Zan On the Go

My New Year's Resolution

2009-01-27T20:58:00.000-08:00

For the 3rd year in a row my resolution is to use coupons - regularly. So, I'm glad to say that I have saved $14 year-to-date with coupons I clipped from the newspaper. I know that's not much but it's $14 more than I saved last year. And there are 11 months to go!

Halloween Costume - Guess Who I Am?

2008-10-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

Halloween Bunko was this weekend and I had to get a little MAVERICKY. See if you can guess who I am:

Or maybe this one will help (do I look a little presidential?):

That's right- Sarah Palin! It was the hit costume of the night (next to Wonder Woman). Since it was an all-girls party Derrick couldn't join me as "Joe 6-Pack" but wouldn't that have been fun! And my suit still fit from 3 years ago. WHEW!

Have a nice Sunday - and regardless of which presidential candidate you are voting for - please, go vote!

A New Sport in Keller

2008-09-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

Today my 1st grader came home from school and told me she was going "scooter water skiing." This is a new sport in our neighborhood, apparently invented by my daughter and our neighbor's son, in which one rides his/her scooter through the water filled culvert drainage ditch near our house.

Part of the sport is getting mud slung from head to toe along with a few scrapes from slippage wipe outs incurred when falling on the slick concrete surface. Also included in the sport is running through the neighbor's sprinklers just to make sure 100% of one's body is drenched.

This may be a new sport in the 2012 Olympics - so it's good to know my daughter will have an edge over the competition!

Sign Me Up to be Famous

2008-09-11T06:36:00.000-07:00

My first grader recently asked me to, "Mom, will you sign me up to be famous?" It was communicated in the same manner as she might ask, "Mom, will you sign me up for soccer?"

She's been watching too much Hannah Montana!

I told her that you can't just "sign up" to be famous - but that I could sign her up for dance or music where she can learn how to perform. "No," she said, "I don't want to do that - I just want to be famous. Please sign me up for that."

I will admit she has taken the initiative. She has been writing songs in her journal. (She asked me how to spell "yeah, yeah"). And the songs are pretty good!

The First Day of School

2008-09-01T06:57:00.000-07:00

The first day is school is always so exciting for... me. This year we moved to a new house and so my 1st and 3rd grader are going to a new school. It was an early morning according to my 1st grader who informed me that I "woke us up in the middle of the night to get ready (for school)."

Here we are leaving the house:

We walked to school in (their) new clothes with new backpacks and lunchboxes. We met all the new neighbor kids walking to school, too. My 3rd grader hung back close to me while my 1st grader ran to catch up with the neighborhood kids and planted herself right in the middle of the them. All of us moms are following the kids with our cameras and video recorders while telling our kids, "This is going to be such a great day. Smile! Have fun! You'll meet new friends."

And here we are after we made it to school (a little more apprehension on their faces at this point):

And so what did I do on the first day of school. Well... I worked out, grocery shopped, did several hours of work for my clients, did 4 loads of laundry, made all the beds, straightened the house, started cooking dinner (all the while wondering about the details of my girls' day at school)... and then walked to the school to meet the girls. Whew!

I was so excited to hear how THEIR day was and began my 20 questions. All day I had been anxious to hear about their new teachers, other students, the lunchroom, etc. And my girls responded to my questioning with, "Mom, it was FINE. Can we go outside now?"

Great Summer Trip

2008-08-13T17:35:00.000-07:00

We had a great trip to Colorado Springs this summer - complete with an exciting train ride to Pikes Peak. See my other blog for details on this!

Take a look at background in this photo! We were at Caves of the Winds and my girls had a great time!

And who knew there was Christmas in July? We visited the North Pole Amusement Park and rode the world's highest ferris wheel! Plus the REAL Santa was there for my girls to talk with personally..."Mom, he has an accent!" they said. My youngest daughter got to participate in the magician's show which boosted her to celebrity status.

Here we are in Santa's sled.

We also visited the Celestial Tea Factory in Boulder one day. That was really fun and interesting plus we all got to wear hair nets. Even my dad, who doesn't have any hair. I will say that I think Boulder should adopt Austin, Texas' slogan, "Keep Austin Weird." Boulder was a little...weird.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

2008-08-11T15:39:00.000-07:00

Today is my parents' wedding anniversary: 47 years and counting.

I think that's awesome. They still enjoy hanging out together and discussing the latest current events... and hanging out with me and my sister also.

I'm one of those blessed people who drew the long straw in the family category. So I just want everyone to know how thankful I am.

Love you Mom and Dad!

Great book by Robin Hutchins

2008-07-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

I recently read a great book written by my friend, Robin Hutchins. It's called Moms of Teens Devotions to Go. It's a pocket-size book that you can carry with you anywhere. Robin (along with her husband) just raised twin boys into well-adjusted young men and lived to write about it!

One thing I love about the book is that I know Robin. As I read the book I could hear her voice saying the words. She really writes from the heart with sincerity. Her background as a school counselor doubly qualifies her as an expert on the topic of raising teens. Check out her website and sign up for her blog to learn more about her and get some great parenting tips!

OUCH!

2008-06-11T19:56:00.000-07:00

I broke my little toe today courtesy of Vacation Bible School. I am having so much fun leading a group of nine 7-year olds that I got a little carried away with the inflatable jump houses. Several races down the slide and I'm sitting here with my foot elevated.

Yes, it was worth it.

Tomorrow is the last day and my daughters are having a great time. My youngest daughter got called on to participate in a contest on stage yesterday. She had to move gummy bears from one whipped cream pie plate to another - with no hands! Not only did she rise to the occasion but she creamed (no pun intended) the other 2 little boys in the contest. That's my girl!

It must be my age - but listening to little kids sing praise songs about Jesus always brings tears to my eyes. There's just nothing sweeter.

2nd Grade Talent Show

2008-05-29T19:48:00.000-07:00

Today was the 2nd grade talent show at my daughter's school. Kids sang, played piano, clogged, break-danced, did gymnastics - one girl even brought a video to show of her Olympic style high diving competition.

But my daughter had the best talent - she hula-hooped. And this morning she begged my husband and I to come watch her! (No begging needed, of course). She hula-hooped with a few other kids and, seriously, she was the best! You couldn't even tell she was moving and the hula hoop was swirling around. But most importantly I could tell she was proud of herself. I loved it!