Our summer

I took a break from a few things this summer. You may have noticed, the blog was one of them. Here are a few things that happened.
In July Kennedy turned 2. We went to the zoo. She loved it. (i know my picture is lame)We went on a few camping trips. This is a shot of my favorite place to go. My family goes to Bridger Lake every summer. My dad goes where the fishing is good. So we follow. This year all the camp grounds on the mountain were closed because of dead tress (beetle infestation or something). So we tried something new and made our own camp site. I actaully liked it alot. No people.In June, Sheridan turned 10. (i suck at taking pictures)
We also spent many a day at the P.G. pool. (more than I would have liked) And unfortunatley for you, I have no pictures of that wonderful experience.

Your opinion please.......

Sheridan and I got into a "disagreement" last night. I came to a conclusion late in the night. Of course when I told her about it this morning she completely freaked out. So, I would really like to know from you mothers out there (or fathers if you wish) what you would do. Here is the back story:
Sheridan decides a month or so ago she wants to be Cleopatra for Halloween. Ok, no problem there. Put that one on the back burner. (At the time Halloween wasn't for a few months) We find out a few weeks ago that she has to do a report in class. Kind of a big deal. Class presentation one day, then for the school a few days later. She was suppose to pick someone (an American), dress up like that person and do a presentation. Table display and everything. She picked Selena Gomez. If you don't know who that is, then you don't watch enough Disney Channel:) Basically she wants to dress up like a pop-star. Ok, she needs a costume. Apparently she had a VERY specific picture in her head of what this "out-fit" was suppose to look like. I guess I didn't "get it" because last night she tried on the dress I had made her and it was all wrong. The neck line, the length, it wasn't fitted enough. Complaint after complaint. So, we got into a little fight about it. To me it is a costume. To her it is everything!
So, as I am sitting at the sewing machine at 11 o'clock last night taking the dress apart and trying to make it more of what she wants, I start thinking about the situation. I am putting a lot more time and detail into this costume than I planned or wanted. And right after it is done, I am going to start working on ANOTHER costume. Her Cleopatra costume for Halloween. Why? Should I really be making another costume? She will have a perfectly good, nice costume already. Can't she be a pop star for Halloween?
Like I said, when I told her my idea this morning she freaked out. Tears and everything. I am pretty sure I have made up my mind on the situation. But I would really like to know, what would you do? How would you have handled this? Am I doing the right thing by "ruining" her Halloween and making her be something she doesn't want?

Good bye house:(

As some of you well know, we moved out of our lovely home about a week and a half ago. I am very sad. Still. I miss it. I miss my huge kitchen. I miss my big bathroom. I miss my sewing room. (My sewing machine finally had a room to live in and be happy. And I could go visit it and we could be happy together. And ALL of my stuff had a space of its own.) I miss my neighbors. We weren't the most sociable of people, but I still miss the people that lived around me:) I miss the elementary school being a block away. I miss Maceys!
These things are not suppose to happen to people we know, let alone our selves! I know there are a lot of worse things that could have happened to us. I know it shouldn't be a big deal. But it was a hard thing for me. I think I did a pretty good job of being strong (on the outside anyway).
So, for those of you who don't know. We are currently living with family. Brian's parents to be exact. We don't really have much of a plan at this point. Just happy to have a place to stay for a while until we figure out what it is we are suppose to be doing:) A few months is the plan, but you never know I guess.............I sure don't.

28:15

No, Its not a scripture reference. It is my new 5K time:) Yesterday I ran a 5K with my sister-in-law at the Homestead in Midway. And, as you can see it went well. My last (and first) 5K was back in February. And I came in at 35:something. That is 7+ minutes off my time! 7 minutes! That is a lot for such a short distance (3.1 miles). So, Yeah for me!

Honing my skills

So I like to make fun cakes for my kids birthdays. Some turn out a little more elaborate than others. (any of you remember the castle cake? That was a doosie!) It just all depends on the child, what they love at that moment, how lazy I feel at that point in time. One decorating concept that I have never really been comfortable with is fondant. Everything I do is self taught. And dealing with fondant has always been intimidating for me. I tried using it once about 6-7 years ago and wasn't happy with the results so I declared it "too difficult" for me and I have never tried it since.
Well, I finally "officially" leared. A sister-in-law of mine has an aunt that is a professional. Cake decorator that is. So we went to Coalville one night last week and she taught us. We each made our own lump of fondant from scratch, colored it, rolled it, and smoothed out on our cakes. It was exactly what I needed to boost my confidence. Because really, its not that hard."So, after all the "teaching" she made us decorate our cakes. I had learned what I was there for and not feeling very creative. So, I did polka dots. Lame, I know. But it was fast and easy:)
*I know, I know! My cake turned out pretty lame. I still need some practice. But, pretty good, I thought for a first try. I have high hopes for next time:)

Jackson's last day of school:(

Today was Jack's last day of preschool. I don't think he really understands that he will not be going back any time soon. He has really loved going. As soon as I pick him up after school he immediately wants to know "how many sleeps" until he can go back.(he counts days in "sleeps")
I was sad to say goodbye to Ms.Cathy. She is the BEST and we love her a lot. So far she has had all of my kids for their 2 years of preschool, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Thanks for loving my kids too Missy Caffy!

A Tea Party with Madelynn

Yesterday Madelynn's 1st grade class invited all the moms for a Mother's Day program and Tea Party. It was so cute. And she was so excited! Which made it even more cute. She wore a dress to school (for those of you that don't really know Madelynn, that is a big deal. She is a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl) and the moms were "suppose" to dress up as well.

Side note: what a bunch of lame-o moms! Sweats? Really? I cant even wear my sweats to the grocery store with out feeling like an idiot.

As you can see I received a very nice hat, made especially for me from Madelynn:) She walked me to my seat, then the class sang us a few songs and recited a few poems. After the program each child served their mom a little cake and water. They even cleaned up:) It was very nice, and sweet. And I loved it:)