So much to be happy about!

Sooo....it's been a bit since I posted here, and I promise that I am going to do better...I've been busy getting my happy on!  I hope you all have been too.

My spring ended with a very successful graduation week, in which our seniors were awesome and honored in a whole lot of ways.  One of our students was recognized with a National Sportsmanship Award and will be featured in the movie, Greater, which is the life story of Brandon Burlsworth, after whom the award is named.

Shortly after this, my daughter and I trekked (along with her project partner Anaya and teacher Michael Nielson) to the University of Maryland for the National History Day Competition week. What an amazing journey!

Here we are in front of the Supreme Court.  We also got to see the Senate filibuster on Gun Control from the Senate Gallery that day!  Quite an experience.  Words of wisdom?  Get your kids involved in NHD.  The website is www.nationalhistoryday.org.  So proud of these girls!  I have been named--today--regional director for the Colorado Four Corners/Tribal Region of NHD Colorado.  I am so excited to bring this to all of the students in this area!

Back home for a few days, then off to basketball camp #2 for the summer.  Here is my point guard bringing the ball up the court.  I love this kid so much.  He works so hard at the things he loves, and he works harder at the things he doesn't, so he can do the things he loves.

I have recently been named to the Board of Directors for the Colorado Association of Secondary School Principals, an advocacy group that supports the work of teaching and learning for all students in the state of Colorado.  I am already a member of the Legislative Outreach Committee of the Colorado Association of School Executives, and I am anxious to see how these tie in together.

I also recently finished a fellowship for the School Retool Model.  This model uses the elements of Design Thinking to transform schools.  It is the BEST professional development I have ever done!  I am fully charged for the coming year, and my amazing, awesome, professional, fantastic staff are ready to jump with me!  I can't wait!!!  You will find more information at www.schoolretool.org.

And did I mention, we bought a boat?  Well, yes!  We bought a boat!  And we are up early for a fishing trip tomorrow--which is how I get my summer happy on!

Tell me how you've been getting your happy on!  Can't wait to hear!

Jen

Because I have so much extra time on my hands...

I have decided to take on a side business of baking custom cupcakes.  I have always loved baking and cake decorating, and I have talked about this for a long time.  My retirement job will be to open a bakery called "Three Sweet Bees,"  which is a tribute to two dear friends.  

This fall, I have had three big baking projects completed:

This is my husband's birthday cake!  It is a carrot cake made from carrots I picked from our garden that morning, with cream cheese buttercream and chopped pecans.  He loves carrot cake!  We devoured this pretty quickly!

These beauties are Pumpkin Spice Latte cupcakes that I made for a school bake sale.  The straws are fondant that I made by rolling it around the outside of an actual straw.  I love how these turned out.  I found the wrappers on Pinterest somewhere and used them, since the bake sale was for a non-profit.  I would not use these same wrappers if I was selling these for a business, as the logo is trademark and copyright protected.

And this beauty...my daughter's 14th birthday cake from the House of Gryffindor...or however you spell it.  I am not a Harry Potter fan.  I've read only one of the books, so I have basically no knowledge.  But my daughter wanted a Harry themed party.  The cake features the Gryffindor scarf, Harry's glasses and lightning bolt scar, and a Golden Snitch, all made of fondant.  The Sorting hat topper is made from Rice Crispies Treats and covered in fondant.  The cake is butterbeer flavored, with Butterbeer buttercream.  She loved her cake, and I loved making it.

As a result of these three projects, I now have my first custom order.  "Whatever you feel like making."  Not sure what I will make.  I was thinking something "fall-y," but I don't know.  Have a great day, everyone!