NEHS induction

Here she is waiting for National English Honor Society induction to begin.

 These are all the new members.

 Here is everybody!! That's a lot of kids.

Way to go Karlee!! You continue to impress me with all you achieve!!

birthday boy

 

 
 

Surprise!! Karlee put up streamers in the kitchen for Brian's birthday.

 

We spent a quiet evening at home.  I made Brian's favorite, lasagna and death by chocolate cake.  Karlee had a YCL camp meeting, the boys watched TV downstairs while Brian and I rented a Redbox for us.

 Karlee wrote a sweet letter for her Dad.

I think he enjoyed his birthday.  He's kinda hard to shop for.

Happy birthday Brian!! I love you!!

surprise award

 Karlee received a letter in the mail a few weeks ago telling her she will be receiving an "Unsung Hero" award this morning.

On the back of the program it reads,

We honor and applaud the "behind the scenes" students; the unassuming helpers, the givers, those always anticipating the needs in the classroom, the activity or the sport. Your exceptional contributions have been a very meaningful  part of our school life and we are honored to be able to acknowledge your commitment to making a difference in the lives of both students and staff in "North Star Country".

But the best part is on the back of the award.  There is a letter from the staff member that recommend Karlee for the award.

 

 

Karlee,

 

Throughout my five years of teaching, I've had a decent number of students transfer in from different districts or schools, or even switch from a different class within the building.  However, never before have I seen a student embrace the new opportunities in an unfamiliar place like you have.  I know the experience of moving from Texas to a brand new district mid-semester was (and perhaps still is) a trying transition, but I'm so proud of you for stepping up to the plate and showing an eagerness from Day One to be a leader in our classroom. You're very intelligent, and this combined with your intrinsic curiosity and excitement for learning make you such a positive role model for our classroom. I'm also very happy that you applied for National English Honor Society, and I look forward to you spreading your optimism and enthusiasm in that venue as well! 

 

Thank you for all that you do, and keep up the hard work!

 

Sincerely,

 

Mrs. Froemling



music program

I almost forgot about Carson's music program.  It was the entire 2nd grade. Which, I believe, is only four classes.  They had some very fun songs. Carson and one other boy wore a tie.  This is quite casual for him.  Usually he wears his suit. 

 

I love how this girls bow looks like Carson is wearing a bowtie. Super cute!!

lucky day

I got a wild hair and decided to make a treat for St. Patrick's Day.  So about 4:00 I start this cake, Chocolate Cake with Mint Buttercream.  I found it on Pinterest, of course. Karlee insisted it had to have a shamrock. She made the design on top.

To be honest, the cake was a little dry. The mint flavor was great, although the boys thought it was too much. After I frosted the cake I had a little frosting left over that I rolled in the chocolate shavings.  That was super yummy!  So good I might make the frosting again, roll in chocolate then freeze.

 

Today was lucky for our neighbor. Ed was home by himself when a man broke into his house.  It happened around 11 this morning.  I had heard sirens around then but of course went about my business. Then I noticed 5 cars in front of my house plus two police cars.  In the afternoon a van arrived that had Bomb and Arson Investigation Unit on the side.  I started to get nervous.

 

Ed had shot the intruder and injured him.  The guy ran off but the police apprehended him shortly.  I started to wonder how safe I really am, during the day.  I have a security system, but I don't always set it while I'm home.  Then I remember Stella.  Our dog has turned into a barker.  It's annoying. When someone is walking past our house she barks, a lot.

 

If someone was trying to break into our house I would be surprised if Stella wouldn't hear the break in. I think her barking and jumping around at the window would deter any intruder. I think Stella is a pretty good guard dog.  I don't know if she would attack. But she freaks out plenty watching through the window. I'm thinking I better listen more carefully when she starts barking.

handsome young man

 

Mason rarely lets me take his picture.  When he does he tells me I can't put it on Instagram or Facebook.  I tell him I won't then he quickly adds the blog.  I try not to answer.  ;0)

 

In just over two months Mason is going to be 12! I can hardly believe it.  He's such a sweet boy.  He does NOT like being told what to do, but usually comes around and does what I ask of him.  Like letting me take his picture.

too young

Tonight is Mormon Prom for our church. You have to be 16 to attend. Karlee is 15 1/2. So...these girls decided to have their own kind of fun tonight.

They got all dressed up and went out to dinner with their dads. I have to brag a little. We found Karlee's dress at Goodwill for $7!!! Jackpot!!  A friend of mine altered the bodice to fit better and that's all we needed.

They all look amazing!!

After dinner the dads left them at a friends house to eat and watch movies. I think it's a hit!

maple sugaring

Not far from our house we learned how to get sap from a tree to make syrup.

The boys learned how to drill a hole for the spout.

We learned that the sweetest sap is in the Spring. The nights need to be below freezing and days above for the sap to flow. The sap is 97% water.

Once the sap is harvested it needs to boil for 27-48 hours. The sap will thicken and darken when it becomes syrup. 40 gallons of sap will make one gallon of syrup.

They even had samples for us from a "sugar bush" from central Illinois. Soo good!!!

Now we wish we had a sugar maple in our backyard.

 

just keep running...

Bailee ran her first 5K today!! She sent me these pics and texted me her time which was 32:37. She also added that she ran the whole thing!! I'm so proud of her.

I wish I could have ran with her. I loved running a 5K with McKinzie and Karlee last summer. Maybe this summer I can run one with Bailee.

I'm currently training for a half marathon. There was a time, not long ago, I thought I'd never run more than a 10K. I guess I needed to prove to myself I can do hard things. Or, I can do this because so and so did. That's probably it. 

It's hard. When I ran 8 miles for the first time I thought I would die. My legs hurt for most of the day. Thursday I ran 11 miles and at 10 1/2 I had to walk a bit. But I'm doing it. It feels good, the next day after my legs stop hurting, to know I'm accomplishing my goal. 

blue and gold

A few weeks ago was the Blue and Gold Banquet for Cub Scouts. (I don't know why I'm so slow posting this. Oh well, better late than never.) The Cubs with their dads had to make a cake. The theme was "Flying High".

They did a great job!!

 At the banquet there were some airplanes races.

 These cakes were our dessert.  Super yummy!!

 

Carson also earned his first bead.  He's close to earning another, plus he's earned two arrows. (If they could award them.)

spring?

Monday and Tuesday this last week was beautiful. Sunny and warm enough to melt a significant amount of snow! Carson was loving riding his bike after school again. 

Then Wednesday we woke up to 3-4 inches of snow. Will this ever end?! It was beautiful!! The thing is I want Spring. We ALL want Spring. Carson just about cried when he saw snow. He wants to play football at recess. 

It's suppose to be 50 on Friday. So ready for Spring!!

baby gift

I made this for my friend Ruth K and her baby boy. He was weeks old when I finally mailed it. I'm kinda slow.

I made this teddy bear when I was still in Texas. My first appliqué. I think he's super cute!! I also appliquéd a lamb and a pig.

ice ice baby

My baby spent an hour and a half at a local pond ice skating for scouts tonight. He was loving it! As he was skating, it was hard to believe it was only his second time on ice skates.