Grateful - Day 7

I am grateful for Disneyland.  I know that sounds stupid, but we just got back and I love that there is somewhere clean and decent that we can take kids.  It is too bad that California Adventure started a club like atmosphere at night.  Anyway, I love Disneyland.  I love it.  It is super exhausting but I love it.  Here are some completely random photos.  

 It is so fun to look for hidden mickeys.  

 This is the photo as we go down the hill on splash mountain.  I love that John got stuck in the front so he was ducking.  Love it.  

 Here is Jason's first time on Screamin'.  Awesome!!!!!

 Family fun.

 I just wish lines wouldn't be so long.  75 mins. to meet Rapunzel and the dude from chuck.  Seriously.    

 At least John is the ruler of all fast passes.  And that stack was after we used a few rides.  

My little star wars studs.

Yeah, pretty random.  I love Disneyland.  

Grateful - Day 6

I wonder if I will ever be caught up and on the right day.  Oh well.

Today I am thankful for teachers.  My kids are in a traditional school.  Today at the elementary school, they perfomed their annual Veterans Day Concert.  The choir sings.  (My 3 kids are in that.  The teacher is so great.  Giving up her extra time to teach music to kids.  Love her!!)  And then each grade sings a patriotic song.  Now, I must admit, I have been tired of hearing "50 Nifty United States" sung on the top of my 5th graders lungs,  I was wondering if my head would explode.  But when the kids are singing, it gives me chills.  Now, it is hard to sit there with 4 other kids and keep them entertained. But I survived.  Kim and I only had to run after lost toddlers once.  That was great.



Anyway, to get back on track, this concert had me looking at these wonderful teachers.  I don't want to start a home-school - traditional school argument.  My opinion is to each their own.  What ever works with your family is awesome.  Do it.  I come from a family of educators.  My father is a jr. high teacher turned college professor PhD.  My mother is a travel agent turned elementary school teacher.  My mother in law is a current principal and my father in law is a elementary teacher turned mail carrier.  Needless to say, we have a lot of books in our house.  I am grateful for teachers everywhere and the time and effort they put into my kids education.  If I was in charge of the world, the teachers salary would be $56,000,000 a year and athletes would get $35,000.   

P.S.  I only have 10 more Veterans concerts to go.
P.P.S.  This is the first concert I forgot my camera.  Oops.

Grateful - Day 5

I am grateful someone likes Halloween.  I just don't.  I didn't mind it in the past.  In fact, I enjoyed it as a kid, but with 9 kids, it is just a waste of time and money.  I admit it willingly that I am a Halloween Scrooge. Yep.  #1.  I get scared easily and I hate being scared.  B.  I hate spending money and I don't sew and I am not very creative.  I keep threatening, but I swear one of these Halloweens, I will just buy everyone a bag of candy and turn off the lights and just watch movies.    But since I just survived that holiday, here are the kids.  

 Cassie had candy pants.  Her hair was painted and she would fill her pants with her candy.  

 The cutest poo I have ever seen.  Oh, I mean Pooh.  And his friend t i double ga er.  

 Elly made the perfect Snow white.  

 And Miss Ariel.

 Super Mario

 A grandma.  She even won best comstume in her class.

 Who called for Batman?

A cutie from the 50's.