We Survived: The First Week of School

Jake - First Day of 8th Grade

The Three of us in the bathroom - Waiting on Sami (can you find me?)

Sami, the first day of High School!  9th Grade

Yep!  There they go!  Caught them before they did the big split because of my camera

Hello long lost blogging friends,
These photos are from Sept. 4th, the first day of school.
I always forget how crazy our school schedule is.
The weekends are heaven compared to the weekday of getting these two out of bed and out the door in time for 'getting' them to school and me to work.

Since Sept. 4th we have added to our plates:

•  Sami playing High School Soccer.  She has a game in La Grande today that I will drive over the hill to go see.
•  Jake has decided he would like to play Middle School Football.  He is in 8th Grade and has NEVER played before.  Should be interesting, considering he is the smallest guy in his class!
• Me? Surgery.  Yep.  Scheduled for September 25th.  Three things to be done to me.  Boobs, girly parts, and that 50 thing. JOY.

There you have it!  I'll be back again with other photos, and need to get some addresses for my book plate giveaway!

Moxie Fab - I Want to Ride My Bicycle Challenge #2

Sami's Rad Ride
(click on image to see journaling, etc.)

So... I had a moment of inspiration and was playing around with some more bicycle goodies for the Moxie Fab I Want to Ride my Bicycle Challenge, along with the packaging from some Prima flowers, and the bicycle images on the back of a Studio Calico promo piece. There I was, moving things around, and what was to be a card was morphing into a cool title and then I remembered the photos from Cycle Oregon - when Sami's 5th grade class got to ride in the race for a couple miles! Way cool!!!! And, that my friends, is how this layout came to being!

The challenge requires that you use a bicycle in an innovative way. I'm going for the 'bikes as part of a title' technique (It's new! Flashy! Bold! Moxie Fab? Um.. Yeah.). What you don't see, is my attempt at making watermarks on the cardstock with Versamark and the back of the bike tires from the cool Jolee's sticker. I thought it would be cool to have bike tires as my background. But, alas, that did.not.work. But I tried:)


So sorry for the brightness - I took the photo outside, in direct sun, but heck, we finally have sun!

Supplies:
Red Bicycle Dimensional Sticker- Jolee's by You
Adhesive Chipboard Alphas - K&Company (I love these!!!!)
Recycled bicycle promo piece, Fab Rips, scallop border sticker and journal stickers- Studio Calico
Card Stock - Stampin' Up
Sharpie Marker

Thanks for looking!!!

Where Did I Stash the Valentine's Day Candy???

Jake's Valentine Notepads
Girls get the cute ones (embellished with felt goodies and ribbon)
Boys get the dinosaur or surfer ones (no hearts allowed! He covered up the cute cover).
Note: Boy child did not want any frills!
Nada.
He is now,a full fledged man child.

Sami's Decorated Secret Lunch Box
So, we had to find a box (stashed Christmas Slippers box - check!)
Decorate it (My daughter's work - check check)
Make a fun nutritious lunch (hey, isn't that a oxy moron?)
I know.. I am such a cynic.


Mom's Lunch Idea:
I suggested cute egg salad sandwiches (farm fresh eggs!)
cut into heart shapes, accompanied with orange slices.
There was a slight meltdown.
We have whole grain wheat bread in our house.
You thought I had poked my daughter's eyes out
to even suggest that some 'normal' child that is raised on white starchy carbohydrates
would have to have a sandwich made with our bread! And oranges!
And apparently, no one else on the planet eats egg salad.
Humf.
Daughter's Behind My Back Fixins:
The lunch was a peanut butter (organic) and jelly (organic) sandwich,
cut into hearts, and made with our yucky bread
and a banana.
No doubt the child who picks it will starve.
I threw in a cute embellished treat bag of M&M's.
THAT made the world right:)

Oy...

Project 365 - Day 41
My work Area
My go to happy place

****************

So.. Last night was February 10th... And the night 'we' had to get any school Valentine's Day projects done for today's festivities (my kids do not have school on Friday's).

So, here's how it all played out, again. Reminds me of Halloween!

5th Grade Teacher sent home list of kid names for school party. She get's an A+. This was done a week ago. I love organized teachers!

6th Grade Teacher sent home a paper YESTERDAY with child - (as in the day before the event!*) that had two things on it:

• Instead of doing Valentine's, we will be having a Old Fashioned Box Lunch Party tomorrow (oh how fun!!!). Please have your child decorate a box, and bring a fun, nutritious lunch to school in the box. Also, the lunches will be auctioned off! The kids will be purchasing the decorated boxes with tokens. (Slight problem.. We live 17 miles from town, and child got home close to 5pm. WE had to wing it! No last minute shopping allowed!)
  
• We will also be going to the Elk Feeding station. Have your child dress warm - we will be on a horse drawn sleigh for 2 hours. Umm.. It was snowing when we went to bed, and snowing when we woke. Ever notice how older kids do not like to bundle up? I mean, you just can't dress them anymore! My child did have snow shoes on when she left. I'll give her that. But, I'm probably up for another Mother of the Year - Don't you Know Jack award!
  

*Footnote: OK.. I love the 6th grade teacher and the activities she puts together.. But the DAY BEFORE??????? Now, maybe the note actually went home on Tuesday, instead of Wednesday. Tuesday was the day I took Sami to the dentist, and she never made it to school, and we were in town and could have shopped!!!! How I wish these teachers would just send an email note!

So.. Back to the title of this post. I know I bought some cute Valentine's Day candies! But where the heck did I stash them? I'm feeling an emergency chocolate fix!

Project 365 - The Random Approach - Day 29(b)

Butterfly Kisses

The Chef

Sami made some goodies for her 6th class' 'cake raffle' fundraiser - this all happened yesterday. We were out of the petit four wrappers and had to make some custom ones - enter the EK Success scallop paper punch and parchment paper (cooking stuff)... and several hours of tender loving care!

These little babies are itty bitty cupcakes.. Not sure what to call them. The pros in the crowd will have to help here...

So, after the hussle and bussle in the kitchen, off to school we went. We sat there from 3pm 'til 5pm selling raffle tickets at the Basketball Games..

Then rushed home to meet the boys and headed to LG for the showing of Food Inc.

More on that later..

First Day of School - Mom of the Year Award and... 400th Post!!!

Sami's Locker
First Day of Middle School

Sami set up her locker - and would NOT let me take a photo of her next to it!
See that note on her board? I wrote that when she was in her first class.
It was to be a surprise...

Ready for the Mom of the Year Award???????
Later that night:
Me: How was your first day?
Sami: Good! (proceeds to tell me about everything)...
AND, I had to get a lock for my locker (they are all unlocked).
SOMEONE got into mine and wrote on my board!
Me: Silence - followed with guilty look.
Sami: Was it YOU???
Me: Yes! I wanted to surprise you! I guess I should have signed it!
Sami: Hmm.. You know, I thought that it was you.
(Later) ... Mom, could you sign your notes with "M".

So. I've been demoted from mom, mommy, and momma to M.
At least, when it comes to my notes!
(I'm still all those things at home)

Jake's First Day
(He's the one in back)
Settling in. Not knowing a soul. Well, except for a girl.
He does not want to be seen with any girls!

Jake's school
The Elementary is actually three buildings.
My little guy is in here!

Sami's First Period Class - Science
I know her teacher! Turns out Sami really likes her teacher, which
she has for three different classes.
Yeah!
OH.. I had to sneak this photo.
What you don't see?
Sami is sitting alone at this desk.
I hated leaving her like that!

Sami's New School
This classic old building houses the Middle & High School students,
as well as the cafeteria for all of them and the Elementary students.
Middle School is downstairs.
High School is upstairs.
They Gym is next door.
**********

Sigh...

Well, it's extremely quiet at the ol' homestead.. My partners in Crime are back at school.

Monday was their first day and boy was it hard for all of us! I was nervous for them.

Why?

1. New School - We moved both our kids to a new 'school' which in reality - are three schools together. Jake is in a new Elementary, Sami is now in Middle School. As I said before, it's a Charter School. This is the first year of it being a Charter School and everyone is confused! (OK, I may be speaking out of turn.. But they have no idea when open house is, etc. Things like that!).
   
2. It's all New - Teachers, buildings, other kids. Finding classrooms, fitting in, and not looking like your mom is treating you like a little kid. THAT is how Day 1 was when I took the kids to their new schools! Both kids were scared... both did not want me taking photos, and both (secretly) really did not want me to leave. Clingy but not wanting to look clingy.
   
3. Ever feel out of it? That's how I felt! NO idea on the bus schedules, when school gets out (it's different for both kids), where the kids get the bus after school, etc. CRUD. I like to go into things prepared! I had to call on Friday to get some answers. And, it's all being worked out!
   

Yesterday was my Chicken Run Tuesday. It was quiet without my buddies! No noises. No arguing. Lots of elbow room in the truck.

And no run to A&W for our Root Beer Floats...

Sigh...

School just came too early for me!

OH! This is my 400th post! Crazy, eh?

I'll come up with a little surprise later...

Thanks for listening...

It's Official! Summer Is Here!

Our Pool
(Not really... But we call it that! This little gem
of the best kept secret is at an RV Park/Camp Ground in Town!)
The California/Missouri girl in me has to have an outdoor pool.
I grew up in pools! Whole lotta swim time...

The Big Pool in town is indoors.
After all, Winter is so so so long...

The Guppy
His shorts are bigger than him!

My Summer Toes!
Man, check out those awesome clouds!!!!
I Love clouds.
Big puffy white clouds.
And Thunderclouds.
Which came by later.

My Summer Whites
See those empty white chairs across the way?
It was just us!
1 hour of pure bliss!!!!
(between lamb feedings)

Last Day Activities at the School
(Love that barn!)

Cute Fish!
I want her legs..
Youth is so wasted on the young!

Same Fish - at the Last Day of School Activities

The last day of school was yesterday!

It was a great great day - we even got to swim at Our Pool after wards..

.For the First swim of the season (after the first summer hair cuts (by a pro) and first ice cream at the local Ice Cream Parlor)!

Oh I love love love love summer!!!!!!

I'm so glad we made it to the pool. The kids were hot from their last day, and Jake - who ate 6 pieces of Pizza thought he was going to burst and really needed to move around! So tell me, mother's of boys, why do they do these things? Why make bets with your little pals to see who can eat the most pizza????? Gads.

This afternoon a Thunderstorm came through and rained cats and dogs after lightening and thunder...not a swim day.

Hopefully we will go back this Sunday....

Our pool is mostly empty... we love it... it's not really 'our pool' but it feels that way!

I am in a blissful world at the pool. It is relaxing... Hypnotic.. Paradise.

And the next best thing to a vacation!!!!!

A Quick Share... T Minus 8 minutes!

Shhhh!

The house is blissfully quite! NO TV! NO Radio! Heaven! I love a quiet house..

We are all head down in projects...making our Last Day of School (aka Last Darn Minute) projects for our beloved teachers, friends, etc. The kids have to be in bed in 8 minutes (well, after the 8pm bottle feeding) and it's crunch time! Tomorrow is the last day (only 1/2) of school!

• Sami is making jewelry downstairs at the kitchen table. Every now and then she freaks out and I run down to assist... So far we have raided my supplies for wire, and some good needle nose plyers to bend wire into itty bitty spots! Earings are hard to do!
  
• Jake - well you have to know him.. He is also at the table making boy noises while he molds glow in the dark silly putty into little men. Not sure if these are gift for other boys, or just for him! But he is busy and creating.. Along with those funny rocket noises!
  
• Dick - In his office doing office work. Not a peep...
  
• Me? I gotta get cracking on those last minute Teacher cards!

Oh.. Wanna hear my Mother of the Year moment? I was blissfully out mowing the lawn earlier today, and came in about 10 am. Did I mention today is just gorgeous????

So, there was a message from the school wanting to know if I was going to make the 'Student of the Lunch' lunch - (parents come eat with their children) to be with Jake, and if so, if I was going to eat cafeteria lunch or not! Uh.. Lunch is at 11:30!

CRUD! It was on my calendar but I am running a day late (dollar short)!
So, quick shower...
Bottle feed lambs...
Quick trip to the grocery store in the small town of Haines
And wella! I was at the table eating lunch with my boy!

Phew!

Ever have one of those days?

It ranks right up there with my earlier in the week stunt at the tooth fairly... Let's just say, the Tooth Fairy does not have a great memory in this house... She pulled a smooth one on Monday - let me tell you... sly hand manuever under the pillow, switch, and back behind the back!

Close!!!!

Only 8 More Days...

I just read the headlines.

Our schools are closing early due to budget shortfalls this year.... Since mortgages are being defaulted on in the bigger cities in the state, the State dollars from property taxes are less than projected.. and thus, the state dollars to the schools got cut... And, industries are shutting down...

Oh that's not all. There have been tons of meetings over the past months in anticipation of the shortfall. One elementary school in town is getting closed, one of the Middle school buildings is getting shut down, and all the elementary grades are being combined into like schools (1-3 in one school, 4-6 in another, etc.), and Kindergarten is moving to it's own wing in the High School... Crazy... OH.. and there was a 'draw straws' to see which teachers would get laid off. How fair is that? Some really good teachers lost their jobs while some OK teachers get to stay..

Families with multiple aged children could literally have their kids in multiple schools. The neighborhood schools are no longer. Except for ours. We are lucky. We are classified different since we are rural.

Our local taxes are up to snuff. Heck, in rural America, we are always in a recession! Seriously. Our median income in our County(total population 16,000) is $24,000. That is NOT a family wage at all. Believe me, as I job hunt, a $15/hour job seems like hitting the lotto!


OK.. Back to Schools:

Instead of getting out on June 4th, our last day will be May 28th...

One week earlier.

Yet, with Memorial Day on May 25th.. it's awfully tempting to say 'why bother' with a 3 day school week and instead hit the highway...

Who am I kidding? We can't afford a vacation!

Rats...

Perhaps we should enjoy every moment we can with our beloved teachers. We do have an awesome school. I love our itty bitty little rural school of only 80 kids for K-6th. And, the budget cuts are going to keep on coming... Who knows what will be in store for all of us next school year.

Sniff.

Wrap Up of Kid School Holiday Activities

The 3rd and 4th Grade Class Filling Out their Special 'Jennifer McGuire' Cards
Jennifer had some extra cards that needed a good home.
I volunteered the entire school to fill cards out
for a nursing home!
They are getting delivered tomorrow.

Teacher Gifts
The little boxes contain cookies that Sami and I made
(I just love these snowmen ornaments and wish I bought more!)

Santa Baby!
He always makes an appearance at our little school.
We were at the school until 9pm on the night of the Christmas Program
waiting for Jake to get through
the line for Santa.
He and his pals were at the end.
And, you know, he was more into his friends than Santa.

Jake on the left, and one of his pals on the Right
We have graduated to 'let's play on Santa's lap with friends'
instead of really telling Santa what one wants
Sami refused to sit on Santa's lap.
She is a big girl now.
Sniff.

Sami is in front, in the middle with her friends
Jake is in the back
Cute bowtie, eh?

Scoop front and center!
Our son is a little ham.
He is such a crack up!
There was a dance scene and he was really 'breakin'.
I'm talking major dance moves, New York Stage style.
I swear I saw him jump up in the air and attempt the splits!

The principle (who doubles as Sami's teacher) came over to visit
afterward and said 'Jake is such a good actor, I didn't realize
how fun he is!
Oh she will when he is in her classroom next year!
One of those 'cursed be the gift' things.

****************

So, we wrapped up all the school holiday activities (finally) last week!

1. First, we had the School Holiday Program - which was Dec. 11th. Jake was in the play on the stage (He was Scoop in the Christmas at the OK Corral, and Sami was in the choir singing.

Our little town lucked out with a clear night - meaning no snow.. The girls could wear fancy shoes and dresses without fear of sliding on ice.. Personally, I don't venture out without my Sorels. Fashion or not. Call me cautious. And a dork. But, I have landed on my tush before and I don't want to do it again!

2. Then, I helped with a project to have all the kids fill out special cards from Jennifer McGuire for a local nursing home.. Fun stuff! Each class completed them on different days. I helped in the 3rd/4th grade class.

3. December 18th: Lastly, the school parties, which means the last day of school and getting all the teacher gifts, bus driver gifts and favorite 'extra' teacher (music, etc.) gifts made, along with cards, and delivered! Jake's room celebrated Christmas Around the World. I took Mexican Hot Cocoa for the class. I had a little accident along the drive. Since the driveway was full of new snow, I 'punch it' when I back out so I don't get stuck. Oops.. Cocoa sloshed everywhere. Repeat performance while navigating the driveway and going over the cattle guard!

The Good News: Today my husband plowed the driveway so I can get out and go shopping tomorrow! The Bad News: Another storm is coming tonight! HA!

So.. Now the kids are home (have been for 4 days) and bouncing off the walls! You moms know the routine. It is CRAZY with anticipation of Christmas! Well, for all of us to be told. Thank Goodness for oodles of snow to play in! Sami has been building a fort in the backyard, and Jake has been busy catching a cold and then doing what he can to turn it into Pnemonia! I caught him outside deep in the snow, without his hat, and just covered. Crazy kid.

Just sharing our lives over here!

While The Cat's Away - Huffalumps and Woozles

Greetings From My World!
Yep. That's me in the reflection wearing my workin' mama rain gear.
Ranch style, that is.
No Jimmy Chew shoes here (or whatever they are called).
My husband has been out of town and the kids and I have been
assigned a few tasks in his absense.
Morning and Night.

A new Additon to the Household
This sweet little thing is Pumpkin.
Pumpkin has also created more work!

Some of the puppies
Don't ask me who is who. I give up.
Sami and Dick are in the endless puppy batch cycle.
I am loosing track of who is who. They all look the same
after a while!
Dogs. Black and White. All of them.
These guys are cracking me up. They have itty bitty growls and barks
for all the things that invade their space.

Snacks.
Mr. Sexton was a buying fool at the kids School Open House
this last Thursday. We (obviously) had a desert auction to raise bucks
for our PTCO's 'back to school supply' fund. Our parents do not
have to purchase school supplies. Our PTCO gives the teachers money
to buy (their own darn) class supplies. It's a win win. The teachers know each
student will be equiped. The parents don't have to shop.
The 'less fortunate' kids don't have to arrive without their needed goods if their parents are not in a position with money, or are flakes, drug addicts or selfish pigs. Some parents just really make me mad with the way they treat their children and their children's education. But don't get in the way of their fancy coffee drinks or big screen TV's! Uh uh.
Which happens.

The To Do List Left By Mr. Husband
OK.. These are the types of love notes my husband leaves me when he splits town.
Dude! Get a clue!
The kids and I have been 'lagging' on the check water thing.
But it rained 3/4 of an inch...
Not worried about it.

Dinner for Champions
The Corona is mine... All mine!
Friday night's dinner.
Whole Grain Mac & Cheese, with tasty whole milk and real butter.
When the boss is away, we indulge in highly processed white starchy carbohydrates.
I remind myself of my dad! When my stepmom would go out of town my Dad loaded up on twinkies and other tasty forbidden kid stuff.
Let kids be kids. At least once a year, eh?

Watching TV from the doorway
Carpets got cleaned late Friday. Oops.

Morning and Night Job
Putting up electric fence and taking down electric fence.
Twice a day.

The Huffalumps Moving from Yesterday's Grass to Today's New Grass
Life.. It's just so daily!

So...

My dear sweet husband has been out of town since about 11:30 am, Friday. Every time this man goes out of town I have grand plans about how much fun I am going to have while he is away! This usually revolves around hours of scrap booking and playing in my crafty zone with the least amount of work as possible!

Mr. Husband returns in 2 or so hours. Guess how much scrappy time I have had?

Nada...

We have been busy little campers over here at Casa de Sexton Ranches!

Here's the rundown:

1. The kids and I were given a job to do while Mr. Husband was out of town. We call it our 'Huffalumps and Woozles' job. You see, we 'get to' setup electric fence and take down electric fence, every morning and evening, and move the Huffalumps (Heifers) and Woozles (Direct Market Beef). This job takes us 'a while'. If you toss in going out the back 200, and feeding Jessie, the entire process takes 2 hours! In the morning at least. The pm job goes faster, because just the Huffalumps get moved at night. And of course, we have our usual chores as well. I'm not complaining though. Oh my gosh the weather is so darn beautiful right now! I love the drizze of rain, the smell, the clean air! Gorgeous!
   
2. It started raining Friday, about 5:30 pm. It did not end until sometime in the wee hours this morning. Puts a new twist on things... like, the Saturday 10:30 am soccer game the kids had yesterday. GADS! We had to husstle with our morning jobs, get to soccer, and they actually played in the rain the entire dang dong time. OH my.. It was the only game played at the Sports Complex! Diehard coaches. Our team has not yet lost a game. We are the champions.. in a 'nonkeeping score' YMCA liberal minded 'we are all equal' kindof way. Come on. Let us keep score! You know we all are!
   
3. The kids and I have been on an everlasting food fest. It started Friday.. I made the kids Mac&Cheese for dinner. A healthy one, of course. No, not really. Just slightly. We chased it with one of our four desserts that we got at the kids school Open House Thursday night. Yesterday we went out for Chinese Food for lunch, and had pizza for dinner. And then more dessert. (Burp.) OH.. and my little sister and I have been enjoying Happy Hour together! Fun... Even though we are 3,500 miles apart, I open a Corona, she makes a margaritta and we call one another and chat. Bliss. Sans the bloated feeling I have!
   
4. Oh.. let's not forget to mention the lastest addition to the household! Yep. Another critter! Friday morning Sami went with Dick after our huffalump 'how to' demo. They ended up at the barn, and Sami caught a baby kitten. Minature. On Friday. First day of freedom day became first day of kitty laundry day. I'm glad to say today little miss Pumpkin is potty trained. Alas.
5. And, not to be outdone by previous Husband Be Gone experiences, I scheduled a home improvement project. I do this everytime my Husband goes out of town! Something epic. Something I don't want to deal with on my own, yet find myself having to be available and supervise the help for several hours type of project. I had our carpets cleaned Friday evening. And, to prep for this event, I spent the morning hours vacuming and arranging things so the job would be easier for the project dude! What a dork I am. Why do I feel the need to make someone else's life easier? Dang. Well, the carpet guy arrived at about 3:30 pm and left at 5:30pm. I was plump tired after that. Which put a damper on Friday night's movie watching plans. Get it? Damper? As in wet carpets and furniture? Ha! I just kill myself sometimes! The kids watched a show upstairs in the doorway to Jakes room (why that room has white carpet is beyond me - and why we put our boy child in it is a testament to my lack of forward thinking) and I watched a mommy show downstairs, atop a sleeping bag, on the floor. Mrs. Pedigrew Lives for a Day. Super Movie!
   
6. Let's not forget the guests in my bedroom each night. First Sami on Friday night. Then both kids last night. Oh mama. But heck, they are so darn adorable! And no, they don't get to sleep in the bed. They have sleeping bags in the room. I do have my boundaries afterall.
   
7. Last night, pizza night for kids, and salad for mommy night (but caved and ate pizza anyway), we watched Nim's Island. Cuteness! Love the critters. Love the actors/actresses. Jody Foster, you rock!
8. This morning's after chores breakfast: Peaches and heavy cream, french toast with almond butter and syrup, coffee for mama, juice for kids... and I am so tired (or in a food coma, they feel the same)!

So.. off to napland for this camper!

Have a great rest of your weekend!

What a Party!

Cycle Oregon - 2,300 Bikes Come to Rural Eastern Oregon

The Facilities
You would be amazed at the amount of 'stuff' that travels from site to site
for Cycle Oregon! Location: Guyer property of Medical Springs Highway

Our School Informational Area
We set up an awning (normally used at the Farmers Markets by Sexton Ranches) and lined it with kid art. The 'A' Frame is an informational board about our projects for the school. That's little ol' me being an info guide.

Lunch was Eaten Anywhere
As you can see, there were lots of open skies!
Not much shade out in that country. The riders were found lounging in the oddest of places - sitting in the horse trailer opening where we dumped the trash, sitting on the backs of some of our vehicles, sitting in the display awning, anywhere shade could be found!

The Masses
I'm not sure what is with Mr. Atlas. Most riders do not have thighs like this dude.
Implants?

Part of our Crew!
This is part of our PTCO work crew at the begining of the day, all fresh and smiley. I'm the one all the way on the left! Cycle Oregon's theme this year was 'The Wild Wheeled West'. Oh boy, did they ever get a taste of the wild west when they 'got to' sit in this field to eat lunch! Lycra and stiff grass do not go together well! Ouchy Mama!
A whole lot of cardboard was passed around for seats.

Part of the Student Entertainment
The first rider came through about 8 am. What a hammerhead! A young guy, very nice. He took a lunch anyway. We started to scramble after that. And boy, were we hopping!
The trash kept filling up... lots of runs to the service truck for more supplies.
The school bus arrived about 11am - a very busy time!
Part of our little school of about 80 kids sang to the riders - just the 2nd 3rd 5th and 6th graders. The little guys stayed at the school. And, they skipped the 4th grade. I was bummed! Jake's class did not come out! Can you imagine the 'pumping up' I did about this event in my household????
Poor buddy..

The Field Trip
OK.. See the biker chic on the left? With the Baker City jersey?
That is my ever so cool friend Bev, of Bella Main Street Market in Baker City!
She is a rider. She is amazing. She is so darn wonderful! OK, she's HOT!
Bev came out to the school the week prior to give a bike safety seminar with another rider, Brian. Bev managed to get some helmets and safety equipment donated from the Oregon Department of Transportation. So, our kids were ready to roll!
See Sami? She is in the front, on the right, on her bike, pink shirt.
That would be Super Sami. She wouldn't wear my Pullins Jersey from my Chico rollin' days.
Oh well.
But I love that girl!
OH.. Back to the story.. (just a mommy moment there)
So Bev and Brian came out and met the kids (5th and 6th graders) at the site, to take them riding on part of the Cycle Oregon route!
Oh My God!!!!!
I used to ride, and let me tell you, I was one nervous cat.
(Before I learned who the guides were)
Single Lane?
Hand Signals?
On your Left?
2,500 riders????
Kids weaving in the lane?
Kids with abrupt stops in the road?

It was awesome! Thanks to Bev and Brian.
The kids had a blast and a few new 'cyclists' were born!

A View of The Road
Our location was off the Medical Springs Highway,
about 25 miles from Haines

This Chick Rocks!!!

Beverly Calder
Biker Chick Extraordinar,
Owner of Bella Main Street Market, Baker City
You are one Hot Mama!
Thanks Girl!!!!!

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Do you remember me giving you the head's up about our PTCO (Parent, Teacher, Community Organization - aka PTA) serving 2,300 bike riders for Cycle Oregon last Monday? I had volunteered our group to be in charge of one of the lunch stops, in exchange for $1,500 for our itty bitty rural school. Because of my 'we can do it' , my job was to get 20 volunteers to assist..it was down to the wire! We had all sorts of great folks helping out! Neighbors, Farmers Market Managers, moms, dads.. It came, it went, we all survived and it was a success!

What a Party! We arrived for work at 7 am. We worked until 3pm. Basically, we setup a city, setup all sorts of equipment, emptied trash containers, served the masses, broke down camp, and waived at our darling children as they arrived, biked, sang, and left. Oh the joys of being a parent who loves to 'be in the thick of things'!

I just love field trips.. And this was one HUGE kickin' trip!

And THAT was just the first week of school!

This week we have our Open House and Dessert Auction, along with three soccer games and a few ranch related projects to get out the door! ACK!

Just Little Ol' Me....

My kids are back at school.

No one is here at home but little ol' me.. It's quiet.

We had dinner at 'the table' last night (instead of with the TV and a movie) and sadly said goodbye to our summer.. Ribs, potato salad and corn for the menu... Table dinners are mandatory during school. No TV nights unless it's Friday or Saturday.

Kids went to bed at 8:30pm, instead of 9, or 9:30 or 10pm. All bathed, clothes out for school, soccer stuff ready at the door. Tonight it will be 8pm. Back to normal.

I got up at 4am. Got the kitchen ready. Put out the kids juice and fresh fruit (those organic peaches!). Dick made breakfast when he got up at 5:30... oatmeal, eggs.

Woke the kids at 5:40am. They got dressed.

Sami fed her calf. We both did outdoor chores. With 29 degree weather!

Loaded them up in the car at 7:10am and took them to school.

Did the first day of school routine. Chatted with other moms, kids, teachers, staff. Took some photos.

Here's My Favorite Part:
I happily terrorized the new cook . Yes, I am evil, but I have a bone to pick and it's a big one! (Remember, I am a real food advocate and despise the school food program). This will be an interesting year - I met her earlier at the Farmers Market when she was sharing her 'I'm so excited to be the new food services director' speal. Yep. That's right. She's the new Director. She mentioned she was moving to our little town. And, I recalled reading in the paper that they were going to have her 1/2 time cooking, 1/2 time directing... When I 'heard' the news that our beloved sweet cook was going elsewhere, I had a hunch that the district was up to something... Turns out my hunch was right!

When I introduced myself to Mrs. Food Service Director for the Entire School District (at the market) it was in response to the newspaper article that said the district was interested in getting local foods into the kids meals, to cut costs of course. Nothing to do with a healthier diet. 'Hi there, I sell local meat, and would love to help out', I said. She gave me some song and dance about the Government contracted food program - ground beef comes from California, and how she wishes she could do something local but gosh darlin' we have to buy that stuff! I also gave her the 'I can't stand that chocolate or strawberry 2 percent water they call milk' talk too.. Let's have real milk!

Anyway, this morning I reintroduced myself.. 'Remember me? We met at the farmers market! My friend (BFF Michelle was at my side) here and I are active moms and we will be helping you in anyway we can'. (There is a God... Bwah ha ha)... The principal had submitted my name along with a few others for membership on a Food Services related committee for the district.

Today, Mrs. Food Service Director For the Entire School District was real flustered because she did not know how to turn on the dish washer. Hmm... no homework prep, eh? Oh.. And are those canned peaches I see? I'll have to clue her in on the local organic orchard.

A new school year is upon us...

Last Day of School! Hello Summer Vacation!

Jake Doing a Face Plant after jumping over the limbo stick!

Jake and two of his 3rd grade pals

Sami's fish is in the middle

Waiting to go back for lunch!
Notice the snow on the mountains and the overcast sky?
This my friends is our Spring!

School of Fish
Each of the kids painted a fish and they were all hung up yesterday.
The colors are so vibrant and awesome! LOVE them!
Let's just hope the creepy 'bad' town kids don't vandalize them.

Sack Races - Sami is the one in the Hawaiian dress, hopping
See that wooden playground structure?
Our PTCO hopes to raise about $25,000 to replace it with a newer
up to code unit (The work never ends!).

Jake, on the Left - He won this race by a mile!
Nevermind that this boy had a nasty cold. He did not want to miss the last day, like last year! So, off to school he went. On the way home both the kids fell asleep in the car. We all took naps from our super fun busy last day of school!

Sami and Her 4th Grade Buddies
Sami flashing a peace sign - on the left
And that's my BFF - Michelle!
I do believe this is the entire class - plus one 3rd grader!

Hula Hoop Girl
Isn't she just the cutest?

Yesterday was the last day of school for my two kidlets! Hard to believe Sami will be in 5th grade next year, and Jake in 4th! Man, they grow fast! Our rainy nasty weather held for one day yesterday.. We were very lucky.. the sun even came out once or twice!

Our last day theme was a Luau with lots of fun outdoor games. The kids got to wear their real Hawaii clothes (from our 10 year anniversary trip - in '05)!. I'm afraid the clothes are going to have to be 'shelved' now... too small. I need to make something out of them. I refuse to give them up! Jake had a great suggestion - that we all go back to Hawaii! To get more clothes. I tell ya, with the way our winter and spring have been, I am game!

At the awards ceremony I was given a bouquet of flowers and very generous gift certificate to BELLA (our gourmet food and wine store) for my three years service as the PTCO President. This was my last year - I'll still be an active mom and attend the meetings, but we need new leadership and blood! Sami only has 2 more years and Jake 3, and it's time to pass the baton! I also got a beautiful hanging basket full of flowers from my kids teacher! Those of us that volunteer on a regular basis in her room were awarded this lovely gift.

So now we are officially on Summer Vacation! And yes, it is 'we'. When my kids are in school I feel I am in school also - since I help at the school, get the kids up, work with them on homework, and am at every event possible!

I love the summer! We are so relaxed about waking up, eating breakfast, and our approach to the day..Even though the kids have to wake up at 5:35 am to feed the lambs, it's still feels like we have officially started our vacation. After this morning's feeding Jake went back to bed and slept until 8 am.

The challenge will be to make sure we do something fun each week - instead of just our chores and ranch work, I need to make sure the kids still get to see their friends and explore other areas around us! That's the hard part of being on a ranch far from friends. So Wednesday's are going to be our vacation days... Next week we are having a slumber party! Woo Hoo!