Halloween!

I know this is late, but I still must document my kids' lives. Halloween was fun. TDs has a 2 hr trunk or treat with the businesses downtown. So Friday we dressed up and went trick or treating. The sidewalks are packed with kids and parents walking between stores. It's busy but fun. Saturday we went to our ward Halloween party. There were games and cake walk, well, cupcake walk.Eldon wanted to be a ghost for Halloween. He told me early on that he wanted to be a ghost, but I thought he would change his mind, but he didn't. Pretty cute ghost, huh!Paden told me that he wanted to be a bat. I wasn't sure if it was Batman or just a bat as we had had 3 bats in our house in Aug & Sept. He was pretty excited when I brought the Batman costume home.Sydney was a '50s girl. I made her the poodle skirt for a 4th grade music program and she wanted to wear it again. It is a bit long but still cute!

Pumpkin Races

Sydney and Eldon wanted to do the second cross country race. They had to run the same distance as last time. Eldon improved and came in 4th of the kindergarten boys and Sydney, well she did place in the top 10 but she ran with her friend Maggie and they finished 9th and 10th. Still in the top 10 of the 5th grade girls. Way to go! There was a raffle after and Eldon won a brand new basketball! He was excited!

Fall Jumpstart Elementary Cross Country Races

The Dalles has some interesting events for kids. This year we participated in the Cross Country Races. Jumpstart is the organization that puts on the basketball camp for the area, which Sydney participated in this past summer.
Eldon after registration

The cutoffs were K-1, 2-3 and 4-5. Sydney wanted to participate as her friends Maggie and Max were going to run. So, we went up to Sorosis Park to register her. Eldon decided that he also wanted to participate. Paden opted not to run as he doesn't like to run.

At the starting line

We went to the starting line for the k-1 race. I was worried as he had never done this before and he didn't seem to recognize any other kid in the pack.

The Start of the Race

Eldon had to run a half a mile. He started about the middle of the pack. The high school cross country team was there to guide and run with the kids. One of our ward's young men were there.
Running to the Finish Line

Eldon came in 33rd which was pretty good. We didn't get to see much of his running as I was worried he would get lost at the finish line. He got a participation ribbon.Sydney and Maggie at the starting line

Then we headed over to the 4-5 grade starting line. There weren't as many kids in this race. Well, lots of boys and not so many girl. The 4-5 graders had to run 1.1 mile. I wondered how Sydney would do as she has done the mile at school in PE but never in a race.

Start of the 4-5th grade race

Sydney made a good start and her 5th grade teacher (Mr. Kiser) even said that she stayed at the front. Mr. Kiser had at least 4 of his students running in this race. This race was 1.1 mile and the kids had to run around the park.

Max and Sydney at the Finish Line. Max did a big push to finish in front of Sydney.

This race was longer so I did get to see some of Sydney running but again I went with the boys to the finish line to catch them there. Soon after, there was an awards ceremony. The people in charge had collected the tags of the incoming runners and placed them on a paper to see who was the top 10 in each grade and sex.

Eldon awarded

Eldon was the 8th Kindergarten boy to finish. Hurray!!!

Sydney awarded

Sydney was the 3rd 5th grade girl to cross the finish line. Maggie was the 8th. Amazing!!!! We are so proud of her, well of course of both kids.

Sydney and Eldon at the end of Sydney's race.

We may see more cross country running as the Pumpkin races are Oct 8th. I think there will be more to come. Eldon said that he wanted to run again and I think if Maggie and Max run again, Syd will too.

First day of school

Once again it is the first day of school. The kids all got the teacher that they wanted and have friends in their class. Sydney is the oldest class in the school and Eldon, the youngest. This is the only year that all three of my kids will attend the same school together. It will be an interesting year for us.

Sydney 10yr old, 5th grade

Sydney has begun picking out her own clothes. She has a very good sense of modesty but style is now coming into play. Before, I was able to buy almost anything and she'd wear it. Now, it's better to take her along or run it by her before stashing it away for next year. Her favorite color, PINK. No matter how hard I tried, she loves pink.

Paden, 7 yr old, 2nd grade

Paden is my mild mannered boy. Very tall for his age, he is quiet and very watchful. He always asks politely for things. He is the one that I worry the most about. I don't want him to get left behind. He is very good at video games and would play the play station forever if he could. He doesn't like the cold weather or the hot weather. I have a hard time buying him jeans as everything is so huge on him. Thank goodness for the button elastic in the waste band.

Eldon, 5 yr old, kindergarten

My baby is no longer a baby. Well . . . he hasn't been a baby for a very long time. This day couldn't come soon enough for Eldon. He has wanted to go to the same school as Sydney and Paden for forever. He is so excited to be in kindergarten, though he's the size of the 1st graders and some of the 2nd graders. He is so energetic. I wish I could bottle some of his energy! He has never been one to walk anywhere. He runs, hence the skinned knees and bruises. He is an easy one to shop for as he loves to get hand me downs from Paden! Hurray! I don't even have to store the clothing for very long. He is my most loving kid, always a kiss or a hug for me. He has this funny clutch (?). He rubs the back of my arm. It's a comfort thing. He says he likes the bumps that are there.

We started the year out with father's blessings. I'm so glad/thankful that Travis is able to do that for the kids. It's a scary world out there and the kids need all the help they can get!

Multnomath Falls

We decided that we needed to explore the beauty of the area that we live in. So we decided to visit Multnomath Falls. For those of you who don't know, it's that waterfall that's in one of the scenes in the movie Twilight. It's just east of Portland, OR and we have driven past it every time we go into Portland this last year.This was a beautiful hike and though the hike guide said that it was a popular hike it wasn't too crowded. We had a picnic dinner of chicken and rolls the then walked to the lower falls and across the bridge.We then proceed to try and hike to the top. The kids did really well but at the 1 mile marker, Eldon had to go to the bathroom and we had to high tail it down the mountain. We were almost to the top but there was not bathroom there.We had a great hike, though I'd like to do it again and actually make it to the top. It was really beautiful!

Syndey's 10th birthday party

So for Sydney's 10th birthday we had a cooking party. I'm really into themed parties and I think I have more fun with the planning that I do the actual party. I still have fun! I can't take full credit for this idea as my cousin did it for her daughter's 10th birthday a few months ago. I loved the idea and decided that was what we were going to do! Thanks Karri for the wonderful idea!

Travis and I went to Freddies and found some dish towels to use to make aprons. I wasn't too excited about them and about the price but Freddies is about all we have here in The Dalles. They sat on my counter for a couple of days and then Friday (the day before the party) I had a great idea to try Kmart and just see what they had. Boy am I glad that I went there! They had the cutest dish towels in the exact party theme that I had gotten for napkins and paper plates! The price was much to my liking also!At the party we made individual pizzas. They kids got crazy, putting every topping on and stacking them high, but they had fun. I had Sydney ground the sausage, another girl make the fropee (sp) drink, and another girl make the cake mix. I even cut up different fruit for kabobs.

Then we put cake mix into their own cup and cooked little cupcakes for each of them. The kids thought that it was so much fun to eat the leftover mix and were even chasing each other around to get the last lick in the bowl.

Here in the birthday girl! She had so much fun!10 things I love about Sydney!
1. I love her blond hair and blue eyes. How would have ever thought that I would have a blond/blue kid.
2. I love that she cares about her brothers.
3. I love that she is artistic and loves to draw.
4. I love that she is a well rounded child.
5. I love that she has a great singing voice and love to sing. She's getting better at the performaning part.
6. I love to sit at the piano and accompany her singing. (That's why I learned to play the piano!)
7. I love that she loves to do things with me.
8. I love the nurturing qualities that she has. She'll be a great mom someday!
9. I love her smile. It continues into her eyes.
10. I love that hugs that she gives out freely to anyone that needs or wants one!

We have been blessed to have my sister and her kids at our house for a few days. Eldon and Naomi have gotten along so well. Two peas in a pod. We will be sad to see them go home. I hope to be able to visit them in Las Vegas sometime before school starts.

Star Wars Birthday

My baby Eldon turned 5 and we had a Star Wars party. The padawans were invited to Jedi Training at our house.

Destroy the Death Star

Lightsaber training

We had a great time and the kids enjoyed the party. They went home with a penny, a light saber and a Star Wars bingo game. It was good to enjoy the kids having fun!

How do you rate?

I was rated very superior! Guess I'm a good 1930's wife.

98 As a 1930s wife, I am Very Superior Take the test

We are still alive!

Sorry that I haven't blogged in a while. Life has happened and spring is here. Just a little update on us. The tooth fairy visited us 3 times last week. Paden actually pulled a tooth out. He was upset when he left it on the table and it got thown in the trash but was excited that "the tooth fairy was able to find it in the trash and still give him money for it". Sydney also pulled out 2 of her 6 yr molars. She now has a large hole on the right side as both the top and bottom teeth are gone.

We were able to take the kids to the Dollar Tree to spend some money. Sydney has some items that she must purchase for her Dog Obedience (4H) class so she has wisely opted to spend money on the things she needs for fair. Training on dog and said girl are coming along well. Paden is excited to begin taking care of his own dog as we studded our dog out and in the coming months we will have one of his puppies for Paden to take care of. Eldon is just a energetic as ever and I'm glad that spring and nicer weather are here. Over Spring Break he told grandpa to "take my training wheels off" and procced out of the garage all by himself. Side note: Travis did work with Eldon last fall to see if he was ready to ride without training wheels. Eldon didn't quite get it then but has it now.

Travis is getting ready for his busy season to begin as spring and summer lead to long/late hours for flying. He is teaching ground classes every other week which keep his very busy. I am knee deep in YW activities and camp stuff. I love working with the YW! I am not actually in the presidency but since we only have a president and 1st councilor, they use me like I am. It's a great escape and I love the ideas and activities that are on sugardoodle.net!

Dr. Suess Birthday

Dr. Suess' birthday was this week and the whole week there were dress up activities at the elementary school. Sydney wanted her hair done and to dress up in green. Paden just dressed in green. I tried to get the Cindylou Who hair do but it wasn't exactly what I wanted. They had fun that day.

I love posting with pictures but this time it's just a story. Last Friday, because of school being cancelled before Christmas vacation, the school did their holiday parties and this Polar Express celebration. It was a 'wear your pj's to school' day. Sydney was all excited but Paden was a little apprehensive. I made sure that all was ready for the next morning so that the morning routine would be smooth. I got Paden's pjs out and showed him and told him what was to happen. He then told me that 'one time I wore my shirt backwards to school and the other kids didn't'. Poor boy. In his own way he told me that he didn't want to wear his pjs because he wasn't sure that others would and didn't want to be the only one. He did wear his pjs and went to school and when I checked on him before school was out he was having a great time. Kids say the darnest things!