Stockton ~ The Big 1-0

Stockton is 10! This morning he said, "This is going to be a great birthday. I'm turning a decade old, I'm having a party, it's the 100th day of school and isn't it a full moon?" To top it all off, I got to substitute his class today! I was so happy. I was actually scheduled to teach another 4th grade class. When I found out Mrs. Catlin had to be out as well, I begged Nancy to let me switch. It was so fun to be with him. He actually had Guidance or CHAT (which he hates) and music (which he doesn't like either). I had Stockton stay with me during CHAT. Although when I came to get the class, the principal was teaching. I asked him if he wanted to stay with me during music. He said that he didn't think it would be fair for him to miss both. He's so sweet and considerate. Actually watching him interact with others, I was amazed at how kind he is. Not really surprised, but very proud.

After school we had a birthday party for him. We brought Mason & Trevor (and Hunter) home with us after school for a couple of hours before the party started. They had fun playing with all the toys we had set up before the crowd arrived. Stockton had about 12 boys come over. They had a great time. Rock climbing wall, bowling alley, air hockey, wii, sardines, cake, pizza, presents..... Stockton gave his birthday a 9 1/2 out of 10. We declare this birthday a success!

Chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream, chocolate chips

Rock climbing
Presents
Preston & Stockton
Seth or Max, Preston & Stockton
Preston sad that he didn't get to blow the candles
Stockton, Maysen, Jorja, Preston
Opening Grandpa Millburn's present

My dad sent Stockton a package. In the package was this poem:

Stockton's Birthday Poem

By his Grandpa Millburn

In case I don't recall to phone

I thought I'd send a birthday poem,

And tell you what the heck you'll find

Within this box you'll find confined.

Hot chocolate packets are inside;

I only wish that Thursday I'd

Have opportunity to make

Hot chocolate with your birthday cake.

I'd also like to make you scones;

(They're really light, but look like stones)

And so inside the box you'll see

A box of scone mix (thanks to me).

And thanks to Cathy, nicely wrapped,

You'll see two packages entrapped

In paper all decked out with cars;

You'll look at them and say, "My stars!

I wonder what these two could be!"

I'll tell you that they're books to read.

And if you find them awfully boring,

And in a wink, you find you're snoring,

Just pass them on to Jorja Ann--

She'll stay awake if anyone can.

And finally there's a Mormon game

To make all those who play insane.

I do not know if it is fun;

The times I've played? Zip, zero, none.

It's major use was to provide

A box so the other stuff wouldn't slide.

So that's my birthday poem to you;

I hope your birthday's happy, too.

Thanks dad! We got a good laugh at it. Stockton didn't say, "My stars!" but the rest of us did. The package came today, so nice timing.

Stockton raked in the dough. Most of his friends brought money. Seth & Max bought a cool Clue game. We love Clue, and this is a game we don't have. We gave Stockton Bananagrams and a few other things. One of his favorite presents was three coupons. A free eaters club, tasters club, and leave the table club. Stockton said, "I'm going to save this for Thanksgiving!"

My favorite present that Stockton was given was a poem Maysen wrote for him. It was so sweet. She also gave him $5. The $5 she gave him was her babysitting money. I don't really think he understood what a nice present he was given. I'm going to put Maysen's poem up in a few days because I think it deserves its own post.

I love Stockton so much. He is one of most unique individuals I have ever known. He has such a loving, tender heart. There is so much good inside him. I am so proud and honored to be his mother. I hope he knows how much I love him and how much he means to me. I love spending time with him, learning from him, watching him and just being with him. I can't believe he is already 10. Happy Birthday Stockton!!!

Jorja's Haircut

Today I was finally brave enough to cut Jorja's hair. I just trimmed her bangs. It has always been too scary for me to cut my children's hair, but Jorja asked me to today. That actually surprised me. She had told me before that I would mess it up. Today she said, "It will save money if you cut it yourself." How sweet!

The Porge

Dad's Store

We have been trying to simplify the amount of toys the kids have. So . . . Mike set up a store. A little background information: Everyday the kids earn points for different chores. If they earn 100 points at the end of the day, they earn a sticker. Stickers can be redeemed for prizes. (Stickers are worth approximately 33 cents.) They also have to earn their sticker in order to play the computer or the wii the next day. If they fail to earn their sticker, the next day they have to earn all 100 points before they are allowed to play those things. (It motivates them pretty well.) Anyway, back to the story . . . Mike was interested in getting rid of some things the children were having a hard time parting with. He set up a store and told the kids they could bring anything (that was theirs) and turn in their toys. He would pay them in points that would be redeemable whenever they chose. That was huge! We have never let them carry points over before! Anyway, Jorja earned a lot of points. Maysen only traded in a few things, but they were things she really liked and Mike had really wanted to get rid of them - so she earned a lot of points. Stockton didn't trade anything.

I have a funny Stockton story though. Stockton and I went to the mall. I had a free coupon for a webkinz, so I wanted him to pick one out for his birthday. We were walking around Hallmark when Stockton looks at me and says, "Do I have my backpack on?" He did! I didn't even notice. I guess when I tell him to get his coat, he automatically puts his backpack on as well. We laughed and laughed.

Preston also stayed dry all day!

Video Game Tester

Preston helped clean windows today. He loved it. The only problem was we couldn't convince him that we were done cleaning windows. He had fun going around the entire house spraying any window he could find. Then he started spraying the carpet. Then he sprayed our bread. Luckily everything was wrapped up nicely. I guess the clear bread container looked like it needed to be cleaned?

Preston

Preston also stayed dry the entire day! He's done this a couple of days now. He sure likes his "special treat" at the end of the day. (If he stays dry the entire day he gets a treat from the treat bucket - usually a small mint 3 musketeer.)

I had to laugh at Preston when he was eating his icecream. He eats it just like Stockton!

Mike had a job interview today. He also applied for several jobs (which he does everyday). Anyway, one of the jobs he applied for today was video game tester. Not that he thought he would get it, but just because it sounded fun. Stockton was so excited. He said, "I want to be your assistant!"

Maysen came home from school and said they announced that her team finished fourth in the Reading Bowl. I had no idea they did that well. Congrats Maysen!

Homemade Bread

Takes awhile - but worth it.

2010 Reading Bowl ~ First Place

That's right! Stockton's team took first place in the reading bowl competition today. Their team was unbelievable. I am so proud of how hard Stockton worked. He was amazing. (Their school has now won the reading bowl two years in a row. Maysen on the first team and Stockton on the second. Quite an accomplishment.)

Stockton with the 1st place trophy

Waiting to start

Maysen also competed for her school in the reading bowl. They didn't get first place, but they held their own. Actually they won the team that tied for first - so they did really good. (The scores are cumulative). Mike and I had to split up since both Maysen and Stockton were competing at the same time. I went with Maysen and Mike with Stockton. I was able to see Stockton play one round when Maysen had a bye. Both Maysen and Stockton did so well today. It is hard to explain the intensity of this competition. It is so cool!

Maysen's team

Maysen

Maysen sits like her dad

Maysen & Jakob

One weird thing that happened to Maysen's team. There was a question: In the book Secret Lies and Algebra, what symbol did Tess tattoo with a red pen on the inside of her ankle. The other team answered a minus sign. The judge conferred with the scorekeeper and they decided that was correct. I was thinking in my mind, I thought it was an infinity sign. Anyway, come to find out it was an infinity sign. I was shocked that two adults would not know that an infinity sign is completely different than a minus sign. Maysen's teacher was MAD. Pretty funny.

Stockton and Mrs. Collins

Mrs. Benton, Stockton, Maysen, Mrs. Collins

Maysen, Stephanie, Stockton

Maysen, Mike, Stockton

Mike is obviously the better photographer

Here is a quick video of Stockton's team being announced the winners. Too bad someone jumped up in front of Mike. Should have seen that one coming. Oh well, at least we can still see Stockton.

We had such a fun day with Maysen and Stockton. I have loved sharing this experience with them. I wish Utah had a reading bowl. It is quite the thrill ride.

Tears

Today was a bad day.

Worn Out

Mike got worn out today. He agreed to watch the children during Relief Sociey. I didn't go. He ended up watching eleven children. Most of them only spoke Spanish - by himself - in a small room. I think he will sleep well tonight.

Spasms

Stockton had his school spelling bee today. He was so excited. He has waited so long to be old enough to be in the school spelling bee. He did great. He was so nervous, but when he spoke he was clear and everyone could hear him. He got out on the word spasms. I think there were only two words he didn't know how to spell, and he got one of them. The other word was skillet. Luckily I had a talk with Stockton before we went. I told him the spelling bee is part skill, but mostly luck. After Stockton got out, the next word was freckle. Maysen got out on her school spelling bee on the word surround. She only put one r. She said as soon as she said the o she realized her mistake, but it was too late.

The judges

Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Cantrell, Mrs. McLendon

2010 spelling bee
Stockton & Stephanie

Mike took a couple videos of Stockton. One is of him spelling a word. They made the participants face away from the audience. The other video is a cute one of Stockton while he is waiting for his turn. Actually he had just finished one of his words.

Maysen had a YM/YW combined activity tonight. They did iron chef. Mike was one of the judges. The secret ingredient was mint. Each of the three groups had to do a drink, a salad, and a dessert. Mike said that they all did really well - much better than he expected them to. Seems like everybody had a great time.

Random Happenings

Mike has started working on his trailer again. He finished two benches! Preston loves working with his dad and TOOLS!

Preston, Mike, Jorja

I took Stockton to the store today to look for birthday invitations and get free ice cream. He received a coupon for a free 1/2 gallon because his grades were so good. I didn't even look at his face before I asked if I could take his picture. I knew he would have chocolate all over. I don't know how he does this when he eats ice cream, but he looks like this every time!

Stockton

Maysen brought home three new dishes from her pottery class. She does not like the one in the back. Her other two are really pretty. Maysen called me a little half way through class and asked if she could come home. She said her stomach hurt. Poor girl. I know it really is bothering her if she was willing to leave pottery early. Hope she's better for tomorrow.

Maysen's 12 Year Old Pictures

For the last several years, I have taken my kids to MasterPortraits to get their picture taken when they have a birthday. I like to use four 5X7's. MasterPortraits would run a birthday promotion that if it was within two weeks of your birthday, your sitting fee and eight 5X7's would be $14. This worked out great for me. Unfortunately they are now out of business. So . . . we decided we would try to take the pictures ourselves. Maysen was our first victim. We took her pictures in front of the green screen so we could figure out what to do with backgrounds later. I don't think she felt quite comfortable. Maybe she thought it was too weird? Anyway, here are some of the shots.

This one is Maysen's favorite

We got a few cute pictures, but most of the 'photo shoot' was spent with pictures like this . . .

Come on Maysen, it's not THAT bad! At least she was happy while we were torturing her. I'll put the final pictures up when they are done. Although at the rate we go, Maysen might be in college by then!

Sleep Is Fun

As I'm wondering what to type, I'm listening to the squeals of delight coming out of the boy's room. They are both in there with Jorja "sleeping". I highly doubt much sleeping is going on. I already caught them putting their stuffed animals on the fan. (Shiver, Oakz & Jorja's kinz klip). I caught them having a pillow fight. I caught Preston groundpounding. I caught them having a blanket fight. Let me go see what they are up to now . . . I guess they thought it was so funny to chant, "Diapie, diapie, diaper". Don't they realize that sleep is fun?

"No Ground Pounding"

"No ground pounding" . . . that is what I had to say to Preston today. He fell asleep in the middle of the day, so bedtime is a nightmare. Which is probably why he kept ground pounding Jorja while she was trying to sleep. What is his response? "I want to". Oh, well that's different then.

Preston also threw a gigantic fit today because I wouldn't let him have the entire bag of swedish fish. He kept screaming, "I want them all!" Naps.....I hate them. It makes for one grouchy Preston.

Preston did help with the cleaning today. What a cutie. Now, he is out of his bed and watching me type. I just asked him why he wasn't in bed. He said, "I don't need to". Wrong answer little boy.

Pump It Up

Best idea for a party ever! Kathryn had a surprise party for Manly at Pump It Up. No kids allowed. Wow. Usually I just watch the kids go crazy, this time we got to enjoy the fun. We raced, we jumped, we played in the dark. It was fun being a kid, especially since they didn't have things like this when we were little. Kathryn had rented out both rooms, so we were able to just go crazy. Especially Paul. Mike was super fast through the obstacle course. I have skinned elbows. It was worth it.

Mike & Stephanie

We came home to find all the children asleep. Thanks Maysen! Jorja loves sleeping with Preston on the weekend. They look pretty zonked.

Preston & Jorja

Some Things Never Change

While cleaning out our filing cabinet today, I found this picture. Hmmm. Looks mighty familiar. Looks like it could have been taken last month. It's hard to tell which one of my brothers is the stunt man. My guess is John. Plus, remember the good old days? They days of our first awesome sled hill. The days before someone had to go and build a cabin on our hill. Those were the days. Since then we have had "The Springs", "The Top" and "Lets build a giant train and see how hard we can crash each other!" Fun times. Although my old body is still hurting from our fun times over Christmas. I can barely move in the mornings. Can't wait to go sledding again!

Kung-Fu Spelling

Maysen won first place on her spelling bee today. Nice job. She finished in the top two in her Language Arts class (they never actually finished). The one today was the top two of all Mrs. Smallwood's LA classes, I think. Anyway, she's pretty hot stuff. She also learned self defense in Young Women's today, so watch out!

Hola y Adios

Maysen was placed into Spanish today! Hooray! She hasn't had a chance to go because they changed her schedule during the day, but I am so happy about it. The principal talked to Maysen, which was kind. She also sent us a couple of e-mails. I am glad we got the doctors note, because I don't think anything would have been done without it. I hope she enjoys this class. It's gotta be better than PE!

We have to say good-bye to our van. We actually said good-bye to it last Christmas when we gave it to my dad and Cathy. We loved that car. My dad and Cathy have loved that car. Too bad the teenager from Las Vegas didn't realize how much we loved that car when he slammed into the back of it. The car is no more.

Maysen ~ 2001

Stockton

I Got a Letter!!!

Our doctors office called. They had the letter I need to get Maysen out of PE class! Hopefully it works. I will take Maysen to school tomorrow and hope for the best! Wish us luck! (Sorry about all the exclamation points John)

You Can't Be Serious!

There is no school tomorrow AGAIN! Don't get me wrong, I love having my kids home. But it snowed on THURSDAY!!!! How many make-up days are we going to have? Mike had just sent out fliers for classes he wanted to teach during winter break. Now most of those days will be spent in school. Yuck.

On the plus side, Maysen hasn't had to go to PE. Mike and I just wrote an e-mail to the principal. For all the interested parties (Maysen) this is what we said:

Ms. Davis -

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me last week about my concerns with my daughter's schedule.

My husband and I were really hoping that we could work something out regarding her having PE again. This will be the third consecutive quarter that she has had PE and once again has the same student that has been bullying her in her class. We had also hoped that we could get her moved into a foreign language class because she has such a desire for it, is doing well in all her gifted classes, and rarely brings home any homework.

This is a serious enough concern for us that we are looking into some other options. We have looked into home schooling and have spoken to some people at [a local charter school] regarding possible enrollment.

However, we would still prefer to work something out with [the school] due largely to Maysen's enthusiasm for the upcoming Reading Bowl competition. Maysen participated in the reading bowl for the past two years at [her elementary school], has been part of the Reading Bowl club at [the school], and has read 17 of the 20 books for this year's competition so far. She would be so disappointed not to be able to have a chance to compete after her preparation. Even so, she tells us that she would rather miss out on this opportunity than to go through another 9 weeks of PE.

You mentioned that you would speak with Maysen yourself and discuss these issues. Would you be able to do so this week? We would really like to know the outcome of your conversation, so please let us know how that goes.

We would be happy to discuss the situation further with you. We can come in for an appointment with you or you can call us anytime at [our phone number].

Thank you for your efforts in making [the school] a success.

Sincerely,
Stephanie and Mike Smith

We will see what happens. I'm also still hopeful that the doctor will contact me and agree to write Maysen a note to get out of gym.

On an unrelated note, our neighbor Justin came to church with us today. We also had him over this evening to watch The Restoration. Andrea Pierce came over as well. (Andrea knows Justin from high school . . . well, mostly Chaz - her missionary "friend" does.) We had cookies and brownies with icecream. Yummmmy! We decided that calories ingested while talking to people about the church don't count.

Pressure Floors

Mike had the brilliant idea to use the pressure washer on our kitchen floors. We have A LOT of tile in our house. Mike connected the pressure washer to the hot water tank with a garden hose. He would use the pressure washer and then have me suck up the water with the carpet cleaner. Preston thought it was great and kept running over to help us. The floors do look better. We were able to get about half the kitchen done. Now that we have figured out the best system, it will go faster next time.

Snow Day!

School was cancelled today. Look at all that snow! In Georgia's defense, Mike did have to brave the roads. In his 4-wheel drive jeep. On the way to the freeway he spun donuts . . . 5 times. He swears he didn't do it just for fun. Mike said it was just like the cartoons, he just kept going and going and going for about 200 feet. Luckily no one was on the road except farther down, and they were able to stop while Mike had his fun. Good times.

He Got Mailed!

Preston received a package from Grandma and Grandpa Parry today. Inside was his beloved dog, Shiver, and his green blanket. We had left those in Idaho when we were there. Preston opened the box and screamed with delight, "Shiver! You got mailed!" Then he carried around Shiver and said, "I missed you so much!" and "Shiver missed me so bad." It was very, very cute.

Maysen received her schedule for the next nine weeks yesterday. She got pe AGAIN! I called the school and asked who I needed to talk to about a schedule change. They wanted to know what the problem was and I told them I needed my daughter out of pe. I was told that wouldn't happen because all 6th graders needed to have an entire year of pe unless they were in band or chorus. I asked about foreign languages and why some six graders get in them. They told me that only certain 6th graders that score high enough on some test are allowed to take a foreign language. (I about lost it there because I knew that was a load of crap . . . if they chose the students based on test scores you could bet Maysen would be in there). Anyway, I asked what was the test this decision was based on. I was put on hold. Then they came back and told me there was no test and it is randomly decided who gets the foreign language. I asked that Maysen be moved to a foreign language class and they said I would need to talk to Mrs. Benson tomorrow afternoon.

So, I went to the school today to talk to Mrs. Benson. I found her and the principal was right at her desk. They will not let Maysen out of pe without a doctors note. The principal said, "If I let her out then I would have to let everyone out who has a problem." I said, "What you don't understand is she can barely handle pe. She has a brilliant mind, she has straight A's and she never has any homework. She needs a language." I was told Mr. Sims decides who gets what connection classes (He's the BAND teacher for crying out loud) . . . and I was told it is only for 9 weeks. I said, "This is her third nine weeks of pe."

Anyway, I went straight to my doctors and left her a note asking if she could help me out. They never said anything had to be wrong with her, they just said they needed a doctors note. I hope she can help me out, but I don't know if she will.

I asked Maysen if I can't get her moved out if pe, would she like me to homeschool her? She said she would. I told her that means she wouldn't get to do the Reading Bowl. She is going to think about it. Hopefully it won't come to that.

In other news, it SNOWED today! Stockton and Maysen were both annoyed (with people's reactions, not the snow). Stockton said, "The thing I hate about living here is when it snows a few flakes, people run around like crazy screaming, 'It's snowing! It's snowing!'" They did have fun pelting me with snowballs while I was talking on the phone. I wonder if they will have school tomorrow......

Derby Plans

For Scouts today, Stockton drew up plans for his pinewood derby car. Good luck - we think he's a little ambitious.

Back to Business

We spent the day taking down the Christmas, going to orthodontist appointments, laundry . . . just getting back into the swing of things. I called the primary president and asked her what was going on. Mike got a call from the 2nd counselor wanting to talk to me, but I wasn't home. Sister Shaw said, "I don't know if I'm suppose to tell you, but I think you can guess." I said, "I think you're moving me to a counselor position and moving Amy to teach Stockton's class." Yep. That is what she did. I will miss working in the presidency with Amy, but love, love, love the fact that Stockton will have her for a teacher. Sister Shaw said, "I hope you're okay with that because they sustained you on Sunday." That is the second time I have been sustained for a calling without being asked. This one is okay though. Last time I was called as the Enrichment Leader without being asked. Anyone who knows anything about me knows I DON'T DO CRAFTS! (I know there is more to that calling than crafts, but it really stressed me out.) Anyway, Sister Shaw was filling me in on the Primary news. I about fell out of my chair when I found out who is going to be Jorja's teacher! They haven't been sustained yet, but I am so excited about it! Now I am off to bed. Tomorrow is school. Here we go again.

HOME

I. Love. It.

If Bugs Bunny Had a GPS . . .

he wouldn't have forgotten to take a left turn at Albuquerque.

We left Steve & Shannon's house at about 8:00. Preston threw up twice last night and twice in the car. Luckily he was perfect with the bowl, so we didn't have to drive two days in a stinky car. Jorja's ear was hurting her, but Shannon let us take Weston's ear drops and gave us some ibuprofen. That was very helpful, and she was able to stop crying.

We were able to make it to Texas today. Now we get to go to bed so we can do this all day tomorrow!

Games and Packing

We met my brothers at my dad's house to play games. I was surprised, again, to see my grandma there! I think she is really lonely without my grandpa. She says it's hard to not hear any voices during the day. I would hate that too.

Grandma, Stockton, Maysen

Preston, Jorja

Mike, Stephanie, Preston, Grandma

Jorja, Stockton, Maysen

Tonight my dad took the girls to the aquarium. They had a great time. Stockton did not want to go. When my dad asked me if he could take the kids, I laughed and said, "ask Stockton". So he did. Stockton's eyes got real big and he shook his head back and forth real fast. When he was asked why he didn't want to go he said, "I don't like going anywhere you would go for a school field trip."

Anyway, my dad spoiled the girls and let them pick out anything they wanted from the gift shop. Jorja picked a toucan and Maysen picked a laced moray eel. They are both pleased with their new friends.

Jorja & Maysen

I spent the evening playing games with my brothers and now we are packing up to leave. When Stockton was saying the prayer tonight he said, "Please bless that we'll have a safe trip back to Georgia and that tomorrow will take forever to get here". I agree.

New Years Resolution

Number One: Move to Utah.

We looked a house that was up a few streets from Steve & Shannon today. We are going with a realtor to look at houses tomorrow. I hope we make the right decisions about our future.

We had a girls night tonight. Shannon, Erica, Maysen, Jorja and I all went to see The Princess and the Frog. Jorja's idea. It was pretty good, but pretty scary. The girls were sitting in front of us, I pulled Jorja into my lap. I liked watching the movie with her snuggling with me. When the frogs turned back into humans (spoiler alert!), Jorja whispered, "I think they looked better as frogs".

After the kids were all tucked all snug in their bed we played Ticket to Ride again. Steve won. Poor Preston hasn't been feeling well today. Hopefully he will be back to his self tomorrow.