Gifted and Talented??

Tyler and Jared both participate in the START program at school (gifted and talented). Now, this is by no means a post to brag on my kids, but in fact it is quite the opposite.

Lately, I've been wondering if my children should really be in this program. I definitely do think that my kids are "smart" (when they choose to be), but isn't the gifted and talented program supposed to be more than that? It almost seems like half the kids in my boys classes are in the program. And are my kids "outside of the box" thinkers. Sure they're good readers, wiz's in the math department and very obedient (at school)--but "outside of the box"??? I wasn't convinced. UNTIL...

Before we left to Pennsylvania, I noticed that Jared had shoved all of his Sunday clothes into his pajama drawer. I reminded him that Sunday clothes get hung up in the closet and that he needed to go upstairs and hang his clothes up. Fast forward to this morning when I went into his closet to find and iron some of the Sunday clothes. This is what I found...I really couldn't complain. He did what I asked him to do.

Outside of the box?

Most definitely.

Growing Pains

Mike from the hypochondroplasia yahoo group posted a message last week about an article that would be posted in the Washington Post Magazine on Sunday, November 30th. We don't normally receive our Sunday paper on Saturday, so I was excited when I got home from our long drive to find it in the driveway. After I sent the kiddos to bed, I pulled out the magazine and started reading. I haven't finished the article, yet, but I thought I'd pass it on to you, so you can have the opportunity to read it, too.

Growing Pains by Caitlin Gibson

I guess limb lengthening is a controversial topic in the dwarfism community. And I can understand why, but I always enjoy hearing both sides. Caitlin Schroeder has hypochondroplasia like Evan does and so far it has been interesting reading her perspective on dwarfism as a teenager. She seems like a smart girl who has thought this through and is very fortunate to have supportive and understanding parents. I look forward to reading the rest of the article and seeing the outcome. I can't wait to hear what you think about it!

You are now entering...

I never thought I'd be a fan of a teenage based book about vampires...BUT I was sucked in (HAHA). I'll admit, I don't think the books were necessarily well written and I was a bit disappointed in the ending of the last book, but they were a great way to pass away the end of the summer, without having to think too much. And it had me anxiously awaiting the Twilight movie.

My movie review in brief (without giving away too much)...

I saw the movie last night with 5 other women and 5 teenage girls. If you liked/loved the books, I don't think you'll be disappointed...if you keep in mind that these books were written for a teenage girl audience. Thus, expect LOTS of squeals and oohs and aahs throughout the entire movie. If you haven't read the book, you may think the acting is not so good, but I was impressed with some of character portrayals--especially Bella's.

Hopefully, the movie will make enough money to support making New Moon, but I must say that I hope there will be enough money to improve on the special effects and make-up. The running/tree scenes were cheesy. If using the effects in Twilight, I can only imagine how hokey it will be watching Jacob turn into a wolf! Oh and the make-up was awful. Just awful! I could barely look at the character Carlisle. And Edwards lipstick--smooth it out, dude. And the shimmery sunlight deal, not how imagined it.

But all in all, I enjoyed the movie. I stayed awake--which speaks volumes for me!! I'd even see it again. Maybe Rob will go with me this time!!!

Have you seen it yet? What did you think?

Who Me?

I love this look on Evan..."I don't know what you're talking about. I'd never make this kind of mess."
Actually, they're both guilty of tearing apart the house today (what is in the picture is only a small fraction of the disaster zone). But I guess I'm somewhat guilty, too, because they were 100% supervised during the process...by me.

I just don't care today. I don't care that all of the clean laundry is strewn around the house or that all of the napkins are shredded into teeny tiny pieces all over.

These two have become the best of friends lately--I guess that's all that really matters right now.
My problem is that I really do need to keep a close eye on them...they're too cute for their own good!

Tantrum in Photos

You can think I'm the worst mom ever...I don't care.

I just had to document and share a full fledged Anna tantrum! She's 19 months old now, so hopefully this is "it"--the terrible two's. Let's hope she gets it out of her system quickly.
Stomping her feet...
Even jumping up and down...But I must say, she is cute as can be with those little piggy tails poking out of the top of her head!!All it takes is a quick cuddle to calm her down (but don't get too excited because it starts all over again a few minutes later)!!

I sure do love this girl!!

FHE...Kunz Style

Monday night is family night (we call it FHE or Family Home Evening). Sometimes we have a little lesson. Sometimes we just play a game together. Sometimes we just have a special treat. Often, we use this time to teach our children about important issues that arise within our family (i.e. an example of this is found in here). Tonight will be one of those nights, but we're keeping it short and sweet.

Scripture:
Matthew 15:2 "...for they wash not their hands when they eat bread."
Luke 11:38 "And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.
2 Corinthians 7:1 "let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh"

Activity:
Washing our hands.






Here's to a sick free week at the Kunz household.

I am only one month (or so) away from celebrating my 1 year anniversary to blogging--haha! Any reason to celebrate!!

Katie (in this post here) encouraged her readers to go back and re-read their blogs from the start. I took her up on this challenge. So, I will now bore you with my deep thoughts...

• I actually kept some of my New Years Resolutions and so did my children. I didn't think I'd be able to keep up with the whole blogging thing, but I did!! And how grateful am I to now have this record of the past year--the good and the bad.
• It's been a great year! We've been able to travel, the kids are doing well, we've avoided major health issues, we've survived my husband's traveling, our house is coming together, etc, etc...I really can't complain. 2008 has been very good to us.
  
• My technical skills are improving. The fact that I can even navigate around my blog (and yours) is AMAZING. And now I can even use PhotoShop without screaming at the computer--what a difference a year makes!!
• I am so grateful to blogging for introducing me to others in the dwarfism community. I have learned so much from them and I know that their support is only one click away. I used to think it was weird that people had "Internet friends" but now I'm one of them.
• And a year ago, I had NO IDEA that there was a whole cyber world of digital scrappers out there. I've enjoyed being a part of this community and have enjoyed doing something for "me". Everybody needs their "me" time and this year I've learned to make it a priority for my sanity and my family's)--but everything in moderation, of course. I wonder if next year I'll be attending an on-line scrapper addicts anonymous courses!!??!!
• I have a great life. I really do.
• I look forward to 2009.
  

I've been sucked in...

Every so often I get bit by the nostalgia bug. I'll reflect on high school (but not TOO much because I hated it), Ricks College, BYU before my mission, my 18 months as a missionary in Paris, BYU post-mission. Each of these time periods helped make me who I am today (take it or leave it) and all of the people I acquainted myself with, hold a special place in my...sap, sap, but it's true...heart. I would never trade where I am now to go back to any of these times, but occasionally I think and wonder about what my mission companions and district Elders are up to or where my college roommates are living, what their families are like, if they've still kept the same quirky qualities that I loved. I wish I had been able to keep in contact over the years with all of them, but to be honest...there aren't enough hours in the day.

When I started blogging, I started to reconnect with some of them and now that my eyes have been open to Facebook, people from my past have been flying out of the woodwork and I must say that I love it!! That's all I needed...just a little glimpse to know that they're fine, an occasional post "wall-to-wall", a way to still feel connected to the past while living in the present.

Okay, enough cheese for now...more to come tomorrow.

Where Has Autumn Gone?

I wish time would just pause a moment and wait for me. My favorite season of the year seems to be breezing by and I'm getting left behind. Time to take a deep breath, step back and enjoy it a bit.

The temperature is in the mid-70's today. The skies are blue. The leaves are falling and their colors are beautiful. AND I'm finally starting to feel better. Evan, too, is on the mend. We both finally had a restful night of sleep. Antibiotics are a godsend. I think a walk is in order today! I could use some fresh air!!

On another note...isn't this pumpkin awesome--no, not just because of it's extremely cool coloring, but because of the design. My husband has some mad carving skills. Can you tell who it is? He wasn't too sure about it and actually "forgot" to bring it in at the Trunk or Treat, but I think it looks great. We've even had a few threats about it disappearing from our porch...you know who you are--we're watching you!

Our mischievous plan

We love our neighbors. Have I ever told you that before?

We don't want them to leave.

So, when my child built this in our front yard......I let it stay! This beautiful masterpiece was built by Tyler and used for this (in case you were wondering)...So, if you drive by and see this atrociousness, please remember that it is our last hope.

We are desperate here!

And we apologize to all of our other neighbors who have to look at it.








P.S. On a side note, if you're looking for a home, we know of a great one. The neighbors are awesome!! (Do you believe me?)

SCORE!

This is a post "Melanie style"! Check out the sweet deals I got. I had a few minutes before picking up the preschool kids today, so I thought I'd peruse the Target aisles. I must have looked like a zombie because I've been feeling like crap today, but there is nothing like a 75% OFF sale to perk me up a bit!! And the kids were even more excited then I was once they saw the goods!
T-shirt for Anna
Lighted Vine Tree for the porch
Door mat
Ghost pillow
3 glow-in-the-dark pillowcases for the boys
spider web
spiders for the web
pumpkin carving patterns and tools
3 big bags of fruit snacks (I was So good and passed on the candy--at 90% off, it may be a different story)
6 12 hour burning jack-o candles
Paper plates and napkins for Mummy dog night
8 melamine dishes for spooky dinner
2 awesome decorative pears (my favorite deal)
1 decorative green pumpkin
4 hand towels
4 wash clothes
Halloween party invitations
2 small serving bowls

I'm still giddy over my deals!!

There will be change...

...whether it will be Obama or McCain, there will be change. Here's our proof that we were at the rally. A few things on my mind after returning home...

My husband is a good leader and I would follow him anywhere. Even through a prickly forest in the middle of the night.

Politics bring out the worst immaturity in people.

I never thought I was prone to claustrophobia, but after being crammed together with 100,000 people with no exit in sight, I realized that I didn't like it one little bit.

Obama is a rock star. I felt like I was at Lollapalooza.

I'm not easily persuaded.

It feels good realizing that VA is such important state in this election--so go vote my fellow Virginians !

I love being American. I love that we choose. I love that people take their vote seriously. I love that there is more than one choice. I just wish people would be a tad bit more tolerant of different opinions.

And I felt this overwhelming feeling that the Lord is mindful of us. I love that people can be faithful, God-fearing people and be Democrat or Republican or whatever.

So whatever you feel our country needs right now, go and express it at the polls tomorrow.

Are you going to vote?

Can you believe the election is finally here? We're heading to the polls on Tuesday and I will break my vow to never take my four kids out alone in public. I think it's important they they see democracy in action. And when we're done, we'll get a free sandwich at Chick-fil-a just for voting! So worth it...

And guess what Rob and I are going to do on Monday night... Check it out here. Keeping all political opinions aside, I'm not going to pass up the opportunity to hear our possible future president speak in my backyard--seriously, we're going to walk there! Anyone else want to go? You can park at my house.