Bainter Family Antics

Waiting....and worrying......

2011-09-28T04:19:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here in my dark house just waiting for the storm to abate so that I can go to school. It's really coming down.... I got a little nervous a bit a go when I saw the sky looking so gloomy. I even made Stevie come into the bathroom with me. Crazy how a bunch of abnormal storms can suddenly make you nervous at the slightest provocation.
School has certainly been interesting thus far. For those of you that don't know, our school lost three teachers last year due to budget cuts. This created a shortfall of Kindergarten teachers and since I have my early childhood degree I was asked to move back from fifth to k. I'd only been gone two years, but whew have I ever had to hold on for the ride.... I never know what is going to happen in my three ring circus this year. I have a child in my class that is super duper disruptive. I have been praying about the little tyke and have been trying lots of things--but nothing has worked super well yet. Must say I was a little down yesterday as it was a really hard day. The child ripped up papers, balled them threw them at me, shot me with his pretend finger gun, hit me, and even climbed under the chair I was on and put on a show. CRAZINESS!!! I am praying and praying that today will be one of those calm days that we get every so often.
Must say that having this opportunity has made me appreciate my own children and the children of parents that do believe in discipline. I could almost say that I wish we could bring the paddles back to school. I'm sure a good spanking would go a long ways.....
Well I think that I can brave going outside now as the rain has let up. Hope Ceci made it on the bus before it really started to pour!!! (especially since she called me worried that a tornado was imminent-she was down at the seminary bus stop)

Gotta love that Boy!

2011-07-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

Noah is disappointed. He says that everyone (that's even me) is letting him down. How you ask? Well, he's been checking the blogs and not everyone has been updating as much as they used to. I don't know how I could be included, since I hardly ever contribute. He tells me, I should try to do better.
This is the boy that told me while I was trying to lose weight that he didn't know why I was trying so hard since he loved me just the way I was. I shared this thought at weight watchers. The man in charge thought that it was sweet but didn't want me to think about it too much. It brought to my memory that fact that I loved sitting next to my somewhat plump grandmother. I loved cuddling with her. She always made me feel so loved. Noah sits beside me and cuddles and I think he feels the same way I did. I promptly stopped losing weight and have almost gained it all back. It's nice being loved!!!
Well, since I lost my momentum for weight watchers and I really do want to be smaller, I saw this stuff called shakeology and decided to hope that the propaganda about it was correct. I now have a box and a half of that on my shelf and have been trying to drink one a day even though it's aftertaste is sometimes vile. I'm still hoping it will work wonders. He and Zane did tell me that they would do P90X with me, but the before pictures that you are suppose to take scare me almost as much as the exercise!
Noah asked me today, as I was looking at a site on the web about HCG, if I really thought the shakeology would work better than the "full bars" or the weight watchers had. I shrugged my shoulders and said that I hoped so. He shook his head and told me to just be happy with who I am--he is.
I LOVE THAT BOY!!!!

Baxter's Graduation

2011-06-09T03:20:00.000-07:00

Baxter is being recognized in this picture for being in the top 5% of the class of 2011. I don't say his class because he felt like he was a bit of a transplant since he graduated a year early. I think he would agree with me that most of his friends are still Juniors. Despite this obstacle Baxter had a great Senior year and we are very proud of him.
Baxter in line waiting patiently to get his diploma. He was lucky being a B for Bainter, the Z for ______ had to wait three hundred and some odd students before he got his.
Walking back out!
Finally, he's done it! Now with little time to spare he is getting ready to leave for BYU, Provo on Monday the 13th for summer semester. He decided that if he was already robbing me of a year that he may as well rub salt in the would and leave even earlier. (His momma has been a basket case, even cried in front of my fifth grade students the other day when I was explaining to them why I wouldn't be at field day)

The proud Gramps and Grandma.
The even PROUDER mom and dad. Congratulations Son! We couldn't be happier with the decisions that he hasmade and the time that he spent on his knees pleading in prayer. That, in fact, is the only reason that I can let my sixteen year old travel clear across the country to Utah to go to school. I just pray that the Lord will keep him in the cradle of his hand while we are apart!Go BYU!!!!!

Spring Break doth Sprung

2011-04-25T04:18:00.000-07:00

Well, spring break came and is once again on it's way out. What did the Bainter's accomplish?

Calvert Cliffs- We enjoyed this outing with G and G Young and my sister Tina and her three boys. We enjoyed the four miles round trip to the beach. I thought it was great that I was able to walk in large groups with family, small groups and even by myself. At times I got a little worried and wondered where on the path some of my children were--I then reassured myself that the path only came out at the beach and that all was fine. (0nly one quick cell phone call at one point) We saw turtles, snakes, a heron, a goose, frogs and lots of flora.
Lawn mowed- I was worried that maybe this would be the year that the lawnmower wouldn't start, luckily I was wrong! Unluckily for Baxter since his allergies were really bad for a couple of days after. That icky, icky pollen is really thick right now. Wish I'd taken a picture of Baxter's red, red, nose and eyes for this one.

Basketball- Got the kids a new basketball standard. Couldn't pass up the deal in the Target add since they had been asking for a taller one. (now the new shorts and tees will have to wait) Steve and the boys stayed out past dark and put it together. The old one is still out there and looks very short compared with the new ten footer. We decided we better leave the shorter one for Stevie, but even she can hurl the smaller ball up there for a basket. The kids played lots of b-ball!
Flowers- I decided since I had a house full of kids and a husband held captive that it would be the perfect time to shop for and plant flowers. Steve and Stevie and I did the shopping. We went to Buckler's and Green Acres. I don't know why but I love to go to the Amish and Menononite nurseries so much more. Can't say the prices are much better, but who knows.... It was suppose to be a family project once we got home. WELLLLLLL, I think we finally got there. I know that Steve and I planted a lot. Ceci and Zane planted a lot. Stevie, I think planted one and it was the one the lady let her pick out for free. Noah was gone and Baxter was super grumpy. We planted dahlias, pansies, more hostas and z-something. I also got hanging baskets for the porch. Dad was then a sweetie and hooked the drip system back up. (Baxter did help with that a little)
Sickness- Zane got sick Wednesday-Friday. Noah got sick Friday-still. Steve got sick and still is. All have been suffering from fevers, throwing up and the ickies. I hate having a break and ending up with sickness. It is not fair!!
- Movies and Reading- We have watched several movies. I have read several books. Three for school: Mockingbird about a girl with aspergers syndrome. The Romeo and Juliet Code is about a girl in pre-WWII that I loved. Caddie Woodlawn is an oldie but a goody about a pioneer-ish girl. The one school one I didn't get to was The Bat Boy. I'll have to read that along with the kids.... I read for my own personal pleasure too. My favorite was The Lace Makers of Glenmara.
- Chickens- One of my friends gave us a chicken coop that would fit about four chickens. Steve has wanted chickens ever since I met him. He finally got his wish. He, Noah and Stevie went to the Amish market and bought a family of chickens. They brought home a mommy and ten chicks. He keeps telling the kids that several of them are probably roosters so we'll be having fresh chicken soon. They aren't too hip on the idea. I keep wondering what he'll do if they are all hens. Guess he'll have to build on.... Stevie named one of the chicks, cookie. Ceci named two, hippo one and hippo two. Steve named one teriyaki. That's just the sort of dad he is!!!
- Easter- Even with sickness abounding I made ham, mustard sauce, rolls, fingerlings potatoes, and other veggies. I made the rolls because Noah loves them and I was trying to tempt him to eat something. He finally ate one during the evening. I was afraid that he would throw up again but he held it down. I believe it is the only thing he has eaten in three days. I am actually going to call the doctor today--the boy has been completely out of his head. Well the doctor said he had strep throat. Noah's spring break will go on for another day or two.
All in all, most of us have had a relaxing, enjoyable break and look forward to next year's.

Tagged

2011-03-08T14:18:00.000-08:00

Tag, I'm It! Can you actually believe that I am going to do this??????

I was tagged by Tina. This is a 4x4 blog meme that reveals some little facts about me! It will be great fun getting to know my blogging buddies better. So check at the bottom and if you're tagged, copy and paste this into your blog and insert your four favs in each of the four subject.

1st - Four places I go:

-School
-Library
-Hacienda's of my close relations
-Anywhere the minions ask me to take them

2nd - Four favorite smells:

-walking upstairs and smelling AXE wafting out of the boys bathroom
-getting home from church and smelling dinner from the sidewalk
-sheets fresh of the line
-freshly brushed teeth

3rd - Four favorite TV shows and/or movies

-Amazing Race
-Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
-movies of the kids when they are little
-Pollyanna

4th - Four recommendations

-Breathe, this too shall pass!
-Would this really matter in 300 years.
-Use positive self talk
-Change your underwear everyday

Gosh, I don't think anyone reads my blog anymore--so if you did--I tag YOU!!!

Could Thanksgiving get any better than this......

2010-11-25T05:28:00.000-08:00

Stevie, providing comic relief, during the cooking stretch of the day. She actually really enjoyed her unlimited, uninterrupted "wii " time. She's not quite to that time of life where she pushs mom over and takes over the "process." She enjoys the end result!
I mixed up the rolls, rolled out one batch while showing Ceci how it was done. She then rolled out the three remaining batches. Despite the picture, she really was enjoying herself. She had tried to grate orange peeling for me earlier, not much of a success story. I switched her to zesting them and she liked that much better! I especially like the flour look that she is sporting:)
Half of the "fruit" of her labors. Yummy, can't wait! Inside the oven is the Cranberry cheesecake I made. (Ceci's orange zest included) I should mention that Baxter helped me with the cranberry cheesecake. I had never made a "real" cheese cake, so he and I created a new memory. Gotta love that boy!
Noah's pumpkin pies, he made, were impatiently waiting for the cheesecake to finish and then for the rolls to cook. His practice shot in October really paid off. He didn't even ask for any help. He did however ask me what tawny meant since the recipe is Grandma's Tawny Pumpkin Pie. He finally figured out through some teasing that it is indicative to the color of the pie. I hope to hear him use his new vocabulary word at dinner! Gotta love that boy too! Maybe I just gotta love them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Noah peeling apples for Dutch apple pie. Steven loves apple pie. He found out that I hadn't included it in the menu this year. His crestfallen expression led to one more visit to the store. Baxter begged Grandma to go with him since I was up to my elbows. She seemed happy to go since she needed a couple of things too. Hence the apple pie wasn't done until about 11:30pm.
Steve and Baxter working on thee aforementioned apple pie. The funny thing is that I told Baxter to get 8-10 Granny Smith apples. They just assumed that the recipe would take that many, so they peeled and sliced them all. Steve ended up making two pies and piled them really high, just the way he likes! (I didn't notice since I had my feet up and was playing solitaire on someones i-pod touch)

Steve looking in the freezer and refrigerator and NOT finding anything to eat. Well not anything he could eat last night anyway! Too Funny!!

Lest you think that we gave Zane away, breathe easy. He spend the afternoon and evening with a friend over in Leonardtown. He did help G-pa earlier in the day!

I love Thanksgiving! I enjoy getting everything ready and teaching the kids how to continue our traditions--I even think that they enjoy learning them!

I thought it was going to be light blue?????

2010-11-08T17:05:00.001-08:00

My sweet little angel has been telling me over and over that she was going to get a beautiful light blue cast. When given the choices she finally decided on "pink." She was somewhat disappointed that they didn't even HAVE light blue. This picture shows the cast almost done. Now my sweetie is sporting a lovely bright pink cast.
It was pretty cool to watch the casting procedure. The nurse surely had it down to a science. Stevie was enthralled with the whole process.
Beginning of the casting episode.

I'm so excited, I just can't hide it la,la,la,la......

2010-11-06T05:23:00.000-07:00

Guess what? I get to go to Utah tooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just call to say.......

2010-11-02T04:33:00.000-07:00

It's been a very long time. I visit your blogs often...I love them!

A few thoughts to share:

Baxter and Steve are going out to Utah this month. Baxter is going to tour some campuses out there. I can't even explain how this makes me feel. I never thought my oldest would grow up and leave me soooo soon. I feel like he is robbing me by graduating a year early. Yes, I am pleased that he knows what he wants to do and is going after it--I just wished it hadn't happened in the blink of an eye. Yesterday I was holding him for the first time--he was an adorable baby that wrapped around my heart instantly and has never let go.
I celebrated my 42nd birthday yesterday. I ended up staying home from school with three sick kids. Baxter is having muscle spasms in his back from football. Ceci is recovering from spending the weekend at a friend's house in North Carolina. We didn't realize that they were smokers or that they had a cat. Consequence: asthma and big time allergies. Noah, I believe, is catching my wonderful cold that I am just getting rid of, pour thing is coughing his head off. Happily though, I did get my pork chops, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies and strawberry shortcake for dessert (I love mixed veggies and the rest of the family abhors them so they really were for me) all made be my hunk, Steve.
We had said strawberry shortcake for two reasons: 1st, Noah decided a few weeks ago that we needed pumpkin pie (two weeks early since we always have the first pumpkin pie of the season on my b-day) He wanted it so bad that he even made the crust himself. G-ma gave him a hint to only roll out once for a flaky crust. He listened and had the funniest crust I ever saw, but it was delicious and so flaky. The pies were WONDERFUL! 2nd, I bought strawberries for Steve's b-day because he loves angel food cake for his b-day. Well I ran out of time so we had store bought apple pie. Hence my birthday treat, Grandma Young's yellow cake with strawberries and whipped cream. Delicious:)
Eating Grandma's yellow cake brought back memories of going into her kitchen lifting the lid of her cake pan and snitching a piece. Yum, Yum, Yum!
My cinquain that I wrote in class as an example this week:

Pumpkin
Round, Orange
Thinking, Designing, Cutting
Slimy Strings and Seeds
Jack-O-Lantern

The poem was inspired by Noah's party. G and G, the Stevens, and ourselves got together and carved pumpkins and ate soup and breadsticks. Noah received his much wanted i-pod touch. Grandpa played with it a little last night. He was telling the kids that it was just an electronic form of the games he used to play as a child, a plastic box with a maze and a small steel ball. He told them he really liked it when the said box had a lever to make the ball spring forth. So Steve being Steve quickly downloaded a pinball application. Not sure if G-pa ever got to play it though. Amazing how much this little world has changed in such a short period of time.
Other good news: Steve started the pellet stove yesterday. I woke up this morning and didn't feel like any of my appendages were going to fall off!!! He also said that the hopper that G-pa designed and mostly built worked like a dream. He opened the little door, filled up his bucket, closed the door and wha-laa heat in the house. Yipee!!!

Lazy Days

2010-04-03T06:02:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here in my bed, in my pj's and it's 9am. I have had one of the laziest spring breaks ever. I think I have read six or seven books. The book I enjoyed the most was called, "Saving Cece Honeycutt." It was a story of a 12 year old girl who had grown up to this point with a mother that was mentally somewhere else and a father that was almost never present. Her mother dies and her great aunt swoops in and takes her to Savannah, Georgia where she is "saved" by five or six courageous, eclectic women. I really enjoyed it.
I also watched my children stay up late and sleep in late each day. They are hooked on CSI, Criminal Minds, NCIS, and Biggest Loser. They have been keeping the dvr busy recording and watching shows. They youngers have also been playing outside a lot and playing with the dog. Stevie sure does love Bubbles--dogs sure can be a girls best friend.
Baxter made me proud by going out and tilling up the garden spot. Steve is gone with work and so Bax has been wearing around his shoes.
I have also against my better judgement for my weight loss plan made cookies a few times. The kids were sure happy, but I just can't stay away from cookies so I'll have to work extra hard now to lose those extra pounds. While I was making the sugar cookies, I had just rolled out the first batch to go in the oven. Baxter walked in from tilling and told me to wait. He washed his hands and took OVER. He rolled out the rest and kept the pans full for me to cook them. He was so excited!!! Noah then walked in while I was making the frosting, he took OVER. He told me that he would be happy to make it, so he did. I then sat down to start frosting them and low and behold Baxter, Noah, Ceci, and Stevie showed up to help frost and apply sprinkles. I started a long project and it was made short by many hands and smiles all around. Zane did come in and eat the first cookie much to everyone chagrin.
Now that I don't have anymore books to read, I guess I'll have to do some work around here and catch up on some grading for school. I sure have enjoyed my lazy time though and I know my kiddies have too.

My dreams come true!

2010-02-23T15:25:00.000-08:00

Well as many of you know we have had record snows in Maryland. I honestly really enjoyed the time off work and the time spent with my hubby and kiddies. However, I must admit that with the x-box going twenty-four seven that I did start to question my sanity. I awoke from a dream part way through what I term the "snow break" with visions of painting my kitchen. I shared my dream with Steven and being the wonderful man that he is he suggested we make it reality---so off to the paint store we did go to purchase paint. While there I got carried away and suggested that we also paint the upstairs bathroom. I was a bit surprised by the total, but decided to grin and bear it. For the next three days children and parents alike were involved in a different past time. I know the kids were wishing for their x-box, ds's and computer time, but I was enjoying the break from them. I now have a beautiful kitchen and a bright bathroom. Yeah!!! Now we just need to finish the trim. We have been replacing the trim with a more craftsman style as we have updated the rooms. We just need time to sand and stain or paint as the case may be. Even unfinished it is muy bien. The refrigerator felt bad that the walls got all the attention so it died yesterday. We now have a lovely new one that I found for a great deal!!!! I do wish that the other hadn't pooped out though--unplanned expenses are never fun.

These are a few of my favorite things....

2009-12-29T09:48:00.001-08:00

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites

When the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things

And then I don't feel so bad

One of my favorite movies growing up was The Sound of Music. I would watch it even though my brothers would go around making gagging sounds. (They did the same thing when I watched Days of Our Lives later in life.) I have often wondered throughout the years why one of the songs from The Sound of Music was and is a popular Christmas song. I haven't ever complained because it brings back fond memories. I have often used the tune to sing about my favorite things to my children and about their favorite things as well. This Christmas I am thankful for these favorite things...

Free ballet tickets from a wonderful friend!

A beautiful sister that was willing to go with me and spend the day together.

Having a crazy bout of insanity and getting a dog that will eventually probably be bigger than me. She is a german shepherd, boxer mix. We love her!

Getting a huge snowstorm, and going out shopping during it.

My sweet Noah boy. This child keeps me happy.

Mister Zane. His smile melts me.

Ceci and Stevie and their tongues. Both of these girls give me great joy.

Baxter, my helper and enforcer. It's not easy having a child taller than you!

My Mom and Dad. I am so glad that they live close to us and share in our lives.

My sister again. I look up to her example in all areas of her life. She is SUPER!

My lovely husband Steve and my brother-in-law Lincoln. They are both silly and serious and seriously .......

The kids all having fun with McKay.

I have loved my holiday season. Spending time with family and friends, cleaning, cooking, eating and vegging has been wonderful and has definitely kept me from getting sad!!!

2009-11-29T12:00:00.000-08:00

I feel like I have been very blessed over this Thanksgiving Holiday.
Wednesday: Baxter, Ceci, Zane and Noah cleaned their rooms. Stevie tried but didn't get very far. Steve stopped on his way home from work and picked up Mckay our nephew. The kids played and had lots of fun. Steve and I made 2 pumpkin pies, 1 apple pie, and jello dessert and rolls. Steve then made the kids go to bed around 10:30 since they were going the "turkey bowl" football game in the morning. Stevie, Zane, Noah and Mckay giggled and giggled and giggled. I was in bed listening with a smile on my face. It was just so cute!!!
Thursday: I got up early and made the family pancakes. Mom was shocked when I came over around 8am to get the smoked pork to put in the oven. I think she thinks I like to sleep all day!!! I later made stuffing and was ready for Thanksgiving. What a wonderful day! The food was great, painting toenails was fun and felt really good, watching and helping everyone make gingerbread houses was enjoying, and the evening was topped off by singing Christmas carols. Absolutely the best!!!!
Friday: I think I read two books and didn't do much else.
Saturday: Steve and I intervened and cleaned Stevie's room. She wasn't allowed in and we threw lots of junk away. Hopefully, she will never miss it. Ceci talked me into going to the library since she had been blocked from their site for owing $10.00. She even paid the fine herself. She must not want me to include it in her birthday presents this year. (last year I paid a $27 fine for her b-day) I of course returned the three books I had checked out a couple days previous and checked out some more. Read until late-ish. Finally decided that I had better start thinking about school again :( Corrected papers for about 1 1/2 hours.
Sunday: I was a very bad girl and stayed home from church because I had soooooo many papers to correct. I have been correcting them for about 5 hours. I am sick of it!!!!!!

As you can see I was able to relax for most of my break and was also able to recoup from being sick with a sinus infection. I think I'm going to be able to go back to school tomorrow feeling rested and caught up and feeling better. Yeah:)

Just because

2009-09-06T17:42:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to post this picture because I liked it. Noah is being kinda silly but it isn't often they will sit that close and enjoy it. I love it when they are getting along. It's one of those things that I pray for often. LOOK FURTHER--THERE ARE TWO NEW POST BELOW THIS ONE TOOOOO!

Derby Car Event and Cake Auction

2009-09-06T17:28:00.000-07:00

Noah wanted to make an aircraft carrier, but caved in and let me talk him into an easier cake. Boy was I glad and Noah was actually able to make this one virtually by himself. If you can't tell it is a Monster Truck Madness cake. It took to cake mixes-one yellow and one chocolate mixed to make them both marble cake. I shop sales and they only had one chocolate mix left on the shelf--I walked through the whole store looking for an endcap with another but to no avail. So the marble cake just had to happen. We then made my yummy homemade chocolate frosting and covered it with graham cracker crust crumbs. Noah and Stevie really enjoyed breaking up the graham crackers with the rolling pin in a bag, adding the sugar and butter and throwing it on the cake as dirt. Little boys loved the cake. The winners paid $25.00 for it. Cakes weren't going for as much this year, but we were still happy.
This is Noah's sling-shot car. Boy was it ever fasssssttttt.
Stevie's steamboat car. It weighed 8 lbs. Being heavy didn't seem to make it any faster than a regular car. She really enjoyed helping make it, but refused to race it. Stevie made her brothers to that. She was afraid it would hurt someone.
Baxter heading up up the track together.
Zane showing off his braces. Gotta love that smile.

Holy Cow--It's a Slug!

2009-09-06T17:14:00.000-07:00

We just had to take a picture of this slug that we found in our yard. There is a story behind it, of course. While Grandpa and the kids were out working on cutting up the trees they came across a small snake hiding in the trees. The snake was pointed out to Stevie and she refused to believe it was a snake. She kept insisting that it was a slug. Everyone out there thought she was a nut!!! Steve later told me that while working on the tree house that they had seen a really big slug and that he could perhaps understand her confusion. Well I still didn't really believe in huge slugs--I'd only seen the Utah variety I guess. So when working outside and running across this critter, we had to take a picture to show off. Stevie was quite happy to prove to us all that slugs can indeed be as big as a little snake. HERE HE COMES!!!
Look at the size of this critter. He was about five inches in length. Quite gross huh!

Couldn't sleep

2009-07-08T02:49:00.000-07:00

I got up this morning at 4:20am. I couldn't sleep. I went upstairs and did the two day old dishes, they were beginning to stink. I don't understand why when I am so busy that five children can't smell them and take pity and do them. Then I came downstairs and turned on Steve's computer, he left this morning for Jeffersonville, IN and so now I can use his computer whenever I want without comments about me having one, why do I need to use his. Anyway, I went through my normal routine of checking my three emails. Not much there, amazing how much more junk email you can get than junk mail in the mailbox these days. I then checked out the blogs and was happy to see a new posting. I have loved seeing Becky and Mary Jo's holiday pictures and notations. I also checked out a couple friends blogs and got really excited about Shelly's square foot gardening. Steve and I gardened like that the last couple of years that we were gardening in Utah. Loved it. Tina, you and I should talk about it!! I then went and looked to see what my brother-in-law Lincoln has been up to. I must say that I have always appreciated Lincoln's positive spin on life. I need to be more like him! Now I need to go weigh myself to see if I lost any weight yesterday, and take a shower. I was going to exercise, but the blogging won out. Zane and I need to leave by 7:30am because he has Starbase Atlantis camp this week about 45 minutes away. I will then stay down there and work on my "stupid" research paper until 3:oopm when I go pick him up to bring him home. Luckily the paper is due Friday--so it has to be done and gone, yeah!!! Thanks to all those that are making these days possible: Tina, for taking Stevie and Ceci even though she has a foreign exchange student coming. Mom and Dad, for watching Noah and letting me use their printer since I have used up all the ink in mine. Baxter, for going on the bike trip. Steve, for going to Jeffersonville. I feel so blessed--I LOVE YOU ALL!!! Well hopefully you don't mind my rambling, I enjoyed it!!!

Some of my favorite things about Summer

2009-07-01T06:04:00.000-07:00

I love walking out onto my front porch and seeing these beautiful hibiscus trees. I bought them at either a Amish or Menonite nursery earlier this summer. I was attracted to their braided trunks and big beautiful flowers. The only one that was bloomed out when I bought it was the pink one. I bought the others hoping to have three different colors.
Stevie is standing by the red one. This one doesn't have a braided trunk, but I still liked it. You can see how big the flowers actually are with Stevie standing there. I was so excited to see two blossoms at the same time on one plant.
Lovely isn't it?
Finally my favorite! I was blessed with a bright yellow. This one really makes me happy. The touch and orange in the middle is precious. I don't know how many of you remember that my bedroom was yellow as I was growing up, buttercup yellow. I loved it. I am trying to decide which room in my house I can paint yellow?
This is a leaf of my elephant ear hosta. This baby measures about 16x20. It is huge. I love it. We all love watching this plant grow. I was so upset when a horrible storm tore off it's biggest leaf. Within a week this new even bigger leaf replaced it. The heavens are shining down. It also helps that Dad has put in a drip system to water most of my plants. (My dad the life saver--not only for the plants lives, but for mine as well.)

Things I hate about May

2009-05-18T18:31:00.000-07:00

May is not my favorite month. Yes, the countdown for the end of school starts but so does the countdown for many other things as well.
At School
1. Dibles testing on all of the children.
2. MMSR's (Maryland Model of School Readiness, we get money. Do I ever see any of it???) on all of the children (online, by hand, and on a spreadsheet)
3. Classroom supply order for next year when you aren't even sure if you'll be teaching the same grade. I get a big whopping $250 for the entire year.
4. Grades.
5. Comments on said grades all to be positive and feel goodish.
6. PTD (Primary Talent Development) folders for each child.
7. Fill out cumulative folders on each child.
8. Stay after school M, T, and Friday for the next two weeks until I am done.
9. This is only May, still have to take down my room and clean it in June. Yuck!

For Masters
1. Start next class on Wed. This is the one that will be every night for three weeks in June.
2. Write 12-15 pages on my research paper.
3. research some more
4. read tons
5. Stay after school and work weekends on it all until I am done.

DID I FORGET ANYTHING??????

We will all be happy if I retain my sanity and my hair and my jolly good attitude.

HMMMMM Can I?

2009-05-04T16:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, so you all put me to shame every blasted week as you post and post and post. I read them, I laugh, I cry. What I am basically saying is that they keep me going. I can't get up in the morning or go to bed in the evening without checking to see if someone else has posted. I LOVE it!!! I feel bad for not posting and wait until some event happens in our lives that prods me into it. Steve has always told me that I don't like to make decisions or state my opinions and so I have used that as an excuse to not post. Well let me tell you he's right!!! I don't like to make decisions about where we are going to go or when we will leave. I don't! I also kinda of don't like to state my opinion because I just hate contention. So I guess I need to get over it and untie my hands and let er rip. I'm not sure I can do it, but I'll try.

Sailing through

2009-04-14T12:59:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad in Tina's room during the recovery process.
Tina in her room after "sailing through" surgery. Tina went in for surgery this morning at 7:30 am. Mom, Dad, and I waited in the waiting room with baited breath until 12:20 when they let us know that she was in recovery. We could finally breath normally again. Her surgeon came out and let us know that everything went really well.

I'm so excited

2009-03-27T14:23:00.000-07:00

Ya know the song, "I'm so excited, I just can't hide it, la la la la la la la laaaa lllllaaa." Well, I am excited. Steve called me that other day from work and told me that his work his sending him to Puerto Rico. He asked if I would like to come along. I said, "Absolutely!!!" We can use this trip to celebrate the fact that I will be done with my masters..... I am way excited!!!! We will be going in August right before school is back in session.

Zane is now an 11 year old scout

2009-03-11T16:20:00.001-07:00

Zane's Crossing Over Ceremony: Zane was shaking like a leaf thinking that he may fall off that dangerous bridge. Zane is sure happy to now be an eleven year old scout. He has a really good leader and the boys are really nice. He seems to be excited to go.
Zane's Arrow of Light Ceremony: This was so cool! These boys den leader started playing an Indian type song on his flute. They boys came in very solemn and slowly taking the whole thing very seriously. They then called Zane up and each of them spoke to him and gave him advice. It gave me the tingles. They then awarded him his Arrow of Light. The boys especially liked the animal hats that they were wearing!
After the two ceremonies, Zane left to go swimming with the 11 year old scouts and the younger scouts, Noah included, went geo-caching with Steve. They were searching for a container full of candy. They were happy to find it and pig out!!

Pinewood Derby

2009-03-11T15:58:00.000-07:00

Noah wanted his car to look like a Hershey's chocolate bar. He and Steve cut the car in halfish lengthwise and then cut 10 small rectangle pieces. Noah then sanded them all so that they were roundish. He then glued them to the top and spray painted it all a lovely shade of brown. He then modge-podged a wrapper and foil from a king size special dark candy bar onto it. It looked really nice. Everyone at the derby loved it.
Zane wanted his car to look like a wing from the side. I should have taken a picture from that view, but didn't. He and Steve cut it to Zane's specifications and then Zane sanded it down. He then sprayed it with a stupendous shade of orange. (I really like it!) He wanted the top to be "cool" so he and Steve found this wallpaper on the computer and printed it. They then modge-podged it onto the car. Everyone loved his car too and were amazed how he got the design.
The cars closer up.
Stevie waiting patiently for cars to come down the track. We are so glad we went and enjoyed ourselves immensely. Our cars didn't win first or even second, or even third this year, but the boys just really didn't seem to mind. They had fun anyway!!! I wish I had taken a picture of the dessert we took. It was a popcorn cake. Noah found the recipe in one of the kids cookbooks that I have. He popped the 16 cups of popcorn that the recipe calls for. He then proceeded with the recipe, not thinking to take out the uncooked kernals. His popcorn cake was a landmine. You never knew when or if you were going to lose a tooth. We decided that we had probably better leave it home. Zane went into the kitchen and made another popcorn cake and learned from the former mistake and took out all the uglies. We took his cake to the derby and everyone gobbled it up. They were both yummy!!!

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

2009-01-11T05:28:00.000-08:00

My men got home from the winter freeze out last night. Steve and the younger boys were exhausted. Baxter seemed just fine and probably could have gone again. I worried about them the whole time they were gone because I knew that they were hiking into their site at night and it was suppose to be snowing and also having freezing rain. I was also worried because I know that even though Steve has always loved to hike that he is getting older, is out of shape and his knees and feet bother him. I kept telling them last night that it was a character building activity. My two younger boys learned that they could do something that was really hard for them. They hopefully also learned that when they don't feel like they can go any further and that they have done their best that their load will be lightened so that they can finish. (Steve and Dan B. took part of their load) But ya'll understand what I'm alluding to. Hopefully they also realized that even though their dad knew he would be in considerable pain when he got home that he was willing to go with them because he loves them. They all probably really went for the paintballing in the mountains. Sounds like they really enjoyed that. By the time they hiked down off the mountain they were completely covered with freezing rain. (Boy am I glad I wasn't there.) All things considered I think it was a good experience all around.

It's Over

2009-01-04T16:30:00.000-08:00

It has been the best of times, and I can't bring myself to say the worst of times, but they haven't all been the best. We have had a nice relaxing break, but I must admit that I am somewhat pleased that we will be going back to school tomorrow.
PRO: I am ready to go back to school and have the children listen to me and behave without threats of hot sauce or death.
PRO: It will be nice to have my children go to bed on time and get up early again.
CON: I am however not looking forward to packing lunches every blessed morning. It wouldn't be so bad but not all of my children will eat sandwiches, mainly Ceci, so I have fallen into the trap of making her and Baxter and occasionally Noah wraps and Zane and Stevie sandwiches. I know I made my bed, but sometimes I still find it uncomfortable. Then I have to deal with remembering who likes what in regards to fruit and snacks. WHAT A PAIN!!! But I guess it is worth is when I FEEL like I am saving money.
PRO and CON: I will miss Stevie and her shiny self, but will enjoy being able to go to the bathroom without a visitor, and enjoy some alone time without 20 questions popping up all day long.
PRO: I will be able to use my computer at school without having to fight a child to get off of it.
CON: Homework will start up again. Me sending it home and my children receiving it.
PRO: I will hear the children start to practice the piano again. I really do enjoy this, I am not just saying it.
It is a good thing that we experience change in life so that we can appreciate all that we have. I love and am very grateful for my home life and I am also very grateful and love what I do at school too. It may seem like a double edged sword at times but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Slight flashback

2009-01-04T16:25:00.000-08:00

A couple of days ago my kids started talking about movies that they really liked when they were younger. They mentioned Free Willy 1-3, Hercules, Beauty and the Beast, Independance Day, Saturday's Warriors etc... Stevie and Noah had very little if any recollection of these movies so the kids crawled under the stairs and pulled out the four or five boxes of VHS movies that have be stored under there forever. They also pulled out the VHS machine and hooked it all up. Our family room looked like a tornado had hit it. It reminding me of when Baxter used to pull out all of our videos and build with them and makes roads etc.. (I think he was around 2) Anyway, Stevie and Noah got to experience all of the movies that the older kids had been mentioning. All the kids enjoyed listening to the tapes rewind, kind of a lost sound. Now Stevie is as hooked on Free Willy as the other kids were years ago. I don't know if Steven and I can go through another Free Willy phase as the first one almost killed us but we will endure. Hopefully the videos will find their way back under the stairs before long and life will get back to normal.

Meatloaf Surprise!!!

2008-12-30T17:09:00.000-08:00

Long, long ago when Steven and I were the only members of our family we went and visited Grandma Blake. It was around lunchtime and she asked if we had eaten yet. We innocently said, "No." She then pulled some cold meatloaf out of the fridge and made us cold meatloaf sandwiches. I loved mine. Yummy! Steve was a good sport and choked his down. At a later date I decided to make meatloaf, because what I liked was supposed to be important too, right? Well I made him Scottish meatloaf that had a whole boiled egg in the middle of each small loaf. He said he liked it and seemingly enjoyed it. I have made meatloaf maybe five more times in our sixteen years and everytime he has said, "Why don't you make that one with the egg in it, you know I liked it." Well tonight was the night since Ceci had been asking me all week when I was making meatloaf. She is like me and really likes it. I made 9 individual loaves all with a surprise boiled egg in it. The conversation around the table went as follows: Ceci, "Oh, Mom this has an egg in it. Hum." Baxter cut into his and said, "An egg, wow!" Zane noticed his too. We then had prayer. Noah started to eat his loaf. He then completely stopped, got an amazed look on his face and said, "There is a whole egg in here, and it's not even mixed in or cut up." He looked up at all of us with total surprise. He couldn't understand why we all burst into laughter. We don't know where he was but he obviously missed something. He just kept shaking his head and looking at that egg and we kept on giggling. Steve again seemingly enjoyed his and much to his joy he gets another for lunch tomorrow.

I have been enjoying Christmas break because.....

2008-12-28T15:15:00.000-08:00

I have been enjoying my Christmas break because.....
1. I have had time to read.
2. I have had time to make a menu and go shopping for it.
3. I have had time to make meals for my family.
4. My family has been very grateful for the homemade food being placed on the table.
5. I have been able to say "NO" to each of my children as they have asked me if I had homework to do.
6. I have enjoyed Stevie helping me to plant a lily and an amarylis and she has also been helping me cook.
7. I enjoy watching my children and husband enjoy all of the Christmas toys.
8. I have not been thinking about school, well at least not much anyway.
9. I have been filling in my new calendars with all our upcoming important dates.
10. I have spent quality time with my family including G and G and the Stevens.

Bainter Menu

2008-12-28T15:08:00.001-08:00

I thought I would post our menu for the two weeks of break and see if anyone ate the same thing or something similar.
Dinner

Chicken enchiladas (no green chilies)
Sweet-n-sour meatballs
Hawaiian Haystacks
Lemon Linguine (new and they loved it)
Aftons Blue Ribbon Chicken
Meatloaf
Cranberry Apricot Pork Roast (new, haven't made it yet)
Puna Style Ribs
Chinese (Homemade sweet-n-sour chicken, wontons, etc.)
Chicken tacos and spanish rice
Porcupine Meatballs (Jackie wouldn't eat these!!!)
Pasta Fagoli Soup
Chicken Noodle Soup

Lunch is not as planned since leftovers occur and sometimes I force my children to eat sandwiches.
Has your menu been close to the same or not? What are some of your family favorites?

Maybe I'll be a Hair Dresser?

2008-11-29T16:16:00.000-08:00

Mom and Ceci asked me to dye their hair today. This is the before picture. Mom needed hers done since she had about an inch of regrowth. Ceci told me that she was tired of her highlights and wanted to go back to natural. So the process began.
It was Ceci's turn first. She was a little bit trepidicious. She also complained constantly about it itching. I'm not sure that she will want to try that again!
Next was mom. This is old hat for her. She loves "red".
Ceci sitting aside scratching her head with a comb.
This is the after picture. They both look great!!!! Do you think I should hang up my teaching shoes and put on beautician shoes?

Dad and Tina practicing, "The Holy City"

2008-11-29T16:08:00.000-08:00

I'm so sorry that it is sideways, just crank your head so that you can see it better. I forgot that I haven't figured out how to turn a video yet. HUM do any of you know? I also started videoing part way through so only part of the song is here. I was also the page turner so that caused even more technical difficulties. You'll have to imagine the rest:)

"Happy" Thanksgiving

2008-11-29T15:59:00.000-08:00

Noah is "happy" that he made a gingerbread house.
Zane is "happy" that he has a mom like me.
Justin and Chancy are really "happy" to get such a fine dinner.
Baxter and McKay are "happy" that McKay can eat with his left hand.
Stevie is "happy" that Ceci curled her hair and Ceci is "happy" that Stevie let her.
Dad and Mom sat on different sides of the table so here they are above and below.
Don't they look "happy"?
Tina and Lincoln looking "happy" too.
Steve and I look "happy" too!

I think we all enjoyed a lovely day. I didn't hear any raised voices. Everyone was helping everyone else. It was definitely a "love"ly day.

Oh those boys!!!

2008-11-29T15:50:00.000-08:00

Oh the things I have to endure around here. Just take a gander at what my brothers are up to now.
Zane just loves squishing orange jello through his teeth while eating turkey.
Noah ate so much stuffing that it started to fall out. We tried to tell him he was stuffed, but he wouldn't listen.
I think maybe we'd better stop making orange jello and mashed potatoes. Maybe Baxter was just hiding his braces.
McKay is wondering if his mother would kill him if he tried it. HUM?????

The TRIP

2008-11-05T12:24:00.001-08:00

My Surprise Party

2008-11-05T12:11:00.000-08:00

Trudy's ramblings on a weird Saturday

2008-09-06T15:06:00.000-07:00

I sit here amongst a crew of people that are driving me nuts. All of the boys are disappointed by the storm. They went out yesterday and tied stuff down and made sure that other stuff wouldn't fly away. (We have had problems with the trampoline before) They have been gazing out the windows and watching the forecasts on the TV and computers all day. They have been moping!!! Zane and Noah have gone out and got soaked three times. Stevie even ventured out once, she's been dying to use an umbrella. They wanted to stand in the eye of the storm and see how it would feel. Did they actually think that if it was really bad outside that their mother would let them go out there. I thought that it was funny that it took a downpour for them to go outside and play basketball since that basket hasn't seen any action all summer. Now I sit here in my bedroom with the door shut trying to avoid the noise of the BYU football game in the other room. I personally couldn't get emotionally attached to a football game even if someone offered me 10 new free books! I am glad that the game has seemed to take a turn for the better because the noise has lessoned somewhat. What a relief!!! My TV is turned to PollyAnna, Hallmark channel which is more my speed. Stevie is also roaming the computer chair with me combing my hair and cleaning out my ears. Am I a lucky ducky or what? I actually do enjoy being pampered and my six year old loves to pamper so I guess I am as close to heaven as I'll get during a BYU game. Hope you are all having a great day!!

Stevie's Sunflower

2008-08-10T17:45:00.001-07:00

Once upon a time while Stevie was in Kindergarten, sometime around the end of April, she along with her fellow classmates made sunflower green houses and planted three sunflower seeds in each one. She excitedly watched them day by day and became even more excited when her sunflowers were the first to poke out their heads to greet their new world. They quickly reached toward the top of her sunflower house and started to escape from the top. She then brought the sunflower house home and the sunflowers even survived the perilous ride home on the bus. The sunflowers then took up residence on the ledge above our kitchen sink. Her mother finally when they reached about 18-20 inches planted them out in the pots on the deck. They steadily continued to grow and finally just within the last week blossomed. Stevie is so thrilled as am I since I have always feared that once the plants reached home that they all died. Well this year I know that at least three survived!!!! We are so happy!!!!! Maybe later we will even get to enjoy the seeds that we see developing as well. If we do we will share that as well. (I just love lifecycles)

On the note of lifecyles-- Can you believe that we STILL have tadpoles that have not turned into frogs. Had we left them in the pool the kids wouldn't have swam at all this summer!!! I am hoping to take them to school when it starts on the 20th an share them with my class, how exciting hum????

Trip into D.C.

2008-07-15T17:22:00.000-07:00

Ocean City

2008-07-13T15:33:00.000-07:00

Cub camp and other info

2008-06-28T06:06:00.000-07:00

Noah had cub camp this week. He LOVED it! He especially enjoyed the bb shooting and archery. Looks like he also enjoyed the cub wash. Steve was a den walker for two of the days and he dragged Zane along on the first day to be a helper. Zane did not want to go, but once there changed his mind and then went the second day without any drama. Stevie also went the second day and spent the day in the tot lot with one of the teachers from my school. She really enjoyed herself too. Baxter and Ceci have been at Scout and Girls camp all week. Steve went to scout camp after he had finished his two days at cub camp. I was finishing up my class for the summer, if you are wondering what I did with all that alone time. I wasn't having fun I'll assure you. I had 20 assignments due in 15 days. I kid you not. A three week graduate class is a killer. The kids thought that the computer was completely attached to my fingers. Yesterday, I refused to get on the computer or clean house. My plans changed slightly when Tina called to ask if she, Halley, and Chancy could come out. I said sure and flew into a tornado of cleaning just so that I wouldn't be too embarassed. It wasn't too terrible, but I hadn't done much on the house for three weeks due to previously mentioned activities. It was so nice to see Halley again and Tina and Chancy too of course. I love it when they come to visit.

The Three Musketeers

2008-06-28T05:33:00.000-07:00

My kids are enjoying the pool. I am enjoying it a lot more too since I changed it over to a salt system. The pool stays crystal clear and all I had to do was dump 110 pounds of salt into it and start the machine. (Well actually Steve and Baxter put in the salt and connected and started the machine, but I purchased the stuff!) The hardest part this year has been to keep destroying the birds nests under the deck so that the birds won't swoop past and poop in the pool. Yes you read it right--poop in my crystal clear pool. I have had to go out and scoop poop. The kids think I am terrible to destroy nests, but I say too bad!! We also have a resident frog living in the wall of the pool where the metal posts go around the pool at the top. He is a hold over from when the pool was full of tadpoles or polliwogs whichever you prefer. Steve wanted to wait to get the pool going until they had all turned into frogs, I said, "No way!" We compromised and took some of them out and put them into a tub and a pondish thing and then let the rest drain into the grass. The birds loved them. I was happy to see them go, Steve wasn't so happy. But I'll tell you what, it's been almost over a month and those little polliwogs (my preference) are still swimming around in their respective places. Stevie told me just yesterday that she thought she saw some legs growing, I'll have to go check. Just think, my kids would have still been waiting to swim. HUMMMMM I'm sure glad we didn't wait.

Pool pests

2008-06-28T05:20:00.000-07:00

Here is the evidence of those rascally polliwogs. We had left about six inches of water in the pool over the winter so that the pool wouldn't blow away during storms. Well the storms whipped around so much that Grandpa couldn't keep the cover on and then finally it just split and broke. By the end of the winter season the pool was almost all the way full again and we had become a rest stop for frogs to lay their eggs. The whole pool was just swimming with them. WE HAD TO DO SOMETHING!!!

Our 16th Wedding Anniversary

2008-06-16T18:22:00.001-07:00

We got married June 16th, 1992 in the Manti Temple. The only one that objected was Halley who just couldn't understand why we wanted to ruin her birthday! What a beautiful day, even with the light sprinkling rain.
Boy don't we all look young, no pun intended.

2008-06-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

Anita, Glen, Steve, Trudy, Cecilia, and Sid at the open house in West Valley City.

2008-06-16T17:45:00.000-07:00

Here I am feeding Steve some cake. He sure did enjoy it!!!

Trying to catch up!!

2008-05-24T22:00:00.000-07:00

Well, my two master's classes have come to an end and my next doesn't start until this next Wednesday. I am going to try to catch ya all up to what we have been doing in our lives. Hang on, it is going to be a speedy ride!!! By the way, I sure do LOVE looking at all of your blogs, it helps me pass time when I don't want to start an assignment or I just want to get away from it all. I'm not the best at commenting though and will try to do better in that department. Trudy

Newest Project--Tree House

2008-05-24T19:59:00.000-07:00

Steve and the boys and sometimes Stevie are engaged in building a treehouse. Not even just an ordinary one, but a huge one. Maybe the kids will move out when it's done and stay there. The treehouse will have a main treehouse and then a rope bridge crossing over to a smaller one. They are all having fun working on it together.

Yuck!

2008-05-24T19:55:00.000-07:00

Me letting a huge cockroach crawl up my arm during Career Day! I had to be a good example for my little ones. Even so, Stevie refused to touch any of the live things.

Anniversary Trip

2008-05-24T19:31:00.000-07:00

Steve and I celebrated our anniversary early this year. I am going to be embroiled in classes during the real event so we took off early. Steve had heard of this place called Smith Island. He became intrigued and spent time researching it on the internet. He then rented a cottage for three days for us to stay in. On Friday, May 16th we got up and left the house by 7:30 am. We then drove 3 1/2 hours to Crisfield, MD. There we caught the mail boat for a 45 minute ride out to the island. It is located out in the Chesapeake Bay. We really enjoyed the ride. We got to the island and were met by the lady that takes care of the cottage. She took us for a ride around the island and then to the cottage, the ride took all of 5 minutes. Small island. The cottage was nice. The islanders almost all have golf carts to get around in and some have vehicles as well. The cars are in a state of disrepair and are all very loud, they also do not have current tags. When the islanders know that a law man is coming, they all park their cars because if it isn't moving it can't be sited. We enjoyed our restful time there and were impressed by how friendly everyone was. We enjoyed learning more of the history of the island and eating crab cakes. Steve went out on a boat tour, while I stayed being a little sickish. He saw snowy egrets, a peregrine falcon, some osprey, herons, sandpipers, tons of sea gulls, and even goats. He loved it! We really enjoyed our time together. Oh, we also tried the famous Smith Island cake. To tell the truth it just tasted like homemade cake with frosting, nothing special.

Mother's Day

2008-05-24T19:10:00.000-07:00

Tina on Mother's Day. She is enjoying a rousing game of UNO.
These are the cards that my children made for me. They presented them to me as they served my breakfast in bed. I have convinced them that all that I require is toast and jam. Two years ago I was served blackened scrambled eggs. Baxter told me that he was really sorry but that the lid of the pepper had come off. Tee Hee
I love the inside of this card. When I open up the card everything is upsidedown and she is even in my class. How did that one get by me?? It was a pleasant surprise.
Mom on Mother's Day. Doesn't she look nice?
Me on Mother's Day. I hate my hair by the way. It has finally grown out a little, but not enough. I got scalped at the hairdresser!

Easter

2008-05-24T18:40:00.000-07:00

The Bainter children dressed in their Easter clothes. My boys love suits and were very happy to get new ones. Ceci surprised me by getting a really pretty white eyletish skirt. (the surprise was that it was so feminine, she doesn't like frill at all) I had gotten Stevie and different dress, but when I went into JcPenny for something, I saw this dress and knew she would just love it because she loves frills. I must say that I think they all look really sharp!

Stevie's Fieldtrip to DC

2008-05-24T18:05:00.000-07:00

We ate lunch on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Stevie was lucky enough to get to go to DC on a fieldtrip, the first that our school has taken since 9/11. We went to a series of vignette plays and then went and toured around the mall. We had been studying important people and symbols. The children got to see the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorial up close. They were so impressed. It really brought it alive for them. It was the first time in DC for many of them. As we were driving in one of them said to me, "Mrs. Bainter, I think that we are in a city. Look at the tall buildings and such." They were so excited to see a different world.
We saw Imogene's Antlers, If you give a mouse a cookie, and 4 others. The kids were spellbound during the performances.
As you can see, they were tuckered out going back home.

Zane's Fieldtrip to Elms Beach

2008-05-24T18:02:00.000-07:00

I was trying to get a picture of Zane drinking both his orange juice and chocolate milk at the same time. Yuck!! He says that it tastes like a tootsie roll.
Zane's class was suppose to be using teamwork to place a stretchy ring around a coffee can full of water. They were then to empty the can into another container. Watching them was hilarious. The class has many chiefs, few followers which makes for not much teamwork. Zane finally spoke up and since he doesn't speak up often they listened to his ideas and did pretty well.

After many tries, they finally did it. Boy, were they happy!

Tagged

2008-02-10T19:12:00.000-08:00

What is his name? Steven or sometimes Steven John
How long did you date? 4 months
How old is he? 37
How old are you? 39
Who eats more sweets? Steve definately ! He LOVES candy, sometimes I wonder if he loves it more than me
Who said I love you first? He did
Who is taller? Him by about nine inches
Who can sing better? Me Steve wouldn't even sing when I met him, now he sings all the time. I am so proud of him!
Who is smarter? Well it depends on the topic.
Who does the laundry? We all do. Everyone except for Steve has to seperate their own clothes and then we all take turns keeping it all going. Baxter, Ceci, and I do most of the folding. I absolutely HATE when they leave the clothes in a mountain of unfolded glory. Steve also refuses to fold socks. He has a foot fetish and it reminds him of Lawrence Welk, which is not a good memory. (His mom would sit him down in front of that show to fold clothes. She did me a real disservice!)
Who does the dishes? Mostly me, but we supposedly have a rotating schedule.
His guilty pleasure? dark chocolate
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? he does
Who mows the lawn? Baxter, Ceci, and Steve
Who cooks dinner? Baxter and Steve on my school nights, me on the others and weekends who knows.
Who is more stubborn? We are both extremely stubborn.
Who kissed who first? He finally kissed me.
Who asked who out first? Well I kind of arranged it so that he could ask me out first.
Who proposed? Steve. He proposed after tilling his mothers garden. I said yes, even though he was stinky. He did however propose again when we went to the Jordan River Temple to walk around.
Who has more siblings? He does by one
Who wears the pants? Well, we try our best to share.
What is your favorite thing about him? We are best friends. He tries his best to complete me. He always loves me even when I am acting unlovable.
I tag, I don't think there is anyone left. If I am mistaken, then I tag YOU!!!

2007 Christmas

2007-12-26T18:21:00.001-08:00

Bainter Children Christmas 2007. Showing happy faces because despite the fact that their parents said that they would NEVER EVER purchase a Wii, Santa went ahead and brought them one anyway. Who is that man? Doesn't he listen to what parents want too!!!
The prized Santa gift. Little did they know at that time that there were games under the tree in a package labeled FAMILY. As the package was being opened they noticed that it was a box of eggos. Mom said, "Well I knew that you would be hungry this morning." They the sponges actually believed me!!! HA HA HA Imagine their surprise when it was full of movies and Wii games. Were they ever excited.

2007-12-26T18:02:00.000-08:00

Stevie and her doll Callie. Stevie named Callie's horse Hallie. Stevie loves them. Hallie the horse jumps fences and gives Callie rides around the room. Stevie's only complaint is that Hallie keeps hurting her. She has bumped her in the nose and left a mark and has dropped onto her big toe. We have come to an agreement that maybe Stevie should only carry one of them at a time. Stevie is concerned that if Hallie the horse has to give up jumping for awhile that it will hurt her feelings. Stevie also got several easy reader books, a princess, prince and another horse, and some DS games.
Noah and one of his mischievous looks. He is happy to see another fleece. We are happy because he WILL add it to his fleece wardrobe. He tends to like to wear the same one over and over and over. You can see Noah's broken hand in the picture as well. The turkey decided to hit Zane and suffer the consequences. Noah also received Zoo Tycoon Extinct Animals expansion pack, an erector set, and books.
Zane is showing you his My Sims for the Wii. Zane also got a legos building set, books, a Creative MP3 player, and some DS games. Zane was a hoot this Christmas, he tried to see how many loony ways that he could open his presents. He kept us in laughter, that's for sure. His attitude about life has really changed since he has been going to his new school where they challenge him. He says the 1hr. 15 min ride each way is definitely worth it. Now you know why he needed a mp3 player!
Ceci got a digital camera and laptop, hence her blog site. She also got books, a flat iron, and makeup since she just turned 12 on the 21st. We had told her that she would no way get a laptop since we were going to have a smaller Christmas this year. I went on time to a faculty meeting and entered my name into the door prize. At the end of the meeting the principal held up a used laptop and said that it was the door prize. I sent a small prayer heavenward and low and behold my name was drawn, hence Ceci got a FREE laptop for Christmas. When Ceci opened the box, she started to cry, happy tears of course.
Baxter is showing off his new hoodie. Baxter also received books, Microsoft Flight Simulator, John Deere American Farmer (although why he wanted it we don't know), and a hydrogen fuel cell car. Baxter's one disappointment was that his pj's said that he was nice instead of naughty, poor boy. I am rather glad that he is nice.

2007-12-26T18:00:00.000-08:00

Grandpa bowling on the Wii. Sorry to say, Grandma beat him both times. He may have won the second game if Noah hadn't scooted a little too close to Grandpa's swinging arm. Grandpa gave him a smack on the nose and lost all concentration. It was the last frame and sadly he lost again. It was sure fun to see him and Grandma having so much fun!!
Grandma really got into bowling. She would jump up when she got a strike. Her face was full of life and expression. She was having a blast. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that they had come over during the day while we are all gone to bowl. We would be happy to hear it!

2007-12-26T17:59:00.000-08:00

Steve and the boys working on the U.S. Capital 3-D puzzle that Grandpa and Grandma gave us.
Baxter's hydrogen fueled car. He took it over and showed Grandpa this evening. He said that Grandpa loved it and that he just chuckled and chuckled.
Zane and Stevie enjoying some boxing on the Wii.
More enjoyment!!
Callie and Hallie getting a much deserved nap after two days of intense STEVIE!

My Class

2007-11-24T06:35:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of my class. I thought you might enjoy seeing that Stevie is actually in my class. This was taken after we had made a gingerbread boy. Later on that day he up and ran away. We searched all over the building for days, meeting all the teachers and staff on the way, and then finally found him in the computer lab. They were so happy to finally get to eat him. He sure tasted good. (He had actually been sleeping in the refridgerator during the week)

Bainter Children Silliness on my Computer

2007-11-23T17:47:00.001-08:00

My computer has a built in camera. It is always fun to get on to it and see what pictures the kids have been taking of themselves. These are some of them. What can I say, they, my kids are a little nuts!!!

Noah

Ceci

Zane

Baxter

Stevie

Noah's Baptism

2007-11-23T13:17:00.000-08:00

Noah was so excited for this day. He was excited to to get baptised, he was also excited because he now gets to go to cub scouts. Mom on the other hand worked hard making many, many goodies for the refreshments. We were so grateful that so many people came and supported Noah and us. We had to set up more and more chairs, we were amazed. Mom said that I shouldn't have be amazed because lots of people came to Zane's too, I guess I had just forgotten. It is so cool that the ward family is so supporting. Uncle Lincoln gave the baptism talk, Grandpa sang a song, Baxter gave the Holy Ghost talk, and all mom had to worry about was the refreshments. I was so glad. I am always so emotional on these days. Grandma was the chorister and Tina the pianist and McKay and Ceci said the prayers. Quite the family affair!!

Noah's Eighth Birthday

2007-11-23T13:07:00.000-08:00

Halloween

2007-11-23T12:58:00.000-08:00

Finally, you get to see how the kids dressed for Halloween.

Noah as the mad scientist's hunchback assistant.

Stevie as a good witch. Ceci used this same costume when she was this age.

Ceci and her friend Lindsey dressed as a gothic and a joker.

Zane as a mad scientist!

Utah Finally!!

2007-11-23T12:17:00.000-08:00

Stevie and her two cousins, Tiffany and Christopher. Stevie and Tiffany hit it right off and were quite upset when we had to leave Heber.

Steve and Suzi

Stevie, Tiffany, and Chistopher

Visiting Aunt Marian and LuAnn's Families

2007-11-23T12:16:00.000-08:00

Steve's Aunt Marian, she says that she and Karen are part of the "walker" set now. They have fun trying to manuver about their house with both of them using them.

Steve's cousin Karen, she had moved her work station out into the living room and spends more time with Aunt Marian now.

Steve's cousin LuAnn

Steve and Aunt Marian

Snowbird

2007-11-23T12:15:00.000-08:00

We were so excited to finally see the mountains again!!! We spent the day up at Snowbird actually right up in the mountains enjoying our time there. When we flew into Utah on our way to Oregon, the kids were looking out the windows commenting on the mountains, Stevie had no idea what they were talking about. I pointed them out, she then got really excited and pointed them out everywhere for the rest of our trip.

Baxter on a bungy trampoline.

Tyler on the bungy tramp.

Stevie and Steve going up to the Alpine Slide.

Aunt Kathy and Ceci on their way up too.

Alpine Slide

2007-11-23T12:14:00.000-08:00

The kids really enjoyed the Alpine Slide. They did it over and over again. They would race down. I must admit that I was the winner more than once. The exhileration of the speed was awesome!!!

Tram up the mountain

2007-11-23T12:13:00.000-08:00

It was so cool to be up in the mountains. Ceci couldn't stand being on the tram, she couldn't look out. We got to the top and looked around, then hiked down to the high speed quad thing and rode down it to the bottom. It felt so awesome, we were all really glad that we had gone.

Lagoon

2007-11-23T12:12:00.000-08:00

We had a lot of fun at Lagoon with Kathy's family and Suzi's family and Halley and Ryan. I thought I took more pictures, maybe they are on the video camera. I'll have to look. Stevie and TIffany were very happy to see each other again! Uncle Greg won a penguin for Stevie that she still loves. The kids rode some coasters and had their wits scared out of them. Steve was glad to have some people along that he could actually ride some ride with. Our kids are wimps when it comes to rides!!!

Visiting Grandma Blake

2007-11-23T12:11:00.000-08:00

We went and visited Grandma Apricot (Blake) and took her out to dinner. My older kids called her that when we were always getting apricots. Grandma also let us know that we had just missed the apricots, we were of course dissappointed but that wasn't our reason for coming. The apricots our here are the pits. We also just sat and talked at her house. It was really nice to visit. We really enjoyed seeing her again. We also hadn't seen Grandpa's grave site or stone so we finally found it!! We even called mom here in Maryland, but her directions to it were flawed and we finally found it by just fanning out and searching. Seven is better in that sort of situation. It is a beautiful marker, we took a picture because mom told us she hadn't seen it yet either.

Visiting Grandma Bainter's Grave Site

2007-11-23T12:10:00.000-08:00

We went to Grandma Anita's grave site and cleaned away the grass and cleaned and polished the marker. We sat around and remembered Grandma. Only the two older children have any memories so this was a good experience for the younger ones.

Visiting Grandpa Bainter's grave site

2007-11-23T12:09:00.000-08:00

We also visited Grandpa Glen Bainter's grave site.

2007-09-23T07:55:00.000-07:00

You all should be thankful that I had to stay home from church sick today. I have wanted to add to the blog but I have been extremely busy. As soon as we got back from vacation school started for me, the kids a few days later. I also started two masters courses the next week. Between being a mom, a wife, a teacher, a student, and having two church callings I have very little time to just BE. I'm not complaining, it's just the facts. I will add the Utah portion of the vacation soon, hopefully it doesn't take sickness for me to do it. Hope you enjoy!!!

2007-09-23T07:21:00.000-07:00

We are all on the plane and ready to take off for our adventure to Oregon and Utah for two weeks. I can tell you that the flights were long, but that our children were on their best behavior. We were very proud of them and still are.

2007-09-23T07:20:00.001-07:00

Sydney and Ceci looking over the barrier to see the waterfall that we were hiking to see.

Trudy, Noah, and Stevie sitting back in a crevice on the trail to the waterfall.

A bunch of cousins posing for the camera.

Baxter and Stevie stuffed into a hollow tree trunk.

Finally, we see the lovely waterfall. The journey was so fun, even with the huffing and puffing. I would do it again tommorow. We had a great time with our Oregon family.

On the Beach in Oregon

2007-09-23T07:20:00.000-07:00

Zane leaning down to touch a dead long nosed skate at the beach with George and Lora's Family while we were on vacation in Oregon in August.

Noah, Zane, and Stevie

Cousins

Baxter on the Beach

Steve and Lora

2007-09-23T07:19:00.000-07:00

More pictures in Oregon. Stevie on the beach. She is so disappointed that she has grown out of this outfit, since she loved it so.

The famous octopus tree.

I should have blogged these pictures earlier, since I now can't remember the names of these places. I guess my mind is going, going, gone. Anyway, this is a lighthouse that we saw at Cape Meares.

Steve and Stevie walking through a tunnel from one beach to another. Lora had heard about this tunnel and so we kept asking people about it until we finally found it. The wind on the beach was terrible that day and the sand felt like it was blasting us all, but the tunnel was worth it.

The boys, Tayler, Zane, and Baxter standing in the tunnel.

2007-09-23T07:15:00.000-07:00

We went to Union, Oregon and saw and talked about many of Steve's memories. Here are pictures of his Grandpa and Grandma's grave markers and a picture of the family with them. The last picture is of Steve and his "Aunt" Edith, who will be turning 101 this year.

2007-09-23T07:14:00.000-07:00

Next, we were off to Baker, Oregon. We stopped and saw Uncle Norman and Aunt Nadine. We had a lovely time visiting them in the park. Aunt Nadine fed us pizza, raspberry jello, and other nummies. Uncle Norman played with the kids on the playground and spent time talking with Steve. We loved our time there!

2007-09-23T07:13:00.000-07:00

The kids passing time between Oregon and Utah.

2007-07-25T18:09:00.000-07:00

Trudy in her lovely rain jacket on the Maid of the Mist. This ride was so cool, it takes you up quite close the the Falls. Steve and I had a lovely time walking around and seeing the sights at Niagra. You will notice that there were not any children along. We were celebrating our 15th anniversary.

Niagra Falls as seen from the Maid of the Mist.

Steve and I getting ready to go up to the hurricane deck.

Steve standing on the hurricane deck at the Cave of the Winds at Niagra Falls. Amazing since he doesn't even like water.

2007-07-25T18:05:00.000-07:00

Ceci and her friend Cecilia having fun at fifth grade graduation. Ceci and her teacher Mrs. Stewart. Ceci is nervous to go to middle school this coming year!

2007-07-25T17:32:00.000-07:00

Stevie Pre-k Promotion Dress and her teachers Miss Winterwerp and Miss Hill. Stevie loved Pre-k. She is excited because she is going to be in my Kindergarten Class this coming year!!

2007-07-25T17:22:00.000-07:00

Baxter at the Seventh Grade Awards Assembly. He got Principal's Award(straight A's all year), Solo Ensemble Award, Tri-County Band Award, and The Most Outstanding Student in Social Studies.

2007-07-25T13:08:00.000-07:00

Baxter's baseball team was called the "Pirate's". He made the majors this year and had a lot of fun. I can't remember his stats, but they were not bad!!

2007-07-25T12:54:00.000-07:00

Noah played baseball this year and his team was called the "Tigers." His team was a machine pitch team. His team took second in the playoffs. He loved playing and his coach was amazed that it was his first year.

2007-07-25T12:51:00.000-07:00

Stevie decided to try playing soccer this year too. She was a little princess out on the field. The only times she touched to ball was when she threw it in or kicked the ball into play. She was just too cute!!

2007-07-25T12:45:00.000-07:00

Zane's Soccer Team was called the "Blue Dragons." Zane really enjoys soccer and can run, run, run!!