Dayton has my sweet tooth. He loves treats! He is also pretty creative with his suggestions on the types of treat we should make. Saturday we made cupcakes and mini loaves and then piped a combination of coolwhip and vanilla pudding into the middle of each. Dayton got a little excited about the one he was saving for himself. We frosted them with chocolate frosting and I must admit, they were delightful! We will for sure make them again. 
I love Mrs. Scherer. She is the music teacher at Cumberland Road Elementary School and she is AWESOME! She put on a 3rd grade music program that was amazing. It was a musical about a cat and a rat with a Jamaican flair. The kids had a great time with the music and it was so entertaining. At the beginning she had some of the students perform. Dayton auditioned and was chosen to play Magic Man on the piano. I was shocked. Dayton has always been our shy child but he got up there and played like he didn't know the meaning of the word shy. I was so proud. I guess he is starting to come out of that phase. I love that it was something he chose to do himself without any prodding on my part. Way to go Dayton! You were amazing. 
As I was doing dishes I looked up and saw this. The cardinal is the state bird of Indiana and Ohio. I've seen cardinals a million times before but this was breath taking to me. Maybe because it has been a long winter. Maybe because the contrast was so...wow...between the red and the brown/white. Maybe because I was doing dishes and needed to see something else :-) I started walking 3.5 miles every morning after Dayton gets on the bus in August and I have reconnected with nature. I love being outside and smelling everything, seeing the ducks and geese, listening to the chirp of the birds and the honk of the geese, crunching in the snow, slipping on the ice, seeing the grass turn from brown to green, watching the trees and flowers blossom and just appreciating this beautiful earth Heavenly Father created for me. Maybe I've finally learned how to see nature and the view out my window meant something more to me that day. 
The Indiana State School Music Association competition was Friday night and Alexa's band competed. We were able to arrive early and hear other schools from the state compete. The Symphonic Band did a great job. I love listening to their band. They are really good and the directors pick music that is fun for them to learn and play. It was impressive to see how professional they looked and acted. We sat up in the balcony and right in front of the 3 judges who were recording their thoughts while the bands played. It was a little distracting but interesting to hear some of their comments. Alexa's band was awarded GOLD! I just wish my pictures had turned out better. 
Each year our school district has an art show at the high school featuring art work from all of the schools in the district. We have never gone before. This year we went because both Dayton and Mackenzie had art work chosen to be displayed. We had heard about the work they'd done and both of them had wondered why they didn't get their projects back and now we know why. It was amazing to see the talent that is in our school district! 
We celebrated Alexa's birthday over three days due to some extra activities that she was involved in. Thursday night, I couldn't wait any longer to give her her presents so she opened them after mutual. She had eaten a blue sucker on the way home therefore making her tongue a vivid blue color.
Alexa's wardrobe consists mainly of BYU apparel and she was in need of some additional items of clothing. All BYU, of course.
She has quite a knack for making things with duct tape and has recently been selling duct tape wallets to some of her friends at school, so she got some more duct tape. As a side note: Mackenzie thinks she is ripping her friends off. Alexa thinks, and I have to agree, if they are willing to pay for it, it is not ripping anyone off.
Mackenzie and Dayton gave her a Nerf gun. This was by far her favorite gift. She carried it around for 3 days. She brought it to breakfast, piano/trumpet practice, homework completion. It has become her new "blankie."
Friday was her "real" birthday. She left for school at 7:15am and we didn't see her again until 11:20pm. She was accepted into the National Junior Honor Society and as a result was invited to the very first meeting. It was held right after school until 11pm. They played all kinds of getting to know you and team building games. They ate food, nominated and elected officers and had a great time. At first, I was a little sad that she was going to be gone the whole day, but she had a blast. It was a great day!
This year Alexa requested a cookie cake. So I made one of our favorite chocolate chip cookie recipes and pressed it down into an 8 inch round cake pan and then shaped some dough into the letter "A." It was yummy!
We ate the cake and her requested dinner on Saturday after she completed her mountain of homework. Bacon, burger, dogs, BBQ chips, and pineapple. We've been watching The Cosby Show and Alexa got the idea for Bacon, burger, dogs from there. I didn't make them exactly like she thought I would but they were a success none the less.
Happy Birthday Alexa! I can't believe that you are now a teenager. I anticipate you being taller than me before your next birthday:-) As I thought about the past 13 years I can't help but smile at the memories I have of you. You were my first child and most likely the one I have made and will continue to make the most mistakes with but regardless, I consider myself quite lucky to be your mom. You have an enthusiasm for life that is contagious. You are a kind hearted, strong, smart, beautiful young woman. I'm grateful for the chance we have to learn and grow together. You are one of my favorite people and I look forward to many more years of memories! I love you!
Posts
All Comments
