RIP Trampoline

Last weekend we disassembled the trampoline and took it to the dump. When we moved here we asked the kids if they wanted a play structure or a trampoline. Trampoline was the decisive winner. We've had so much fun, it was a place to burn some after school energy, Morgan learned to do her back handspring on it, and Jack's been jumping on it since he could walk. It's served us well for 7 years.

But the poles were leaning, the padding has become nesting material for birds, and the net no longer seems safe. We are probably the only family we know who hasn't had to take a trip to the ER for some injury on it so we decided to quit while ahead.
**I promise despite appearances, no injuries occurred during the video as well.



Any guesses what will be replacing the trampoline?

It's Good To Be Morgan's Teacher

I'm just saying.



Her teacher's waistline may be expanding, but she's pregnant so don't blame it on me!

If you've seen this blog then mine are pretty embarrassing in comparison. If you haven't, then I have one word for you,


These are cakepops. I didn't get a chance to take a picture of them unwrapped because I forgot this morning and I was working too late in the evening. Don't let the short list of ingredients fool you, you need a good chunk of time and patience. But let me just say these will be gobbled down fast!!

12 on the 12th

Well Friday the 12th was a wet and dreary day, but we woke up to sunshine on Saturday and it's been nothing but blue skies. Just gorgeous.



So here's a look at our day.
1. It was one of those days with lots of running around. Jack got a bit of a break later in the day, but I felt like spent a good part of the day in the car. 8:00 drop off Garrett and Morgan at school. 10:00 leave for playgroup only for the rain to start coming down. Head to the grocery store instead. 12:30 pick up Morgan from school. 3:03 pic up Garrett from school. 3:30 drop off Morgan at gymnastics. 7:30 pick up Morgan from gymnastics.
2. As you can tell from picture 1 to picture 2 Jack fell asleep on the 1 mile drive to pick up Morgan. They had a minimum day today.
3. This is my drive back to pick up Garrett who would rather wait in the rain than bring an umbrella. So uncool!
4. Chris working part of the day from home. Him being there allowed me to do some of the driving without Jack or you could imagine what kind of day he would have had.
5. Jack LOVES the rain! Can't you tell.
6. Morgan's gym performed at a college meet last week and they were practicing for an upcoming performance.
7. Just a note, when I picked her up (without my camera) Morgan was very excited because she had gotten her flyaway off the bars. This and her round off back handspring back tuck were the two skills she needed to move up to level 6. She was so proud especially considering she's only been without a cast for a month.
8. Even though it didn't feel like spring, I pulled out some Easter decorations including this new table runner. I just love this design.
9. And here's a little craft/decor, the vase is filled with daffodils but the outside is surrounded with Peeps.
10. More weightlifting for Garrett. He's up to 90 pounds.
11. Jack is Mr. Snuggly with me lately. If I get a chance to sit, he is either by my side or my likely in my lap.
12. Just another picture. Those rainboots are on backwards, but he did it himself. Just the amount of things Jack is doing by himself makes me appreciate that he still cuddles in my lap. He's 2 1/2 and getting to be such a big boy.

But wait! There's more :)

Here's a better picture of my daffodil vase.


But wait! There's more :)

This arrived this week. I realize it's plain, but I can't tell you how much I love it. Inside this book are all the collages and the journaling that I've shared each month about our life on the 12th. The quote I used on the back sums it up best, "It's the little things that make the big things possible."



But wait! There's more :)
Don't you wish you had this much energy?



That's all for tonight!

Hair Today....

Gone tomorrow!





Last week I had an appointment for both Morgan and myself to get a haircut. She had tried getting it cut over winter break, but we went to a walk in place the the guy didn't speak much English so we weren't sure that A) she would get the haircut she wanted and B) have enough hair to donate to Locks of Love so we made a mad dash to the door and decided to wait a little longer.
So without further adieu here's the before:


And the after:



And here's the "between":



When I was about Morgan's age I also got a big haircut. My Great Grandma Fowler had saved a very long braid that she had cut. I always thought that was so cool, so while I didn't have a super long long braid like her, I kept my ponytail. So now our package to Locks of Love will contain not one, but two ponytails to donate (mine is on the left, Morgan's on the right).

Compare and Contrast

January 2010

Here's a layout I did this month. Pictures were taken in January and Garrett had just gone to his yearly physical and measured just shy of 5 feet 8 inches. He's grown just about 4 inches this year and now is 3 inches taller than me.

January 2009

And this was done last year. I was just a smidge taller than him.

Next year, I think I'll measure him up against Chris. He's 5'11 and at the rate Garrett is growing, he'll probably be eye level with him!

Secret Admirers

Because Valentines Day falls on a Sunday, the school allowed a little Valentine celebration today. I didn't even realize that they did anything at the middle school, but apparently as a fundraiser they sell artificial flowers that are delivered to the recipient during their history class. Well Garrett was one of 3 students to receive one in his class. Apparently this is more embarrassing than flattering. Garrett says he has no idea who sent it, but my deduction skills tell me she's not the sharpest tack in the drawer. Looks like she needed a couple attempts to spell anonymous and clearly she hasn't spent hours doodling Garrett's name on her folder-she spelled that wrong.



Morgan's admirer sneaked his note in her Valentine box during the party. Click on the picture so you can read it. I think this admirer used spell check :). I got to hand it to this kid, he's pretty insightful, he summed up her personality as well as any adult could. Although the fact that he describes her as freaky is a bit concerning-I'm not sure if that should be interpreted as good or bad???



The two recipients are mortified that I'm sharing these, but as family historian it is my job to record moments that will make them smile at some point-and they will definitely smile about these some day.

12 on the 12th

1. Still loving his train table from Christmas.
2. Talking to Daddy.
3. I am soooo lucky. That's Jack after telling me he was ready for a nap, hopping off to bed.
4. I got to go to Morgan's Valentine party at school.
5. After school we raced over to gymnastics, no time to go home and change. This is Morgan's second week after getting the cast off and she is so excited to have just learned a fly away off the bar and a round off back handspring back tuck on the floor.
6. Took advantage of having a babysitter to run a few errands: bank, post office, and Old Navy.
7. Picked up Garrett and just decided to grab some subs from Subway for dinner.
8. Was at a friends house after school so I only had this opportunity to take his picture today.
9. Chris emailed me some pictures. He is in Sydney and did a walking tour of the city. Even though it's summer, it rained most of the day.
10. And again, in front of the Opera House. He's 19 hours ahead of us.
11. Garrett's flower that was received at school from a secret admirer.
12. Morgan's school had a book exchange. She couldn't find many books that interested her, but found lots of Thomas books. So she decided to wrap up a couple and let Jack open them. It was very cute, he said, "Thank you Morgan. Thank you very much."