Rainy Saturday Brings Out Creativity

These figures were all created with just a pen, white paper and Kleenex.  Each one different from the next.  I am amazed at the simpleness of this project, yet it brought hours of good play. Madi is so proficient with organizing fun ideas for Sara and their friends.

A teacher with a book in her hand (made out of square pieces of paper) and a classroom with students of all types.

An airplane, a parachute girl, a bride, groom and a baby, a shopper and my favorite...the snorkeler (even with a mask) hehe.

 Madi also made these clay people and had fun switching their heads back and forth. :)

Giant Snowman!

This group of Juniors gets together twice a week around our kitchen table to study for Chemistry. Usually, they gather around 8 and study until 9:30-10:00pm. Tonight, they were just a little distracted. For the first time in the 2011-2012 season  --- We got SNOW!  FINALLY some white snow and not just a skiff on the ground, but finally enough to make a real snowman.
Jake's friend, Evan, is from AZ and living with a family in our ward for the school year.  He was just like a little kid in a candy store with all of the snow falling. Even without a jacket or gloves, he ran out and started rolling a giant snowball. It started from there...then more joined in the fun and for the next hour they were all building the biggest snowman. It took 5 guys and three tries to push up the second snowball for the middle and I'm not sure how they even got his head on.  He's almost 10 feet tall!

 

Evan, Jake, Megan, Courtney, Gray, Payton, Keaton

Jake and Evan added the face and I threw on the scarf.

Hot chocolate was waiting back inside -- YuMMy!

I really enjoy watching these friends work and play hard together. So glad they are such good
students and can afford a little playtime in between studies(haha).

As the girls were heading off to school today, I had to grab just one more picture:

Vintage Preference

We made it home quickly to see Jake off to the girls choice preference dance.  He didn't end up leaving until 5:30 so we had plenty of time to visit with him and help him get suited up in style.  It always amazes me how quickly guys can prepare for a date.  Jake showered earlier in the day so all he had to do was throw on the tux around 5:15.  He looked so sharp (70's style).
--Love the ruffle shirt --

Jake's date (Haylee) is wearing a prom dress that her grandma wore in the 50's.  It's beautiful and she felt so proud telling us about it. Also, she had old fashioned pins in one side of her hair that her great grandma used to wear.  She is a real lovely girl.  I know they will have a fun time together.

Preference 2012

just running in the rain...

We had such a fantastic day running - even in the rain. The temperatures were pleasant and that made us happy. Kayli had such a great time for her first half marathon - 1:49 WOW! Derek is a great running partner for her... although he said he had to work harder to keep up with her pace. She was thrilled with her results.

I came in first because my race was just a little shorter - really a lot shorter, but so fun!

Charging to the finish line.  They didn't even look tired.

My awesome parents came out and cheered us on even in all the wet weather.

Semester ends...ceramics fill the shelf.

Not demanding any attention or credit for what he has created and unbeknownst to me, Jake has been filling my china chest with these amazing works of art.

The fish is a spice jar - what a creative way to carry out the assignment.

A fortune cookie and a wedding jar.

Aclima and Santa Clara pottery...pyramid...

How can I choose which one is my favorite? Thank goodness I don't have to. They are all so unique and wonderful in their own way.  Nice work Jake - You have definitely impressed me!

Naaacho Parrrrrty........

We've had an ongoing joke about Nacho Libre with a few families in our neighborhood for a couple of years now.  If only we would had bought the luchador mask that we found in Mexico, we could have topped off the night.  Although, then we might have had some break out in spontaneous wrestling. 

Personal nachos for everyone created to each individual taste.  These children were very happy to be able to sit at the 'orphans' table.

"where are the chips? where are the spices?"

The PINATA: I only wish I would have taken a video of the craziness that came along with trying to break it.

 

The first adjustment. A little loaded down with too much candy. The rope had to be retied after the pinata just gave out and fell flat on the ground. 

The pinata now hangs from its side while the duct tape mends the hole in the top.

Sara's ready to take a whack at it.

Notice the fancy stick that Derek paid extra $ for...

Sara's third hit caused the stick to break and go flying... this stick is not scottish...

Nothing that a little MORE duct tape can't fix...or can it? A few more friends gave a try and we were laughing so hard as we watched the separate cones continue to fly off in different directions.

Madi was determined that something else needed to be done.  She grabbed the whiffle bat from the garage and finally cracked it open.

Candy goes flying everywhere and kids are scrambling to grab their share...

Thanks Derek for a grand time with a simple pinata.  Who would have thought we could be so easily entertained?

...and it's always good to end a party with a little horn blowing.  First, Sara took a turn with the brass horn.  Next, Derek brings out the horn his brother Greg brought from China.  The noise is horrifically loud and really sounds like it should be attached to a large ship out on the ocean.  Seriously...plug your ears!

One Last Christmas Surprise

When we returned home, this is the gift Sara found waiting patiently beside our tree. Yay, Santa didn't forget this long standing request. 

Mr. Bear feels very much at home, placed in a comfy spot ready to watch his first movie. Sara is in heaven with this new friend much much bigger than she is.