the week in pictures 4/25

That's right. I now have a SIX YEAR OLD. Sarah had her birthday party this past weekend at a local "bounce house". All of her friends came; we had 8 little girls running around bouncing, playing, scooter-ing, dancing, eating & bouncing some more. It was a lot of fun, and not one of those horrid places where the staff are idiot teenagers and totally incompetent, they were very attentive and ran things so smoothly it was kind of shocking.

Have you ever known somebody for a while and thought "they remind me of someone" but couldn't put your finger on it? It's been that way the last few months or so with my daughter, Sarah. And I've finally figured out who she reminds me of. Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie. Like Laura, Sarah is just so grateful--almost all the time. She said "Oh Mom, this is the BEST birthday EVER!...thanks for being my Mom." She just kept oozing with gratitude. And then she'd throw in a little quirk like "My friends ROCKED the party!" Seriously. I have no idea, don't ask. I'm just so thankful to have a grateful daughter.

Well, between cutting cake and video tapping I was able to get a few snapshots.

Sarah (second one on left) with her friends.

Some girls wanted to bounce, some wanted to scoot, others played arcade games.

One happy birthday girl with her gifts.

After the party, Sarah & Madison decided they wanted to *bounce* even more on our trampoline.

Happy Birthday Sarah -- We love you!

the week in pictures 4/17

Early in the week, Michelle (my dear friend of 16 years), hosted an Easter Egg hunt at her house. She has an incredible back yard and, of course, it was covered with eggs that she thoughtfully hand filled with candy and toys. But, was that enough? Oh, no! Michelle also handed out Easter cups with chocolate bunnies to each child. Sarah and Emma had sooo much fun. Thanks Michelle!!! We love you!

Here's Sarah (blinking) holding her basket with 12 eggs, a cup and a bunny.

Emma loved the eggs but had a hard time getting them open.

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Wednesday we went to our first Homeschooling Health Co-op class; Sarah gets dropped off at the older group and I stay with Emma for the younger toddler class. We made a map of our body and learned about exercise, while Sarah's group learned about nutrition and hygiene.

Saturday night we colored the eggs and bathed the girls. Then I got their baskets filled and laid out their dresses for Sunday. The girls woke up at 8am to search for their Easter baskets and eat a quick breakfast of hard-boiled eggs, fruit smoothie and toast before church. Here they are in their Easter dresses.

We decided to do pink this year. Note the matching handbags--too cute!

Sarah looking like Jackie Kennedy Onasis. ;)

Emma simply looking sweet! It was a little too windy for a great pic.

I hope everyone had a nice Easter weekend. And now that all the *sugary-sweet* holidays are out of the way, here's hoping I lose those extra pounds!!! :) I tell ya', Halloween thru Easter is a killer for someone with a sweet tooth.

beauty and chaos

**UPDATE**
Per request from CMHL I will post the bulleted list of balls, and give detail about the "bowling ball". First, please allow me a disclaimer; that I think few people are busier than full-time working Mom's. My own mother, for example, after a divorce, became a full-time worker/single Mom to 5 kids & full-time student. Now THAT'S busy! But, like I said, it's all relative. And in my little, quiet and very blessed life one "ball" can make a big splash.

• Home Educator (that alone should be enough)
• Currently remodeling the walls and floors in our basement (pics to come soon)
• Relief Society teacher (the women's organization in our church)
• Enrichment co-leader (a weekday women's org. in our church)
• Visiting Teacher Supervisor (a stats/district thing for the women in our church)
• visiting teacher (kind of like a fellowshipper)
• Secretary for a Home Educators committee (monthly meetings w/ a newsletter submission)
• local District Leader for the state-wide Home Education association (meaning I'm over approx. 200 homeschool families in my town. Responsibilities include:
• updating the main database each *April* by calling &/or visiting these families,
• moderating the online support group & message boards
• hosting play groups, fieldtrips, etc.
• attending conventions and becoming *savvy* in the legalities of homeschooling laws in our state.
• ...and then there's a bunch of little stuff like: planning my daughters birthday party, attending my book club, putting in our garden, and trying to find time to exercise.

The district leader thing...200 people this month...THAT was the bowling ball! But, like I said I volunteered. I'm passionate about home education, but I feel such a obligation to church duties too. Something has to give...**

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Words of Wisdom: Don't bite off more than you can chew!

We all know this, right?

Yet, personally, I have this theory- that one can do more than they feel capable of, if only they are in the moment when they need to be. Your kids want you to play with them? -Do it. Be in the moment. Your neighbor needs help? Find a time and do it. Be in that moment. You need to finish a project at work? Be in that moment. In theory, if our mind is focused, and not thinking about the hundred of other things we should/could be doing, we can move seamlessly from one moment to the next accomplishing a great deal. Like I said... In theory.

Then again, I suppose there comes a time -for even the best juggler- when there are just too many balls in the air. Which ones do you drop? All of them? How can the juggler keep his act going while eliminating one ball at a time?

I guess this is where prioritization comes into play. Definitely those that you love should not be dropped! But, what about the balls that you should keep in the air (simply because you've been taught for years that's what you should do) vs. the balls that you're passionate about (okay, that last one sounded kinky. sorry.) ??? Group A of people counting on you vs. Group B of people counting on you.

I was thinking about doing a bulleted list of those proverbial balls, but it's all relative anyway, right? Suffice it to say that I just got thrown a rather large ball...a bowling ball...a flaming sword of sorts, and now my theory is out the window and I have to drop a ball. Sad truth is that the large ball wasn't really "thrown" at me, I voluntarily picked it up. Maybe I just need to learn to say "No", or my favorite (coined by a dear friend of mine) "Sorry, I wish I could, but, I don't want to." :)

Anyway, this past week we were able to have a couple moments of fun amidst the chaos... that I've created. So, here's a couple pics for your pleasure. And P.S.- If you don't hear from me for a while it's because I'm trying to balance my juggling act.

Sarah & Emma at the park...

...playing house.

Sarah hand picked these daffodils from our own yard-

(they come up under the Oak tree and in the weirdest places). Gorgeous, no?!

aloha

My nephew, Brandon, who, at 17, just got accepted to BYU-HAWAII!!! Woohoo! Just two years ago he decided to quit public school and take charge of his own education. He also just got his associates from a local Community College. Congratulations Brandon!