YESTERYEAR

When students are in 5th grade at our elementary school, they have the opportunity to participate in an event called YesterYear. YesterYear is a day dedicated to engaging in activities similar to those of the pioneers crossing the plains. Students eat "buffalo" stew and biscuits, decorate tin quilt squares, learn how to square dance, ride on a wagon, pan for gold, practice shaving, make beaded bracelets, play pioneer games, and are taught quilt making. Clad in bonnets, aprons, and vest, the student spend an entire day taking part in YesterYear activities and often walk away with positive memories from the event. This year, I was able to volunteer as a group chaperone. I enjoyed following my daughter around as she participated in the various activities and learned more of what life was like as a pioneer. So grateful for our incredible school and the phenomenal teachers who go above and beyond for their students!

MOTHER'S DAY GIFTS: SECOND OLDEST

Back at the beginning of July, my second oldest and I spent an afternoon at iFLY. He decided that he wanted his one-on-one experience to be indoor skydiving, so we made it happen. We both had a fabulous time in the wind tunnel doing high flys! I’m grateful for his unique personality that picked something so out-of-the-box.

BELATED POST: TORTOISE

Okay. This one is strange. But we had a "pet" tortoise for 2.5 weeks. It all started when taking my daughter to an activity. I saw my next-door neighbor in slight distress a few streets over, so I pulled over to see what was wrong. As I slow to a stop, I see the reason. A GIANT tortoise, who is comically following my neighbor around. I hurry and drop off my daughter before returning to my neighbor to see how I can assist. We checked with all other known neighbors and friends whom have tortoises to see if this big guy belongs to them. Nothing. So, against my husband's wishes, I put the tortoise in our backyard while we try to locate the owner. We check with a few more neighbors, on facebook, on message boards, and even with the exotic animal clinic to see if we can help him return home, but we come up with nothing. After a few long discussions and research on salcata tortoises, we decide that the best course of action would be to rehome him. Luckily, an old friend with the perfect set-up reached out on Instagram and, after having the big guy in our yard for just over two weeks, we were able to bring him to his new home. They have named him Dozer and he absolutely loves the leftovers from her bountiful garden.

BELATED POST: BIG THINGS

School started the first week of August and *GASP* I HAVE A KID IN JUNIOR HIGH. It's insane. It's about that time that I started telling people about my new job as an architectural drafter for an engineering firm. That in and of itself could be its own post, but I'll spare you. Long story short, a long time friend reached out with a job opportunity (that just HAPPENED to be what I wanted to be "when I grew up" from the ages of about 8 to 18 years old). I started training on the job and now I have being plans for clients being approved by different cities across the state. It's beyond surreal. Annnnnnnnnnnnnd the mr. got his Masters. He has been working on that (under the radar) for the last year and received his degree with straight A's. I'm so proud. We're all doing big things!