Slade took the kids for a hike today. It's officially summertime in that Watts' home!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
He's Got Talent!
Today Sawyer's school had a talent show. Sawyer participated and did a mighty fine job, if I do say so myself. (And I can be honest about those type of things. Always encouraging, but also realistic.)
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Surprise
When the kids were younger, The Dollar Store was their ultimate treasure. They could work or save $1 and then promptly spend it. The learned, and re-learned, that their merchandise was not meant to last and in fact it didn't. Eventually they learned to call it junk. (And after watching a show on the genocide going on in the Sudan, I tried to not purchase products from China--although that is a hard thing to do these days.) ANYWAYS . . .we've happily grown out of the Dollar Store.
Or so I thought . . .
I am beginning to think it has been replaced with "The Student Store." Just your friendly neighborhood one stop shop for kids in school where the money goes to 6th graders for outdoor school.
The kids still save their $1's but can happily spend them without my social commentary in the background. (I'll have to write about the latest way they are "earning" money.)
Recently Kennah came home with a collection of rubber bugs. I figured as soon as they were left on the floor I would sweep them up and they would be no more. But I have yet to find them there. Instead, she is taking great joy in strategically placing them in places to startle me. And she is quite good. They started on the windowsill and then moved to the inside of the microwave. Then just a hint of antennae from behind the flour jar. I leave them where I find them and at some point she comes back and retrieves them for the next day's placement. (Proof that I know she DOES know where her belongings are . . .)
This is where I found them this morning:
I think I may have to step up the stakes and start hiding them for her to discover. And pray she doesn't use the centipede anymore--that one scares me every time.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Relay '08 Re-Cap (a little late)
Survivors kick-off the event by making the first lap around the track. They are given different colored beaded necklaces to show how many years they have survived.
Giovanni enjoyed the bounce house.
Melissa, from Expressions Custom Signs, made fabulous event signage and was an event sponsor. She had a great booth at the vendors' market as well. Her son, Kameron, shows off one of her creations.
Joel showed up for some "uncle time" and played with Giovanni & Dominic so Jenni could walk. There really are ways, everyone can help.
Giovanni enjoyed the bounce house.
Shawnda was our team's fastest member. Even in 100+ heat, there was no stopping her pace. She was training for Hood to Coast, so we were happy to help her out with that goal. And Lucy (women's athletic ware) donated training kits to our entire team!
Deon spent much of the afternoon making crushed ice for snow cones. On a day like that, it was a wonderful place to be! Our team sold many cones. Had the weather been different, we could have just as easily sold very few. 
Avy and Kamille "helped" with the cones as well. Actually, all the kids did a fantastic job contributing to the team's efforts. It was nice to give them responsibility and watch them run with it.
Avy and Kamille "helped" with the cones as well. Actually, all the kids did a fantastic job contributing to the team's efforts. It was nice to give them responsibility and watch them run with it.
Kimee knows that "location, location, location" is an important lesson in life.
Cinderella (Jennifer) made a grand appearance in the afternoon. I must say she handled the elements in true royal fashion! She stopped to greet and pose with everyone.
Telaina & Karista
With Teshina
With Avy
Lane was the muscle of the team. She set up our canopies, and carried endless supplies and chairs. All the while laughing and staying happy. She is a good influence on me!
Sawyer enjoyed a victory prize in the cake walk.
Kimee enjoyed the leftovers (uneaten and safe) from the cupcake eating contest.
The kids enjoy a cooling shower along the track. By the time you walked a lap, you were completely dry and ready for another spray.
After the vendors fair closed, the early evening left time for boys to play football and dogs to catch Frisbees. It was a nice, relaxing time.
The girls prepare their luminary bags.
After dark, the track was surrounded by bags dedicated to friends and loved ones. Reading all the messages was one of my favorite parts of the event. It gave me a chance to see a little glimpse of how many people are affected by the disease and how people cope.
Our team walked through the night. (I did not--I slept.) But I awoke to a beautiful and peaceful sunrise.
Laurel walked a good portion of the night. Once the sun rose and a new shift arrived, she was able to relax.
Jenny Wayne quickly found her sleeping bag and got some sleep.
Melissa and Lane enjoy the peaceful morning as the event comes to a close.
Kimee holds a Relay flag. Her great-grandfather passed away from cancer 48 hours earlier.
These are just a few of the memories from Relay. Our team ALL did amazing things to earn money for the team. I was so thankful for all their efforts. I am so glad children participated and shared. I want them to know that they can make a difference in the world as well. It was nice to think of others and forget about ourselves.
With Avy
Lane was the muscle of the team. She set up our canopies, and carried endless supplies and chairs. All the while laughing and staying happy. She is a good influence on me!
Sawyer enjoyed a victory prize in the cake walk.
Kimee enjoyed the leftovers (uneaten and safe) from the cupcake eating contest.
The kids enjoy a cooling shower along the track. By the time you walked a lap, you were completely dry and ready for another spray.
After the vendors fair closed, the early evening left time for boys to play football and dogs to catch Frisbees. It was a nice, relaxing time.
The girls prepare their luminary bags.
After dark, the track was surrounded by bags dedicated to friends and loved ones. Reading all the messages was one of my favorite parts of the event. It gave me a chance to see a little glimpse of how many people are affected by the disease and how people cope.
Our team walked through the night. (I did not--I slept.) But I awoke to a beautiful and peaceful sunrise.
Laurel walked a good portion of the night. Once the sun rose and a new shift arrived, she was able to relax.
Jenny Wayne quickly found her sleeping bag and got some sleep.
Melissa and Lane enjoy the peaceful morning as the event comes to a close.
Kimee holds a Relay flag. Her great-grandfather passed away from cancer 48 hours earlier.
These are just a few of the memories from Relay. Our team ALL did amazing things to earn money for the team. I was so thankful for all their efforts. I am so glad children participated and shared. I want them to know that they can make a difference in the world as well. It was nice to think of others and forget about ourselves.
Come join us in 2009!
Relay
Just extending the invitation to join my team, The Moonwalkers, in OC's Relay for Life on Saturday, June 27th. This is a wonderful community event with people rallying together in the fight against ALL cancers.
The Moonwalkers's booth this year will be simple. Chairs for those resting and visiting as well as a place for survivors to come have a portrait taken and share their feelings and thoughts. We hope to then create a book filled with emotion, love, heartache and hope.
There is NO fee to join the team this year. And no pressure to fundraise. I truly just want to show a presence on the track throughout the 24 hour event. Your contribution would be in 3-4 hour shift to divided between walking and "holding down the fort."
Feel free to invite a friend to join you and share the time together. You may join by following this link:
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?sid=33294&type=fr_informational&pg=informational&fr_id=14738
Also, if you are a survivor or know a survivor, encourage them to come and walk in the first lap, dedicated to survivors. Lunch will also be served to them. And you can't forget the wonderful purple t-shirt, showing that they are strong and survivors. They do not have to join my team to participate.
T-shirts are being ordered this week and when you register on-line, the shirt is automatically added into the count.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Have a great day!
Heidi
The Moonwalkers's booth this year will be simple. Chairs for those resting and visiting as well as a place for survivors to come have a portrait taken and share their feelings and thoughts. We hope to then create a book filled with emotion, love, heartache and hope.
There is NO fee to join the team this year. And no pressure to fundraise. I truly just want to show a presence on the track throughout the 24 hour event. Your contribution would be in 3-4 hour shift to divided between walking and "holding down the fort."
Feel free to invite a friend to join you and share the time together. You may join by following this link:
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?sid=33294&type=fr_informational&pg=informational&fr_id=14738
Also, if you are a survivor or know a survivor, encourage them to come and walk in the first lap, dedicated to survivors. Lunch will also be served to them. And you can't forget the wonderful purple t-shirt, showing that they are strong and survivors. They do not have to join my team to participate.
T-shirts are being ordered this week and when you register on-line, the shirt is automatically added into the count.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Have a great day!
Heidi
Friday, May 1, 2009
ahhhh. . . .
It's over. The kids' schools' Cinco de Mayo festival and auction. I was certainly not a major player in the planning or the legwork. But it's been in the forefront of my mind and thoughts. And a large majority of my "free" time.
Slade and I called the BINGO for a while. The kids enjoyed their friends and playing the games. Sawyer was very excited to be old enough, and asked, to help run some of the games. Slade won a pineapple plant and I bought some fun, decorated flip flops. (Although I already lost a pair with little sequined ladybugs.)
But, I am excited to once again cook dinner. I love the simple life!
Slade and I called the BINGO for a while. The kids enjoyed their friends and playing the games. Sawyer was very excited to be old enough, and asked, to help run some of the games. Slade won a pineapple plant and I bought some fun, decorated flip flops. (Although I already lost a pair with little sequined ladybugs.)
But, I am excited to once again cook dinner. I love the simple life!
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