SUNDAY
I can't believe we're already halfway through this month! It's flown by! Sunday was fairly uneventful. Minus the fact that we heard Grandpa Russ was being transported from Riverton to IMC because he was having difficulty breathing. Pretty scary. I wish he could catch a break. I am really glad we got to go see them Friday and spend some good quality time with him. I feel like these last few times are going to be ones we look back on as very fond memories. I hope the kids get enough time with him before he goes. He's such a great man, such a good example for my kids. I am grateful that he's passed those traits onto his son. We will be praying for him. Hopefully he can fight this one too. 1-15-17
LAST DAY OF THE LONG WEEKEND
I wanted so badly for this to be a really fun and exciting day (this is what I keep doing to myself lately), but at the same time, didn't want to be the one to make it that way for the kids. I'm really trying to teach them to entertain themselves, or at least come up with their own, easy, cheap ideas for entertainment. I'm more than happy to help them carry it all out of course! But it's not working. First of all, our house was a wreck, so I had to nag them to clean up for a lot of the morning. I've decided to just come to grips with the reality that this is one of the flaws of the Maynes family. We have a problem with cleaning up after ourselves- all of us. It's unfortunate, but I don't think it's un-curable! I think I need to be patient with everyone as we figure it out, but I do reach a point where I have to have something done about it. I reached that point on Tuesday. So anyway- we planned with the Hatches to hang out for lunch (Sarah was going to make pretzel dogs for all of us) and it was going to be our last time with them before they leave for a month. Unfortunately we woke up a little late, got breakfast a little late, and then the cleaning up. So I told Sarah we'd come down there at 1:00. Who knows what happened after that! I was doing laundry and nagging and I guess time flies when you're doing laundry and nagging because all of a sudden it was 1:30!! Which is funny because I looked at the clock at 1:10 and it didn't occur to me that it was actually 1:10 and not 12:10- I announced that we had a half hour before we needed to leave :). I felt so bad!! We got there an hour late! But of course we had a great time and the food was awesome! It was fun to hang out with them so much this past month. It was fun to see Steve too! I've missed him. After hanging out with the Hatches we raced up to Station Park for our movie (SING!). I guess it was a pretty cute movie! I wouldn't know because Molly thought the movie theater hallways were more entertaining than the movie. I thought it was cool that they gave me a "Guest Pass" basically a free movie pass to go back and see the movie I was missing while sitting out in the hallway with my baby. Pretty cool! Not that I'd go see that movie by myself :). We had fun and came home and Kelly made us a VERY late dinner while Nate and Noah went to their basketball practice and Luke went to scouts. It was a nice end to a long weekend. Kinda crazy gong back to school- I always hate to say goodbye to everyone again. 1-17-17
MOLLY SAID, "POPCORN"!!
This needed it's own post! After everyone got comfortable at the theater, Molly left Charity's arms and came walking down the row to me. I picked her up and she reached her arm out, down the row, hand opened, basically gesturing down the row to a bucket of popcorn in a stranger's hands and whispered the word, "pop-oh"?? It was THE cutest thing EVER!!!! Coming from a 16 month old who says only two words, mostly just "Daddy" this was miraculous!!!! I couldn't resist, I HAD to buy her some popcorn :). Of course she only ate a few pieces before deciding it was time to share with everyone, but how cute is that!! I can't wait to tell her that one of her first words was popcorn :). Cute girly. 1-17-17
EXCUSES
I had totally worked up the courage to go work out with Emily and Kenni on Wednesday. Which is saying a lot. I was even dressed (this whole process of talking myself into it and deciding to go took most of the morning), but then I got Emily's text that she wasn't going to go and I TOTALLY BAILED!! I hurried and called Nate back from his errands and left the idea in our tracks. I was so mad at myself for the rest of the day. Lesson learned. 1-18-17
PLAYGROUP
Playgroup was strange this week. There is one person there who may drive me to my grave with her nagging of her kid. I might have to say something one of these times... I hope I can say it with tact. 1-18-17
CUPCAKES
This is kind of silly, but I'm posting it because it was a big deal to me in the moment. I made the mistake of scheduling our Nominating Committee Meeting on Jami's birthday. I think I struggle with understanding how precious some people's birthdays are. I didn't realize how much Jami loved hers until it was too late to reschedule (and I didn't want to be a dork rescheduling it anyway). So I decided I needed to do something special for her to "make up for it". During the week I had the yummiest looking, Coconut Blackberry cupcakes show up on my Pinterest feed and I latched on to the idea of making those for Jami right away! I was SO excited to make something fancy and wow my "food snob" friend :). So Wednesday night (the soonest possible moment, but also the last possible moment) I went and bought all the stuff for it- choosing the best ingredients available, then grabbed the cake tip I needed, and some new bags (since I was going all out :)). Then, when I pulled into the garage, I remembered that my oven is broken!!!! AAAHHH!!! I panicked a little, thought of who I could possibly ask to use their oven, even toyed around with idea of going down to my mom's (keep in mind this is like 7:00 at night while Nate was gone with the three older kids at mutual) to make them. I was stumped! Luckily I remembered my toaster oven!! I googled to see if baking cupcakes in a toaster oven was doable and it WAS!!! So I pressed on with my plans- once I had rocked Molly for about an hour and a half and put her in bed- do NOT try to get a baby to sleep when there is something urgent on your mind! It doesn't work! Nate came home, we had scriptures, got everyone to bed, and THEN I was able to make the cupcakes. While I was making the batter I realized it was a little dense. I think I over mixed it! I was hopeful and baked them anyway. Of course it took about 35 minutes to bake them in the toaster oven (even though Google told me to cook them at a shorter time). When they came out they were delicious, but completely the wrong texture. They were coconut muffins. I was so bummed!! They would be fine, but not how I'd pictured. And I hated the idea of whoever ate them (thinking we could use them as a refreshment for our meeting) thinking I didn't know how to bake. It was late enough that I really needed to go to bed. There wasn't time to do anything and there's not much you can do for muffin-y cupcakes anyway. So disappointing! Then, before I left up to bed, I had the idea to just use one of the white cake mixes I had in the pantry, but put in a couple teaspoons of coconut extract. This seemed like the answer! But I was pretty tired and not sure that would even work, so I went up to bed. Of course I couldn't resist and had to google the cake mix/coconut extract idea, and SURPRISE! That's a real thing! Even Rachel Ray does it! I ALMOST went downstairs and just did it right away, but the thought that it would take 35 minutes to bake turned me off. I was really wanting to run in the morning. Unfortunately my brain didn't want the same thing and I spent the entire night trying not to dream about making cupcakes! It was a really crappy night's sleep. I think I had too many worries about the PTA stuff on top of the cupcakes, but my brain was dwelling on the cupcakes. So 4:45 rolled around then 5:00 and I couldn't get myself to get out of bed! I was wide awake, but so many aches and pains that should have gone away in the night were just tying me down. Nate didn't wake up to his alarm and didn't drag me out of bed to go running, so we didn't go at our usual time. Another 45 minutes went by with me trying to think of the best possible way and schedule for my morning that was going to include printing off Nominating Committee meeting stuff (yep, I waited til the last minute), making cupcakes (in a toaster oven), cool them, make the frosting, make some more frosting, frost them, make breakfast, make lunches and get kids and myself (I was scheduled to judge the science fair at 8:50) ready for school and out the door. Finally, at 5:45, I got out of bed. I couldn't do anything else, ran down to the kitchen to make another attempt at the cupcakes. Everything went really well that morning- for how crazy everything leading up to it had gone- and I was VERY grateful for that. Minus the printer of course, but that was my fault for putting that off. Always happens to me when I put things off- you'd think I'd have learned by now! So the cupcakes were done, They looked amazing- if I do say so myself- I was SO proud of them and SO excited for Jami (and everyone for that matter) to have them! I had seriously put my heart and soul into those dumb things!!! Looking back, I'm really not sure why I was so obsessed with these cupcakes and the whole idea of giving them to her. I really think it was my mind's way of avoiding thinking about the PTA stuff- which actually went REALLY well!! So unfortunately, this story ends with Jami setting the cupcakes on her counter, carrying out the meeting with the kids in the other room, and Liam and Will putting Cheerios all over the cupcakes! If it hadn't been for my evening, night and morning stress I might have laughed, but unfortunately, I was SO BUMMED!!! I tried not to show it, and I realize now how ridiculous I was being, but it was so sad! So of course nobody wanted to eat one, and it wasn't until later in the day that Jami even said anything about them. It was a HUGE disappointment! I realized later on that day- after seeing a picture of my beautiful cupcake plastered in cheerios on Instagram- that I had made way too big a deal about those cupcakes. I realized that this is a tool Satan uses on me. He gets me way too obsessed with little things that will easily let me down and cost me emotionally. It was cool to realize this and hopefully I can recognize it before it's too late next time. I still wish things had gone differently and Jami could have grasped how much thought, time and effort went into that gift, but I think I can put this lesson to good practice in the very near future. (who knew I could write such a long post about cupcakes!)
SCIENCE FAIR
I figured out what to call my thing with Science Fairs- I'm a Science Project Snob!!! And not because of my kids' projects, or because I think my kids' are the best or anything- I am just REALLY snobby about science fair projects! I actually really love science and the actual project when I'm helping one of my kids with it, but that's where the enjoyment ends. I absolutely HATE the dumb board!! It quickly turns an innocent little kid project into a parent project nightmare! Thankfully I've learned to just let the kid run with it and not get too involved. I help a little and always remind them to include the "Research" section- thanks to years of judging- but I think all of this exposure (we counted 10 projects between all of my kids over the last 10 years) has made me bitter and snobby! I judged again this year, and had a lot of thoughts. There were so many kids who did horrible presentations, barely even looking at me while sitting in their chairs- one girl even had her ear buds hanging out of her ears during it! And a lot of the boards and project ideas were CLEARLY the parents'!!! Drives me nuts. When the kid can't even explain their project in their own words or can't pronounce the words they have typed up on their board- then they're getting a 1 on "communication" from me! So not okay. But then there were all these kids who had CLEARLY done their own board! I couldn't believe how horrible some of them looked, but it was because the kid had done it ALL on their own!! These are the kids who are really good at telling you what they did and it's usually a little strange, but they did it all on their own!! No help with the idea, no help with the procedure, no help with the board! I have to give them good scores because I think that's too cool. I realize that a lot of people judged those more harshly on "neatness" and "organized", but not me. So I love having a little say, by judging, but I think I am then, too invested for the results that follow that night! This is when crazy Christa comes out. And I'd had a pretty crazy Christa day this year already. These are the things that stood out to me this year:
- repetitive projects- seriously, SO MANY RERUNS!! Soda/mentos, if colored candles burn faster (or slower) than white, Gummi Bear Science! DUH! You name it- all the usual reruns as well- popcorn, balls bouncing. I HATED HOW MANY REPEATS THERE WERE!! There.
- LAME PROJECTS WINNING RIBBONS!! You can't give a soda/mentos project a ribbon when there are 50 other soda/mentos projects out there!!! That's just weird!
- They never focus on the actual project or how much time or effort went into something. Kind of lame and feeding our "trophies for everyone" generation. Why would you bother putting a lot of work into something when you can do very little and still get the same (or MORE IN THIS CASE) credit/recognition! It's hard to not try to talk my kids into the easiest possible thing- and I may or may not have helped Luke come up with his easy (one day, 15 minutes max) project.
- I speak without thinking. A lot. Sorry to Becky and Henry for complaining about the "lame ones winning ribbons" before finding out that Henry won a blue ribbon. oops. His was actually really awesome though. And clearly he worked really hard on it and did it mostly himself. I LOVED that he had hand drawn diagrams! Very cool. And very cool that he came up with the idea himself. I have a lot of respect for that. Hopefully Becky isn't too offended- surely she knows I speak without thinking by now, right?
- Mrs. Downs is very emotionally invested in her students and their work. Very cool. I like that woman more and more every time I talk with her. She really is cool and loves what she does and loves the kids. Very cool.
- Kids that didn't even go to school that day (who am I kidding- CANNON LEAVER!) didn't do the presentation, STILL ONE A BLUE RIBBON!!! BAH!!! How is that even fair! He did a great job on his project, with a lot of help from his mom, but he wasn't there for the judging!!! I have no idea how you can win without a 2 on "communication" which is determined during the judging. Can't help but think that Mrs. Badger has something to do with that.
- Not very many social experiments that don't involve consumer products. I want to influence my kids to do my cool social experiment ideas. Unfortunately my kids are not influenced by me. (except when I suggest doing Mrs. Down's experiment about whether homework is beneficial or not- oops)
- I'm torn between wanting to see super awesome ideas, and wanting to see projects that kids have done completely on their own :). There's not much that fulfil both of these.
In the end, I really do love the science fair. I love competition and love the suspense it brings. I am glad my kids don't take it too seriously or expect to win- this is one of the few activities we don't have to talk the kids off the ledge as we're leaving. 1-19-17
TRUMP INAUGURATION
I went and did literary circles in Erika's class Friday morning and was there early enough to say the pledge of allegiance with them. I got the craziest chills as I was thinking about the words we were saying, the words these kids repeat each morning. I LOVE this country! I love that I get to live here and enjoy the freedoms that I do. I love that there were men brave enough and willing to make the sacrifices they did to get us the freedoms we now enjoy. I couldn't help but think about the fact that our new President was being sworn in (probably right in that moment) and that such an historic event was taking place. I was not overly thrilled with Trump ever, and he definitely wasn't ever my first choice, but he is our new President! I want to support the President of the United States. I want to be respectful of the President of the United States and I want to teach my kids to do the same. It doesn't help to fight it. Wanting him to fail is like wanting the pilot the crash the plane that we're all flying in. He has some great ideas- let's just hope he can pull them off! I'm anxious to see how it goes. Very curious. I really loved what I did get to see of the Inauguration and the Tabernacle Choir singing "America the Beautiful"! It was such a cool experience. 1-20-17
LUNCH WITH MY DAD
My dad invited me to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory Friday. I was so pleased with my parking spot :). Less than 100 yards from the front door! Pretty awesome :). They sat us in almost the EXACT booth (in fact, it could have been THE EXACT booth) as last time! Dad got his usual Miso Salmon and I got my usual Asian Chicken Salad :). With the ginormous pile of crunchy noodles :). Shoulda got a picture. It was a really nice lunch! I loved talking with my Dad. It's really been too long. I may have talked about myself and my lame problems too much, but we decided we need to do lunch together more often, so I think it was okay- maybe I can redeem myself during one of those lunches :). Thanks again, Dad! Love ya. 1-20-17
INTENSE!!
The basketball games were super intense this week! Noah's was tough because they just weren't getting any of the baskets they were shooting. They really played great. Especially Noah who dealt with quite a bit of fouling that was never called- it was a tough game!
Luke and Bradley's game was even worse- intensity-wise. They were ahead by at least 10 points for the first three quarters of the game! Totally killing the other team. But during the last quarter, they started to get tired I think, and the other team actually pulled ahead!! There were some pretty crappy refs who never (okay once!) called the fouls on Bradley as he was shooting- several times his arms were tied down as he was trying to go up! VERY OBVIOUS FOULS!! During the last two minutes the refs just went nuts! Then Luke got brutalized during a lot of the game as well. So it was super crazy intense!! Bradley did get the chance to shoot two foul shots during the last like 30 seconds, which he missed- hello! can you say PRESSURE!!!- but man! It was a rough two minutes there at the end! The other team ended up winning by TWO POINTS!!! Such a bummer. We were all totally bummed!!! Pretty stressful, but hopefully we can just take what we learned from this game and use it to play better in the next one... 1-21-17
CARDS
Found some new card games online and tried them with the kids today. Snap!, Rummy, and Salute the King. Kinda fun to have something different to play :). 1-21-17
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