Look what we found...

...in the back yard when we got back from Oklahoma a couple of weeks ago (post and pictures coming later this week)

 A giant sized wasp nest.  Jeff is crazy and took some pictures of it before hie destroyed it himself.

 I think he's crazy  very brave, at our home in Mesa he took down a giant beehive in our tree.

Not a single sting either time, how lucky  skilled is he?

What's for Dinner?

This is going to sound like a commercial for the website  ourbestbites.com   and it kind of is, except I'm not getting paid.  For some reason cooking websites are way more appealing to me than cookbooks,  not sure why.  But I've really enjoyed browsing the site and trying new things recently, here are a few of the things we've been eating for dinner the last couple of weeks.

Homemade Hot Pockets-Yummy! Thumbs up all around, and super easy to make!  

**I know that looks like a ton of plain bread there in the center, but I think it's just the picture, it's really ham and cheese rolled up like a pinwheel.  Next time I'm thinking pizza pockets would be fun**

Grilled Pizza-so incredibly simple and so yummy! We LOVE making these

Dressed Up Sloppy Joes-it's replaced our old favorite recipe, it's just better!

Oven steak fries to go with the sloppy joes-incredibly good!

We planted 3 basil plants, and they have been productive! I learned how to make pesto here It's gotten mixed reviews

Creamy Pesto Pasta-with fresh tomatoes from the garden-also got mixed reviews, probably won't appear on the menu again.  The pine nuts aren't the biggest hit, nor was the combo alfredo/pesto sauce.  Win some, lose some!



So, what's for dinner at your house this week?

Tate's Eagle Project

I often hear moms say when they heard they were having a boy one of their first thoughts was "Oh no! Scouts!"  Some moms-like me, who grew up without brothers in Boy Scouting-are blissfully unaware of the road that lies ahead of them.  When we had four boys I knew Boy Scouts would be a big part of the road ahead of us, but I had absolutely NO idea how much time, effort, money, sweat, and hair pulling would be a part of that time.

This is especially true when it comes time for the "Eagle Project."  For those of you without Boy Scouts in the home, you need to understand this is bigger than a merit badge, more than a simple idea, this is a task of monumental proportions.  Tate has been ready since last winter, in fact, Jeff wanted us to try and get a project done before we left Mesa last December, but with him on the road and me packing up and solo parenting it just wasn't going to happen.

Planning meeting with Principal Hogge

Since moving we have bided our time, watching and waiting for the perfect Eagle project.  As a veteran Scout Mom, I understand the boy has to want to do the project, or you're just going to be ready to sell the boy child by the time the project is done.  Periodically we asked Tate if he had an idea, he's only 13, so no big rush to get it done (officially it has to be finished by the time the Scout turns 18, if our boys want to drive 16 is the cut off).  He had a few ideas, but nothing really got him excited, so we just kept waiting and thinking.

Meeting with principal to map out the placement

We heard about a meeting with ideas for potential projects to benefit the new Jr. High School Tate will be attending this year, and thought we'd see if anything was a fit there.  That was July 28th.  The principal went through a list of projects he'd like to see done, bike racks, calculator caddies, spray painting the school initials on 700 folding chairs, computer lab set up and school preparation, videos made for the web site, and then he  mentioned the ribbon cutting ceremony and open house to follow.

Tate spent about 2 seconds thinking about how he could do videos, then he asked if he could do the ribbon cutting/open house.  I said sure, but inside was a little unsure how we'd get enough hours to make it an Eagle project (the Scout Council here requires 80  hours of service minimum). And, a little wary of the short time table-less than 3 weeks!

Map of  zones for volunteers to deliver flyers

I needn't have worried.  I was so impressed with the way Tate ran with this project.  He never-not one time-grumbled about phone calls or meetings he needed to arrange.  He called the principal, he emailed the principal, he had sit down meetings with the principal.  I taught him how to plan and organize an event, and then I reviewed his plans.  I helped him understand the value of planning and being prepared for a meeting-he swelled with self confidence as the principal and city officials congratulated him on his well thought out questions and plans.  That said,  he did all the real work himself, in the truest sense of the word I was his mentor.  And he did great!

He created flyers and drafted emails, he organized volunteers, he called city offices and school board secretaries and school principals.  When the school asked if he would consider handing out a flyer to EVERY house in the school boundaries (between 2,500 and 3,000) he didn't hesitate, and got to work figuring out how to make it happen.

When the original plan to have a musical number (the principal's request) didn't work out, he came up with the plan of asking the cheer squad to participate.

When only 1 person showed up to pass out flyers (besides our family) he came up with another plan.  And he still managed to get 90% of the flyers delivered.

When, on the morning of the ceremony, every scout backed out of participating in the flag ceremony he just said "okay Mom, another problem to fix!"  And got back on the phone calling his patrol leaders and asking for help.

Can you see Tate squeezed in there? He was invited to help cut the ribbon!

The night of the ceremony he directed the set up, even when an overbearing (but well-meaning) mother of another student tried to take charge, he remained calm and quietly directed the volunteers to follow HIS instructions.

When the time came for the ceremony he was calm, cool, and collected.  He emceed the program, throwing in typical Tate ad libs, and the audience laughed along with him. At the end of the evening he made sure every bit of the celebration was cleaned up, and we all went home and collapsed!

I know some people may view this project and not think it fits the "Eagle Scout Project" mold, even my brother in law laughed at the idea.  But when I look at all Tate learned and the leadership and determination he exhibited,  how he learned to adapt and solve problems and roll with the ups and downs of working with others, I know it fits the heart and soul of what an Eagle Scout Project should be.

Tate in front of the crowd enjoying the party after the ribbon cutting. Think it looks like a nice school? It's AMAZING inside-I can't believe how nice! 

We are so proud of him, and pleased as can be at all the work and determination he showed.  It really made a difference that he loves this kind of thing, I can't imagine the kicking and screaming it would have required to have my other boys do this project.  That's why every project is different, and every successful project is just perfect for the boy who did it.

Congratulations, Tate!

First Day of School

Sigh...the end of summer, the beginning of school.  While I love the structure and routine of the school year, I dread the quiet house and the end of silly games and late night talks.  I know lots of Moms do a little happy dance when school begins-and I know that feeling of just being done with all the bickering and boredom the end of summer can bring, but I quietly steel myself against the sadness.

I think the biggest difference is most of my friends still have kids at home, they send the big ones off and still have babies or toddlers to chase around the house, and load up the car with.  My baby is 9, she's in 4th grade, and the house is quiet, no messes are made, no questions are yelled up the stairs, it's just empty.  The air is still, and I miss the sounds of summer.

This is an especially momentous First Day of School-it's the last one we'll have with Kiefer in our home. That's right, he's a Senior! I got a little veclumped last night as we had our last full "Back To School Family Council" and this morning as I took pictures.  It's hard to see the end of an era.  Especially with our kids so close in age, once one leaves it's just going to domino, and I just hate that!

One thing I do love about the first day of school is mandatory picture taking, no one even argues! I always have them hold up the number of fingers for the grade they are in, Kiefer was silly-he doesn't have 12 fingers he said.  And, before you ask, no Tate's not taller than Quinn, they are standing on a slope, and Tate just got lucky that he's on the "tall" side.

Here's a snapshot of what life is like on the first day of school, 2011

For some reason Kiefer's picture keeps coming out fuzzy when I upload it

Kiefer--12th Grade
Classes: Pre-Calc, Debate, Speech, CE Communications, Drama, Creative Writing, AP Government, Seminary
*Class most looking forward to: Drama   Least: Pre-Calc
Favorite Food: Anything and Everything
Reading right now: Undaunted by Gerald Lund
Favorite TV Show: Falling Skies
Shoe of choice: Red Suede Vans-the exact same shoe he chose last year, he even bought them on line so he wouldn't have to bother going to the store & it was cheap! (he was responsible for all his own back to school purchases this year) (size 12)

 Quinn--10th Grade
Classes: AP World History, Honors English, Honors Alg. II, Driver's Ed, Sports PE, Seminary, Honors Chem, Spanish 3
*Class most Looking forward to: Driver's Ed,   Least: Spanish 3 ("dumb Utah rules" he always says, they won't count his Spanish 1 here because he took it in 8th grade, but Kiefer's counts because it was on his High School transcipt already)
Favorite Food: Mangos
Reading right now: Just finished The Human Story by James C. Davis  (his summer English/History assignment....ahem)
Favorite TV show: Falling Skies
Shoe of Choice: Gray Vans from last year-he purchased his own gear as well, and these still fit so he opted not to change it up. (size 10.5)

Tate--8th Grade
Classes: Geometry, Honors English, 8th Grade Science, US History, NAL (National Academic League), Science Olympiad (Competition team), Health
Class Most Looking Forward to: NAL   Least: Health
Favorite Food:Roast Beef Sandwiches-hot ones with melted provolone on crusty rolls
Reading Right Now: The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
Favorite TV Show: 101 Ways to Leave a Gameshow
Shoe of Choice: Gray Vans, slip on (size 10)

Thane--6th Grade
Classes-switches for Reading/English, Health/Science, and Math, really excited for that! Not so sure about his homeroom teacher, he really wanted another one.  Fingers crossed it's all good!
Most excited for this year: To be the oldest grade at school!
Least: nothing
Reading right now: Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites series by Chris Heimerdinger
Favorite TV Show:101 Ways to Leave a Game Show
Shoe of choice: Gray & Blue Vans, although today he is wearing a sweet pair of Asics he found for a bargain price! He was so funny shoe shopping, he zeroed in on these in about 2 minutes, and is sure they will be his key to 6th grade domination!

Sage--4th Grade

Class-Ms. Cox
Fun Fact about her class:
They get to earn the privilege of walking to the tennis courts and playing tennis during the year! Sage thinks that will be AWESOME!


Favorite Food: Grilled Pizza
Favorite TV Show: Project Runway (watched only with & edited by Mom, in case you were curious)

Sage's Shoe of Choice-deserved it's own picture-Pink Vans with Sequins.  It was a hard choice, "There are so many cute ones!"

It was a great morning, and it's fun to take a minute and write down some funny and unique things about them right now.

I miss them already!

Wow, we've been busy!

I may have just survived the busiest 3 weeks of my life.  Barely.  We found and began work on Tate's Eagle Project, squeezed in a quick trip to Oklahoma to see Jeff's family, finished said Eagle Project, did all the back to school orientations, back to school meetings, pack meeting (yes, I'm back in Cub Scouts :) ), finished a co-op food storage order, and began the next one.  And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

It's been insane, and today I am breathing a sigh of relief and relaxation.  But I still miss my kids! I'll work on updating some more this week, and getting to read all the blog posts I've been missing.

It's good to relax :)