New Adventures in the Kitchen: Pasta

I've been curious about making pasta, and picked up a great little hand roller through a local buy/sell/trade site for only five dollars. I must say, it was pretty tasty, and the girls enjoyed helping. Looking forward to more pasta creations this summer when the garden is in!

Regional Science Fair

Back in February, Dayna was one of twelve students from her school selected to represent the Bluejays at the Southeast Nebraska regional science fair.

Dayna woke up that morning not feeling her best, and I made a judgment call to give her enough medicine to get her through the morning. She had worked so hard for this day.

When she got back to the school at lunchtime (I happened to be subbing for another sixth grade teacher), she was ready to crash, but came with a nice shiny medal. I called her dad and sent her home. I think her little system had worked so hard to get to this point that her immune system just crashed.

Dayna was one of two students from the original twelve selected to move on and represent her school at the State Science Fair to be held in April. They also happen to be the first from her school to ever go this far.

I'm so proud of the work she did, the hours of preparation, the dozens of cookies she baked, and the endurance she demonstrated to see this project through. I can't wait to see what happens at the State Science Fair.

Here are a couple of articles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdKhh15n8DI

http://www.wahoo-ashland-waverly.com/ashland/news/two-ag-sixth-graders-qualify-for-state-science-fair/article_727e164a-0f2f-11e7-bad1-7f9db261dceb.html

Middle School Dance

Dayna's second middle school dance came on the heels of her orchestra concert. As a student council member, one of her parents is expected to sponsor one of the dances. It was my lucky night! Of course, I was also expected to keep a certain amount of distance and refrain from doing or saying anything that might embarrass my child.

It was a night full of loud music and sweaty kids. But it looked like they had a great time.


 

OAYO - Prelude Strings

March started off with a very busy weekend. We were unable to make it to the local Fine Arts Festival this year because Dayna had a concert that same afternoon. (As a side note, 15 of Alaina's 18 students were able to audition and 13 were able to perform!)

This was another fun 8-week experience for Dayna to play with just strings (she did a full orchestra experience last fall.) Her good friend and China buddy, Eli was also a part of this orchestra, and they had a great time renewing their friendship.

Staying Connected

This was our lesson in Bible Study last week. It also happens to be my Confirmation verse. It was a timely message as we were dealing with some difficult things in our family last week. It led to a conversation about pruning. How pruning is done to make the branch more fruitful. But pruning hurts. And it's done in the winter, when it's cold and bleak. Pruning is hard. We don't like it.

But after the winter, we have the promise of spring. And in the spring, we have the blossoms and new fruit. Without the painful pruning, we wouldn't be able to be the children God intends us to become.

I still sting from the intense pruning God did in my life five years ago. There is still pain and the occasional stab of anger and betrayal. But I look at where God has brought me, and I'm overwhelmed by the fruit He has brought into my life as a result of that pruning.

The Skin We're In

I remember when Dayna was in Kindergarten and she decided she didn't like her nose. It was "squooshy" and flat. She wanted a pointy nose like her parents and friends.

Sunday evening, Annie informed me that she wishes her skin was white like mine, because she thinks white skin is prettier than Chinese skin.

Sigh.

Continuing to pray that my daughters see how beautiful they are. Exactly the way God made them. And praying for positive role models for them that reflect their diversity.

Denial

Today marked Annie's 100th day of preschool. It seems impossible that she's been in school that long.

Even more impossible...tonight was the Kindergarten parent information meeting.

I don't know if it will be easier or harder to send Annie...I do know that she is going to one of the best schools I've ever had the chance to experience. I also know she has absolutely flourished in preschool.

And yet...Kindergarten seems the end of "little kid-dom" to me. Can't believe what a big, beautiful girl she is becoming.