Did Someone Say Basketball?

One first grade basketball practice--check.  Five fourth grade basketball games--check.  One KSU game--check.  Good thing we all enjoy basketball.

Graham was excited to watch the band--and search the arena for Willie.  We have a deal that he gets to stand on my lap and dance every time out.  

Weakness

It seems that as soon as Christmas is over, the shelves in stores begin to fill with Valentine's candy.  I'm not a sucker for anything chocolate, but I could eat Sweet Tart hearts by the bag.  This dude seems to have inherited the same trait.  He's pretty easy to bribe with a couple of "hearts."

2012--Check!

Okay, I just wrapped up my 52 weeks of Pinterest projects post, let's reexamine my other 2012 resolutions.  I think I passed.  Will have to think on my 2013 resolutions.

1.  School--Finish revising all my units (first semester done) and decorate my new room.  Yes and no.  I started over on this goal this summer and really went into detail for all of my units this year.  One semester down, one to go.  LOTS of time and effort, but really pleased with how everything worked out.  I moved rooms again in May, so my once "new room" was now my "old room."  I love my "new-new room" although the decorating part is still in the works.  High school rooms aren't nearly as conducive to fun decorating as elementary.  My kids are packed in!

2.  Fitness--Run five races (10K or longer) and incorporate other types of exercise to hopefully help my knee last longer :)  Already have Nashville booked for April, with a couple of others in mind.  Yes!  Ran the 5K Color Run in KC, 10 mile trail run in Manhattan, 10K Brew to Shoe in Manhattan, half marathon in Nashville, and full marathon in Tulsa.  Worked in other types of exercise too, thanks to Kitra's and Angela's morning workouts.

3.  More organization in the kitchen--I love to organize anything, except for meals.  I hate planning what to eat as well as grocery shopping.  But I'm going to work on it.  Maybe if my planning is better it will make the shopping more bearable and less frequent.  This was a little streaky.  When I made a plan, I was better, but I didn't always have a plan.  I liked making things from Pinterest, but just once.  Everything lost its appeal the second time around.  Maybe I will change this goal to "quit buying clothes and hire a chef."

4.  Pinterest--I've pinned a bunch of things, but what good does it do if I just "like it"?  Considering all of the recipes, tutorials and tips I've collected, I'm going to make myself make one thing each week.  Maybe I'll even post what I've tried.  Exceeded!  

5.  Date Night--We are so busy that it's very easy to let this slide.  Doesn't have to be just us, just no kids allowed.  Fail!  Although we did squeeze a few date nights in here and there.

6.  The maybe's:  Might be the year to go short (hair).... Or pierce my ears.... Or both?  Yes!  I got my ears pierced--finally.  Not sure why I waited so long as I love shopping for earrings-- and I don't feel so lame wearing my hair in a ponytail now.  Short hair?  Getting closer.  

Pinterest #41-50

#41--Saw this book pinned and knew it was a perfect gift (from us lovers of all things Apple) for Adam's cousin's new baby.

#42--Bought this dress (exactly) in Nashville after seeing it on Pinterest.

#43--Lindsay showed me how to make this scarf (crocheting).  I need to try it again with thinner yarn since mine "grew."

#44--Tried this "4 minute workout" that is supposed to be as good as a much longer workout...not sure I'm buying that, but it was fine.

#45--Tried several different circuit type workouts with 100 of this, 80 of that, etc.  I don't think there's anything really special about any of them, and have figured out that I don't need to keep pinning them when I can just make it up myself--and who am I kidding?  I'd rather be running :)

#46--...Although I did buy a kettle bell (after I used Kitra's this summer and saw this workout) at Dick's with some rewards coupons that I needed to use and couldn't find any clothes I wanted.

And I'll conclude with some of my favorite school things.  See if you "get them."

#47--Shannon, this one's for you.  Just kidding.  I didn't actually use this (felt too mean) but it is a mistake worthy of a poster!

#48--Offering pick up lines in math class...

#49--Fractions...

#50--New seating chart day... 

#51--And I'll save the last two for later...  

Pinterest #34-40

Before I write my new year's resolutions for 2013, I had to finish off the resolutions from 2012.  One of them was to make something every week from Pinterest.  While I'm certain I am waaaayyyy over 52 (some posts have more than one pin referenced and the school resources I've used in some way are too numerous to count), I still feel the need to see #52 in the heading so that I can mark it off my list :)

#34--Homemade payday bars:  HIT

Payday bars

I took these to school for a Friday lunch.  They were popular with everyone (unless you don't like marshmallows like me) and easy to make.  

#35--Tried this hairdo, cute but not as easy to create if your hair is thick or too long.

#36--Bought this nail polish straight off the Target shelf after noticing it on Pinterest.  

#37--Tried to publish blog using Blurb but it was going to be really ugly if I didn't do some customizing.  I was hoping for a "push to publish" button and it would arrive in the mail all nice and colorful.  Not going to happen with the effort I was willing to spend.  Maybe next year.

#38--Made fake canvases for the boys' rooms.  One of my favorite projects--cheap, fast, easy, big impact.  

#39--Made a lot of these bracelets for myself and others, including making some at a crafts and cocktails night.  Jeanne and Aimee even asked for some as gifts/favors. So fun!

#40--Figured out how to make these as well, but could never find just the right type of string and they were never quite right.  Who sells Chinese knotting thread???

Christmas Break, Part 1

Although we've been fairly "Grinchy" this Christmas season (no lights, no tree, no Christmas cards) we made up for it with a fun-filled first week of break.  We started the holiday break with a 4th grade basketball tournament in KC.  I always have visions that these tournaments will include shopping for Mom, but so far all we've managed to shop for is new glasses and a haircut for Adam.  Oh well, there's always another weekend.  Owen's team took first place (won their last game by just one point after being down 9 points).  Miles managed to score an extra shirt from Ky.

In Lebo we took the kids to the Burlington Rec Center to burn off some energy since it was so cold outside.  They enjoyed a couple of hours of basketball and trying out racquetball for the first time.  Grandma Jean was brave enough to allow Miles and Graham to decorate cookies on their own--lots of sprinkles and some of the cookies must have weighed a pound after all the M&M's Graham piled on.

The boys and I stayed in Lebo an extra day to meet up with my friends, Sharla and Amy, and their kids.  It's unusual for us to all be back at the same time, but glad it worked out.  My boys always have fun with Sharla's, and all the kids enjoyed little Ali (who is about to have a baby brother).

And then (to end this saga), the boys and I trekked it to Omaha to spend a couple of days helping my friend Lori decorate her nursery in anticipation of Baby #4 (I'll show you pics once her bedding arrives).  My boys always have a great time destroying the Boudreau house.  

Whew, that concludes the first week of break.  We made it home in time to catch some friends/family in town for the KSU basketball game on Saturday.  I guess that means this week it's time to get work done!