13 Years Old!

So... I can now say that I am the mother of a two year old and a teenager both.

It's pretty awesome, and sweet and wonderful!

Oh, you know, we have our moments... but I can honestly say our two year old brings so much joy to our family and so does our 13 year old!!!  Just love her spunky, kind-hearted, helpful, smiley self.

She pretty much fills right in where I leave off whether it's babysitting, cleaning, baking, or getting ready for company.

I really don't think I could get along very well without her, especially after 13 years!!!!!!

August Birthday Girl

It was fun to spend our last evening of camping in Glacier Park having a birthday party for Kyla on her special day!

Remember it is the year of "decorate your own birthday cake" here at our house?

Well, that was the plan, but Kyla got back from Jackson Hole a little too late on Sunday night

to share in decorating her cake balls, so I had fun decorating them all by myself.

I found out that cake balls don't turn out quite as nice as cake pops and they are quite a bit

more difficult to dip.  But they were still fun and I was glad I could freeze them all week

to keep them fresh and unbroken. They were as yummy as ever! 

My Mom had found the cute ice cream bowls on clearance at Joann's Fabric's so I threw together

a simple ice-cream/candy shop theme.  She LOVED it!

Another Happy Birthday Kyla!

We love you!

Bread and Cream

This posts sounds like it's going to be about the two yummiest things (besides chocolate) that get in the way of my efforts to lose weight. But it's not about that. It's actually about Kyla and her latest projects... a project about bread and a project about cream!
These pictures are from her Science Fair Project this year. Her purpose was to find out which of 4 different breads molded fastest. She found out that the her samples without preservatives molded much faster than her samples with preservatives. One brand of bread never molded in the entire 18 days of her experiment. That's some preservative in that bread! It turned out to be a fun, interesting experiment and project. She presented it to her class, at the school science fair and at the county science fair last week...

***

Then for her 4H meeting last week, she did a demonstration on how to whip cream. Ahead of time, we made 4 graham cracker crust, chocolate pudding pies (the easy way). Then she whipped the cream at the meeting, giving details of the best method to use and tips for the best whipping success. Then she served the pies with her freshly whipped cream on top. Very Fun! We even had an extra pie to bring home and share with our company at home. Here is a picture of Kyla doing her presentation with our wonderful 4H leader Suzanne, holding her poster...

That night at 4H, we also watched a demonstration on 'tips for using a sewing machine', 'how to sharpen a knife', and 'a history report on Abraham Lincoln'. I've said it before and I'll say it again... I love 4H! Where else can you find such a practical, useful, and fun way to engage your kids in real life learning in such a non demanding way? It's just that!

As a side note... We finished Little Britches by Ralph Moody the other night with wet eyes. Thank goodness we could pick up the next book and continue reading... Man of the Family. I've never read this continuation of the series and am enjoying it along with the rest of the family. It is very refreshing to read true, life stories of people that lived in difficult times and situations and came out better for it. The back of the book says...

An affectionate portrait of ranch-town folk who knew how to help without humiliating, and a warm but ungushing tribute to a remarkable woman who deplored her inability to give her children everything, yet gave them much. Man of the family is everything that Little Britches was, a heart-warming, frank, completely delightful narrative. Some readers may even like it better. etc, etc...

If you are interested in knowing all the other books in the series, you can find out about them here or here.

Snowboarders Among Us

Kyla tried snowboarding the other day for the first time. Randy went along for some good old fashioned downhill skiing, and took this video so we could all see the fun they had. Just slightly jealous here! ;) So, wanted to share this video with Auntie Melinda and Cousin Laura, her fellow snowboarding rebels! SEE what you've done to our daughter!

Lovin' it,

Alison

MADE

MADE by dana has been a huge inspiration for me lately to do some sewing. So, that is where my post title comes from. :)

I hate to be a complainer but... so, so many times I've been known to complain about the availability of "age-appropriate" skirts for my 11 year old. There just isn't enough "skirt" to the Junior section skirts of most clothing stores (if you know what I mean). And skipping up to ladies XS sizing just doesn't work either. I have a hard enough time finding skirts that I like in ladies clothing as a matter of fact.

I always ask myself "why don't you just make her some skirts". Then I laugh at myself and go back to changing diapers, helping with homework, or folding clothes. But then Dana and other sewing bloggers stepped in and encouraged me to get out my sewing machine and try making another skirt for my daughter.

One of the best things about this sewing project was that I didn't have to buy anything. I had the material. I had the zipper. I had a cute pattern. No excuses!
I cut out the smallest pattern and then made a couple adjustments. I was a little nervous about the 'invisible zipper' as I had only done 'centered zippers' in the past. I did have to rip it out several times but finally got it right. Not so bad!!!
I really am inspired lately and have been using my sewing machine a lot lately. One of the hardest things for me is that I don't want to stop what I'm doing until it's DONE! Sometimes I can get a little cranky when things get in my way and that is the reason I don't tackle some of the things I want to do. Gotta work on that...

The other thing I realize is that now-a-days, I have a lot more freedom to do stuff like this than I did when I was in the thick of baby/toddler/child rearing. I couldn't do a lot then when my kiddos were smaller and so dependent! But now, when Lita is sleeping I get busy. Some days work. Other days don't work. I guess I just want to encourage other Mother's in the busy years of your life to enjoy your little ones. A day will come when you will be able to do some of these things that you enjoy doing. Nough for now!

Happy Wednesday!
Alison

Fifth Grade Fun

Sometimes I wish I was in fifth grader again. I'm kind of enjoying having my fifth grader. I like putting our heads together to see what kind of things we can create in the various project assignments she brings home. These were both fun projects that she did so far this year.


I'm not the only one that is enjoying this fifth grade year. I think she is enjoying it too! A lot more than last year. But some days are a grind. Yeah... I guess I'm glad I'm not in fifth grade again. But it is fun to walk along!

Keep up the good work Kyla!

Love,
Mom (Alison)

Seven Days of Thankfulness: Day Four

I am thankful for American Girl Magazines which have so many cute projects for girls to do like these spray-painted jars (above) and this t-shirt cowl (below). I don't subscribe to any magazines for our family, but when Kyla begged to get this one I purchased a year subscription as a gift for her. So far I have been pleased with it and don't feel like it's a complete waste of money.

The magazines are usually packed full of the perfect projects and idea's for a girl who're just itching to do something creative and crafty! And the projects are usually thrifty and very cute and can be done without Mommy's supervision.
I realize these Thankfulness Posts have been kind of random but they are just things that have come to mind lately when I ponder what I'm thankful for. I love this reminder...

Discouragement cannot grow in a Thankful Heart!

So true.

Let's be thankful. What are you thankful for today?

Alison

p.s. Don't forget to read my other "thankfulness" post below...

My First & Last

precious moment to begin my day

Randy was gone to California a couple weeks ago for work. The girls wanted to take turns sleeping with me while he was away so I said K could the first night and M the last night. I had to grab the camera that first morning after Baby M ended up in bed with us too. I love these pictures of them sound asleep in the morning. I only had the dim light on from the bathroom and I didn't want to use the flash and wake them so these are the pictures I got of my very first baby and my very last baby, lost in dreamland together. ahhhh....

It's definitely time for a Melita update. She'll be 9 months old on the 14th! Pictures and video coming soon.

And now, off to dreamland I go,
Alison

Bunny Birthday

Kyla's a pretty typical 11 year old. She had a whole list of things she thought she would like for her birthday... $ for clothes, a cell phone, iPod, laptop, horse... With the exception of the '$ for clothes', the answer on everything else was "no" for various reasons, etc, etc, etc...

Then one day a cousin mentioned giving her a bunny for her birthday. After that it was bunnies, bunnies, bunnies... She talked about them, researched them, and dreamed about them. That was something Randy and I could live with.

So her birthday celebrating started out last Sunday night when I took her and 4 of her friends/cousins out to eat together at a restaurant. We had a great time and our table was very lively, giggly, and silly. I just kick myself that I didn't get a picture of everyone but I totally forgot. Driving everyone home afterwards was a great time too! Then Kyla and I enjoyed a beautiful drive through the country on our way home that evening, talking about many things including...bunnies. I really value these times more and more with my sweet young lady.

Finally Tuesday evening it was time to go pick out a bunny! (Thank you Sage and Heather!) That evening Daddy put together the new bunny hutch we got Kyla for her birthday...

Her birthday was actually Wednesday so we fixed curry pork and rice (her choice) for supper and then went to Mom and Dad's after Bible Study for cake! Rich chocolate cake with strawberries and Bunny Tracks Ice Cream...
Here we are gathered around the table. We got to celebrate with Loren and Dustin too!
Kyla spent yesterday with Grandma, going shopping and meeting Grandpa for supper. She got to spend the night at their house too. I told her we are going to celebrate all week and we have! ;)

So, we've been taking care of her bunny since she's gone and we all think she's pretty cute. I hope little Kalula likes her new home as much as we like having her here...

Happy Birthday my 11 year old!
Alison (aka "Mom")

Piano Recital-May 2011

Colter and Kyla with thier piano teacher, Mrs. J.

They were a little nervous and the video isn't great but here is the kids playing their second set of songs for the evening. Thought you might enjoy it Grandma and Grandpa, since your weren't in town for the event! ;)

Hugsfromus,
Alison

Be With You

Okay, here's one more to go along with the last one. Then I have a MLM post ready for Monday. That's all for this next week! We're off to enjoy Spring Break!

See you later!
Alison

Kyla's Work and Play

Recently Kyla took part in the Science Fair at her school. The collage above shows her doing her experiment. The experiment was to find out how salt and sugar affect the freezing time and temperature of water.

Below is a collage of her putting together her Science Fair Board. A big part of the project is how you present the project and tell others about it...
She found out that salt and sugar both slow down the freezing process and that both salt water and sugar water have a lower freezing point than plain water. Salt was much lower. She participated in her school Science fair and in the County Science Fair last week where she received a red ribbon.

I remember doing science fair as a child too and really enjoyed doing it with my family. It was fun to do it with Kyla and I suppose we'll have many more years of doing it now.

Have you or your child ever taken part in a Science Fair? What project did you do?

And, here is another activity that Kyla participated in recently...


Can you tell I'm just having to much fun with these collages? :) I recently got "My Digital Studio" from Stampin' Up and am so excited to try it.

All for now,

Russian Bakers Dance

It was a busy week last week! On Thursday evening was Kyla's Christmas concert. Here are a few more pictures from the evening...

They did a Elementary student version of the Nutcracker Suite. Here are the toy soldiers and the Russian Bakers. I was able to find the lyrics to the song on the computer and the music but not the words and music together...

♪♫ We’ve got a Russian recipe!
All that a recipe should be!
It makes, it bakes sweet Russian tea cakes! ♪♫

♪♫ We’ve got a recipe so sweet!

It’s sure to knock you off your feet!
It’s baked at night with Russian candlelight! ♪♫

♪♫ First, get the oven hot!
If it’s not, then you may have a big surprise!
Then, butter, flour, and salt, sugar, too,
Fine chopped nuts, a cup will do;
A touch, a touch,
Some sweet vanilla adds so very much! ♪♫

♪♫We’ve got a Russian recipe!
All that a recipe should be!
It’s right for every Russian appetite! ♪♫

♪♫We’ve got a recipe SO GREAT!
We guarantee that it won’t wait!
A bite or two or three or four
Will make you beg and cry for more! ♪♫

♪♫A bite or two or three or four
Will make you SIGH and CRY and BEG for more! Hey!♪♫

The Best Birthday Ever: Kyla Turns 10!

Kyla turned 10 years old on the 24th of August. I could go on and on wondering where the past 10 years went but the truth is... I just don't know the answer. It just flew by and here we are, enjoying our little lady, not even daring to think about the next 10 years.

She wanted to go out to Sizzler for supper. I think she likes the dessert bar. ;) So, we all went out, including Grandpa and Grandma...

Then we went back to Grandpa and Grandma's house for cake and gifts. Dairy Queen ice cream cakes are the BEST!

One of the things she had mentioned that she would like was her very own tent. Randy and I got her one and her brother and sister got her a lantern to hang up in it. She declared it was the best birthday she has ever had. I think it had a lot to do with the tent.
I wish I had a picture of her and Colter a few nights later as we tucked them into their sleeping bags inside the tent, which they set up in our backyard. They were so excited! Later that night, I was awakened by the sound of the coyotes in full force in the foothills behind our house. I hear them nearly every night through our open bedroom window. I thought for sure my brave little outdoor adventurers would be in the house in a flash. After a little while I heard the tent unzip and footsteps across the porch and the back door opening. Turns out the howling woke up Kyla and she was coming in for a restroom break. She headed right back out and I didn't see either of them again until morning.

It was supposed to be Maya's turn a couple of night later but with our colder temps, rain and then school starting the next week, it never worked out for them to stay in the backyard. Instead they braved the downstairs playroom and slept in the tent down there one night. Maya was going to have her turn too! There are a few strange noises in our basement so I think she was very brave too! ;)

Remember today, for it is the beginning of always.
Today marks the start of a brave new future filled with all your dreams can hold.
Think truly to the future and make those dreams come true.”

~Author unkown

Treasuring the past, enjoying the today, and braving the future,

Miles of Smiles

These two girls are second cousins. They are 10 days apart. They found they had a lot in common these 4 days at convention. When Kyla went on her Nebraska trip she drove within an hour of were Deshka lives so she has a good idea of what is looks like on Deshka's ranch. There is already a letter and this picture in the mail on it's way to Nebraska. These smiles will be traveling for miles and miles!

Sending SMILES your way,

School in 1896

Kyla's class went of a field trip last Wednesday to an old school in town that was built in 1895 and opened in 1896. It has been turned into a museum now and one of the rooms is an original classroom where the local school kids can go for field trips and experience stepping back in time for school. Kyla took her camera with her for the day...

She said every 3rd kid had to take off their shoes because that was how many kids didn't even have shoes to wear to school 100 years ago.

She said the boys and girls had to sit on opposite sides of the room and take different recesses.

She said the children in the younger grades were not allowed to go outside for recess because there was a stable and horses nearby were they could be hurt.

What makes this school even more special is that Kyla's great-great-aunt Blanche once attended it... but, that's a Memory Lane Monday Post for another time...

Memory Lane Monday: May 2001

after this drawer got emptied countless times, I finally made it into a toy drawer

How I miss those simple days with just her and me. She turned my world upside down along with our house... and they were some of the best days of my life.

With each new baby came more challenges and joy was multiplied. But there is nothing like the feeling of being a brand new mommy.

Every day I realized, like her, I was learning so much and as I sit here exactly 9 years later, I realize I am still learning so much.

My hope today is that I will continue to be teachable.



What's around the next corner on Memory Lane?
See you next Monday!

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