Why I Love it So

This week, in school, I have been giving a math test to each student. It is an interesting test that is supposed to tell us how students will perform in math in the coming years. It requires students to think beyond what they have been taught and use strategies to solve various types of problems. Most of the questions are difficult for the students but with some thought, many of them come up with the correct answer. The test can be administered by aides or by the teacher. Since I currently have a "Teacher-Candidate" (as BYU-I calls them) I have been able to give the test. It is one on one and takes about 15 minutes per student. I have learned so much by watching them test.

Two particular questions have stumped most of the students. (Since it is a state test I would NEVER use the actual problems, so the numbers have been changed to protect the identity of the original numbers.) So one problem went like this: "Are both sides equal?" and the problem looked like this 44+35=43+36. Most of the students said, "No!" One student said, "Mrs. Grant, I don't even know what the heck the word equals means!" I just laughed and laughed. Another problem was "What should I add to the blank so that each side has the same amount?" It looked like this 23+4=___+5. One of the students thought about the problem FOREVER. Then she answered "Well it has to be 27 and that 5 is just WEIRD!" Again I laughed and laughed. I love these kids.

Teaching about the equal sign is so important. We'll start that when I begin teaching again.

Life is Good - especially in this 2nd grade room.

Chicago - Yes Again!

Now you may think, "Didn't you just post about Chicago last November?" and I will answer, "Yes I did." And again, Trent and I have gone to Chicago. Actually we went in October but it has taken me this long to remember my username and password to blog about it. Trent and I had a marvelous time. If you haven't been to Chicago just for fun then you oughta go. It is a great place.

We just happened to land on a very rainy day. We took the "L" into the city and luck would have it that one of the stops on our line was having a fire and so we had to transfer. We opted to take a bus to another line. The bus was so crowded and I don't think anyone was appreciating our luggage. Forever long later and a million conversations in foreign languages overheard, we arrived at the Red Line and got to our hotel. It was a perfect location.

For two days the weather was horrid. Winds were so strong that boats in the harbors were dashed to bits, skycrapers were closed, trees were knocked down, streets were closed, and people were asked to stay inside. We couldn't stay inside so we made the best of it by going to the Broadway production of Mary Poppins and The Blue Man Group. They were both AWESOME!!!! I could totally get hooked on Broadway shows.

Trent then had two days of a conference and I was left alone to fend for myself. I survived and learned to read a bus schedule and train route. I took a lot of pictures and did a lot of window shopping. I touched my first $600+ pair of shoes (purple Kate Spade) and looked at my first $2300 pair of shoes. I bought neither. I moseyed on over to Payless and bought a more comfy pair of shoes than the ones I was wearing. I also walked into hair salon and got my hair cut because I was having a bad hair day. And finally, I took a kayaking architectural tour.

As always, I was ready to come back but Trent wasn't. So, the offer is open - Anyone want to go with him? He'll leave tomorrow.

Making the most of a yucky day at the Picaso.

Normally the waves don't crash over the breakers. This was after the terrible storm.

Looking toward the northeast from the Willis Tower Observation Deck.

Trent demonstrating how cold it is out at Navy Pier.

Me - freezing. Stopped to buy gloves earlier. Sweatshirt right after.

Looking straight down from the Willis Tower. Kinda freaky!

This is one of my favorite shots of Chicago - from Millennium Park.

I can't even explain this. 108 headless giants walking. Hmm?

Famous Chicago Theater sign. Love this theater district.

The Bean or Cloud Gate , as it is officially named. LOVED IT!!! Lots of smiles here.

These are some pictures from my kayaking trip. The water was disgusting. Thank goodness there was no possibility of falling out. I bet just touching that water could cause cancer or burn your skin off.

This is Trent's dream home. He'd love to live in one of these.

This was the largest barge I have ever seen. It was making its way to the Mississippi.

Isn't that a lovely view. Never see that while kayaking our rivers.

Two sand barges being pushed along by the tug. We had to wait for it. Very SLOW!

My guide. He kayaks everyday all year long. Jealous? Sorta.

I love this building. It is curved just like the river.

If I put every picture in that I took then this blog would be so long. I had such a good time with Trent. I'm glad he shares his love of this city with me. Thanks Buddy!

Life is Good - even in Chicago.

Harvest Creations

Harvest break and and inch of snow on the ground has made me feel crafty. Actually, the craftiness was brought on by a desire to cover the windows so I didn't have to look out at the snow. I miss the 80 degree weather we had last week. I couldn't think of anything socially acceptable for covering windows so I decided that small decorations would have to do. While the girls cooked spudnuts (Idaho donuts) with the cousins and Grandma I made a wreath, ghosts, and bows for the neices' hair. Good times.

These ghosts are made out of a styrofoam cone, gauze, and added gadgets. I think the skinny one needs a mouth. I'll do that tonight.

Turn sideways to get the correct view. My neices and nephews helped design it. We had a great time. And it looks very Halloweeny.

Life is Good  - and a craft day here and there is kinda fun.

Time with the Girls

As I continue my catching up posts, I throw this one in, messing up the order of things, because we had such a good time. One nice thing about Harvest Break is that we all seem to be under the weather with some kind of crud that we got from school. The two week break gives us a chance to get over it all. Since no one was feeling great, and it was rainy, we spent time in the kitchen together. McKenna needed a salad for a team dinner, Katy needed cookies for her soccer game, and we just happened to have pink cupcakes that needed frosted. We laughed and talked and had a marvelous time. We'd do it again, except, we really don't need that much junk food around. Today has brought more rain and will bring more time together and so more fun, fun, fun.

Aren't these cute? 

Pink frosting, pink mint wafers (Pepto tablets would have worked even better but didn't seem right), smushed strawberry Starburts, and black frosting were all that was needed. We tried different tails but couldn't make it look right.

I also wanted to post THE BEST chocolate cookie recipe ever. My friend, Toni, gave me this recipe. It was her mom's recipe and she had gotten it from the Parker School cafeteria. We LOVE it. They stay soft and are even wonderful right out of the freezer. Try them and let me know what you think.

GRANDMA BONNIE HAWKES' FAMOUS YUMMY COOKIES

4 cups DARK brown sugar (must be dark)

1 1/4 cups butter (don't use margarine)

6 eggs

6 cups flour (I usually have to add 1/2 to 3/4 cups more)

1 tsp salt

2 tsp soda

3 tsp vanilla

coconut (I use about 1 cup)

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (I use the whole package. The more chocolate, the better.)

Cream sugar and butter. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients and slowly add to sugar mix. Add coconut and chocolate chips. Bake 375 degrees for 12 minutes.

Life is Good - and kitchens are a great place to build memories.

Family Kayaking Day

Now that school has started, I'm so behind on my blogging. During this Harvest Break I'm going to get caught up on many things - blogging, cleaning, and playing. First up. Family Kayak Day. After I took my friends with me one day, they decided that we should all go again but with our families. So we did. And we had a blast. A couple of mishaps, a cave exploration, dead deer carcasses, and delicious food just added to the fun. This could become an annual tradition. I hope it does.

Twelve kayakers and one rafter made their way down the Warm River run toward Ashton. Most had never kayaked before and survived. Poor Shaunna was suffering from a very freaky bruise that had taken a horrible turn needing a constant wound pump. Not wanting to be left behind, we fitted her with a raft that worked perfectly. 

The three big boys all tough and stuff. Big Dakota fell out many times and then was very exhausted for football practice after. It was worth it though.

Taking a break to dump the kayaks after going through the rapids. This is also a great place to take a swim in the water or climb some rocks.

Karen Ili and Lia. Karen purchased two kayaks this year and went a million times. So glad. I always need more kayaking buddies.

 My buddy Shaunna in her comfy raft. She got pretty good at the paddles. Next year, for sure, she'll be taking the a kayak.

Life is Good - Good friends make it even better.

Girls Day

We have been so blessed with good friends in our children's lives. In August I was able to spend a day with the twins and their friends and their moms in West Yellowstone. We had a great time.We wandered a bit, ate dinner, and went to the Playmill to see "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat." LOVE the Playmill!!!Especially LOVE "Joseph" (and most of all the "Joseph" with Donny Osmond). What a great time we had and so much fun with those girls of mine. As the kids get older it is becoming more and more difficult to share moments with them. So, this was a treasured blessing. Thanks for arranging it Taina.

Western Ladies - Ashlyn Kaufman, Shailee Gardner, Adri, Katy, Peyton Crapo, and Micheala Hill. This is the only time I've ever seen them with serious faces.

This is what they normally look like. Yippee for Christmas stores.

Apparently this is the sign for "Hot Guy". Good to know!

I ate my willpower, too. So, I had to buy a pound of delicious fudge. Then I went to the Playmill where I bought more of Heidi's fudge. I LOVE fudge.

Life is Good  - and time with these twins is valuable!

Family Reunion - Wilderness Style

Ok, it wasn't really wilderness and its not like its a real reunion because to me a reunion is with people you don't see very often. We see the Grant family often (although more times would be better). I think it was more of a vacation. All the Charles Grant Family traveled to Christmas Meadows, Utah the last week of July. Do you know where Christmas Meadows is? We didn't either but we do now and I think it is a wonderful place. It is about 30 miles south of Evanston, Wyoming , in the Uinta mountains.

 

 

Our family decided to take a leisurely drive. After a few stops, expected (dropping the dog off and buying goofy glasses at the party store) and unexpected (lack of air at every gas station needed to fill our low tire and then the valve breaking so the tire became completely flat but finding a place to get it filled) we were on our way. We drove along Palisades Reservoir (which is full - don't remember seeing it full EVER) then into beautiful Star Valley, Wyoming. Then we went back into Idaho and around the shores of Bear Lake (very full too and a lovely place to vacation, in case you were wondering). Into Utah where I'm pretty sure only 6 families live then back into Wyoming and to Evanston (the only "largish" Wyoming city we haven't been to) and then finally back into Utah finally reaching our destination about 5 1/2 hours later. It was beautiful and we had a wonderful time in the car together.

Bear River Lodge

Playing The Ball game

 One of our favorite activities is "The Ball Game". Years ago, Grandma discovered this game and it has since been handed down to Aunt Tracie to make the ball. It consists of 2 large pair of long socks, one die, a ball made of money, toys, candy, and a lot of streamer paper, and finally a whole lot of yelling and laughing. It has become quite a tradition.

Tanner attempting to walk on water.

Grandma enjoyed the pool too. Check out those awesome shades.

A whole lot of swimming was going on. We played games like "Marco Polo", "Tag", and "Try to Run Fast Enough To Walk on Water". All were equally fun. But the game of "Splash Most of the Water Out of the Pool" seems to be most popular.

Sweat and Mud. Proof that the bikes were well used.

Grandma and Me down at the ponds.

Other activities included mountain biking along the ATV trails and fishing at the ponds. I learned how to fly fish! I was so excited. It is something I've always wanted to know. I like the idea of not having to touch worms. However, my form is terrible. Occasionally I had a good cast. More practice would probably help. I can see myself standing in the Madison River in Yellowstone Park in my waders casting my line at 10 and 2. That would be awesome. (Whoa, that was way off the topic. Sorry.)

Posing before the ride and the mud flew.

Rinsing off mud or Making more mud?

 One day, Grandpa and Grandma rented several ATVs and the kids didn't waste a single minute of time. They explored miles and miles of trails. When they arrived, after the final ride, the only clean parts of their bodies were under their helmets. They were mud from head to toe. Apparently, the mud puddles were the most popular places. I missed this event because I was hiking to Amethyst Lake (previous post).

We enjoyed the talent show. Kendrick sang, representing Trisha's family - a real talent. Tracie had already shown great talent in constructing "The Ball". Kendall's family rehearsed a poem - "If" by Rudyard Kipling. And, the Trent Grants performed a couple of songs on the bells. I can't believe that we weren't asked to do an encore. How rude!

All the grandkids. Who knows when they will all be together again!

This really is one happy bunch of people.

We had a wonderful time with everyone. And, as always, we were sorry to see it come to an end. But we couldn't leave before we took a few pictures of the whole family. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the great memories. Sure love being with you!

Setting out on the road.

Trent left before the rest of us. He decided to bike from the lodge to Evanston, about 30 miles. We picked him up there. We got him a new shirt to change into and baby wipes to shower with. Wasn't that sweet? It was good preparation for his big bike ride coming up. (Post about that in September)


Life is Good - and time spent with family is prime!