G is for ... Caring

G was voted to be the representative for his class for the Character quality of CARING.  Personally, I think this fits him perfectly.. he is such a caring kid.  I'm not sure where he gets it!! ;)

This is what his class and teacher said about him on the award:
     "Caring may be the most important trait a person can possess.  It is something you can show and feel everywhere.Everyone has this trait, but not everyone shows it. Garrett is such a caring person who shows it on a daily basis.  Throughout school, when adults are around or not, he demonstrates a caring attitude towards fellow students, adults, teachers, and objects that belong to everyone.  Garrett has a kind heart and makes all around him proud to call him a friend."

A mom's heart has to be happy hearing those things about her son.  And mine was!

so proud of him!

Principal, Mr. Strickland

Love how there was a good mixture of Boys and Girls!!

Caring as I See It...
One thing that I hold on to now is Garrett's caring attitude towards me in particular.  He is always there to give me hugs and kisses.  Sometimes it can be overwhelming or too much and I feel like he's hanging on me.. there's times where I need space.  But I have to remind myself that at any time he may not want to hug me in the presence of his friends. He still calls me "mommy", though it's less often.  He frequently does special things for me or helps with out being asked, especially with daddy gone right now.  It is easy to get used to this kind of treatment for sure!  And it makes it harder when he acts out or is grouchy.. i have to remind myself how normal that is for a 9 year old!!

Micah is silly!  He wanted to wink!!

Although I often get sweet compliments of how G acts in school or at a friends house.. I don't always get to see that.  You know .. they save their "most real selves" for home.  And honestly, he struggles in caring for his sister sometimes.  They are quite different... concrete vs free spirit at it's best!  They have great moments and not so great moments... and we try to work through those not so great ones (I'm hopeful someday lessons learned with his sister will be beneficial!)

This being said, he rarely has trouble caring for his little brother.  They are buds.  Micah misses his G when he's not there and G climbs in the van after school and gives Micah hugs first.  Sometimes it's too much for Micah and if he knew the word "suffocating"  he would use it correctly!!  

silly boys

I told Garrett I was very proud of him after the awards ceremony.  He said "I was sitting here trying to think of what I did to get this.  I'm not sure what I did.  I just am me."  ... and that is exactly why he got this.  Praying that his humble caring ways continue.  

"Sweet" Green Eggs and Ham

I've never been over the moon about Dr. Seuss books.  I don't know why.  I know it's really rude of me to not like rhyming... but well... Thing One and Thing Two just sort of bug me!

However.. Dr. Seuss' birthday has become a reason to celebrate in schools and a reason to READ!

and i like that!

Addie's class is having a Dr. Seuss party.. with lots of fun food and rhyming stories.  I may even get to read one of those to the class.  Maybe it will be "Green Eggs and Ham" to go with Addie's treat for the class.    "Sweet" Green Eggs and Ham...

CUTE, right?!

Not my idea by any means, of course Pinterest has many boards to follow for Dr. Seuss Day.  But this is so easy and would be a fun surprise for any kids for after school!!

line them up!

She didn't like the smell of the pretzels.. it was so funny!!  She kept getting shivers from the smell!

Add white chocolate discs and the smell wasn't so bad :)

And the green "eggs"

She won't eat them.. but she will enjoy sharing!

Do you have a favorite Dr. Seuss book/memory?  Hands down, this is mine :)

My lefty and her tooth

Yesterday was National Left Hander's Day. Who knew!? So I'm celebrating my little lefty.. Addison.

She is so creative and artsy.  She's driven to do well.. But not if it requires going completely out of her way. ;) She loves music and dance and creative drawing and writing. She expresses herself well. Sometimes too well ;)  Right now, if there is a piece to the "left handed stereotype" that is missing, It would be that she's supposed to like math.  I don't blame her.

She is strong, opinionated, and emotional. She's drama and loyal. She is fiesty and endearing.

I don't know how much of this has to do with her preferring to use her left hand... But I do know she's my best girl. 

I sure do love her. 

And she's growing up too fast. Last weekend she lost her first tooth. I'm pretty sure she willed it lose since she's been insisting it was lose for about 6 months now! 

Either way.. It was wiggly! 

And Then It Was Out. 

And she is my big girl.. who writes with her left hand. 

Saying Goodbye to the Olympics

Love the olympics.  Although i much prefer the summer Olympics.. the winter ones do not disappoint.  And Matt would be happy to know how much skiing and snowboarding I watched.  That stuff is intense!  (not that i want any part of snow.. let's not confuse things!)

For the Opening Ceremonies I hosted an Olympic Party... I have enjoyed these fun decorations for 2 weeks now..  So Fun!

Torches and Podium Stands :)

ummm.. the torches were a find.. someone had them out for the trash on the exact day i needed to make torches!!

festive

Aren't the flags awesome!?

More torches

My kids made these flags... they went with the food that friends brought from different countries!

um yes.. Gold, Silver, and Bronze kisses

olympic rings!

Thanks to Garrett and his friend Ellie for making the awesome flags!

Living Museum

I take so many pictures with good intentions of sharing little stories.  Recently I had to upload my pics from my phone.. i couldn't believe what i had on there.. intending to share.  :(  So today i thought i would get the sharing done right away.  This just happened!!


Living Museum Project:  The first graders had to chose an American that impacted our world.  Addison chose Sally Ride.  She said, "I don't know why.  I'm just into space."  ok... well there are many times when i do think Addie's head is in the clouds. So this was good.. hahaha.. bad joke.

She worked very hard on this project.  I am very proud of her.  From Reading "Who Was Sally Ride?" and acing her AR test on it.  To choosing important events to put on her poster.  To making an incredible Space Shuttle.. with flair!

working on the space shuttle

painting the wings

Bubble letters with dots inside... self control on my part to let that happen!

Sally Ride with the Robotic Arm she designed and used.

Sally Ride (I couldn't talk her into curly brown hair!)

she's pretty cute 

Her Poster

Her satellite that she fixed with the robotic arm.
(credit to her engineer minded brother for the satellite.) :)

Garrett's class checking it out.  Garrett actually read a lot of the posters.  He is so hard to take to a museum!

love her.

Addie and I liked what Sally Ride ended all her speeches to school kids with.... she told them to

"REACH FOR THE STARS." 

I think my girl is... :)

Vino and Candy

Two of my favorite things…  wine and candy :)
ok, really i think the candy hearts are gross and taste like chalk.. but they are cute for decorating!

So i put my kids to work…  and YES my 2 oldest kiddos can use a glue gun!!  i believe in teaching life coping skills.. and who couldn't fix the world with a glue gun!?

Well… let's be clear here.  I shared the wine with my girl friends during the bachelor!  (not the kids).  And i wrapped them with the yarn (quicker than the kids).

Little guy decided he wanted to do one.. so i came up with his "special" project :)

.. and he came up with his own "special" project!

Addie's master piece… "Fun and Whimsical" 

Garrett's masterpiece… "Love thought out"

Micah's masterpiece… "I'm just too cute!"

I just love these little buggers!!

Paper Hugs

This one might get ya.. a little tear.  It did me.

I got the kids a book called "The Paper Hug" about a little boy who thinks of a special gift to send along with his Daddy as he leaves for deployment.

Then we made our own  paper hugs to send Daddy!

Addie liked how i added a ring on mine.. so of course she did too!

Garrett gave special instructions.

Micah drew a space shuttle :)

Sweet Addie told him "it is your very own hug".

Half of my heart and theirs in Japan… hoping these hugs bring him some love!