taking care of our families needs. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a mother in our wonderful eternal family!Happy Mother's Day!

My retirement

Last night at the school's talent show, I introduced the new 2009/2010 PTA board, and guess what.... I wasn't on it!!
I've been heavily involved in all aspects of PTA since Miranda started Kindergarten 10 years ago.(wow that seems like a long time)

I have enjoyed every minute of every event, open house, fundraiser, newsletter, luncheon, and 3 school dedications I've been involved with. Tiring, yes, but so rewarding too. I've loved being so involved with my kids elementary days. Hopefully they haven't minded having me around the school all the time. I've not only been on the PTA board, but also helped out in their classrooms every year.

I'm normally one who is perfectly content to stay behind the scenes but this past year, as my final encore, I accepted the position of President. I don't know what kind of drug I was on at the time, but after the heart palpitations and knocking knees ended, I was somehow able to fulfill my new role.

So now I just have 19 school days and 5 more PTA events before my reign as President is officially complete.
I know there is parent groups in Middle and High School, but I think I'll take a little time off and enjoy my retirement from PTA for a while. (Ryan is showing a bit of relief as well)
Hummm, what shall I do with all the free time I'll have now?.... scrapbook, or keep the house clean, or read a book, or do more baking, or go shopping, or hang with the family, or cook dinner or.......... oh yeah, 19 days and counting!

Appreciate your Teachers

Did you thank a teacher this week??

It was Teacher Appreciation Week and as a PTA we like to provide a lunch and little gift to show how much we appreciate our teachers and staff.
This year we joined with Principal Smallwood in giving them T-shirts...
I had the job of wrapping and creating tags for them so we could present them on Tuesday.They all loved the shirts and Ms. Smallwood let them have a jeans day and wear their new shirts today. It was sooo fun to see all of them united in bright lime green shirts walking around the school!

The PTA put on our annual luncheon today as well. This year I decided to call in the forces and have dutch oven potatoes & BBQ hamburgers. My dad was willing and more than qualified to fill the roll of head grill master and dutch oven king!Soon the entire school was filled with the unique dutch oven and BBQ aroma. Many of the teachers had never tried dutch oven cooking, but after seeing and tasting the delicious potatoes they instantly became fans! All the PTA board pitched in to provide desserts and salads to complete the feast. What a Spread!

There was PLENTY of food and everyone left full and happy - and probably ready for a nap!
We also gave them a gift of salsa that I put together yesterday with the help from my PTA buddies. Everyone was super excited to get their own jar of my homemade salsa. I received many recipe requests and suggestions that I should sell it... (hummmm maybe I'll start taking orders).

I love to do these little things for the teachers to let them know how much we appreciate everything they do for our kids. I will miss being involved with events like this next year. They are tiring, but so rewarding!

A Small Part of the World

Tonight was Parker's final choir concert. He's been involved with choir all of 4th and 5th grade. Parker is an excellent singer and is very serious about his performance. Here's a little snippet of their finale'.

They also did a number that enlisted the help of a bunch of teachers and the Principal and Vice Principal to help with percussion. It was based on Blue Man Group and all the children played tubes with different sounds. I uploaded it to my computer but then deleted it from the camera before editing it down to a presentable video. I'll try to post it on YouTube so you can be amazed just like I was.

Mrs. Loser is the music teacher and always does a fantastic job of teaching the children to love music. Both Parker and Miranda had the privilege of taking music and choir from her.
Ever since the school opened and they had their first choir concert I have helped design the program cover. Tonight after the performance Mrs. Loser asked me to come on stage as she presented me and Nicki, who also played the piano for the choir, with a bouquet of flowers to thank us for all we've done for her and the choir throughout the past 5 years. I seriously was about to cry.

So now...Parker's finished with choir and is moving onto middle school band next year!

Cinco De Mayo

Viva Cinco De Mayo!!!... I hope you had a wonderful FIESTA today to celebrate!
I really just love today, not really because of what the holiday represents ( I think the Mexican's defeated the French or something) but because it's an official day to eat Mexican Food...which I LOOOVE!
Taco's, quesadilla's, flautas, Chips & Salsa... the whole Enchalada! ( He He...I'm so clever)
So in honor of today's celebration I decided it was a perfect excuse for me to have my favorite salad from Cafe Rio, (Have a little Siesta afterwards) and have tacos for dinner.
So what did I eat??


Lunch - China Inn buffet with my parents
Dinner - Panda Express with family (school fundraiser night)

Ah well, who needs a holiday to enjoy Mexican Fare?
I think we'll have tacos tonight! Ole!

In the Strength of the Lord

I was able to attend Women's Conference this year thanks to a couple good friends inviting me along. There were over 20,000 women in attendance... wow what a sight! Nicki, Julie and I had a fabulous time, laughing, crying, talking, learning, eating, walking, and feasting on wonderful inspirational talks.
I was able to relax and enjoy myself knowing Ryan had everything under control at home.
I truly enjoyed every moment and I can't wait to go again next year!