What's happenin?

Life is busy...but good. Steve and friends/family have finished framing the basement and we are looking forward to drywall bids and the electrician and plumber returning to continue their work. It's so fun to see the rooms come into focus. It won't be a big space down there, but it should be a nice one! I am currently stressing about couches and flooring (linoleum--looks like wood, carpet, carpet squares, cork...so many choices, so few that are perfect for our space.) Steve thinks I'm crazy b/c there's no place right now to put either, but I like the pretty stuff. As for the rest of the family: Alix is getting ready to finish up sixth grade and is currently playing volleyball. She spends most of her time thinking I'm a general pain in her... It's ok, the feeling is mutual ;) Anna is still cruisin' around, chasing the dog, and laughing. As for me, I am still trying my hand at sewing. I have done a couple more pinafores, my first successful purse, a bib and burp cloth for a friend's baby, and whatnot. Little by little I am getting more proficient. I am also counting down the days to the end of the year. I had a pretty good one (especially since I was told it was going to be a nightmare) so I'm not dieing to be done, but it sure will be nice!!

The bathroom...ready to go to drywall and finishing touches!

The laundry room...backs up to bathroom...Steve's favorite place (nothing better than a laundry doing husband!! I'm so lucky!)

My first successful purse. Now that I know what I'm doing I want to make a more summery one!! Here I come Crafty Planet!!

Anna looking cute in her springy pinafore (a reject from another project I did for a friend's baby) and her cute pink flower...

Easter

Hop, Hop, Hop...Easter has come and gone and what a great day it was. A quick jaunt to Gammy's after church for some brunch (and a nap for Anna). We enjoyed spending some time with Nana and Auntie Amy as well. Then off to Steve's family gathering at the Hamer house. The girls enjoyed the egg hunt (Anna got her first egg!) and we enjoyed some yummy ham and good conversation. Anna looked adorable in her Easter outfit (made with love) and Alix looked beautiful all grown up looking and with her adorable shoes. OUr girls are so beautiful...and smart ;)

What we've been up to...

Family day at Underwater World, sewing (and ripping and sewing again), framing, cookie eating...we've been busy!


Framing Fun! We're on our way now!



Anna's first cookie...chocolate chip, YUM!

cute bag...bad advice. The interfacing is MUCH too thick (thanks lady from Joann Fabrics) and so the bag is much too stiff. Cute design...cute fabric...but all a waste since I can't even finish it due to the thickness. Ugh.

My first bag...went well up to the straps (oops, I guess I should read the directions more carefully)...next time.

Underwater world fun (watch out Anna, that giant fishie is going to eat you up!), followed by crepes...yummy! The empty plate(s) in front of Alix tell the story!





More mess ups...the first is the final product (darned adorable if I do say so myself.) But before we got there I put the "sides"on backwards...had to cut it apart at the shoulder seams. It's no longer reversible, but just as cute.

Which is Funnier...Dogs or Cats?

Which is funnier...dogs or cats? Anna will tell you about 30 seconds into the video. I know she's my baby, but I just think she's so darned cute!

Education for All Comes to an End

Today was the last day of the Education for All Scholarship drive!!! Students and staff really pulled through in the end and I am quite pleased with the over $600 we raised for a Pullman Elementary parent to use to help defer educational expenses. I look forward to sharing the results of the winner of the actual scholarship when one is chosen. We will give parents another week or so after Spring Break to hand in their applications before a panel decides on who will receive the funds. I know it will go to a worthy individual who is setting a good example for our students by being a lifelong learner!

When I look back to how this all started I'm amazed that we ever made it to the end. It's hard to believe that it was many many months ago that I received that envelope with $40 in it...and that we turned that into $600, and a sustainable schlolarship! There were ups and down along the way, and of course I have things I wish I would have done differently, but all in all I am pleased with the outcome. Next year I'll have all the basics taken care of and be able to concentrate on my goal of finding different ways to involve the Pullman Community in a deeper way.

A big thank you to everyone who read about my vision and helped it become a reality. I have such an amazing support system-- without the encouragement and donations of you all it wouldn't have been 1/2 as successful. Thank you for the deepest part of my heart!!

Homemade Easter Outfit

So, I decided I wanted to make Anna's Easter dress this year...i don't know what got into me! My mother helped me on my first ever sewing experience and if I do say so myself--it turned out beautifully! I then decided it needed some little pants (it is Easter in MN after all), so I had a wonderful lady from Etsy.com (one of my favorite shopping places...all homemade stuff!) make me a pair of capri length bloomers. The bloomers came today, so we tried it all on...pretty darned cute, huh?!

Work in Progress

I have changed the name of the blog...it might stick, it might not. What do you think of it? leave me a comment if you like/dislike it. My feelings won't be hurt...I just got too tired to think too hard about it any more. Also, the header is a work in progress. I can get the photo to fit well without being distorted...sorry it's so big right now...

Let there be Teethies!

Anna had not been eating well the past couple of days (very unusual for our own human garbage disposal) and had been a little bit irritable lately (very unusual for our little bundle of smiles). We were all a wonder about what could be wrong with our Lil Peach...then today we get the answer...Teethies!! It was very exciting to feel her first tooth poking through...and I could write more, but I am off to the baby book to record at least her first tooth before I forget. All I know is that if the all we get for teething is a little fussy and a little less hungry, we'll take it. We are SO lucky!

Getting Ready for Easter

No time to write...already past my bedtime. Just wanted to share a few recent pix of Anna as she prepares for Easter!

My lil bunny girl


Carrot Head...Anna says, "I don't think orange is my color, but I'm still cute!"


Daddy and lil bunny



More of bunny girl...

Monkeying Around

Family day...I got to pick this month, so we headed to the minnesota zoo, and oh what fun we had...well, mostly. Anna seemed more interested in the people than the animals, Alix seemed more interested in when it was over than what was we were looking at, so that left Steve and I to be interested in the animals...which we were. We saw wolves and eagles, fish and sharks, tapirs and pythons...but no lions and tigers and bears...oh my! Here are a couple of our memories. FYI, inside the zoo is not the best place to take pictures.

Steve and Anna viewing some sort of animal

Peek!

Anna--stop monkeying around!

trapsing through the jungle

Fishies are so cool!

Is that Alix actually having fun?!

Sisterly love

Update--Education for All...SUCCESS?!

So...apparently you can just go online type in a few (literally) things and get yourself and EIN (Employee Identification Number), which is what is needed by the bank to open an account that would allow me to use the name of my scholarship. Who knew that I would've wasted so much time and energy over something that could've possibly been resolved months ago with a mere 5 min., online, application. Thank goodness for Google...it saved the day. At least I think...one more trip to the Bank will tell the whole story...

Education for All--another setback

I shared my vision with PTA this past week. My goal was that they'd be willing to jump on board and help with some procedural things--namely to be a name we could use for people to write checks to when making a donation. I walked in this Monday morning to this disappointing response.

Yes, I did some research and the PTA Board discussed it as well. We feel we need to pass on running this through PTA, at least for this year. Maybe with some more documented procedures and policies we can relook at it next year.



Questions/Comments/Concerns:

This endeavor does not fit with the mission of the PTA. It is not a PTA sponsored program or student activity. It sets a good example and is educationally based, but it doesn't provide a direct benefit to the students as a whole.
Is this a personal endeavor or is it a Pullman sponsored event? Is it something that could be run through the school itself? We know the school has strict guidelines on what can be advertised for and participated in (do it for one, do it for all). Does this fit those parameters?
Each time the PTA accepts a donation and it is deposited in the bank account, it is considered PTA money and we take on any possible tax liability/implications associated with it, including the possibility of bounced checks and any fees associated with them.
It is a great idea and a worthwhile cause, but since it is not PTA-based, we feel we cannot take this on at this point.

I guess I look into making this a true non-profit and registering it with the state...honestly though, right now I just want to donate the money that we have to someone and be done with it all. Ugh!

Anna 7 1/2 mos...Alix 11, going on 16

Here's some recent pix of anna and alix...my 2 beauties!


Anna's off


She's up


success!!

Will someone please post bail already!

Peace out.

Male Perm

What people won't do for a friend. Here is a story about two friends of mine from HS. A great story of friendship standing the test of time and distance, and then becoming bonded even stronger by one very unlikely source--the male perm

Education for All Report

well, it is conference day (ugh!) and i put out the education for all information in the lobby. I honestly will be thrilled if even one person stops and reads it ;) Hopefully the info will get posted to our school's website as well. I will go to PTA to talk to them about using their account for people to write checks to...and then hopefully get forms out to parents at the end of Feb, with donations due by end of march. Stay tuned!

Hello Everyone

hi everyone, it's anna. I just turned 7 mos so I thought it was about time to start blogging. I have learned to do a lot of cool things the past month, but mommy thinks I am growing up too fast. sometimes I see her get tears in her eyes when she looks at me. I know she is excited for all my new tricks, but I also know that she will miss all the baby things I used to do (even though I thought laying around and "cuddling" was kind of boring.) I am ready to get out into the world and be a mover and a shaker...hopefully mommy and daddy can keep up!! I'm not one to brag, but just this month

*I got really good at sitting up by myself...and can now even sometimes bring myself from tummy to sitting.
*I learned to crawl...I started kind of slow, but I am super fast now!
*I can pull myself to standing on just about anything. My favorite place to stand is my musical table and my crib, but if there's something to grab onto I can get up (unless I bump my head and start to cry instead.) Mommy thought this was cute at first, but now I think she gets annoyed when it's time to go to bed and I want to play the crib stand up game. (I personally think it funny the way she has to keep coming in to put me back down...ha, ha...who's in charge now?!)
*I can cruise around furniture, slowly but surely. Usually I'd rather just hang around my musical table (did I mention it's my favorite?!) but if I'm motivated enough I can move around to get other places too. Mommy once said that she can see the wheels turning in my head when it comes time for me to reach and turn to get to my next spot. Sometimes I'm not sure if I can make it, but luckily I'm a daredevil so I go for it anyway. By the way, did you know it hurts when you fall backwards and hit your head? OUCH!
*I can wave...mommy knows this trick (she's seen me do it several times when someone comes into view and says hi to me), but daddy isn't quite so convinced. Kelly (my daycare mom) has seen it though, so the girls win this fight...again! I think I'm going to keep this one a secret for a while, but soon enough I'll let everyone see.
*I can stand unassisted for short periods of time...when they can trick me into standing still long enough. Usually I'd rather be bouncing, walking, or standing at my musical table.

Boy, I've come a long way in one short month...I wonder what tricks I'll learn this next month?

Good talking to you all. Hopefully I'll learn to do some of my signs soon enough, that way when I see you in person I can at least say hello and tell you the important things (like I want "more".)

Lots of love,
anna

here I go...watch what I do next


I'm on my way up...watch out you crazy doggie!


And success!! (see I don't even need two hands anymore.)


These are just me being cute:

On again, off again

Education for All is in the "off again" mode until I can make it to a PTA meeting to pitch them the idea of allowing us to collect the money under their name and then have them cut the checks for us. I'm hoping they say yes, but the meeting isn't until mid-february...so no getting letters out to families this week :( That means no drawing by the end of the month...and so on. Disappointing...just when I thought all systems were a GO for getting this operation up and running. Dumb bank!

Arrrrghhh...

Who knew it would be so hard to try to give away some money for a good cause?! First, we can't have a raffle...it's gambling. Then I can't open a bank acct. under my scholarship's name (b/c I'm not a business). I can either apply for an EIN (employee identification number) with the state (I can't imagine that's easy)...or I can open an account under my name, meaning people would have to write out donation checks to me...and I can only imagine that most would not feel comfortable with this (heck, even I don't feel comfortable with this!) My principal didn't seem like it would be an option for him to have the school open an account, so I went from trying to launch this donation drive next week, to waiting (again) to figure it all out. Perhaps I can talk PTA into taking this on...with my help...so they can create a line item for it and dole out the money from their acct once funds are received. Plus that way they could carry on if I have to go to another school next year. I guess I don't know what other choices I have right now.

I am super bummed. As much as I'm excited to raise money for this cause, I am just as excited to stop planning and start doing. I didn't realize how much would have to be put into all of of this...how disappointing if people don't buy into it.

One good thing. I've already received several donations from wonderful people who support my cause. Thankfully they were kind enough to leave their checks blank... I only hope that my school community supports this cause as well. I know it's important to me, but I desperately want it to be important to them too.

Education For All

I have created a flyer for my pursuit to begin a scholarship for an ongoing education scholarhship in my school community (a program I've entitled...Education for All), but I can't find a way to post it here. I sure wish I were more techie! I will have to see if I can host it on my school website and attach a link. Until I work out the kinks, here is the main text. Check back soon for updates on seeing the "real" thing! Until then, please let me know if you have any questions or have any ideas of how I can improve what I've said. This flyer will go out to families at my school Feb.6th. Thanks for everyones guidance and support as I've been getting this program rolling. Here's hoping it's a success (meaning we can offer at least one person some money toward their educational pursuits!) Yea for lifelong learning!!!!

Education For All
scholarships for adult ongoing education

Who: People who believe in the power of education

Why: There is no better way to teach our children then through our example. Education can be a catalyst for growth, change, and empowerment. Our goal is to support adult learners in our community who seek to better their lives, and that of their families and community, through ongoing educational endeavors (GED, technical training, college classes, etc). It is their example that will guide our children to strive for success in education and in life.

Where: Pullman School Community
St. Paul Park, MN

When: Donations can be received at Pullman through February 26.

How: In an envelope, enclose your donation and Thank You Drawing* entry(ies). Return it to the school office or your child’s teacher. Drawing will take place at Pullman’s STAR program on February 27 and winners will be notified by phone. All donations will go directly to one or more adult education scholarships in the Pullman community.

Pullman Elementary School
C/O Education for All
1260 Selby Ave.
St. Paul Park, MN 55071

*Thank You Drawing--a chance to win one of 2 great gifts!
·A family fun basket filled with--Cold Stone and Blockbuster Gift Cards, dominoes game, popcorn, movie theater candy, and 6-pack of IBC rootbeer
·Autographed Joe Mauer baseball bat!

For each $5 donated please fill out one box below (duplicate forms can be printed or found in the office.) Return the entries with your donations. We will separate and add to drawing to be held on February 27th. Thank you and Good Luck!

Name:
Phone:

Name:
Phone:

Name:
Phone:

Name:
Phone:

Name:
Phone:

Name:
Phone:

She's Such a Trip...

Here you go, more Anna "fun"...

Want to know what Anna thinks of the world...just click and see!



It may be brief, but if you hang in there long enough you'll Anna's newest trick caught on tape. She really is getting better at standing unassisted, this video does not do it justice. She'd be set, if only she could hold still for a second...



We bought Anna a walker a couple of days ago (just like nana's ;) She has only used it once or twice and sometimes likes to suck on it more than she likes to walk with it, but she's kind of funny when she gets going. Sometimes her legs end up way out behind the rest of her, but she rarely falls (if she does it's usually backwards). I think she really enjoys the freedom of being able to get from here to there.