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.)

I'm Trying to Cook

Besides finding neat crafts on Pinterest, I've also used it to find recipes.  I can cook and I do okay, but the act of doing it every day just exhausts me.  Especially, since my girls are the pickiest eaters ever!   (My mom laughs because it is payback for when I was the pickiest eater in the world.  I lived on peanut butter and honey sandwiches for most of my elementary school years.)

One website I've found is http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/.  She has the best recipes!  The first recipe I tried were the Creamy Lemon Crumb Squares.  The girls wouldn't touch it, but believe you me....if you like lemon, this is good!

The other recipe I've tried so far was the Sour Cream Noodle Bake.   It was another hit, at least with Jeff and I.  Annalise would at least eat it but Robyn just turned her nose up at it.  The picky-ness is frustrating especially since she would eat anything when she was a toddler. 

Despite the girls I'm definitely going to keep hunting this website for more delicious recipes.  Who knows maybe I'll find something they will like. 

Keeping Occupied

It's been pretty quiet around here, not a lot of running around.  The girls are busy with school, Jeff's busy at school (as always), and in between working two days a week I've been trying to exercise more and trying out new crafts.  In December I was introduced to Pinterest.  Such a cool website.  In the past when I've seen something I liked I would just bookmark it on the computer.  Now there's a place where I can see all my interested sites in one place. 

My recent "big" craft was this USA Scrap Map.  I found this on Sew Kate Sew blog and once seeing it I had to try it.  It wasn't hard, just time consuming -- I don't work really fast.  I had to cut out each state and iron it in place.  I had some issues with the iron but overall I'm pleased with the result.

Found these printables on Pinterest so instead of buying valentines Robyn and I made these for her class:

Also found on Pinterest.  These are for my nursery kids.  At church sn Sunday I teach the 18 month to 3 year old class.  I'm giving these at the end of class.  I do not want the kids to have more energy than normal!

It's been fun trying new projects.  Now I just need to decide what to do next...

7 Years

January is Robyn's birthday month.  By Halloween she is ready for her birthday to come but we tell her it doesn't come until after Christmas.  Once Christmas is over she focuses all her attention on her birthday.  It kills her that she has to wait a couple weeks until her birthday actually arrives.

This year she wanted cheesecake for her birthday.

On her birthday we invited family & neighbors to celebrate -- and help eat the cake.  I didn't want the whole thing in the house for very long because I LOVE cheesecake.

This year she got her own American Girl doll -  Kanani.  She's wanted one ever since Annalise got one several years ago.  We told her she had to be older (and I used the change we save to help buy the doll!)

On Saturday I let her invite just three friends over.  I took them to get their nails polished and then off for frozen yogurt.  I wanted something really simple as party planning is something I dread.

No they aren't growling at the camera, they are showing off their beautiful nails. LOL

Happy Birthday Robyn!