TEPANYAKI

 Took Katie to Tepanyaki last night to celebrate her completing the "no sugar" bet for 1 YEAR!!!

She was tickled to have a "seafood feast".  She enjoyed shrimp, salmon and scallops.  But I think the thing she enjoyed the most was the show we watched as our food was cooked up.  We both were able to catch the shrimp!!

THE STATE is in SESSION

This week I went to the Utah State Capitol with Becky and Katie's 5th Grade classes.  Last year I did chaperone the field trip that took us on a tour of the capitol building, but "nothing" was going on.  We pretty much had the entire building to ourselves as we toured the different rooms.  That was not the case this time.  The state congress was in session and there were people EVERYWHERE.  We were able to go to the Governor's office which was neat.  Of course we did not get to see meet Governor Herbert, which had disappointed Becky.  We sat in on the House of Representatives for a few minutes.  They were discussing the budget for the state and then the representative from South Jordan, Merlynn Newbold, acknowledged our presence in the gallery.  Which excited the kids.  We were not allowed into the gallery for the Senate.  Mike Lee was addressing the Senate and the doors were locked, BUMMER!!

 Before I knew it we were loading back on the school bus to return to the elementary school. I was a little disappointed...yes, I am little my inner geek out...I could have sat in there for hours.  I would love to listen how bills are discussed and voted on.   

 On the way back to the school, Katie, Becky and I played around with my camera and took some fun pictures.  I enjoy all my kiddos so much and glad I have these opportunities to do these activities with them.

VALENTINES DAY

 The table all set awaiting the kids for their special Valentines Day Breakfast.  I set it the night before so it would be ready to go.  I also placed at each of the kiddos places their gifties...Steve and I gave the girls small stuffed bears that said, "I LOVE YOU" whenever you squeezed its paw.  And Zack got a gift box of M&M's (although I hate to admit it he is getting kind of old for the stuffed animals).  One of the things the kids were most excited about was the cards for both of us.  We had each written them a small note to let them know just how much we love them and feel blessed to have them in our family.

 Steve and I got up a little early and worked on breakfast together...Steve did the bulk of the cooking: bacon, eggs and the fruit salad.  While I slaved away at making pancakes that were shaped like hearts.  It was kind of nice to be in the kitchen with my honey working on this festive breakfast for the kiddos.

 It was a yummy breakfast.  Something about the heart shape must make those pancakes taste even yummier.  It was nice to gather around the table in the morning with the kids.  They were so excited for the Valentines and the breakfast.  Steve and I are truly blessed to have such a wonderful family.  I am so glad that we have made them a part of the Valentines celebration!! 

 Steve and I continued our "14 DAYS of VALENTINES".  These are some of the books I have made in the past, but this year I moved away from that.  I saw a neat project of the blog Paper, Plate and Plane .  She had made an advent calendar at Christmas time that were Lego boxes made from card stock.  As soon as I saw this, I knew what I would do for Steve's 14 Days...Lego Heart!!!  And inside each box there would be a famous quote about love.  This was the MOST TEDIOUS project I have ever worked on.  I am very glad I did, but HOLY MOLY!!!  I am glad Steve appreciated it as much as he did.  He was even more thoughtful he made me heart shaped Popsicles in different flavors.  And attached to each was a green leaf that a quote from romantic movies.  The various flavors he came up with for each days Popsicle was pretty exciting to see.  There was a Diet Coke (of course), pineapple, orange, raspberry, blueberry, hot cocoa, peanut butter, pancake batter, but the one that I just could not eat was...PICKLE JUICE.  That was so stinkin' salty!!!  Luckily he gave that one to me on Fast Sunday, so I couldn't eat it anyway.

It was a pretty wonderful Valentines season...kind of sad to see it come to an end.  I'll have to start to plan what I am going to do for Steve in 2012!!

MAKING WHOOPIE

 Spent this afternoon making my friend Sarah's recipe for

WHOOPIE PIES

4 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1 cup cocoa

3 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

2 cups milk

1 cup cooking oil

Sift dry ingredients into bowl.

 Add other ingredients and mix well.

 Drop onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake about 7 minutes at 425 degrees.
FILLING

1 cup Crisco shortening

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup confectioners sugar

1 cup marshmallow cream (fluff)

Mix well, add about 2 Tablespoons of milk if it is to thick.

Note….the chocolate cake part tastes GROSS without the filling so don’t try it. TRUST me on this one. Something magical happens when the two combine!

 Once the pies were baked and assembled I packaged a few of them in cellophane bags and pretty ribbon.  I even stowed a couple in the freezer to eat on Wednesday when the "sugar" bet is finally over.

I love making these little tasty cakes.  It is such a reminder of Maine.

SCIENCE FAIR

Katie's 5th grade class participated in the Science Fair this week. 

Her report was on "Which Paper Towel Brand Absorbs the Best"?

It was a pretty easy science fair project

DARE GRADUATION

 Thursday Katie and Becky graduated from the "D.A.R.E." Program at school.  Becky was one of the 2 children in her class that were chosen to read her essay during the graduation. 

 DARE ESSAY by Becky Weber

I think D.A.R.E. is great! I have adopted the skills of the DARE decision making model.  I'm now able to define the situation, assess my choices, respond and choose a choice and evaluate and see if it was a good choice.  I know these new skills will help me with drug problems in the near future.

I was amazed at the tobacco facts.  I already knew it was bad for you, but I didn't know it had 200 known poisons or that 400,000 people each year die from tobacco related causes.  I was stunned by how deadly marijuana is and people still smoke it even though it's illegal in the United States.  I've learned that smoking is like giving yourself a death sentence.  Alcohol isn't as deadly as smoking but can still cause problems to a growing body and can damage every organ in your body.

Overall, I now have more skills and can finally resist drugs.  I can make better decisions and I know what to say when offered drugs.  I know about peer-pressure and facts about drugs.  I know the more I practice these new skills the easier it will be to resist drugs.

Now I finally have learned about the crazy effects of alcohol, the deadly marijuana and the poisons of tobacco.  Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing what I'm smoking.  I swear on my life that I will stay away from all drugs.  Thanks to my officer I can live a healthy life while knowing about what I'm staying away from.