Maybe it's a coincidence.
Maybe it's a tradition.
Maybe it's just an accident.
But...
As I was reading through my blog, I realized that I posted nine times each in September, October, and November. With the previous post being number eight for December, I thought I would take an extra couple minutes to create one last post for this month.
There.
Now the obsessive part of my personality can relax.
Ha!
About Me
- Kim
- "Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart." ~Unknown
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Top Ten
I thought it might be fun to finish out the year with a top ten list. I used to watch the David Letterman show all the time!
Top Ten Things I Did Over Christmas Break
1. baking cookies (I'm really kinda sick of cookie dough now)
2. cleaning up messes (this includes washing dishes repeatedly)
3. hanging out with family and friends
4. working (at the YMCA and the Olive Garden)
5. painting the house
6. taking and re-taking family pictures (again and again and again)
7. shopping (gotta love those gift cards)
8. eating
9. "planning" to exercise (really, I set my alarm and everything)
10. reading
NOTE: The above list is not all-inclusive. It simply represents some of the most frequent uses of my time during the holidays this year.
So, what did you do over Christmas break this year?
Top Ten Things I Did Over Christmas Break
1. baking cookies (I'm really kinda sick of cookie dough now)
2. cleaning up messes (this includes washing dishes repeatedly)
3. hanging out with family and friends
4. working (at the YMCA and the Olive Garden)
5. painting the house
6. taking and re-taking family pictures (again and again and again)
7. shopping (gotta love those gift cards)
8. eating
9. "planning" to exercise (really, I set my alarm and everything)
10. reading
NOTE: The above list is not all-inclusive. It simply represents some of the most frequent uses of my time during the holidays this year.
So, what did you do over Christmas break this year?
I don't know...really
I don't know where she comes up with some of the things she says! Sometimes Mike and I assume that she learns them from other people. But when we ask her where she hears things, Sammy just says "I don't know". 
The latest?
You stink like a muffin on the wall!
Don't ask me where she came up with it.
Don't ask me what it means.
I don't know.
But it sure was funny!
.
The latest?
You stink like a muffin on the wall!
Don't ask me where she came up with it.
Don't ask me what it means.
I don't know.
But it sure was funny!
.
Are you smarter than a 5th grader?
Mike's mom bought a new game to play on Christmas this year.
Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?
As a teacher, it bugged me that the questions were not at all related to the curriculum at the "supposed level" the game stated. I mean, first graders are not taught about the ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations! That's sixth grade level for sure! I've taught it! Oh well, it was still fun trying to answer the trivia questions together.
A tricky question (and by far the most clever answer) is listed below:
The question:
What is found directly beneath the icy surface of the North Pole?
a. ocean
b. glacial residue
c. bedrock
The correct answer:
a. ocean
Sammy's answer:
Santa Claus!
So, are you smarter than a fifth grader?
Maybe.
But are you as clever as our sweet little fifth grader?
I'll bet not!
She's such a silly thing sometimes!
Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?
As a teacher, it bugged me that the questions were not at all related to the curriculum at the "supposed level" the game stated. I mean, first graders are not taught about the ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations! That's sixth grade level for sure! I've taught it! Oh well, it was still fun trying to answer the trivia questions together.
A tricky question (and by far the most clever answer) is listed below:
The question:
What is found directly beneath the icy surface of the North Pole?
a. ocean
b. glacial residue
c. bedrock
The correct answer:
a. ocean
Sammy's answer:
Santa Claus!
So, are you smarter than a fifth grader?
Maybe.
But are you as clever as our sweet little fifth grader?
I'll bet not!
She's such a silly thing sometimes!
Bunton Family Highlights 2007
An excerpt from our yearly Christmas letter:
(Including the family picture I wanted to send but wasn't able to take and have developed in time to include with the letters I mailed out. Oh, did you notice it wasn't a photo after all? I guess I got tired of the poor lighting, lousy weather, blurry shots, and uncooperative children. So I asked Jonathan to design our family - "Stik Doodz" style! Pretty cute, huh?)
January:
* Mike living in Menomonie, WI and working for 3M
* Kim & the kids living in Bloomington until the end of the school year
* Sammy turns 10
* Sammy taking martial arts at the YMCA again
February:
* Mike quits 3M and returns to Bloomington to work for Boston Scientific
* We start looking for a new home in Bloomington
* Jon wins $50 for a poem he wrote
March:
* Find the new house we want!!! (under construction)
* List our house with Remax
* Get an offer on our house
* Sammy gives an extraordinary presentation at school about dogs (power point, guest speaker, etc.)
* Kim’s long-term sub job ends
April:
* Accept offer on our house and make an offer on the new house we want
* Jon tests for his brown/white belt in Tae Kwon Do
* Jon plays soccer for Cutters Academy
* Continued construction on our new house
May:
* Jon & Sammy’s writing pieces are published in the 3rd annual Templeton Family Anthology book
* So many house decisions to be made – hardwood, tile, carpet, cabinets, countertops, sinks, lighting...
* Jon performs in the talent show at school
* School is out! “Family FUN Camp” begins!
* Mike takes a new position at Boston Scientific – Operations Manager for Urology – CONGRATULATIONS!
June:
* New house is completed – time to move in!
* Old house sold – time to clean it out!
July:
* Sammy starts summer school
* Kim turns 31 (yikes) & Mike turns 34 (double yikes)
* Harry Potter #5 MOVIE comes out in theaters
* Harry Potter #7 BOOK comes out – we actually waited at Borders until 1:15am to get a copy!
August:
* Sammy gets glasses – they’re pink!
* Jon tests for his brown/black belt in Tae Kwon Do
* YMCA camp for one week
* Kim starts working at Olive Garden for extra $$$
* School starts– got a transfer to Templeton – YAY!
September:
* Kim’s newest obsession – “blogging” - begins
* Family trip to Holiday World
* Lump on Kim’s thyroid – tests, tests, & more tests
* Jonathan turns 12! (Fear Factor LIVE party)
* Jon plays soccer for Cutters – Mike is the coach
* Sammy taking martial arts and swimming at YMCA
* Decide to find a new home for Katie (the dog)
October:
* Jon & Sammy go to Bradford Woods Camp
* Kim starts long-term sub job teaching 6th grade
November:
* Kim has surgery to remove part of her thyroid
* Sammy’s orthodontic crib taken out of her mouth
* April & Pete have a baby – Katherine Lois Dabaie
December:
* Kim finally begins painting & decorating the house
* Jon tests for his red belt in Tae Kwon Do
So, that’s it. Our year in quick review (sort of).
No wonder I’m always so tired!
Stay tuned for more fabulously entertaining events during the upcoming year!
(Including the family picture I wanted to send but wasn't able to take and have developed in time to include with the letters I mailed out. Oh, did you notice it wasn't a photo after all? I guess I got tired of the poor lighting, lousy weather, blurry shots, and uncooperative children. So I asked Jonathan to design our family - "Stik Doodz" style! Pretty cute, huh?)
January:* Mike living in Menomonie, WI and working for 3M
* Kim & the kids living in Bloomington until the end of the school year
* Sammy turns 10
* Sammy taking martial arts at the YMCA again
February:
* Mike quits 3M and returns to Bloomington to work for Boston Scientific
* We start looking for a new home in Bloomington
* Jon wins $50 for a poem he wrote
March:
* Find the new house we want!!! (under construction)
* List our house with Remax
* Get an offer on our house
* Sammy gives an extraordinary presentation at school about dogs (power point, guest speaker, etc.)
* Kim’s long-term sub job ends
April:
* Accept offer on our house and make an offer on the new house we want
* Jon tests for his brown/white belt in Tae Kwon Do
* Jon plays soccer for Cutters Academy
* Continued construction on our new house
May:
* Jon & Sammy’s writing pieces are published in the 3rd annual Templeton Family Anthology book
* So many house decisions to be made – hardwood, tile, carpet, cabinets, countertops, sinks, lighting...
* Jon performs in the talent show at school
* School is out! “Family FUN Camp” begins!
* Mike takes a new position at Boston Scientific – Operations Manager for Urology – CONGRATULATIONS!
June:
* New house is completed – time to move in!
* Old house sold – time to clean it out!
July:
* Sammy starts summer school
* Kim turns 31 (yikes) & Mike turns 34 (double yikes)
* Harry Potter #5 MOVIE comes out in theaters
* Harry Potter #7 BOOK comes out – we actually waited at Borders until 1:15am to get a copy!
August:
* Sammy gets glasses – they’re pink!
* Jon tests for his brown/black belt in Tae Kwon Do
* YMCA camp for one week
* Kim starts working at Olive Garden for extra $$$
* School starts– got a transfer to Templeton – YAY!
September:
* Kim’s newest obsession – “blogging” - begins
* Family trip to Holiday World
* Lump on Kim’s thyroid – tests, tests, & more tests
* Jonathan turns 12! (Fear Factor LIVE party)
* Jon plays soccer for Cutters – Mike is the coach
* Sammy taking martial arts and swimming at YMCA
* Decide to find a new home for Katie (the dog)
October:
* Jon & Sammy go to Bradford Woods Camp
* Kim starts long-term sub job teaching 6th grade
November:
* Kim has surgery to remove part of her thyroid
* Sammy’s orthodontic crib taken out of her mouth
* April & Pete have a baby – Katherine Lois Dabaie
December:
* Kim finally begins painting & decorating the house
* Jon tests for his red belt in Tae Kwon Do
So, that’s it. Our year in quick review (sort of).
No wonder I’m always so tired!
Stay tuned for more fabulously entertaining events during the upcoming year!
"Mr. Bunton's" promotion test
It was an amazing test. I captured so much of it on video and had planned to upload it to our blog so everyone could see just how hard Jonathan (Ooops! I mean Mr. Bunton.) had to work to earn this belt. Unfortunately, the file size was way to large and I can't add it to the post.
Hmmmm.
Sometimes having the biggest, baddest video camera out there has its downfalls.
Suffice it to say, Jonathan kicked and punched his way through an amazing test of his martial arts skills. He really earned that red belt! And we are so very, very proud of his dedication and determination to improve his performance in Tae Kwon Do.
What matters most
Thank you, Mina.
Thank you for being there every Friday.
Thank you for being cheerful.
Thank you for loving Sammy.
Thank you for being patient on the tougher days.
Thank you for being flexible.
Thank you for learning the name of every stuffed dog Sammy brought to class.
Thank you for teaching Sammy her form.
Thank you for renaming the kicks so Sammy would remember them.
Thank you for your smile.
Thank you for your time.
Thank you for your effort.
Thank you for being you!!!
Today was Sammy's last day of Martial Arts for the fall session. Normally, each session ends with a "show-off" of what the students have learned followed by a yummy pitch-in dinner. Unfortunately, the dinner was postponed this year. Nonetheless, Sammy's "helper", Mina, (the girl who has volunteered with Sammy for the past year) found the perfect way to make the evening extra special for Sammy. They had their own little gift exchange. Mina gave Sammy a huge, soft, squishy stuffed dog (her favorite) and Sammy gave Mina a little dog keychain and a silly pair of socks...oh, and a HUGE hug!
A little "frosting" for our front door
As I promised...
Here is a picture of the gorgeous Christmas wreath that Ramona made for our front door. I have gotten so many compliments on it.
It's fun to have such talented family members.What's most interesting to me is that each person in our family has their own unique talents.
Each so crafty.
Each so different.
Each so appreciated.
Welcome, Baby Kate!
She's here! She's here! She's finally here!!!!
I'm an aunt...again.
But this time I get to be there from the very beginning! (sort of)
I feel like I have been waiting forever to meet this cute little girl. (Imagine how her proud must parents feel!)
Isn't she precious?
Look at those sweet lips and tiny button nose!
Such a little angel.
The basics:
name: Kathryn Lois Dabaie
parents: Pete & April Dabaie
birthdate: November 28, 2007
time of delivery: 11:01 pm
length: 18 inches
weight: 7 lbs 1 oz
Both mama and baby are doing well, resting and recovering at home with daddy.
What an exciting time for everyone.
Congratulations Dabaie Family!
Check out these other darling pictures of baby Kate. She is so incredibly tiny! And she even has a full head of shiny dark hair! It won't be long before she'll be wearing ribbons in her hair that match her adorable outfits.
.