T-Time

More about Stripes!!

2012-03-23T10:20:00.003-07:00

Oh my gosh! STRIPES IS SO CUTE!!! I love him so much! How many times can I say that?? I love him, I love him, I love him! Who could ask for a better cat! Nobody! He is so friendly to everyone even our little neighbors Calla, and Macy. He rubs up against them...comes when they call him! What a good cat! And he especially loves his treats!! Its almost like he can hear the sound of the bag from a mile away. Some people say cats are lazy, and let me tell you that is 100% TRUE! except..don't let that stop you from excersizing! I you want to walk around the block...you walk around the block...because whatever time you go stripes will come with you! He literally follows you all the way around the block!

Stripes loves to be loved so if you want to kiss something Stripes is your MAN! he absolutely lovessssss kisses!

Thanks everyone who read this post, I really appreciate it! I will post a bunch of uppdated picture of him SOON!

Hearts, Taylor (:

Hey,

2012-03-23T10:04:00.003-07:00

So I know I haven't posted anything lately....well that's because not much is happening.
Lets see, I'm in the sixth grade..what fun, more about school... and I'm participating in a school play called Once Apon a Mattress, ensemble again. Hummm...well I haven't posted scince I was eleven...so I turned twelve. But, that was back in October. And yeah...that is pretty much my life right now. (:

My Revolutionary War Essay--Betsy Ross

2011-04-14T21:15:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

In 5th grade we are just finishing up learning about the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Kueshell has asked us to write a short essay about the lives of the heroes' in the war. I choose to write and present about Betsy Ross. If you would like to know the life of her....here is an essay I wrote about her bellow.

Most people know Betsy Ross as the designer of the first American flag, but she really had many more accomplishments during her life. She was born to Samuel and Rebecca Griscom on January 1, 1752 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her father worked as a carpenter, and her mother was a seamstress, but later became a housewife. Although Betsy is often referred to as a seamstress, she was actually a trained upholsterer. After completing her formal education at a school for Quaker children, Betsy went on to apprentice to John Webster, a talented and popular Philadelphia upholsterer. She spent several years under Webster, learning to make and repair curtains, bedcovers, tablecloths, rugs, umbrellas and Venetian blinds, as well as working on other projects that involved sewing. While apprenticing to Webster, Betsy met and fell in love with a fellow apprentice named John Ross, an Anglican and son of the Assistant Rector of Christ Church.

After her marriage to John Ross, Betsy took ownership of her husband’s upholstery business, and used her savings to provide for the family. They were struggling financially, so John decided to enlist in the American militia. Sadly, he died at war and she had to remarry. She married Joseph Ashburn and had on child. They were married from June 15, 1777- 1782. He was overseas and was captured by British troops. He was taken to a prison in England, but later died. Because of his unknown illness, Joseph was not aware of the death of his and Betsy’s nine month old daughter Zillah, or the birth of daughter Eliza. Betsy began her career making flags and symbols for the U.S. Navy and Army. According to the traditional account, the original flag was made on July 4, 1776, when a small committee— including George Washington, Robert Morris and relative George Ross— visited Betsy and discussed the need for a new American flag. Betsy accepted the job to manufacture the flag, altering the committee's design with thirteen stars and stripes. That is only a legend; however, as no one knows for sure if she really did make the first flag. As the war drew closer, Betsy also participated in caring for the health of the soldiers. Following the battle at Germantown, she nursed both British and American soldiers back to health.

War was imminent, so Betsy decided to side with the Patriots. She entered the war in Philadelphia, PA, near the middle of the war. Betsy offered hospitality to soldiers, providing them with food and water. She used her sewing abilities to mend uniforms, and to make tents, and blankets. She also sharpened swords, made musket balls and cartridges for the Continental Army. By the end of the Revolutionary War, Betsy was ready to return home to her family and continue sewing.

Betsy began a lifetime career sewing flags for her country. On May 8, 1783, Betsy married John Claypoole, an old friend who had told her of Ashburn's death in a British prison where he and Ashburn had been confined. The couple had five children together. She had finally been able to enjoy a lengthy marriage. Betsy’s husband died from disabled health as a result from his earlier war injuries for nearly twenty years until his death on August 3, 1817, Philadelphia, PA. Betsy continued her upholstery and flag-making business with the help of her daughter Clarissa. After over fifty years in her trade, she retired at the age of seventy-six and left the city to live on her daughter Susanna’s farm in the remote suburb of Abington. According to her descendents, although her vision was failing rapidly, Betsy continued to take the long carriage ride to the Free Quaker Meetinghouse in the city every week. By 1833 Betsy was completely blind. She spent the last three years of her life living with her daughter Jane’s family on Cherry Street in Philadelphia. With family present, Betsy Ross died peacefully in her sleep on January 30, 1836. She was 84 years old. Betsy Ross sewed the thirteen stars and stripes of the first American flag that is a major symbol for Americans to this day.

Taylor Sandberg

Help support Japan!

2011-04-14T21:09:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

We have all heard about the disaster in Japan, but there is always ways you can help!
You can send supplies, food, clothes, etc. You can also just let them know they are in our prayers and thoughts. Thanks so much for taking this time to think about the disastrous pain the family's in Japan are going through right now.

Hearts, Taylor!

Las Vegas!!!

2010-08-11T16:55:00.000-07:00

In July, I got to travel to Las Vegas! My Sister had a basketball tournament, and Mom wasn’t going to take me, so Aunt Debbie took me herself. She said she wanted to spend time with us girls, and it ended up in Las Vegas! Vegas was very bright and colorful! I thought the casinos were really big! We walked all the way from the Planet Hollywood Tower to the Luxor. First, Aunt Debbie and I went to the Bodies exhibit and saw lots of cool bodies, and then we went to The Lion King. I found the play really fascinating! I got a picture next to a mannequin of the character Scar. I was sad to leave Las Vegas, but I got to spend another day with Aunt Debbie at Uncle Joe’s house! I missed Aunt Debbie so much!! I already miss her a million tons!

School

2010-08-11T16:06:00.000-07:00

As you all know it’s almost fall again, and I’m starting school.
This year I will need:
1 glue sticks (no liquid glue)
2 pkg. #2 pencils, replace as needed
2 red pens for correcting
1 pair scissors
1 box markers, 10 or more per set
1 12 inch ruler with metric and inch systems
1 9 x 13 accordion file, 12 pocket, labeled: Homework; Religion; Math; LA; Social Studies
AR; Spanish; Science; Drills; DOL
2 packages notebook paper, 8 x 11, college rule
1 package 1cm graph paper
1 protractor
1 waterproof book bag
1 package of wipes, 1 hand sanitizer
1 rosary
1 pencil box
1 box of Kleenex

I wish we had binders; I’m excited to get to use them next year though.

Hi Everyone!

2010-08-09T21:25:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! Today, I’m here to talk about Stripes. If you don’t know who he is, he is the best cat in the whole world! He is very friendly and cute. He is orange, furry and has the biggest heart you could ever dream of. The reason I’m talking about him is because he slept on my pillow all night and purred. I love him.

The next topic I’m going to talk about is camp. Next week I’m going to a sleepover camp in Carnation, WA. The camp is called Camp Don Bosco. My session is the Horse Camp, called Trail Scouts. There will be fun activities such as, water, mud, arts and crafts, but the main activity is horses! I’m really excited; we got our riding boots yesterday at Target and we are starting to get packed soon! I have all my supplies so I just need to put them in the bag!

Hearts,
Taylor

Haiti

2010-01-18T14:59:00.000-08:00

I have been talking a lot about the tragedy in Haiti and also hearing about it in school. I wish they all had enough money to build stronger structures for buildings and homes. Haiti is a very, very poor country. Thousands of people died in the earthquake and policemen are still trying to find the exact number of people that died. Buildings have collapsed on top of harmless people and people have lost body parts. Kids have lost their moms and dads and are being put up for adoption. It makes me cry to hear about the people that died, about families and their stories, and how they are struggling to survive.

I know that God will be watching over them and take care of the sick and dying. I am thankful that I don’t live in Haiti and that no one I know has died there. I am thankful for all I have and that my family is safe here in Washington.

Hearts,
Taylor

Four eyes

2010-01-18T14:26:00.000-08:00

I was at Lens Crafters today because I broke the nose piece off the frame of my glasses so Mom and I went to get them fixed. The lady at the front desk went over to get the same glasses (that I picked out), and she said that they didn’t have the same color and brought over bright pink glasses! (EWW!) I didn’t believe her so we went over to where the glasses were and found the glasses we were looking for! We brought them to her and she was astonished! I couldn’t believe that she was going to make me wear the same version of my glasses in PINK! Let me remind you EWW!

Hearts, Taylor

Pike Place Market

2009-11-03T19:41:00.000-08:00

Today, our class went to the Pike Place Market. It was full of all kinds of different people, super fresh and tasty foods, hand-crafted products, and a big city vibe and tons of excitement!

My group walked by the Cheese Factory. We talked about how to make the cheese, and we learned what cheese is made of. We discovered it is made from curds and lots and lots of milk.

I really enjoyed the big bakery. I was able to smell the donuts a block away it seemed. Either I have a nose for donuts, or those smelled delightful! We got to sample them too, and they tasted as good as they smelled! My friend, David, bought a donut as big as his head or bigger! How will he ever eat it all? Of course, he’ll have help from his family and friends.

The fish counter really surprised me. While we were looking at the crawfish, out of the blue, a huge fish head popped right out at us. Even though we knew it was the guy behind the counter, we all still screamed at the top of our lungs. We turned around and the fish guy was cracking up. I bet he does that to tour groups all the time!

We also went to the wine shop and the shopkeeper told us a story of how he got his truffles. The farmer used a pig to get the truffles out of the ground (bad idea), but the farmer lost his finger wrestling to get the truffles from the pig. That is amazing! These days, they use dogs to get the truffles out because dogs don’t really like truffles. Pigs will eat just about anything, even fingers.

I had so much fun and great adventures at the Pike Place Market! I hope we can go again next year. I wish I was in fourth grade every year!

Hearts,
Taylor

MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

2009-10-29T17:27:00.000-07:00

I just turned 10 a few weeks ago! For my birthday, my grandparents came from Yakima all the way to Seattle for my 10th birthday. We went to Red Robin and we had good food. I don’t get to see them very often because they live far away. They were here in Seattle also because my Grandma had a doctor’s appointment. She had to wear a thing on her nose to test while she was eating. Grandma was feeling weak and tired so Pappy pushed her in a wheelchair. I helped her walk to her seat. She’s not usually weak, she’s usually strong, but she wasn’t feeling her best. It was fun to see Grandma and Pappy again.

The next day, we met Nana and Papa at Ruby’s Diner, and I had Pot Pie and an Oreo shake. Hayley had a cheeseburger with a chocolate shake. It was SO GOOD! Ruby’s Diner is at the Redmond Town Centre and it is decorated like it’s from the 1940s. There was a train moving around the ceiling. Nana and Papa told us stories of when they were teenagers, but they didn’t share their shake with two straws. Other kids did, but they didn’t. I love my grandparents! Nana and Papa are my beloveds.

For my birthday, I got a butterfly garden, a Wii Fit Plus, an iPod case, a cat purse + money, and I got to go on a special outing with Mommy to see “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the 5th Avenue Theatre. We went to dinner at a restaurant called, “Elephant & Castle.” I had a lot of fun with Mommy. There were some scary people downtown on a Saturday night. We took the bus to save energy (& parking money) and there were some scary people on the bus too.

On my birthday, I had fun with Mommy, Daddy and Hayley. We got Trophy Cupcakes to celebrate my birthday. I tried to eat them at the time of day that I was born (about 3:30pm). I could not wait!

I had so much fun celebrating my birthday!

Hearts,
Taylor

Pen Pals!!!!!!!!

2009-10-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

I have a new pen pal! Her name is Kali and she’s awesome! We have so much in common, for instance, she wears glasses, her favorite color is purple, we like the same shows, and we are both huge fans of Miley Cyrus, but Taylor Swift ROCKS way more I’ve got to say!!!!!

Hearts,
Taylor

The Horse Races

2009-09-18T12:13:00.000-07:00

Mom, Audra, Hayley and I went to the horse races and it was really fun! I didn't know what to expect, but we got to bet on a horse named Movie Clip, and Mom's friend's horse, Demosthenes, won the second race! Mom's friend's family owns and trains horses so they had a couple of horses racing. We bet 5 dollars on one of the horses "to place," but it turns out a lot of others did too, so we only won $5.25! (not cool!)

We left after having a good time and came home to Katie+Kyle what a suprise!

Hearts,
Taylor

Go Cougs!

2009-09-18T11:39:00.000-07:00

Mom, Hayley, Dad, Katie, Frank, Liz, Kelly, Joe, Britney, Ailene, Paul, Bubba, Bubba and I went to a Cougar game a few days ago, but I have been so extremely busy I haven't had a chance to blog about my trips!

We went to Joe and Kelly's house 2 hours before the game started, and I got to play with Lola, Leo and a cute little black dog. I feel bad for Leo because he has only 3 legs, so it's got to be hard for him. Lola comes up to anyone she sees and licks you like crazy! Leo stares at you if you’re eating sweets (not that I do), and the black dog is like a little cute baby! :)

We took the bus to the game and we walked a short amount of time the rest of the way. We took our seats after that long flight of stairs!!! So Bubba and I went to get some lemonade – we sucked that down quick, man! Did I mention that Bubba got us in the nose bleeds?!

My Cougar game was a success!! P.S. Even though we lost. (It's hard to be a Cougar!) Look at my pictures of the game (I can't believe I didn't get a picture of Joe & Kelly!).

Hearts,
Taylor

4th Grade Girls Soccer

2009-09-07T20:44:00.000-07:00

Soccer is something I like to do. It makes me feel good about myself and gives me confidence. I love playing with my friends, but I get to do something that I like too.

This year, my mom is going to coach my soccer team, and I'm glad about that because she's very good at handling kids. I think Mom is experienced at soccer and will make me laugh and make soccer fun for us.

On the soccer field, the little girls are smaller than me and I charge to the ball and kick it away from those guys. I want to score many goals.

At practice, we get in a circle and we kick, kick, kick the ball towards the goal. We take turns going around the cones and we zig-zag and we can't run over the cones, that is the challenge. We have to get to the coach before the other person starts running.

We play Sharks & Minnows too - there is one person with a jersey on, and they try to kick everyone's ball out, and then in the next round everyone who got out puts on a jersey and all the jersey people try to get the balls from the others. Whoever is the last to get out wins. Then the first guy comes back in and tries to get the last guy out, but he only gets one shot. If he makes it, then the jersey guys win.

I love soccer!

Hearts,
Taylor

Buddy

2009-09-01T14:31:00.000-07:00

I bet you didn’t know I have another animal!

Hayley and I are sharing “Buddy,” my cute, little hamster. I get to take care of him and that’s the best part! I feed him water and feed him some food and vitamins every day. Hamsters eat stuff like corn and peanuts and wheat and seeds. You get the food at the pet store and Mommy mixes the treats with the big bag of hamster food in a container. I keep the container upstairs in my room so I can feed it to Buddy.

Buddy is gray and white. He was a different color when he was just a baby, and then he changed colors as he grew up to gray. Buddy is a dwarf hamster, but there isn’t a big difference. Buddy is so cute and little tiny! My previous hamster, Oreo, was HUGE! I miss Oreo.

I think Buddy is going to be very happy living in my room because I will feed him and take care of him and play with him every day. Buddy likes to have some treats and carrots once in awhile, and sometimes I take him outside when Mommy cleans his cage or when I’ve been to the park.

Buddy is awake in the night and asleep during the day, so I woke him up to take these pictures. Sometimes if I wake up in the night or early morning I can see Buddy on his wheel and drinking water.

We used to have two goldfish, a crayfish, Oreo, Buddy and Stripes. Now we just have Buddy and Stripes. Pets like fish and hamsters only live a short period of time, like a couple years, and ours just ended up on the same schedule, I guess. I am sad because we have lost pets this year, but God will make another animal or fish in their place. It’s like in the Lion King – the Circle of Life.

I miss my pets terribly, with all my heart. I hope Stripes and Buddy don’t die too.

Hearts,
Taylor

Babysitting

2009-08-31T17:17:00.001-07:00

My neighbor, Erin, has a baby named Calla and I did some emergency babysitting for her when she had to go see her friend in the hospital. I was really excited because I really like to play with babies, but Calla was sleeping. I think Calla is very cute and cuddly. She smiled at my dad when he had a blank expression on his face, but when my mom laughed and smiled at her, she barely smiled at all!

I turned the baby monitor way up so I could hear in case she woke up, but all she said was, “ah, ah, da-da,” and then she went to sleep. Erin said it was okay to laugh because Calla couldn’t hear us. I giggled.

I got to eat popcorn and watch TV while I was doing my favorite thing which is to watch Calla. My mom came over part way through because she came home.

I want to have a playdate with Calla so I can take care of her by myself and I can feel responsible and help Erin. I’m going to take the babysitters’ class at Children’s Hospital so I can become a certified babysitter.

Someday I want to go to a special school to become a veterinarian, but for now I will work at my part-time job as a babysitter.

I love kids and animals, and I hope to have some kids myself and animals when I get older and become a veterinarian.

My other neighbor had a brand new baby and she hasn’t even come home yet. I am very excited for the parents and me because I love babies. We won’t be able to see the baby right away when she comes home because we need to give them a chance to love their baby before having visitors.

My cousin, baby Paige, is a cutie button! She has swirly hair and little tiny feet. Her mama did a pedicure and put little dots on her painted toe-sies with a toothpick because her feet are so small. Paige is pretty funny and she likes to order me around. She says, "C'mon, Tay-er." I saw Paige when my Aunt Annie was visiting, but I didn’t get to see baby Lizzy because she was camping with her parents.

Hearts,
Taylor

Back to School

2009-08-29T19:28:00.000-07:00

As I am preparing to go back to school, I have been thinking about my teachers from 3rd grade. I miss them. I am happy to go to 4th grade, but I’m sad too. I had two teachers last year and I liked them a lot. They feel like my family, and I love them.

My 4th Grade Goals:
1. To be a better person
2. Get better at Math
3. Pay attention more in the classroom
4. Meet new people
5. Share more
6. Be nicer to friends

Hearts,
Taylor

My Summer Vacation

2009-08-29T18:42:00.000-07:00

On my family trip to Santa Clara, California, we went to Hayley’s basketball tournament for her Emerald City team. They won one of their games by 61 to 4! Sweet! We went back to the hotel and went to IHOP for lunch.

Later that night, we went to Great America and rode on rides. I went on the double-decker Merry-Go-Round (yawn), the Demon (it went around really fast and my dad went on the ride with me), and the Psycho Mouse (Hayley and Kerrie went on it with me). The Psycho Mouse was the most fun!

The next day, we went to the Winchester Mystery House with some of Hayley’s basketball friends. The house has the BEST stairs, and nothing works. I’ve never been there, and it was kind of exciting for me to see all of her stuff. I don’t believe that Mrs. Winchester talked to ghosts – she sure was nuts!
After the Mystery House, we went to visit my mom’s friend, Anna, and her family, and then we went to the airport to catch our plane. Goodbye, California!

The week after I came back, two of my friends took me to the EMP by the Space Needle! I played the electric guitar! Rock On!

Hearts,
Taylor

Chores

2009-08-19T22:50:00.000-07:00

My sister and I have been working on our chore list. Every week we get to switch, and this week I'm on dish duty. Suprisingly, I like it more than garbage. I don't know why, but when I'm on garbage (and when my sister is on garbage this happens also), I fail and I don't earn my full allowance. I'm really excited because this was my first pay for doing dishes. We get paid on Fridays, but my dad is a little off this week.

Doing the dishes is a lot harder than garbage but we seem to make it work. I'm the younger sibling, and doing dishes is harder work than garbage, so I think it should be the other way around.

I wish I could do other chores like help my mom make coffee, and help her find her shoes, and dust the house. I will ask my mom & dad if I can switch to a less complicated chore for a week or so.

I like doing chores because I feel proud and like a big girl because I'm doing stuff without having to be asked to do it, and it just makes me feel proud of myself.

Hearts,
Taylor

R.I.P. Sonny

2009-08-18T15:33:00.000-07:00

I can't believe she passed away after I just posted about her. Mom says that molting is very traumatic and that could have been it - just imagine if you were shedding your exoskeleton. I am going to bury her in the backyard today. I'm so sad. I miss you, Sonny, from above!

Hearts,
Taylor

Taylor's Blogging Tips

2009-08-17T10:47:00.000-07:00

Top 6 Blogging Tips

1. Always use Caps and punctuation.

2. Make things funny! :)

3. Plan it out before posting it!

4. Make your topic be about something you did recently or something interesting.

5. Have your title be something creative like T-Time.

6. And most of all, never let time slow you down! :) HEE-HEE

Hearts,
Taylor

Wildlife Walk

2009-08-15T22:37:00.000-07:00

My sister, Hayley, and I went on a wildlife walk today. We discovered a sign on our walk around the block. We read the sign (it was big & tall) by the entrance to the walk. It said, "We welcome you to a nature wildlife search. You're welcome to come in." Hayley and I are big risk-takers so we decided to go through. Later, we came across another sign that read, "Follow the trail, and you will find your way." So we followed the trail and a few minutes later we came across the Seattle Hebrew Academy - it was beautiful. We took lots of pictures!

Sonny

2009-08-14T21:54:00.001-07:00

Sonny is my pet crayfish. I think Sonny is very unique. She says “Good Morning” to me every day when I wake up by raising her claws to me in her tank at the foot of my bed. I’ve had Sonny for three months and she has already molted two times. Molting is when the crayfish sheds their exoskeleton as they are growing bigger. Sonny is very healthy and she lives on algae wafers. I think Sonny is going to live for a long time, but she was only supposed to live for two months. Some people like to eat crayfish, but I think that’s icky. Sonny is very good and she barely raises her claws at me or I would give her a big time out!

Hearts,
Taylor

Bags & Recycling

2009-08-14T21:51:00.000-07:00

I think recycling plastic bags is important because if we didn’t recycle we’d pretty much be living in a big smelly, disgusting mountain of trash. You’re probably thinking we don’t trash our world THAT much. Well, take a look around people, everywhere I look I see cigarettes, cans and bottles in the ocean! If we don’t change our ways we will be polluting the air, land and waters. This can all change now! If you have been noticing this too, please help us take out the trash in the world. Make the world a better place today. :)