Frosty the Snowman

Arcadia singing Frosty with the rest of her school. :)

Sorry it's so dark.

My Little Russian Ballerina

Here is Arcadia's recital. She's the last one to come in. :)

And a picture for you too. :)

Christmas Lists

This time of year starts to send me in a panic. People start asking me what I want for Christmas, etc. I used to have answers for them, but I no longer do. Lately, it's just "send me a gift certificate" etc. I never really know what to ask for.

On the other hand, my children have no problem in that category! LOL The annual Toys "r" Us Biggest Toy Book Ever came out in our paper about a month ago. I let them both at it with their own seperate markers (pink for Arcadia and green for Ken) and practically everything is either checked or circled. Guess they made it easy on Santa this year, huh? Arcadia wants a dollhouse... any doll house... as that they were ALL circled in pink, I don't think which one she gets is an issue. She also wants ALL the art stuff listed (no surprise there, she is my little artistic one). Ken wants anything that he can build with - Legos, KNex, Lincoln Logs, etc. I guess they won't be problems (and since we're pretty much finished with their gifts, then that's good... except for the Santa gifts... Guy and I have yet to talk about those).

Then there's Guy. I don't have a CLUE what to get him. What do you get someone who buys what he wants when he sees it? He mentioned wanting a copy of the CM Russell painting his parents have, but the only problem is, I don't know which one it is (Ken, Janet, if you know what it's called, please let me know!). We also need a new pepper grinder. Ours has gone kaput... so a new one is a definate, but that in itself is an issue. Which one to buy? There are soooo many choices out there! I look on amazon.com and there are over 100 choices. Man... I can narrow that down by size, but still it's going to take a while to find the perfect one. And truthfully, that's not enough... I did get him tickets to go see Coldplay in November. That was part of his gifts, but I really want something for under the tree.

I think I have ideas now for Guy, but I'm going to keep looking. I never realized that shopping for someone could be so difficult. Oh wait... yes, I did... I'm that difficult to shop for! LOL

oh... and I still have to take the kids shopping for Daddy... Ugh.

Knock me over with a feather!

I just got a call from my Mom (Hi Mom!) and she just told me something...


well...


she didn't say it was a secret...


so I'm telling! :p


(Love you Mom!)


You ready?



Huh?



Are you sure?



Are you sitting down?



Positive you really want to know?



Well...



Here it is....





She got married!!!!!!

She and Craig got married on December 7th in a very spur of the moment private outdoor wedding in California. I'm so very happy for her!!! :) Craig's a great guy and we've been wondering when the wedding bells would start ringing for them... :) Just kinda wish we could of been there for her... ;) That's okay... I'll see her soon anyways. (You know I'm horrible at keeping secrets as good as this one, Mom! Don't be mad! Just wanted to spread the joy!)

Congratulations Mom and Craig!!!! We love You!!!! :)

Things I've done

I stole this from Mommy I'm Home, who stole it off A Day with Twins .

The things I've done will be in bold.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (only as far as they'll let you go now, no longer allowed to the top)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Can you say... Brrrrrrrrrr?!?!?

It is currently 14 degrees F outside my home today (according to the thermometer on my computer). This morning... before the sun came up it was a brisk 2 degrees, yep, you read that right 2! Talk about COLD!!!! That's okay though, it was a lot warmer IN the house and that's where I plan on staying (except for my ventures to the mailbox and to the school to drop off and then to get the kids). With the sun out though, the snow WILL melt on the streets and sidewalks. It's supposed to reach the 40s today, but I'm seriously doubting that at this moment. Hopefully I will be proven wrong!

As for the shoveling... the only thing my son wanted after shoveling was Cocoa. So that was his payment. I can handle payment in Cocoa! I actually had lots of help with the three kids I had with me from school yesterday! Went a lot faster than I expected it would. Thank goodness for helpful kids! :)

I've been Tagged... by a bookworm!

OK- I've been tagged by my friend Michele with this bookworm meme. "A meme comprises any idea or behavior that can pass from one person to another by learning or imitation." (according to Wikipedia) The rules are to grab the book closest to you, turn to page 56, type the first sentence of the 5th paragraph.

So... since I'm sitting in our "library" of sorts.. that shouldn't be too hard, right?... Okay... from On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony.

"I am Chronos, colloquially known as Time."

Quite fitting since we're nearing the end of the year...

Now.. whom should I tag?

Um... I tag my friend Lisa, whom I've known for oh so many years since our Freshman year at U of H. And I tag my friend Elizabeth... who I've known a little longer than Lisa... ;)

Updates

Well... we've gotten our first substantial snowfall of the season. The kids loved seeing it come down this morning. I have to admit it is beautiful to watch falling, but after the first few minutes I realize that along with the snow comes shoveling... which I need to do, I'm just sitting here at my desk looking out of the window and hoping that the sun, which has just recently come out, will start it's job of melting the snow. I did have a very nice neighbor come by with his snow blower and cleared off some of our sidewalk. I should of grabbed him and bribed him to do our driveway and sidewalk up to our house. I just don't wanna! Maybe I can get Ken to do it! He's old enough now! Almost 7 counts... he can earn a couple dollars!





The scout meeting went really well this week. The boys really loved making snowflakes and decorating ornaments. They will be getting their Pinewood Derby cars at the next Pack meeting. It's the project that the boys (and their fathers) look most forward to every year. They get a block of wood and four wheels and a set of instructions:


I'll take a picture of Ken as he designs and makes his with Daddy.


Next Friday we have Arcadia's recital. She's doing the Russian dance from the Nutcracker (I really need to buy some tickets to take her to a real production this year, I think she'd like it). Then on Saturday, Ken's in the "Festival of Lights" Parade. We have to get to the site at 3:30 to decorate the float with tons and tons of lights. The parade is after 5:00 (when it starts getting dark here) so Ken gets to actually ride on a float! Pictures will be sure to follow!!!

Arcadia's school party has been moved to the following Thursday which really makes it a lot nicer for our scheduling! Thank goodness. Should be fun.

Then the kids will be home for a few weeks for Winter break. Should be fun... but I will have to plan some playdates for the kids so they don't drive me up the walls those two weeks! LOL ;)

I suppose I should get back to work now.

End of the Month

Wow, I can't believe it's only 26 days until Christmas! Where did this month go? I certainly don't remember it going by so quickly before. This month was jammed pack with activities and we sure kept busy. Next month looks to be just as busy! Next weekend we plan on having our company party. The weekend after Arcadia has her ballet recital on Friday night OR we can attend her Peace Program for school. They are both on the same nights at the same time. She just has to decide which one is more important to her. Either way the next day is the Festival of Lights here in town and her ballet school will be performing as long as the weather is nice. Ken's cub scout pack is in the parade that night and we start work on the float at 3 that afternoon. Oh and speaking of Scouts, earlier that same week we have Ken's pack meeting where he will get his Pinewood Derby Car... Woot... that's the exciting stuff!

Then the weekend after that we have a Client Christmas party to attend and then that week is Christmas... Geez... enough to do, don't you think? It'll go by quickly, I know...

Hope everyone got their fill of turkey this past Thursday! I know I did. :)

Back in the swing

Finally... after feeling cruddy all last week... I'm starting to feel better.

This past weekend we went to get our family pics taken (yes, Grandma, you'll be getting one... :))

I think it turned out pretty good, don't you?

Tiger Scouts went really well this week. We're starting to fall into a good pattern and the boys stay interested the entire time (for the most part). They started out coloring turkeys and doing mazes. Then we moved into the living room and we started out by going over some new rules that they got to help make up. I then passed out "rounders" to them with their names on them and leather strips hanging from them to tie beads to when they do things. First they get a bead for attending the meeting, then they get one for good deeds done during said meeting (helping with cleanup, etc. it will get harder to earn them as they get older though). The boys then made felt turkeys and had a ball doing it. I even have enough left over materials for Arcadia to make one of her own. We then had some drinks and went over the bobcat materials again... I tell ya... you have to drill it in for them to remember the different things needed, but they're getting it! I want to be proud of my boys at the next pack meeting when they receive their bobcat patches and their instant recognition kits (which they've already earned one bead on, though they officially don't get it until they fulfill all the requirements for the bobcat patch first.

Ken's doing better this week. It's surprising how different each day is with him. We loosened the punishments and that seem to help his behaviour. Weird, eh?

We got our skis this past weekend and the kids are so excited. Guy's taking them on Saturday to the slopes. I'm fine with this since I'm not a great skiier. You wouldn't think I'd be that nervous by now, but... I am!!! Oh well... LOL

Guy and I are going to a concert tomorrow night. This will be Guy's first "real" concert. I was taken to one by my friends when I turned 21, but haven't been to one since then. This is going to be sooo fun!!! We're going to see Coldplay at the Pepsi Center. I can't wait! :)

The Oil Rig or something... (don't remember the name to tell ya the truth)

This is the kid's version of the ride at Elitch's. :) The kids loved it! I hope you like the video.

Phabulous Photo Phriday - Thursday edition

I know it's not Friday, but I promised pictures in my post yesterday, so here are some of them... :)


My Pretty Pretty Princess


and her pretty pretty princess hair that I got really good at doing.


Ken and Arcadia and their friends (the girl next to Ken is his little girlfriend and the girl next to Arcadia is one of her best friends and Ken's girlfriend's little sister)



Arcadia and her BF on the roller coaster... The first picture was how we first found her when the coaster started moving... Then she saw us and smiled... :)



This is from the last Pack meeting. We had two SWAT officers come in from the City of Greeley. The boys and dads were very enthralled and continuously asked them questions while the one on the left put on the full uniform. Unfortunately... my camera died, so I have to wait to get the full uniform from one of my boy's mom who fortunately had her camera with her. Whew!!!

I did get these two pics also... then poof...

But the boys were entranced, none the less.

Scout's Honor

I have received my uniform for Scouting... Now, to put all the pieces together. Who knew how hard it was to do this. I certainly don't remember all the stuff that went into it (okay... so I really do remember... I remember going to JC Penney's with Mom and going to the scouting section of the store and getting all the stuff. I just never had to put it all together... LOL) With Boy Scouting I can either go to http://www.scoutstuff.org/ to get my stuff or I can drive to down town Denver (which really NEVER happens!) to get it... ALOT easier to get my stuff online, I'll tell ya! And I had to go hunt down Navy trousers, do you KNOW how hard it is to find those things in this area??? I finally found two different pairs at Kohls. I stuck with the Lee's since I like those... LOL



As for things on the Ken front... He's on yellow already this week. That boy just can't keep his hands to himself. He's talking and chatting and bugging neighbors and friends across the way. He's already at the front of the room nearest to the teacher when she's at the board. Just never knew that the little boy that wouldn't talk for the longest time is getting in trouble because he's the main talker in the class.

Ken does also have two loose teeth!!! Finally! They aren't very wiggly, but they certainly aren't stuck in place any longer. Yea!!!!

Arcadia is the same as ever. She's doing good in school. We have parent teacher conferences the week of Thanksgiving. She's a real chatterbox, non stop talking here at home. At least she's not like that at school (that we know of... yet).

That's it for now. I have new pictures of the kids and their friends from two weekends ago. It's so cute...

Tiger Scouts et al.

So... today was our first "real" meeting. I'm sure things will get easier as we go along... We did our Bobcat requirements. I guess I really did make an impact on Ken because he remembers it all from last week! I'm proud. Now to finish our home requirements so he can get his patch at next week's Pack meeting. Oooo... I also need to get the numbers into my Pack leader so we can have the right amount of patches, etc. to have for the pack meeting. I also have to get the rest of Ken's uniform ordered along with my uniform... yep... that's right... I have a uniform too. Whoo hoo... ;) I best get it ordered so we can be dressed correctly for the next meeting! LOL AAAGGGHHHH!!!!

Let's see we colored in Police and Firemen pictures. We worked on our Motto, Promise, Salute, Handshake, etc. We made a Den Sign with the boys Handprints and names on them. Then they colored an American Flag and then went and played. Next week we have a Pack meeting and thank goodness I don't have to do anything for it... LOL I do need to work with the boys about the Flag Ceremony so they can participate at the Pack meeting!

Right now we only have five boys, but I'm sure I can get it to grow! I got four of those five on my own!!!

Crazy Schedules (aka, when do I have the time?)

This is the beginning of craziness for me... This week... I need to finish organizing the living room and basement. I have Tiger Scouts here tomorrow. We're going to study safety and about the town. I have to schedule a visit to the Fire Museum this month so hopefully that will be a fun trip.

Wednesday I have a webinar and I have to do more organizing, etc.

Thursday we have Arcadia's ballet class and Friday we are having Guy's cousins over to look at baby stuff. Yep... we have a new edition coming... not for us, but for Ken's godfather! They're finally expecting and we couldn't be more excited. They're coming over here for dinner and to look at our stuff and to see if they might be able to use it so I have to get the stuff pulled out for them to look it over (and to get it cleaned up and dusted off, etc.).

This weekend I have my annual craft show. I still have more sewing to do for it in my "spare time". Don't know when that's going to happen, but it will!

Updates will happen as I have the time... :)

Phabulous Photo Phriday - Halloween edition

Some pictures to enjoy for today...

Finally got pics off of Guy's camera and here they are...

First more from Arcadia's party:

Ken and his pumpkin creation

The Fairy Princess getting a heart and rainbow on her face

Time for the cake walk

Arcadia and one of her many "best friends"

These are pics from "Warbirds over the Rockies" These were the only two life size planes and the contrails that they left behind. It was really neat to see.

Pics from one of Ken's soccer games. His team did really really well this year. We were proud. About halfway through the "season" they changed their names from the "Yellowjackets" to the "Pirates". They loved that name and even got "tattoos" for playing well.

Well... that's all for now. We'll be taking pictures tonight for sure!

Have a

Arcadia's Fall Festival

Okay... so these are not the best pics (those are on Guy's camera in the car, I'll get them off later and post them then), but at least it's something... :)

This is Ken and a friend from his class - Tristan P.

Here's our little Fairy Princess. We took off the wings so she could sit and eat her pizza. The makeup is starting to melt a little in the first picture (it was hot in there). So she looks a little on the scary side... LOL I promise, better pictures are to follow!

Phabulous Photo Phriday

I finally emptied my camera... took me long enough.



I've been a reading a blog called Hair Today and I've gotten a few ideas to try on Arcadia's hair. Here's one of the ones I tried. It's not perfect, but given that I'm working with a wiggle worm with a sensitive head... LOL




This is Ken and Arcadia in the front car for the Kiddy Roller Coaster at Elitch's. It was Arcadia's first time around three full times.




Fun at the Platte River... the kids LOVE throwing rocks in.

And this is the two of them running as fast as they can.... It was quite cute... :)

The Corn Maze

I just realized that I forgot to post about what we did this past Saturday. Okay... here's our Saturday...

First... wake up have breakfast (that's a duh, right?)

Then... kids watch cartoons (typical Saturday Morning right?) as they were watching those cartoons, I left for ballet and it turned out to be a private lesson as that I was the only one there (besides the teacher)

Came back home, changed into normal clothes and had Ken put on his soccer clothes. He had his last game that afternoon and it was great. He has progressed so much and he was so proud.

Then we tried to go to a pumpkin patch nearby, but it was soooo crowded! Did not look fun at all! So we kept on driving down the street and went to our local campaign headquarters and picked up new yard signs to support our choice for President, Senate, local Congress, etc.

And then Guy has a brilliant idea! We drove past a great looking corn maze/pumpkin patch a few weekends past... sure it was right outside Greeley, but that didn't bother us one bit! It was well worth the drive! We went to Fritzler's Maze. There was sooo much to do.

First we went through "The Creature". It was actually a lot of fun, but it was a maze in the dark! Ken and I got a little turned around and we ended up coming out of the maze too early. Oh well. Arcadia took a little more convincing, so Ken and I went first and let her know that it was fun and not scary at all. After that, Guy saw that they had Helicopter rides. Now none of us have ever been on a helicopter so we thought it would be fun. We had to go two to a ride so Ken went with Daddy and Arcadia went with me. It was a blast! I don't remember ever having so much fun... LOL

We got to see the maze from the air, it was so cool. Arcadia giggled and laughed and screamed the whole time.

After that we went through the 3-D Maze. That was neat. We had to wear special glasses that made the florescent paint stand out at us. Guy and I were impressed, the kids, not so much. Oh well...

Then onto the Corn Maze. Now... if you look closely, you can see at the bottom of the rms in FARMS the entrances are there. We entered through the M and came out of the R. There was a WHOLE other side for us to go through, but that first portion wore us down! We didn't think we'd ever get out of there. LOL

After the Maze, we let the kids play in a corn box (like a sand box, but with corn). They had a ball and Guy was taken back to his childhood on the farm.

Then we went on the Jumping Pillow... lots of fun, but poor Arcadia kept getting knocked down.

They also had a barrel train which I rode on with the kids and they had a blast, and then we went off to shoot corn cobs at targets. The kids loved that too.

I tell you, after that day, I was exhausted!

Parent Teacher Conferences

We have our Parent Teacher conference with Ken this afternoon. Guy's going because it's at the exact same time as Arcadia gets home and our neighbor is out of town and someone needs to be here to let her in the house, ya know?

I'll let y'all know how his conference goes...

Finding treasures

While I was cleaning out the kid's closets I found these shoes:

Aren't they adorable? We got them for Arcadia's first Christmas from one of Guy's cousins. She always finds the cutest things that are made locally. Well... I looked them up and found them online now! The store is called "Monkey-Toes". They now have even cuter shoes and socks and they've been featured on Oprah because of Suri Cruise (Tom Cruise's baby). Gotta love em!!!

I so want to get Arcadia some of these:

There called LUV bug Mary Janes. They also have gift certificates so I can send them to girlfriends with little girly toes running around the house!

Stargate

Guy and I attended the school's open house last night. It was very interesting, but it kind of shattered Guy's and My hopes on Ken and Arcadia going there. They work on a lottery system. First they look at who qualifies, those that don't are out (K&A definately qualify, we found that out last night). Then they fill slots from qualified siblings. Then they go in district and then out of district. Ughh... Nothing like being out of district. They only have 66 openings for Kindergarten and have around 6 siblings that are filling the first slots and they have 90 applications already received over all... now the applications also include all grades K to 8. Oh so much fun. All we can do is finish the paperwork and then pray. The good thing is is that if one of them gets in then the other is definately a shoe in!

Just keep your fingers crossed!!!!

The Scores

We received Ken and Arcadia's scores today. Oh my, we have a challenge in front of us. The tester has notes and everything within her notes and it's really comforting that both kids are polite and courteous. LOL

Arcadia's a little brighter than Ken per the scores, but that's okay... ;) Ken is supposed to be using a laptop for note taking at school because his mind can't keep up with his writing. I guess I need to install that typing program for him on his computer so he can learn to type huh?

Now let's just pray that the school that we want to get them into will have room! Registration cut off is on January 30th. We have begun the process and are attending the open house on Thursday.

Hey... if all else fails... maybe I'll just homeschool....

So much for my costume ideas

I don't have the time... nor do I really want to make Wall-e out of a cardboard box. Can you imagine what his costume would be like if it was snowing that night? And he also has to wear it at least two times before that.

And there is NO way I'm making an EVE costume... nope... no way, no how...

And for those of you that aren't familiar with Wall-E and Eve... here are their pictures:

We have talked Ken into another costume (because the official Wall-E costume is sold out everywhere or it's over $100 and that's just ridiculous). I had him sit with me to look online at costumes and he decided on Indiana Jones... Yea!!! and Arcadia's going to be a Fairy Princess or just a Fairy, I don't know. Daddy is taking them shopping right now while I wait on hold with one of our vendors... oh the exciting life I lead. He is then taking them to dinner and I get to go to ballet with no intrusions!!! Woo hoo!!!

I'll post pictures of the two as soon as I can in costume... :)

Hello Fall!

Fall has certainly made it's presence known here! I mean going from 80 degree days to a day like today that only made it to the upper 50s. It's a bit nippy! I have to go through closets now and discard summer clothes that certainly won't fit my kiddos next year. I wonder if we'll have snow on the ground by Halloween again. Last year was great! No snow, just chilly...

Now... to work on those kiddos costumes!

And this week...

Let's see... quick summary of our weekend. We were on call this weekend. We were all going to go to Elitch's but that didn't happen. The phone kept ringing and so I was unable to go, but at least the kids had fun there with Daddy. Saturday I went to ballet and then came back to the phones acting just as nutty as a normal weekday. I was unable to get to Ken's game (where he scored a goal) and ended up being able to get away really easily in order to go to the grocery store since we were in desperate need of milk and what not.

Sunday we had the usual. Went on a bike ride with the kids after lunch now that Ken's gotten so good at it and did a tour of the playgrounds around us. Kids loved that! Watched a movie with Guy and that's about all.

Now... for this week's line up.... Ken has soccer practice tomorrow night and Thursday night. We have to miss his Pack meeting because of soccer, but they totally understand. Thursday night we also have Arcadia's ballet class. I have ballet tonight, hopefully it will be a really good workout for me...

Ken has spirit week at school. That means.. today he gets to wear Red (and jeans!), tomorrow is picture day, I still don't know what to dress him in, Wednesday is "Blast from the Past" - have no clue there either. I'm thinking a preppy boy from the 80's. We'll see. Thursday is sports day (which is PERFECT since he has soccer practice, he'll wear his uniform sans cleats) and Friday is Twin, Triplet, etc. day where he can dress like friends. I don't think he'll be doing that one, but what do I know?

Arcadia's going to the pumpkin patch on Wednesday. I believe it's an early day for her, but I can't quite remember... her school will send out reminders.

Next Thursday, we (Guy and I) have to go to the new school for their open house to see how we as parent's feel about it. And Friday is Ken's "Harvest Hop" which is basically a carnival for the school. His teacher passes out candy and so the other room mom and I are trying to brainstorm ideas for decorating the door. I asked the teacher if she had any ideas what she wanted to be this year... she's trying to decide. I thought a book theme would be good. I have "The Wicked Witch of the West" costume she could use as well as a Goddess and a peasant girl from the reinessance era. I'm sure I could find books (like Odyssus or King Arthur) to fit those two costumes... we just have to have her make up her mind.... Ohh... I'm starting to get ideas!!! AND I still have to make the kids costumes... I have to find time for a trip to Michaels or Joann's to get what I need!

The testing

Well... we had the testing this morning. The kids did well. The tester stated that they are both very bright and both very well mannered. That was very nice to know. :) We get the results back in a week or two, but according to the examiner there is a very good chance they'll get into the school. Kepp your fingers crossed!!!

Ken's update

Well... so far so good with Ken this week. Hopefully this post won't jinx the good week he's experiencing. His teacher has given him a book to read during the times that he's waiting for the rest of the class to catch up, etc. He has a great attitude and everything. I don't know what prompted the change, but hey... I'll keep it. He did, however, forget his homework today. Lovely... LOL So now I have the fun task of FINDING said folder to take with me when I pick him up this afternoon. Ken also did really well in soccer practice last night... they did some running up and down the field (sort of a race) and he was the fastest. That made him feel really good.

I'm starting to get prepared for our annual craft show coming up in November. My friend and I have a booth. I'm almost finished with two more bibs and I have a bunch of fabric measured and cut to make some notebook/pencil holders to sell. I have plenty of fabric, so I just need to get some binding material to make it a little stronger and not all flappy.

I have a busy month planned. Ken has soccer every Saturday this month and has practice every Tuesday and Thursday nights now until it's over. Ken has a "Harvest Hop" Festival at his school in a few weeks and his teacher asked if we room moms could come up with a "door" theme (each room on the first floor decorates their doors for prizes). I found some inexpensive (read: $1.00) strobe lights at Target so I got those... But I'm not sure what exactly we should do yet. I need to talk to the other mother. Arcadia's fall festival is the week after that and I'm helping out at the game booth. At least I don't have to come up with the games... Just man and decorate the booth. I'll be sure to take pictures. I also have to get Ken and Arcadia's costumes made. What have I gotten my self into!!! LOL Oh well... just pray I can talk Arcadia back into being a Fairy Princess so all I would have to make are wings.

Testing and weekend

This past weekend we took the kids to a model air plane show. It was neat seeing all the airplanes out there. We actually got to have fly overs by two full sized planes also. I'll post pictures as soon as I get them off of my camera. Ken loved the entire thing. Arcadia, being the girly girl she is, got bored really quickly. We went back to the car and read a book while waiting for Daddy and Ken.

We have gotten appointments to have both the kids tested for their IQ. No time like the present to get that application in at the school. Their appointments are both on Thursday morning. Arcadia's will last about an hour and Ken's will be about an hour and a half. Keep your fingers crossed that they both do well! :)

Is my child gifted?

Well... with all the behavioural problems we've been having with Ken, we were starting to wonder if he's really being pushed to his level of learning at school. I looked up gifted educational programs in the Colorado area and have found a few. One is called Stargate School and isn't too far from us. I've heard a lot about this school so I started looking into it. On the application it states we need to get an IQ test done for him to start the enrollment process for next year (it's already too late for this year, but we shall see, maybe I can get both kids in??? It is a free public school!)

Anyways... Looking up where to do IQ testing lead me to this:

Traits of Giftedness:

a good reader - which Ken is the best in his class
learns rapidly - depends on the subject but he's usually a sponge
excellent vocabulary - sometimes... LOL he is 6 so he says things I don't expect
very articulate - sometimes, othertimes not...
intense - often
good sense of humor - laughs at everything and loves to make up jokes
moral sensitive – things must be fair - especially between he and his sister
perfectionist - not so much. It depends on how much he cares for what it is
feelings hurt easily – sensitive - to a fault
curious - loves to ask questions and find things
high energy - umm... yea... this one answers itself!
prefer older friends - his best friend is in third grade
has a range of interests - loves soccer, spongebob, reading, sci fi, etc.
is logical - depends on what this is for, but not always
self taught - he taught himself reading once he understood the concept
questions authority - ALL THE TIME!!!!
has an ability to work things out in their head very quickly - sometimes, but not the majority
has strong views or opinions - very much so
has a lively imagination - you could say that.


So... after seeing this list... I have a definate idea that he would be on the gifted side. I just have to get the testing done... Shall update later on that front.

He's going to the zoo... zoo... zoo... how bout you... you... you...

Yea!!! His teacher said that he actually made an effort today!!! That he actually tried being good!!! AND he made two goals at his soccer practice (the later week ones are usually scrimage games for practice) Whoo hoo!!!! He's going to the zoo!!!! And we don't have to punish him!!!! What a wonderous thing that is!!!!

Red Light

Ken is on Red Light now at school. He just keeps talking back to the teachers. I'm very surprised that she hasn't put him on blue light yet. I let his teacher know that she shouldn't be afraid to put him on blue light. Of course... if she does that today... he is grounded all weekend and won't be able to go to the zoo tomorrow on the school field trip. That really took him by surprise. He's promising up and down that he'll be good. I'll find out for sure in an hour, but I have a feeling he'll be with me here tomorrow.

Arcadia is out of school tomorrow - teacher inservice day. So she may or may not go out with Daddy and have fun with him working... We shall see...

Fall

It's officially fall and now the weather matches the season. The leaves are starting to change and the sun sets so much earlier that soon Ken's going to practicing soccer in the dark. Hmm... I wonder what we'll do then? I guess his coach will have ideas. He's really good at defense, but needs some work on offense. He's afraid to take the ball away from the other kids to take it to the goal.

I walk the kids to school every morning and home from school in the afternoons. He's having a blast crunching the leaves on the sidewalk. He is loving fall so far. Now lets just get a rake in his hands so he can jump in a pile of leaves... :)

Arcadia is having a blast practicing her dance for the Christmas Recital. I can't wait to see her on stage... :)

I'll have to post some pictures as soon as I get them off our camera.

Quick update

Just a real quick update for you all.

Ken is on yellow light still (this is a good thing, he has NOT been moved yet and it's Friday tomorrow and only a half day!). He's absolutely crazy about soccer now, I have a feeling once he realizes that he can watch it on TV, he will and we along with him. He has his Fiesta tomorrow at school and then is going with Daddy in the afternoon to "help" out.

Arcadia is doing really well. She is constantly spelling out letters from billboards and signs and saying her numbers every time she seems them on signs. I remember Ken going through a similar phase right before things really clicked for him with reading.

We've been watching the Pirates of the Caribbean movies this past week. (Only a little every night, it's an incentive for the kids to behave, etc. - about 30 to 45 minutes). Ken is absolutely entranced and is LOVING Jack Sparrow. I have a feeling that's what he'll want to be for Halloween... now to go find the costume out there... somewhere... Arcadia, of course, will be a ballerina/princess/fairy... the fairy part being the new thing. I'll have to go to Michaels to pick her up some stuff to make wings and "fairy dust" aka. glitter to decorate said wings. Of course Ken also said he wanted to be WALL-E this year and I could actually make that one!

Arcadia started practicing for her Christmas recital tonight at ballet. Her class is doing a dance to the Russian song from the Nutcracker. Lots of twirling! Perfect for a bunch of four year old girls!!!! Our instructor wants to put the adults into it also this year... we're not sure if we really want to... she keeps shouting "angels - you can be angels!" and then "oooo - marzipan, you can be marzipan!" yeah.... we'll see, don't hold your breath though.

Update on the kiddos

Let's see... this past week has been very full. Ken went down to "red light" at his school. His teacher states that he was almost on "blue" which is the one where he'd be grounded from everything and stuck in his room except for food and potty and soccer. Ughh... we've got to talk more to him about it. I did receive a note from his teacher stating that he needs to be challenged more in school (meaning that the curriculem is too easy for him, thus the reason he acts up) so she's going to come up with some ideas to do so. We'll have to see if that improves his behaviour.

Soccer is going very well. Ken really did well on Saturday. He even got a goal. He was very proud and he also played goalie for a part and he did really really good, even the coach was very impressed. That's a good thing, right? ;)

Let's see... Arcadia is doing great in school. The city had a ground breaking ceremony for the new library and her school was invited. Her teacher stated that she was the best behaved at the ceremony, that she stayed still and listened to every thing. I'm so proud.

Wednesday night we had a BBQ/Picnic for Arcadia's school. That was fun and the kids had a blast. When we got to the park, Arcadia stated that she saw some of the kids from school. Then she saw her teachers and said "Mommy, my teachers are here too!" She was soooo excited and didn't stay still at all the entire time. LOL We all thought it was quite cute.

The kids also "helped" with staining the inside of the fence. They didn't like the fact that it got all over them and they couldn't wash it off. Lovely. They decided to stop at that point... Oh well...

That's all for now.

Ken and School

Well... we seem to be doing okay with it all... He's still getting in trouble for not sitting still in class and for talking (hmmm... go figure), so he's mainly on a yellow light the entire time. I am one of the Room Mom's so I go in once a week and help out the teacher with filing, copying, etc. I'm also in charge of helping get the kids parent's that volunteered to remember to help when they state they would - for example, we have a class Fiesta next Friday, so we have parents signing up to bring food, pinatas, candy for said pinatas and bats to break the said pinatas. Also parents have signed up to help that day and they have to be there (my self included) at 9:45 am to help set up tables for the food and get everything up and organized for the kids. They're having a Fiesta in honor of Mexican Independence Day. (Any excuse for a party) and they're only having a half day that day. There's also the field trip to the zoo in three weeks... they are now looking for volunteers to be chaparones for that day... I'm not thinking I'll make it... we'll see!

Oh... and now we're off to our monthly Cub Scout Pack meeting. Boy, I sure hope there are more kids than Ken that sign up... Wish us luck!

The First Soccer Game

Well, we've had practice now for the past two weeks and today was the big day! Ken was all decked out in his gear (Guy got a really good deal at Dick's sporting goods) and he was good to go!

Getting some coaching with the team...

Various shots of Ken playing. :)

And, of course... Arcadia enjoying the game. :)

Aren't these the cutiest?

I found these while looking at some different blogs... I'm thinking about getting some for Arcadia....

Now it's time for my pictures

Pics from my camera


Being a true tourist in the Empire State Building.



I thought this was pretty... :) So I took a picture!


One of the many views... not going to bore you all with all the pictures from the top of the building...



Wow... what's Elmo doing in NYC walking down the street.



Oh... what many New Yorker's do at lunch time... get a hotdog from the Vendors!



Up close and personal with Lady Liberty's face.


My pic of the Lady.




Our hotel room... ain't it purty? and the bed was so soft and the lights came on automatically. Oh and there were "night lights" that came on in the night under the night stand and under the bathroom vanity when you walked around at night so you wouldn't knock over anything.


Just a quick pick of 30 Rock


In Central Park... these skaters were really neat to watch. It was like they were on ice!


My favorite Degas painting.


At the Times Square Toys R Us... these were entirely built from Legos!