Tadpole Project :)

Science is one of my little students favorite subjects.  There's no end to her curiosity as far as the wonders of nature are concerned, so this fall we ordered some tadpoles to observe and document the change from tadpole to frog.  She started a journal for them immediately, and plans to measure them, and draw a pictures of them daily. We ordered our Live Frog Growing Kit online from a website called Nature Gifts , check out this website, they have an impressive selection of educational products, I can't wait for spring so I can order the Ladybug or Butterfly kit.  We picked a native species of Bullfrog so the frogs could be released as adults next spring.  The kit included everything needed to care for the two tadpoles, and a instruction pamphlet.  Our Tadpoles arrived by priority mail just a few days after the order was placed, and didn't seem stressed by their journey :)

Technical difficulties

Zi's school issued desk top tower took a tumble, the printer cable got yanked out, and wouldn't fit back in to the port,  and the sound had been malfunctioning.  I was completely expecting tech support to be a major hassle, but I was wrong.  The man on the phone (Cory) was completely delightful, wasn't even condescending in any way because we knocked it over :)  He scheduled a UPS pick-up, we packed it back up in the packaging it came in, and today we received notification that her new desk top is on the way, all over a holiday weekend and at no expense to us.  Seriously, I've had more problems scheduling a dentist appointment.

Cream Cheese Tofu Tarts :)

You'll  need:

• 8oz. softened cream cheese
• half a standard size package of tofu
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 package instant vanilla pudding
• about 8 crushed graham crackers
• 4 cups of berries (fresh or frozen)

This is a quick and easy no bake dessert, substitute fat free sugar free ingredients if you wish. Spread crushed graham crackers in the bottom of pie pan, or divide in four tart dishes.  Put cream cheese, tofu, milk and pudding mix in food processor and mix well, then scoop mixture into tart dishes, top with fruit and serve :)

Chick-lets: growing up

Our girls change every day. It's hard to believe that just a few weeks ago they were just tiny little balls of fluff. As they grow their individual personalities become more distinct. The leaders and followers have become easy to point out. It's interesting that just as with humans the leaders are not always the brightest of the flock.

From left to right: Ti-he, Lucy, Lafawndah & Stella

Back to school

The start of a new school year is an exciting time for kids, but it's even more exciting if the whole family is involved.  We were very fortunate that our first day went smoothly.  In fact, I didn't even feel a bump in the transition.  Over all I'd say it was pretty seamless for all of us.  One might think that a child enrolled in an online school might miss out on "first day anxiety, and all that excitement", but they don't, it's still there, and it's a gift to be able to share that with them.  It was fun to watch the kids excitedly chat with each other on the side bar in the virtual class room, while the teacher struggles to get their attention..... there are somethings that never change :)

Organize :)

or-gan-ize /awrgeniz/ v.tr. 1a give an orderly structure to. b  make arrangements for (a person). 2 (often absol.) a enroll (new members) in a labor union, political party, etc. b form (a labor union or other political group). 3  (esp. as organized adj.) make organic; make into a living being or tissue. DK Illustrated Oxford Dictionary

Sometime in the past year (I can't pin point the exact moment) I became that chronically late person, who forgets their own doctor appointments, never calls anyone back, and empties their inbox into the recycling bin.  My kids, on the other hand are never late, always clean & fed, and rarely miss a planned activity.  So it's not like I'm absent minded, my priorities are just very clearly defined (in my mind at least), the kids come first.
With school and fall activities starting, everyone seems to be struggling to "get organized".  After having made myself aware of the formal definition of the word, I'm convinced it's one of the most popularly misunderstood words in an average persons vocabulary.  Being one of those people who thrive on chaos, I'm not sure I'd want to inflict myself with "orderly structure" or "a labor union".  So rather than be organized I'll instead strive to achieve some sort of balance that accommodates all the demands of family, work, and my child's education.
To get this "balancing act" up and rolling, I picked up a salon appointment book from our local beauty supply house. These types of schedule books are very efficient for us, ours has a column for each member of our family.  I know the idea of an actual appointment book sounds old school, but trying to manage four peoples lives on a cell phone just doesn't work for me (just making a phone call with a rambunctious baby on my hip is a challenge)   Next I figured out what can be eliminated from our tight schedule to make room for the new activities that are starting, then I filled in the "etched in stone obligations", and we'll just work on it from there.  Within the next few weeks, I fully expect that each little 15 minute interval of time will fill in, and before I have time to acknowledge that I've achieved a balance, summer will be here again :)

Birthday Party Craziness

This year I am going to combine the birthday parties of my two children, I expect this won't go well, but I intend to follow through with my plan anyway.  Why would I do such a thing? it's very simple, I need to preserve my sanity so I'll be able to endure their teen years in a dignified manner.   Planning an event for roughly 50 adults and approximately 35 children is something I only want to do once a year, it's a huge expense (and until I'm halfway through my 4th beer during the party) an enormous headache. 
So we started this planning process by selecting a date, and now we've moved onto trying to agree on a theme, cake, and food.  I really have no say in anything, so I just take notes and "make it happen".  So far I have: a request for a pig roast, no moon bounce. a half asst guest list, a request for a pony cake, moon bounce, and a sushi platter, an Ugly doll theme, and I also have a request that a pig NOT be roasted.
When I think back through all the events we've hosted, It surprises me that I still get overwhelmed, I should have this down to a science by now. I'm also amazed by how much our family has changed, our fantastic collection of friends is growing and out numbering our family members, and many of our family members are crossing over into the Friend category,  the unpleasant ones disappearing from the guest list.  Bringing everyone together to celebrate our children is a big deal for us and I'm looking forward to seeing the event come together :)