Reused

We were re-evaluating our food storage a couple weeks ago and I ran across and entire box of 72 hour kits that I had made sometime at an enrichment activity.  The items inside were way past due so I ended up having to just through all of it out.  However, once I emptied the cans I thought that there might at least be some good use to those.  So I turned them from this

 Into this

Halloween decorations are my favorite.  I also turned a piece of wood into some little pumpkins for my mantle. 

 A little something for my piano as well.

Happy Halloween!

Family Lake Mead Trip 2011

Fall is here and that means a very special tradition in our family. Our big family trip to Lake Mead. Usually we go in September but this year our busy schedules pushed it back a little. Regardless, it was still a great, relaxing weekend. The weather was beautiful, the lake was up, there was hardly anyone there and we got great wakeboarding in, that unfortunately is starting to tell us that we are getting old. Don used to be able to wakeboard all day. He could wake up early 4 or 5 days in a row for smooth water. Well this weekend I think he officially became an old man. A couple weeks ago Don turned 38 and I think he is really feelin' it. He went boarding for about 2 minutes, fell and said that he could barely move. That was the extent of his boarding for the weekend. But, like I can talk...I went for about 5 minutes and then got back in the boat out of breath. Getting old sucks! 

I guess we will have to pass the torch to our children. Donald had fun boarding and Eli is still working on mastering getting up, they are both doing a great job.  I hope they find as much enjoyment in it as we have over the years.

Something really fun for Donald this year is that since he is finally 12 he didn't have to wear his life jacket while the boat was moving and he is old enough to ride the stand up jet ski.

 I think he would have slept on this thing if we would have let him.  So I guess getting older can be fun...until you reach our age ;).

See you next year Lake Mead!

The call that stole my sleep

For over two years now I have been teaching online at University of Phoenix.  It has been a great experience because I have been able to stay home with my kids and still be involved in science.  Last year I also started teaching for BYU Idaho online.  Teaching for two places has had its challenges, but with the kids in school I have been able to balance it.  Also last year, since the kids are at school all day, I decided to sign up to sub in our school district.  Ok, Sara, what does that have to do with sleep.....Last week I got a phone call from the school district asking me if I could take a long term subbing assignment teaching Anatomy at the high school that is just a block away from our house.  At the time they couldn't tell me how long the assignment would be, but it sounded like fun so I told them yes.  That is when I said goodbye to a full night of sleep.
I got to the school the next day and they told me that the teacher I was taking over for was being made the Athletic Director and they would need me in there for the rest of the school year.  It is exciting, but at the same time I still have contracts with UOP and BYUI that I have to finish up.  That means that at least until December I have three jobs.  So I go to school at 7 in the morning, get done at 3, pick up Eli, take the kids to swim, figure out dinner, then spend the next 4 to 5 hours grading and doing discussions online.  I rarely get to sleep before 1am and then have to wake up at 6 again.  5 hours a night is just not enough for me!
However, if I can make it through the next two months, there are some good things about the situation.  First of all, I have great classes, they are all good kids who want to learn and get all their work done.  Second, I have 6th period prep so the end of my day is not rushed.  Third, It is Anatomy, which is one of the coolest science classes ever.
I know this is getting long, but I just have to share the awesome day that I had yesterday.
There was a big football game last night, so we started the day off with a pep rally.  We are on a block schedule and have 2 hour classes Tuesday through Friday.  2nd period went to the rally for half of the time and then I had 4th period.  Since I don't have a 6th period, the day was pretty short.  On Fridays it is BWT (Black, White, Teal) day to promote school spirit.  If your whole 4th period class wears black, white and teal you get entered into a raffle to win a pizza party at the end of that class period.
I really hadn't thought about the contest much, but I did wear black, white and teal just to show my support.  It ended up that everyone in our class except one person walked in wearing those colors.  One boy had on a red shirt and he almost got thrown out by all the football players, until he told us that he had a black shirt on underneath.  We all made him ditch the red shirt and just as he did the ASB kids came in to count us.  We were all counted as BWT,  I signed the sheet and they walked out.  We continued our day and everyone was busy getting stuff done when the intercom beeped and the announcements came on.  They read through all the classes that had 100% and we cheered when our name was called.  Then they said they were going to draw the name of the class that won.  I listened, but didn't hope for much, there were 37 classes that had 100%.  Then they called our name and our class exploded in cheers!  We were so excited!  It was amazing!  Kids were jumping up and down and hugging each other.  ASB came in and took our picture and brought us a poster that said winners on it and gave us 7 large pizzas.  It was a blast and definitely a great end to a good Friday.  They also video taped us and we are going to be the promo for next week's contest.  What a great first week!