time for summer haircuts…

The Dixon boys were found to be in violation of family regulation Dixon (DIX) P1020.34F – DIXON UNIFORM REGULATIONS:

Dixon boys will be well-groomed at all times and will abide by the following…

Hair will be neat and closely trimmed. The hair may be clipped at the edges of the side and back; will be evenly graduated from zero length at the hairline in the lower portion of the head to the upper portion of the head; and will not be over 3 inches in length fully extended on the upper portion of the head; the back and sides of the head below the hairline may be shaved to remove body hair. Sideburns will not extend below the top of the orifice of the ear. Sideburns will not be styled to taper or flare. The length of an individual hair of the sideburns will not exceed 1/8 inch when fully extended.

Head hair will be styled so as not to interfere with the proper wear of uniform headgear. Hair which protrudes from beneath properly worn headgear in an unsightly manner is considered excessive, regardless of length.

   

In order to rectify the infraction they were sent to the barber for their “summer hair cuts.”

 

Much better! In fact, we liked the new cuts so much… look what we did to Anna Mae…

Just kidding!

Read Full Post »

@ the zoo today

Grace took her BFFs to the zoo today… well not exactly… it was a field trip day for kids at school and we decided at the last-minute to crash the party. I guess we should not be surprised that the ‘big kids’ were all too cool for us? That’s okay we have our own fun!

Read Full Post »

grace’s last day of school

It was the last day of school for Grace today and we were all a little teary thinking about the past months. When I brought Grace to her new school I was looking forward to a few hours of freedom to run errands, write, and take a shower all by myself.

She has grown up so much this year – she thinks she’s a ‘big girl’ now…

But she is still my baby. I’ve done all the first with the other kids. Grace gets me through all the lasts.

It’s not easy to drop your baby off and walk away — no matter how much you need that shower…

                                                          

Thank you Ms. Carrie for taking good care of my little girl – we love you too!

Read Full Post »

playing hooky

Last week we got to spring the kids and their friends from school for lunch. It’s a tradition at the school to celebrate the feast of St. Rita, the schools namesake.

 It was a beautiful, fun day that gave us all a little taste for what summer will be like. Just one more week  ’till summer vacation!

Read Full Post »

the 8busyfeet girls dance recital

It was dance recital weekend — Anna Mae has been dancing for years, but this was the first time for Grace. She has spent a significant amount of time watching her sister dance and was a little to comfortable at her lessons – she talks, she’s a cheese, she stops to watch a gymnast is that looks more interesting. Sigh – she is so different from her sister. But between you I am secretly giggling all the time!

Okay, photos of the girls —

Remember Amanda? She dances too and she was fabulous! Amanda we are so proud of you – great job!

Anna Mae’s was in a “hip hop” dance  and tap. The tap was with chairs and was very cool. It was fun to see her try something so different.

Grace’s  dance started with them all being little flowers that grow. She is supposed to be a sleeping flower bud… 

peak! She was also the dancer that waved to “Germa” (Grandma).

Thanks for coming Aunt E and Uncle J, “Germa,” Ella, and #1 assistant Delany!

                                                   

 I love my little dancers — but I’m not sure Cole is really ready for the stage?                      

Read Full Post »

wordless wednesday – after the game icecream

For more Wordless Wednesday check out 5 minutes for Mom.

Read Full Post »

on my nightstand – A Reliable Wife by Robert Goodrick

When I think of this book I am reminded of my favorite Shrek Movie quote…

Shrek: Ogres are like onions.
Donkey: They stink?
Shrek: Yes. No.
Donkey: Oh, they make you cry.
Shrek: No.
Donkey: Oh, you leave em out in the sun, they get all brown, start sproutin’ little white hairs.
Shrek: NO. Layers. Onions have layers. Ogres have layers. Onions have layers. You get it? We both have layers.
Donkey: Oh, you both have layers. Oh. You know, not everybody like onions.

Okay, so here is my reasons for joining two worlds that otherwise do not have anything in common – A Reliable Wife has layers too — lots and lots of layers. Just when you think you have figured it all out – there is another unexpected layer.

Such things make for exciting books. Certainly while reading, I felt like I was privy to the craziest bit of gossip – She did what? He knew? He forgave her?  Seriously? It was a rollercoaster ride of scandal and absolution as layer upon layer was revealed.

So, just as not everybody like onions, not everybody likes books about layers. This makes recommending the book a little challenging. If you are looking for suspense and thrills – I don’t think the book delivers. On the other hand if you like a book that explores the evolution of human nature, the development of higher ambitions, and the ability of some to forgive and others to implode because they cannot – then this is a great book.  

Finally, I think the book title is wonderful fun because what appears to be ironic actually holds some truth in the end. Again – it’s all about the layers…

Let me know what you think  and as always – happy reading!

Read Full Post »

redecorating the foyer

When you walk in the door this is the first thing you see. I really liked the sign, but the whole thing was a little bland.   

Remember the violins that I found at the flea market? I also found a pretty toil pillow and a black shelf.

 I was thinking that it would all look great at the top of the stairs, but Tim suggested here because they are just too cool not to have them where they will actually be seen. I also like that they give a little peek into who lives in the house  and that the whole thing is moving toward farmhouse, french country chic – rather than the primitive minimalism look that was there.

 It’s still not perfect – the foyer needs paint (I am thinking about red on this wall?) and…. I’ll have to keep working on it – but that’s the fun isn’t it?

Let me know what you think – 

Read Full Post »

today’s flea market finds

Cole and I went on an adventure today… we were up with the sun and on the road to the Elkhorn Antique Flea Market.

It was a great day – we had fun – I love that he wanted to hang out with his mom – in fact…

Cole had watched me haggle enough that by the time he found the marbles he had it down  – instead of $3 a bag he got 2 bags for $5, but I was really impressed when he got the toy robot for a third of what it was marked.

We have lots of treasures and ideas … My favorite finds were the violins… Tim is hanging them up right now, so come visit tomorrow to see…

Read Full Post »

remember your weekly music lesson?

For the past six days you did the minimum. You raced through your songs and asked, “Is that good enough, can I be done?” Your mother gave you lectures about money paid and future satisfaction and good old fashion responsibility. There might have even been something about how, “this was your idea.” It’s crazy. You were like three or four years old when you asked to play an instrument.

Back then it seemed like a great idea. You had no idea of what you were getting into. How could she hold you accountable for something you thought up when you were so little? How could you possibly have known about Star Wars Wii games, 10 speed bikes, and Disney Channel TV shows? It was Saturday—you had other things to do. How come you didn’t get a cool mom who would just let you quit?

Fine, you thought to yourself. I’ll just do this and get it over with. You knew the music. It wasn’t like you totally didn’t practice.

You grumped through the first song.

Your teacher suggested you do it as a duet. 

You thought, “Wow, that kinda sounded good.” You got sucked in. You actually tried for a few minutes and it was amazing how cool it sounded. Your mother looked all, “I told you so,” and you didn’t even care.

You were a musician.

You were concentrating.

You were like gonna be like the next Mozart.

You seriously were all about that, until the next day when your mom said, “Cole, let’s get going with violin today,” and then it all started over again…

Read Full Post »