Rockin into math week...or the 80's!

Sometime in the fall the kids had math week at school. I believe it was called "rockin into math", or something like that. One of the days they were supposed to research a rock star or musician and find math facts about them and then dress up like one. So I being not real savvy on music didn't really know how to help them with present day singers, but I sure knew how to help them with 80's artists. It took Haley a little convincing to have her dress up like Cindi Lauper, but once she found out she sang "Girls just wanna have fun" the decision was made. Doesn't she make a great Cindi. Her teachers were the only ones who knew who she was.

Scott and I tried to talk Scotty into dressing as Twisted Sister, but he was appalled that they were wearing girls clothes and refused. I don't think he quite understood the meaning of their name. It was so funny to look up old superstars like Billy Idol and KISS. The best part about it was the reaction my kids gave. Scotty settled on being a break dancer. He thought he was hot stuff!

Aren't they the cutest 80's superstars you have ever seen?

Awards Assembly

In December the kids had an awards assembly at school. We are so proud of Haley and Scotty, they both really work hard and excel in school. Scotty got two awards. One for "A" honor roll and one for Exemplary Performance. I wish I had video taped what his teacher said about him, it was so sweet. He was the only one in his class to get this award and she gave it to him because he was a very good leader and example to his classmates. He is positive and always ready to help out. I had no idea he was getting this award. All my fears about him and how he would behave in school were for naught. He really is a great kid!


Scotty Shaking Principal Grahams hand.

Scotty and his 2nd grade teacher Ms. Ellison

Haley got two awards as well. She got one for "A" honor roll and one for outstanding attendance. She his a great student and loves school!

Haley and her 4th grade teacher Mrs. Watkins.

"Did you see my hit?"

Scotty has been playing baseball this last month or so and really enjoying it. Recently Scott has been making an effort to play catch with him and we have taken several outing to the park so he can practice batting. Then we end the evening with a family kick ball game until someone is in tears and then we leave. Anyway, our friends the McInnes gave Scotty one of their son CJ's old bats. He was so excited and has practiced with it and was ready to make a big hit in his game last night. And big hit is what he made. His last at bat he wailed the ball out into center field. He was so sure it would be a home run, so he ran as fast as he could. He was so excited by the time he was nearing 3rd base he was passing his team mate who hit in front of him. It was so funny. The coaches hurried him back to second base. All I heard the rest of the night and all morning was... "DID YOU SEE MY HIT?" He must have reenacted that play a hundred times. He was super excited and so were we!

Homeless!!

Well, tonight (like all nights) was busy. I had visiting teaching appointments scheduled at 4:30. Scotty had to be at his game at 4:45. Scott and I passed on our street as I was leaving. He dropped Scotty off at his game and came home to get the girls ready to take to the game. When he was just about out the door I call and tell him someone had slashed my tire and it was totally flat. Thank goodness I took his truck and not my car. He comes to the condos I was at and changes the flat tire while I take the girls to watch Scotty's game. At this point I really needed a soda, so we stop at Fabulous Freddy's which is next to the ball fields. As I am getting the girls out Maddy informs me that she has no shoes. What does a good mom do.... she says oh well I guess you are going barefoot. As we pile out of the car I realize that I have chocolate on my shirt from making goodies for my ladies, I never did Madeline's or Marianne's hair because we didn't go anywhere, Madeline has no shoes and her clothes do not match. Oh... I tell Haley as we are walking into the store "we look like a homeless family." After we got our two big drinks we head to the counter to pay, and tell the clerk "I just have these two 32 ounce drinks." She looks at me, waves her hand and says its ok. A little shocked I said "are you sure?" She replies yes it ok and waves us out the door. When we get outside, Haley looks at me puzzled and asks, "she didn't make you pay?' I say "no, wasn't that nice?" Haleys responds, "She must have really thought we were HOMELESS!"

About three years ago, I would never have left the house looking the way we did. Now most the time I am in survival mode and am just grateful my kids are fully dressed.

The joys of motherhood!

OK... I don't know about all you moms out there, but when my children say, "YOU ARE THE MEANEST MOM EVER!" I take that as a compliment. I take that as I am doing my job of not spoiling my kids and helping them be responsible adults, by making them to hard things that they do not want to do. Well, tonight Scotty threw a curve ball at me and I am not sure what to think about it. After prodding and begging and pleading, I finally reached down deep and told him that he better stay in his room until it is completely clean, to my standards of course. And I added a little, "if you come out before it is completely clean you will have another chore!" So, he did good for a while, asked if he could come out to put something away. I was OK with that. Then he came out to tell me something, very unimportant and very unrelated to cleaning his bedroom. So I kindly listened and then let him know that he would have another chore of taking out the trash when he was done with his room. He stormed away very unhappy. When he came out again he marched into me and said, "Mom, when I get older and I am married and I have kids, I am never going to visit you!"

I am not sure how to take that one....

Saga of the Pinkwood Derby

Our stake does a really fun day camp for the activity day girls. They have classes from 4pm - 8pm on Friday night and then classes all day on Saturday. The last half hour of the event the parents come and watch the girls perform what they have learned. Haley signed up for all kinds of classes this year. She signed up for archery, power to be fit, a hip hop class, power to accessorize, a cooking class, a class on making balloon creatures, white board tiles, scrap booking, and THE PINKWOOD DERBY! She was so excited to make a car with her dad. Well, the weeks passed and soon we were at the week of the camp. On Tuesday the car was finally purchased at the scout office, because we could not find one at Michaels. Well, that night Scotty had a baseball game, Wednesday is young mens, Thursday I had enrichment and Scott was hosting dinner for the missionaries and a family in the ward that they are teaching (he was a single dad, so I could justify leaving). By Thursday night Scott was so exhausted and he decided he was going to have to stay home from work on Friday to make the car. Well, taking off work is particularly hard for Scott to do. So he had what he thought was a heart to heart with Haley that morning, and they decided that she would just go to another class and they would make the car next year. What Scott doesn't understand is that Haley, even though she is only 9 is still a woman and of course she did not say exactly what she felt. So about 5 minutes after her dad left for work she was in hysterics over not having a pinkwood derby car. I practically had to force her in the doors of the school. Luckily I was volunteering in her class, so I could take her in and make sure she made it to class. I was feeling really bad for her, it was not her fault that she did not have a car. So, as I am making copies in the hall at school I call my friend Kristen and plead for her help in attempting to make Haley a car. Long story short..... we made the cutest car in 3 1/2 hours (part of that time was spent at Michaels buying some supplies). I think that is a record. I knew that it would definitely not be the fastest car there, but I wanted to make sure it was the cutest. I think we did a pretty dang good job!!! Haley was elated when she came home from school. The look on her face brought tears to my eyes and made it all worth it. It really has been Haley's week!

Haley- Star Student of the Week!

Haley was picked to be the very first "Star Student of the Week" in her class. She came home and was not happy about being first. If you know Haley she does not enjoy being the center of attention. But there was not much she could do about it but do what was required. On Tuesday she had to bring a sack full of items that represented her and her favorite book to read to the class. Today, one of her parents had to write a letter to the class about Haley. I took the liberty to give this responsibility to her father. I knew he would do such a great job and that he did. Her teacher, Mrs. Watkins came up to me after school and told me how wonderful her letter was. She said it gave her chills when she read it. I think he described Haley perfectly in his poem. We love you Haley! The following is the poem that he wrote to Haley....

MY ODE TO HALEY

Written By Her Father, Scott Hendricks

Why is Haley so Special?

Because she puts the

H-the E- the N-the D- the R-the I- the C-the K-and the S

In HENDRICKS!

Without her, we couldn’t be, we wouldn’t be the Hendricks.

H

Haley puts the H for helpful in our family. Every Saturday morning, Haley can be found doing Saturday chores. She cleans the bathroom, sorts the laundry, cleans her room, and dusts all of the furniture.

E

Haley you might say is a little bit of a perfectionist, but I prefer to say, she is an “Excellentist”. Haley always try’s to do her best. Haley puts Excellence in the letter “E”.

N

You could say N is for Nanny, as sometimes Haley feels like a nanny to her 2 younger sisters and 1 younger brother. But I think the N stands for nurturing. She encourages, loves, and inspires her younger siblings.

D

When duty calls, Haley is there. She takes the roles of daughter, sister, and friend very seriously and we count ourselves lucky to have a daughter, sister, and friend we can count on.

R

Haley loves a good love story and ALWAYS hopes for a happy ending. The R you ask?- Why Haley is a true ROMANTIC!

I

Integrity is her middle name. She is honest, even when it appears that lying would giver her an advantage, or at least keep her out of trouble. Haley knows how to choose the right.

C

Careful and cautious, that is for certain. She will always test the water before jumping in. Safety first has always been her motto!

K

Kind in everyway- This is my favorite thing about Haley. She is quick to compliment, to befriend another and to love!

S

She is my SUPERHERO!

I wish I could be like her! Haley I LOVE YOU!

So remember Haley and that she is a HENDRICKS—

Helpful, Excellent, Nurturing, Dutiful, Romantic, Integrity, Careful, Kind, and a real live SUPERHERO!

She is a HENDRICKS!