First Cuboree!

Clayton attended his first Cuboree today.  It was Lego themed (meaning they got their great big Lego badge to sew on their campfire blanket) and they had actual Lego company employees that ran the Lego station.  Along with that, they made fires, had tug-of-wars, made cork flyers and just ran all their energy out.  Clay was in seventh heaven!  He loves Cubs.  It has really given him a new-found drive.  He has earned three badges already and is on his way to many more.  We are so excited for him!

What book got you hooked?

We've been reading novels to the older kids at night and have made it through the first 4 Harry Potter's.  Now we are searching out different literature experiences.  Being at the library made me think of the books that got me hooked on reading.  Here are a few that stand out.  Maybe you read some of them too...



I owned this book and must have read it about a hundred times.  I was a shy kid, and living through Ramona made me feel like I could do anything.  Such sass and pizazz!  I loved her.



We read this with the kids and they got a few good laughs.  It's a coming of age story, probably more for upper elementary ages.



The whole Fudge series.  Who can't laugh with this quirky little brother?



I read every single Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, and Bobbsey Twins I could get my hands on.  I still read mystery fiction voraciously.  The challenge of figuring it out before the end kept me hooked. and still does.



I read this one a few times.  Milo and the clock dog and mathland...it was a modern classic.  Thinking about it makes me want to pick it up and read it again just to remember it all.



My grade 4 teachers read this to our class.  We listened, spellbound.  Of course, now all the kids have the movie images in their minds, but for us the journey was magical and as limitless as our imaginations.



This book solidified me in the world of reading.  I was in grade 8 and out of ideas at the school library when my English teacher pulled me into the fantasy section and handed it to me.  I thought I would hate it.  I was wrong.  It opened doors into fiction and imagination and I loved it. 

So what hooked you?  Do you have that one favorite childhood book?  What do you read to your kids?  What book could you read again even now?

Hair today, gone tomorrow...What's your vote?

I'm desperate for a new haircut.  I cut my hair short last year and it has since just been growing out uncontrolled and I am sick of it.  I have many ideas, but can't choose.  I spend too much time searching out short cuts for curly hair and round faces.  These are my faves, but I can't decide.  I think I really just want to go pixie short.  I did that once and loved it.  I want minimal work.  My hair is so curly that any length to it means I have to manage the curls or straighten it to make things look how I want it.  Browse my selections and see what you think...

I like this look, but I would have to curl my spiral curls with a large curling iron every day....

I really like short pixie messy like this, but it may just be a tad too long and get curly/frizzy....



Then I think maybe I'll just trim a few inches and try growing out the bangs, but I'd still have to loosen the curls...

Okay, the next one is one of my faves.  I really like the look. 

Then I like this messy pixie too.  I think I just like that messy is what you're going for.  It makes not having any time in the morning a good thing.  I have done short and stuck up all over and I really think I may go back to it.  If I only have it about an inch long I lose the curl altogether.  That might be a nice break...

Work

I hate what I do.  I have said this before, but yesterday I was at work and for the first time in 15 years I suddenly thought to myself that what I do is disgusting.  I scrape the stuff off people's teeth that they are too lazy to clean up on their own.  It's gross. 


I have never been bothered by this before.   Do you think it's a sign?  Maybe it comes from cleaning up after people all day, every day.  I think I want something more out of what I do.  Some kind of fulfillment or what not.  Hmm...

I have been feeling a little low about work lately.  I only work relief and I was hoping to be getting more days.  On the flip side, Dan has been filling his schedule right up.  I am glad for that.  But there is a part of me that feels so guilty watching him work his butt off all the time when I could really help out with a few days here and there.  Silly.  He told me yesterday that I needed to stop and be grateful that the Lord is letting him work so I can be home with the kids.  I realized that we have for so long depended on my stints at work to get by, which is okay, but he is so ready to be the one to truly support our family.  He is the hardest worker I know.  He would do just about anything and work pretty much all the time in order to take care of us.  I am so proud of him and grateful to have him as my hubby and my children's father.





Of course, I feel guilty now about hating work.  But I love my work at home.  I guess he was right, I'm so fortunate to be able to do it.  Smart guy!  But I am looking for a career change eventually.  Any suggestions?

Madison Moments

Here's two good ones from our girl who has her own twist on life:

1. In 4th grade they start being graded with letter grades, so in preparation their teachers decided to mark a math test so the kids could see where they would be at.  Madison proudly showed me her work: C-.  "Are you happy with this?" I asked gently.  "Oh yes!" she replied.  "At least I got a letter.  Some of the kids did so bad, the teachers didn't even give them one!"

2. On Monday, Dan dropped the kids at school a bit late.  When saying goodbye, he noticed Madison had some breakfast on her face.  He told her to stop at the bathroom on the way into class and wash up, but she explained that she was to go promptly to her classroom.  In response to his continued urging, she proclaimed, "Dad, don't worry!  I've got this whole 'late' thing figured out!"

Baptism Weekend

 Here are some pics of our day at Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge.  Like dad said, if he just looked down at his feet he could make it across!

 The moss covered trees

 Mom and Dad by the river

 The 30 ft pool

 The big day.  It was so nice.  We didn't have large numbers, but we had the people who care about Clay.  His friends participated and we sang lots of primary songs and felt the Spirit.  Grandma and Grandpa gave wonderful talk on baptism and the Holy Ghost geared toward all the kids in the room and they ate it up.  We missed our families, but it's nice to have a ward family that fills in that space. We know we are loved, and Clayton knows he is loved.

Sunny Forecast

Yippee!  The forecast has changed to sun all weekend!  Wish us luck!