Junie B. Jones

I am so proud of Carter. This week he finished his first Chapter book, Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus. I was a little worried it would take forever but he breezed right through. It took about 10 days of him reading to me at night. Of course he struggled with some words here and there like when he read the word "picnic" as "pisnis" (I think he is still laughing about that one). He also has a tendency to look at the beginning of the word and assume he knows what's coming like when he read "electric sharpener" as "elementary sharpener." I asked him how he felt about finishing such a big book and he said he felt really good. You can tell by the smile on his face that he knows he accomplished something. He said he can't wait to read another one. The book club junkie in me is so excited that he loves to read and I hope that love continues to grow!

Tour des Lacs

I am posting this because neither my mom or my sister have a blog and I think they deserve some kudos. Last weekend they participated in the Tour des Lacs. It was a 105 mile bike ride from downtown Spokane through Plummer and Harrison Id. then into Coeur d' Alene. Here is a map of their route. They are totally amazing women. My mom is a little more amazing entirely due to a few extra years under her belt but they both rock! Way to go ladies! Looking way too cute for just riding their bike for eight and a half hours!
We went to Coeur d' Alene to cheer them on at the finish. Jordan and his girlfriend Kailee (in the background) made really cool shirts. They were the official cheer squad but Carter is Grandma Julia's biggest fan!

Mother of the Year? I think not.

So today was one of those days where situation after situation reminded me that I'm not even in the running for mother of the year. Here's how it went. I get up, feed the baby, try to convince my kids to eat the same thing for breakfast. I'm not going to make pancakes for Carter and eggs for Sydney. After I get the baby down for a nap, I let my kids watch too much T.V. because I really want to exercise and shower before Kindermusik. I take too long so naturally we are running late. I am frantically packing a lunch and loading the car with the necessities for an afternoon away from the house. On one of my trips inside, Sydney is standing just inside the door and I slam her heel with the door. She is screaming and bleeding. We finally all get in the car and I realize I forgot her backpack. I run back into the house and set the alarm off. I cancel it, grab the backpack and we are on the road. Garth calls from work. He is on the line with the security company; the alarm is going off. I rush back to the house and make sure the alarm is reset (it was, so the detour was unneccesary.) Music class goes fine then I run some errands on the south hill. I talked to my friend about when to trade kids this week and we decide this afternoon would be great. I ditch my kids and do some grocery and birthday shopping. I pick up my kids and head home as we pass by the elementary school at 5:40 I realize CRAP! today is Wednesday and Carter had soccer. I apologize profusely and I make it up to him with a lovely dinner of "leftovers, enjoy" (yes that is a Nacho Libre reference and yes my kids can quote that movie they have seen it so many times.) I clean up dinner and run off to Young Women's to play broom hockey with my Mia Maids. I just got home and kissed my kids goodnight (they were already asleep.) Thank heavens tomorrow is another day!

Kindermusik

I am a huge fan of Kindermusik! We were first introduced to it when Carter was very young and Theresa Birch (a long time family friend) was just starting to teach. She approached me because she wanted her first "village" class to be full so she could get a feel for the class. He did one semester each of "Village" and "Our Time" with me and loved it! The year before he started preschool, he did a full year of "Imagine That." That is my favorite age group. They learn and grow so much and it is so fun to have a first experience away from mom (even though mom is watching through the window.) Garth is not as huge of a fan as I am. I think he likes the class and what they learn but doesn't care for the tuition! I talked him into letting Sydney do an "Imagine That" class this year since we decided to forego preschool. So far it is a huge hit! She loves Miss Theresa and her new teal backpack. There was no separation anxiety. I think it helped that cousin Paige is in class with her. She walked right in and participated in all of the singing, playing, dancing, and marching that makes up her hour long class. I am really happy she is in it and I look forward to seeing her have fun and grow in Kindermusik.

I AM YOUR FATHER

Quick Quote From Sydney:

"Carter you be Luke and I'll be Garth Vader"

Book Club

I belong to the best book club in Spokane! Our dedicated and fearless leader Nicole makes it the best. She is so on top of things and unbelievably organized. There are 17 members and at first glance, we are similar. All female, all mothers, all about the same age. But when we get a discussion going it is evident we are a very eclectic group. It has given me a chance to meet and spend time with ladies I wouldn't have otherwise met due to geographics, full time jobs, etc. My friend Misty invited me to try it out in October of 2006 and I have been hooked. We rotate houses and the hostess always treats us well with fabulous food, delicious deserts and lively discussion. The past two months we have read The Count of Monte Cristo. I read the abridged version and I feel a little jipped. I didn't know we were going to spread it out over two months and I didn't think I could tackle all 1300 pages of the unabridged in one month. I still thought it was amazing storytelling. I would recommend it to anyone. Next month is the book clubs 3 year anniversary and I am the hostess. Pressure. I better come up with something good!

Mutton Bustin'

Last week we took the kids to the Spokane Interstate Fair. I am not a huge fan of the fair. It is quite the money sucker. We made the kids eat dinner in the car on the way, they got in free, and we didn't let them ride any rides and we still dropped $40 in two hours. One of the things we spent money on was Mutton Bustin'. Carter was so excited to try it and be the first one in the family to ride a sheep. My southern Utah relatives would be so proud! He only lasted like 1.7 seconds but he had a great time. He was telling all the girls about it at the bus stop the next day. He's getting a little more adventurous. One year ago this never would have happend!