Their name in Lights!

Joe and Peter auditioned for and got roles in the Missoula Children's Theater Group play, "The Frog Prince", at Terminal Park. The group, MCT, started in Montana and is a traveling, all inclusive, theater group that provides direction and an adult cast member for each play. The auditions are on Monday after school, with rehearsal's all week, and performances on Friday and Saturday. A.MAZ.ING! A mother's dream!



Best things about it:
Peter auditioned and participated, as a purple spider in a group of Swamp things, and LOVED IT:




If you know Peter (my most anxious and shy child), then you know that's huge:




Joe, the one with the crown, found a new passion, Drama (with a capital D, that rhymes with P...):



He played the Castle Frog, and did a great job (not that he's dramatic or anything):



And the other best thing is that Mark was home to see it! The boys had lots of other support too, their siblings all came to it, grandma and grandpa made it, and Sis. Jones came and laughed at ALL the right spots!

School has arrived!

School has started again, and yes, I am a little late posting a "first day of school" edition...better late than never!

My children have been blessed with good teachers. A few of them have even been great teachers. I love being a part of their lives through school by volunteering, or helping with homework, or just being a listening ear. I love education and learning!


Here are my chili peppers, as I lovingly call them, on their way out the door. Except Thomas, who slipped out before I could get a quick pic!



The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book. ~Author Unknown



The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder. ~Ralph W. Sockman



Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school. ~Albert Einstein



Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. ~Chinese Proverb

4 more favorite summer activities...

1. Spontaneous outing to Seattle, via the light rail, with two of my teens:

Dinner at Red Robin's on the waterfront, a stroll along the piers, good company and a much needed break from the routine:


2. A trip to the Zoo with my youngest 3 boys and our friend Ryan:

Camel rides, baby tigers, animal shows and jellyfish...just what we needed:


3. Fishing expedition with our friend Jill (previosly posted):


4. Outing with just the boys with a stop in at a greasy burget joint, they make me smile:

And the race goes on....

Pinewood derby! The annual festival of all things race oriented. I'm a purist when it comes to this event, I believe that boys should make their own cars. Ever seen that movie about Pinewood Derby where the dad's are the ones that have to win??

Maybe it comes from some desire to teach my boy's independence, or maybe it comes from the fact that over the past 6 years, Mark is never been home for the entire process....planning, cutting, sanding, painting, fine tuning and race day. He's usually here for part of it, but never all. Whether it is a purely moral stance, or just laziness.... my boys do their own work on their car. Have I ever had a son who's car has stolen the show? Nope. Do my son's enjoy the process and feel good about their accomplishment....yes (at least they tell me they do!)

Long introduction over, here are pictures from this year's pinewood derby, car by Joe Carson. He's 10, it's his last derby!

A boy and his car:


Peter watching on, his turn starts next year:


The car:


Lucky boy got to have Grandpa and Grandma Cotton there, PLUS Aunt Laurie visiting from Utah!:

Once upon a time...

There was a bright, brilliant, boy who turned 10. He was not your average 10 year old, he had more sparkle than any other.

His family planned a fabulous party for him, with delectable cake, knee slappin cards, balloons and more:


After a rousing round of a joyful song, this sunshine kid took one look at those candles and knew they were his for the taking:


However, the candles had something else in mind for him. He huffed:




He puffed:




And finally blew out those candles:

Happy 10th birthday Joe!

Day #5

Jump:

Recipe for a happy boy

Recipe:
One part sunny day
One part rain free day
One part lighter outside for longer day
One trampoline
Add and mix well and you'll get...




...one happy boy: