Random | A Group Of Stahrs

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24 Apr 2013

Catch Up

Before the big 9th celebration festivities begin this weekend, I figured I should catch up on what’s been going on around here. Let’s begin with Jamie’s big third grade music program. Jamie was so excited about it. She was a narrator which meant she had to speak a part into the microphone in front of the entire audience. Those of you who know Jamie understand what a big deal this is for her. And she was awesome, if I do say so myself.

She was also part of a dance in one of the songs…

It really was a fabulous program.

Jamie shined like the little Stahr she is and I beamed with pride. I love that she tried out for that narrator part and did well. She amazes me every day.

Next up, was Jacob’s big art project. The art teacher at school was able to submit 3 works of art per grade to the District 49 art show. Jacob’s was one of them. And so his artwork went on display downtown at the Penrose library. We took a little trip there this weekend to see it displayed with all the others. He was a little proud of his art…

So “The Elephant”, as he titled it, was displayed in the library on the green wall, of all places. That impressed the boy since it is his favorite color! The security guard came over after I snapped this picture and asked if I was allowed to use my camera. Apparently when you take pictures of your kid with their artwork you have to get permission first. Who knew? I promised to not take anymore as we walked around to look at the rest of the art.

We went to our first SkySox baseball game of the season. Not really to watch the game but to hear a really great choir sing the National Anthem…

Jamie’s choir, Ursa Minor, sang their little hearts out and did a fantastic job. It was such a nice day that we stayed for a little of the game and then walked the 10 minutes home.

Tonight was STEAM night at school. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Music. The school combined the science fair displays with the Art/Music night. So we went to see Jamie’s science fair project on display in the library…

The fourth and fifth graders had their projects on display in the gym where art work from each student was on display as well. Jacob picked his out right away…

And Jamie found hers too…

I love seeing all the art and listening to music played by students while we walked around. It’s a pretty cool thing the school does each year.

Not to leave Mazie out, she had her first honor society meeting last week. She volunteered to help set up at the school carnival that was held last weekend. She has to volunteer a total of 15 hours to get her membership card. Do you remember the model house she worked on over Spring break? She brought it home today with a big fat 100% on it. She was pretty pleased with that for her grade!

With all that out of the way, bring on the 9th birthday sleepover…God help us!

Posted in Kids, Random

09 Apr 2013

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Ten on Tuesday

1. Jacob’s birthday party went on without a hitch, aside from the small snow storm we got the night before. But he definitely enjoyed being center of attention with a few of his classmates and his sisters.

2. He kind of likes when we sing to him.

3. He opted for a party at Ariel’s Gymnastics for his big sixth celebration…

4. Details on his cake can be found at the Cake Site. Jacob was pretty specific this year!

5. Spring break is two weeks long here in District 49. Monday was their first day back and they are off today due to a crazy Spring blizzard that isn’t really amounting to much around here. We have a little snow (like an inch) blowing around with this insanely crazy wind but labeling it a blizzard, isn’t’ quite right.

6. What did we do over the two weeks? Well, besides the boy turning 6 and having a celebration, Gramma visited. We took her to the zoo and enjoyed our day…

7. We also had Easter, which was played way down this year being so close to the boy’s birthday. The kids were pleased with going outside to hunt eggs in their jammies.

8. The kids enjoyed a game or two while Gramma was visiting. Maxine really enjoyed playing twister, although I don’t think she really understood the rules…

9. Mazie had a project for her algebra II class. She had to make a model of a house. The measurements had to be to scale and it needed to be painted. She had to use all her knowledge of angles and measurements to do the project. She worked really hard on it and it turned out beautifully! She was happy to hand it in yesterday.

10. Jamie did her experiment for her STEM fair project. Her and Dad worked on popping popcorn. Her experiment was to show which way of popping popcorn worked best. She used the stove top, a pop corn machine, and the microwave. The popcorn machine worked the best by popping all the kernels! She was so surprised since she thought the microwave would work best. But she had fun making popcorn three different ways and then being able to eat it!

She still has to finish her board but we are waiting for her pictures to put it all together. This is her first official STEM fair project. So she’s exited about it being on display in the school library in a few weeks.

Happy Tuesday!

Posted in birthdays, Family, Holidays, Kids, Random and tagged birthday party, Easter, projects, Zoo

19 Mar 2013

Ten On Tuesday

1. Today was 80s day for Mazie at school. If you are friends with me on Facebook, you saw the picture I posted this morning before she left for school. Mazie said that her first period teacher played some 80s music. I asked what was played and she said, “She played a song by some group called Wham!. It was pretty weird music.” Yes, Mazie, 80s music is different.

2. Jacob is one week away from turning 6. I have not yet started hyperventilating. So there is a plus!

3. His big party is on Saturday at Ariel’s Gymnastics. He’s so excited that he has forgotten to ask for things other than generic cars (or any vehicle) and Angry Birds stuff. He just wants his friends to enjoy the party. And his specific cake.

4. He has ordered a chocolate cake with chocolate filling and icing and chocolate chips. He is calling it his triple chocolate birthday cake.

5. Jamie brought home her science fair display board today. It’s bigger than she is. She is so excited about her project. She will be testing different ways to make popcorn.

6. I have an X-rated cake order for Saturday. A lady called me to ask if I can put a tux on a certain male body part and put it on a cake. I said I would do my best. I think he turned out pretty spiffy complete with a top hat and rose on his lapel! If you want to see a picture, email me. I won’t post it here or on the cake site since they are family friendly.

7. I am making a green velvet cake for the cadet birthdays in Jeremiah’s squadron tomorrow.

8. Easter is coming. That means Easter Ham. It’s the one time of the year I make ham. But more importantly, according to my husband, are the leftover dinners that the Easter Ham leads to…ham potpie and ham and green beans.

9. My mom is coming to visit next week. Just in time for our two-week Spring Break. Maybe this break won’t feel like it’s so long! If it’s nice, we are heading to the zoo.

10. I get to go on a date next week with my littlest love in honor of his birthday. There is another good point about him turning 6. He is planning on Zio’s for dinner and then coming back here for his special star cake and gifts.

Posted in Random

19 Feb 2013

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Ten on Tuesday

1. Last week on 100s night, Jeremiah found out where our next assignment takes us. We are moving to Utah in June. I hope Hill AFB is ready for this group of Stahrs.

2. The good thing about moving to Utah? It’s only a 9 hour drive from Colorado Springs. After not moving for nearly 6 years, I’d say that is a huge plus in traveling with 3 kids and 2 dogs. Especially when 3 of those 5 are not fans of long car rides!

3. I took Mazie to Target tonight to buy deodorant. She told me a day or two ago that she thinks she needs it and doesn’t want to smell like some of the other kids in her class. So we went tonight for her to pick a scent she likes. She only smelled two before picking on she wanted.

4. After we got home, I hid in my closet and cried.

5. Not really, but I am so not ready for this body changing thing. When I expressed my concern, my wonderful husband told me I should be happy that she came to me and asked about it. I told him he wasn’t helping and continued to whine about how she isn’t really supposed to start this stuff for another year or so.

6. Was asking for someone to join my woe-is-me-pitty party too much to ask?

7. I think I would have done better with the bra dilemma. I mean, if she’s anything like her mama, she won’t need one of those for a few years and that’s because all her friends are wearing them. She won’t really need a bra until she has babies. And she’ll probably start her period first.

8. Oh, gosh, I just thought of her first period. I better stop thinking now.

9. Someone! Anyone! Please figure out how to slow time. NOW!

10. I pinned a quote on Pinterest that stated, “Behind every great kid is a MOM who’s pretty sure she’s screwing it up”. Please tell me I am not the only one who feels I am screwing my kids up all the time. Please.

Posted in Random

12 Feb 2013

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Ten On Tuesday

1. Hello February! It’s almost Valentine’s. Are you doing anything extra special with your sweetie?

2. I made the kids and Jeremiah red velvet heart-shaped cake pops. I’ve never shaped them into anything other than little cupcakes so it was fun to see how they would do with the candy coating. I was happy with them. You can go to the business site to see them if you would like to do so.

3. Jacob’s class celebrated the 100th day school. They went all out with decorations. I personally love the hat and glasses.

4. Mazie is looking forward to her first dentist check up without her braces. It’s been a little over 18 months since her last one. She’s looking forward to each entire tooth being completely clean and to her new retainer. It’s supposed to have sparkles on it! Who wouldn’t look forward to that?

5. Jamie received the Student Of The Month Award for Music out of all the third graders for Music. She’s very proud of herself, as are we. Her picture will be displayed on the board with other students of the months in the other discovery classes for the whole month! And, as you know, Jamie doesn’t really want the praise but she’s happy someone recognized her. So praise away…just don’t say it to her ;-).

6. Jeremiah had dinner at USAFA tonight for 100s night. That’s right, graduation is right around the corner!

7. I am on week 5 of the Insanity workout. To say this workout is insane is an understatement. But I’m enjoying it actually and I certainly feel stronger. Aside from not being able to lift my arms or bend over without crying during the first week, it’s been a good experience.

8. I’ve made the primal fudge from pinterest. Twice. It’s a huge hit. I adjusted the recipe a little by using special dark cocoa. Yum!

9. Jeremiah and I went to see Identity Theft this weekend. We highly recommend it!

10. I also finally saw The Avengers. I think I would really like to be a hammer wielding super hero and give Thor a run for his money. I think I’d look good with a hammer. It’s better than turning into a green monster when I’m angry ;-)!

Happy Tuesday!

Posted in Random

31 Jan 2013

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Photo A Day: End of the Month

So here we go with the last eleven days of January. Are you as shocked that February starts tomorrow as I am? I’m not sure where the whole month went.

Day 21: Martin Luther King Jr Day. Jamie wrote a little note and left it on my bed. She’s such a sweetie.

Day 22: A whole lotta gum in the house. Mazie has requested a few different types of gum since she will be able to enjoy a piece here and there soon!

Day 23: Early morning choir practice…looks at those puffy eyes…Day 24: All those early morning choir practices paid off since the whole choir was selected to play at the CMEA (music teacher conference) at the Broadmoor. Odyssey was one of 6 (out of 100) elementary schools selected! They sounded great too. We couldn’t take any pictures inside though since it was a conference.

Day 25: Jamie and Jacob had a little time before school to play on the computer. They were baking something where they got points for putting the ingredients in the bowl and then putting it in the oven. I think there was a part to decorate it too. It is a game to learn the computer functions better. I just liked that they were playing together and not fighting:-)!

Day 26: iPad game: Stack the States. It’s great if you want to learn about all the states and where they go in our country. Jacob is actually really good at knowing where they are on the map after playing a few hundred times.

Day 27: Mazie’s backpack, which conveniently rolls since she refuses to keep any of her books in her locker and weighs more than she does, and flute bag ready for school tomorrow. She keeps it by the front door.

Day 28: After school craziness…Jamie and Jacob unloading all their goodies from school and then packing their snacks and lunches for the next day.

Day 29: After supper playing…with Mazie’s Barbies. At least Jacob was playing with Ken tonight…

Day 30: I thought it was kind of cool to see the icicles hanging off the tree and dripping this morning.

Day 31: No more braces AND she lost another tooth. Not too bad gaining a dollar after getting her expander and braces off. On the way back to school, she chewed a piece of spearmint gum and was whistling. Two things she apparently missed. She couldn’t believe how big her mouth felt after everything was out.

So there was our month in pictures. Nothing fancy but fun, nonetheless. Looking forward to Feel Good February!

Posted in Random and tagged photo of the day

20 Jan 2013

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Photo of the day: 11-20

Ten more photo of the days…

Day 11: I saw this on pinterest and decided to surprise Mazie with it for her lunch since I wasn’t going to be able to join her at school. I wrapped her lunch in tissue paper and red ribbon. She had no clue until she got to lunch and opened her lunch bag. She seemed to like the surprise.

Day 12: Mazie’s eleventh birthday. She enjoyed her day (you can see that post here).

Day 13: Jamie didn’t want to share the chair so Jacob decided to lean on her instead…

Day 14: It was so cold Monday morning (in the negatives) so I let Jacob dress next to the fire. He was taking his sweet time getting his clothes on…

Day 15: This is where Maxine likes to rest while I am doing things on the main floor. She needs to know where we are at all times. Can’t say it’s a bad spot to snuggle…Day 16: Fondant pieces for a cake.

Day 17: Laundry day. Every Thursday…six loads of laundry (one was already in the washer). Sunday is the other laundry day which is usually only 5 loads…

Day 18: Our very first shot in the arm. Before today, we’ve always had them in the legs. Today she was due for DTaP and she received it in her arm like a champ. “I didn’t feel a thing, Mom.” was my text from her on her way home (Dad was the privileged one to take her). Far from the little girl who had to be held down by both parents to receive her vaccines…

Day 19: The cakes with the fondant pieces from a few days ago. The cakes were for twin boys!

Day 20: Typical Sunday afternoon, waiting for football to start, playing any electronic that isn’t being charged…

So that means I have 11 days left. I think I can actually get that accomplished!

Posted in Random and tagged photo of the day

10 Jan 2013

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Ten

I’ve never done a photo-of-the-day and I thought I would give it a go for at least the month of January. I was fully intending on blogging for each day to get myself back into it but as you can see that hasn’t happened. So I will split it up as best as I can over the month and we’ll see how it goes!

Day 1: New Years Day traditional dinner…pork and sauerkraut (and a pork roast without sauerkraut for the picky eaters in the fam), mashed potatoes, corn, cranberries, and bread.

Day 2: My Little Man helping with supper. He was stirring the homemade alfredo sauce.

Day 3: All their new gifts for Christmas and I catch them playing with my kindle fire (a gift from last year). Go figure!

Day 4: He’s so bright in the morning, when he wakes on his own. He has his great grandfather’s eyes…his dad’s head…and his mama’s chin…

Day 5: Playing with their new iPads on my bed while I was getting ready for our day.

Day 6: Finally playing Uno Roboto. The kids were dying to play it since Christmas and we finally had time. We played 3 rounds and had a blast!

Day 7: Window markers. They got a pack of regular window markers and a pack of crystallizing window markers. It’s a really cool effect. The kids love them and I do too since you don’t notice how badly my windows need to be cleaned while their artwork is displayed!

Day 8: Jeremiah’s birthday…and his cake of red velvet with peanut butter icing.

Day 9: Jamie showing one of her new outfits from Christmas. She loves how soft the dress is!

Day 10: After school homework and snack…

First ten days of January. Hopefully I’ll be back with another set soon.

Posted in Random and tagged photo of the day

16 Nov 2012

Friday Thankfuls

So another week is gone and it’s Friday. I’m a little behind on blogging and not sure how the middle of November has appeared already. I have a confession to make. I haven’t even taken my camera out of my bag since Halloween. It will get plenty of use next week! So here are this week’s thankfuls in no particular order…

10. I am thankful for Sundays because we almost always skype with Pop Pop and the kids (and me too) look forward to it every week!

11 I am thankful for all the military veterans who have served, are serving, or are going to serve in the future. They keep me and my family safe and allow me to speak my mind.

12. I am thankful for my extended family. We do not always see eye to eye but we wouldn’t be where we are without them.

13. I am thankful for living in Colorado. I love it here. The mountains, the crazy weather, the 300+ days of sun, just to name a few things.

14. I am thankful for our nice neighbors. It’s great living beside people we like and like us back. It makes our upcoming move a little harder.

15. I am thankful the kids’ schools. We have had (and do this year too) some pretty great teachers. They care about the kids and genuinely want them to succeed. I am grateful for everything they have done for my kids!

16. I am thankful that I have the availability to meet my husband for lunch once in a while. It’s nice to have some time to ourselves, even if cadets need to ask questions while we are eating.

Posted in Random and tagged thankfuls

09 Nov 2012

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