huh?

I'm not exactlly sure what to say.  Kate likes to dress up and some times she is more "creative" than other times. We happened to capture a moment here.

11/11/11

It was one of those momentous days that happen in our life and often pass by unnoticed. Never for one hundred years would the date be 11/11/11- I know I won't be around to see it again.

So how do we celebrate something so random and yet so unique?

We decided to have an 11 dinner.  Stay with me here :)

We went to the store in search of 11 items that could (with some imagination) be used to make an 11.

You wouldn't believe how many "options" there are.

What did we end up with?

1. A rectangular homemade pizza strategically sliced into an 11

2. Ditto on the cheese bread

3. Mozzarella sticks

4. Little Smokies

5. Asparagus

6. Stick Pretzels

7. Carrot Sticks

8. Shoe String French Fries

9. Braided snack sticks

10. Rigatoni Pasta

11. Pirouette (a straw like cookie with frosting filling)

Of course we ate with chopsticks and had 2 straws in our cups.

Most of the family took all 11 11s, but some chickened out and passed on a couple (especially the asparagus). But whether we ate all 11 of the 11s a good time was had by all- after all this is a once in a lifetime event :)

Hero Reports

This year Kate and Dallin participated in our homeschool co-op and both of them put together a presentation on their favorite hero for one of their classes.

Kate chose to share information about Annie Oakley.  She had the most fun finding interesting stickers to decorate her visual aid, but it was a good introduction to being in front of people and putting her ideas into an orderly presentation.

Dallin chose to research and present about Neil Armstrong.  Dallin has always been fascinated by space so that was a natural choice for him.  He's getting pretty good at putting together a report and did a great job.

Halloween 2011

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  I don't love this holiday.  Typically I am okay with one Halloweenish event, but some how we end up with a co-op activity, a ward trunk or treat, a couple of friend parties, and then of course trick or treating.  In the past I've managed to combine or eliminate some of these events and it's good. This year my kids were not having any of it.  They insisted on going trick or treating, and because we haven't really trick or treated for years- and maybe never if your definition of trick or treating is more than just every kid choosing one house to visit :).  This year I let them go up the street and back down.  They all agreed it wasn't all that great and I think we agreed that once in a lifetime is about all they need and now we will find another option each year.

That doesn't mean we won't dress up and participate in a Halloween party or two, but the less candy we bring into our home the better.  So here they are the photos to prove that I actually let the kids go trick or treating.

Clavinova Festival

The kids had a chance to participate in a fun piano festival this year.  Their teacher had a loaner Clavinova piano that she let the kids use.  They learned how to program multiple tracks and sound effects into a song they played and then dressed up and performed for a festival in Dallas.

Dallin played the Waltz of the Vampires.

Lauren played the Toy Makers Dance.

Smarty Pants

Lauren's Halloween costume this year-  Get it? Get it?

The Texas State Fair 2011