Piano-more than music lessons

We have the best piano teacher ever!!! She and I have been struggling and coming up with creative ways to make piano/music lesson fun and enjoyable and more importantly that they will have a desire to practice daily.I want to give my children the gift of music, whether they are talented or not. I think it helps round their education and growing up. I think you learn so much more than just music notes. Today proved my point.
Upon arrival, our teacher asked all of us for a "team" meeting. She asked if each of us wanted to be a part of the team, I said yes the kids said no. Then she pulled out two, one-dollars bills. (Now they decided to be team members). Told the kids it was a gift from her and asked them what they could buy with it. Then she dumps 140 one-dollars bills on the floor. Asked them if they would like this each month for a gift? What do you think they said?! OF COURSE! Wide-eyed and giddy they went through the countless things they could do with $140.00 (in ones). By this point, I'm starting to catch one. Piano lessons cost $140.00 a month for the two of them.
She then preceded to tell them that they are getting a gift of the said amount. And they are getting it each month. HUH? is all they could come up with. I am dead silent this whole time.
Continuing on, she stated that we are a team. Each person has a responsibility. She stated hers, I stated mine and the kids, kept their heads low and tail tucked between their legs. They understood that there part was to practice daily and we are to have a smile and do our best to have fun. Sammie, not controlling herself, says,"Well, I think we are just wasting a bunch of time here. I'm all ready to go for my lesson." The teacher and I nearly fell off our seats. That girl is just something else. She was told that we aren't wasting time and that we are establishing our responsibilities."Do you know what yours is?" The thing is they love her, and they love going to her house for lessons. They openly admitted that they didn't want to quit. What they didn't know was how much it cost and how long of a waiting list she has for other students. She was going to quit on them if they didn't do their part. So, from now on, I think I will have them pay her the $140-ones. It seemed to hit home for them. Thank heavens for other teachers in my children's lives.

Our new vacation HOME!

He did it. He found a way to get what he wanted.(He always does. He just has to look at me with that cute way of his and I melt. Your very welcome Jeremy). We are going to have a blast!!!! The kids are estatic. Here we come Destin, FL!

Strawberry Pie

A friend once sent me a card saying,"Sometimes all I need is your friendship, and sometimes I just need pie!" So for all you pie lovers, here is a delicious and very easy strawberry pie recipe.
For the crust:
3 Tbsp milk
2/3 c. oil
2 c. sifted flour
2 tsp. sugar
1 1/4 tsp. salt
For the pie filling:
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. cornstarch
1 1/2 c. water
1 3oz. package of strawberry gelatin
fresh strawberries, sliced

To make the crust: Beat milk and oil until cloudy; set aside. Mix dry ingredients. Then mix with milk and oil using mixer until crumbly.(I did this with a pastry blender). Push into place in pie plate (use your hands!). Bake @400 degrees for 8-10 minutes (10 worked best for me). Set aside and COMPLETLY cool before filling with strawberries.
To make the pie filling: Mix sugar, cornstarch and water in saucepan (then put it on the stove) and boil until transparent.(I only stirred it just a little). Add package of strawberry gelatin and boil until dissolved. Slice fresh strawberries and fill cooled crust. (You really do want to slice the strawberries. I tried them whole it just wasn't the same. You end up with big bites that are difficult and messy to eat and air bubbles). After the strawberry gelatin has cooled (maybe 10-15 minutes), pour over strawberries and let set at least 2 hours in refrigerator.
Recipe from Jr.League of Ogden(My mom gave me this cookbook.I absolutely love it!)
Let me know how it turns out for you. (Esp. my sis, Maria)

Our Little Ballerina

Samantha has been taking ballet and she just recently had a recital. I discovered while watching her perform, this is the one thing that will calm her down and keep her focused. Usually she is bouncing off the walls and not paying attention. She did an incredible job and looked so beautiful. Jeremy was running late and I had told him not to bother getting her any flowers. Immediatly after hanging up, Samantha came running to me from her place up front. Her exact words,"I hope Daddy brings me some flowers. Because that's what you get when you perform." Oops. I had to call him back.

Febuary in a snapshot!!

J's new project!!!

After spending 16 years as a lawn ornament, "Mater" has been rescued to my yard and is a current eye sore. This 1954 Ford plans to be brought back to life by none other, my husband. It took 5 attempts to bring it over, the darn thing was stubborn. It just wanted to stay. How long do you think it will take before it becomes a lawn ornement in my yard?

Little Miss Independant

Oh yes! She had to do it all by herself! No one was allowed to help. By the way, it's oatmeal.

Did I really do that?

So, today is my 34th birthday and all I can think about is what a dumb thing I did yesterday after school. I pulled in as usual and the kids were glued to the DVD (gotta love Barbie Diamond Castle). So I left them in the Toyota, finishing the last few minutes, while I put all the garbage to the curb. Anywhere from 5 to 8 minutes later, I'm walking up the driveway when all of sudden the Toyota starts moving forward and doesn't stop! My mind is boggled that the car is even moving. My first thought was Myles probably decided he was going to start driving. But how did he put it in drive? Besides, I noted all three kids were still buckled in, eyes glued to the TV screen. I'm thinkig all this as I run, jump in and put on the brakes. By then, the Toyota had "gently hit" the trailer in front of it. Still boggled at what just happened, I notice that I need to put it in park. I reverse back, put it in park and turn everything off (Much to the dismay of the kids watching Diamond Castle). I walk to the front bumper and sure enough, there is a long about 6 inch black scratch on my white car. Oh dear... I think I left the car in drive when I got out to take the garbage to the curb. Did I really just do that? How could anyone get out of their car and leave it in drive????????????? I think I just did.

One Fancy Party!

Five years ago we stopped celebrating New Years Eve and started celebrating the birth of our daughter Samantha! I can't believe she is five! This year we decided to celebrate her birthday with Fancy Nancy. I think the pictures will show you just how fancy it was.By the way, I made the tutus. I actually had a lot of fun doing it. We had so much fun at her party!



Sammie has really grown into such a big girl. She absolutely loves her pre-school class. It's fun to see her trying to spell words and write letters to me. I have a feeling she'll pick up reading real quick. She is such a help around the house. She loves to help me with everything and I love her company. But why can't she try to keep her room clean??? Sam is truly a whirlwind of joy. Her bedroom matches just her personality. She loves to give talks in church and wants to be a friend to everyone. She loves her girlfriends and believes that you can't have enough of them. When I was younger, way before I had children, I had no idea the kind of joy and love a child brings to you. That's what Sam has been for us. We love hearing her sing, and she's excellent too. Her new favorite is Celine Dion. I can always find her somewhere in a corner with her dollies singing Brahm's lullaby.
The best gift to all of us was seeing my Dad. He was driving through and had to pick up some trailers. It was fun to see him, meet his driving partner and his truck. The kids' favorite part was pulling the horn.