Painting

When we moved into this house, we had painters come in and paint the main areas of the house. They did the kitchen, living room, stair case and upstairs hallway. These areas have very high ceilings and we knew we couldn't do it on our own. We also had all of the drywall fixed in the entire house. So, every. single. room. has places on the walls where the drywall was patched/fixed. This left us with a lot of painting to do.

We decided to start with the Alexandra's room. She really wanted to be a part of her decorating, so we told her to invite a friend over and they could paint. (this also got us out of having to paint the entire room - a wonderful benefit!)

They had a really good time. Of course, Alex had never painted a room before, so there was a large learning curve, but they did a great job for their very first time! 

I tend to have a difficult time letting my children do big projects like this, because I want them to do it MY way and have it look the way I want it to. I am really trying hard to let go more and let them do these things. I want to give them the skills they need to be on their own. I also feel that letting them do more will give them more confidence to try new things and take on bigger challenges. 

That is a lot of philosophy on painting a room, but I think it is true. Do your children work on big projects at your house?

Working Hard

Alex has been working hard to earn money for her spring color guard trip and EFY. A few weeks ago, we had a babysitting night here at the house. We made it a Polar Express theme and invited lots of friends to join us. Several families took advantage of the night off - we had 16 children attend! It was a lot of fun.

She has also been making cinnamon rolls to sell. I used to sell them and had a customer call and ask for some. I had not planned on doing any, but thought it would be a good idea to have Alex help me. We ended up selling 18 pans!

 

growing up

Last month, Corey and I were able to attend the temple with the youth in our ward. This was Alexandra's first visit to the temple. What a beautiful experience to be in such a sacred place with your daughter. I am so proud to be Alexandra's mother. She is such a valiant daughter of God. She makes great decisions and has a strong testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I can't wait until we can go again.

Color Guard

Alexandra participates in the Color Guard Club at her middle school.
These pictures are from a recent performance.

They use rifles and flags. She does so well with this! I am so impressed.
(it is difficult for me to get good pictures while she is performing...)

These are pictures from our little peanut gallery while we wait for her team to perform...
Daddy is constantly mauled by Lleyton.

Sophia and Noah play their DS games.

On a side note, my little girl is growing up. Today, a boy in Alexandra's science class asked her a question... "will you go with me?" (excuse me?!!?) "Um, no, I don't think so." (yea!!) "Oh. Well, can we still be friends?" "Sure."

Oh, boy. It has already started. I'm not sure I am ready for this. Heaven help me (and her father!).

daddy/daughters dance

They had a blast!

first band concert

Here is Alexandra right after her first band concert! She did such a great job! She plays the flute - she didn't want to get her instrument back out. We are so proud of her. She just started playing in August. Several members in her flute class take private lessons in addition to school band, but Alexandra doesn't. I was worried that she might be at a disadvantage. I shouldn't have worried...she is 2nd chair!

I impressed my children that night by taking them to my old friend's website. She is an accomplished flutist. www.jessicawarren.com (you should go listen!)

She is amazing! It was really fun listening to some of her music. My kids could not believe that I know her and talk to her on facebook. It was fun. :)

rules

I found this note on Alexandra's door the other day. I loved it! My kids are always putting up notes on their bedroom doors. Do your kids do this, too? I think my favorite part of this one is that she is charging a fee for breaking in! If you are having a hard time reading it, here is what it says -

"Private Property

Any entrance without my permission will result in a $0.10 fee.

Rules for My Room:

Treat my things like you treat yours

Be kind

Clean up what you get out

no fighting

No boys allowed!"

J., L., and Alexandra at their Harry Potter Trivia competition. I think that she has read every book in the series at least 3 or 4 times. She is a Harry Potter nut!

Anyway, she and 2 friends entered a competition in Dallas this past weekend. It was really fun for her. They all made a pact that they would not be angry or upset with each other if someone did really well and beat out the others. I was so worried that Alexandra would be the one who lost while her friends moved on to the other rounds. I shouldn't have worried - she moved on to the 2nd round while her friends went home! She came really close to making it through to the championship, but ended up being 3rd. Instead of staying to watch and see who won, she had us take her to get ice cream. :)

crafty girl

This is what Alexandra did to keep busy at her dad's softball game last night. In case you were wondering, she is braiding yarn into bookmarks to sell at her school "market" on Friday. Hmmm...I wonder if people should pay more, because the bookmarks touched her dirty feet.

pinewood derby...girl style

Stars & Stripes Forever!
She didn't win, but had a lot of fun.
My little girl is growing up way too quickly. *sigh*