We Remember

M2B =) days 579 - 582.  Tuesday, September 6th - Friday, September 9th happiness:

Tuesday, September 6th happiness:  The kids at school have been reading Fantastic Mr. Fox.  They love it.

Along with reading the story, they had to do projects.  There were a number of things they could pick from.  Some put on a play, others did a puppet show.  There were dioramas, and drawings and one girl even wrote a song about one of the characters and sang it for the class.  I loved seeing all of the creativity as they kids presented their Mr. Fox projects.  I didn't want to post any photos of the kids, so instead you get Mr. Fox....

Also today:
We got back from the cabin yesterday, but I can't put my bag away because Tiger loves it so much.  He found himself a new sleeping spot.

On a side note (a not-so-happy one) Joe has strep throat and a double ear infection.  Poor kiddo.  He is miserable!

Wednesday, September 7th happiness:  Brian took my ring in yesterday to be cleaned, so today it is so nice and shiny and pretty.  I keep looking at it all day.  I like the sparkly ring =)

Also, tonight for mutual we went to the temple and watched the Testaments.   Good stuff.  Afterwards we went to Bahama Bucks.  It's been such a long time since I've gone.  I had forgotten how yummy it is.  Strawberry Colada Bahama Rama Mama (that's with ice cream!)  Yum!

Thursday, September 8th happiness:  We learned about flowers in science today.  The kids got to dissect their flowers and learn about all the different parts.  I like flower day because I get to go home with the left over flowers.  They sat on my desk all day.  So pretty!
Also, tonight as I was coming out of the grocery store, I was wishing I had my camera with me.  The sky was gorgeous.  It was like a horizontal rainbow.  Fabulous.

Friday, September 9th happiness:  Today at school we had our September 11 commemoration.  We had a school assembly this morning.  We had special guests come:  Firemen, Policemen, Military, Nurses, Volunteers, etc.  we honored them.  Each class picked a profession and wrote an essay that was read to each of the respective groups.  

We also had a giant poster put up.  Each child in the school was given a red, white, or blue ribbon, and they pinned it on the poster.
This afternoon we had the ROTC from Chandler High come and do a flag ceremony for the kids.  It was really neat.  Then the kids got to sing a song.  
It was a great way to remember and pay our respects to those who died on 9/11, and for those who put their lives on the line every day to protect others.

It was a great day to be outside.  We were actually a little afraid we might get rained out.  We didn't!
The rain came tonight though!  Woo hoo!

Happy Day!

Cabin

M2B =) days 577 - 578.  Sunday, September 4th - Monday, September 5th happiness:

Sunday, September 5th happiness:  We decided today that we needed it to rain.  Michael did a rain dance for us, and a rain ceremony.  He assured me that every time he does this, it works.

It totally did.  Soon the dark clouds were rolling in!  Thanks Michael!
Rain = mud, and mud = an unhappy girl.
Tonight we celebrated Darrel and Aaron's birthdays!  For some reason, Darrel's wife only thinks he is 32.  He wishes!  We had to throw and extra candle on there for him.

Cheesecake and ice cream.  Yummy!

Monday, September 5th happiness:  As always, our cabin trip must come to a close.  But, before I left, my mom took me on a nice long ranger ride down Christmas tree lane.
It was perfect!

Towards the end of our ride, a lady pulled out in front of us.  I guess instead of taking her dogs for a walk.  She took them for a ride.
The dogs loved having their faces in the wind.  I felt sorry for the guy in the middle though.  He couldn't find a spot to get his face in the breeze.

We also saw wild turkeys!  I have never seen a turkey in the wild before.  There were several of them, but they ran so fast, I only caught 2 on camera.
On the way back, we picked up a hitch hiker.  
He was so cute, we couldn't resist.
We had to take a group photo before we left.  Is it wrong that I think Rowan is so cute, even when he cries?  He did NOT want to be in that photo.
This was a pretty great trip!  I love my family.  I was happy that Aaron and his kids could be here this weekend.  It was so much fun.  I really needed this.

Happy Day!

What it do, boo?

M2B =) days 575-576.  Friday, September 2nd - Saturday, September 3rd happiness:  

Friday, September 2nd:  Today was kind of a hectic crazy day, add in that I was super tired, and lets just say it was not my best day so far.  What was good about today?  It ended at the cabin!  Woo Hoo!  Pine trees, cool air, clouds and rain.  Days that last forever.  So happy to be here.

Saturday, September 3rd happiness:  This is the first thing I saw this morning:

I literally woke up, grabbed my camera and took a shot!  Clouds and pine trees.  So glad I am here.

Joe spent much of his time hanging on the balcony with Alex and Michael.
Ro and Evan found ways to keep entertained.  Lightsabers = good times.
I made Joe take me for a ride on the ranger.  He was happier about it that he seems here.
Later Brian and I went for a ride on the forest road.  Gorgeous.  I love seeing the sunflowers all along the road.
That night dad and Aaron roasted marshmallows with the little guys!
I gave Darrel his birthday present early:
That's right!  Slang Flashcards.    "Get hip in mere days!"  "New and somewhat improved."

The cards were hilarious.   They had a word on one side.  On the other side there is a definition, synonyms, a picture and how to use the word in a sentence.  

We had fun learning slang and practicing using our new slang on each other.

My favorite:  "What it do, boo?"

Good times!

Happy Day!

Aug. 25 - Sept. 1

M2B =) days 567 - 574.  Thursday, August 25th - Thursday, September 1st happiness:

Thursday, August 25th happiness:  NO 122 DEGREES DOES NOT MAKE ME HAPPY!

I just had to photograph this. This is the 5th day in a row that it has been this hot and it is ridiculous.  

So, what makes me happy today?  AIR CONDITIONING.  My air conditioning has been on the fritz.  It only works some of the time, and when it does, it still doesn't cool down below 80.  But, I am still grateful because 80 is waaaay less than 122.  What did people do before air conditioning?  I think they just melted away.

Tonight's happiness was Cold Stone Creamery.  What is better than ice cream on a hot day? (maybe ice cream on a cold day?  I love eating ice cream when it is cold).  Anyway, a friend was visiting from out of town, so a few of us got together and went for ice cream.  Good times.

Friday, August 26th happiness:  GNO at LGO.  I love a girls night out.  Sheri took some of us girls to Le Grande Orange.  It is a cute little shop/restaurant/gelato place.  Good food, awesome company, fun atmosphere....what's not to love?

Saturday, August 27th happiness:  AIR CONDITIONING!  The air is fixed!!!!!!!  We have been sweaty for so long, that we splurged today, and turned the air waaaay down.  It was the hottest part of the day, and I was feeling cold!  I might have even used my slanket.   I am so happy to have a working air conditioner again.

I did have to be out and about for a few hours while it was being fixed.  Too hot for me!  I took Joe and Alex to Air Worx and then dropped them off at Arrowhead Pool.  I went to the Library.  I couldn't find my book for book club, but I did get a Victoria Holt book for $1.00.  They were having a used book sale.  I also went to Michael's and decided that I need a lot more money because they have a lot of stuff that I want!

Lastly, I stopped by my mom's for a bit and got to hang with this kid.

Man, I love that picture.

Sunday, August 28th happiness:  Joe Ironed his shirt today.  I really wanted to take a photo for my picture of the day, but he wouldn't let me.  

Instead, you get Joe eating ice cream on the bed:
After church, Joe and I hung out and ate ice cream and talked.  What a great way to spend the afternoon.

Monday, August 29th happiness:  Joe and I watched Malcom in the Middle re-runs.  This is possibly one of the funniest shows on t.v. ever.  We can't stop laughing.

Tuesday, August 30th happiness:  My favorite thing today was eating ice cream with Joe WHILE watching Malcom in the Middle re-runs.  I like this new tradition we have started.

Wednesday, August 31st happiness:  Today I got my first hug from one of my new third graders.  Last year's class gives me hugs all the time.  This was the first hug I've gotten from my new batch!  Love my job.

Thursday, September 1st happiness:  Our class does something called School Store.  Once a week, we go around to the other classes and sell school related supplies, snack, and fun little toys.  We always choose a charity to donate some of our proceeds to.  I love it because the kids all research a charity and then present it to the class.  Then the kids vote on which charity they want to support.  

Today was the day they presented their charities.  They did such a good job.  It was interesting to see what they presented.  Afterwards the kids voted.  This year's charity:
I love the concept of school store, and that the kids in the class are so excited about giving help to others.  One boy, who's charity didn't get picked, told me that he was still going to try to earn money on his own that he could donate.  I love it.

Also today, 2 of the boys in my class told me I looked 20.  I held back my - "you should get a closer look at my eye wrinkles" - response.  I think they were trying to butter me up for something, but it made me laugh.  

Another boy, as he was leaving waved and said, "bye Mrs. Horak, you look beautiful today."  

Have I mentioned I love kids?

Happy Day.

Happy Birthday Addy

M2B =) day 566.  Wed. August 24th.

Wed. August 24th happiness:  Today we got together to celebrate this girl's birthday!

I love this girl.  She is cute and sassy and full of fun.  I don't get to see her enough!
This was my favorite photo of her for the day.  She was super happy to get a new helmet!

I love hanging out with my family.  They are awesome.  I took tons of photos, but here are a couple of my favorites:

Love the photos of Alex and Josh.  Both of their faces crack me up here.

Loved this one too.
I had to get a photo of Evan in his goggles because he just looks AWESOME.  Also, it reminds me of when Joe went everywhere wearing goggles.  Love it.

And finally.....the many faces of Joe:

That last one was HIS personal favorite.  I love that my kid is so silly and loves to make faces for the camera.

He is awesome!

That's it for now.

Happy Day!

August 17 - August 23

M2B =) days 559 - 565.  Wednesday, August 17th - Tuesday, August 23rd happiness:

Wednesday, August 17th happiness:  Tonight for mutual one of the girls taught us how to use polymer clay.  We made teeny tiny bananas.  I also made a tiny fried egg.  We only had yellow and white clay, so our choices were limited.  I took a photo next to my camera lens cap, so you could see just how miniature they are.  They were so cute, and fun to make too!

Thursday, August 18th happiness:  Tonight we had another "heart attack" mission.  It was so much fun, especially because we totally did NOT get caught this time.  Also, I ended up driving past her house like a week and a half later, and the hearts were still up.  I hope this means that she liked them.

Friday, August 19th happiness:  Happy Birthday to my mom!  She is the most awesome person ever.  I am so lucky to have her as a mom.   My dad bought her these super cool 2 toned red roses.  I had to take a picture.  
The photo doesn't really do it justice.  They were gorgeous.  

Also, today was Joshua's birthday party.  His birthday was earlier this month, but because of family work schedules, his party was today at Peter Piper Pizza, of course.
Joshua reminds me a lot of Joe in that fact that he is always in some sort of costume.  Joe was the same way.  He was always in costume.  Today Josh was both Captain America......
....and Indiana Jones.  
Michael's eyes are creeping me out a little in this photo, but Josh, I mean "Indy" looks pretty awesome.

After the party, I took Joe home, and then Brian and I went to Oregano's to meet up with some friends.  It was good times!

Afterwards we all played "Just Dance".  Ian and Chris were hilarious!  I love that game!

Saturday, August 20th happiness:  Sheri and I took my mom out to celebrate her birthday.  We went to The Olive Garden for lunch and then we went and saw The Help.  

Afterwards, at my mom's I had to have a piece of this:

It is my grandma's Italian Creme Cake, and it is to die for!  

Sunday, August 21st happiness:  I loved hanging out on the bed with Joe today and talking and eating Hershey's nuggets.

Monday, August 22nd happiness:  Paradise Bakery Strawberry poppyseed salad for dinner and re-runs of SYTYCD = awesome.

Tuesday, August 23rd happiness:  Sheri and I went to a movie tonight.  We saw One Day.
I laughed, I cried, I watched Jim Sturgess for a couple of hours...what's not to love?

That's it for now.

Happy Day!