Iditarod Fun

We watched the ceremonial start of the Iditarod run through the neighborhood. One of my favorite days in Alaska!

Iditarod Dogs

Afterschool Project

Maren came home from school last week and had an idea. "I am going to make something for all my teachers." I am always fascinated with Maren's ideas and their origin. A week ago we made duct tape sculptures with our friends- maybe that idea is lingering in her mind. But what happened at school that makes her want to make something for all her teachers? I may never find out. She shares her school time with me in such strange and random ways. Just as I try to accept living in constant mess, I try, even harder, to accept that there will be lots I do not know about what happens during Maren's school day. At least these projects give me some insight into her feelings about the teachers in her life.

Ms. Rita, the Spanish teacher, received a microphone. Spanish involves lots of song and dance. Maren was very resistant to this at first. But when she handed this microphone to Ms. Rita, Ms Rita, smiled and hugged her and called it the magic microphone! At Spanish that day, all the kids got to sing and hold the magic microphone. Maren was pleased.

Mr. Pat, the art teacher, got an ice cream cone. Not sure why.

The computer teacher, Mr. Greg, received a replica of a computer.

Ms. Debbie, Maren's kindergarten teacher, a heart of course- Maren LOVES Ms. Debbie. But this heart came with two arm bands- you can wear it.

A number chart for Ms. Lisa, the math teacher.

Ms. Robin, the music teacher received a maraca. It was made with duct tape, a Pringles can and dry pinto beans. I didn't get a photo.

The challenge came with Ms. Lauren, the kindergarten assistant. "What should I make her?" It was clear that Maren really couldn't come up with an idea that suited her. Moments later, Maren ran into the bathroom, grabbed a wet wipe and colored it. "What is it?" I asked. "A decorated wet wipe," Maren replied. "Ms. Lauren likes to wipe down the tables." PERFECT. This is what I love about her projects.

Sadie Wreaks Havoc

So here it is. I am fessin' up. This is what my home looks like on a daily basis. I can either fight Sadie's every desire to spread everything she touches out or let her go for it, keep her busy and tackle it later. I am putting it out there. We live in a constant state of mess. Blogging it makes it real.

Flashlight Fun

Duct Tape Sculptures

She's a Jumper!

Maren and David hit the terrain park.

She Skis!

Maren is skiing by herself!

Wacky Goggles

Sadie's in Kindergarten

Just hanging with the kindie kids

Pull up a chair!

Dragons & Dragon Nests

Decorating the pink dragon body

the Dragon's head

Building a dragon nest with frosting and hard noodles...

Dragon egg placement is critical.

Moose on the Trail

Mush Maren Mush

Maren's Eulogy

I have never seen Maren write so much ALL BY HERSELF. She came out of her room with this and I had to share.

Why my dog died

I had my dog for a long time

Then my dog died

Then I cried for a long time

Then I went to school

I told my friends and my teacher

Then I told the class

Then I had a sad face

Then I went to art

Then I had Spanish

I thought about my dog

The End

Marker Memorial

Today we made a Marker Memorial. Maren's classmates made her lots of Marker pictures and that was the inspiration. We added old photos of Mr. Buddy and Maren wrote a letter to him. We are thinking about him a lot!