Saturday, November 30, 2013
Gotta Brag About My Claire Bear
Claire is loving school and has done well at Doral. She was on the honor roll and got straight As so far. She is reading at a third grade level and is almost to the second grade level in math. The school breaks the students into groups for reading and lets them go at their own pace for spelling words, which I really like.
She was also recently given an award for having good manners. Three first grade students were selected this time, and Matt and the kids went to the school to see Claire get the award. Keep up the good work Claire Bear!
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She was also recently given an award for having good manners. Three first grade students were selected this time, and Matt and the kids went to the school to see Claire get the award. Keep up the good work Claire Bear!
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Thursday, November 28, 2013
Thankful Thursdays - Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!
We are staying in Las Vegas for the holiday this year. This will the first time in 17 years that I am not traveling back home to California for at least Thanksgiving or Christmas. Wow - that makes me sound really old to have done anything for 17 years... I have missed Thanksgiving more often, just because when we were in college two days off wasn't always enough time to justify a trip home.
I decided to get the crew in on the action for this Thankful Thursday. I asked them each what they were thankful for.
Miles said, "I'm thankful for MYSELF! And. My parents (eye roll). I'm thankful for my house and for vegetables.
Claire said, "I'm thankful for my family, my siblings, my house, Heavenly Father, my school, my parents. I'm thankful for math, for Christmas, for the sky and for poetry.
Today I am grateful for this blog, the best journal I have ever kept. I can't tell you how many of my journal entries began with "I can't believe it's been so long since I've written..." before I started this blog in April of 2007 when I was pregnant with Claire. I love the books that I have printed from these posts - we are up to 3 pretty thick books now, and the kids love looking at the pictures and reading about themselves as babies.
I am grateful for a mom who is a journal writer and is my example for keeping a family and personal history. Before I went to college, she made me a photo album of pictures of me and my family since I was a baby, actually since I was in my mom's stomach. There is one picture of her at a baby shower before I was born. Before digital cameras, we really didn't take photos of everything like we do now, so there are fewer Kodak moments recorded. I really value those pictures.
We are staying in Las Vegas for the holiday this year. This will the first time in 17 years that I am not traveling back home to California for at least Thanksgiving or Christmas. Wow - that makes me sound really old to have done anything for 17 years... I have missed Thanksgiving more often, just because when we were in college two days off wasn't always enough time to justify a trip home.
I decided to get the crew in on the action for this Thankful Thursday. I asked them each what they were thankful for.
Miles said, "I'm thankful for MYSELF! And. My parents (eye roll). I'm thankful for my house and for vegetables.
Claire said, "I'm thankful for my family, my siblings, my house, Heavenly Father, my school, my parents. I'm thankful for math, for Christmas, for the sky and for poetry.
Today I am grateful for this blog, the best journal I have ever kept. I can't tell you how many of my journal entries began with "I can't believe it's been so long since I've written..." before I started this blog in April of 2007 when I was pregnant with Claire. I love the books that I have printed from these posts - we are up to 3 pretty thick books now, and the kids love looking at the pictures and reading about themselves as babies.
I am grateful for a mom who is a journal writer and is my example for keeping a family and personal history. Before I went to college, she made me a photo album of pictures of me and my family since I was a baby, actually since I was in my mom's stomach. There is one picture of her at a baby shower before I was born. Before digital cameras, we really didn't take photos of everything like we do now, so there are fewer Kodak moments recorded. I really value those pictures.
I am also thankful for my faith and the eternal perspective that it can bring to difficult or challenging situations. Life can be tough sometimes, and it hands us more challenges than blessings it seems... unless we look for the things to be thankful for every day. I used to write down 5 things per day that I was thankful for - even if it was simply that I woke up that day, or that I saw one small cloud in the sky to help make a beautiful sunrise over the desert. I think I should go back to doing that gratitude journal - there is always time to "think to thank."
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Claire's Poetry and Songs
Claire has been practicing her creative writing skills lately, and while I love to read and write, poetry was never my favorite. Claire has some Shel Silverstein poetry books, and of course Dr. Seuss. Maybe that's where she is getting her inspiration.
Here is one poem she wrote this week:
And here is her Thanksgiving song - I scanned in her lyrics and she sang it for me today before school:
Claire's thanksgiving song from Shannon Hiller on Vimeo.
Here is one poem she wrote this week:
Crumbs, crumbs, crumbs,
Made a batch of cookie crumbs.
Then my friends came over,
And ate and ate them in
Their tums, tums, tums.
And here is her Thanksgiving song - I scanned in her lyrics and she sang it for me today before school:
Claire's thanksgiving song from Shannon Hiller on Vimeo.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Thankful Thursdays
Today I am feeling grateful for the rain. Something about actual weather in Las Vegas is so great sometimes. Though I am also happy with the 70 degree weather we have had prior to this rain storm. Today I took a brief moment to sit in my room and read while listening to the rain hit the roof and sipping my hot chocolate. Just a few minutes is all I need to recharge sometimes. Sigh.
I am also thankful to be called back into the young woman's program at church. I am the new secretary and though it is a big change and a new time commitment, I am finding that I need to hear the lessons taught each week as much as the girls. Messages about our worth and potential, our beauty, talents and our divine heritage are something we all need to be reminded of often.
It's been a while since I thought about how amazing our bodies are and how grateful I am to have the freedom and independence that comes with physical health. I should find strength in that- and treat myself even better, and a bit kinder too..
I am also grateful to be in a family that freely shares hugs, kisses and I love you's. And that started before me and Matt so thank you to our parents for being our examples. We love you!
I am also thankful to be called back into the young woman's program at church. I am the new secretary and though it is a big change and a new time commitment, I am finding that I need to hear the lessons taught each week as much as the girls. Messages about our worth and potential, our beauty, talents and our divine heritage are something we all need to be reminded of often.
It's been a while since I thought about how amazing our bodies are and how grateful I am to have the freedom and independence that comes with physical health. I should find strength in that- and treat myself even better, and a bit kinder too..
I am also grateful to be in a family that freely shares hugs, kisses and I love you's. And that started before me and Matt so thank you to our parents for being our examples. We love you!
Monday, November 18, 2013
Kid Quotes
Claire had a bad rash on her skin and we weren't sure if we should let her play in her last soccer game of the season. I asked her if she felt up to playing and she said, "I'm not sure. I will let you know my decision in the morning." She already has more skill at negotiation tactics than I do! And her choice of words is so grown up all the time.
I asked Claire if she wanted to play on a basketball league since she always plays basketball at recess and before school, and since I want her to play my favorite sport. She said, "I don't think I'm a good fit for basketball." A good fit? What is this, a job interview?! I asked her what that meant to her and she said, "I am just good at taking the ball away, I don't really know how to play." I said that's defense, and defense wins games! I think she just doesn't have the strength to shoot a full-size basketball on the playground. I will have to keep asking her if she is ready to try.
Miles was brushing my hair (sometimes I can talk the kids into it) and Matt called Claire over to sit down next to him on the couch. She said, "Don't tell me. You want me to brush YOUR hair too!"
For some reason, Miles was anti-girl after pre-school the other day. He said he wasn't ever going to look at girls again. Or trees. Because they are scary at night. Claire said, "What about Carly? She's a girl." Miles said that it was OK to look at Carly since she is his friend. Claire tried again, "What about Mom? She's a girl." Miles said, "She's practically my mom!!" Claire says, "She is your mom silly, and your friend." So I guess I made the cut.
I asked Claire if she wanted to play on a basketball league since she always plays basketball at recess and before school, and since I want her to play my favorite sport. She said, "I don't think I'm a good fit for basketball." A good fit? What is this, a job interview?! I asked her what that meant to her and she said, "I am just good at taking the ball away, I don't really know how to play." I said that's defense, and defense wins games! I think she just doesn't have the strength to shoot a full-size basketball on the playground. I will have to keep asking her if she is ready to try.
Miles was brushing my hair (sometimes I can talk the kids into it) and Matt called Claire over to sit down next to him on the couch. She said, "Don't tell me. You want me to brush YOUR hair too!"
For some reason, Miles was anti-girl after pre-school the other day. He said he wasn't ever going to look at girls again. Or trees. Because they are scary at night. Claire said, "What about Carly? She's a girl." Miles said that it was OK to look at Carly since she is his friend. Claire tried again, "What about Mom? She's a girl." Miles said, "She's practically my mom!!" Claire says, "She is your mom silly, and your friend." So I guess I made the cut.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
First Place! ... Sorta
Claire had her last soccer game of the season and they squeaked out a win by one goal! And lo and behold, they got first place this season, which surprised us a bit.
After all, the Pirates had beat us twice and we had only beat them once - we figured they had won first place. And they did. First place gold. We were first place silver. I'm not sure how I feel about that - would a second place trophy have been so bad? The girls don't know the difference or don't seem to mind. I guess I am the only competitive one who cares about it... Let it go Shannon...
They were pretty stoked to get their trophies plus their plaques with their official photos. Here is Claire's photo scanned in:
After all, the Pirates had beat us twice and we had only beat them once - we figured they had won first place. And they did. First place gold. We were first place silver. I'm not sure how I feel about that - would a second place trophy have been so bad? The girls don't know the difference or don't seem to mind. I guess I am the only competitive one who cares about it... Let it go Shannon...
They were pretty stoked to get their trophies plus their plaques with their official photos. Here is Claire's photo scanned in:
Most of our team is coming back next season, and Matt is going to coach again along with Coach Jen. She was a huge help to us this season. Matt is going to be even more busy with his Faculty Assistant job, but at least when you are coach you have a say in what time the team practices each week. And he gets to spend time with Claire too.
We had a good group of girls this year - great job Tiger Lillies!
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Thankful Thursdays
“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.”
I am trying to be grateful in any situation - it's tough! But a great way to look at life if you can train your brain to think that way all the time. Here are some examples:
When after an exhausting day, I am woken up in the middle of the night with a crying child, I am grateful that I am able to have children and that they still need me from time to time. I will take the hugs whenever they come.
When my alarm goes off at 5:30 am to remind me to go walking, I am grateful that I am healthy enough to walk and that I have a friend to meet up with me for encouragement.
When it's payday and I notice an increase in taxes taken out of my check, I am just grateful to have a job that pays the bills.
When I spent all day doing what seemed like an endless supply of laundry, I am grateful to be living with so many people I love.
When my clothes are fitting a little too tight, I can be grateful that I have more than enough food to eat.
When there seems to be no end to the whining and fighting, I am grateful that I can hear.
When I am missing my family members who are far away, I am grateful that we are sealed together for eternity.
When I feel like I am a bus driver and am in the car with my kids more than I am at home with them, I am grateful that Claire goes to a good school and that Penelope and Miles get to stay with their MeMa a few days a week.
- Sarah Ban Breathnach - writer
I am trying to be grateful in any situation - it's tough! But a great way to look at life if you can train your brain to think that way all the time. Here are some examples:
When after an exhausting day, I am woken up in the middle of the night with a crying child, I am grateful that I am able to have children and that they still need me from time to time. I will take the hugs whenever they come.
When my alarm goes off at 5:30 am to remind me to go walking, I am grateful that I am healthy enough to walk and that I have a friend to meet up with me for encouragement.
When it's payday and I notice an increase in taxes taken out of my check, I am just grateful to have a job that pays the bills.
When my clothes are fitting a little too tight, I can be grateful that I have more than enough food to eat.
When there seems to be no end to the whining and fighting, I am grateful that I can hear.
When I am missing my family members who are far away, I am grateful that we are sealed together for eternity.
When I feel like I am a bus driver and am in the car with my kids more than I am at home with them, I am grateful that Claire goes to a good school and that Penelope and Miles get to stay with their MeMa a few days a week.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Miles Quotes
The other day, Miles told me, "Mom, when I go to sleep, I really miss you."
Miles' preschool is discussing nocturnal animals this week as one of their themes, so I was asking him which animals are nocturnal. He said, "Raccoons, bats, owls ... Batman? Yeah Batman. He is out at night because that's when the bad guys come to steal money."
We went to meet a few families at the church for a dodge ball activity recently and I told Miles to go get his shoes and socks on. We were running late so I didn't really check on him again. In the car, he said, "Mom do you know why I wore my red church socks (which were never designated as church socks, by the way) to play dodge ball? Cause we are going to the church!" I try not to cringe at his fashion choices lately.
Miles' preschool is discussing nocturnal animals this week as one of their themes, so I was asking him which animals are nocturnal. He said, "Raccoons, bats, owls ... Batman? Yeah Batman. He is out at night because that's when the bad guys come to steal money."
We went to meet a few families at the church for a dodge ball activity recently and I told Miles to go get his shoes and socks on. We were running late so I didn't really check on him again. In the car, he said, "Mom do you know why I wore my red church socks (which were never designated as church socks, by the way) to play dodge ball? Cause we are going to the church!" I try not to cringe at his fashion choices lately.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
18 Months - Penelope Speaks!
We finally get a few words out of this little lady. She is now officially 18 months old and stubborn as the day she was born. I can still remember the labor and delivery nurse guessing that she was a boy because she was so uncooperative and not in any hurry to vacate the premises. And not much has changed. She is cute as can be and definitely her own little person.
She takes her shoes off every. single. time. we get in the car. She wants to connect her car seat strap by herself, and gets so mad if we do it for her. And she wants to ring the doorbell every time we go in and out of the house. She also loves her stuffed animals and wants to hold a few all the time - her crib is full of them. This is a lady who knows what she wants.
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Penelope will now say these words with some regularity, though she has said other words before but then stubbornly refuses to say them again:
1. On
2. Up
3. Ball
4. Mom
5. Boo!
6. Hot
7. Cold
8. Whoa
9. Mon (Miles)
10. Dad
11. No!
12. Mine
13. Uh oh!
14. Ow
15. Nana (banana)
16. Bottle
She can also sign:
1. More
2. All done
3. Dog
4. Cat
5. Owl
6. Milk
7. Drink
8. Eat
9. Please
10. Spider
11. Eat
She makes these animal sounds:
1. Moo!
2. Quack!
3. Ruff!
4. Baa!
Happy half birthday Penelope Jane!
She takes her shoes off every. single. time. we get in the car. She wants to connect her car seat strap by herself, and gets so mad if we do it for her. And she wants to ring the doorbell every time we go in and out of the house. She also loves her stuffed animals and wants to hold a few all the time - her crib is full of them. This is a lady who knows what she wants.
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Penelope will now say these words with some regularity, though she has said other words before but then stubbornly refuses to say them again:
1. On
2. Up
3. Ball
4. Mom
5. Boo!
6. Hot
7. Cold
8. Whoa
9. Mon (Miles)
10. Dad
11. No!
12. Mine
13. Uh oh!
14. Ow
15. Nana (banana)
16. Bottle
She can also sign:
1. More
2. All done
3. Dog
4. Cat
5. Owl
6. Milk
7. Drink
8. Eat
9. Please
10. Spider
11. Eat
She makes these animal sounds:
1. Moo!
2. Quack!
3. Ruff!
4. Baa!
Happy half birthday Penelope Jane!
Monday, November 11, 2013
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Getting Out of Our Comfort Zone - Belly Dancing!
Our friends invited us to a belly dancing class at the Women's Center near St. Rose Hospital, and I thought, What the heck? Let's try it. It would make for an interesting new experience, even if it wasn't something I'd normally try on my own.
So Claire, Miles and I went to check it out. Miles took one step inside the room, saw that it was all women, and said, "No, I don't think so!" So he colored in the kids corner while Claire and I tried some hip pops and shimmy shimmys with the other ladies. We had veils and "shaky shaky" scarves with the little coins all over them. Once I decided to just go for it and not be embarrassed, it was pretty fun. That said, you won't find a single photo of me from the class. :)
Claire was a natural -she has a super fast hip shake and just danced all around the class with her veil. Why can't adults be that carefree and not self-conscious?
If you're wondering about the stuffed owl, he is Claire's class mascot, Hootie. She was supposed to take him on all her adventures this weekend and write about him in her class journal, so he came along.
So Claire, Miles and I went to check it out. Miles took one step inside the room, saw that it was all women, and said, "No, I don't think so!" So he colored in the kids corner while Claire and I tried some hip pops and shimmy shimmys with the other ladies. We had veils and "shaky shaky" scarves with the little coins all over them. Once I decided to just go for it and not be embarrassed, it was pretty fun. That said, you won't find a single photo of me from the class. :)
Claire was a natural -she has a super fast hip shake and just danced all around the class with her veil. Why can't adults be that carefree and not self-conscious?
If you're wondering about the stuffed owl, he is Claire's class mascot, Hootie. She was supposed to take him on all her adventures this weekend and write about him in her class journal, so he came along.
The kids, Hootie, and the drum the teacher used in class during some of the dances. Even without a soccer game today, they definitely still got a work out.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Thankful Thursdays
I love the Fall and the holidays we get to celebrate each month - it's like this huge ramp up to Christmas and then New Years and then... no holidays for me until after the April 15th tax deadline. The joys of working at an accounting firm! Anyway, I wanted to continue my tradition of Thankful Thursdays and take some time each week to just marinate in all I have to be grateful for in my life.
I liked this quote a lot because it made me remember that even though I complain about things I want, or think I need, I have so much to be thankful for. We have been trying to sell our house since Easter, and we have had more buyers in and out of our house than I can count. Plus offers that have fallen through and other difficult situations. I am to the point where I don't even get excited if we get an offer on our house... But at the end of the day, I thank Heavenly Father every single night for my home and that it keeps us safe and warm and that we can afford our mortgage payments. We just need to sit tight and follow our original plan of waiting until Matt graduates and then selling the house. So for now, I don't stress at the first of the month and I don't feel stretched to pay for a new mortgage that we probably can't afford right now. And I know that is a huge blessing.
I am also very grateful that Matt recently was offered a Faculty Assistant position at UNLV in the business school (marketing department). It will help him pay for part of his tuition plus an hourly wage that is definitely more than I thought he would get to help pay for the additional childcare and travel that will inevitably come with this shake-up in our schedule. I knew this change was coming next year, but was wondering how it would work out. Matt needs to do an internship and start adding accounting experience to his resume. I think this job is the perfect transition because he will be on campus and will have time to study, plus stay involved in the business school and be in touch with professors who can later help him with his courses and eventually his job search.
I liked this quote a lot because it made me remember that even though I complain about things I want, or think I need, I have so much to be thankful for. We have been trying to sell our house since Easter, and we have had more buyers in and out of our house than I can count. Plus offers that have fallen through and other difficult situations. I am to the point where I don't even get excited if we get an offer on our house... But at the end of the day, I thank Heavenly Father every single night for my home and that it keeps us safe and warm and that we can afford our mortgage payments. We just need to sit tight and follow our original plan of waiting until Matt graduates and then selling the house. So for now, I don't stress at the first of the month and I don't feel stretched to pay for a new mortgage that we probably can't afford right now. And I know that is a huge blessing.
I am also very grateful that Matt recently was offered a Faculty Assistant position at UNLV in the business school (marketing department). It will help him pay for part of his tuition plus an hourly wage that is definitely more than I thought he would get to help pay for the additional childcare and travel that will inevitably come with this shake-up in our schedule. I knew this change was coming next year, but was wondering how it would work out. Matt needs to do an internship and start adding accounting experience to his resume. I think this job is the perfect transition because he will be on campus and will have time to study, plus stay involved in the business school and be in touch with professors who can later help him with his courses and eventually his job search.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Happy Birthday Call to Gabe
These boys crack me up - they just loved seeing themselves on the screen. At one point, Gabe said, "Miles, remember when I said that we were brothers! Ha!"
Sunday, November 3, 2013
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Saturday, November 2, 2013
Game Face
Claire's soccer team played the number 1 team in their league on Saturday - we knew it would be a tough game, so I asked Claire to show me her mean game face. I think she just looks cute! :)
Friday, November 1, 2013
Halloween!
When you ask my kids what is their favorite holiday, they will usually say Halloween. We talk about our costumes months in advance - which I've discovered is not always the best idea because then they have time to change their minds. And for some reason, everyone is rebelling against my themes this year. Themes passed up this year were Harry Potter and Classic Monsters (Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein would have been awesome!).
But our half and half theme worked too - Super Heroes and Brave.
But our half and half theme worked too - Super Heroes and Brave.
What a lazy bones trick or treater, Penelope. What a way to go around - getting pushed in a stroller by the Flash.
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