Happy Dancers (warning: proud mom moment)

Today was one of those days!! Beginning with a fun visit from Grandpa Hafen for a Guest day at school and ending with the picture to the right.

In between I ran my car to the dealership for a leaky sunroof. Ran Emilia to the doctors for a broken finger (she hid her cast in the picture). Re-worked the choreography for the girls duet due to Emilia's lack of tumbling abilities now. Dressed the girls for competition and made it on time.

I was so proud of both girls. They have worked hard with me for the last few months. It was a joy to be able to choreograph something more difficult than bounce, bounce, clap, clap. They are beautiful dancers and even though I know Emilia was hurting, they still took 1st place. (They call it queening in the dancing world, thus the tiara's)

Thanks girls for making this a great experience for me.

Good News

No, I didn't see a dog today. I did, however, manage to find a place for my bird feeder where the deer can't get it. This morning the deer tracks go to the feeder, and I see some marks on the rocks where she tried to get the seed but the seed is untouched. I win, deer lose!

How did you celebrate?

Today is the first day of spring? Did you celebrate? I did, this is how.
1) I gave my house a really good scrubbing. Things like getting the cobwebs off the ceiling and washing windows (althought there are more windows to wash)

2) I mowed my lawn. I didn't really cut much grass but it sure looks neater and I think it will act as a wake up call to the grass.

3) I raked some of the really matted spots on the lawn. That has to be a good wake up call.

4) I raked out the last of the leaves and branches leftover from the fall in the flower beds.

5) I took a walk around the yard and enjoyed all the new life out there. I hope to have some great flowers soon to take pictures of.


Now maybe I will go fly a kite!!

Apology or amendment

Just a little clarification. Working may work for many women. I am not one of them. I appreciate that many women can work full time and take care of their house and family. I just happen to not be one of them. I wish I were one of those super moms, really, I do. My limitations were made abundantly clear to me last month. To all the super moms who are able to do it all, hats off to you.

I hope I didn't offend any of you. Sometimes I need a better filter on my thoughts.

First day off

Today is my first day off work since February 16th. I am happy that I was able to help a couple of friends out by working for them, but it was kind of hard. Now I know all of you that work full time all the time is thinking "What a whiny little girl" but I don't care. My house has gone to pieces and my children have been neglected. The good thing that has come out of this is a firming of my decision to not work full time. In fact, should my job be eliminated due to job cuts, I probably won't look for a replacement position. I realize the toll working takes on my family and it just isn't worth it.

With that said, (or ranted) I still love my job at the school. When I am only there 3.5 hours, I can still manage the other parts of my life. I feel like I am actually doing some good by working with the kids I do. In addition, I get a lot of hugs. Last night we had a stake activity days night, and I had many hugs from girls that I have worked with either at school or at dance. I can honestly say I love each of them.

Oh, and for the deer eating my bird food. He got it again Sunday night. I had moved it into the rock wall hoping he couldn't get to it. Now I am on a mission to find the perfect deer-proof bird food hanging place. Don't worry, I will keep you all posted.

(Good news, I only used the "love" word twice, ok now three times.)

More spring wonders and mysteries

I thought I would document the growth of spring in my yard. Lucky all you... you get to see it also.

Week #1, I think, tulips.Week #2,

I was mystified why my bird seed was disappearing over night, here's why: