Middle School Track Meet

Last week was Annalise's first middle school track meet.  She wanted to participate in the long jump but you had to try out for that and she was sick when that happened.  So, she had to run in the longer distance events.  At this meet she only ran one event because her knee was hurting so she ran the one mile.  She came in 5th out of 12 runners (I think).  I didn't get to see the event.  It was a crazy day of crisscrossing across town so when her event did actually happen I was at Robyn's piano lessons on the other side of town.  Definitely frustrating but there's one more track meet this week and hopefully this time I will get to see her run!

(A friend took these pictures for me!)

Calling All Participants

Well it's that time of year again -- fair time.  Every year I enter projects in the May Fair and the County Fair.  I'm usually quite excited about what I'm entering but this year was a little different.  I didn't enter in any knitting.  I was knitting a sweater that I thought would be a good entry but after ripping out one section several times I finally just decided to rip out the whole sweater.  I'll just have to use the yarn on another project. 

So I decided to enter the dress I made for Annalise for Christmas.

I was excited about the USA map.  My first attempt I had some problems with the iron which resulted in scorch marks so I made another one because I like things to (at least) appear perfect.  I was pleased with the first place but I when I saw the picture hanging I just wanted to put up my hand so I could smooth out the bubbles in the fabric.  I guess that will have to wait until I can take it home!

Annalise declined in participating (she said no!) but Robyn was excited to enter.  This was a picture she took while we were hiking in the hills by our house.

I found a project on Pinterest and thought this would be perfect for Robyn to do.  We had fun picking out the different shades of red out of magazines.



We at least have a couple months until the county fair.  Now we just need to decide if we will enter the same projects or something different. 

Run, Run as Fast as You Can

Every spring we make time for our annual local race which benefits the schools.  This year only Jeff and Robyn ran it.  Jeff ran the 10K and Robyn ran the 1/2 mile kids race.  Annalise didn't have anyone to do the 5K with so she refused to run, and since I don't run I didn't race either.  So Annalise and I came to cheer for Robyn.

So proud of her....she ran the entire time.  When Annalise ran it the first time she didn't do so well.  She ran into a soccer friend and they ended up talking the entire race.  Drove Jeff crazy!  :)

80s Day

Yesterday was 80s day at school.  I think she was the only one going more to the preppy style because we saw a lot of Madonnas at school.  There was lots of lace, leggings, and side ponytails at school that day.

I had a lot of fun trying to dress her up like I did way back in the day but I had the most fun trying to do her hair.  I must have used half a bottle of hairspray trying to get her bangs to stay up.  Even so it didn't last throughout the day.  The old hairspray must have been a lot stickier? 

Spring Vacation

Jeff & the girls' spring breaks only overlapped for one day so we headed off to Yosemite.  We've been meaning to go for several years and we finally took the opportunity.  Weather was nice enough during the day despite it being Spring.

We stayed at Curry Village in a tent cabin.  It is rustic looking BUT it was heated and the bathrooms were not far and were heated too!  The heat was needed as the nights got to be pretty cold. 

No food is allowed in the cabin due to bears so all food had to be placed in the bear lockers outside the front door.  The park is really serious about bears.  As you are checking in there is a video playing showing how easily a bear can rip your car door off in order to get your food!

Our first day in Yosemite we took a bus tour of Yosemite Valley.  It was a good way for us to see what was there and then decide what hikes we wanted to do later.

El Capitan

Bridal Veil Falls? 

Frazle ice at the bottom of Lower Falls

Our last day we rented bikes and biked along the Valley floor.  That was interesting.  I enjoyed the ride but I didn't end up seeing much and I took no pictures.  We were pretty much dodging other hikers and bikers on the bike path.  I was proud of Robyn as she's a new biker and she kept up with us with the minimal amt of crying. :)

I would love to go back again.  We saw only a portion of the park.  Next time maybe we will go when it is warmer! 

And the winner goes to

This week contained a big occasion for Robyn.  She had her first piano recital. 

The theme of the recital was Oscar winning songs.  She got to play "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."  Since it won in 1939 she got to go first.  (Hint - notice the dress.  I made it specially to go with the song.  She was even wearing red glittery shoes to complete the outfit which were swinging back and forth as she played her song.)

She did a good job.  Heck, everyone did a good job.  It can be scary to play in front of people.  Though I was really glad the recital only lasted an hour.  I don't know how my mom did it when my sisters and I were taking piano lessons.  Some songs were hard to sit thru.

Next year's theme is going to be classical music.  That should be fun!

Mommy Points

I think I deserve big mommy-points.  Thursday night I took Annalise and friends to the midnight showing of Hunger Games.  Those who know me I am NOT a night person (or a cold weather person)!   We waited outside in line until 10:15 pm.  Thank goodness it was only chilly not freezing.  I came prepared with a chair and blanket so I curled up and waited for the time to go inside.  Unfortunately what I wasn't prepared for was the coming on of a head cold.  By the time the movie started I couldn't breathe out my nose (but at least I was not cold anymore!) 



Everyone enjoyed the movie.  There were some things changed and added but overall they did a good job.  I especially liked how they didn't make the violent scenes overly graphic.  

 Annalise wants to see it again.  I'm sure she will see it again and again and again. I have a feeling we will be owning the movie.

(See the second picture -- Annalise has braces.  She got them last week.  This is the first time she let me take a picture.)