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Tuesday, December 23, 2014

How Could it Be?

Every year we, as parents, dress the kids up and take the "Santa" picture.  For some reason it's become the Christmas memory we want to remember most.  But we all know it's never that easy.  We primp the kids, bribe them with sweets, and just hope there's no tantrums, let alone a good picture.

This year I was standing in line behind this mom who was taking her boy (I'd guess 2 yr. old) to visit Santa for the 3rd time this year.  He was impeccably dressed in a red sweater getup and she was loaded with treats.  As they walked up he immediately started crying, fearing for his life.  Makes sense really......Santa is scary!  Another way we tortured our kids for our enjoyment.

Ady had told us she was excited to sit on Santa's lap this year and kept saying "no cry."  We weren't completely confident she was ready, but we were willing to try.  Turns out she was more than ready and couldn't contain her excitement, making sure to ask for a "pink doggy".  

Although I was excited to finally have all kids sit on Santa's lap and get an adorable pic (see below), it was a little bittersweet - another realization we have 3 big kids and no more babies!  Our "Santa" window with all 3 believing will be short.  Before we know it we'll be bribing Brooklynn to keep the secret for her sisters and some of the magic, the excitement, will be gone forever.  There's nothing better than the enthusiasm they have at this age for it all - Santa, the lights, the trees, and of course the presents.
2010 - I can't believe I tortured Chandler like this!
 And again in 2011
 2012 - She finally (reluctantly) sits on his lap
And this year!  I just love this picture!


Sunday, December 14, 2014

Recital Time

I constantly can't believe how quickly time flies but recital time was upon us yet again!  This session Brooklynn enrolled in lyrical jazz, which seemed to fit her style perfectly, while Chandler stayed in tap/ballet but moved into level 3.  They have become quite the dancers and absolutely love performing!

Getting ready to leave

Waiting backstage
Chandler's class
Chandler's tap number:  Pennies from Heaven
Brooklynn dancing to Circle of Life
What a performance!
Typical Chandler trying to steal the spotlight

I can't help but be so proud of them and truly think they have a talent for dancing.  After the performance their teachers recommended they tryout for the city dance team.  After much consideration we decided we'll stick with the rec program a little longer.  I hate to commit them at such a young age to one activity.  Sadly, there's pressure to push them into one activity young so they can be the best, but we're too afraid of burnout.  If dancing is their passion, we will be all in and support them in whatever they need, but for now I think we'll continue to dabble in dance, swimming, soccer, and (hopefully) softball.  What's wrong at just being good at a lot of things, right?

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Christmas is Here!

The Black Friday sales are always so tempting, but with them starting on Thanksgiving now we've decided to boycott.  So every year I say I'm going to wake up early and head out on Friday for some steals.  The tough part is leaving the family Christmas decorating day.  So I usually step out for an hour or two so I don't miss the fun.  The girls looks forward to this day every year, especially to get the outdoor decorations out.

This year we were lucky enough to have Kenz staying with us to enjoy the day and help us decorate.  We always save the tree decorating until the evening with hot chocolate and Christmas carols (kinda cheesy but I LOVE it).  It's always fun to break out the ornaments and try to figure out who's in the picture or who made the ornament.  The evening didn't disappoint, and I think we did a great job.  

Nice to have a tall one to disperse the ornaments



Ta-Da!
I think we'll need a taller tree soon, because we had to even leave ornaments off.  Maybe next year we'll find a real tree!

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Killin' It!

Most people know how stressful Brooklynn's kindergarten school year was - changing teachers, struggle to adapt to being away from us, and her difficulties with transitions throughout the day.  Her assessments showed zero growth until December, so we knew she was too stressed to even learn.  I don't remember a night when Steve and I weren't lying in bed discussing her day - good or bad.  It was just rough!  And I'm sure that it didn't help with her being the first to leave the nest.

This year has been a complete turnaround!  She has made so many friends, loves her teacher, and is finally enjoying school.  She has conquered a lot this past year, but enjoying school has been the toughest obstacle.

She has increased her reading level tremendously, and she's almost at a 2nd grade level.  She's working through her math struggles instead of giving up.  And her writing is awesome!  I just love reading her journal each month.

For her tenacity she was awarded student of the month for November.  Each month they choose a character trait and this one was perseverance.  Last year Brooklynn scored lowest in this category (yes, they assess this now....crazy).  She was known to give up when it got tough.  This year she works through it, figures it out, and is so proud of herself!  I truly believe perseverance is the most important quality in a good learner, and I'm ecstatic to see what the future holds for her.

We are so proud of you Boo Bear!


*Now we can focus our nightly talks about the trouble your sisters are getting into!

Saturday, November 15, 2014

We Don't Need no Education!

The girls' papa has taught the girls the lyrics to the Pink Floyd song, and I couldn't help but feel that statement echoed in our community on election night.  Our district had a mill levy proposal on this year's ballot, and I had big hopes it'd pass, so we could build more schools, pay our teachers decently, and have more resources for our kiddos.  Unfortunately that was not the desire of the community as both issues were shot down, not even a close race.

I was livid!  How is education not a priority to everyone no matter if you have school-aged children or not?  We all know by now that Colorado is 48th in the country when it comes to education funding, and we, as a whole, are a very educated state (Denver, as a city, is the most educated city in the nation).  They said there were too many conservatives voting this election.  Some people complained there wasn't ample campaigning for the issue, but my feeling  - there shouldn't have to be.  When you see that on the ballot it's a no-brainer no matter what side of the table you're on.

Earlier that week I was in a meeting with Brooklynn's principal and we were analyzing the testing data and she started talking about the obstacles the school and teachers have right now.  I could immediately feel my blood pressure rising.  It took me back to my teaching days - 35 kids in my class, unattainable expectations from administrators, teaching some kids to read while challenging others at the same time, and constantly trying to appease parents.  Teachers have it easy, right?  The argument about 3 months off is bullshit too - I spent most of the summer taking classes to improve my teaching.  And then to make a measly salary to deal with all this?

So we have to sit back and wait to see what happens in our schools.  The district is talking of pay-freezes for teachers, year-round schedules for the elementary schools who are 200+ over capacity, and less resources for our children.  Are the teachers going to stick around for this?   How can we expect children to learn in the 21st century without the technology they need?

As the girls get older I know I'm getting closer to returning to work.  What I'm not sure about is what I'll be doing.  Don't get me wrong - I LOVE teaching.  There's nothing more fulfilling than watching a kid learn.  I just don't know if I can put up with the rest of it anymore.  And the schools are in worse shape now than they were when I left.  Returning to a stressful job where I'm getting paid 40% of Steve's salary (with a Master's degree) and constantly stressed out just doesn't appeal to me.  So if you find me behind the counter at Starbucks in 3 years don't be surprised.  I make a mean latte!




Thursday, November 6, 2014

Cheese's Birthday

We all know how much Chandler anticipates this time of year to celebrate her birthday.  She plans her party for the entire year - making sure she knows who she'll invite, what type of cake she'll have, and where it'll be.  So there's always this pressure to make sure it's the best birthday yet!

This year she chose the pumpkin patch again for her venue.  We've had such great success there and everyone seems to enjoy it, so why fix it?  As usual, the weather was gorgeous, and the kids had a blast.

 Chandler and her best friend, Taylor
 Chasing J.D. & Sophia on the hay maze
 Run Elsa!
 Cupcake time


 She begged for a pinata!
 Time for some slides
We celebrated with the family after Halloween and the Thompson crew even flew in for the big celebration (more pics to come from that).  Since it was Bronco Sunday, we turned on the game, munched on some snacks, and ate pizza and cake to drown our sorrows from the Broncos loss.

Frozen cake (kinda......mom was on a major time crunch for this one)
 Her favorite part - the gifts

 This really captures her taking it all in and enjoying the attention!
 Tuesday morning we were off to Claire's for the moment she's been talking about for years - piercing her ears.  We decided 5 was a good age, so they could take care of the earrings.  Chandler wasn't scared at all and barely flinched.  There was only one employee that day, so she had to endure the pinch twice, but was a pro.
 Showing off her new bling with Aunt Carrie

 Such a ham!
 Guess who else just had to get them done too (after watching Chandler)!
 Had to do Chuck E Cheese to celebrate!

Stats
Height: 44 in (3' 8"  86th percentile)
Weight: 44 lb (78th percentile)

Favorites:
Food - Mac & cheese
Movie - Frozen (duh)
TV show - Peppa Pig
Book - Princess Collection
Sport - soccer
Team - CSU Rams (of course)
Song - Let it Go
Outdoor activity - Ride scooter
When I grow up I want to be a Veterinarian

Cheeseball, you've grown into such a sweetheart while maintaining your wit, charm, and smart brain!  We are so proud of you and can't wait to see what the future holds for you.

Monday, November 3, 2014

Halloween Festivities

Of course this Halloween was just like the others - a big deal in our house!  I make sure to have the girls choose their costumes early to make we have ample time to perfect them!  This year was no exception.  I knew immediately they dreamed of being Frozen characters - that movie is still the obsession around here.  When my friend, Jackie, sent me a pin of some costumes I thought i'd give it a go.  I mean, if every adolescent girl is going to be either Elsa or Anna I better make it unique, right?  Another bonus of 3 girls with a young one that is easily persuaded.

I don't know why, but for some reason, I have this obsession with homemade costumes.  I still remember my childhood costumes and putting them together with my mom.  We never shopped the shelves of the costumes stores (which, at that time I wanted to).  They were always unique and original - something I've come to appreciate!  I was worried the girls would want the "real" dresses from the movie, but they were ecstatic to have originals, and I even caught them bragging to some friends about them.  So although I may not have bragged about being a pumpkin to my friends, I'm thankful now they were handmade originals.  I don't want my girls to need what everyone else has.  I want them to be content with being original and a little different.

My little Elsa, Anna, and Olaf models

A few nights before Halloween we picked out a pumpkin at a local farm to carve.  Luckily we were able to persuade the girls into a "family" pumpkin.  They're always so excited to carve, but 5 minutes into the process and they're done.  Then you find mommy and daddy sitting at the table for hours carving the most difficult pattern they could find.

Getting the guts out


 Brooklynn was our stud carver.  She de-gutted and cut the face.


After a quick dinner on Friday we were off to trick-or-treat.  The girls had big plans of scouring the entire neighbor and staying out late.  They were efficient with their time - running from house to house cutting through the side yards.  Poor Ady was left behind yelling at them to wait.  Next year she'll be right there with them.  They fell short of making it to the entire hood, because they always love to come back and hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters.
 Our posse (JD & Sophia with the girls)
 Ady was always a few steps behind but sure loved it!
 Awwwww.....Chandler tried to help her, while Brooklynn yelled at her to hurry it up!

Monday, October 27, 2014

A New Hobby?

From the day Brooklynn was born we've been snapping pics, trying to capture every little moment of our girls' lives.  We've always invested in a decent camera, but after pricing out pictures with photographers I figured investing in a nice DSLR was the way to go.  My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner!  I think anyone can be a photographer with these days with these incredible digital cameras.  With fall upon us I wanted to put our camera to use and try to avoid paying a fortune for the typical family fall pictures.  

So I took the girls out a couple times to practice.  Of course it's not easy getting them presentable and somewhat matching.  Uggghhh!  We decided to do a picture swap with our neighbors, the Ochs, so we could get some family pictures without the big price tag.  Turns out it worked quite well.  My strategy - take LOTS of pictures, because there's bound to be one with all 3 kids looking at the camera.  Here's what we took:


 Sometimes the easiest way to get them all looking is by laying down.......
 This girl can't take a bad picture!
 Just love her gorgeous eyes!
Love the ones of her laughing!

 The sunsets at Eastlake (very close to our house) are always amazing!  Those colors are real!
 Photo credit to Steph on our new family pic!