Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas from the Chatelain Family

Hi, I'm Crystal and I'm a Mormon!

Recently, my ward was asked to make a profile on Mormon.org.  I have placed my profile and thought I would share.  Just click on my name..

My name is Crystal and I'm a Mormon!

Love to Learn Celebration

In the middle of last year I pulled Randi out of school and started a new adventure.  She loved it so much she decided to do it again this year.

Randi is now attending a Virtual Academy here at home with the K12 curriculum.

We attended a Back To School party this week with other K12/VA students.

we ate pizza and made some new friends

We have a lot of fun while learning at our house.  She is an amazing girl and I am so happy to have her with me all day.

A Long Week

This is what the first week of school did to Ellie.

The cup of milk and muffin in her hands dropped out before I could grab the camera.

Ella goes to school

I often question my sanity and today was no different.

My bright 4 year old needed more than just playing with Mom all day.  So I had her tested for early entry Kindergarten.  Frankly in the middle of summer it seemed like forever away and it wouldn't be a big deal.

Then the acceptance letter came...  and I cried.

Then I needed to turn in her registration forms...  and I cried.

Then the first day of school came...  and I couldn't stop crying.

This is my baby ready to go to school.

The day was long, quiet, and uneventful for me but I am sure it was an amazing adventure for her.

She came home happy and loved every minute of it!

The next day she got to ride the bus.

I found out that I am not the only one that follows the bus.

Her big brother helped her out the first few days.

He even makes sure she gets home

I made it through the first couple of days.  

I hope I can make it through the year.

Swimming Lesson Time Again

What great fun this time of year is!

Ella learned the most this year

The back float

The front crawl

and the backstroke

Ryder learned to dive

He is doing pretty good at it too.

Randi, well I think at some point they are going to ask me to stop putting her in lessons.  She has been in the top level for 3 years now.

Only because this is a reason to get into the water.

Maybe next year the swim team will just have to be enough.

Sushi Night

Tonight we had a fun time making sushi for dinner.

First we got the Nori

Then we layered the rice onto the nori

Then we picked some yummy stuff to put inside

and rolled them all up

After they were all rolled up we had Dad cut them

Everyone topped them a little different.  Some had nothing, some had Eel sauce,

and some were made into a Volcano Roll and baked

All while Ella looked cute!

The best part was the dessert sushi we made.

with Rice Krispies (the rice),

fruit roll ups (the Nori),

Swedish Fish (obviously the fish), and Jelly Fruit Slices.

We rolled them and cut them

and drizzled some chocolate sauce (Eel Sauce) on top

We had so much fun!!

Admit it!  Now you want to have a family Sushi night too!

Girls Camp 2011

Randi went to Girls Camp this year.  She was so excited to go!

There was a sad goodbye

Then she was off

I have no pictures of camp because she said she was having so much fun she forgot to pull her camera out to get a picture.  

I heard a few stories of her getting lost on the hike.  She was with 2 adult leader and her YCL.  She hasn't said much about it but I have heard from many people about it.  I guess there is a lesson to be learned in everything.

She got home this afternoon, dirty and tired and happy to be home!

She had an amazing time!

Ella's Hair Affair

I enjoyed Ella's hair for 3 years before I finally decided she could get her first haircut.  I was so sad to see those curls fall to the floor.  Look how it has grown in just about 6 months.

She loved her long hair.  She likes having braids, ponytails, and pretty flowers put in it. 

So why is she standing in a salon?

I'll tell you why.

A few weeks ago all the kids were playing in the other room when I hear "Oh No!"  

I heard Randi jump up and take care of things.  I decided that if it was that big of a "Oh No!" she would have been in telling me about it.  No one was telling me anything so I continued folding clothes and pretended I didn't hear anything.

Randi was being such a big help the next few days I barely got to see Ella.  She was jumping to help her get dressed and do her hair.  Ella was enjoying the attention and loved all the new hairstyles Randi was coming up with.

The other day, Ella was talking to me and I noticed something odd.  

Can you see it?

Try this one...

Now can you see it? 

Look at her right shoulder...

When I asked her what happened she calmly told me that RANDI cut her hair.  In disbelief I scolded her for lying.  After all, why would my 11 year old cut her LITTLE sisters hair?  I just knew Ella had done it and didn't want to get into trouble, so I called Randi in and asked the question...

I couldn't believe my ears.

While playing "Hairstylist" she had grabbed my good scissors and cut a hunk out of Ella's hair.

Really, that shouldn't surprise me.  

We have a stuffed lamb, from one of my Nativity sets, that also had his hair trimmed by Randi, the amazing hairstylist.

But this time it was her sister and I had to go get it fixed.

It's a good thing Ella loves her sister.

It's a good thing I broke down and got her first haircut 6 months ago.

It's a good thing I have found a good hairstylist.

It's a good thing Ella's hair grows fast.

It's a good thing Randi can run faster than I can.

I am thinking I need to find that girl a good Cosmetology School!

Swim Meet

Randi had her first swim meet this morning.  She did an amazing job!

and she's off!

She swam the freestyle, back stroke,

breast stroke, and the butterfly.

Dad helped with timings.

Ryder helped pass out ribbons

and Ella and I watched!