Citizen Savanna

Savanna was recently enrolled in a 'craft' club. She gets fun crafts to do on her own about once every 5 weeks. Last time was a sand art craft. She spent a LOT of time and energy carefully removing paper pieces to reveal the sticky paper underneath and then pouring the sand on. There were 5 pictures and she did 4. Then she ran out of sand. When she told me I said I didn't know where to buy more sand. This didn't bother her in the least. She promptly wrote out a very professional letter explaining to the 'craft' company that she ran out of sand and needed more in the following (...) colors. She used proper salutations, and excellent letter form. I really wish I had copied the letter but I didn't. Well, long story short. Yesterday,she came running to me yelling...THEY GOT MY LETTER! In the package was more and and a very nice letter thanking her for her letter and being a great customer. :)

I love learning moments like this, and I'm very proud of my conscientious problem solver. She'll have no trouble writing her legislator when the time comes. :)

Seven

Last year I wrote this post.

I had no idea how right I was. Savanna is a CAN DO girl.

Happy birthday one more time to my best friend and my can do girl.

What color is your hair mom?

Savanna innocently asks me this evening:

"Blonde", I reply.
Savanna's puzzled look spreads over her face.

"Well it looks gray".

I answer, "well there might be some gray, I am going to be OLD tomorrow."

She asks again, "I want to color your hair, what color should I use?"

"Well, how about a little yellow and a little brown."

"AND GRAY!", she responds.


Sigh...yes...and gray. ;) Happy Birthday tomorrow...to me, as I near death, and totally gray hair.

Random Updates

This is the face of a girl that made her first goal of the season in her last game to help her team go undefeated. She often spends a lot of time on the defensive end of the field and she did make a spectacular block on a penalty kick as well.

Fancy footwork...her specialty.
The SCORE!
THE SMILES!
I almost didn't bring my camera...forgot it, then went home. But on the way, I said, well I didn't bring my camera so I guess that means you'll score today and she nodded in the affirmative. I snuck home and brought it anyway...so glad I did. :)

This is the face of a girl peeking through the crowd to find Mom and Dad looking back. She sang her heart out at the Kindergarten Hero's program. Meanwhile Mom cried her eyes out. They sang First Grade, First Grade (to the tune of New York, New York) Her teacher told me Savanna cried everytime they practiced...she made it through just fine in her performance but I didn't. Of course it didn't help that the also sang The Hero Lies Inside and I'm Proud to Be an American. Just not fair to emotion ridden mom.

This is the face of a 'Cool, Awesome, Medium Biggish' Boy wearing his 'Very Handsome' (not the shirt itself--just makes him that way) shirt, graduating from Joyschool.This is how Ethan 'looks at the camera for me...just don't make eye contact!

Throwing the cap!

OTHER FUN THINGS THIS WEEK:
Sierra's Celebration of Learning complete with readings from her first Sci-Fi Novel read in spotlighted darkness and fog from a fog machine.

We learned the truth about Ethan's noise allergy. It's not TOO much noise he's allergic to, it's not enough.

Tim has only 8 days until his school camping/river rafting trip starts.

Looking forward to another Celebration of Learning for Tim and Emily and a band concert to round the year out.

I can't believe summer is here already. Overall this year went by way too fast.

Field Trip--Savanna Style!

I broke the rules and took Ethan on Savanna's field trip. I feel justified, though, as I was not allowed (or tortured) to ride the bus and I had to pay my own way, so why not...it's Dinosaur Park after all.

Here comes the bus!

Standing in line.(She did her own hair today!)

Digging for bones.

No fear...nope no fear at all.

(Actually the little girl on the right had fear. She looked as if she would cry when she heard all the dinosaur sounds and first saw the mighty lizards. I assured her that they were just pretend. She worriedly asked if I was sure and when I said yes, she looked at me with a look of disgust and a said, in a normal but somewhat disillusioned voice, 'I was hoping they were real!'.

Stylin' posing!The most DANGEROUS Creatures in the world!

Waiting...

Savanna's most excellent teacher.

A class that roars.

Reach for the Sky...the back story

My post on my other blog is this:




Savanna and Ethan are totally caught up in the world of Woody, Jessie and Buzz. Savanna got Woody the first time we went to Disneyland some 3 years ago. Jessie and Buzz joined him this year. And truly Toy Story is a gift to OCD Moms. You see, normally if I had spent $30 on some kind of 'doll' I would get uptight if the kids left it hanging from the swingset overnight. But, with Woody, you gotta know he liked it a little. Also, he probably had quite a time shimmying over the top bar of the swing set to slide down to the jungle bar come sun up this morning after a tough night saving toydom. Buzz has lost the front of his helmet and he has a few scratches. but every night Ethan wants me to 'put him somewhere safe' Presumably, so he will still be able to find him again in the morning. I am 99% sure that Ethan really does believe Buzz saves the world by night. The first morning he ran down the the 'saving' place and was THRILLED to find him just where he was left--he was worried though.

Happy toys...Happy kids.

Alls Well that Ends Well

Remember THIS post? The one in which Kat goes to Logan blows out a three week old tire and has to buy a new one on Independence Day? Yeah, I do too..now. Well when the dust settled from that fun little episode, I took my new tire in to get it put on a rim for a spare. Alas...it doesn't fit underneath my car so after the two week obligatory bump around in the back of the van time I took it out to make it's home in the garage. Seems I shouldn't have.

Savanna had her long anticipated Valentine's Dance Party which I had the honor of attending. And Mike had digging snow caves with the scouts today. As I pulled into the parking lot and opened the door I heard a loud hissing sound from the front tire. That is NOT a good sign.

Luckily I have a great Valentine...

Too tired to do it again...

This post really belongs here rather than my photo blog, but it's all I had today.

Just have to love Savanna and the way she thinks.

Not Yet...

Honesty. Who has it? Politicians--no. Sport Super Stars--nope. 4 Year Olds--Oh yeah.

Ethan was lamenting that Emily was going to be in school ALL DAY LONG. The conversation went like this:

ME: I said, do you love Emily?
ETHAN: Yes.
ME: Is she your favorite sister?
ETHAN: No, She's my best FRIEND.
ME: Who is your favorite sister?
ETHAN: Sierra (in a DUH MOM voice)
ME: What about Savanna? Do you love Savanna?
ETHAN: *deliberating*. Um...Not yet. She fights with me all the time.

One encouraging point is that he hasn't ruled out love for his next oldest sibling all the way. There is hope for the future.

Wow...I didn't expect that!

That exclamation was made by Savanna last week as she cut open her first pomegranate. Tons of bright red seeds met her eyes in an amazing star shape. But even more surprising was the size of the HUGE mango seed...and let me tell you that fruit ain't givin' it up easy. The protective pouch is fibrous and thick! Who knew you could have so much fun cutting 'Fruits' open.

Don't get me started on what's a fruit and what's a vegetable because through our research I found there really is no such thing as a vegetable...except maybe those guys that sit on the couch all Sunday watching football. It's all a conspiracy to get us to eat our greens and they don't really exist. Well, roots, tubers, greens and florets do, but Veggies...nope. What a relief huh? You can scratch that resolution off your list.

All this must mean just one thing. It's science fair time. And you know what?

I LOVE science and I'm not embarrassed to admit it. {I even like science projects AND science fairs.} Yep, I'm certifiable. Here are some highlights from Savanna's first ever science fair project.

Her Hypothesis:
Big Fruits have little seeds
Little Fruits have Big Seeds

Big Fruits have more seeds
Little Fruits have less seeds

Step 1: Measure the Fruits

Step 2: Pull out the seeds

Step 3: Count the seeds (approximately)

Conclusion: The size of the fruit does not determine how many seeds or what size seeds the fruit has. {Savanna's Words}I was most surprised about the pomegranate. I thought it would have medium size seeds but it a lot of small seeds. I was surprised to see such a big seed in the mango.

Wish her luck tomorrow!


And just in case you are ever so blessed to get to do a science project with your kids here are a couple awesome sites that will help you right through it all.

www.sciencebuddies.org Step by Step instructions for science projects for grades k-12
http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createAgraph/ Easily and Quickly creates graphs of all kinds.

New Year's Eve...It's a party.

New Year's eve at the Tree House...C.R.A.Z.Y

but fun:Now to work on some resolutions...

Savanna's NON-School pictures...

I used to think school pictures were great. After all that IS all the pictures I have of me growing up. They did play their part. (Except 8th grade which better have been burned.) But then I worked for a school photographer and well let's just say...not as impressive anymore. I have effectively boycotted school pictures throughout my kids school career. (Aside from class pictures which I still think are priceless.) Anyway, part of my urge to photography is to capture my own kids in a way that I'd be proud to put on my wall. This is an ever-changing challenge, and since this is a GORGEOUS week. I am attempting to take my kids one at a time to get their 'yearly' photograph. This is my first attempt with Savanna.


My critical eye can detect a hundred flaws...I plan on working on those in my next '4' sessions. But for now it is enough to enjoy the journey.

It's all about the presents...(or presidents if you are Ethan)

Mike got a Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera for his birthday yesterday, but that wasn't his best birthday present ever. Six years (and 1 day) ago he got this:

(chunka lunka...can you believe those cheeks?)

A 10 pound 1 oz birthed with no epidural bundle of happiness. My hardest in ways but best in ways delivery, the only baby that Mike got to cut the cord for and the one he had to work the hardest at. (breathe...don't forget to breathe...don't bug her....no she doesn't want an epidural...I don't think she's really in a joking mood right now...yeah, yeah I think she is in pain...)

This is the birth that when I face hard things I think back on and say...if I can give birth to a 10 lb, back facing, pitocin inducing, non-epidural baby I CAN do anything.

I guess it's appropriate to have the 'CAN'T Do Attitude post changed to a CAN DO attitude post in such proximity to Savanna and Mike...because they are two people that really have shown me what it means to Just Do It!

Happy birthday to my best friend, my companion of 15 years and 'over the hill' 40 year old sweetheart. (That part was for Emily you can see her gagging over in the corner)
AND to my bestest , sweetest, enthusiastic for life 6 year old.

(Photoshop help from Kim Hill--THANKS!)

The glasses have arrived...

And she's darn cute in them if I do say so myself.

How Many Times...

In the last couple of weeks have I thought in my mind. I should blog about that. Then I create the wonderfully word crafted post {in my mind} , smile, then am on my way again, only to have a blank mind when I sit down to the computer. So no word wizardry going on here...but I feel I need to break the blog ice again so I can get in another rhythm going. So randomness here I come.

Some favorite sayings of Ethan over the last two weeks.

'YEAH FOR ME!' Then I say 'Yeah for You!' and he says 'No, MOM, YEAH FOR ME' Yeah you are right. This conversation happens after every successful restroom trip. And I've been hearing it a lot so 'Yeah for me!'

Ethan's been a bit clumsy lately but he is also tough so when he falls down he'll say "Wow...that was kinda scary." Pick himself up and walk away. Only to get two steps turn around and run to me with tears in his eyes for a hug. I love that he is 'big and brave' but that he also needs his Mommy's hugs.

Can I bottle this age? I know only too well that it is only fleeting. Here's to remembering that--always.

Savanna cracked me up a few days ago too. She was looking through a scrapbook I made for her when she pointed to a picture of her and laughed. Then she said, "That was back when I loved you Mom." [Thanks I think] So I said, "Do you love me now" 'No', she answered. I said, 'Well I still love you.' A little while later she came back with a different picture and said, 'I love you as much as I did in this picture, but not as much as I love Daddy because we have the same birthday.' Whew glad to be back on the loved list...but totally understand how priorities work. :)

I went on an awesome Field Work with Tim on Tuesday and I'm going on a 6 mile hike with the 6-9th graders tomorrow. So I DO have some cool pictures to share...just not ready yet.

I thought I was going to get a pirate for halloween...

but instead I got a X-Ray Vision Super Hero!

A couple of weeks ago Savanna's Kindergarten teacher mentioned she had a lazy eye and had I noticed it. Uh, yes I'll be accepting the mother of the year award sometime...never...for not ever even once noticing that she had a lazy eye. If I knew she had a lazy eye I would have whipped it into shape, made it do exercises, learn to be responsible...oh wait, yeah I wouldn't have done that. But it doesn't matter because I didn't even know!

The eye doctor, his nurse/tech and all those professionals tried to tell me it was OK that I didn't know...but then they proceeded to ask me questions like...How long has it been going on? Uh...two weeks--as far as I know. Does it bother her? Uh....No...never mentioned it before? Does she have double vision? Uh...how would I know that anyway? So, yes I felt like a loser Mom--especially when I found out that my suspected cure for the problem would be a temporary patch to get that other eye pulling its share...was so not even close. My little sweet near and farsighted super hero will soon have her own special {prescription} power BIFOCALS. YES BIFOCALS. She's 5...well almost 6 and she'll have BIFOCALS. When the doctor said, 'You seem surprised about this'. I had to agree.
And when Savanna worried that the kids would tease her about her magnificent sun glasses I told her to tell them:

I just went to the super hero store and now I have X-Ray Vision!

If you do that one more time, you will go to bed with no homework!

Did I just say that....really?

It seems the best form of discipline for Savanna lately is to take away her homework privileges. That is NOT ALLOWING her to do her homework.


Her least favorite day is Friday...because no homework for a whole weekend.

Her most favorite day is Monday...because there is 5 glorious homework days ahead.

Is there something wrong here?

Random Bloggy Blogginess Again...

I am going to have to become very creative if I want to keep my unique random blog titles unique.

The sub-title for this post is

How my Kids Rocked Their Day At School.

1. Emily's teachers had a meeting yesterday after class to discuss their upcoming expedition that starts in January. Some of the topics in the running were 'Ghostowns of Utah', 'Water', and well the third one escapes me. Needless to say, Emily was NOT impressed with the possibilities. She suggested to her teacher that they might do an expedition on Food. While her teacher took that as somewhat a tongue in cheek suggestion, Emily set to work writing a persuasive essay for the cause. Yesterday her teacher read it to the school director (Principal) and all the other 6-8 grade teachers. She was informed this morning that while they may or may not use her idea (the kids won't know until January) that her paper received a 4 out 5 on the AP English scale of writing. Being only an 8th grader, this news DID make her day. Some of her supporting themes included the topics they could study might be nutrition, agriculture, manufacturing and distribution. I think Emily rocks because she even thought of getting her point across in this way. She may not get extra credit for her paper, but I giver her an A+ for her GoToITiveness.
2. Tim...well Tim is a great thinker but sometimes struggles getting his thoughts on paper. So I was very happy that Tim rocked his day by getting his 'From the perspective of an Oil Drop' essay, his poster and all other assignments in on time and complete. Hallelujah!
3. Sierra (the third grader) rocked her day by finding out that on her recent Math test in her (mostly 4th grader) class--she was the ONLY one to get a perfect score! You go girl! We do love math around here. :)
4. In a somewhat random form, I learned Savanna has a lazy eye from her Kindergarten teacher. Am I the only one that is clueless about their children's eye problems? Whoops. On a good note, it doesn't seem to be holding her back in the reading department and her teacher gave me a great report on her behavior too. Thank goodness.
5. Ethan...well he didn't rock school today, but he did participate in Library time with gusto and that in and of itself is rock worthy.
   

More Random Bloggy Things to Blog About

*Emily had her first fieldwork of the new school year yesterday. They are learning about Utah and transportation starting with the Mormon Pioneers. So yesterday they hiked 4+ miles of the path the pioneers took to come into the Salt Lake Valley. The highlight of the trip? 2 dead Moose. Yeah...I'm shaking my head too.

*Tim's Math and Astronomy teacher met me by the car today when I picked up my kids from school. She started the conversation with,

"Are you Tim's Mom?"

Surely a phrase that makes a Mom's heart skip a beat. ;) But as it turns out she just wanted to 'say hi' and tell me he is 'doing great'. ~Mom's heart beats again and urges lips into a smile~

*I am so OVER allergies. Or at least I wish I was..."bwahhhaaaahhhaaa"

*Ethan on our way home from walking Savanna to school yesterday morning.

Me: You are getting to be a big boy.
Ethan: No, I'm a medium boy.

*Savanna upon finding out that she got to go to school YET AGAIN this morning.

"Oh Goody!!!"

*Sierra's constant refrain over the last couple of days.
"When does soccer start again?" Thanks goodness for tomorrow. I hope we can find some cleats that fit!

My hopes for Kindergarten...

*Love of Learning.
*Continued Enthusiasm.
*Learning to Read.
*New Friends.
*Expanding Horizons.
*The thrill of 'growing up'.
*Fun, Fun, FUN.