On the Whiteboard

It says:
For example:  I just knew that once
there was a big problem, Eva put
marker on me  (The color) Black
(Witch part of the body) Arm:
And so I'm going to tell Mom and
Dad (Parents are) Lucie (Mom) and
Jared: (Dad) or tomus (Job for dad.)
Landscaping:  The worst thing about
it was, (She did it on porpuse.) And she
put brown on me. (on porpuse)
And so, It was a realy nice day still.
Eva will make up for it.  And mabe
she won't cause She thinks she
did it on axidint.  She still is a very
nice sister.  And mabe she'll learn
and be beter.  Oh actuly she will be
good.  The rest of the day.  I love her
and she loves me too. Kay  i'll end this
story in (5) more minutes 1,2,3,4,5, kay
i'm done.  Kidding (5) minutes not seconds
hey Eva how abuot you play a game
with me. Ok! says Eva  kidding  I'm talking
to you.
                   The End

Making life a little easier

I'm constantly looking out for tips and tricks to make life just a little easier.  Here's a great one I recently found that I have to share: http://www.myjobchart.com/.  It's a  free website that you can set up and customize to your family needs.  You can list chores and responsibilities for your children and assign point values.  The points can be saved, shared, or spent (traded in for rewards that you pick).  I've set mine up for the girls to earn activities and rewards to do with free time and family time, but it can be linked to the Amazon store to get things that your child needs or wants.  It teaches responsibility, organization and money management.  The best part is that my kids are now CONSTANTLY offering to help with something... anything, around the house to earn more points.  Who doesn't dream of that? I'm not sure if the novelty of it will wear off, but for now, I'll take it!

So far, so good....

One week into 2012, and my resolution is holding on.  
This week we...
went ice skating at the Galivan Center with our friend Mackenna and her momma, Anne:

and had a play date.. at our house... (when it wasn't anything close to spotless).

 Naiya also got a chance to go skiing with Pa while Eva had fun with Neema and Mommy taught an after school class one night, and the girls had a movie night with daddy while mommy had a faculty meeting another night.  Right now Eva is at a friend movie date and Naiya is at the library with her dad and her cousins.  Tomorrow we'll have a baby blessing to attend and a family birthday party. PLUS  I've gone running 3 times this week.  3! (That's 3 more times than this time last year.) 
I'd say it's been a pretty full week.  We only got 1/2 of our homework completed this week, but we're catching up this weekend, and I feel like it's a fair trade.   I have to admit that, after the faculty meeting, a few things have been added to the work-load end of life, and I definitely feel the pull... I will try to hold tight to this resolution.  We'll see what next week will hold. 

Because I know I never will get around to Christmas Cards...

From Our Family to Yours:

Best wishes in 2012. 

May the new year be filled with laughter and love.

Love, The Chamberlains

Resolution

2011 had a little bit of everything. Excitement, disappointment, gain, loss... It was a year of growth and of growing pains. I can't say that I'm sorry to see it go. I also can't say that 2012 will be better or worse. I can, however, take all that I've learned and hold my head up high as I walk into 2012 knowing that I am just a little more prepared this year than I was last.
As for a resolution... I have a few goals and aspirations this year, but there is one main resolution. I RESOLVE TO PUT FAMILY FIRST. I resolve to read "just one more" story at bedtime. I resolve to have that play date at our house even if it isn't spotless. I resolve to go ice skating and skiing and hiking and swimming with my kids on weekend instead of typing up lesson plans and being in an "I'm too overwhelmed" coma. I resolve to remember that the whole reason I have the job that I have right now is for my family. I resolve to stop putting my family on the back burner, because, as much as I like to think I can do it all, I have no problem admitting that I can't. I've waisted a lot of time, energy and patience trying. And this is the year I am going to stop.... because they are worth it. And they are.

The Good, The Bad and TheGoofy

A few pictures from or 3 Christmas 2011 celebrations:

**I can't for the life of me figure out how to turn these pictures right-side-up... The original files are right-side-up, but when I download them Blogger turns them sideways.  So turn your head and enjoy.   

Early Christmas at Goompa and Nana Chamberlains:

Our little angles in the annual recreation of the nativity.

Eva's cool art apron.  Thanks Goompa and Nana! 

 Christmas Eve at Neema and Pa's:

Yeah, we're a little spoiled.  What's it to ya?!

 Christmas Morning at our new house: 

Post Christmas goofing off (Thanks Auntie Malia for the AWESOME mustache set!):

If you blinked, you probably missed it... and I may (or may not) have gotten a picture.

Summer is officially over.  I know the calendar says that fall doesn't start until September 21st, but for me, the day before school starts is the last day of summer.  School meetings have come and gone as has our Open House (where we meet the students/parents and get electives organized etc.).  In fact we are well into the 3rd week of school now. It's past time to say good-bye to summer. I can't believe it's over!  I thought I'd better get up some pictures of the things that have been keeping us so busy:

The Ranch Trip

Winning Races on the 4th of July

 Playing with Princess Lola Buttercup

The Girl's First Ever  Baseball Game

 The Zoo (with friends... lots of times.  Wa-Hoo for annual passes!)

Camping in Idaho

 Classic Water Slides (lots of times with friends and cousins.  Wa-hoo for summer passes!)

Swim Lessons
No pictures... huh.
Lake Powell
No pictures again?  That's hard to believe.

First Day of School
No pictures... now that is just plain bad mothering.  I'm ashamed.

It's always sad to say good-bye to sleeping in, the fun trips and the flexibility that come along with summer, but we have a lot to look forward to this school year.  This year Naiya is in first grade in the classroom right next door to me.  We see each other at  lunch every day.  I love that she still runs over and gives me an excited hug when my class walks into the lunchroom.  I hope that never stops.  NEVER.  She is also in  my class for science each afternoon.  It really is nice to get to teach her each day, if only for a moment. 
As for Eva... Well, she is super excited  to be in my homeroom class in the afternoon as well as reading and math in the morning.  My momma's girl is adjusting to not being able to cling to my pant-leg all day.  She likes calling me Mrs. Chamberlain and has risen to the challenges of being in your mom's kindergarten class.  (If you think it's hard to share mom with a sibling,  try competing for mom's attention with 16 other kids.  It's not easy!)
I have to say that it never ceases to make me smile to see how excited my girls get when they see me in school at an unexpected moment (even when they see me all the rest of the day).  I walked in to Eva's violin class during my prep period to grab a student who was being checked out.  She was THRILLED to see me.  She'd just seen me 10 minutes earlier and for the whole day before that.  Funny girl.
It makes me sad to think that someday they will tire of their mom and will prefer the attention and company of friends.  I know that day will come, but I don't look forward to it.  For now I will soak it up. I know there is nobody else on the planet that loves me the way these girls do.  I'm lucky to know that kind of love.  It is special and unique.