Halloween Pics...Can you Guess the Theme?

We all decked out for the school Fall Carnival on Friday.  Dad was out of town for a wrestling training.  And there wasn't anyone to take pictures of all of us together.  But I love the pics we got (why don't I take out my big camera more often?).  And I am sort of afraid that we might not get any good pics on actual Halloween because the girls have choir, etc.  So I'll blog these.
Can you guess our theme for this year?

ROBINHOOD

QUEEN ELISABETH

OPTIMUS PRIME

CLEOPATRA

NOT PICTURED: ABRAHAM LINCOLN

School Pics...Round 1

3 out of the 4 of us got our school pics on Friday.  I'm guessing Ben's will come on Monday.  But I can't wait to blog them, because they are so fun. 
Plus, we don't need Ben's school pic to know that he is adorable.  In fact, this week he came to my classroom before all of my student were gone at the end of the day.  I was leaving to find the principal (we had to talk often this week re: student council--BAH! That's another story however...).  Ben said, "I'll go with you!  You can't leave me in here with your students because they think I'm ADORABLE!  And it's so annoying!" 

Before school on picture day I grabbed Libby from running club and made her come for this little picture.  Can you tell how annoyed she is?  But it was fun to capture that this year (and maybe next year too) we are all in one school.  I am holding onto this moment.  I love being at school with my kids.  (Most of the time...except when Libby gets in trouble for drawing on the tennis court instead of paying attention during science or when Sarah refuses to get signatures on her reading log because "I just love reading, I don't want to have to get signatures!"  I hear that kiddo!)  (Just a side note, they maybe needed to whiten my teeth at little bit less.  Yikes!)

Libby's hair was amazing before running club.  Just saying, why do they have to have picture day on running club day?  She picked out this dress for pictures.  I don't think she will ever wear it for any other day.  This girl and her clothes!  

I actually really like this picture.  I still have a bit of my summer glow, just had my hair done, and those teeth!  Wow. 

Sarah is such a cutie.  I love her genuine smile.  She is so happy to be around.  Unless it is time to work on a difficult song on the piano.  That is not her favorite!  But she has been rocking school this year.  She loves her teacher, and I think that shows!  

Christmas Picture Sneak Peek...

We went with polka dots!  I can't wait to see the official pics from our photographer.  I love pictures with my family!  Making Christmas cards is literally one of my favorite parts of the year (yes the whole year, not just the Christmas season!)

Sarah's HP Birthday Party

Sarah wanted a Harry Potter Party.  She had all kinds of  ideas for what to do with her friends.  I wanted to keep it simple.  So we bought some Harry Potter themed games from Amazon.  Did you know there is a Harry Potter edition of CLUE?  Well let me tell you, it is not simple.  The original CLUE is a game that requires thinking, but is relatively easy to learn and play.  The Harry Potter version has 3 dice (one is a unique dice for getting special cards) there are spells, secret passage ways that change, doors that get blocked off, etc.  We only made it through one round before they were off to run around in the ballroom having a dance competition that was also somewhere out of Harry Potter I guess.
The food I planned was a bit of a success.  And all the girls had a great time.  So that's what matters, right?

I had them dip balloons in warm chocolate.  Then we froze them while they ate Pizza and drank homemade butterbeer (I found a recipe for this online, it was ok.  I need a Vitamix, but that is another story).  Then we popped the balloons and they ate ice cream out of the chocolate cauldrons.  I also sent them home with chocolate frogs.  A whole lotta sugar at this celebration!  

Overcommitting? Who me?

So have I mentioned that I have a problem with overcommitting?  Yes.  Me.  So right now a bunch of things are colliding.  This week was Sarah's birthday party (wish I could say no to this, birthday parties annoy me on so many levels), a Wrestling Rhinos clinic that I was helping to host at my school (I did get to work most of the day while I was watching the desk), and I am now in charge of student council (no one else was going to do it, and it seemed like every school should have student council.)   Anyway I had to write a student council constitution because we didn't have one.  I had to create a new application process that would help us get a student council that represented our diverse population.  Now this week I have to get a committee together to choose that council.  Yikes!  I feel so bad that I might have to cut some kids.  There will be tears. And probably some of them mine! 
The wrestling club that I started at our school last year with the help of our awesome PE teacher starts in 2 weeks, so we have been getting that going (lots of paperwork)!
I am also trying to earn clock hours and become a better teacher. 
But enough is enough.  I am not going to the training I signed up for that is the next 3 Mondays.
I need to do the basic planning for teaching my students!
Anyway, just a little rant post because my phone is struggling to sync with the computer so I can post fun pictures from Sarah's (annoying to me only) birthday party. 

A Long Short Week, or was it a Short Long Week?

This week we had 1/2 days at school.  This meant short teacher days for me, with long parent teacher conferences before and after school.  (Actually only Tuesday was a marathon). For Derek though, it meant some long parenting days.  He picked the kids up at 11:45 (plus an extra or two some of the days) and had them until dinner time.  They had a good time, but we are all ready for school to go back to normal!

One day I came home to find them doing an awesome circuit workout in the garage.  Ben was rocking out pushups like crazy!  

This is a 15 lb (or maybe 25 lb) kettlebell.  He was deadlifting it like a pro! 

We also had our walk-a-thon this week at school.  It was cold and drizzly.  But Ben still managed to get 8 laps.  Derek had the day off, so he came to volunteer.  I stood with him, and it was like a date!  

We had a fun escape this weekend to Discovery Bay.  It is a short ferry ride away, but it feels like you have entered another, more peaceful world.  I had teacher meetings until 4 on Friday.  So Derek took the kids over on Friday morning (it was a whole day of teacher meetings without students).  I had Friday evening to myself!  I got a much needed chiropractic adjustment and massage.  I also went to business Costco, tried a new Thai restaurant, folded 5 loads of laundry, put some of it away, and wrapped a boat load of presents for Sarah's birthday.  It was so nice to only have myself to put to bed!

I met up with the rest of the Norton crew for brunch in Sequim on Saturday morning and we all spent the rest of the weekend enjoying the Island life.

Derek sent this from their ferry ride over.  They also did some hiking that day.  Derek may have pictures...

After an amazing brunch at the Oak Table restaurant, they brought Sarah a beautiful birthday crepe.  So sad that no one had room to eat it!

Then we went to the Olympic Game Farm.  It is amazing.  You feed the animals bread from your car windows.  It was so incredible to see these animals up close and personal.  We asked the guy how many loaves of bread people usually buy.  He said 2-4.  So we bought 6.  And used them all!  Kaj and Maren rode with Derek and Ben and I in the truck.  We had to wash it after, mostly due to the buffalo slobber.  Did you know they have giant purple tongues?  

Maren ran out of food for this guy! 

Derek was feeding as fast as he could! 

There was an indoor pool that the kids and Maren enjoyed. 

She requested donuts for her birthday treat, so they had those before I got there on Saturday.  Then on Saturday evening we had Uncle Leroy's requested birthday treat (his is the same day as Sarah's), pie.  

This is Derek's uncle, Leroy.  He lives in New Zealand so it was fun that he and Sarah got to be together for their joint birthday.  Maybe next year we can get together with my Aunt Sissy that shares the Oct. 14th  date as well!  

I went for a peaceful walk on the beach this morning.  It was so beautiful and calming!  

Ben and Ann had a great time playing and coloring together.  They are a perfect match right now.  

The older kids played a bunch of games too.  And more importantly, Emma gave Libby a little clarinet lesson.  Turns out we do need some clarinet repairs, so I'll try to get that done this week.  

After church and lunch and games, we headed home.  We had an hour wait for the ferry, so we played a little on the beach at the Kingston Ferry dock.  They kids were mad that I kept wanting them to look into the sun for pictures.  Attitude! 

Libby's main interest at the beach was trying to toss driftwood back out.  The water kept pushing it back, but she was pretty determined.  

Sarah and Ben and I kept trying to walk the full length of this enormous log on the beach.  But one end was wobbly.  So we had a hard time with it.  A little American Ninja Warrior type action.  What a glorious weekend.  I'm going to try and keep it in mind all week since my house is a trainwreck right now.  

I'm so thankful for Sarah.  She is a great part of our family. 

 

A Sicky Week Ends on a Good Note

Derek was sick this week.  Stomach bug of some weird kind that had him down for like 3 whole days.  I have been paranoid all week.  I have had a stomach ache off and on, migraine caused by a tough workout, and been tired.  But knock on wood, I think none of the rest of us are going to get it.

So after a long week, we had a fun time at Spirit Halloween picking out costumes. We had to work with Ben's costume that Derek bought him a few weeks ago at Costco.  We came up with a pretty good idea--I think.  Although the theme won't be as  easy to guess as it has been in previous years.  It'll be fun.  We got Sarah's costume actually at Spirit Halloween.  The rest I bought on Amazon while we were in the Spirit Halloween store.  The only way to shop. 

Libby is still scared out of her mind by these stores.  She had to hold my hand the whole time.  She was literally shaking at first.  She did calm down a bit, but it took her some time.  Poor thing. Ben, on the other hand, loved every minute.  Especially when he got to try on various masks.

 Then last night we went to the wedding of one of Derek's former wrestlers who has also worked as an assistant coach.  It was a super fun wedding.  The best part for me was seeing all my kids on the dance floor.  Ben has been totally opposed to dancing.  But last night he said, "Mom, I need to face my fears!" And pulled ME onto the dance floor!  (I wasn't on the dance floor, btw) because Libby didn't want me to dance with her.  She danced near our table (at the back of the room) and then slowly made her way up to the dance floor.  She stood next to it on one side, then the other, until she found a way to work her way onto the floor.  Then she didn't look back.  Sarah got up there and danced too.  She didn't mind if she had anyone dancing near her, she just wanted to dance.  It was amazing.  They especially loved it when Uncle Clark joined them.  I wish there were more opportunities for dancing in my life! Congrats to Ned & Veronica!

Visiting WEEK & First Instrument Night

It was visiting week at Alderwood Dance Spectrum!  I finally to to see the girls in action.  Sarah is not in love with ballet.  Her teacher this year is the owner of the studio who is a little more strict.  I think this is great (she is also my jazz teacher).  But Sarah isn't convinced.  The girls both love their Jazz teacher, Miss Barbi.  Barbi is also the teacher for the acrobatics class Libby is taking.  Monday nights are busy and fun!

One millisecond later Libby collapsed onto the floor.  But it looks good in progress!

Tuesday we had choir after school and then first instrument night.  It was literally hundreds of 5th graders from the district crammed into the Shoreline Center.  Then they split off into groups by instrument.  This poor woman was trying to keep the attention of the 100 or so clarinet players who all had a new noise making "toy" at their disposal.  It was horrifying.  I wanted to go up and grab a couple of the kids by the ear and drag them off stage so the others could learn.  But actually, they almost all seemed to be learning something.  And the woman, while annoyed, pressed on and seemed to be used to herding the cats.  I would have lost my mind up there.  Seriously.  I almost lost my mind in the audience.  And since that night, as I have listened to Libby squeak and make an occasional note, I am still wondering how she are going to actually learn to play.  But I guess it happens!

Famous Nortons!

Last weekend Libby and Ben went with Grammy and Grandpa Brion to the Shoreline Fire open house.  They made the Shoreline Area News Blog!

Thankfully Ben is wearing a jacket, because all he has underneath is a singlet.  I was at Costco when they left.  Oops.  Minor Mom Fail.

Mom Wins & Mom Fails...

This week was an amazingly quick week.  I feel like I blinked and it was Friday. 
Anyway, I'm using the blog right now to analyze my Mom performance as I transition into being a working mom. 
A couple of things I have been reflecting on this week.
1.  I should have allowed (read forced) my kids to do more things for themselves.  Things they were entirely capable of, but it was easier if I did them.  You know?  Because now they aren't used to pouring their own milk and parting their own hair.  I just got Sarah turning on her own shower water, for crying out loud.  So some of my current frustrations are my own fault.
2.  I can actually handle a messy house and overflowing laundry baskets...when I know I have a calm and peaceful weekend coming to take care of it all.
3.  I love teaching my kids as much as I love teaching my students if I think about it like actual teaching.

Anyway, that is the philosophical waxing.
I made dinner a couple of nights this week.  A couple of nights we went out.  That's just how it will be for a while.  (Especially Mondays, because we are not home for dinner time).
The major fail is that I haven't figured out how to get Libby to take ownership for/remember her homework.  And now I look extra bad when she doesn't do it.  I had to send her back to her classroom (and one night physically drive her back to school) when she doesn't bring it home.  There has been much wailing and gnashing of teeth over her homework.  AHHH! 
I made a change to the points system we use to help give her motivation to get it done.  But I seriously wish she cared more.  Also I wish she would eat more so that she wasn't melting down every night when it comes down to homework time.  That girl packed a lunch for herself with like 8 pieces of pepperoni, carrots and pirate's booty.  That is like 100 calorie total.  So no wonder.  And then she forgot said lunch at home.  Luckily my class made chili as an in-class field trip with a PURE FOOD group, so she got to eat the extra cup.
And can I say that picture day was the most stressful day of the week?  But we all got there looking our best.  I got a special school pic with all 3 kids with me!

Libby's waterfall braid.  It was awesome, but she had running club right after we did it, so it didn't last as well as it might have.

Now for the MOM WINS!
We did make it to the Shorewood Shorecrest game.  Libby and I were an hour late and I left with Ben about 20 minutes later, but we were there for the photo.  (And I get in for free now that I am a teacher!)

And the best part of the week was General Conference.  It is 2 days of inspiration talks by LDS church leaders.  It is the first time I haven't had clients or classes or kid things to run off to.  I was so calming and amazing. 
I got crafts for the kids to do while they listened and they listened!  One leader was talking about how much he loves the book of Mormon.  Ben was doing Perlers and said, "Yeah, me too!"  As the last speaker was announced, Sarah said, "I'm sad it's over.  This has been the best weekend!"  I agree! Derek was even home for the whole thing!

 We painted canvases that I bought for various projects in the summer and we never used. 

I made seriously the best cinnamon rolls I've ever made.  It helped that I couldn't sleep anymore at 4:30 am, so they had plenty of time to rise and be ready for 9:00 am.

This is my painting.  I don't like the way it turned out, but it was fun! 

Libby bought a jewelry making kit.  She loves making jewelry.  She stayed so focused for so long.  So it is possible.  Just has to be something she wants to do! 

Perlers are always a good time.  These are mine and Sarah's in the dino in the background.  I'm hoping the integrate mine into the Halloween decor that we (mostly I) put up today.  But I ran out of gas before I put them up.