A Beary Happy Celebration!

Due to the girls' pending Destination Imagination competition, they did not have a birthday celebration with their friends until this past Saturday. For some reason (maybe that they are girls?!) they had come up with the idea to go to the mall for their party. As a mom, I just didn't think that sounded like a lot of fun so we decided to do a Build-A-Party at the Build-a-Bear store instead. They did also have a chance to go to a few stores, though. The six girls had a lot of fun and shared a lot of laughs! Erin had been eyeing a bear at the store that can be plugged into an MP3 as it has speakers in it. Lucky for her, they had just marked it down 50% so that is what she chose. Complete with a surf board (they didn't have skiis!), swimsuit and an outfit.....and of course....a TEXTING PHONE!! Since she cannot have a cell phone....she will get her bear one! =-) Emily immediately found a cute puppy that she named FUDGE and dressed him up in a fisherman's outfit complete with a fishing pole.....and fish on it! Emily got a bear from Auntie Al about six years ago and since that one is a girl she needed a boy to go with it!! Each of the girls also got a keepsake autograph bear that they all signed. Before leaving the store, each of the six girls had to raise their right "paw" to take an oath to promise to love their new pal and take great care of them. To complete the party, Emily and Erin had asked for a cookie cake from the mall....and they were able to get it with a frosted peace sign. Each of the girls that came also got two cake pops decorated with purple and pink nerds candies on them. They just told me this morning that NOW they can say they are really NINE YEARS OLD! They had a blast but I think I may have had just as much fun watching six little girls have so much fun!

Pulled in two directions.....

Yesterday, Trevor had a VEX Robotics competition while Emily & Erin had their Destination Imagination competition. Terry was able to be with Trevor at his competition while I was with the Destination Imagination team. Both teams did an excellent job!

Trevor's team's robot had been completely programmed and running great until Thursday night's practice. Then, for reasons that I don't completely understand (sorry!) the arm ceased to lift. Friday night's practice was to go until 5:30 but he and Terry ended up at school until 7:00 trying without success to get it to work. But, they were able to get out on the field and "play" defense for their alliance. Despite this, Trevor's team placed 23 out of 54 teams! I think that is terrific especially in light that this was only their 2nd competition!! Great job, B.E.A.S.T!!

Our Panther Attack Destination Team tied for fourth place out of 12 teams in our Challenge. Their challenge was "Triple Take Road Show" in which the team of seven students had to write their own script that told a story/marketed a product in three different ways, three different times to three different pretend audiences. Also incorporated into this had to be two different forms of transportation as well as a technical spectacle developed by the team. This all had to be performed before judges within an eight minute time frame. The team that I managed chose to make a steam engine and Pegasus for their transportation. For the technical part of it, they made a robot costume fitted with pieces from an old hard-drive. On the top of the head was an old smoke alarm that was functioning! They also did a great job on their instant challenge. Great job, PANTHER ATTACK! Two weeks worth of recesses gone, five months of Wednesday practices.......all your hard work shows!!

Robotics Open House

Last night, Trevor's VEX Robotics team held an Open House for the sponsors to come in and take a peak and what they have been working so hard on. The girls and I met Terry there to see what Trevor's team had created and they were able to show us the completed product along with the programming they had done. There are a few gliches to work out yet, but they have come a long way since their first competition the end of January. They will compete again this Saturday along with 50+ other teams so it will be HUGE day for them.

During the competition, they have 20 seconds of automic time in which their robot must move completely by programming---no hands on the controls. After that point, they will spend 2 minutes working the controls by trying to get those rings onto the posts to earn points.

Good luck, Trevor. No matter what, you and your teammate(s) have worked very hard and until the very last SECOND of practice every day. (I know this because you two are the LAST ones in there!!!!)

Double the Birthdays, Double the Fun!!

Where has the time gone? Today Emily and Erin are turning 9 years old. This year we decided to send in birthday treats on two different days since they are in the same classroom. That way they get their own "birthday time" at school as they don't always like to "share everything"!!

Emily chose to make sugar cookies in a mini-muffin tin and frosted them green for St Patrick's Day followed with a good dose of sprinkles. Erin helped make cake pops for her birthday treat.

We had the family over on Sunday to help them celebrate. It was my first attempt at making a giant cupcake cake. They were happy with the outcome so I guess that is all that matters! The day before their party, they went to Chicago with Uncle Levi and Aunt Kayla as a total surprise to them. Erin does NOT like surprises but I know she was totally thrilled with this one! A big THANK YOU to them for this day.

Happy Birthday, Emily! You are a very special little girl - keep being sweet!

Happy Birthday, Erin! You, too, are a very special little girl - don't change. Always be true to yourself!

We love you both!

Bits-n-Pieces

This past Friday afternoon, Emily and Erin had a surprise birthday trip with Uncle Levi and Aunt Kayla. It was bugging Erin BADLY (as she does not like surprises!) but we managed to keep it all a surprise!! Their trip took them into Chicago, on a Metra ride, taxi ride, tour of the Hancock Observatory, lunch at a cheesecake place (yumm!) and then on to the American Girl Doll store there. Pictures to follow....... Needless to say, they were thrilled!!! Emily generally keeps her true feelings very well hid but, thankfully, Uncle Levi and Aunt Kayla realize that!! She does TRULY LOVE her present!! Erin, however, told me that Aunt Kayla started asking her if she was the "huggy monster" b/c she gave sooooo many hugs of thanks!! =-)

Today, I had to take Emily in to the doctor (after her trip to IL-sorry Uncle Levi) as she has been coughing terribly and it isn't easing up at all. Last night, I listened to her breathe and..... Turns out she is having asthma probs...... So now she is using the neb machine as well for a few days.

Trevor went back to the doc a 2nd time for a rash he has been fighting to find out he has molluscum. Has anyone else never heard of this?! So he is on meds to fight that infection that is a result of too much itching.

Spring break is over......Two of the three kids are sad to see it end. I took the kids out to the ski/snowboarding hill near us, we went shopping, and just enjoying our time together. Now on to another BUSY week before the girls' DI competition on Saturday and Trevor's VEX Robotics competition on Saturday!!!

Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting....

In honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday, I made the elementary school birthday bulletin board in his honor! I also learned that it is more difficult than one would think to make a purposely crooked birthday cake out of paper!! Emily also helped me make these little "Green Eggs & Ham" treats to send to school.

Day At The Museum-photos

A Day At The Museum!

The entire sixth grade class took a field trip to the Milwaukee Public Museum. Since the school needed a limited number of chaperones and they were taking them on a first come first serve basis, Trevor insisted that I return my request immediately!! I am taking advantage of the fact that he still wants me to come along (and even sits with me on the bus yet!!).

I was in"charge" of a group of four boys. Ahhh...what fun! All of them had a great interest in science so it made it so fun to tour the museum hearing their excitement over each floor. Sadly, due to our two hour bus ride (each way), our time was limited to 30 minutes per floor followed by an IMAX show. Trevor's favorite part of the museum was the butterfly room...he had several butterflies on him at one time while some students tried to avoid getting any on them at all!

It was a day full of history and education and fun.....and, of course, great photos!