Planning a Production

Emm loves to plan events for our family.  There have been times when we are attending a party for one of her kids on a daily basis.  We finally had to curb that by suggesting that she plan a monthly party instead. 

 

Now that she is old enough to plan lesson/activity for our Family Nights, she gets her fix every few Monday nights:)  A couple of weeks ago it was her turn and she worked all afternoon on this....

 That evening she told us a short story of Jesus and the Fishermen and then we had a "Fest".  She had all sorts of activities for us to choose from and projects to make.  She is a pretty smooth little entrepreneur.  There is usually some small fee (a few coins) associated with the activities and how can you decline after all the effort she has put into it:)  So she comes out of Family Night making a few bucks...how many kids can swing that?  We then were forced given the chance to participate in a play that she had made up ...on the spot!!

We are learning that unfortunately, it's probably best to "limit" her lesson time when she is in charge.  Otherwise we can end up spending hours on her part alone:)

St. Patty's

I feel like in the midst of all that is going on right now, St.Patrick's day got a bit overlooked this year.  Luckily, Emmrey had a visit from the sneaky little green man in Kindergarten, because it wasn't much to speak of at home:(  However, even Emmrey was a little "off" this year and had forgotten to set our usual trap until the last minute.  She did get something together and the little guy did in fact pay a visit.  He took the piece of gold and left in its place a note which started the girls off in search of the next clue....

 One clue led to another and the girls were anxious to see where it would take them....okay maybe just Emm, but Bay and Kars played along:)

Lo and behold.....they did find their pot of gold!!

 

We later went out to see the Fentons one last time before they leave on their mission to Brisbane Australia.  We feel beyond "lucky" to have met these two{actually I don't feel like it was luck at all}.  They have made our life here in Cody happier just by knowing them.  They are one of the things we will miss tremendously!!!

We also had our traditional Green Meal and Shamrock Shakes for dinner.  So the day wasn't a total loss...we also had this fun little package of green to brighten our day.  Thanks to Grampa & Gramma...who always remind us how "lucky"we really are:]

Adventures in Music!

The 4th and 5th graders were invited to Adventures in Music in Billings.  This was an event put on by the Billings Symphony to promote music.  Our music teacher at Sunset was so enthusiastic about it and made all the arrangements for the kids to get there. Karsyn was less enthusiastic about giving up her Saturday ...but I told her I would volunteer to chaperone and we could do it together.  We loaded the bus bright and early for the 1 1/2 hour drive..... We arrived in Downtown Billings where the kids were able to try out all the various instrument families through round-robin sessions.  They were a little leery to try out the brass family...even though they sanitized them before/after each use...I can't say I blame them!

Karsyn liked the violin the best...specifically the itty bitty one:)

We rotated through The Alberta Bair Theater, MSU Downtown campus, as well as the Babcock Theater (which is where Mark and I had gone to the Fly Fishing Film Festival)...it's a pretty neat building. I chaperoned Karsyn, Mason and Emily.  Mason had just had surgery on his leg and was given strict orders to stay in his chair as much as possible.  This is harder than you'd think for a 11 year old kid who just wants to be like everyone else.  I did honor his dad's instructions and as good mannered as this kid is, I think he was pretty fed up with me by the days end...although you'd never know it:)

In this Theater the kids also got to take a picture with "Queen Elizabeth" the Royal guest of honor.

After trying out the instruments, we wandered for a quick bit through the street fair.  We picked up some Kettle Corn before settling in for the St. Patty's parade.

 

After the parade we got to be the audience for the Billings Symphony dress rehearsal.  I found it more entertaining than the kiddos...although Karsyn talked about it quite a bit afterwards.  I think a large part of that was they were sooo hungry for lunch.  Our last stop was at a park for lunch and play.  Although we did more "observing" than "playing" under the circumstances.  I did let up slightly and allowed Mason to use his crutches to get to our picnic spot.  He sooo wanted to climb this tree with Karsyn...I had to put a stop to that pronto!!

 It was a long day, but really a good time.  I was just loving spending the day with my little Beans (although truth be told....she was likely happier about spending the day with a certain someone other than her dear old Mom ...it's okay, I know she loves me:)

 

Academic Excellence

Last Friday Emmrey received the award for Academic Excellence in Kindergarten.  The theme was Hometown Heroes, and the kids were told they could dress up as anyone in the community who "makes a difference".  Emmrey decided she wanted to dress up as her dad and use the Game & Fish shirt that Karsyn has used to work with Mark.  I can't even tell you how excited she was to get dressed that morning....she was trying to hide her sheepish grin, but it couldn't be hid.  It was so cute!!!

We are so so proud of Emm and how well she does in school...

I know, I know it's Kindergarten, but it starts somewhere:}

Keep being excellent Emm!!!

Expedition Yellowstone

Bailee and Mark spent the final week of February in Yellowstone....

seeing the park like this....

 Bailee was selected to participate in the Expedition Yellowstone program.   Interested students were required to write an essay, and receive the necessary teacher recommendations. If their application was chosen, they were held to very high standards.  The kids had to be very committed and were required to attend all the classes/training and complete the projects prior to the trip. They also had to pay tuition and Bailee did a good job of being responsible and earning almost half her tuition by babysitting.

 It is only offered to 8th graders and this year 14 girls and 10 boys were chosen to have this unique experience. Mark was lucky enough to get to go as a parent chaperone....he was THRILLED!

 

They went up through the north entrance, which is open all year.

 

 They were provided pretty decent accommodations in Mammoth...where the rangers are stationed in the winter months.

 Speaking of the rangers....they pretty much ran the show.....keeping the kids {and dads} busy all day!

 Bailee grew rather fond of Ranger Mel and Ranger Matt, and wanted a picture with them before leaving.

They spent pretty much the entire day{s} outdoors in the winter wonderland {yeah...this was NOT for wimps:} exploring on foot or snowshoe...they even had class and ate lunch right in the snow....

 Just look at the majesty of this place....

When it got too dark to be outdoors, 

they continued learning in the dorms .....

 ...and were busy "earning their keep" {this was no vacation}

 Although this was an intensive learning experience....there was a little down time to just be with friends:}

And I'm told there was lots of games, singing and dancing 

{although I can't seem to find the videos of that...hmmm:}

{Roomies....Bailee, Elisha, Tristan and Tatum}

Mark came home very impressed with the caliber of kids that went on this trip...no complaining....they really threw themselves into the experience and genuinely wanted to learn.  They both could not stop talking about it and really had the time of their lives {even though Bay got sick while there...she's was a trooper}  

What a privilege for Bailee to get to experience something so rare as this with such a neat group of kids/friends.  

I hope she really cherishes it and seeks out many more opportunities like it:}

Fine Dining

Recently we have had some fun dining experiences.  My friend Page {and her husband Adam}, invited us over for a Cheese Tasting Party of sorts.  They had made this nice little spread of gourmet cheese and other finger foods.  Now I am a BIG fan of cheese...love it...but I had never heard of most of these.

{Brie, Chevre, Limburger, Romano, Gruyere, Smokey Blue, White Stilton w/ Cranberries, Saint Nectaire, Fresh Mozzarella}

One of our favorites was the Gruyere, although the Easy Cheese was a close second;)  Mark says they added that just for me...he also refuses to accept it as a real cheese!!  

The kids all ate pizza and played in the basement...

 While the adults nibbled on cheese and caviar and had sophisticated conversation upstairs:}

It was such a fun night and something we will always remember!!

*****

The following week my friend Eunlan, offered to have the young women over and teach them how to make Korean food.

She showed us how to make Mandu {a Korean dumpling} and the girls got busy filling the skins ....

And while we worked....Karsyn and Emmrey played with her little ones

{Jie, Kars, Emm, Inbeom}

The Mandu were DELICIOUS ...

We have certainly been getting a little more cultured lately...

and I love it!!  I also love this neat family:}

Happy Seuss Day!!

Did you know today was the birthday of Dr. Seuss?  Yesterday the Kindergarteners could dress up as a Dr. Seuss character.  Emm dressed up as Cindy Lou Who:}

Last night both Kars and Emm went to Seussville Kids Nite Out at the school.  I desperately tried to get Kars to dress up as the Grinch...we had everything she needed on hand.  She was strongly opposed to my idea...oh well, they had a great time anyway!!

 

 "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself, any direction you choose".

~Dr. Seuss