Battle Of The Books

Recently Jackson competed in a book based school competition titled, "Battle Of The Books." He had to read 8 different books in a little over a months time and then his team of 4 had to compete against 7 other teams of 4 in a school wide Jeopardy style competition.

 

They had 30 seconds to confer before giving their final answers:

 

 

After competing we anxiously awaited the results. Finally finding out that with a grand total of 710 points their team came in first place! It was a thrill.

 

 

The first and second place teams:

 

 

Our first and second place teams then went on to battle against the first and second place teams from all of the Somersets around the valley.

 

Their team name was the Fletcherell's (named after their two teachers):

 

 

Conferring over the answers:

 

 

While competing there was lots of smiling, giggling, and all around joy. They were all so happy.

 

 

When the results were announced they ended up 3rd out of 8 teams.

 

 

With the winning team which was the other NLV team:

 

 

All of the kids did so great. 8 books in one month ain't no joke. Especially when you are 9.

Albert

Recently Jackson completed a school project on Albert Einstein. He had to read a book about him, write a report, make an Albert hanger person (that's what it was called), and then present (while dressed up as Albert) to his class.

 

Making his Albert wig:

 

 

Jackson with Albert:

 

 

And Jackson as Albert:

 

 

Thanks Kim for the pic!

12 X 12 - April 2014

Early Saturday morning Eric dropped Megan off at the fundraiser garage sale the young women were holding to earn money for camp. Apparently (I was sleeping) there was tons of stuff donated.

 

 

As mentioned, I was sleeping, but was soon woken up by the sound of bouncing balls. The day before we had had a new concrete slab poured outside (post forthcoming) for the basketball hoop, so Sade and Jackson were out there early trying it out.

 

 

Tucker also enjoys it.

 

 

He has made this hopper bouncy ball his own. He grabs it by the handle, growls at it, and runs around swaying it back and forth.

 

After Megan arrived home we had lunch:

 

 

And then headed out to the condo Eric's parents had been staying at the previous week (post also forthcoming). They left Friday night, but had the condo until Sunday, so we went to do a little swimming.

 

There are 3 things that Sadie ALWAYS (like Every.Single.Time) points out when we are driving downtown.

 

 #1: The Stratosphere Rides

 

#2: The Ferris Wheel

 

#3 THE HOTEL (the one that is actually named THE HOTEL. She finds it funny).

 

Here she is pointing out one of the three:

 

 

Swimming:

 

 

I spent about 40% of the time in the water, and 60% of the time in the lounge chair:

 

 

 

 

 

Watching some T.V. in the condo before we headed back home:

 

 

After dropping the kids off and getting ready, Eric and I headed out to do a little clothes shopping. Eric started a new job this past Monday (!!!) and had to get a new office wardrobe.

 

Shadows at the mall:

 

 

Macayo's for dinner:

 

 

After arriving home and putting the kids to bed, we watched a bit of T.V. I give Eric a hard time about being obsessed with Clash Of Clans, but I must confess that I am now obsessed with Flappy Bird. So while watching T.V. I now play it. My high score Saturday night:

 

 

My high score as of today is 73. It's so hard!

 

(I posted more than 12 pictures this month because I didn't want to cut any of the swimming ones). 

All About The Rest Of Us

1. Jackson. In the car.

 

 

2. Play-doh playing:

 

 

3. As I wrote on Instagram: "This is happening to the back of my hair right now and I am powerless to stop it. I'm going to pass out now (right after I hit the share button). #sick #flu

 

 

It was taken in the midst of a severe flu I had. It was awful! But only lasted 12 hours. And then the next month I got the same flu again! Strange.

 

4. Eric and I went with some friends to play Bingo, and let me just tell you it is ridiculously hard. I have no idea how anyone can keep up with pace of how fast they call out the numbers and letters. It's not for the faint of heart.

 

 

5. The other day as I was leaving to pick up the kids from school I opened the door and found this horrifying creature attached to it:

 

 

I have seen plenty of lizards out in the wilderness and none have exacted anything more than a cursory glance from me, but seeing one ON MY DOOR caused me an extreme amount of anxiety. Sade and I were both paralyzed with fear, convinced that it would jump onto us as we left the house (it didn't).  I have the heebie-jeebies just thinking about it now.

All About Sadie

Big time picture catch up post. About Sadie. Some Instagramed some not. If you don't have Instagram get it now.

1. No explanation necessary:



2. Keep calm and leprechaun:



3. If you looked up tough in the dictionary:




4. Me and the chicklet:



For the record I tried to get rid of the red eye but for some unknown reason the computer would not let me edit it out.

5. Written on Instagram: "At lunch Sade entertained me with stories of Kindergarten drama (mostly concerning difficult assignments and kids using "inappropriate potty words." There was lots of brow furrowing and hand talking, with breaks in between to do a little first loose tooth wiggling."



6. Taken looking out of our sun roof on a beautiful February day:



7. Also taken looking out of our sun roof:



Prepare yourself because I am now going to state an opinion that may offend.

Ready?

 I think that people need to stop posting pictures of their feet! On blogs, Instagram, Facebook, wherever. Most people have ugly feet and I just don't want to have to see them in picture form. Sadie still has cute feet so I am making an exception for her.

Whew...I feel better.

8. Sadie said: "Just getting my teenager on."



9. One day at lunch Eric and I were regaling Sade with stories about our childhoods, particularly about unrequited love on various Valentines days when she remarked, "Man. I'm sorry but your childhoods were depressing."



10. Sade was really excited about the Superbowl this year and made this to countdown the days:



She's a devoted fan. Except she used mostly the color orange. Hmmm.

11. As I have mentioned before Tucker loves to sit on Sadie's lap in the car, even when she is asleep:



12. And FINALLY....A snapshot of Sade on our bike ride last weekend across the new bridge that goes over the freeway. It's kind of freaky and in a bad part of town, but if you can get over those two obstacles it's totally cool:



I'm so relieved. Not only because I finally stated my opinion about ugly feet, but also because not having blogged these pictures has been haunting my dreams.