President - Elect

This is where I will be spending a good portion of the next two years of my life....

Altara Elementary-
(Lizzie's school and Afton and Lilly's school in 2013).


Starting in the fall of 2012 I will be the PTA president- elect for Altara Elementary (Lizzie's school).
Then the following fall of 2013, I will be the PTA President for Altara (and all 3 of my girls will be there).
It will be a big, fun, challenging responsibility. I do get my own parking spot though. SWEET!!!

I became official on March 6th and will be there A LOT between now and when I finish up my end of things in June of 2014.

So if I start rambling and/ or mumbling about jog-a-thons, teacher appreciation week, Reflections, budgets, T-shirts, meetings, the education system, etc. You will now know why :)

Turning 8 and Baptism

Lunch at the Garden
Lizzie is now 8.
When our kids turn 8 we take them to a special lunch at The Garden restaurant with their grandparents. We went on Feb. 25th. Jim's Dad was not feeling well and was missed.


Us at our table

View from our table

Lizzie opening her utensils. About 15 minutes later she was using these same utensils to totally destroy her grilled cheese sandwich. She did not like the "cheese"


Baptism Invite

Jim and Lizzie

I did not take a lot of pictures of Lizzie at her baptism. In a way it was my gift to her because I know she hates pictures being taken. Actual baptism was the most important thing and I am fine with that. Hopefully she will be fine with that too in 20 years or so when she just has two or three pictures from her day :)

Many many thanks to all those who came to Lizzie's baptism and/or had her in your thoughts. It was a good day.

Lizzie month of festivities is now over :)

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Lizzie had a friend party that was a "backwards party" It was loud, crazy, fun and luckily only an hour and half :)

Here is how it went

Invitations: These were given to the kids a week before with a hint that a mirror may make it easier to read



-Greeted with "Goodbye, thanks for coming to the party"
- Had each child open the present they got for Lizzie. They thought this was hysterical. After giving it to Lizzie they all said "Thank you" Lizzie was supposed to go along and say "Your Welcome" but No, she did not.
- Taking a backwards picture. You know, have them put their backs to me and turn their heads to smile :)

*If you look closely there is one boy at this party. It is one of Lizzie's really good friends. I thought it was nice that she wanted to invite him with all her girl friends (thus a gender neutral theme party)

- DESSERT FIRST. They thought this was so fun. We layered sprinkles on a plate, syrups, whipped cream, ice cream and then cupcakes I had baked in a ice cream cone.
-I told the kids they could eat "under" the table instead of "on". They found this quite amusing.


- We also sang "you to birthday happy" to Lizzie. I printed out the words to help the kids.
- We had a normal dinner after dessert (hot dogs, chips, pickles and strawberries) with 7-Down (7-up upside down)
- Had them guess how many candy pieces in a jar BUT this time the guess farthest away got to keep it (I didn't tell them that until they all made their guesses). The girl who won guessed 1,000 when there was just 18 pieces. I found that funny.
- Backward Musical Chairs. I took a chair out each time the music stopped so by the end they all were piled on one chair


- Backwards Charades- one person had the word taped on their back and then THE GROUP had to act it out for the one person to try to guess

- As they left we said "Hello, Welcome to Lizzie's party", handed them their gift bag with their name on it backwards and said a sigh of relief until next year.

Lizzie's Family Party

The girl who hates attention had family spoil her for her birthday...

Here I think it is funny how she looks like she is trying to hide the fact that she really likes the present :)

Being tremendously serious while opening presents

Lizzie's request.... Ruth you are amazing and well not quite sure what words to say BUT Lizzie loved it!!!

Finally a smile because she is by her cake and holding her singing cat card

8

Today Lizzie officially turns 8 years old!!!!
When I think of that daughter of mine a few things come to mind....

She loves the beauty of things. When she really likes something you know because her whole face shows it.




On the other extreme she can be rudely honest about things and has no problem showing how she feels about a certain situation. This picture might be best to zoom in on :)And yes, she most certainly is holding a hatchet.


Rarely is one without the other. Ethan and Lizzie really enjoy each others company. It has been that way since the day Lizzie was born. They have a special bond that is fun to watch.


She is gorgeous and really smart but doesn't yet fully realize it. I am bracing for the day when she realizes how much inner and outer beauty she has.


Happy 8th Birthday to our amazing, creative, stubborn, hilarious and all around adorable girl. You certainly do not make life boring.

Mom and Dad love you very much!

Laundry

Someone in this house seems to actually enjoy when I DON'T fold the laundry.



On a similar note....

Lizzie

February has basically become "Lizzie month" in our house so here is a little spotlight for the month.

Last February (2011) Lizzie had lost NO teeth yet. Within this past year she has lost AT LEAST 6 (I honestly stopped keeping track). Right now she is sporting the two top teeth and two bottom side teeth missing. I Love it!!!



Much to my surprise Lizze has agreed to start taking piano lessons. She is doing amazing so far and is even practicing without me telling her. Not sure how long this will last (practicing and lessons in general without meltdowns) but we are very proud of her for trying something new.



Lizzie has a very active and creative mind.
After my birthday party I went upstairs to our bathroom and found this. It made me laugh. EVERY Barbie is in her own little pose.

Close-up view. There is a Barbie by the sink in a maroon dress Lizzie said is talking on a cell phone :)


Lizzie likes doing secret acts of service. Lately she will secretly go clean somewhere in the house (cleaning a room, wiping counters, straightening shoes, etc.) and put a little note with "Servus by Lizzie" or a picture she drew so you know it is from her. Here is from when she secretly set the table when I was upstairs.



Lizzie hates getting up in the morning for school.One morning I told her to get up and went downstairs to get breakfast ready. She didn't come down so I went and checked on her and found this :) She was in the closet nearby giggling away.


Although that girl tests my patience EVERY day I am constantly amazed at her sense of humor, creativity and one of a kind personality.