Classroom Decorations: Farms

The artist struck again.

This time with an amazing farm and silo.  She used Popsicle sticks to "frame" her farm and as the shingles of her silo.

The doors open, but with its placement in the hall we worried about distracted kids ripping the doors open.  But can see the peep of black.

We added several farm animals made by the kids.

In the Midst of an Artist

This year found me working.

A step I sure didn't plan on, but it really feels right.

I am at my kids' school working in Special Ed.  I love it.

And I get to play all day.

I work with an artist.  Her medium: butcher paper.

Just look at what she does:

Miss T (Or as her name tag proclaims "Dr. W") with her tree.  She decorated it with bats for Halloween.

Miss T's haunted house.

And Frankestien's Monster

And bride.

(No matter how much I manipulate these pics they would not stay right side up)

Throughout the year I'll add her classroom decorations.  She is amazing.  Wait till you see her farm!

A Once in a Lifetime Experience

I got to do something that I never dreamed I would.

I got to sing with 365 other women in the glorious Conference Center in Salt Lake City.

We sang for the Relief Society General Meeting.

It was so amazing to join my voice with so many others.  And to sing with that amazing organ.  Its richness cannot be felt through the recording.  Sitting so close to the pipes and to feel their reverberation was exhilarating.

The speakers were amazing.  Some changed my outlook on life.  Feel free to watch it.

Here are some links to the singing:

The Morning Breaks

Sweet Is the Work

(The pic of me was lifted from this song.  I am in a group on the last line.)

Hark, All Ye Nations

(This we sang with all in attendance.  On the third verse you will notice a descant.  We were shown the music for this 6 days before and asked to sing.  Miracles do happen.)

It was a joy and special evening to join in with Relief Society sisters around the world.

A Little Beachy Something

So, my hubby is from Seattle.  I went to high school there and lived there a total of 7 years.

 We go back to the Northwest

a lot.

 We ache for the beach.

It means something to us.

Our home has some beach elements in it.

And I've been editing beach photos of our family.

I want to fill a wall with them.  All different sizes, with uniform frames. 

Hopefully it will get done soon.

This pic is precious because these two are 5 years apart.  And now that they are 12 and 7, they don't do much together.  But at the beach they did.

 I once even got to dress them almost matching.  Not quite, but almost.

 I have over 55 pictures that I've edited to go on my wall.

But my wall is very small.

 

So, I may have to pick and chose.

I love all of these pictures. 

 They each tell a story.

Grandpa taught the kids lots of secrets at the beach.

Little L has no fear of cold.  She loves the water.

This pic is precious.  My mother-in-law, Beckee, passed away 4 years ago while waiting for a lung transplant.  I have very few pics of her. (I think I take so many pictures now because once someone is gone you can't go back and recapture those moments.)

        They are my art and they make me happy.

Travel Survey: National Parks

Hello Friends.

Please check out my writing blog and answer the survey.

Thank you kindly.

Hair Love

I love my new haircut.  I've had it for a bit now (maybe a month, ooh I am bad--more on that later*).  And I just love how versatile it is.

I can do a nice 1970's sweep.

Or I can do the fun up-do's

I can also after swimming (and washing it at the pool) throw some gel in it and have a fun summer do.  Plus I love what the Salt Water Spray does for it.  YUM!
So, there you have it.  I love what my hair is up to these days.  How about you?  How's your summer hair?

*Now, why I am bad: I traded a hair cut and color for a maxi dress.  And I haven't delivered my end of the bargain.  Next week, 2/3 of my kids are gone at camp and I am making that maxi dress.

7 Minute Mix Up (It's a Cleaning Game)

Do you struggle to get your kids to help with the chores?


I do. It seems like whatever solution I come up with, after a few months it fizzles and fades. And I find myself coming up with a new program, game, chart, etc.


So here is the newest one:

The Seven Minute Mix Up!

Basically, you put all the chores that need to be done on individual papers and put them in a bowl (mine being a mini baseball helmet that ice bream comes in). 

(Sorry this pic is flipped. I swear I rotated it when I saved it)

Start with a clutter buster (all the junk is taken to where it needs to be).  Then gather everyone around the bowl.

(Don't you love D's hair?)

Now for the fun (and it is fun and my kids love doing it):

Set your timer for 7 minutes.  Everyone starts. (One of the keys to this success is that I am a team with the littlest one, L)  When the times goes off, if that job isn't finished, leave it.  That job's paper goes back in the bowl.  If the job is finished leave it out. (Originally I said rip it up, but then you couldn't play again without a lot of work)

Keep playing till all the jobs are done.

Now, kids need rewards and incentives.  In my house we use a merit system, each merit worth ten cents.  For each job completed they get 5 merits.  If they finish on the first round, they get a bonus merit.  We've never had a job that hasn't been finished in the first round.  I go and inspect and they have the chance to fix it without penalty if they don't complain. :)  We're able to get the whole house clean in under an hour and the kids love it. 

To me, it is totally worth the money I pay them.  They clean and don't complain.  And we somehow have fun in the middle of it all.

I linked up here: