Alphabetizing

I got a severe case of the giggles today. I was actually laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes (poor Owen didn't know what to think - he kept asking "Why you tying, Momma?").

Here is the instruction on Mikayla's grammar worksheet:

Alphabetize the words in the sentence: Only one man had not spoken yet.

Here is Mikayla's answer:

lnoy eno amn adn not eknops ety.

Now Mikayla struggles with spelling so at first glance I just figured she had been careless and transposed the words incorrectly.

Nope, she alphabetized every single letter in every single word! Talk about creating extra work!

The good news - she knows how to alphabetize words - although we did have a quick review on a simpler method of alphabetizing a sentence!

Happy Birthday, Brice

Happy 8th Birthday, Brice!!!!

I don't have any baby pictures of him handy, so I will just share some of my favorites from year #7.

We love the quiet, sweet disposition you bring to our day!

Have a Happy Day!

Birthday boy

The Hawk family celebrated all the March birthdays at Chuck E. Cheese this year. The kids had a blast and the parents got headaches. Brice gets to celebrate his birthday a couple of times this month. He should sleep well come April.

left to right: Chuck E. Cheese, Brice C. Powers

Birthday boys!
Brice (age 8) with Grandpa (age 65) and Aaron (age 2)
Ruth made the cake!

Aaron thinking: "Hey, Owen, let's get down!"

Owen thinking: "Please, please, tell me we aren't really related!"

A quiz

A friend posted this little quiz, so I took it. I found that some of the questions didn't really apply to me either way - so I just put down an answer. It makes me wonder . . . they say I am 60% right brain and 40% left brained - can you be 50-50? Does that mean I am more balanced or does it mean I am indecisive???? Or maybe I just don't have a brain!

Go see for yourself what you are!

You Are 40% Left Brained, 60% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art.

Some Pun Fun

I found these puns on my friend Anna's blog. They were good for a smile or two!



Police were called to a daycare where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.

When fish are in schools they sometimes take debate.

A thief fell and broke his leg in wet cement. He became a hardened criminal.

Thieves who steal corn from a garden could be charged with stalking.

When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U C L A.

The dead batteries were given out free of charge.

If you take a laptop computer for a run you could jog your memory.

A dentist and a manicurist fought tooth and nail.

What's the definition of a will? (It's a dead giveaway)

Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

In a democracy it's your vote that counts; in feudalism, it's your Count that votes.

If you don't pay your exorcist you can get repossessed.

A grenade fell onto a kitchen floor in France, resulted in Linoleum Blownapart.

You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.

A calendar's days are numbered.

A lot of money is tainted: 'Taint yours, and 'taint mine.

He had a photographic memory which was never developed.

A plateau is a high form of flattery.

Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.

Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.

Too Cute

Understanding that this is purely training and he probably has no idea what he is really doing - it is still too priceless not to share!

A day in the life of Carra

Our beloved Carra has a thing with clothes. She creates interesting outfits to wear - and she creates them often. I decided to document one day of frequent clothes changing. This was Carra's fashion statement(s) for Thursday.

Just a note: This was actually a mild day. There are usually more changes and more extremes in choices.

Another note: Now you know why I complain about laundry - 90% of it is Carra sized.

8:15 a.m.
She wore this to bed so this is her "pajamas".
This is not a dress . . .
it is an apron.

10:10 a.m.
This is a common sight with Carra. The top is a cape.
I personally was thrilled that she chose to wear pants too - that is not so common.

11:10 a.m.
This dress is her favorite.
It is a bit too small, but she keeps saving it from the storage bin.

12:30 p.m.
I don't know if I would have picked the cheetah headband . . . maybe bug antennas would have been more appropriate to go with her bug dress.

4:15 p.m.
Do you notice she went nearly 4 hours before changing again????
Actually, this one was forced upon her because we were heading out into public.
What you don't see - she wore her coat backwards at the store -
apparently she didn't look foolish enough in jeans and a t-shirt.
Also, ALL shirts MUST be "upsleeve" shirts.

6:30 p.m.
We have been home 5 minutes and now she is back into normal Carra attire.
Here she is displaying her "not smile".

8:20 p.m.
The swimsuit has resurfaced - another regular.
Once again I am amazed that she is wearing pants (let alone jeans!).
She wore this to bed - but changed into shorts in the morning.

For what it's worth

Our neighbor is starting a photography business and took a random picture of Owen one day last summer. She now has a website promoting her business - and she has Owen as one of her portfolio proofs. For what it is worth - go check it out . . . (he is under "The Collections" section). Anyone local might consider her - she seems reasonably priced. Just tell her Tina her neighbor referred you! I would love to learn from her!

There is a lot of pictures of a little blond girl in there too. She is another neighbor and Carra's partner in crime. She spends a lot of time here!

What's for dinner???

Tonight we are having our weekly Honey Mustard Chicken dinner. If I ask the kids how they want me to fix chicken, this is always the order I get. It is a family favorite. It is so well liked, we feel we really must pass the recipe along! SUPER EASY!!! SUPER FAST!!!

1- 3 lb bag frozen chicken breasts (approx. 6-7 breasts)
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup honey
2 T prepared mustard
1 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350. Layer the chicken breasts in a casserole dish. Mix together remaining ingredients. Pour over chicken. Bake 30-40 minutes (until no longer pink). Baste occasionally while cooking.

Super yummy with chicken flavored rice a roni.

To give credit where credit is due, I got the recipe here.