Have you ever tried to do something nice for someone and it has been an epic failure? I wanted to do something nice for our friends who watched Watson for us while we were in Ut. I've made this cake several times, but this time I guess I was feeling lazy because I didn't even out the cakes. I think another problem was that I put blueberries on some of it for the member of the family that doesn't like strawberries and it made the cake even more unstable. I put the cake in the fridge until I could deliver it and when i went to pull it out I discovered that it had cracked and fell apart. I had to send my txt of shame letting the family know that they were going to get a delicious treat, but that it was now too destroyed to deliver. It's the thought that counts, right? I made another one a couple days later and it was perfection.
On the bright side, Emma came home from school, saw the cake and started jumping for joy exclaiming that she had the best mother in the whole world that would make her a cake. She cared nothing for the condition of the cake and was actually happy about it because that meant that she got to eat it.....which also meant that I was going to have to eat it too, darn it! Between the 2 of us we polished that cake!
On Friday of last week I went into the school for a field trip with the 5th graders. Jordyn's class gets to take care of little baby chicks so I had to get a picture while I waited to leave on the trip. These 2 are called twilight and midnight. Aren't they the cutest. They get to keep the chicks for a couple weeks and then they change out for new ones. Subsequently their classroom smells like a farm, but it's worth it.
We left the school at 9:15am and headed for the train station to take us to Santa Fe. All of the 5th grade classes attended so it was quite the gaggle of kids trying to find seats on the train. The regulars were looking none too pleased with our boarding. I was also a bit skittish about them standing so close to the tracks. One wrong move and someone was going to get smacked. Luckily everyone survived in tact. Jordyn has recently started becoming a punk to me in front of her friends and she almost refused to let me take a picture of her on the train. I didn't even get to sit by her -which is fine - I made some new friends who were super happy to be sitting next to me.
The first thing I do when I get a group assigned to me is have them pick out a team name. This helps create unity and identity. I can easily gather my group back in by calling out for them. They chose "the mighty elephants" for their name.
We visited the oldest church in the US from 1610 and the oldest house in the US. We also saw the round house, a war memorial and another old church.
There were a couple of funny things along the way. First off, I hate being a chaperone when we aren't given any real power or authority to chaperone. It's really pointless. After reading a book about leadership, it's kinda ruined me for watching people trying to be leaders. Me and my big mouth had to question some things that weren't making any sense. I also love observing peoples speaking skills. I'm personally trying to get rid of using the word "um" while I'm trying to think and speak at the same time - it's not going very well- in fact the more I try to stop, the more I say um. There was a teacher there telling us about the memorial and instead of saying um he said "guys." I'm sure it was one of those things that was born from trying to engage the students to eventually becoming a tick. I usually take on character traits from people that fascinate me, that fascinated me so watch out, I just might start saying "guys" instead of "um."
The last funny thing happened while we were in the big church. It wasn't a scheduled stop but we had time and they offered to give us a tour. The church wasn't as old as the smaller one, but still quite old. The man giving the tour was getting too religious for some of the teachers and parents. They started grumbling in the back and saying "stick to the history" and they were becoming more and more uncomfortable when he was describing a painting of Jesus that was from the 1700's. I guess being in a religious building you are only allowed to talk about columns and stucco and not why the building is there or what the paintings are depicting. Talk about needing a chill pill. I don't see how in any way shape or form did that infringe upon me or my religion or my rights or anything. I'm not of the same religion as that man or his church, but I can still appreciate it and respect it. They ended up cutting the guy off and telling him that we needed to leave. Ridiculous.
OK, here is my proof that some places in NM are beautiful and have trees! I love this time of year! Jordyn got embarrassed because I started signing "popcorn popping on the apricot tree" while we were sitting on the lawn of the roundhouse eating lunch. Knowing now how upset people became after lunch at that church and that I was sitting on government property, I probably shouldn't have been signing a "religious" song. They just may have used one of those trees to string me from if they would have known ;)
After we got home from the field trip we watched a friend's daughter. Emma was trying to get a picture with the 2 girls and they weren't cooperating. I tried to be sneaky and help. The only thing it did was show off Emma's incredible picture acting skills. Oh my goodness she makes me laugh. We finally got them to pose for a couple of pictures later - at the threat of not being able to see Cinderella. Which, by the way, is such a good movie. "Have courage and be kind." Love it.
Ethan was at a campout Friday night and when he got home Saturday we had to attend to his knife cut. He was carving wood and cut his finger. He was pretty upset about it and pretty sure he almost cut his finger off. It was a minor flesh wound, but Nate gave him the full treatment. Nate was actually pretty bummed that it didn't need stitches. He was all ready for some major damage repair.
I also found out about some burns and falling down hills that also occurred. I seriously don't like to know what goes on at these campouts because it's never good. Men watching boys is dangerous and moms just shouldn't know about it.
For a nice little treat for my mighty elephant's, I made them photo albums. Thank goodness for a coupon because each of the 5 girls got 27 pictures and a dollar store album. Our class wasn't allowed to bring their cell phones or anything electronic so when they saw other classes whipping out their devices and snapping pictures, they were bugged. At least my girls got whatever pictures I took so they didn't miss out.
Last field trip. Nate had a business trip on Sunday to Memphis and stayed at a famous hotel. This hotel brings in live ducks to swim in their fountain everyday and has a duck theme. Nate brought me home one of the soaps on Monday (it was a short trip) so I could share in the experience. Isn't it cute? It smells really good too and he now sits on my nightstand where I can enjoy him.
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