Geography Champ

 It is not without a lot of pride that I post this.  Brendan has been working his way up the geography chain for a few weeks within his classroom competition.  He told us last week that he had made it to the school final!  The top two students from each 4th and 5th grade class got to compete yesterday in the school geography bee.  The final two students were also the top two in Mr. Kelly's class.  Drew was first place in the class and Brendan 2nd.  Brendan has put the questions somewhere, probably in his backpack, so I can't quote it word for word, but the final question had to do with the Three Gorges Dam being on what river that empties into the Eastern China Sea. The contestants write down their answers and have 15 seconds to do so.  Brendan wrote "Yatong See".  Pronunciation and spelling do not count against you as long as it can be determined that you knew the answer.  The answer: the Yangtze River! 

Way to go Brendan!  We are so proud of you.  Next he takes a written test to see if he qualifies to go to the state competition.  Wish him luck!

First Row: Mr. Kelly and the contestants getting ready; Mrs. Miller (assistant principal) making Brendan think!
Second Row: the contestants hold up their answers; Mrs. Miller gives another question to Brendan; the final two, Drew and Brendan
Third Row: Mrs. Murray (principal) and Mrs. Miller congratulate Brendan on winning: Brendan and his super supportive buddy, Peyton  (who was also a finalist); Brendan shows off his medal.

He also won a wonderful atlas to help him study for the next level.

Let the Birthdays Begin!

Between December 30th and January 31st, there are 8 birthdays on my calendar.  It's almost it's own season!  The first of the new year is Karl's on January 3rd.  Tacos and chocolate cake on the menu! 

Clockwise from top: Brendan chows down; family birthday picture; cake face; "44" was easier than 44 little candles; balloons; early morning birthday tackle/hugs for dad before work.

HNY 2013

As I was driving to work on New Year's Eve, I got to watch the fireworks from the ski resort on Big Mountain.  Having 20 minutes of quiet time in the car on the way to work gives you time to reflect on things.  As I anticipated a busy night, as the hospital had been filled to the rafters for over a week, I wondered what all the fuss is about.  Yes, we turn the calendar over, but is it really any different than yesterday?  And does it warrant the drunken and disorderlies that come to the ER about 2 am, with or without firework involvement?  Wouldn't it be great if we made a bigger fuss over starting each new day and seeing it as what it is, a gift, a chance to live it to the fullest and end it with no regrets?

At midnight on January 1st, 2013, I was in the room of a 91 year old gentleman, ringing a small bell I had brought from home (a date we had made the night before to ring in the new year together).  I wasn't with my family, but it was still the most meaningful New Year's Eve party I have ever attended.

Toy Soldiers

A toy that never seems to go out of style and that entertains little boys and their dads endlessly.

Christmas at Our House

Christmas morning proceeds at a pretty leisurely pace.  Luckily, our kids aren't ones to wake up at 6 am or even the 5 am as I remember my sisters doing.  No one has to get dressed until they want to either!  Very informal.  Dinner this year was prime rib, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole.  We actually forgot to have dessert! A blessed day with nothing to do except enjoy being together.

Clockwise-ish from the top: Chad enjoys his new bed; Brendan on fire for the Kindle Fire; Rita and Anthony into the stockings and rejoicing at what they find; Mojic attempts a hula hoop (I think she actually managed one revolution by the end of the day); me snuggling with my boys; playing cards after dinner; Mojic, Niall and Brendan; Mojic and Rita coloring at Rita's new princess table; Granny sneaking a peek.

And me?  I got all Spartaned up for Christmas!  A climbing rope, a pullup bar and a jump rope for training and the movie "300" to keep me in the Spartan Spirit!  Thanks to my supportive family for encouraging me in the journey from couch potato to Spartan.

Sledding on Christmas Eve

We loaded up the sleds and headed to Herron Park for a couple of hours of sledding on Christmas Eve. A great way to tire out kids (and adults) to get them to bed early on Christmas Eve. And on a personal note, I haven't had this much fun sledding for years!  I worked out a the gym that morning and still was able to haul kids on sleds and make multiple climbs up the hill and not feel tired.  That itself was worth every drop of sweat since I started training for the Spartan Race.

Clockwise: Anthony being pulled by me and Karl pulling Rita across the field; heading up the hill; Niall and Rita-ready, set, go! Karl, Teresa (in full winter battle gear) and Niall.

Clockwise: Brendan coming down; Niall wiped out; Teresa hiking through the snow; Brendan wiped out; Mojic (also in full winter battle gear) wiped out; here comes Anthony; Brendan wiped out; Brendan face first.

Tiny Dancer

Rita started "story book ballet" at Noble Dance in the fall.  She has a natural lean frame and is super flexible, so I think she will be an amazing dancer if that is what she chooses.  At the moment she is starting to talk about gymnastics again.  Here are some pictures from the December open house.

They start class with a story and a little tea party.  The stories are about ballet and/or manners and they practice manners while having "tea".  Miss Carol does not tolerate unladylike behavior from her girls.  Then they do stretching and warm up. Next they work on a skill and finish class with free movement.

Clockwise from bottom center: Story time; instructions and manners time; lining up to perform a skil; the little cutie 2nd in the line continually made funny faces in the direction of her mom (who was sitting next to me), she was so cute! Rita gets ready and does her big jump; stretching; Rita posing by the star angel; and center, the girls got ready for their "big show" by putting on tu tus and makeup (a little lip gloss).  After all, we must prepare for the show!

Poor Rita has such a tiny waist that none of the tu tus stay up for very long.  She had great concentration though, because she didn't notice that by the end her tu tu was down around her buns!.  I love my Tiny Dancer!