Bake sale!

These are cute cake pops from the Bakerella website. A mom from Emma's class donated a batch of these to the sale. They went fast!

Today was a big day for Katy. The bake sale she and some of her classmates organized to raise funds for the school library finally took place this afternoon. (Due to budget cuts, the library did not receive any money to purchase new books for this school year.) Katy starting talking to the principal, Mr. Roberts, back in September about a fundraising event and it took until today to pull it off. It proved to be worth the wait. They raised $320, give or take a bit. It was wild. We had so many baked goods donated that it took 2 banquet tables to hold it all!

I was worried about having too much but that fear faded and was replaced by sheer terror when I saw how many kids had lined up to buy the sweets. Thank goodness for the three level-headed moms that offered to help. Mr. Roberts even stepped in, working on crowd control and sales. He and the school counselor had to hold the busses in order to make sure everyone made it through the line. Not sure how many students stopped by, but we only have about 350 at Adams and it seemed like at least a third went home with a sugar high! Many kids and moms were generous with their money, padding the cash box here and there.

I am proud of Katy and her friends. Mr. Roberts insisted they do the planning without help from home. He guided them every step of the way but encouraged them to make most of the decisions. It was a great experience for her. Me, I hope to never again have to stare down a first grader with $3 in their hand and not a thought of what they want in their head.

PS. I had hoped to have a few pictures, but I forgot that I had brought the camera to the school and now I have actually misplaced the darned thing. I am hoping, in all the craziness, I left it in the office. Fingers crossed for that!

The word "acme" actually has a definition, and it has nothing to do with Wile E. Coyote!

Just a note to let you know I took the GRE this morning. My lingering thoughts on that --- WORST. TEST. EVER!!!!! Suffice it say I made it out alive but with little to show for it. My scores were sad. I was woefully unprepared. I knew the math was going to throw me, but the verbal/language kicked my fanny too! It was awful. I called Eric and told it him it might be best that I not start classes on Monday. I called my mom and must have sounded crazy because she got more worried than normal. Thankfully, when I returned home, Eric talked a little bit of sense into me. "Can't quit now. Keep going forward. Figure out the implications later." Then he took me out to lunch. Thank goodness for his apparent lack of insanity.

I tried calling ISU to see if reporting a horrible score automatically "disqualifies" one from even being considered for graduate school. The person in the know was out to lunch. While waiting to call back, my dad phoned and jokingly asked if we were the ones who won the Mega-Millions (because the Idaho winner has yet to claim the prize!) I assured him if we had, I was certain I would not have subjected myself to that test! Dad also had some sage advice for me . . . "It is not the end of the world" he said. I think he knew I needed to hear him say that! Thank you Dad.

After I finished talking with him, I was able to reach the Communication Disorders department at ISU. I was given the tiniest bit of hope that the GRE is not the determining factor, just one of many. So there is always the chance that my less-than-stellar undergrad GPA will do me in instead! Made me feel sooo much better! Actually, I did get enough information to realize that starting classes on Monday was not going to be a lost cause. One step at a time and it will all work out.

In the meantime, it can't hurt to play the lottery . . .

PS. Click here for the definition of "acme." My dad knew it--said he learned it through solving crossword puzzles. Looks like I need to work on those once in while too!

Happy New Year!

"J'aime bien votre chapeau!"

Eric informed me he wanted a more serious hat for New Year's next time around! He did not like this one nor did he like the other option, the tiara style that Emma was wearing.

Snuggled up in their Snuggies, waiting for the ball to drop.

Posing for me after we rang in the New Year!

Happy New Year to all of our friends and family out there. We hope you had a safe, yet exciting night of celebration! We spent the morning at the movies--I watched "The King's Speech" with my mom(fabulous movie!!) while Eric and the girls enjoyed the new "Narnia" flick in 3-D. After a brief stop at Costco--complete madhouse there--Mom joined us at the house for a light lunch. Uncle Ryan and Aunt Starla stopped by to visit on their way to check out the neighborhood candy store and a movie.

After everyone left, we milled around the house. Whilst we were milling, an invitation to a New Year's party was extended to us. It was to be at a "friend of a friend's" house. We accepted the invite and spent the rest of the afternoon waiting to go. That involved Eric napping, Katy reading and Emma and I running out to get a pizza for dinner and stuff to make an appetizer for the party.

Time for the party arrived and we headed up the hill/Mesa and spent 3 enjoyable hours mingling with a few old friends and meeting a few new friends. Plenty of kids, a large dog and a skittish guinea pig to keep Katy & Emma occupied. We were home by 10:45 and ready to ring in the New Year. It was nice to get out of the house for a bit, but we really enjoyed our own quiet celebration the most!

As we celebrated, we thought about 2010 and all of the things that made our year special. Most of you were a part of what made our year so great. Thank you to everyone for your love and support. We love and appreciate you all more that you know! There are a lot of changes in store for everyone in 2011. We look forward to sharing all of those moments with you.

Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy 2011!