Tonight we had a Stake Relief Society Conference, and I went and enjoyed the speaker and meeting some of the sisters in my ward more. The highlight came when a sister came up and told me with a beautiful French accent, "You must think I have been rude staring at you, but I was certain you were French when I first saw you. And so I waited for you to speak, and when you spoke I realized you were not French....however, you still look quite French."
Ah - j'adore Pascal, ma nouvelle amie! :)
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
the theater ~ the theater
In making a move mid-year my thoughts & hopes were to give the children growing experiences that would help through the transition process. I didn't want them to feel that they were giving up everything they had known in NY - extra-curricular classes, friends and social activities. At the same time I knew that we needed to be careful with our time - we were close to an over-scheduled life with the classes in NY. While perusing websites looking for events & classes I thought I found a perfect idea. It was a play that would only be one week long. Madeleine had been in a fall theater class and loved it, and was disappointed that she was leaving right when they were assigning parts to those in the class for the play they put on each spring. Murray Arts were advertising "try-outs" for the play Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs on Monday, January 3rd - which was a mere three days after we landed, but I'd be able to take the kiddos over and try out, and perhaps they'd be able to jump into this activity.
We went to a Jr. High late in the afternoon on Monday and I was impressed with the 2 directors that are part of the Missoula Children's Theater {it's amazing what their organization does!}. They put the children into a huge circle and did a very low-key, but spot on audition. The children spoke in groups & then as individuals, they sang in groups and did little pantomime activities. I was so impressed that these young ladies (they are college graduates, about 21+ years of age) kept over 100 children engaged for an hour and a half while having them speak parts and do these activities. The only part that was hard to digest was that there were over 100 children and they had stated only 50 children would get parts. I turned to Bryson Sr. and told him it would be ironic if Bryson Jr. or Jacob got a part, but Madeleine didn't as I had chosen this experience in particular to help her during the transition with the move.
It turned out that of the three children - our Bryson got a part in the show. The group he was in were cast as Bats --- yes, bats. I don't remember bats in the Snow White book or movie either however this was a new Snow White adaptation and most importantly - he was thrilled and so excited for his part! Madeleine put on a brave face, although she allowed me to give her a side hug and whispered that she wished it could have been like the Up With Kids performance that we did 2 summers ago...everyone got a part :)
During the week between myself and Grandma Joy we took Bryson to his rehearsals and he had a blast learning the songs and moves that he and the group would do on the stage. He was ecstatic when he found out in one of the songs he would get to play the part of Dracula and have an extra special part in his actions. To be cast as Dracula when you are a young boy - he could end his stage career and be happy! However, with this experience I noticed that we have someone who really loves the stage, and the outlet that it brings for his ham it up personality.
Again I was impressed while watching the directors working with the children and youth in the production. They moved everyone through at a very quick pace (after all you don't have a lot of time in one week with rehearsals only after school!), and the children responded really well and knew the songs, movements and play inside and out by Saturday!
There were two performances that day - which was perfect....it was actually a rather busy day for us! We had moved our things into the new place on Friday, Madeleine had her first dance class for Irish Step-Dancing on Saturday morning...thankfully there was Plan B to get her involved!
The great part about being by family is the help and that you can divide and conquer! When we came back from dance Grandma Joy was already at the house putting together Jacob's bed and Nana Lord was just arriving after dropping Bryson off at his dress-rehearsal that morning. Papa Lord showed up soon after and with everyone helping out we worked hard to unpack and get beds set up for the next few hours - we were able to get a lot accomplished with so many hands working together!
Nana & Papa then took the kiddos and picked up the Lord cousins to go and see the matinee performance while we finished up a few more items around the house. We then cleaned up and met the kiddos down at Grandma Joy's house to eat dinner and then I ran Bryson back down to get back into his costume for the final performance. It was a lot of running around that day & again we are grateful for all the help family has been with this move. We forgot how incredibly nice it would be to share the load with others that wanted to help - we might get used to this business of having family around! :)
We finally settled into our seats to enjoy the entire production of Snow White, and wow --- we were impressed! To see what they had accomplished in a week was amazing - the children all knew their parts and we had a few favorite characters and lines by the end of the evening! Down below in this picture is Ms. Hannah, one of the co-directors for the play. She actually was the Woodsmen and her part integrated itself into almost every scene in the play so that she was on stage and present to help move things along. The children weren't waiting for her cues - but her presence was a perfect fit for the production --- and she was really talented and fun to watch! {Bryson is in front and to the left of her performing during his Bat number}
Bryson turned to Dracula!
And now for his BIG LINE {referring to himself as Dracula}...."That's right the one and only!" And oh wow, did he do great...he spoke clearly and loud and I realized he loves the stage. He comes alive up there - and although we know he is a ham at home, it's great to see extra personality come out on stage....what a character this boy is and can be!
The end of the production came all too soon - we really enjoyed this show! For having children do all the parts we thought it was well done and the girl that was cast as the Wicked Queen was phenomenal! I wish I could have captured her facial expressions and her acting abilities...she really helped to make the entire play. Oh, and she had the best cackle of a witch I've ever heard!
Well done Sir Dracula and Bat-Man....we look forward with great anticipation for whatever show you are in next. Braaahhhhhaaaaa!!!!
We went to a Jr. High late in the afternoon on Monday and I was impressed with the 2 directors that are part of the Missoula Children's Theater {it's amazing what their organization does!}. They put the children into a huge circle and did a very low-key, but spot on audition. The children spoke in groups & then as individuals, they sang in groups and did little pantomime activities. I was so impressed that these young ladies (they are college graduates, about 21+ years of age) kept over 100 children engaged for an hour and a half while having them speak parts and do these activities. The only part that was hard to digest was that there were over 100 children and they had stated only 50 children would get parts. I turned to Bryson Sr. and told him it would be ironic if Bryson Jr. or Jacob got a part, but Madeleine didn't as I had chosen this experience in particular to help her during the transition with the move.
The group being led through try-outs & the only disappointment ...no diversity. It's like looking at a large container of white milk....we realize our days of the NYC mixed races and culture might not be at the same level here in SLC.
It turned out that of the three children - our Bryson got a part in the show. The group he was in were cast as Bats --- yes, bats. I don't remember bats in the Snow White book or movie either however this was a new Snow White adaptation and most importantly - he was thrilled and so excited for his part! Madeleine put on a brave face, although she allowed me to give her a side hug and whispered that she wished it could have been like the Up With Kids performance that we did 2 summers ago...everyone got a part :)
A rather handsome and precious bat, which gave great opportunity to act and pretend to be the mean & nasty bats his group sang about!
There were two performances that day - which was perfect....it was actually a rather busy day for us! We had moved our things into the new place on Friday, Madeleine had her first dance class for Irish Step-Dancing on Saturday morning...thankfully there was Plan B to get her involved!
The great part about being by family is the help and that you can divide and conquer! When we came back from dance Grandma Joy was already at the house putting together Jacob's bed and Nana Lord was just arriving after dropping Bryson off at his dress-rehearsal that morning. Papa Lord showed up soon after and with everyone helping out we worked hard to unpack and get beds set up for the next few hours - we were able to get a lot accomplished with so many hands working together!
Nana & Papa then took the kiddos and picked up the Lord cousins to go and see the matinee performance while we finished up a few more items around the house. We then cleaned up and met the kiddos down at Grandma Joy's house to eat dinner and then I ran Bryson back down to get back into his costume for the final performance. It was a lot of running around that day & again we are grateful for all the help family has been with this move. We forgot how incredibly nice it would be to share the load with others that wanted to help - we might get used to this business of having family around! :)
We finally settled into our seats to enjoy the entire production of Snow White, and wow --- we were impressed! To see what they had accomplished in a week was amazing - the children all knew their parts and we had a few favorite characters and lines by the end of the evening! Down below in this picture is Ms. Hannah, one of the co-directors for the play. She actually was the Woodsmen and her part integrated itself into almost every scene in the play so that she was on stage and present to help move things along. The children weren't waiting for her cues - but her presence was a perfect fit for the production --- and she was really talented and fun to watch! {Bryson is in front and to the left of her performing during his Bat number}
Bryson turned to Dracula!
Well done Sir Dracula and Bat-Man....we look forward with great anticipation for whatever show you are in next. Braaahhhhhaaaaa!!!!
Monday, February 6, 2012
1776
We were up until 10:45pm with Madeleine doing her homework! I can't believe the amount of homework that girl has - then again, she is very detailed and makes sure everything is done to perfection.
Although it was was too late to be up for a 5th grader doing homework - I started to think how much I love the curriculum that she is learning here. From my observations on what she brings home for homework and talking to the teachers, there is a balance to what is being taught...and finally and thankfully Madeleine is receiving real Social Studies lessons. In fact - they get it in double-doses each day. Madeleine sits with Mrs. Moore for the first half of the day with their homeroom class - they are taught Reading/Writing, Spelling/Vocabulary & handwriting (all Language Arts) and Math. In the afternoon the two 5th grade classes switch teachers, and Madeleine's class goes to Ms. Ross who then teaches Social Studies & Science. This is also the time when twice a week the students divide up and attend their extra classes - orchestra and gym.
I can't express how much I love that although her workload is heavy and she has so much to do each evening - Madeleine is really studying the history of this country. The classes have a reader that goes through stories from history - so even in Language Arts their stories are history based (this is cross-curriculum teaching which I assumed every school did....but the NYC schools, or at least ours, was severely lacking in their Social Studies instruction as well as their Language Arts....they wrote stories ALL the time, but there was no focus on spelling and making sure children were understanding rules for grammar. I had no idea how much we were lacking in this area until we moved here!). The class right now is focusing on the beginning of the American Revolution - Madeleine has written persuasive papers on being a Loyalist or a Patriot. She draws and composes bulletins that show sides to both the Americans & the British, and her spelling and vocabulary words each week are full of words from history.
They are within a few weeks of finishing up the Revolution and then starting on how the government was established - which is part of the Declaration of Independence and learning why 1776 was so important.
I love history. It's incredible to then see your children learn and love history. We have lived in some very significant places where history was made in this country. I'm thankful that we've had the opportunity to visit these places as our family - and now I'm so thankful that Madeleine is learning more about the facts and why these places have such an impact on our lives and the story of America.
And, on a different important not about 1776....check out this bounty that I got at the store --- all for $17.76. No kidding....I laughed when the total came up!
.JPG)
I am not an extreme couponer by any stretch of the imagination....however, I have been working to buy things that are advertised specials & if I can get a coupon to bring down the total that is double fantastic.
This deal above was to buy the Stauffer's Lasagna and then the bread, salad and a liter of Coke product was free (THAT is what is missing...my 2 bottles of Fresca! How did I forget to put them in the photo?!). The best part is that I have remembered that you can price match when you shop at Wal-Mart, so instead of running to different stores (unless I am driving by one and can go in) and taking extra time & gas I shopped at Wal-Mart this week and I was excited about the results! This meal deal then got better - before I left I remembered reading about a coupon that Facebook put out for Stauffers....a few clicks later and I had two $2 off coupons for the lasagna. Then when I got to the store and reached into the freezer to retrieve the lasagna I noticed that each box had a sticker on for a free package of cookie dough when you purchased a Stauffer product. Hurray - that would come in handy for our FHE treat that night! :)
This deal is not free, and it's not even below $10 for everything...which I'm sure is against the rules of Extreme Couponing! However, I was excited for what I found and that I was able to work with a sale and use the coupon...and throw in that cookie dough (yummy!). The best part is that when I added up all of the items that I got - and even adding up what it would cost if I make the lasagna on my own....I came out ahead with this purchase! And I love knowing that I have 2 lasagnas sitting in the freezer for a day when life gets too busy, or a time when I need to take dinner to someone...I say that really saves the day!
And, on a different important not about 1776....check out this bounty that I got at the store --- all for $17.76. No kidding....I laughed when the total came up!
.JPG)
I am not an extreme couponer by any stretch of the imagination....however, I have been working to buy things that are advertised specials & if I can get a coupon to bring down the total that is double fantastic.
This deal above was to buy the Stauffer's Lasagna and then the bread, salad and a liter of Coke product was free (THAT is what is missing...my 2 bottles of Fresca! How did I forget to put them in the photo?!). The best part is that I have remembered that you can price match when you shop at Wal-Mart, so instead of running to different stores (unless I am driving by one and can go in) and taking extra time & gas I shopped at Wal-Mart this week and I was excited about the results! This meal deal then got better - before I left I remembered reading about a coupon that Facebook put out for Stauffers....a few clicks later and I had two $2 off coupons for the lasagna. Then when I got to the store and reached into the freezer to retrieve the lasagna I noticed that each box had a sticker on for a free package of cookie dough when you purchased a Stauffer product. Hurray - that would come in handy for our FHE treat that night! :)
This deal is not free, and it's not even below $10 for everything...which I'm sure is against the rules of Extreme Couponing! However, I was excited for what I found and that I was able to work with a sale and use the coupon...and throw in that cookie dough (yummy!). The best part is that when I added up all of the items that I got - and even adding up what it would cost if I make the lasagna on my own....I came out ahead with this purchase! And I love knowing that I have 2 lasagnas sitting in the freezer for a day when life gets too busy, or a time when I need to take dinner to someone...I say that really saves the day!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Fancy ~ FANCY!
Today while I was driving around, Jacob was chatting in the backseat. Sometimes he was talking to me - sometimes just chatting about life to himself.
I heard him start to say some P words - and then Pa, Pap - Pap --- Papillon.
"Hey Mom, did you know Papillon is butterfly in French?"
"Wow Bud - I did know that, but how did YOU know that?!"
"Oh, I learned in in my class in a book."
"What book was it in - one you read with Ms. Rachel?"
"No, it was just in a Fancy Nancy books - she uses really fancy words for everything."
I love that he learned this amazing word in his new class - and it cracks me up that it's from a Fancy Nancy book. I do love that sassy little character and if her books teach my child to have a fancy vocubulary -- Hooked on Fancy Nancy works for us!
Jacob's fancy life keeps us in a state of smiles and laughter! The first few days that the older kids were in school, Jacob and I would hit the DI (Deseret Industries - I am seriously liking that place!) looking for a few things that we needed in setting up our home....we thought we'd lost the iron (turns out it was just in a random box), but we found snow shovels and all sorts of needed "junk" there! Jacob would always find a toy that he'd talk me into buying - and since they aren't super expensive it was fun to have him walk around so excited about his new treasurers! The astronaut helmet in the picture was a mere $1 and it talks to you in your ear....how super cool! Also, that same day Jacob found a Buzz Lightyear arm control that was again a whopping $1, and it did all these super cool tricks when you pushed the right buttons - and well, I'm a sucker in a store is the bottom line. It was very cute to see him come right home and put on his Buzz Lightyear pajamas and run around with the Buzz arm control and the astronaut helmet on his head.
And - so that I don't sweep the obvious part of this story under the rug...Jacob's new class. There is of course a story with this - so get comfy! When I went to enroll the children at the public school in the neighborhood, I gave them all the papers for each child and they stopped when they got to Jacob and told me that he wouldn't be allowed into Kindergarten due to his birthday. His birthday is on September 24th, and the deadline for entering Kindergarten in Utah is September 1st. I asked the secretary if I could speak to the Principal about this, and within a few minutes I was standing before the Principal trying to plead the case of Jacob - that he had already been enrolled in Kindergarten back in NYC and that he had not only already completed a 1/2 year of Kindergarten there - it is full-day Kindergarten so he's already done the same amount of hours for Kindergarten that the Kindergarten children will do here in Utah. I also told her that we had Pre-K in the school last year, and that was a 1/2 day program, 5 days a week - much like the K program here.
I then tried to sell her on how well Jacob was doing in class and that he was socially ready for Kindergarten....however that is when I think I lost my sales pitch. For it was right at this time, that the boys behavior got the better of them, and true to character someone had touched someone else, and that lead to another touch, and then the touch become a hit and the hit became a pinch and the pinch became a kick --- until heaven help me they were on the ground wrestling while I was still trying to talk to the Principal while also realizing that I needed and started to pull them apart. I was shooting daggers at them from my eyes -- yet, I was trying to keep a very sweet look on the Principal who was again going through Utah law and they just don't accept children that aren't 5 by September 1st. The boys were swinging punches at each other around my body and I decided that today was probably not the day to convince the Principal that my children were extraordinary and that Jacob would add to the Kindergarten program. If anything, I was worried that she would tell me they had NO room for us in this public school.
I left the school firmly holding two boys hands on either side of me, and they definitely found out that mom was very, deeply disappointed in them. Oh, some day I will laugh on this --- even more than I am right now, because I get how funny the moment was...irony is not lost on me! However, at the moment I thought Jacob's chance to get into Kindergarten at that school was over. Thankfully - it's really not up to the Principal...I got this loud and clear the day when I went back to register all the children and have them start their first day of school - only to have it told me that due to State Law and that the Principal had called down to the District Office - Jacob would not be allowed to start Kindergarten this year. I told the Principal that I needed to make the phone calls myself to try to see if they could appeal the process and so I started to make my phone calls. I called and got a no from not only Granite School District but also the top of the State Board of Education that they absolutely, without any chance of appeal let any child enter Kindergarten during a school year where they have already started a Kindergarten program in another state ---- if they do not meet the Sept. 1st deadline. Can you talk about extreme frustration?! Where is the good neighbor policy when you need one? How can they deny a child an education that they have already been accustomed to, and why would you pause/stop a child's growth only due to that his birth date does not make up to your records because (gasp) --- said child started their education in another state because that is where they lived at the time! I couldn't believe it when the lady told me that they have had families move here in late Spring (April and May) from out of state, and Utah will absolutely not let their child into Kindergarten if they don't meet the deadline - these children would have been attending K in their other state for at least the past 8-9 months and they don't let them into a class here? Well, it's good to know that our children's future and education is placed into such caring and considerate individuals who make these laws!
+074.JPG)
Thankfully - I have a name of someone in Legislation here and because I'm starting to go a little crazy not having a project to keep me busy --- I'm going to try my hand at politics and trying to get a bill proposed in the Utah Legislation. I hope they will see that there should at least be an appeals process for families, like ours, that move here from out of state and have proof of the child attending another school. It just makes sense this way - really, I'd love to know what person came up with the current law....I'd love to have them be the one to explain it to the children that aren't able to go to school and continue on with the class level they have just left.
Anyway - the good news is....there are Kindergarten programs at private schools and after looking for a few, I am thankful that I found out about the U of U program through a gal that I bought a chair from on Craigslist (there are some amazing blessings that come when we open our mouths and share stories that I think at times must be dull to the other person...however, many times it turns out that by opening my mouth the Lord is answering my small prayers of what needs to be done in my life). I went on a tour of the U's program with Jacob, and although he was hesitant and wouldn't talk to anyone I was immediately in love with the entire program. The director is from Scotland and has her master's in Early Child Education and creates the way that they teach the Utah State Curriculum (so Jacob is learning exactly what other K students are as well), however the way she approaches education is very child centered and wanting the child to be in charge of their own learning and develop their own love of learning. That is where my heart lies as well - NYC was too caught up in the rat race of education and while there are some pros to being that on top of education and pushing for your child to be and get the best...sometimes its just too much and the focus in not on the child which is where it should be. The other bonus to this program is that it uses the students that are studying education and they get practicum hours for working in the classroom. For a class of only 15 students, there are usually 5 adults in the room! I still can't believe it when I stop to observe his class from the little concealed window and I'll see Jacob working with a small group of 3-4 children and at least one adult...many times I've seen just Jacob getting one-on-one attention. It was such a wonderful program that landed in our laps & although it's a crazy time of day to have his class (1:10pm - 4pm) and I wish the commute weren't so long it's only 20 minutes each way and thankfully our lives are not busy as we have just moved and I'm committed to keeping the schedule for family this go-around....in the city it was a priority among too many other priorities!
Jacob in his classroom as captured through the "secret window" - Bryson Jr. likes to pop in here and say he's spying on Jacob, which makes Jacob mad at B....and so goes the circle of brotherly love....
Anyway, I had no idea that we would have a UTE in the family ever - or this young - however, I'm grateful to the university that it has this program and that Jacob is benefiting from it. We are BYU fans through and through - and yet I can appreciate the U for the great job it does with its education programs...especially this education program. And I'm so grateful that our Jacob just loves his class, all his new friends, and the fancy new words like Papillon that he is learning!
We'll just have to remember to save all the BYU shirts to wear just around home for the next few months :)
I heard him start to say some P words - and then Pa, Pap - Pap --- Papillon.
"Hey Mom, did you know Papillon is butterfly in French?"
"Wow Bud - I did know that, but how did YOU know that?!"
"Oh, I learned in in my class in a book."
"What book was it in - one you read with Ms. Rachel?"
"No, it was just in a Fancy Nancy books - she uses really fancy words for everything."
speaking of fancy - check out Jacob's newest "fancy" glasses...it's part of his spy-gear that he got for Christmas and he wore these around for about a week straight.
And - so that I don't sweep the obvious part of this story under the rug...Jacob's new class. There is of course a story with this - so get comfy! When I went to enroll the children at the public school in the neighborhood, I gave them all the papers for each child and they stopped when they got to Jacob and told me that he wouldn't be allowed into Kindergarten due to his birthday. His birthday is on September 24th, and the deadline for entering Kindergarten in Utah is September 1st. I asked the secretary if I could speak to the Principal about this, and within a few minutes I was standing before the Principal trying to plead the case of Jacob - that he had already been enrolled in Kindergarten back in NYC and that he had not only already completed a 1/2 year of Kindergarten there - it is full-day Kindergarten so he's already done the same amount of hours for Kindergarten that the Kindergarten children will do here in Utah. I also told her that we had Pre-K in the school last year, and that was a 1/2 day program, 5 days a week - much like the K program here.
I then tried to sell her on how well Jacob was doing in class and that he was socially ready for Kindergarten....however that is when I think I lost my sales pitch. For it was right at this time, that the boys behavior got the better of them, and true to character someone had touched someone else, and that lead to another touch, and then the touch become a hit and the hit became a pinch and the pinch became a kick --- until heaven help me they were on the ground wrestling while I was still trying to talk to the Principal while also realizing that I needed and started to pull them apart. I was shooting daggers at them from my eyes -- yet, I was trying to keep a very sweet look on the Principal who was again going through Utah law and they just don't accept children that aren't 5 by September 1st. The boys were swinging punches at each other around my body and I decided that today was probably not the day to convince the Principal that my children were extraordinary and that Jacob would add to the Kindergarten program. If anything, I was worried that she would tell me they had NO room for us in this public school.
I left the school firmly holding two boys hands on either side of me, and they definitely found out that mom was very, deeply disappointed in them. Oh, some day I will laugh on this --- even more than I am right now, because I get how funny the moment was...irony is not lost on me! However, at the moment I thought Jacob's chance to get into Kindergarten at that school was over. Thankfully - it's really not up to the Principal...I got this loud and clear the day when I went back to register all the children and have them start their first day of school - only to have it told me that due to State Law and that the Principal had called down to the District Office - Jacob would not be allowed to start Kindergarten this year. I told the Principal that I needed to make the phone calls myself to try to see if they could appeal the process and so I started to make my phone calls. I called and got a no from not only Granite School District but also the top of the State Board of Education that they absolutely, without any chance of appeal let any child enter Kindergarten during a school year where they have already started a Kindergarten program in another state ---- if they do not meet the Sept. 1st deadline. Can you talk about extreme frustration?! Where is the good neighbor policy when you need one? How can they deny a child an education that they have already been accustomed to, and why would you pause/stop a child's growth only due to that his birth date does not make up to your records because (gasp) --- said child started their education in another state because that is where they lived at the time! I couldn't believe it when the lady told me that they have had families move here in late Spring (April and May) from out of state, and Utah will absolutely not let their child into Kindergarten if they don't meet the deadline - these children would have been attending K in their other state for at least the past 8-9 months and they don't let them into a class here? Well, it's good to know that our children's future and education is placed into such caring and considerate individuals who make these laws!
+074.JPG)
Anyway - the good news is....there are Kindergarten programs at private schools and after looking for a few, I am thankful that I found out about the U of U program through a gal that I bought a chair from on Craigslist (there are some amazing blessings that come when we open our mouths and share stories that I think at times must be dull to the other person...however, many times it turns out that by opening my mouth the Lord is answering my small prayers of what needs to be done in my life). I went on a tour of the U's program with Jacob, and although he was hesitant and wouldn't talk to anyone I was immediately in love with the entire program. The director is from Scotland and has her master's in Early Child Education and creates the way that they teach the Utah State Curriculum (so Jacob is learning exactly what other K students are as well), however the way she approaches education is very child centered and wanting the child to be in charge of their own learning and develop their own love of learning. That is where my heart lies as well - NYC was too caught up in the rat race of education and while there are some pros to being that on top of education and pushing for your child to be and get the best...sometimes its just too much and the focus in not on the child which is where it should be. The other bonus to this program is that it uses the students that are studying education and they get practicum hours for working in the classroom. For a class of only 15 students, there are usually 5 adults in the room! I still can't believe it when I stop to observe his class from the little concealed window and I'll see Jacob working with a small group of 3-4 children and at least one adult...many times I've seen just Jacob getting one-on-one attention. It was such a wonderful program that landed in our laps & although it's a crazy time of day to have his class (1:10pm - 4pm) and I wish the commute weren't so long it's only 20 minutes each way and thankfully our lives are not busy as we have just moved and I'm committed to keeping the schedule for family this go-around....in the city it was a priority among too many other priorities!
Anyway, I had no idea that we would have a UTE in the family ever - or this young - however, I'm grateful to the university that it has this program and that Jacob is benefiting from it. We are BYU fans through and through - and yet I can appreciate the U for the great job it does with its education programs...especially this education program. And I'm so grateful that our Jacob just loves his class, all his new friends, and the fancy new words like Papillon that he is learning!
We'll just have to remember to save all the BYU shirts to wear just around home for the next few months :)
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Memories
Each day there is a moment where I miss NYC. Perhaps it's seeing a friend, running to Debbie & Lillian's to borrow something or to send the boys to say hello or show Lillian something, missing the beat of the city or the treats that we enjoyed there. Thankfully --- we can recreate the latter. The other things, we aren't really homesick for them, but there is a part in my heart that misses much of what was our life the past 2+ years.
Today, we must have all needed to do something about our NYC memories, as it seemed the afternoon was full of city trademarks right within our home way out here in the good ol' west.
To pay homage to the city that we just left we went all out & I made the copy-cat recipe for Banana Pudding (I call it Banana Mousse since it's SO thick!) from the one and only (well, not the only one as there are quite a few in the city!)....MAGNOLIA BAKERY
Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding (Mousse) Recipe
Put vanilla pudding mix in a bowl. Whisk in water and sweetened condensed milk. Once it's whisked together, refrigerate for at least 15-30 minutes, preferably an hour.
Whip cream with an electric mixer until it gets soft peaks. Fold the cream into the pudding base. Be sure to mix completely so there are no more yellow streaks.
Slice up bananas. Arrange1/3 of Nilla wafers along the bottom of a pan or bowl (I like to make mine in a deep glass bowl we got for our wedding - it's almost like a Trifle bowl so that you can see the layers) and then top with half of the bananas. Top with half of the pudding mixture. Top with another 3rd of your Nilla wafers and the rest of your bananas. Put the rest of the pudding on top and then crush the remaining Nilla wafers until they're a powder and sprinkle over the finished pudding.
Cover with plastic wrap, keep in the fridge for at least 4-6 hours. I just learned with this 2nd time of making it....that it really is that much better when it gets almost 12 hours to set....I'm eating the left-overs now and I like the consistency that the wafers have become with how long it has sat in the fridge to soften them up. Oh this is divine --- it's almost scary that I know how to make it, as now I can have it anytime when in the city it would be a rare treat when I'd let myself stop and get this nectar of the gods!
I had started the pudding the night before, however Madeleine & Bryson were so excited to help me finish making it, and then Bryson Jr. talked me into making Black & White cookies. To make a long story somewhat short :) I went in on Friday to his class as he had been Friend of the Week in his class. I had already done a presentation just about Bryson on Wednesday - showing pictures and the two of us told about who he was and what he liked. On Friday I got to go in again, and this time he and I did a presentation on what it's like to live in NYC. We had talked about making the Black & White cookies to share with his class so earlier this week I had collected all the ingredients and then Thursday came along and it was a crazy day -- our van windshield wipers has stopped working when I was driving to get Jacob from school and it was pouring rain! The older kids and I had to pull over and Bryson left work to pick up Jacob and pick us up so that we could run him back to work and then drive home. We were off-schedule, cranky and the timing was not working in the first place to make the cookies...so that by 8pm when I started to finally pull things out and realized I didn't even have a cookie sheet (mine were old & nasty so I threw them out when we moved)....I just figured I'd find some at a local bakery and serve those to Bryson's class.
Bryson had really wanted to make these cookies for his class with me - that boy loves to cook! As we have church from 9am - 12noon we had most of the afternoon to bake and play games...so after the pudding was finished we started on the specialty of almost every deli or bakery in the city, the famous
Black & Whites!
And a funny part to this story - I found the Black & White recipe while browsing many magazine articles while at Dr. Lord's office (the Dentist Dr. Lord the first week we had moved here). I came across the recipe and wondered why I hadn't tried them before - which I know why as our kitchen was so small in the city I really gave up most fun cooking...but now, with a kitchen that I can actually work in I knew I'd have to try these.
I pulled out my iphone and took a few photos of the recipe, which I told this story when we got to Nana & Papa Lord's house for Sunday dinner when someone asked where I'd found the recipe. Papa Lord laughed and said that was the difference between our generations - he would have asked for a photo copy of the recipe, Nana said she'd probably have written it down by hand & I pulled out the phone to take a picture....I wonder what trajectory path our children are on....will there be some gadget that can produce the item on the spot? Probably not, but I'm sure it will exceed what I did in "copying" the recipe down.
I made a few tweaks in the recipe - I doubled the recipe and even then I don't think it made near the amount I had expected. I need to get a cookie scoop so that I can get even amounts for each mound. The spoon worked fine, however some of my edges were really scraggly and it would be nice to have more of the moon look of a perfect circle for these cookies. Also, I put a little more lemon zest into the batter...probably by just 1/4 tsp. but I liked how it picked up the lemon flavor and then also I squeezed fresh lemon juice into the white frosting mixture as it tasted too much like powdered sugar. I didn't measure, but I'm guessing 1/2 - 1 tsp. of lemon juice according to what your palette likes.
The frosting takes awhile, so listen to music you like or bake with someone that you want to catch up with and enjoy talking because you'll be there for some time frosting these cookies! The key is to do the white first - if you have time let it set up and then do the chocolate....we didn't have time so we did them at the same time and I was surprised how well the dividing line worked between the vanilla & chocolate. There was no problem with that - the only issue was that the frosting hardens up rather quickly so I made it in 1/2 batches or someone else on a blog I read put a little butter in hers which kept the frosting smooth and easy to work with.
Either way - these are delicious cookies that are enjoyed....the biggest question is how you'll eat them? White first - or black first - or trying to get the perfect mix of black & white in every cookie (this last one is attributed to Jerry Seinfield in one his episodes, which I'd love to find....the classic episodes (meaning the clean ones) are so true to living in the city, Bryson and I laugh with new appreciation for that show!
While we were busy making the cookies, Jacob had taken our last game of Blokus and turned it into his art masterpiece where he created his version of The Empire State Buildling (the building is in red, blue clouds in the sky and then some trees or the playground (at Madison Square Park) is on the left. It looks like in the eyes of a child the tallest parts of a playground are close to that of the tallest building in NYC!
Today, we must have all needed to do something about our NYC memories, as it seemed the afternoon was full of city trademarks right within our home way out here in the good ol' west.
To pay homage to the city that we just left we went all out & I made the copy-cat recipe for Banana Pudding (I call it Banana Mousse since it's SO thick!) from the one and only (well, not the only one as there are quite a few in the city!)....MAGNOLIA BAKERY
Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding (Mousse) Recipe
1 package instant vanilla pudding
1 1/2 cups cold water
1-14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
3 cups heavy cream
1 box Nilla wafers
4 ripe bananas
1 1/2 cups cold water
1-14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
3 cups heavy cream
1 box Nilla wafers
4 ripe bananas
Whip cream with an electric mixer until it gets soft peaks. Fold the cream into the pudding base. Be sure to mix completely so there are no more yellow streaks.
Slice up bananas. Arrange1/3 of Nilla wafers along the bottom of a pan or bowl (I like to make mine in a deep glass bowl we got for our wedding - it's almost like a Trifle bowl so that you can see the layers) and then top with half of the bananas. Top with half of the pudding mixture. Top with another 3rd of your Nilla wafers and the rest of your bananas. Put the rest of the pudding on top and then crush the remaining Nilla wafers until they're a powder and sprinkle over the finished pudding.
Cover with plastic wrap, keep in the fridge for at least 4-6 hours. I just learned with this 2nd time of making it....that it really is that much better when it gets almost 12 hours to set....I'm eating the left-overs now and I like the consistency that the wafers have become with how long it has sat in the fridge to soften them up. Oh this is divine --- it's almost scary that I know how to make it, as now I can have it anytime when in the city it would be a rare treat when I'd let myself stop and get this nectar of the gods!
I had started the pudding the night before, however Madeleine & Bryson were so excited to help me finish making it, and then Bryson Jr. talked me into making Black & White cookies. To make a long story somewhat short :) I went in on Friday to his class as he had been Friend of the Week in his class. I had already done a presentation just about Bryson on Wednesday - showing pictures and the two of us told about who he was and what he liked. On Friday I got to go in again, and this time he and I did a presentation on what it's like to live in NYC. We had talked about making the Black & White cookies to share with his class so earlier this week I had collected all the ingredients and then Thursday came along and it was a crazy day -- our van windshield wipers has stopped working when I was driving to get Jacob from school and it was pouring rain! The older kids and I had to pull over and Bryson left work to pick up Jacob and pick us up so that we could run him back to work and then drive home. We were off-schedule, cranky and the timing was not working in the first place to make the cookies...so that by 8pm when I started to finally pull things out and realized I didn't even have a cookie sheet (mine were old & nasty so I threw them out when we moved)....I just figured I'd find some at a local bakery and serve those to Bryson's class.
Bryson had really wanted to make these cookies for his class with me - that boy loves to cook! As we have church from 9am - 12noon we had most of the afternoon to bake and play games...so after the pudding was finished we started on the specialty of almost every deli or bakery in the city, the famous
Black & Whites!
And a funny part to this story - I found the Black & White recipe while browsing many magazine articles while at Dr. Lord's office (the Dentist Dr. Lord the first week we had moved here). I came across the recipe and wondered why I hadn't tried them before - which I know why as our kitchen was so small in the city I really gave up most fun cooking...but now, with a kitchen that I can actually work in I knew I'd have to try these.
I pulled out my iphone and took a few photos of the recipe, which I told this story when we got to Nana & Papa Lord's house for Sunday dinner when someone asked where I'd found the recipe. Papa Lord laughed and said that was the difference between our generations - he would have asked for a photo copy of the recipe, Nana said she'd probably have written it down by hand & I pulled out the phone to take a picture....I wonder what trajectory path our children are on....will there be some gadget that can produce the item on the spot? Probably not, but I'm sure it will exceed what I did in "copying" the recipe down.
I made a few tweaks in the recipe - I doubled the recipe and even then I don't think it made near the amount I had expected. I need to get a cookie scoop so that I can get even amounts for each mound. The spoon worked fine, however some of my edges were really scraggly and it would be nice to have more of the moon look of a perfect circle for these cookies. Also, I put a little more lemon zest into the batter...probably by just 1/4 tsp. but I liked how it picked up the lemon flavor and then also I squeezed fresh lemon juice into the white frosting mixture as it tasted too much like powdered sugar. I didn't measure, but I'm guessing 1/2 - 1 tsp. of lemon juice according to what your palette likes.
The frosting takes awhile, so listen to music you like or bake with someone that you want to catch up with and enjoy talking because you'll be there for some time frosting these cookies! The key is to do the white first - if you have time let it set up and then do the chocolate....we didn't have time so we did them at the same time and I was surprised how well the dividing line worked between the vanilla & chocolate. There was no problem with that - the only issue was that the frosting hardens up rather quickly so I made it in 1/2 batches or someone else on a blog I read put a little butter in hers which kept the frosting smooth and easy to work with.
While we were busy making the cookies, Jacob had taken our last game of Blokus and turned it into his art masterpiece where he created his version of The Empire State Buildling (the building is in red, blue clouds in the sky and then some trees or the playground (at Madison Square Park) is on the left. It looks like in the eyes of a child the tallest parts of a playground are close to that of the tallest building in NYC!
We had a fun afternoon enjoying time together, and making some memories of our time in NYC. We are definitely enjoying many of the perks of living in a home, and being by family - however it's nice to give into memories and recreate things we loved about one of the great places we have lived.
I'll make a list/post soon of all the things we love about the changes and the things we do miss.....as I said we are more than grateful to be here, and yet at the same time We Love NYC!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Sparkles
Jacob just came out from his bed & I was waiting for whatever new tactic he has to get out of going to sleep.
He sat on the couch and started to fidget & when I asked if he needed to go to the bathroom he jumped up and started banging his foot on the ground.
"Is your foot asleep Jacob?" I asked
"No!", he said, "I just have sparkles!"
Sparkles - such a better name for having your foot asleep. Why don't kiddos invent more words?!
-----------------------------------
Author's Note:
Our home has a similar layout on the first floor as we did in our apartment - I'll take pictures eventually but imagine you walk in the front door and immediately is the living area and off to the left is the Master Bedroom with a small hallway and the upstairs bath and Jacob's bedroom at the end of the hallway...it's only a few steps from the Front Room :) I immediately felt so comfortable in this home on the walk through and since then everything has felt like it's in the right place. I love that it's similar enough to what we had in NY so the transition was easy, but it has a basement and doubled the square footage. What a great bonus!)
Now on to the story:
Jacob is now in his bed and trying to talk to Bryson & I out in the Living Room.
"Dad - do you have to go to work in New York tomorrow?"
"No buddy, I'm here working. "
"That's great! Dad, I like you here working."
.....I'm not sure that Jacob fully comprehends that we have moved
here and that we aren't moving back to NY. However, he does get that we have seen Bryson/Dad more in the past 3 weeks than we did in a few months back in the city.
That is indeed really great!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Merry Christmas!
It's been a month since my last post, which I very much dislike not posting more regularly....however our life has gone from the every day busy & crazy to all out, over-drive crazy!
We are moving to SLC, Utah in 5 days - we are packing the POD in 4 days. Life right now is in a holding pattern of Christmas magic for at least two days as we enjoyed a Christmas Eve & Christmas without packing any boxes. It was wonderful to just focus on the children and this important holiday - that was the deal from the beginning of last week when Bryson came home with an offer after his trip to Salt Lake. We talked about possibilities - he needs to work on January 3rd, but should I just stay here with the children while he travels back and forth, should we all just make the move & be ready for the New Year in a new state? We decided to take the opportunity to just jump - I've realized with our moves that whatever time frame we have, we'll take the full amount right up to the end in getting ready, saying goodbyes and preparing in whatever way we can on the moving side. There was no need to wait anylonger --- we knew that this NYC chapter is closing and it's time to open a new chapter in our life.
We have many feelings about this move and change at this time - excitement, sadness, anxiousness & relief....finding a job right now has been a huge blessing and we are really grateful that this job fits so many of the points Bryson wanted.
I have more thoughts - so many more & I didn't even touch on the drama and craze that was the PTA the last two weeks. It wouldn't be the school & PTA if I wasn't living in the middle of one of the most craziest times in that organization that I have every seen! I have told everyone I am writing a book on this experience there - I think it will mix the genres of comedy and tragedy, and it will be epic. I am not kidding when I say that many of us have stood with our mouths open many times this year at some of the scenes playing out, knowing that they can't write day-time drama like this....it's too real and golden for something to think this up!
As much as I want to write now - I need to pack. I'll continue to mull over my thoughts and feelings and get them ready to write down when I have some time after our move. We aren't sure quite yet where we will be living - we will stay with my mom and look for a home to rent in that area....because true to our life this adventure will most likely pave way to the next adventure which would be that we move to Logan with this company in the summertime. We were in shock when we heard that the owner of the company wanted to relocated up to Logan in about 6 months - however, the thought has really grown on us and if that is where we are to be than we will go there.
We are grateful that prayers were answered, and doors have continually be opened as we are preparing to move. We have been blessed and we know that we are watched over. We are thankful that the Lord has been mindful of our prayers and the prayers of our loved family & friends on our behalf. Those experiences as well will be written down - until then we will be packing, moving & trying to settled and unpack in a new place.
It has been the most wonderful and definitely the busiest time of the year!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)