The duke

One of Kara's responsibilities as a Student Body Officer is to kidnap all of the homecoming royalty and take them to a breakfast to let them know they were chosen.

To find the Sophomore boy royalty she didn't have to go far.

Just down the hall, around the corner, and to the next bedroom, to be exact.

It was 4:45 a.m.

Tyler had been nominated and was on the homecoming ballot, but he had no idea he had won. It was up to Kara and her friend Moe to wake him up and break the news.

And here he is in all his early morning glory.

The homecoming duke of 2011 at the literal crack of dawn (actually, the dawn hadn't even cracked yet).

It is an interesting thing to be the homecoming duke and duchess, especially when you are 15 and can't date yet. They were expected to be at the dance, where they would get pictures taken for the yearbook and then be presented to the school during the dance. I drove Tyler down, walked into the school with him, waited for the photographer with him and watched, much to his horror, as he danced the royalty dance.






The duke, Tyler, and his beautiful duchess, Rachel.





It was totally awesome. I was like a fly on the wall, except I wasn't a fly. I was a full-sized old lady walking around the high school dance. How many years has it been since I have been to a high school dance? Too many to count. So, it was so much fun to watch these kids. I was really surprised and very impressed with the kids. I noticed so many dresses that had been altered to become more modest. I witnessed kids slow dancing at a very appropriate distance apart. I watched the crowds shriek and jump to the latest songs, having a blast with their dates. I loved it. I loved being there, I loved looking at these kids, I loved the thought that this was the school that my kids were attending, and I loved snapping pictures of my cute duke, who I think was mortified that I was there.

I also loved spying on my daughter and her date. When she first saw me she screamed and ran. But then she came to her senses and actually spoke to me, in between her comments that it was so wrong that I was there.

But I was.

I was there and they both had to deal with it.

She was proud of her baby brother. And so was I.

We all went to the homecoming football game to support Tyler as they introduced the homecoming court. It was a great night. A little too much attention for Tyler's liking, but I think he survived. After all, when you're a duke you just have to endure a little attention. It's all part of the job. And he fulfilled that job well.

I just had to end with this picture of the view from our football field. Not a great picture, but what a sight. Who wouldn't want to play football here?

Now those are some Friday night lights!

homecoming

Whenever it's a guys choice dance I never get good pictures. There is always a car full of boys outside waiting to go pick up their dates and everything seems rushed. This dance was no exception. But before the rush, Kara did have a few minutes to browse through a magazine and luckily she let me snap a few pictures.

Kara and Corray.
Homecoming 2011.
They graciously let me capture this moment in time with a few pictures, even with the car full of anxious boys outside.


Kara and Corray have been friends for years, since early elementary school in fact.

They had a great time.

I would know, because I actually witnessed it (see next post for more juicy details).

And someday she will thank me for taking so many pictures to document her crazy busy life.



Someday.

Up up and away

I live with a bunch of Superheros!

Really I do.

(And a daughter who is taking digital photography at school.)

Now excuse me as I go help them save the world!

Starring YOU!

My kids love to watch themselves. They love to look at pictures of themselves. They especially love to watch home videos of themselves.

So, for Alyssa's 9th birthday party we decided to incorporate this love of "themselves" right into the party.

I was hoping all of her friends loved to watch themselves too.

The invitations were written on a golden ticket, giving them a front row seat to a star studded party.

(I found these darling popcorn holders at Hobby Lobby. Eight for only $1.49! Yea!)


We rolled out the red carpet.
(Another great find. As I was looking for something at Big Lots on the day of the party I found this roll of red stuff, that was meant to be a fake red carpet for only $2. How I stumbled upon it I will never know, but it beats butcher paper which I was going to use.)

And the star of this party was ready and waiting for all of her guests.

The Theater.

As they arrived they received 5 tickets. One for a drink, one for ice cream, one for a cupcake, one for a goody bag and one for the show.

Popcorn cupcakes.

Just take marshmallows and cut them up either once or twice and then stick them back together to form a little popcorn kernel. Easy!

After the girls arrived they played a High School Musical DVD game while we called them each up one at a time to take their pictures for the sad/scared face contest.

Lillian won for the saddest face.

And Michelle won for most scared.

(We had them lie on the couch upside down for this picture and then flipped it on the camera so they looked right side up.)

We then divided them into groups and recorded them belting out a few songs as "Chin Ladies."

In between all the frantic filming they played Pin the Popcorn in the bucket.

We divided them again into 2 different groups, handed them a bag of props and then gave them some time to write, practice and act out their own commercials.

This one was for shampoo.

This one for diapers.

And then the whole gang got together for a dog food commercial.

They then went to the concessions stand, used their tickets and settled in for the grand premiere. They first looked at and voted on the face contest, cracking up as each face appeared on the TV. Then came the "Chin Lady" show. Another hit. And then the commercials. They watched them over and over and over again.

Yep. I'm pretty sure her friends like watching themselves as much as my kids do.

It was a great success.

And a really cheap one at that!
My kind of party!

The Iron Rod

ONLY

IN


UTAH!

Gone Fishing

See that boy.

The cute skinny one by the campfire.

That is my new scout.

And this was his very first camp out.

The purpose of this camp out was to..... well, camp, but also to learn how to fly fish.


And that's just what this new scout did.
He listened
He learned.
He fished.




My new scout is a very little fish, in a very big pond right now.
He didn't talk much on this camp out I am told.
But then again, he never really does.
And I think you are supposed to be quiet when you fly fish.
I think.




You will not see my new scout in this picture. This is where they cooked those fish that they fly caught. I know Bryson wouldn't be anywhere near cooking fish. And I know he definitely didn't eat any. He was probably huddled in the corner eating twigs and berries, anything other than eating stinky fish.

Despite the eating of the fish, this new scout loved his first camp out. He was with his dad, he was with his brother. He was in the wilderness, just as a new scout should be.
Happy Camping Brycie!

Cavewoman

Student Government.

It's kind of been her thing.

She is a Caveman. Through and through.

It has been good for her, learning leadership skills and getting to know the whole student body. It has also kept her busy.

Very busy.

Sometimes too busy.

It has been fun.

Fun for her to be so involved.

Fun for us to watch her run around like a crazy person

Fun to get to know these fabulous kids, that make up this years Student Body Officers.

They can dance.


They can be serious when they need to be.

They can be silly and crazy, this seems to be the case more often than not.

They are close.

And they need to be as they meet the needs, plan the activities, boost the spirits, and work so hard to serve their fellow classmates and their school.

It's kind of been her thing.

And it's been a very good thing.

She thinks it's going to be a great year.

And knowing her and this council, I think so too!

her first day

The day had finally arrived.

Her first day of Preschool.

And she was ready.

Or at least she pretended like she was ready.

Look at that smile.

She even struck her pose.

A sure sign that this was a good thing.

We pulled up to Jungle Journey Preschool, she happily jumped out and dutifully hung up her princess backpack.


Again, that smile.

And then she pulls this.

That smile disappeared, tears filled her eyes and her hand reached out in desperation as I tried to leave. She clung to me. Maybe my baby wasn't ready for school.

But I was.

This would be the first time in 17 years that I would have time to myself, and I was not going to give up without a fight.

It took some coaxing, some switching of tables and lots of hugs and promises that I would be back soon. And slowly that smile returned.

She came home ALL smiles.

She loved it all and couldn't wait to go back.

And someone else is all smiles with some down time....finally!

My baby's first day of school.

It was sentimental for me.

Really it was.

But I did do a little happy dance when I got home.

Just a little one.

I wish

I wish everyone could be as happy as this new nine year old is.

I wish and hope she continues to find joy in the simple things in life, like a Barbie bride with a big diamond ring on her finger.

I wish for her to keep leaving me tiny little notes everywhere I turn, telling me she loves me. Simple acts of kindness from her, which she does often, absolutely make my day.

I wish she always keeps and nurtures the tremendous gifts she has been given. She is happy and kind. She is so good to her little sister. She is self motivated and independent. She is obedient and has such a tender heart.




I wish and hope she continues to grow strong and tall in her testimony and her abilities. That she knows what a critical role she plays in our family. That she feels our love and admiration for the beautiful little lady she is becoming.

I wish the world was filled with Alyssa's.

She has a spark, a twinkle in her eye,

a zest for life and for friends and for family.

She is a delight.

She is nine....and she is mine.....forever.

My wish has come true!

Happy Happy Birthday Alyssa!