DARE

Today was Parker's 5th Grade DARE graduation.
For those who don't know about this program I'll give a little background. An assigned police officer comes to the schools each week for 12 weeks to teach the kids about the dangers of drugs and smoking.

DARE stands for Drug, Awareness, Resistance, Education. Each child on completing the program writes an essay. The officer chooses 3 finalists from each classroom and the winner gets to read their essay at the graduation. Parker's essay was 1st runner up in his class. He was pretty excited.

Kevin Janison from Channel 3 weather came and spoke to the kids. He videotaped them and put them on the 6:00 news. Parker was right in the middle so he had a few good moments of fame.
(Check it out here.... Sorry about the little commercial at the beginning....fast forward to the end of the weather (2:30))


I took video of him videotaping the kids (he he)


Miranda claims that when she had her DARE Graduation Ryan and I missed the newscast so she thinks we love Parker more than her because we recorded it on Tivo when he was on.

Good bye Ian Oliver

Miranda's school project is over and she no longer needs to care for Ian Oliver.

They had some great times and I thought I'd share a few photos of their week together.

Ian being held by friend BrookeSlurpee TimeI think he's too young to drink
Typical boy... has to run the remote
Night Night Ian Oliver.... we'll miss you

All is well

As excited and giddy as I was on Thursday when I was going to have a couple days to do whatever I WANTED.....
I'm 10X as excited and giddy now that my entire family is home safe and sound all together again.
I really enjoyed my weekend (except for the migraine I had last night) and look forward to having another one sometime. I was able to hang out with Miranda and I loved that.

BUT, there's nothing like knowing your kids are both safe and sound, tucked in their beds.
Your husband is lounging on his chair (working on his blog too). And tomorrow I get to go back to my routine. My perfectly normal, everyday mom routine..... Isn't that the BEST!!

I feel refreshed and ready to jump into whatever the week brings. School, Office, Carpooling, workouts, PTA and even making dinner (crazy, I know).

Parker had a wonderful time in Utah with his friend Brecken. He LOVED the ginormous chandelier in the Celestial room of the Draper Temple. What a neat experience for him to have.

Ryan came home without booking any hunts (whew..... I mean, darn). Although he almost won an auction by accidentally raising his hand to tell a buddy where he was sitting.
I gave him a proper scolding for not getting a picture of Tom Selleck when he spoke with him at one of the booths. (I just might have to go next year so I can see him for myself)

Yes, I enjoy my alone time, who doesn't now and again, but there's nothing like being home with your family and knowing all is well.

What did YOU do today?

Today was a glorious day.

I got these.... (actual photos and more on that story later)

Miranda and I saw this...... and did this.....
I ate this......and these......

and I made these.....And LOVED every minute of it!

Quiet on the Homefront

Not sure how it happened.... it just worked out this way.

* Ryan is in Reno for SCI convention
* Parker went with his buddy, Brecken, to Utah
to attend the Draper Temple open house.
* There is no school tomorrow for Staff Development
(can you say sleep in!)
* I have no major projects, or calling duties to attend to
* My house is CLEAN
* My visiting teaching is finished for the month
* My laundry is caught up
* I have no appointments or places I need to be
(except Miranda's Broadway on Saturday, but that doesn't count because I get to shop or go to the gym while she's there for 4 hours)

Miranda and I are all alone with nothing to do....
Isn't that the BEST!

Now I'm not one to sit idle and watch TV while eating bon bons (although Peanut M&M's do sound yummy). But I'm excited to do things this weekend that I WANT to do.... not that I HAVE to do.

Here are a few things I've thought of doing:

* Make more cards (I've been on a roll lately)
* Scrapbook (if I remember how)
* Work on my blog (which I'm obviously doing now)
* Prepare music for Ward Choir
(hum, that sounds like a HAVE to)
* Go to Disneyland (seriously, it's been 4 years!!)
* See a movie
( there's a couple good chick flicks out)
* Get a pedicure (it's been WAY too long)
* Plan a dinner menu
(or is that a HAVE to?)
* Bake something yummy
(then give it away so I won't eat it)
* Prepare bookmarks for PTA book exchange
(again, that sounds like a HAVE to)
* Paint Parker's bedroom
(although that does sound like work)
* Go Birthday shopping for Ryan (it always sneaks up on me)

So many ideas, so little time. I'm sure the next couple days will fly by. I just want to utilize them to the fullest (by doing what I WANT to do)

This is what I do know about this weekend.....
* I'm getting together with my friend, Sommer tomorrow night for a little Cafe Rio, some crafting, and girl talk!
* I get to spend some wonderful alone time with Miranda
(unless she leaves me for her friends)
* My new washer and dryer are being delivered tomorrow ( so excited)
* While posting this I called and scheduled pedicures for Miranda and I tomorrow(he he)
* I'm going to be refreshed and renewed come Monday morning.
(if I'm not, there's something seriously wrong with me and I need medication)

So if anyone else is feeling the need to fulfill some WANTS.... give me a call and
we can do it together, because all is quiet on the homefront!

It's a Boy!

Now don't get the wrong idea... I'm not announcing anything :)
Miranda is the proud mama of a
BOUNCING (powdered) BABY (sack) BOY (of flour)
His name is Ian Oliver
(Please don't mention his lack of head, Miranda's quite sensitive on the subject and loves him just the way he is)The 8th grade girls were given an assignment in Health Class to help them learn what life might be like as a teenage mother. (I'm not sure why the boys didn't get this assignment along with the girls. )
Miranda must carry Ian Oliver, around with her at all times. School, church (she took him to mutual tonight and he played with the other 2 flour babies in our ward)
If she is unable to take him somewhere she must arrange for a baby sitter. ( I suppose that would be his Grandparents because his Uncle Parker has already threatened to drop him)

Miranda must also care for Ian Oliver at all times. She has an eating, sleeping & diaper changing schedule she must adhere to. Unfortunately this baby's lungs did not fully develop so he is unable to cry to let her know what he needs. (I just hope he sleeps through the night)
She also has a budget for diapers, food, babysitting etc.. that she must keep track of.
(I'm a very expensive babysitter)


I know Miranda will make a great mom to Ian Oliver.
Thankfully this is a short school week so she will only need to have him for 3 days.
However, I think they are offering extra credit for those who keep him through the weekend.

When she's finished with this assignment, I think I'll bake up a nice batch of chocolate chip cookies.
(Miranda said that would be cannibalism)

Silly me, I forgot

But elephants never forget... they're faithful 100%
In all the craziness.... (I mean excitement and fun) of the Holidays I neglected to mention a very big event that Miranda is involved in.
In December, she auditioned for a part in an upcoming play Seussical Jr. She auditioned for 3 of the leading rolls, Horton. the elephant, Cat in the Hat, Sour Kangaroo and Mayzie (a bird).
She didn't really have a preference, she claims she would be happy with being a part of the chorus, (yea, sure)

Well, she survived the first auditions and was called back for a second audition. She was finally chosen to be ...
Drum roll....
The Cat in the Hat!
She is super excited and has been busy brainstorming how she is going to make this roll uniquely hers! I love to see how excited she is. She already has most her lines and all the songs memorized! We've even started gathering ideas for her costume.
The performance is June 29th - July 3rd at the Summerlin Library. I'm sure she'd love everyone to come see her big performance! We'll be reminding everyone as time gets closer... (I get reminded 8 hours each week)