Ode to Lucy

At the end of April we spent a long weekend near Bend.  While there we took a tour of a candy factory.  Two machines at the factory were named Lucy and Ricky (why not Ethel?  Ricky wasn't a candy maker).  We explained to the kids that the machines were named after characters from the t.v. show "I Love Lucy" and one of it's most famous episodes taking place at a chocolate factory.  My mom was a huge "I Love Lucy" fan so my sisters and I grew up watching reruns of that show.  I've probably seen every episode 50 times over.  Now fast forward a month....

The fifth graders hosted an "Afternoon of Achievers" last Friday.  Each student picked a famous person to research and learn about.  On the appointed afternoon the students dressed up as their person and answered questions while other students, teachers and parents tried to guess who they were.  Allison picked Lucille Ball.  I was surprised at her choice.  Had we not had the little conversation at the candy factory, I don't think she would know who Lucille Ball was.  Now the challenge was how to dress her.  Of course, we had her dress as Lucille's most famous character, housewife Lucy Ricardo.  The only problem was getting the red hair.  I didn't want to dye her hair for fear of some nasty color concoction that would take weeks to wash out.  I tried orange yarn, but couldn't get the curl Lucy is known for.  Then Earl thought of curling ribbon and found the perfect "wig" at Target.  These pictures don't do her justice, but Allison was a hit!  I don't think many students realized who she was, but the adults were definitely impressed!

Allison as Lucille Ball

Archer Glen was filled with famous people.  Can you see Mozart, Dr. Seuss, and Annie Oakley?  I think Lucille Ball's hair looks great in the center of the group photo.

The Derbies

Ethan's Money Car

Allison's Cotton Candy Mobile

We had two pinewood derby cars to make this year.  Ethan's cub scout pack had a derby the last week of March.  Ethan opted for a simply designed money car with quarter taillights and nickels under the hood.  Allison's activity day group had a pinewood derby the first week of May.  She designed the bold stripe style and insisted the tires get some color too.  She appropriately won the award for "Best Paint." 

Merry Christmas!

Love The Pierce Family

Birthday...

Happy 9th Birthday, Ethan!

He's a little football obsessed this year, so all he's talked about is getting the Madden football game for the wii. The BYU football jersey from Grandma and Papa McCune fit with the football theme this year, too. Love you Ethan.

Halloween and a Costume Crisis

Every Halloween I try to get my kids to decide on costumes early so we aren't trying to figure out outfits last minute. It never seems to work and this year was no exception. When I asked what my kids wanted to be this year I received the answers "I don't know" (Allison) and "Can I be the same thing as last year" (Ethan). I didn't really ask Tyson because he gets the hand me downs (is that mean?) and is usually happy with that. So, for Tyson, it was the year of Superman. I asked if he wanted to be Superman and he said yes. Excellent, one done. I asked Ethan if he really wanted to be Harry Potter two years in a row. He said yes. Great, two done. For weeks Allison couldn't decide (or really didn't care) about her costume so Sunday night we put together a baby outfit and she was happy with that. Hooray, costumes solved.

Allison and Ethan left for school Monday morning with their costumes in their backpacks. The older kids have to change later at school for their parties, but kindergartners get to wear their costumes to school. I helped Tyson put his costume on for school and that's when the crisis started. He did not want to wear his costume. He said he would be embarrassed and would not wear it. I explained that all his classmates would be wearing costumes so there was nothing to be embarrassed about. Tyson started crying and insisted that he did not want to wear a costume. Thinking he would change his mind once he got to school, I brought the Superman costume with me. But no. He was perfectly happy without a costume.

I figured when the time came to trick-or-treat Tyson would want to wear his costume. No costume, no candy. We went to put on the Superman costume and again he got all upset and didn't want to wear it. Finally he tearfully told us the problem. Apparently the red part of the Superman costume looks like underwear and Tyson was NOT going to wear a costume with underwear on it. Seriously!? This boy who cracks jokes about underwear with his brother and thinks all things bathroom related are hilarious is upset about a costume with underwear?! Ethan wore this exact costume to kindergarten without any underwear issues. And this whole time I thought Tyson was just embarrassed about dressing up. (If I was reading this paragraph out loud, Tyson would be laughing because the word "underwear" is used so many times.)

Now what was I going to do? Where do you get a costume at 6pm on Halloween? Thankfully, Allison remembered our extra Gryffindor cloak from her Hermione costume last year. Perfect. Tyson put on his church clothes, found some funny glasses, and wore the cloak. Crisis averted.

Tyson all smiles at his Halloween party. I still felt like the worst mom sending my kindergartner to school without a costume. He was the only one not dressed up.

At least I dressed him in orange to look festive.

Halloween 2011- two Harry Potters and a crying baby

Oh good, the baby stopped crying. And the small Harry Potter is sporting some awesome glasses with no underwear in sight!

Pumpkin Patch

I was able to chaperone Tyson's pumpkin patch field trip this year. Since we don't live in a bus zone, this was Tyson's first time riding a school bus. Although I've gone on other field trips with my kids, this was also the first time I could ride the bus with the students. One of the perks of having all my kids in school. It was a chilly day, but the sun came out by the time our 15 minute bus ride was done.

What's with all the green pumpkins this year?


Tyson likes a heavy pumpkin!

A Roarin' Soccer Season

This is what Tyson looked like all season. As soon as the whistle blew to start play, Tyson started roaring and running like he was going to attack someone. He had this fierce game face that just made me laugh.



This was his first season and he had a lot of fun being apart of the Yellow Jackets. Getting a trophy at the end doesn't hurt, either.

Fun Run 2011

Earl would not want a year to pass and not document the school Fun Run. This was back at the end of September, but here are some pictures. Notice the Garmin on the wrists of Tyson and Ethan. Earl will turn our kids into runners if it's the last thing he does....

This was Tyson's first Fun Run and he was so happy the whole run. Love this little guy.

Off to Kindergarten...

Our baby went to kindergarten today.

Tyson went to kindergarten readiness this summer and had an orientation on Tuesday, but today was the official first day of kindergarten. Tyson was so excited about taking his Cars backpack and getting to be in class with some of his friends. His teacher is Mrs. Patterson and I know he will love going to school everyday. I'm glad it's only half day kindergarten because I miss having him home with me. Yesterday I took him to storytime at the library for the last time. After 7+ years of taking my kids to listen to Teresa the storylady, my routines are going to change. My kids are growing up so fast. I better end this post before I cry.

Back to School

Allison - 5th grade

Ethan - 3rd grade

The whole gang, but Tyson is still in his jammies.

No More Training Wheels

My Oregon Report

In 4th grade kids study state history. I remember doing reports and building models of the California missions when I was in 4th grade. In Oregon it focuses on the Oregon Trail, of course. Allison's school is lucky because they get to participate in the play "My Oregon Report." Mr. Ralph Nelson wrote the play, composed all the songs, and came to the school to direct the 4th graders. It is quite the production - scenery, props, costumes, songs, dances - the whole nine yards. And they have speaking or dancing parts for all 100 or so students. Allison had a speaking part about the Oregon flag. Did you know Oregon is the only state to have something different on the back of their flag? A dad even recorded the whole play so we have our own DVD copy of "My Oregon Report" to watch all summer.

The 4th grade also goes on their own Oregon Trail journey around town. They are divided into "families" and build their own covered wagon. Allison's group name was Oregon or Bust and her trail name was Louise. They dressed up in pioneer type clothing and pulled their wagons up steep hills and carried them over "water crossings." Tyson and I met up with Allison and walked with her class the second half of the day. By the day's end they walked and pulled for 6 miles. Allison really enjoyed 4th grade and she is super excited because her teacher, Mrs. Grant, is moving up with them to 5th grade. So Allison doesn't have to wait until August to find out who her new teacher will be.

Our Graduate

Tyson ended his year of preschool last Thursday with a little graduation ceremony. We had a great year with this co-op of preschool friends. Our group had 10 kids - 8 boys and 2 girls. It was a big group to teach, but I think the year went well and the kids are ready for kindergarten! Tyson became great friends with Jack and he is so excited to go to Archer Glen with him next year. Sadly, most of his other preschool friends will go to different schools.

The graduating class of 2024!

Majestic Mountain

Allison's year end piano recital was last weekend. I tried and tried to upload the video of her playing "Majestic Mountain," but I couldn't get it to work. So instead here is a picture of her with her wonderful teacher Sister Cichoski giving out awards. Allison has really excelled in piano and has even started playing music out of the hymn book. I'm so glad this is something she enjoys doing and feel lucky Allison has a teacher who makes piano an enjoyable learning experience.

Preschool Zoo Trip

Tyson's preschool had a zoo trip planned for April, but (surprise, surprise) it was raining that week. And the next, and the next. So we rescheduled for May hoping for dry weather. The day we went ended up being dry but chilly, but I guess that's as good as it was going to get. We had a fun day and almost lost track of time to get back for the older kids getting out of school.

Tyson held the map the whole time.

Feeding the birds was a favorite activity.

Jack and Tyson

Pretending to be groundhogs?

Tyson, Sophie, Evan, Easton and Jack