Back to School Photos

 

  Then there is Miss Jerrica, who is home with ME doing “Mommy School”

My kids wear uniforms to school.  I always smile every year at how excited they get at their belts, backpacks, lunchbags, and school shoes.  Those are the accessories that they can show a little of their personalities. 

Yeah for a new year!!!

Fruit Loop Necklace

Jerrica stays at home with me and does “Mommy School”.  This pretty much means a little project and story time.  She LOVES every minute of it and doesn’t let me forget that the kids are gone and it’s time for “Mommy School”

I’m always surprised at how just a few minutes mean so much to her.  She will talk at great length to her older siblings or extended family on the phone about what she did in her “Mommy School”.  Today I was lame and sat editing pictures from a shoot and had her in by me working on a Fruit Loop necklace on yarn.  She chatted on and on about the colors of the Fruit Loops and how she was going to make one for everyone in the family.  She wanted to make earrings for Kaylee.  I kept on with my editing, but could NOT resist grabbing my camera and snapping a few pictures of her sitting there by me.  She was just too cute.  

Here we have our few minutes together with undivided attention yet I wasn’t giving it to her like I should have.  SO after a few pictures and lots of giggles I put the laptop and camera away for some “Mommy School” time.  She will be gone and in school before I know it. 

Why does time have to go so fast?!?!? 

I’m so grateful for this little girl and the energy that she keeps in our home.  She is such a sweet girl!

A Night Hike

We had a night hike on our summer to do list.  We thought that it would be fun to hike Helen Hunt at night because the lights would be on the Seven Falls, plus the city views would be pretty to see at night with the city lights.  BESIDES, we had Aunt Janie that hadn’t hiked Colorado with us.

It was very dark, but the kids loved the fun of flashlights.  We could hear the chirp of the crickets, and wondered what other animals lurked in the dark.  The weather was perfect with the cool breeze.  We turned off all of the flashlights and gazed at the stars. 

I just love hiking and chatting.  Rebecca held my hand on the way down and went on and on about her new year at school.  She hadn’t said a peep to me at home, but out on the mountain with nothing else to do, she wouldn’t stop talking.

When we got to the top we rested a bit taking in the changing lights of the falls.  Ash was STILL having fun with her flashlight…

 

   

A big thanks to all of you bears and mountain lions for not eating us!

I HEarT FaCEs

This week’s theme is WHITE. 

The little girls LOVE bubble baths, AND I LOVE the little girls!
Check out other White entries- I Heart Faces

Week Update

This week was a very long, emotionally draining week in so many ways.  Part was still due to the loss of Gian Luc.  Here is the news clip from his funeral - News Clip.  After the services, I went down and was talking to Petra ( his mother) she said, “Shauna, can you believe I’m standing here doing this tonight instead of at some soccer game?!?”  I’m still just heartbroken for their family.

One highlight was having Stephen’s youngest sister, Janie come and stay with us.  She went and watched Stephen play a little sand volleyball late one night, went and played basketball with me and my friends, and then went around to watch soccer games over the weekend.  I’m glad that she DOES enjoy sports.

Another highlight was dad bringing a bike home for Jerrica from our neighbor.  She rides it up and down our driveway every chance she gets.

Pre-season tournaments are over and the season began this weekend.  Once again, it was fun to have Janie here to visit with me during the games.

MY highlights were dinner out with Stephen and Janie one night and a movie with friends the next night.

SOOO glad to be starting a new week!

My Garden

We have so enjoyed our garden this year.  In July we harvested 10 bulbs of garlic.  It was my first time growing garlic, and I think I fell in love with this type of garlic flavor.  We also have had a lot of raspberries and strawberries this year, which is good since our fruit trees didn’t produce (late frost).  I planted 12 tomato plants and they are producing like crazy.  I LOVE a fresh garden tomato! 

Squash and zucchini have been non-stop. I try to keep them picked small, but they just grow so fast.

 

It is so nice to make a stew, stir-fry, kabobs, or tortellini soup with veggies from my garden.  Those are some of my favorite dinners and are so cheap to make thanks to the garden. 

I love this little basket that we pick green beans in.  We fill it up, bring the basket in, snap them, cook them up, and it’s the perfect amount for our family.

It is always fun to work out in the garden with the kids chatting away.  They are in awe of being able to grow food.  They also enjoy the “different” looking veggies.  Kaylee thought that this carrot looked like it had its own legs.

This year we planted pumpkins, onions, herbs, tomatillos, tomatoes,  cucumbers, carrots, cilantro, peas, squash, zucchini, peas and beans.  It is so neat to be able to grow such a variety of yummy vegetables.

I’m just sad that I can’t grow year around.  :(

Random

We have loved these Chia Heads the girls made at the start of the summer.  They give them hair cuts and do styles on them.  Some of you have asked how to make them.  Here is a link -Chia Head from Skip to My Lou.

The Coke and Mentos experiment you can find info HERE.  It’s the Steve Spangler science guy site.  He does have some amazing experiments.  You basically need to drop ALL the Mentos in all at once.

Here is the Chocolate Soufflé story for those that wanted it.  I tried to email it to those with email addresses, but a few didn’t have their address in their link.

We do try and have Family Night every Monday.  It is just such a perfect time set aside to teach and work with our kids on things that we feel are important for them to know.

My favorite camera lens that is ALMOST always on my camera is my 50mm 1.4.  It just makes it so much easier to get crisp pictures.  AND yet I do shoot with my camera on manual.  It makes a world of difference.  I am in control and not my camera.

I think that answers a few questions.  I have gotten caught up on emails tonight as well.  SO if I still haven’t answered you, just shoot me an email – mymixofsix@hotmail.com

Soccer at the Air Force Academy

This weekend Nathan and Kaylee had tournaments at the Air Force Academy.  It really is a beautiful backdrop…

It was good for Nathan.  He had an early morning game Saturday and then hung out with friends until the balloon lift at noon.  All games were stopped at 12:30 and 300 balloons were let go in memory of GianLuc.  It’s such a sad time, but friends sure help AND seeing Nathan with such a big group of friends helped me.

Many have emailed and facebooked about how the tragedy happened.  They believe from viewing the history on the computer and talking with friends that he was playing the Choking Game or Blackout.  You can learn more here so that you can educate others -   www.gaspinfo.com.

My heart is still so full for his mother.  She came to the tournament for the tribute and commented on how she kept catching herself looking on the field for Luca.  Just so sad!

I was lame and took a total of 12 pictures for the entire weekend.  My eyes were just too filled with tears to look through my viewfinder.  My favorite shots though were the one above of Nathan and Kaylee at a look out point above all of the soccer fields, AND the one as we walked to the van after games.  Nathan ran ahead to hit a couple of shots on an empty goal. 

A big, beautiful grass field with a goal AND soccer ball is heaven to Nathan.  

Heaven to Stephen is playing in sand volleyball tournaments and that is exactly where he was on Saturday. 

Locker Pictures

My four older kids have lockers that they keep their books and school supplies in.  Every year I stick in a magnetic family picture that they can keep in their locker.  It makes me smile to see them when I’m helping out in the classroom, they tell me that it makes THEM smile when they see it as well.


I was thinking that the boys wouldn’t put them up in their Middle School lockers.  I was WRONG (I’m so glad).  They wanted them for conversation starters with the girls. :)  I guess last year, girls would comment on Jacob’s picture and ask him questions about our family.  Jacob told this to Nathan, and Nathan didn’t hesitate a second about grabbing one for his locker.
We took these last Sunday evening WITH my handy camera remote.  It is awesome!  If you don’t have one you should check them out here -Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control for Select Nikon D-SLR and CoolPix Cameras


I’m kinda partial to this one of just the kids.  I think that I’m going to hang a copy on my locker in the kitchen, otherwise known as the “fridge”.  I just love each of these different personalities!

Our Hearts Ache

Nathan lost a friend this week.  My heart aches for my friend that lost her son.  I think we are all in shock.  Nathan followed me all around the house tonight talking non-stop about this loss.  His coach brought them in tonight to talk about it, and Nathan told me EVERY word that was said.  Nathan reminisced of playing basketball together when they were younger, but how they always talked to each other about how much better soccer was.  Loss is hard, especially when they are young.  I’m sad for Nathan.  I’m sad for GianLuc’s sweet parents.  I’m just sad!

HERE is a Link to His Story

I’m sure going to miss seeing GianLuc’s big smile around the soccer field.  What a beautiful kid inside and out!

Kindergarten

Girlfriend started Kindergarten today.  One day BEFORE her older sisters went back to school.

She has been WAY excited for this day.  This summer she had to get FIVE Kindergarten shots.  The nurse asked if she wanted to sit on my lap or have me hold her hand.  She replied “No Thanks.”  Then sat there calmly and didn’t make a single sound as each shot went in.  After the nurse was done Ash said, “Whahoo I can go to Kindergarten now.”

She definitely has a bit of attitude and strong will in that personality of hers.  Stephen and I took her to class.  As we walked by the elementary office she told the secretary, “I’m on my way to Kindergarten”.  Then when we approached the door where the teacher was greeting each student, a girl before us was crying a bit and then the next girl wouldn’t talk.  Next was Ash, she stuck her hand out and in her strong voice she said, “I’m Ashley and I’m in Kindergarten now.”

Good Luck Kindergarten teacher!

Paying Attention FHE

We had a lesson on paying attention.  A teacher, leader, or coach can give the same lesson to a group of people but each of the listeners gain something different from it.  Some are daydreaming and glean nothing.  Others learn some of what is being taught, but not enough to apply it.  AND then there are the few who are actively paying attention and will be rewarded later for what they have learned.  The later may be on a test, in a game or later in life.

I shared a story about two cooks, one recipe, and two different chocolate desserts. 

Then we discussed HOW to pay attention.  Together we came up with ears open, eye contact, mouth shut and body in learning position.

I then printed up THIS quote at Costco and slipped them in little magnetic sleeves from Wal-Mart for their lockers OR bedroom bulletin boards.  The four older kids have lockers at school.  I feel like any little reminder MAY actually remind my kids of what they need to do.  Let’s just hope they apply the lesson!

All We Need is a REFEREE..

And now we have one…

Nathan took the referee classes and passed his test to become a referee this year.  I’m thrilled that he will be able to earn money as a 12 year old.  He is thrilled to be able to spend more time on the soccer field, even if it is as a referee.

Paper Owl

Have you tried making a paper animal?  They turn out awesome…

They do take a little time and patience.  My kids are puzzle loving kids, so this is right up there alley.  Here is Nathan’s tiger from last year HERE – AND here is the site to print up whatever animal you wish - PAPER ANIMALS.

I so enjoy sitting and working on projects like this with little voices talking about this and that going on in their life!