First Day of School

Today was our first day back to school after nine weeks off. NINE WHOLE WEEKS OFF!!! I think we all needed a break and the kids certainly deserved a break after the great school year we had. It was, seriously, our best school year yet. 

I originally thought we would start back with reading and math after the Fourth of July, but then I had this brilliant idea and decided to plan our whole year out over the summer. Yes, plan our whole year! And when I say "plan the whole school year", I really mean it. Everything is planned, printed off, prepped, in binders, in spreadsheets, book lists for each month made, special things planned out, make up days on the calendar..you name it...it's done. Why, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all this free time I'm going to have on my hands this year.  

Dallas was so excited to start school back up, he wanted to start Sunday night. Kristen did say this morning that she was getting a little bored with summer and was "kind of excited" to start school. Lauren woke up and said, "I wish I didn't have to do school for the rest of my life", then proceeded to dramically moan. 

Kristen

Grade: 6

Favorite Subject: Writing

What I want to be when I grow up: A photographer, Author, Lego designer, and Artist

Favorite Food: Chicken (fixed any way, but mostly fried and grilled), her daddy's hamburgers, and any fruit (especially watermelon)

Favorite drink: Fruit Punch and flavored tea

Best Friend: Hosanna

Favorite thing to do: Play Minecraft, Knit, Draw, Read, Swim and Play Barbies

I sure do miss my toddler girl who used to sit around reading "Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See", but I sure do love the fact that she can load and unload the dishwasher, change sheets on the beds, fix breakfast and lunch, help with school work, open boxes and put together toys, text people and control the radio while I'm driving...pretty much anything I need her to do, she can. It really is wonderful. People told me this day would come. I didn't believe them, but it did. And it really was in the blink of an eye, just like they said. 

She loves to write, but hates to write poetry. Can you guess what she had to do today? Two lines...just TWO. You would've thought I asked her to clean the toilet with a toothbrush. She did ask, "Can I write down a poem I have heard before?" Umm...no...that's plagiarism.

Lauren

Grade: 4

Favorite Subject: "Not doing school", but if I had to pick one for her it would be....hmmm....let me see....

What I want to be when I grow up: A Librarian

Favorite Food: peanut butter and jelly sandwich, Mac-n-cheese and cereal

Favorite Drink: water

Best Friend: Clara

Favorite thing to do: Swim, play Just Dance, paint, play Barbies, jump on the trampoline, and listen to music

It's so hard for me to believe we've made it to fourth grade. School has not been easy. The struggle is very real for her. I was a little afraid of how our school year would start since we took so much time off, but she picked right up with little instruction. I am hoping she will enjoy school a little more this year. Reading is still a struggle, even though we have come a long way. I'm so proud of her and all she accomplished this past year. I have high hopes for this year too. I finally think we've made it over the hump. Although, I'm pretty sure I've said that before.

This boy is excited to start a new school year. Can you tell?

Dallas

Grade: 1

Favorite Subject: Reading (as many books as he can)

What I want to be when I grow up: "I don't know. I just want to be a normal kid and go to school." 

Favorite Food: Country Fried Steak, Chicken Salad (with chicken in a biscuit crackers), and ice cream

Favorite Drink: Root Beer, but pretty much any drink he drinks he declares is his favorite. I guess that's what happens when you're "forced to drink water."

Best Friend: Lawrence

Favorite thing to do: Terrorize Kristen, fight with Kristen, Annoy Kristen, go in Kristen's bed because she gets mad, take Kristen's seat when she gets up. But, when he's not being a little bother, he likes jumping on the trampoline, swimming, playing with his swords or cars or little army men. 

This boy amazes me. God knew I needed an easy child. He knew I couldn't take another struggling reader, so he gave me a little boy with a passion for learning. He wants to be smart. He wants to know everything. I wish we could all have his enthusiasm when it comes to school. 

Double Digits

Happy 10th Birthday Lauren!

Wow! Ten years old! I'm not sure how that happened so quickly. I hope the next ten go by a little slower.

We had her birthday party on Saturday and since she turned ten she got to invite a few of her close friends to celebrate with her. It was very loud at times, but seeing Lauren's smile made it all worth it. 

Her actual birthday was on Sunday. We started the morning off with breakfast at IHOP.

She got to open some small presents since she got her big present at the party. Although we are still waiting for one to arrive.

This girl loves Just Dance. She was so excited to get the Disney version.

She also likes everything poo emoji. I'm not sure why though.

We went to see Hotel Transylvania 3.

And we ended the night with singing "Happy Birthday" and eating cupcakes.

Some of us really enjoyed the cupcakes. 

Happy Birthday Lauren Boo! I am so blessed to get to watch you grow. You keep me laughing, you make me so proud and you remind me everyday that miracles still happen. I love you to the moon and back, to infinity and beyond, forever and ever!

Happy 6th Birthday Dallas

Today, at 12:48 P.M. we celebrated this boy being born six years ago....only to realize he was actually born at 12:46 P.M. I'm just glad God made him just for us to love. 

This little face. Oh my. From the moment he was born he has demanded attention and we have all successfully spoiled him. 

He has kept me on my toes and had me saying phrases I never thought I would say.  Like, "Do not pee in your sisters hand" and "Get the toilet seat off your head."

He brings so much laughter to our lives. He likes candy, playing outside, school, reading, country fried steak, going to Meme and Papaw's, sunglasses, wearing socks, dancing, doing anything his dad is doing, pop tarts, Ninjago, anything green, doing flips on the trampoline, playing with Lawrence, eating grapes, going to the library, making homemade cards, playing in the bath.

He doesn't like brushing his teeth, eggs, going to bed, coloring, dirty hands, sleeping in the dark, getting his fingernails and toenails clipped, and green beans. 

It's hard to believe he is six, but his smile still makes my heart melt. 

This boy is so smart, independent, helpful, imaginative, loving, and responsible. I can't wait to see where life takes him. 

He wanted to go to IHOP and get country fried steak for his birthday dinner. So we got him a country fried steak as big as his head. 

We ended the night with Mario and Luigi cupcakes and singing happy birthday. He got a Star Wars watch, some headphones and a storm trooper monster truck. He looks so cute in his headphones. 

Happy Birthday Dallas! I love you to the moon and back to infinity and beyond forever and forever!!

Happy Birthday Kristen

Happy 11th birthday Kristen!

🎶 If I could turn back time 🎶 

I really would. Nothing makes you sadder than looking back through old pictures. And this girl has had my heart from the minute I knew she existed.

For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him. 1 Samuel 1:27

Little did I know that this little baby would grow into such a lovely little girl. She is so kind, always trying to do what is right. She works hard in school, always trying to do her best, even when things are hard. She is constantly telling us that she loves us and I look forward to the many hugs she gives me a day. I have been so blessed to see God working in her life. She is an amazing daughter and has been a wonderful big sister from the moment she earned that title. 

She likes: drawing, reading, spending time with Lauren, eating fruit, jumping on the trampoline, playing outside with Clara and Hosanna, hatchimals, Tsum Tsum's, Girl Scouts, stuffed animals, staying up late, sleeping in, going to Meme and Papaw's, playing Barbies, swimming, comfy clothes, painting, writing letters to her friend Anna, soft blankets, grilled chicken, and going to the library. 

Although she doesn't wear cute little tutu's anymore....

She'll always be my little girl. 

Since her birthday party isn't until next weekend and we are really trying to stay well, her special day was spent at Meme and Papaw's with some little gifts. We all had dinner at Panda Express. She got a watch and weaving loom from us. A jewelry box and a build-it-yourself robot from Meme and Papaw. 

We finished the night with a unicorn cupcake filled with cotton candy icing and singing Happy Birthday. I can't wait to celebrate her again this weekend! 

________________________________________________________________________________________

Kristen, 

Words cannot express how much I love you. One day, when you have a child of your own, you'll understand.  You have made me so proud. You keep me laughing and have grown to become quite witty. You keep me thinking (and googling) with all your many questions. And I keep loving you more and more with each passing day. In my book of life, YOU are one of my most beautiful chapters. Happy 11th birthday!

I love you to the moon and back to infinity and beyond forever and ever,

Mom

November

I'm so glad our November didn't fly by like October. However, I'm glad I'm starting to take pictures and blog because I realized that I barely remember November or October or any of the other months. The months just start blending together.

This month was a lot more laid back. We did kick off the month with the girls going to Juliette Low's birthday celebration campfire with Girls Scouts. Juliette Low is the founder of Girl Scouts. They made s'mores, made cupcakes out of candles, ate cupcakes, made cards and birthday hats. The best part was that it wasn't too cold and the rain pretty much held off. 

Kristen also got to go horseback riding and learn a lot about horses with Girl Scouts too.  It was so educational. Not only did they get to ride a horse, they also got to see what it was like to take care of a horse. Brushing, feeding and mucking out the stalls. They learned the different parts of a horse and how to clean their hooves. The care, time and money that goes into taking care of these animals was astonishing. They are beautiful animals. 

We also took a field trip to Blackstone to Bevell's Hardware to look at their Christmas holiday train display. This began over 30 years ago with two small trains on a 4 x 8 piece of plywood and is now an 18 x 56 train display with more than 10 trains and lots of scenery. We met Meme and Papaw there and then ate lunch at the Farmers Cafe. Kristen wasn't really excited about going to see a train. According to her, "Trains aren't my thing." But, she was excited about a day off from school. Afterwards she was happy and said it turned out better than she could imagine. 

The highlight was the Disney display. The castle even had "fireworks" that went off behind the castle. They also had a really long Disney train with characters from most of the Disney movies, plus other movies that weren't Disney. They even had the California Raisins! 

They had different eras of time depicted. The kids were particularly excited when they saw that the drive in movie really played a movie and it was Boss Baby. 

They had a circus with an actual working rollercoaster. 

One of my favorites was the burning building with actual smoke and water to put it out. So realistic with flashing lights and sounds. 

The kids also got their picture taken with the creepy conductor. 

We had a great Thanksgiving spent with family and friends. In school we made our thankful turkeys, did some fun Thanksgiving activities, learned about the first Thanksgiving feast, and talked about what it would be like to have a pet turkey.

Kristen would feed her pet turkey ice cream, turkey food, bacon and cookies. She would also take her turkey shopping. Lauren would feed her pet turkey strawberries, eggs, cookies and grass and would take her turkey to the park to swing. Dallas would feed his turkey a hamburger, chicken, ham, and sausage. He would eat, sleep and drink with his turkey. 

Kristen did a Thanksgiving roll a story. She had to write about things she rolled. It had to be about an Indian boy or girl at sunset in the woods and someone was lost. 

Here was her story:

Little Indian Princess

Once a long time ago there was a little Indian princess. Her name was Aiyana. Aiyana lived in the woods with her family and tribe. Aiyana had a friend. His name was Namito. Namito was a boy and was expected to hunt and make sure the tribe was safe. Aiyana was a girl and was expected to cook meals and make clothes. Aiyana liked being a girl, she just didn't want to stay inside and cook. Aiyana wanted to go out and explore. Aiyana asked her dad if she could explore, but Aiyana's dad said she had to stay and cook lunch. Aiyana was very sad when she walked out of her dad's teepee. When Aiyana was at the place where she cooked she heard someone call for help. Aiyana ran into the woods even though her dad said she couldn't. Aiyana kept running and then she saw Namito in one of his traps. Aiyana asked Namito what happened. Namito said he was setting the trap when his foot got caught. Aiyana took Namito back home. Aiyana told her dad what happened. Aiyana's dad said she was a hero and could go into the woods. 

Kristen loves to write. In fact, she wants to be an author when she grows up. 

Thanksgiving is the kickoff to the start of all of our Christmas traditions, like decorating the tree and opening our first Christmas movie. Last year I started wrapping some Christmas movies. One for each weekend leading up to Christmas. The kids take turns picking one out and unwrapping it. Our first movie was The Santa Claus. 

Eric, our elf on a shelf made his appearance and started his mischievousness this month. When we went to see the train, Eric appeared riding on our Dallas Cowboy Christmas train.

He's also decorated our eggs.

The kids also went and had their annual picture taken with Santa Claus.

Dallas ended up being sick for a few days this month. I thought it was the start of the croup, but I think it was a cold. He did run a fever and had a bad cough. But...he still did school even though I told him repeatedly that he didn't have to. He loves doing school and said it made him feel better. He had fallen asleep like this in this picture. For him to take a nap means he must be feeling bad. 

One of the reasons we went to see the train was because Dallas was learning and writing about trains in his Writeshop. Here is one of his writings about trains. 

And his published work. 

He also made a sponge train. 

Kristen read us a book about trains and we all, including me, learned how to draw a train. 

Dallas also got his very own library card. He was as excited as I was. I usually check out all of the books we need for the month at one time. This is a lot of books and I put most of them on hold to pick up. I really do need 4 library cards to accomplish this and for the kids and I to be able to check out our weekly book choices and dvd's. At least the library ladies know us now and I don't feel the need to explain why I am checking out three tote bags full of books and all of us are carrying a load of books in our arms as well. What can I say...we love free books.

This month we started reading The BFG by Roald Dahl. We have been enjoying his books. 

Since starting school we have read James and the Giant Peach and Matilda. I'm trying to read books that have movies that go with them. It's fun to discuss the similarities and differences with the kids and starting our school day reading together. We are looking forward to watching The BFG. 

This month our theme, per say, was art. We learned about a different artist each week and did our own versions of some famous paintings. 

We also did some very easy origami. The kids made book markers, cats and hearts. Our book markers needed to be a little smaller in order to be functional. Origami is harder than you would think. 

At the beginning of November, Dallas was finishing up his Writeshop unit on colors. We read some great books and also decided to make new heart shaped crayons out of our broken crayons, 

We also learned about forgiving and having patience in our character building.

Dallas is learning about telling time, so we played our super fun time telling game.

Lauren needed a little help with counting money, so I ordered the money bags game thinking it will help 

Dallas as well. Best money spent.

I can't believe that the next time I blog Christmas will be over.