Just in case you didn't know what to do in Yellowstone

I got an email from Peter today about an upcoming vacation.  It was a list (he likes those).  Okay more like an itinerary.  One of the days looked like this...

Day 2  Yellowstone

• View geysers and hot pots
• View wildlife

 I'm tearing up right now as I chuckle to myself.  Does anyone else find this funny? 

Growing boys...

When did these two boys grow up?

Restless

I'm in that place again.  Restless.  I have plenty of things to do.  Trust me there is plenty of housework, laundry, dishes, organizing that needs to be done.  It's not my forte.  I try each day to focus on one area and get it clean.  But a whole house type of job is overwhelming to me and I shut down. So while there is plenty around here to do,  I feel restless on the inside, in my brain.  School kept me preoccupied for a few years.  Working took over when that was done.  But things are now in a rhythm and that's when it sets in.  I guess I'm a syncopated kind a gal.  Just need something on the offbeat to break things up a bit.

I have been inspired lately by friends and family who have taken up photography.  Learning about the camera, its ability to take images, learning about lighting, about exposure, and capturing emotion.  Its on the bucket list.  I want to learn earlier than later.  Just need a camera, time, lessons, and I should be good to go right?  So maybe this next year I will start looking into this kind of challenge.  But to start I need some advice.  So, budding photographers, and well experience ones too, tell me what kind of camera to purchase.  I don't want to do this professionally, but everyday, for my own enjoyment.  But I want it to be nice, not a quick pocket type camera.  Oh, I would take any advice on Internet sites, community classes, etc... that might help.

A Dancing We Will Go..

The girls had a busy day of DANCING!  Mom lost count how many times she ran the stadium stairs in between dances to help with costume changes.  The girls had a great time and their groups either placed 1st or 2nd in each category.  Warning...picture overload.

Erin and Brenna in their group costumes.  Brenna's won overall best costume in the competition.

Brenna is sitting in the lift on the left side

Erin is the last on the right.

Before their "Football" show.  The entire company danced in this one with young girls as cheerleaders, middle school age as referee, and high school dancers were the football players.  It was a great performance!

Brenna was asked to perform with the boys class.  She had so much fun with the boys.  Uh oh...

Brenna is second to the right.

Ending pose- Brenna and her partner on the right.  The crowd loved this group.

Piano Recital

It's that time again.  This year Matthew played In Dreams from Lord of the Rings and Erin played Boogie Woogie Goose.  They did a great job.  This was Matthew's last piano recital.  He has decided to stop lessons.  I am sad because I know he could go far if he would commit to it.  He is thinking about guitar lessons.  That makes me happy, because at least he is still interested in pursuing some type of music.  This was Erin's first recital.  She did great.  I see talent.  I hope she continues to enjoy piano for a long time to come.

Immediate Impact x2

I am whispering...4 awesome days in a row people.  I think that maybe those peppers will end up rotting in my fridge and I will get to throw them away before a second use is needed.  I know it won't last, but the past 4 days have been a little slice of heaven in this house. 

On another note... I helped out in Sunbeams at church today (3-4 yrs) and one little girl looked at me very carefully and then in a full voice said....YOU ARE OLD!  YOU ARE A GRANDMA.  I said yes, I am old, no, I am not a grandma.  Then she ignored me for awhile.  Then she turned to me again and said YOU ARE REALLY OLD!   That's it... Botox here I come.  Sunbeams keepin it real.

Cruel or Effective Parenting

When my kids were little, saying shut up or calling names were not allowed.  As my kids have gotten older I find that these things are now creeping into our daily lives.  Not only do the kids use these words between each other, they have been turned my direction.  Still NOT okay.  I have tried taking away things, grounding, and assigning despised tasks.  It doesn't seem to be making much impact.  The talk back is getting much worse.  I get that as kids get older they feel the need to express themselves this way.  I want my kids to have good communication.  Thats just it...good communication.  Not bad mouthing whenever they feel the urge.  So, after a discussion with my mom she reminded me of a time when hot peppers were an effective way of getting her kids to keep their mouths in check.  I was older and didn't have the opportunity to partake in such methods.  But I have to admit, it sounded pretty good.  I weighed my options.  Decided I probably could sway a judge if ever hauled to court for cruel and unusual punishment.  Went to the store and purchased peppers.  Some mildly hot ones and some really hot ones.  This week I tried it and guess what?  It worked pretty well.  After a warning that was ignored, I cut off part of a mild hot pepper and made the child chew for a few seconds and then gave the option to swallow or spit.  I heard about 10 minutes of loud crying/yelling complaint.  I'm a horrible mother who tortures her children. Then silence. Other children observing from their rooms...they now know I am serious.  So, cruel or effective parenting?  Go ahead, I can take it.  I really want to know if I have crossed the line.