going on strike

While the teachers are away the family plays.  


Since this is what is going on in our district at the moment we are off to Disneyland to brave the cooler temps and rain.


Before you judge me on not sending my kids to school let me mention that the teaching plan during the strike is to group kids by grade (elementary) and last name (middle and high school) and let them work on generic worksheets for hours while a sub tries to keep control.  Not the most worthwhile educational activity.  I realize Disneyland's not either but it will be a heck of a lot more fun.

the swine flu can't get us

because Mr. Mononucleosis has taken up residence instead.  3 of the 4 kids have been hit with mono and I refuse to name names as their social lives may be jeopardized. 

Actually, they all have the ok to be at school and to interact with other humans their only no no is sharing cups, water bottles and things of that nature as well as eating utensils - this will put a damper on their day to day life as they share eating utensils all day with their friends, it's the thing kids do nowadays.

He-that-shall-not-be-named to spare social repercussions does have a swollen spleen because of this mono jive and has been benched from sports for a month.  It's always warms a mothers heart to hear the doctor say something about an enlarged spleen followed by you don't want to get hit by a ball or player because it will cause internal bleeding.  Does the doctor realize I have TWO boys that do more damage to each other than any soccer player or ball.

So that's our story.  Please don't shun us when you see us out in public - come talk to us, shake our constantly wash hands, hug us - just back away from our eating utensils.  As much as you may want to share our fork we have to follow doctors orders.

some more kid pics

Ashlee, the photographer I mentioned in a previous post just posted pics of the kids from the photo shoot.  You can see the Baker kids here.

Thanks Ashlee for the great photos.  

don't tell derek but i think i'm in love with jay reily

Can't wait to see all the pictures from the photo shoot but you can check out a few here.

I also have a bit of a girl crush on Ashlee, but that's a secret too. Ashlee is an adorable mom of 5 from Provo that was shooting with Jay for the day.  She couldn't be nicer and her photography is amazing.  Be sure to check out her blog to see her work.

lucky, lucky

This guy has invited our kids to be a part of his photo shoot tomorrow in Carlsbad - can you see me grinning from ear to ear?!?!

what we did during summer vacation

So I had this bright idea to have someone in the family post everyday - journaling what we did that day as part of our summer vacation.  I was hoping to be able to look back at the blog in September and have a great record of what we did during summer vacation. Problem is...it's not so easy to sit down everyday and get it all down.  I don't want to be a quitter especially since we hadn't even gotten one summer post written so we're going to try to go the distance and see how well we actually do.

Day one of summer found us making our lunch bright and early in the morning (If you call waking up at 8:45 in the morning bright and early - yea, for sleeping in) In high school some friends and I would throw together some quesadillas, wrap them in foil and leave them on the dash in the car so the cheese would be melted by lunch.  I decided to try this little culinary wonder with the kids.  Each kiddo made their own "dilla", wrapped it in foil and sharpie'd their name on the ready to cook foil packet.

We tossed them onto the dash and let them do their thing for a few hours.  When we finally pulled them from our "oven" we feasted on yummy quesadillas and hoped the neighbors hadn't seen our little packets baking in the heat of the car - wonder what they would think?!?!
We also spent some time finger painting.  Luke had been begging for days to be able to finger paint but I was so overwhelmed with end of the school year jive that I was the mean mom constantly saying no.  I finally said yes and the kids had a blast creating their masterpieces.

Our other summer activity that we started was Summer Bridge Books.  The kids are always excited to start these the first few days of summer but then their excitement dwindles.  We signed contracts complete with rewards for finishing their books so hopefully their motivation will stay.  I agreed to reward $15 to each kid (Except Megan - she doesn't have a book) to spend in Mexico. Just let me note for the record - I don't normally pay kids for school work but I want my kids to have spending money for when we go to Mexico and this seemed like a good way to go.  I also threw in an outing/activity for each kid that they got to pick.  Luke wanted to do a lemonade stand, Nathan wanted a day at the pool just for fun - no parents telling him to practice his swimming and Emily requested a trip to the bowling alley.

will it ever end?

One more week of school (not that we're counting)

calling all creative kids

I got an email for this contest today and thought I'd share with those of you that have creative little Picassos under foot.  I know my kids will think this is fun - maybe yours will too.

when we're helping we're happy

What kid wouldn't jump at the chance to take a hammer to a kitchen counter?!?!  Our kids were so excited to help demo the tile.  They are loving every minute of this remodel.