Regional Track Meet

This summer Eliza had a couple of big track meets. The first was in El Paso for regionals. It was a little more hectic than we planned as far as getting her there. Brian's grandma passed away the Sunday before they were supposed to drive to Texas for the meet. Her funeral was the same weekend as the meet. Luckily, my parents offered to go and take her to the meet. Ellie got to go, too. So Brian went up to Utah for the funeral on Friday and then he and his dad flew to El Paso to be at the meet the next day. It all worked out but just took some figuring out! Eliza got second, which sounds good, but she just didn't jump very well at all. She jumped way below her PR. She was very disappointed in herself and how she did. I think it was a good learning experience for her.

1st Day of School

So Wednesday marked another start of a new school year. It really snuck up on us! I didn't feel quite prepared for them to go back. Hattie started kindergarten. She is loving it so far and said, "Mrs. Cameron is the nicest teacher on the whole earth." 

 Here she is showing off her first missing tooth! It fell out the day before while playing at a friend's house.

 Eliza is in 5th grade this year. Hard to believe she's in 5th grade! She was a little nervous about starting at a new school, but she is adjusting well and seems to be enjoying herself.

 Libby is our 4th grader. She already loves her teacher and has met several new friends.

 Ellie is in 1st grade. I was nervous and having a hard time with her not having her sisters at her school this year. She so sweet though and just went without any problems! She loves school, loves her teacher, loves her friends, etc.

New Favorite Recipe

These have quickly become a favorite around here. I may or may not have already made them twice since Sunday. Brian said they might be his new favorite treat. Try them and see for yourself!

S'mores Graham Krispie Treats (we call them S'more Treats)
(from www.countrycleaver.com)
ingredients:

1 bag (10 oz) Mini Marshmallows
1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate chips + 1/4 for topping
1 box (12 0z) Golden Grahams Cereal
6 Tbsp Butter
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla (I forgot this the second time and it turned out just great)
Non-Stick Cooking Spray

directions:

In a 9x9 inch baking pan, spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside. (The second time I put them in a 9x13 pan and maybe liked it better because they weren't as thick.)

In a large non-stick pot over medium heat, melt butter. Add in marshmallows and stir together with butter until marshmallows have melted and become creamy. Stir in vanilla extract. (I then removed it from heat)

Fold in grahams cereal until all marshmallows and grahams are evenly mixed together. Mix in 1 cup of chocolate chips. Spread treats into sprayed baking pan. Press into pan and sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips on top of the treats, lightly press into top of treats to make sure they stick. Place into fridge for 10 minutes to cool.

Slice into bars and serve. 

YUMMMMM!!!!

Stone Soup

Hattie's preschool performed Stone Soup towards the end of the school year. She was a townsperson. Hattie got so into the songs and looked so darling singing and dancing on "stage." 

Kindergarten Promotion

I never posted about Ellie's kindergarten promotion. It was a crazy day. Brian was out of town all that week and Hattie had her preschool graduation the same day. So my dad went with Hattie and Ruby to her preschool activities and my mom and I went to Ellie's. Brian's mom was also able to join us there, too. The kindergartners performed several cute songs about moving on and songs that demonstrated some of what they learned this year. They were so cute up there! My favorite song they sang was "First Grade, First Grade" which was to the tune of "New York, New York." I got a little teary thinking how fast this year went and how quickly my kids are getting older! Since their school is so small, all the other grades came to watch the promotion, so Eliza and Libby were able to watch, too. Way to go, Ellie!

Ellie and her fabulous teacher Mrs. Gillam

Summer

Libby keeps on me about updating my blog! She wants me to report what we do each day. :) I won't do that, but I'll share what we've been doing this summer. Eliza has been taking TONS of pictures, so I'll use those!

So her sisters have been fairly cooperative subjects for her photos.

We've been listening to a lot of Pandora (and playing games on Mom's phone--my girls are a little obsessed with the Draw Something game).

 Lots of piano--mostly from Ellie and Libby. They really have come along lately and are having fun with the simplified hymn book.

They've played a little outside, but it's just too darned hot to be out there very long. We did do a slip n slide a few times until the yard looked like it was trashed!

More pictures by Eliza...she loves to use lightroom to edit her pictures and do some fun things with them...

(Ruby fell off a stool, hence the bandage on her chin.)


 

Eliza should open her own beauty shop...she loves to do hair and nails. She did flags on Hattie's fingernails for the 4th of July.

We've made a bunch of these lately to help raise money for Eliza to go to nationals. We call them Peanut Butter Crunchies.

I don't have a picture to go along with it, but Libby has been reading a lot. I think she has finished 10 books this summer already. And she's trying to learn how to do an aerial, so there are lots of cartwheels and handstands and backbends around here.

And I feel like I've been one big nag all summer, getting everyone to do their daily jobs and chores done. :)