Spanish

Madison has a Spanish test on Monday and spent the major portion of the day yesterday studying. To help her with her vocabulary, she put up all these little note cards labeling just about everything in the house that she knows. There are signs on shoes, doors, windows, even the dog's water dish! You can probably see the one on the television form the last post. It was great because there was lots of Spanish in the Chihuahua movie. Pretty clever!

Spa Night-- Chihuahua Style

Well, Jared's out of town so the girls and I had a spa and movie night. So we soaked feet, painted toenails, and watched Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Even Sydney got in on the bubbles (no nail polish for her though!) Sydney was glued to the tv once the movie started. She really likes chihuahuas apparently. We topped the night off with a dish of ice cream. Girls just want to have fun!

American Idol

Adios, Jorge. I guess "Never Can Say Goodbye" was probably not the best song choice. How sad to sing that as your farewell song! Maybe they will make Idol Latino and he can win that. And as for Jasmine, she's young and super cute. She definitely has a future. Disney should call her up tomorrow. I think they need an African American Disney princess anyway. Can't wait for next week!!!

The Curse of the Group Project

This was me on every group project ever assigned at school. You know they always put the control freaks with the slackers. Why must teachers feel the need to torture us so? I asked once in a college level group project to change partners and the instructor actually paid me to stay with the guy. I still hate group projects. I don't even want help making the bed.

Poo to you too!

Here's a funny picture! When Jared and I were on our walk Saturday morning, we passed several other people walking with their dogs. They all had the leash in one hand and the poo pick up bag in the other (usually post poo). So when we passed all these friendly walkers, they of course would smile, say hi, and wave. That is where it gets a little awkward. They can't really wave the leash hand, so what do they do? They wave the poo. I just say hi and leave it at that.

Spring Forward, Look Back

Ok, I know, it's been a while. So I thought before we spring into a new season, I could look back at what we've been up to lately.

School Stuff: Both girls had writing activities with school. Gabrielle spent a day at the University of Missouri at a unique writing conference for kids her age. Madison had been working on a writing unit called "Snap Shots." They wrote and had access to a professional photographer to make a book of poetry and short essays. recently when the books were back from being published, they had a "black and white party," where Madison was chosen to read one of her poems (about her sister!) As an experiment for her EEE class, Madison spent an entire school day being a mute. Other kids had to be blind, deaf, or could not use a limb, but Madison could not talk. She wrote on little dry erase board all day. I am sure it helped them appreciate how "able" they all are. Last Friday Madison played in a flute ensemble at the Central Methodist University music festival. They performed "Musette" by Bach. They were judged and received a "1"!! Gabrielle will get to participate in this next year. She helped by practicing at home with Madison.

YW Activities: The girls spent last Saturday afternoon at the Stake Young Women's conference. They had classes, did service projects, had a fashion show, dinner and a special guest speaker. I got to spend some of the day there teaching one of the work shops. I taught the 12-15 year olds a class on preparing to babysit. It was a lot of fun! At their last Wednesday night activity the girls made the cutest bags out of a place mat. They are the perfect size for scriptures and books. They have such talented leaders that are so great to teach them new skills their mother does not have!!!

Family Fitness: I was looking around the house this past week and weekend and thought, "This place is starting to look like a gym!" There are barbells in the bedroom, yoga mat in the living room (ready for wii fit) and the big yoga body balls (2) are always around. Oh yeah, and we had to get a step. Jared and Madison have been working out with "My Fitness Coach" for the Wii. I am sticking with the Wii Fit and balance board myself. Mia (the little dog) tried to pick up one of Madison's smaller hand weights before quickly dropping it back down. She is going to stick to the squirrel chasing work-out. Gabrielle works out on the Wii Fit too where her fitness goal is to actually gain some weight. Pass the brownies, please.

Other than that, not much has been going on. Just the usual dinners going in and out of the oven and loads of laundry going up and down the stairs. We are looking forward to March Madness, Spring Break and a St. Louis temple trip with the youth. Jared has been in study mode lately and is getting ready to take the next section of his CPCU next Wednesday. I have a few random pictures I'll put up here. Hopefully it won't be too long before my next post!

Here's a yummy sorbet I made for a family night treat:



and Madison on her day with a handicap:



and Sydney on laundry day relaxing between loads (literally)!

Lunch at the Museum

Jared and I drove to Kansas City on Valentine's Day and went to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. We had lunch at their Rozzelle Court Restaurant. I love the atmosphere, the food, and the beautiful setting of the art museum. It is like sitting outdoors in an Italian style courtyard.


We looked at the art after lunch. Their collection is vast, but my favorite are the Chinese works. It was a perfect way to spend Valentine's Day. Of course there's no flash photography in the museum, so I did not take too many pictures. But since it was Valentine's Day, I thought this one was appropriate : Oh yeah!