basket raffle

The kids' school is holding its 2nd Annual Basket Raffle on Thursday night. I haven't been able to volunteer in their classrooms on a regular basis, so I volunteered to to organize 4 baskets for different classrooms this year. It was pretty easy ~ send home a flyer requesting donations from parents; send a reminder for donations; collect fun things (via "kid-mail"), make them look pretty in a basket (the hardest part); design a fun "this basket includes" flyer; and then drop them off at the school.

The 4 baskets: Family Baking Fun, iPod, Bookworm, and Arts & Crafts. I hope these baskets make a whole lotta money for the school...and I hope my kids win the Webkinz basket! ;)

i've been tagged...

10 years ago: I was anxiously awaiting the birth of our first child. I was working full-time as an Administrative Assistant at The Baker Companies in Pleasantville, NY; Baker Residential built new home communities, and I assisted the Marketing Manager who designed logos, ads, and brochures for the communities (I helped name houses and streets!) ~ I loved my job!! I was also serving as Primary President in the Yonkers 2nd Branch; our attendance in Primary ranged from 4 to close to 20 kids on any given Sunday, depending on how many kids the Missionaries brought to Church with them that week.

5 things on my to-do list today: 1) buy milk; 2) do a load of laundry (wash, dry, fold AND put away ~ a real challenge for me); 3) drop off a trunk full of "stuff" at Goodwill; 4) make Chicken Pot Pie for dinner; 5) hold Family Home Evening (since it's Monday) ~ the kids had a great Primary Activity this last week, and they're excited to make cookies and give the lesson they learned.

5 snacks I enjoy: I'm more of a meal person...but I think I can come up with 5 snacks...1) Chex party mix; 2) Triscuit crackers; 3) cookie dough; 4) just about anything that someone else is eating...

What I would do if I were suddenly made a billionaire: party like a rock star! ;)

3 of my bad habits: Just 3?! 1) I don't exercise; 2) I eat while I cook, and after I cook; 3) I spend way too much time on the computer

5 places I have lived: 1) here; 2) Yonkers, NY; 3) Irvington, NY; 4) Santa Clara, CA; 5) San Jose, CA (and I've also lived in: Campbell, CA; Provo, UT; Saratoga, CA; Silverdale, WA; Kirkland, WA; Spokane, WA; Orem, UT; Sandy, UT; Missoula, MT; and Rexburg, ID). I was raised to be a gypsy...

5 jobs that I have had: 1) babysitter ($2/hour); 2) Food Demonstrator (aka - a Sample Lady) at Costco ($10/hour); 3) nanny ~ once in NY and once in CA ($150 & $175/week); 4) Receptionist ~ first at a Chiropractic clinic ($7/hr) and then at the Business Office of a large Radiology group ($8/hr), and then at a Financial Holding Company that didn't seem to have any financial holdings remaining ($25k/year); 5) Administrative Assistant (read: fancy Secretary) for a residential and commercial development company (started at $24,500/year)~ this was my favorite job.

5 things people don't know about me: hmmmm. 1) I counted it up with my kids the other night ~ I attended 5 elementary schools; 2) I am incredibly shy and socially awkward; 3) I took my brother to Homecoming my Senior year of high school because my boyfriend (loosely speaking) lived across the state and his car broke down on his way to our house ~ my brother was a better alternative than my Dad; 4) in 7th grade I read a different book (cover to cover) every night ~ on Friday I would go and check out 4 or 5 books to get me through the weekend; 5) even though I didn't like High School (and can barely recall 5 people from my Class), I am helping plan my 20th High School Reunion (if you know anyone who graduated from Central Kitsap High School in 1988, tell them to visit: http://www.classreport.org/usa/wa/silverdale/ckhs/1988/ for more information ~ we're still missing close to 200 of our closest friends)

I tag: Becca, Dyan, Rachel, and Laura M ~ start your blog by doing this tag

Happy Birthday to Grandpa!

We invited Grandpa and Grandma Sandii for birthday cake tonight. It's Grandpa's birthday. Grandma Sandii made a yummy chocolate bundt cake, and the Campbells brought ice cream. As the song goes, "It's always fun when Grandpa comes, when Grandpa comes, HOORAY!" We hope Grandpa had as much fun on his birthday as we did!!

tripping down memory lane

I tracked down an old friend last week. We went to school together for 3 months at the end of our sophomore year. Despite the fact a lot of people at school thought we were dating, we were more like best friends ~ I think I even referred to him as my "little" brother. When I moved to Silverdale that summer, he came to visit, and I went back to Kirkland to visit him a few times.

When it came time for Jr. Prom, I asked him to take me. We had fun fixing the tailpipe on my dad's 57 Chevy (to keep it from dragging on the ground). For dinner we ordered "red snapper" ~ and we both assumed we'd be getting some sort of shellfish. Apparently, we are the only two people on the planet who don't know that red snapper is a fish... ;)

As it turns out, he and his wife live in Bonney Lake with their 2 girls. And they were nice enough to let our family descend upon their home last night for dinner (an amazing dinner, by the way ~ grilled flank steak, king crab legs, and salad!!). The 6 kids had fun playing in their big yard, chasing each other through the house, loving on the cute 3-week old bunnies, playing Webkinz, and just generally having a great time (except for when they were mad at each other). We told our kids they can't have a bunny for Easter, but they totally don't believe us. They'll be surprised on Easter morning when our family remains bunny-free. But we had fun playing with the bunnies anyway.

I couldn't believe that I forgot my camera!! So, Andy will be happy to know that I'm only posting OLD pictures of us. ;)

Even thought it had been over 20 years since we last saw each other, it was nice to know that we can still have fun together (with our respective spouses and children, of course). His wife is a good sport to host "someone from the past." Thanks for a fun evening in Bonney Lake!!

book reviews: bella, edward and jacob

I finished the Twilight series...I was calling it a "trilogy" but realized that (thankfully) it's NOT a trilogy and there will be a NEW BOOK coming out this summer. I really loved these books. I didn't know Stephenie Meyers graduated from BYU. And I didn't know that they are "YA" (young adult) books...and it's a good thing I was ignorant of those facts. Because if I'd known, I wouldn't have read them. I was lucky...I got the first book (Twilight) from the library. The other 2 were on hold, but there is a loooooonng line for them. Fortunately for me, 2 of my friends had the other books and let me borrow them. :)

Since they're YA, they were an easy read. Stephenie doesn't tell a short story ~ so the books don't end too quickly (well, yes they do, but that's because I couldn't stop reading them). I thought she made it easy to slip into the mind of a 16/17 year old girl...without being too obnoxious about it. She also managed to write a series of books that were very passionate (almost sinfully so) without crossing any (of my) "lines" of inappropriateness. If Laurel were a mid-teen, I would have no problem having her read these books.

I do think Stephenie could have developed some of the characters more (Rosalie and Emmet and Esme; Billy and Sam, for instance)...I don't think I knew enough about them ~ but maybe that's because I wanted more. I also didn't like how self-deprecating Bella is...she canNOT stop being self-degrading and doubtful and insecure. But, as I think of it more, she IS a teenage girl...and as a former teenaged girl, I remember feeling much the same way more often than not...

If you haven't read them yet, go get them...you'll be geared up and ready to go with Breaking Dawn AND you'll be ready to see the first movie, which starts shooting soon.

sunny day

Today was sunny. Blue skies, fluffy clouds, and sunshine. I don't think it topped 55degrees, but that didn't stop the kids from going barefoot at the park. It was a fun break from the cloudy, rather depressing weather we've been experiencing. I'm glad that spring is just around the corner!!

helping mommy

While I was cleaning today, Dana was "helping" me. I think she had more fun than I did!

After she was done helping, she decided to read a book before her nap...

owl pellet update

If you happen to be at the school, stop in and visit the Owl Pellet display that one of the 4th grade classes made...one kid was able to find an entire squirrel skeleton!! They look awesome glued down to black paper. I know it seems kind of gross, but it's really amazing!!

laurel's valentine

Tonight while I made meatballs for the spaghetti, Laurel made a special dessert for the family...I didn't help even once. She followed the directions on the box of brownies, picked the pan, sprayed it herself, and did a good job of licking the bowl clean. As the brownies cooled down I cut them into little hearts and scooped the ice-cream. Laurel then "plated" each dish. Her favorite part was squirting the chocolate syrup (in a heart-shape, of course) over the brownies and ice cream.

Thanks for a yum-yum-yummy Valentine Dessert, Sweet Girl! We love you!!

Dana liked it so much that she slurped it up. :)

outta' this world

Our family spends a lot of time in another world ~ Webkinz World, to be exact. And today is a very special day in both worlds: Valentine's Day. In addition to the parties at school in this world, the kids' Webkinz also get to celebrate the holiday in Webkinz World.

Not sure what I'm talking about? Webkinz are essentially Beanie Babies with cyper-personalities. You have to keep up their homes, do jobs, earn Kinz Cash, buy furniture, home decor items, groceries; play games, socialize with other Webkinz, feed your Webkinz, and all sorts of other things. The kids are diligent in doing their "dailies" ~ this means, feeding, dressing, walking their Webkinz, Wheel-of-Wow, Gem mining (in order to collect all the gems so your Webkinz can wear the Crown of Wonder), gardening ~ which includes planting, watering, raking, digging and eventually (after 8 days) harvesting fresh fruits and veggies, going to the Employment Center for new jobs, sometimes going to school (they all agree it costs too much Kinz Cash), and meeting other new Webkinz friends (in safe "chat rooms" where you can only say things that come off a pull-down menu).

And today, on Valentine's Day, there are special things to do all day long, like The Super Wheel which is even better than the Wheel of Wow, it offers "rare" and "exclusive" items like these:

Tempted to get your own Webkinz? Well, when you DO get your own Webkinz, try and top my top score in Goober's Lab...I bet you can't. But don't feel bad. Doug can't beat me, either...but he keeps trying!! ;)

Happy Valentine's Day!

hope

make a pretty face

That's what we said to Dana right before Becca took this picture...

wanna eat dinner at our house?

or is that breakfast? It's one of our favorite dinners ~ Breakfast for dinner. And I'd bet you'd be in for the bacon, and hot pancakes with syrup. But what is that last thing? Can you identify it?

Any guesses? mashed worms? green slimy something or else? It's hashbrowns. I don't know why, but I can't make them to save my life. Doug was very kind and pointed out that he always eats them...he also then said, "How hard is it? Grate the potatoes, dump them in the pan and fry them..." This from a man who doesn't cook. Ever. And I like to cook, but I can't cook hasbrowns.

I'd like to say, "They taste better than they look." But everytime I think that, I flash back to my office about 6 years ago...I made cookies over the weekend, and they looked funky (I have no idea why), but they tasted great. On Monday I took them into the kitchen and left a note that said, "Homemade Cookies ~ they taste better than they look." Imagine my (mock) horror when I went in a few hours later and saw this scribbled on the same note, "No they don't!" They were gone, but I never took homemade anything into work again. :(

So, anyone want hashbrowns with the Dillons? The hashbrowns taste better than they look...I promise! ;)

gung hay fat choy

Last night was the first night of Chinese New Year. It's the first year that we've "celebrated," but since I'm a Cub Scout Leader and February's theme is "Chinese New Year," I thought it would be fun ~ plus, our family loves Chinese food! For dinner we had broccoli stir fry, beef, chicken, garlic tofu & snap peas, and rice. For dessert we had rice candies, Pocky Sticks and sesame candy (I forgot to buy fortune cookies!).

The kids seemed to have fun running around and making noise after dinner, but Sheila and Andy and I really loved the Chinese Fortune Sticks (Doug picked his after he came from from basketball). Have you ever tried them? You really should ~ they're a lot of fun! The booklet says: those who will follow this custom by aid of this guide-book and bundle of "fortune indicators" with sincere heart and alert mind will soon recognize that it can be a universal as well as Chinese method and a natural as well as human art of pointing out the future for all beings. What do you make of our fortunes?

Dana: (42) Your number bad for luck today, but if you hustle sure to pay. By what's called luck you'll never thrive, you'll never be in need; you're sure to be industrious, by hard work you'll succeed. A long sought position in life will soon be yours. You will get your wish if you work for it.

Preston: (25) A wish today, if made by you, is almost certain to come true. A nature full of hopefulness, bad luck you cannot see; your cheefulness will win success in what you wish to be. You'll be enriched through a foreigner whom you have never seen.

Aubrey: (20) If you draw the number "Twenty," a happy day and luck a-plenty. A contract or a business deal will be submitted soon. The fates advise great care by you, some trick may be your ruin. A native will should be your fortune. You will get your wish.

Malcolm: (53) Today, in fact, for many days your luck is in good the same alway. A roving life will be your lot, you'll smile and seldom moan and gather wealth sufficient to fool the rolling stone. You will shortly make a new friend to your great advantage. You will get your wish.

Laurel: (28) The best of number, "Twenty-eight," your chance is good, don't hesitate. Though ambitioius for your future, and impatient for success, only quiet perseverance brings a lasting happiness. A surprise and a strange bed. You will get your wish.

Sheila: (10) A most peculiar thing today about this number "ten" it's good for all the women, and bad for all the men. A friend of yours has crossed the sea for love and riches, too, by one or both you'll benefit a great surprise for you. Many changes at hand. Your wish depends on your own efforts.

Andy: (72) Your luck today looks very blue, if you should draw a "seventy-two." All kinds of woe and trouble, quarrels and much strife can surely be avoided if you lead a cheerful life. Your love affairs seem wrong, but will be righted soon through a generous friend. You'll get your wish ~ some day.

Missy: (38) You've drawn today a "thirty-eight," for signing papers better wait: Your fortune is a warning for fate around you weaves a loss of wealth or jewelry through carlessness or thieves. You'll have a merry night, followed by unpleasant consequenses. You will get your wish.

Doug: (50) Luck in love is bad today, but in business sure to pay. Appearances to you seem good, and fortune more than kind, but you could win both wealth and fame, if you were not so blind. You will receive unjust treatment from a near relative. You may get your wish later on.


And so, gung hay fat choy! 农历新年

dissecting owl pellets (and a bit of education)

When she was sick 2 weeks ago, Laurel missed out on dissecting owl pellets. And, yes, that made her very sad. But today, her teacher gave her a left0ver pellet to dissect at home. Laurel was so excited after school that she didn't even take off her shoes and coat...she plopped down at the table, grabbed her friend Karen, and began dissecting the pellet (with toothpicks). They found a few field mouse bones, part of a skull, and lots and lots of fur. She loved it. I guess her desire to be a scientist is stronger than I imagined...

What's that? You don't know what an owl pellet is? Well, like other birds, Owls cannot chew their food - small prey items are swallowed whole, while larger prey are torn into smaller pieces before being swallowed. But unlike other birds, Owls have no Crop. A crop is a loose sac in the throat that serves as storage for food for later consumption. Since an Owl lacks this, food is passed directly into their digestive system. Several hours after eating, the indigestible parts (fur, bones, teeth & feathers that are still in the gizzard) are compressed into a pellet the same shape as the gizzard. This pellet travels up from the gizzard back to the proventriculus. It will remain there for up to 10 hours before being regurgitated. Because the stored pellet partially blocks the Owl's digestive system, new prey cannot be swallowed until the pellet is ejected. Regurgitation often signifies that an Owl is ready to eat again. When the Owl eats more than one prey item within several hours, the various remains are consolidated into one pellet. So now you know!

remains of the bone

once he realized that the rawhide bone was his friend, it didn't take him long to destroy it. and now it's just a fond memory...

...or a not-so-fond-memory...It had been so long since we'd given Henry a rawhide, that I forgot the one unfortunate side-effect...horrendous flatulence. yikes!!

playdough fun

Aubrey got to have 2 friends and a cousin over today. She was so excited to finally break into the "Christmas playdough" that Santa left for us. Preston, Audrey and Karen (not pictured) had fun, too.

(in case you're wondering, this was not taken just before bedtime, pajamas just happen to be their favorite and most comfortable clothes!)

daddy's birthday party

Here are pictures from Daddy's "birthday party" after the 4th grade concert. We think he had lots of fun...we know we did. We played "Super Herios" with Preston. Nothing's more fun that wearing capes at a birthday party!!

President Thomas S. Monson

On Monday it was announced that our new Prophet is Thomas S. Monson. His First Counselor is Henry B. Eyring and his Second Counselor is Dieter F. Uchtdorf. As I was preparing our FHE lesson about the new First Presidency, I felt very impressed that these men have, indeed, been called of God to serve Him and to speak for Him.

The first memory I have of President Monson is from a General Conference in 1976 or 1977 (I don't remember if it was April or October). We were watching Conference in our living room (Missoula, MT) and, since I was in 1st grade, my Dad wanted me to pay attention, so he gave me some blank paper and told me to draw pictures of the speakers. I don't remember anyone else who spoke that day, but I remember drawing President Monson's picture and having a good feeling about him as I listened. I found the picture years later and without looking at his name, I knew that it was him.

I have always enjoyed the stories he tells during Conferences...although I've noticed that some of them get "recycled." I guess (as my friend pointed out) that it must be hard to come up with new talks all the time...

The Dillons are looking forward to getting to know President Eyring and President Uchtdorf, and learning more from President Monson.