YOTE festival

Alyssa took part in an extra STEM after school program this year and as part of the end result, her group participated in the local Youth of the Earth festival... which technically was supposed to happen closer to Earth day but due to rain/snow mixed was postponed to today which also had plenty of rain/snow mixed and crazy wind! 

I didn't take very many photos because of the weather but I did grab a couple - one of the group just after they finished setting up...

 And this one with Alyssa and her friend presenting! I just happened to be right behind her holding onto the pop up tent when I saw the girls talking to him and showing him the benefits of recycling, composting or reusing versus throwing things into the landfill!

She was super excited to be part of this group and even more so in her role as a leader at her school where she continued to present her presentation to other students. I love that she is confident to talk to groups of people and passionate about what she is learning and doing.

We did have to pack up early as the wind was out of control, and truthfully most of us (at least the adults) were getting quite cold. Even though we cut it shorter than the original plan, it was super cool to see Alyssa and her classmates be part of the festival, and then after wards to walk around and take in the remaining booths. Secretly, I am glad we are home warming up and enjoying hot cocoa watching the storm from inside!

conclusion

As I was downloading a few photos from my phone this morning, I came across this one that I had forgotten I had taken...

 Alyssa using my fancy camera! She was so excited to use it and every morning and sometimes afternoon, she'd pick it up and take a photo (or several) of her science fair project progress. We used several of the photos she took on her final presentation. But I laugh remembering how she was completely surprised that I would let her take photos with my camera. I can't say that all of hers turned out, but many certainly worked for her project.

Yesterday was the big science fair day. I helped set up the school gym and spent some extra time attaching participation ribbons to every one's presentation... and I kept hoping Alyssa's class would come by so I could grab a photo of her presenting to her class... it didn't happen.

So I settled for this one... just after school. And what strikes me most with this photo is her outfit and her big mouth... not sure what that was about. But she was happy and proud of her science fair project, and she loved presenting it to her class. Only 4 students in her class did a presentation. 1 presentation was actually 2 boys who worked on theirs together so there was only 3 presentations. She was the only girl. Cool!

wings, pizza and a movie...

Tonight, we hosted 9 twelve year old boys for Jaiden's birthday celebration... and frankly, I am exhausted! That was a lot of high energy even during the movie! 

I can tell we have turned a corner though. When I asked what kind of birthday party he would like, he really didn't know. He eventually decided on having friends come hang out, eat wings, pizza and watch a movie. Okay, I say. I asked about a cake and he decided on brownies with ice cream, caramel and chocolate sauce and whip cream. How about decorations? None. Theme? No thanks. Party favors? Nah, I am good. 

And so there you have it, a 12 year old boy's idea of a birthday celebration!

I didn't take photos of them eating or more like devouring the wings and pizza (too fast!) or  watching the movie (too dark) but I did grab a few when they opened presents which I specifically said no gifts! 

He got some fun trading cards that were quite fun to read.

And some goofy t-shirts about how he was close to Perfect (obviously not designed by his mom!)

And then I crammed 13 candles onto a brownie until Tyler pointed out I miscounted so I put the extra in Tyler's brownie to celebrate his half birthday (the two are exactly 6 months apart and they joke every year about celebrating their half birthdays).

He made his wish

And then it got crazy again!

I think it was a success, but boy am I glad I only have to do this once a year!

hufflepuff, ravenclaw, gryffindor or slytherin?

The sorting hat sorted and Hufflepuff she was!

This morning we went to a very fun Magical Adventure hosted by older Girl Scouts. Alyssa started with making a wand.

Then it was to class where she learned the Care for Magical Creatures.

And to Professor "Mad-Eye" Moody for Defense Against the Dark Arts.

And later to Potions

She loved every minute of the Magical Adventure... I think a visit to Harry Potter World is a must in our future!

science fair project

This year, Alyssa chose to do the science fair project again despite the various other programs she was involved in. We waited a little longer than I would have liked to start the project but it turned out pretty good so far...

Her topic?

How do white flowers absorb blue dye? Is it similar or different depending on the flower type?

First step: mix water and blue dye.

Second step: Trim flowers to fit vase but most importantly, give them a fresh cut.

Third step: Place in water and wait. Observe and wait some more!

Stay to tuned to see what happens!

and how he runs...

I really dislike when I want to be in two places at the same time... and this afternoon was one of those days. Alyssa had her STEM explorers after school and Jaiden had another track meet but way out in Mead. 

We scurried out to Mead as fast as I could without breaking the law because that wouldn't be cool to be even later because I was pulled over! When we walked to the track field, I was surprised at how big it was and I commented to Alyssa "how are we going to find Jaiden?" Within seconds she says "there he is" and she starts yelling "go Jaiden go!!"

It turns out we showed up right as he was finishing his mile race... which was totally cool because that meant we could watch him do his 800m... 

AND his 400m!

I really, really wished I had brought my nice camera but I am thrilled that I saw him do his 3 of his 4 events! 

He looked great out there and I am proud he's out there trying and working hard!

Go Jaiden go!

literally this time... how she rolls!

This stinker is just plain stinkin' cute! I know I say that a lot but she really is!

The roller blades are a huge hit at our house and for the past few mornings, Alyssa straps them on and rolls to school. Here is my week collection...

Dressed warmly because it felt like it was going to snow (again!)

The next day was beautiful...

and she wore shorts with knee high pink socks!

Another nice day...

I told you she was stinkin' cute!

priceless...

A rare sighting... my entire family skiing the same run!

So I had to grab a quick shot skiing behind them...

We often split up because what Jaiden likes to ski is very different than what Alyssa likes to ski... she doesn't like steep and especially steep with moguls, and he gets antsy on the milder black or black/blue runs so it's easier to split us up, and she has a fear of heights but truth be told, she can ski what he skis... she just wavers and loses her confidence, but her skill? Her skill is really good so for now, I focus on her confidence and letting her lead the way. 

Dennis wouldn't admit it but it works well for him because after a day or even sometimes a half day of skiing moguls and steep terrain, Dennis needs to rest his back and ski the milder but still fun runs.

And for me? 

I enjoy spending time with each of them on their own. Today was particularly fun with Jaiden. I learned that he often follows Dad and doesn't lead the way but with Mom, it's more of a game... like a mouse and cat game but in a nice way. We happened to be skiing on a flat area that suddenly goes up a slight incline and just before I told him we'd need to tuck he gives me a devious smile and says "I'll race you!" Game on boy! 

Of course, I scoot right past him with barely any effort on my part and he says "No fair" I agree because 1) my skis are longer, 2) I have stronger leg muscles so I can keep a squat longer and 3) I have more experience so I say let's even it up. He agrees to head start and we literally choose this super fun windy trail to challenge ourselves. I send him off and I wait and wait. I take off after him and remember this path is windy so I can't really see him but I tuck and go. I love that feeling of tucking and going... I really do. The challenge of staying tucked, figuring out where to ride the curves and then catching him because you knew it was going to happen except the best part? He didn't. I snuck up behind him, came alongside and said "sayonara sweetie!"

He nearly leapt out of his skin and had this look and said in disbelief "what?!" I never laughed so hard and then I thought I need a photo of this so I slow down a little, get my phone and snap this photo of him and while he looks like he is standing still, he really isn't, he's going super fast and he thinks he's going to beat me to the chairlift but alas, he doesn't as I swish in behind him, cut an edge and skirt right past him.

We had so much fun racing but he got tired of being beat so he figured he take me to the highest point and make me ski moguls because he knows he has the edge on those with his shorter skis and no fear of falling, while I struggle to stay in a rhythm and avoid trees in narrow spaces!

I try to figure out to do panorama but without my glasses and the bright light, I can barely read the screen so Jaiden takes this panorama...

Stunning, isn't it?

We play on this side of the mountain and convince Dennis and Alyssa to come join us because we found a run that we know Alyssa will just love... and she does!

We end our last day of skiing from the highest point to the very bottom of the mountain, and I got to follow this cute snow bunny!

Until next year...

spring skiing...

This year's spring skiing was so incredible!! We had two free days during spring break and I booked a hotel and we headed up early Thursday morning to go get a few more days of skiing in. Make that day #12 & #13 for Jaiden! Lucky kid! He beat his mom up by 2 extra times this year because I was busy helping Alyssa sell Girl Scout cookies... but she's worth it!

The bottom of the first run where we waited and waited for Alyssa and Dennis. I skied uber fast to get sunscreen for the kids and Jaiden tried to chase me but he said he lost me at some point and when I came back from the car, there he was!

Finally, Alyssa comes down but little did I know she was all tears and Dennis was in rare form or maybe not so rare all worked up about her being afraid. Poor cutie pie. Breaks my heart when she is sad so I gave her extra loving...

and we ditched the boys for her favorite runs that are all named after Alice in Wonderland characters. I had so much cruising behind and just watching her smile grow huge. We had a lot of the runs almost completely to ourselves so I could practice skiing backwards, silly tight turns or whatever we fancied.

Later, we went to the base and they climbed on this huge polar bear and I know somewhere if I dug far enough I would find a similar photo when they were much more little from a summer visit we did. 

I love these spontaneous family excursions and I love that we get to ski with them. This year has been the best to see them both grow in confidence and skill.

12 or 21?

I wanted so badly to see his reaction but of course, I missed it! And when I did race up the stairs, he was all grins. He said he had gotten up to go to the bathroom and had planned to go back to sleep but when he opened the door all these balloons spilled down around him and he couldn't go back to sleep!

So I had him sit in front of his door and Alyssa joined him... clearly I am going to have to do this for her next year!

And this is how I decorated downstairs, a little different from Alyssa's but still a banner and more balloons!

Jaiden chose to open present right away which in some ways was fun but in others way a tad frustrating. Turns out the size of roller blades I bought him were just a little too small so he had to wait for the store to open at 10 am... but I assure you we were there minutes after 10 am, and then straight home for this...

And while they did that, I made his birthday dinner request... homemade mac n cheese!

And I nabbed him while cruising around on his new roller blades to get a couple of photos, and he thought he was funny when he held up 21 instead of 12!

And rocky road ice cream pie (again!) for his birthday treat!

Such a great day for an awesome, wonderful boy who is now 12 and I am kind of freaking out about that!

mountains of balloons

It's been a long time since I saw the two of them do this...

Draw on each other's chalkboards. Tonight it was "who has the best mountain drawing?"

Too cute, right?

Alyssa's version is on the left and Jaiden's is on the right... both very different and very clever! I have no idea what started this but I think it's so darn cute to watch them do these things together.

And then it was time for bed because I need to have time to do this...

It looked easier than it was but with Dennis' help this is what it looked like when we went to bed. I saw this idea on my friend's FB page when she did it for her daughter. The streamers are holding the balloons so that when he opens the door, the balloons should cascade down ... maybe on him? The funny story behind this is that we were trying to be quiet, and it was tricky to do and at one point we were over halfway done when his door began to open! At first, I thought he had caught us red handed but as it turns out it wasn't shut all they way so we had to start over. Thankfully, he was sound asleep!

handstands

Spent the afternoon at Alyssa's friend's house while they spent the time in their pool. Jaiden was so good playing with the girls... PIG, HORSE, marco polo, handstand competitions and other silly made up games.

This photo makes me smile and laugh! Jaiden's legs are on the left and Ashlee's are on the right. Alyssa is next to the green floaty. Love those crazy kid legs!

my little guppy

Another early, early morning and a drive with a beautiful sunrise. I tried to have Alyssa take photos from the car but all you can really see is the fingerprints on her window!

I wanted to bring my better camera this time and of course, the lighting was very challenging. I kind of liked this one. Alyssa is standing by the diving mount second lane over. She is watching her team mate and waiting for her turn in the relay.

Now it's her turn in the relay...

... and this was a selfie she took!

Silly girl! 

chick clark fishing derby

What a beautiful day for the annual Chick Clark Fishing derby! 

Dennis took the kids over as it's the second year that Jaiden's Boy Scout troop volunteers with the group to help kids with their fish or fishing skills or whatever help is needed. 

Alyssa fishes...

and always seems to catch lots of fish!

While Jaiden cleans fish!

Dennis was sending me text updates with these photos and when I saw the one with Jaiden cleaning the fish, I had to laugh. 

He said Alyssa caught the first fish that was gutted by one of the Scouts but not Jaiden. He watched but then when it was his turn, Dennis said he was pretty grossed out. Even Jaiden said when he got home that it was disgusting and I guess they didn't completely stun the fish so it was still twitching ... a lot! Lovely!