Maren Turned Seven

I can't believe my baby is seven years old! Where has the time gone?

Since her birthday fell on a Thursday, we didn't have a huge party. We had mac and cheese for dinner, per Maren, then Clint and the kids and Kenny, Sedley, and Campbell came over for some cake and ice-cream. She enjoyed her new Webkins from the other Pollocks, a purse made by aunt Jodi, and some Littlest Pet Shops items.

It was such a crazy day, I didn't have much time to work on the cake. It didn't turn out exactly how I wanted it, but Maren said she still liked it and it tasted yummy.

I haven't had a set year on when the kids have a party with friends. It has just depended on how I feel at the time and if I can deal with it. This year, Maren wanted a real Build-A-Bear party that I just couldn't say no. I told her she could only invite 5 friends, but she squeezed 1 more in there. I picked up Maren and four of her friends from school along with the rest of my kids. Then two more friends were dropped off around 4:00. I fed them some hot dogs, chips, grapes, celery and carrots, then we were off to the mall at 4:30.

They had such a great time. They had their "bears" picked out in minutes and the party was started. It was nice to just be there and watch the leader be in charge while I took pictures. We were there about 1 1/2 hours, which was just enough time.

We got back to my house at 7:00, had some cake and ice-cream then opened presents. She scored on Littlest Pet Shops again. She was in heaven. Parents came at 7:30 to pick up the kids. It was amazing how smooth everything went, and I wasn't stressed out at all. The girls were great with each other.

I wanted to make a bear cake to go along with Build-A-Bear, and didn't have a cake pan. Amy gave me this idea for this Panda Bear. I thought it turned out pretty cute. Especially since I decorated it in 20 min. before going to get the kids.

Maren's Birthday Interview

What is your favorite color? Violet blue.

What is your favorite food? Waffles with strawberry jam and cool whip.

What is your favorite t.v. show? Phineas and Pherb.

Who are your friends? Keaton, Madison, Jessica, Anaya, Laney and all my cousins.

What do you love about school? Library and computer lab.

What is your favorite thing to do? Play Littlest Pet Shops.

What is your favorite book? The Princess and the Frog.

What is your favorite song? I am a Child of God.

What is your favorite movie? Alice in Wonderland in 3D.

What are you most scared of? Scary movies.

Who is your favorite Hero? My Family.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Teacher.

If you had one wish, what would it be? I wish I would be MAGIC. (So I can play tricks on people and have my homework done in a snap)

State Champion!

What an exciting meet we had in Helena on Friday.  This was the state championship meet. 

 In order to make it to the 3:00 meet, we thought we should leave around 9:00 or so to make sure we got there without stressing out too much.  Of course this was the one day in weeks for a Winter Storm Advisory.  Knowing my husband, I gave ourselves an extra hour in case we were running behind.  Sam had to run a case in to the lab, and was going to be right back.  He, however, had to stay and answer some questions about the case.  9:00 came, he wasn't home.  9:15, not answering his phone (he left it in the car).  9:30, nothing.  9:45...Where is he?  Finally at 9:55 I call the lab to see if he was still there.  He was, he wouldn't have been able to get home for at least another 1/2 hour.  We could not wait that long.  So, Jackson, Maren, and I took off for the meet.  We made it there with an hour to spare.  It was probably good that we didn't go with Sam, because we were going to take the truck, which he drove, (I took the van).  He could only go 65 miles an hour because of a bent rear rod that was shaking the truck terribly.  Even though he was a 1/2 hour behind us, he didn't make it to the meet until an hour after it started.

I was having a hard time getting pictures and video, so after a few shots, I put the camera away, and just enjoyed the meet.  

It was a close meet,  all the boys in his level were getting similar scores.  Jackson took first on the floor and vault, 2nd on high bar, pommel horse, and rings, and 3rd in P-bars.

When it came to All Around scores, he took the gold!  State Champ!  We were so excited and proud of our little boy.

Maren was very adamant about getting Jackson a rose.  I'm glad she did, Jackson really liked it.... even though it was pink.

Congratulations Jacks.  We are so proud of you!

Good Luck at regionals in Oregon!

Daddy Daughter 70's Night

I had no idea how this was going to end up, with finding something for these two to wear.  Aliza actually was easy, we had everything she needed.  Sam, on the other hand, had to be a little thought out, and cost a little money.  I knew we were going to get him an Afro wig, that was for sure.  I went to Goodwill (the day of the party) and found a baby blue suit.  The pants were not going to fit him, but luckily, Amy had some extra items that she had found.  The pants, she borrowed from the school Principle, Mr. Z, (his Halloween costume last year) and possibly the shirt as well.  Sam used most of my brown eye-liner for his stash, and an old wig for his hairy chest.  We found a toy gold necklace (little dice to be exact) and his old "Aurthur" glasses.  As they were getting in the car to leave, I wanted to get a picture.  We thought in front of our 1975 camper (yes, it's in front of our house), would be a perfect background.

I wasn't going to go to the church, I didn't need to go, but I just had to in order to see all the outfits, and get some great pictures.  This is almost the same pose, but, still hilarious and at the church.

The fathers and daughters did a little craft in the beginning.  The fathers decorated a rock, and the daughters decorated a little bag, looking 70ish.

After the craft and pictures, they were taught the 'Hustle' dance.....  that's when I left.  They had yummy ice-cream sundaes and didn't get home until 8:30.

Aliza loved hanging with her dad.  I'm so glad they have these opportunities to have these 'dates'.

SAM IS 40!!!

The day started out with breakfast in bed.  The girls made sure he wore the birthday glasses.

The office staff had a great cake set up in the front office with 'over the hill' balloons and black decorations.   We had an office lunch at the golf course.  Amy had some fun decorations set up there as well.  I made a bald head cake, and Amy gave him some great "Old" presents.  The orange vest he has on has some great sayings on it.

The kids and I sang 'Happy Birthday' this evening and had his cake with ice-cream.  Maren made this great sign "Happy Berth Day Boldy"  And Sam had fun with the glasses and the candles.

Sam wasn't too excited for this day to come, but he ended up having a great day.  He still can't believe he had to work on his birthday, he didn't even get to sleep in.  Oh Well, there will be plenty of time for that when he is really old.

Love you Sam!  Hope you have a great year in this new decade.

Missoula Meet

This was a fun meet to watch.  Hope it works.

Jackson took 1st in Pommel Hoarse and Vault,

2nd in Floor and Rings,  3rd in High Bar and P Bars, and

1st All Around.

Billings Gymnastics Meet

The Billings Meet finally came.  Since we were the host team, they asked for volunteers to help throughout the day during the 4 different meets.  I signed my mom and I up to help out at one of the Judges table at the meet before Jackson's.

Jackson decided to go with us to hang out and watch, and he ended up helping me hold up the scores.  We took turns.  Mom wrote down the scores on a paper for the awards.  The Judge was from Salt Lake.  I guess she goes around to Judge different boys meets.

I was a little frustrated because I couldn't figure out the settings on the camera to make the movements not blurry.  Sam said he knows how and will fix it for the next meet.

I picked a few pictures that weren't too blurry.

A lot of them are when he is still for a second or two.

I thought this was a pretty amazing skill.  He has to hold this pose for 3 seconds.

Here he is looking at Hunter and pointing at him.  Hunter thought that was pretty cool.

Jackson ended up tying for 1st in All Around.  He looks pretty happy here.

These meets are pretty long, but I enjoy every minute of it.  Since it was in Billings, we had some family members come.  Clint and Amy, Mike, Kelly, Hunter, and Trigdon, Kenny, Jodi, her dad, Sedley, and Campbell.  We appreciate you all for making the effort to come.  

Great job Jackson!!!  Good luck on Friday in Missoula.