Sept 25, 2005

September 25, 2005
Well, another busy week has come and gone. How crazy is it that Christmas is coming up so quick? I just got back from traveling with the stake up to Waverly again. Bob was going to take the kids to church (even though he has been sick the past few days) but then right before they went, Tyler said he was too sick and his leg hurt really bad. SO, Bob had to go take the girls anyway because they both gave talks today (I am so sad I missed) and Tyler was supposed to read the 13th article of faith so Kayla did it instead. So, Bob came home with Alayna and Tyler (who suddenly seemed to be feeling better!) Anyway, I came home and all seems to be well now.
Marisa had drama again this week and really seems to like the class. She LOVES the dance team and I can hardly wait to see her first performance. Kayla started volleyball this week and loves it. Bob didn’t have to be a coach after all, but goes and works with Kayla anyway and she loves having him there. Tyler is still enjoying tae kwon do and may get to test for a belt soon.

On Thursday night, it was Back to School night. It was such a fun evening. They had a fund-raiser spaghetti dinner that we went to. Then we got to see Kayla and Tyler’s classroom and see some of the fun stuff they have done so far. They are both doing great in their classes. I will have all the parent teacher conferences in October. That is coming up quick, isn’t it?

On Friday night, we attended a dinner party at a friends house. They had tons of couples attend. We had a great Mexican potluck dinner and then went around and shared how each couple met. It was so funny some of the ways they met, we all laughed and had such a great time. They want to start a dinner club where all of us rotate who will host it in their home. We are all excited. Almost every couple has moved into the ward in just the past two years, so this is a wonderful way to get to know everyone. It was also Marisa’s first time to officially babysit. She watched Ty and Alayna the whole time we were gone and did a GREAT job! Kayla went to her friends house to spend the night and also had a great time there.

On Saturday, I attended our ward Super Saturday. I did a very cool project for the kids for Christmas, but I can’t mention here as Marisa reads all the newsletters (Hi Marisa!) Needless to say, it took me 5 hours!!!! I really hate doing craft projects and if you ask me, 5 hours is way too long! Ughh! I guess it will be worth it Christmas morning? maybe?

Bob’s team lost 81-0. In case you haven’t guessed, his team was the 0. The funny thing was hearing these guys talk about how they try running but their legs just gave out and they fell, or one jumped and thought he was flying through the air only to see he had cleared 1 inch off the ground and completely missed the pass. So, I have to go to the game on Tuesday to see this funny stuff I am missing.

I am plugging away on my classes. I am 2 lessons away from finishing the first class and got 2 A’s back so far. I must say I don’t have any free time anymore, but am proud of all I have accomplished. This last unit was on poetry so I am including the poem that the kids and I laughed really hard over. Hope you all have a wonderful week (that is if anyone still reads this anymore, I don’t know)

Love-kris

Homework! Oh, Homework!
Homework! Oh, homework!
I hate you! You stink!
I wish I could wash you
away in the sink,
if only a bomb
would explode you to bits.
Homework! Oh, homework!
You’re giving me fits.
I’d rather take baths
with a man-eating shark,
or wrestle a lion
alone in the dark,
eat spinach and liver,
pet ten porcupines,
than tackle the homework
my teacher assigns.
Homework! Oh, homework!
You’re last on my list,
I simply can’t see
why you even exist,
if you just disappeared
it would tickle me pink.
Homework! Oh, homework!
I hate you! You stink!

Alayna in her PJ's

More tricks

Practicing moves from "So you think you can dance"

Found this on the camera- I don't ask...

Sept 18, 2005

September 18, 2005

Hello everyone! Sorry to hear some of you are having cold weather already. It has been so beautiful this week that we have had all the windows open with a gorgeous breeze. I am loving it while it lasts. Anything is better than that horrid heat and humidity we had all last month!

We still haven’t heard back on the results of Marisa’s chamber orchestra auditions, but she did join the drama team this week as well. I think the stress of middle school is starting to hit her. She has had so much homework and has found it tough to keep up the school work in all areas. She is hanging in there though.

Kayla had her friend, Chandler, over on Friday. She is such a sweet girl and Kayla loves having her for a friend. However, we watched "Jaws" (because the kids wanted to see it) and I think we scared the crap out of both Kayla and her friend. I forgot they show a floating dead head as well as the shark who totally chews that fisherman to death. Funny how we block things out. (There goes my mom of the year award!!) I actually remember watching Jaws at BYU in a raft, in the pools in the RB building. That was scary! Kayla starts volleyball tomorrow and I talked Bob into helping coach her team, so they are pretty excited. Marisa and Kayla spend a lot of their time watching old episodes of "So you think you can dance" and memorize all the moves. Kayla does the girl parts and Marisa does the boys and they can do some very cool tricks.

Tyler was sick a bit this week. He kept telling me his neck hurt, it took me almost a full day to realize he meant his throat hurt! He spends a lot of time running around the backyard with a shoe box trying to catch insects, etc. He’s funny. The other day he and his new friends from the neighborhood and church caught a toad in our backyard. We sent it home with them.
Alayna is loving school and going to the Y. She still gets into stuff and drives us a bit batty, but its getting a tad bit better.

Bob played another football game on Tuesday and they got creamed again. He is hoping for better results this week.

My other two classes arrived this week and I started one of them. It’s the health and fitness lifestyles class. It has some great chapters that will help me when I teach, plus it makes me work out (I do anyway). I have been so stressed with these classes. I cannot imagine how it was that I took 15 credit hours each semester in college. I just need to remind myself that I didn’t have 4 kids back then, I guess. I am really enjoying my Children’s lit class. I have read some really cool books. Children’s literature covers all the teen books as well. If any of you are interested in the titles of some of the ones I have loved, let me know. I have learned a lot about how I want to teach it when I start teaching again, which also has me nervous. Am I ready to start teaching again? Can I have the energy I used to have when I taught? Will I end up in a looney bin being a teacher and mom at the same time? Ughh! Anyway, if I am not as good as getting back to you in email, please know that I am studying or reading!

We did have a GREAT Survivor party on Thursday with a few people from our ward. It was so much fun to have people to celebrate that are as big of fans as we are. We are all well and healthy now and ready for another fun week ahead. A special HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Uncle James and Grandma Annie this week!

Sept 12, 2005

September 12, 2005

I think I jinxed myself by bragging to my Enrichment class that I haven’t been sick for almost a year. Shortly after that I got a migraine headache that wouldn’t let up for 5 days, no matter how much medication I took or other things I tried. The last two days were accompanied by nausea. Then I spent the whole weekend down with a horrible head cold. Have I mentioned lately how much I hate being sick? Its even worse taking care of people when you are sick. Kayla came home last week sick, Alayna was sick all weekend and I got a call to come pick up Tyler from school today because he was sick. I guess winter is officially on its way? I am feeling much better, just worn out. I am more grateful than ever for good health!

Marisa joined the school dance team. She loves it and is so excited. She is also trying out for the chamber orchestra on today, plus she is already busy with choir and orchestra. But she is absolutely loving middle school so far. She even started lifting weights with Bob and I.

Bob started his intramural football games this week. he has been so sore from that and basketball. He summed it up at half time when he looked at me and said "I’m not 20 anymore"! He plays every Tuesday night so we will see how his team does.

I found out independent study is changing their rules. Anyone that enrolls in any university class after Oct 1 has to take their tests at an actual university testing center and you have to pay to take the test. I was so livid that I called independent study and they said that it only counts after Oct 1. Basically if I order any class AFTER Oct 1, I will have to travel over an hour away to an approved college testing center and pay to take the test. So I had to order ALL my classes yesterday so I could use Kayla's teacher as my proctor. What a freaking nightmare. So instead of taking 2 credits, I am now taking 6. I am studying and reading like crazy, remembering why I was so happy to graduate in the first place. I am grateful I have the 5 hours a week to study while Alayna is in school, but right now it isn't enough. At least this way it will push me and I will be re-certified by this summer.

For some crazy reason, Kayla has been sleepwalking a lot. She comes up in the middle of the night and doesn’t know where she is. Plus, she gets so cold in the basement. Then there is Tyler who can’t be quiet while Alayna is sleeping in his room. So, we made an executive decision to move Kayla up to this room to share with Alayna and moved Tyler downstairs to have his own room. All were delighted. Kayla has slept soundly since. It was a lot of work changing the rooms, but that’s ok. Kayla and Tyler also both lost a tooth this week.

Well, I guess that catches you up on all the latest happenings in the Hart household. We are looking forward to our big Survivor Premiere this Thursday!!!