Into The Groove...At WEE School

Well, we have completed three full weeks at WEE school. The girls only go 2 days a week so they have been a total of 7 days including today. Lauren did absolutely wonderful the first two days. She would walk in with me, sit down at the table to play and then turn around a give me a kiss and hug and say "bye, bye mama". I was so proud of her and thought "Man, she is making this easy!" Well, that all came to a screeching halt starting the third day. By day three, she was CRYING for me to not leave her. She would reach out for me and the teacher would have to take her screaming and crying. I hated leaving her but I knew she would calm down within minutes (which she did). I think she started to understand that this was going to be an ongoing thing. Today was a little better. She didn't throw as big of a fit. But as soon as we started to walk towards her room, she started to grab my leg and say "no mama, no mama". Oh, I hate leaving my precious angel when she says that! I can say that after she gets over me leaving (which is a couple of minutes!) she really does enjoy school. She loves playing with her friends, taking her lunch and doing crafts. She will soon realized that her mommy will ALWAYS come back for her.

Sammy is doing a fabulous job at WEE school!! She is soooo excited to go. I have no problem dropping her off. She puts her backpack in her basket, takes out her lunchbox and goes right into the room (after she has given a few hugs out to some friends). She gives me a big hug and kiss and I tell her I will come back later to pick her up. She loves her friends, her teachers and the things they do. She gets so excited when I say "You have school tomorrow". Sammy definately loves school!

Cheese Pancakes?

Sammy is so cute! Here FAVORITE thing to eat is cheese. That girl could live off of cheese alone! It never fails about two or three times a day she will ask for cheese and she always request for me to put cheese in her lunch for school. So tonight I was giving her kisses goodnight and asked her if she wanted me to make some pancakes in the morning and she said, "oh yes!". I then asked if she wanted me to put chocolate chips in the pancakes. She thought for a moment and replied, "I want cheese in my pancakes." so cute! I told her that was a good idea but it might not taste too good so she settled for the chocolate chips.

She also made me laugh on our way to Sonic. I asked her if she wanted a Sonic Slushy and what kind of slushy. She replied, "Yes, I want a Snonic Snushly...watermelon please." I said, "A snonic snushly?" and she giggled and said "yes, a snonic snushly". She tried to say it right but didn't quite get there. We all got a good laugh. Love these little moments...so precious!

The Lion King

Samantha and I got a treat this weekend! We got to go to Dallas Music Hall with Jamie and her crew to see the Lion King musical. It was awesome! The costumes and the music were awing! Samantha did such a great job watching the show and paying attention. She loves to sing and loves the spot light so this was right up her alley! Her favorite parts were the ballet dance, the monkey and the big giraffes. I would love to go back and take the whole family. I am going to add that to my "to do list" for next summer...or spring.

Where Is Pumpkin?

Sammy is SO CUTE!! Here favorite song right now is "Where is Pumpkin (Thumpkin)?" I need to videorecord her singing this song because she is so cute! And yes, I have so sing it quite often. I remember singing that song with my mom when I was little. Funny how life comes to full circle.

Get Your Head In The Game!

Okay, so Austin has been practicing flag football for about three weeks and the only thing Russell and I have to say to Austin is "Get your head in the game son!" Bless his little heart, he is learning that whether he is playing soccer, football, baseball, basketball or whatever, you are there to play the game and NOT goof off with your friends or be in "la la land"! Russell and I had a BIG talk with Austin last week and told him that he has to give it everything he's got and just do his best. We told him that he has the potential of being a GOOD player...he just has to try. For pete's sake, Russell played football for Texas Tech (until he got sick, that is another story), but that boy has some good athletic genes! Anyways, Austin did an outstanding, phenomenal job today his the flag football game! He finally understood what it meant to play defense (give it all you got to get that flag). Austin got 4 flags today and was a fast and I mean a FAST runner. The opposing team starting having their runner run the ball on the opposite side of the field from Austin. We are so proud of him!! We never expect him to BE the best, we just want him to DO his best and learn to have fun doing it! Way to go Austin! We knew you could do it!

TobyMac

I am sooo excited!! I just got done purchasing tickets for the TobyMac concert on Sunday, September 30th at the Pizza Hut Park in Frisco!! Casey and Emily are going with us! If you have not had a chance to experience the music of TobyMac...well you are missing something good my friend! Check out the awesome, uplifting sounds of TobyMac on his MySpace page...such a talented artist!!

First Flag Football Game

Last Saturday was Austin's first flag football game! Honey and Sugar come to watch Austin play. He got to be the quarterback for that game. The coach will all of the boys a chance to play all of the positions. Austin had a lot of fun playing and really did a good job! Russell and I are trying to teach him to "get his head in the game" and be a little more aggressive. I don't think he quite gets the whole "winning" thing yet. That's okay though, he has a blast playing and that is what really counts!

A huddle before the game...talking strategy!

Daniel, Austin, Grayson, Sawyer, Lance, Devion, Garrett, Trevor & Austin

I made this sign for the boys to run through. Look at their faces! They were so excited to run through it!

Austin looks like a happy camper!

Down...set...hut!

Working for Stickers

That is what my kids are doing, working to earn stickers. When school started, I decided to start a new reward system with Austin and Samantha. Let me just say, it is working! Austin and Sammy each have their own charts and earn stickers by doing good things. When their sticker chart is full, they get to choose a reward. I sat down with Austin and Sammy and let them tell me some of the things that they would like to have as a reward.

I have been having a hard time with them getting up in a good mood, getting Sammy to behave while I brush her teeth (she is not fond of me brushing her teeth) and getting them to help me pick up their toys. Well, my system is working and I just have to mention to word "sticker" for them to jump up and see what they need to be doing. I just hope that I can stay consistent with this. That has always been my down fall. I have great ideas and implement them, I just have a hard time being consistent with them! But the kids sure do a good job keeping me on my toes..."Mommy do I get a sticker?"

I made their charts and had them laminated at Kinko's. At the bottom of each chart I put how they can earn a sticker and a list of rewards to choose from once their chart is full.

Austin and Sammy have both filled up their charts two times! The first time we rewarded them with Chuck E. Cheese. Now that they have filled up their chart the second time, Austin will have earned the clothes I bought for him at Old Navy (hey, nothing is free) and Sammy wants to invite Ben Greer to play at the park. Hopefully the weather will stay nice and we can enjoy the park!

Pneumonia in September?

That is what we are wondering. How did Russell at the age of 34 get pneumonia in September? Russell coughed up some blood a week and half ago. When he called Dr. Westmoreland, he wanted him to go to the hospital and get a chest x-ray. The x-ray showed everything to be fine and so did the blood work. But the doctor was still concerned, so he had Russell go in for a CT Scan on Thursday. The CT Scan showed that he had pneumonia in both lungs and a mass on his liver. Dr. Westmoreland gave Russell some antibiotics and told him that he wants to investigate the mass on his liver further when he gets over the pneumonia because the mass on the liver is not in a good area. The mass is pushing again a main artery and vein. Therefore, he thinks that Russell might have to have surgery to have it removed....oh great!

Today was a hectic day. I spent the night at my mom and dad's to give Russell some peace and quiet to get some rest. (Our home is never quiet with the kids here.) I called Russell this morning to see how he was doing and he said that he had a rough night and was feeling worse. He told me that his lungs were hurting and he was in constant pain. Dr. Westmoreland told him that he would need to go to the emergency room if he started to feel worse. I told him it sounds like we needed to take a trip to the emergency room. He finally gave in with a little coaxing from me! Well, I know to expect to be at the hospital a minimum of 3-4 hours when we go to the emergency room. And I was right...we were there from 12:00 pm-5:00 pm. They discharged Russell and basically said that his vital signs were great and he was young & healthy so go home and get some rest...what?...are you freaking kidding me?! Poor Russell was in pain and just wanted some relief. I was sure they would admit him...guess that's why I am not a doctor. The emergency room doctor did write him a prescription for a cough syrup with codine...great!...we will take it!! Russell is now passed out in bed but only feels good if he is not moving at all! I pray that Russell gets better and the mass on his liver turns out to be something simple to fix.

Russell and Austin were supposed to go on a fishing trip this weekend. That got cancelled when Russell started feeling bad. Austin was a little disappointed but told his daddy that he hopes he gets better. My parents and I took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese last night (their FAVORITE place). That took Austin's mind off of not going fishing. Austin is such a good sport. He was more worried about his daddy than a little fishing trip! So sweet!

Labor Day Weekend

We went to Casey & Emily's lake house for Labor Day weekend. It was the first time that just the family went somewhere together! We all enjoyed spending time together and the kids had a blast! We had fun swimming, riding the 4-wheeler, riding in the boat, riding the jet skis, fishing and running around playing! At night after the kids went to bed, the adults would sit outside on the porch and talk. It was so peaceful and quite! I can't wait to go back!!

Sammy sure looks happy!

Lauren is so funny! She spent some time doing forward rolls in the front yard and thought she was so funny! I forgot to pack her a swimsuit for the weekend...oh well...I try to remember everything!!Another silly face from my Silly Sammy!Little Emma. The kids had so much fun playing with her! Lauren and Sammy play so well with Emma. Sammy likes to try to pick her up. We have to remind her that Emma is a real baby and can get hurt. I think she just wants to love on her.

Casey and Russell getting the jet skis out for us to play on. Austin and Sammy are ready for the boat ride. They are COMPLETE opposites on the boat!! Austin: "Slow down! You are going too fast!" Sammy: "Faster! Faster!" Austin is VERY nervous on a boat. I can't blame him, he gets that from me! He gets nervous about the other boats and waves. He calms down and enjoys the ride after about 10 minutes. Sammy will jump into a boat and can't wait to go...fast!! She loves the water and a thrill ride!Austin nervously looking aroud to make sure there were no boats nearby and make sure the waves were not too high. Aunt Emily & Uncle CaseyUncle Casey let Sammy drive the boat. She had so much fun! He asked Austin if he wanted to drive and he said no. I think he was just nervous and needed to be on lookout. "Look mommy! A worm for fishing....eeewww." Austin was very proud of himself for picking up a worm. Usually we have to call in Sammy for the dirty work. She will pick up anything! Brave little girl!The girls loved playing with the water table. This was a great way to them to enjoy the water and get wet! Watching the ducks.

My mom, Emily and I got to go to Canton on Sunday. We left the kids with the "dads" and had a girls day to play. We left around 10 am and got back around 4 pm. We had so much fun together!! I really enjoy spending time with mom and Emily. We don't get to do it often. Mom bought me this SUPER CUTE Kalencom diaper bag at Canton. I absolutely love it!!! I bought these pumpkin stakes at Canton. I put them outside when we got home and Austin asked if it was Halloween already. He is so cute! I told him no, I was getting ready for Fall.

Sink or Swim?

Over the last few weeks my plate has been FULL, FULL, FULL!! I am wondering whether I should sink or swim....today I chose to swim!! Today was a busy day! I had my first big Fall 2007 shipment go out today to Solutions Catalog. I have three big outgoing shipments pending. Fall orders have officially started for the Candle Carvers and I am very excited to move them out the door! I just pray that God continues to bless my business venture and exceed my expectations. Today was the first day of Wednesday morning bible study. I facilitate the study so there were many things that I had organize to prepare for this morning. Wednesday nights also started back at church and I am teaching the Hands On Bible Study to the 4 & 5-year-olds. It was a good little group tonight. I am also fortunate enough to be the Preschool Director at church. This Sunday is the Sunday that we promote the children to new classes and have new teachers. I am busy trying to fill all of my teacher spots, copy curriculum, clean & organize rooms and get all of my paperwork in order. It will all get done...eventually! Since Fall is in full swing, bow orders have gone UP...which is a good thing! Did I mention that I am on the WEE school board, participate in the PTA and am helping with the Yearbook this year at Austin's school? I think I must have filled my plate at the local buffet!! Fall is just sooooo busy for me! I am just glad that school has finally started, teachers presents were made and distributed and Lauren's backpack is finished. Tomorrow I have an eye appointment for my contact lens exam and then I am meeting Jamie for lunch. Just about the time things start to settle down the holidays will kick in...ugh!

WEE school

Yesterday was the first day of WEE school. Lauren and Sammy were VERY excited! Sammy has been asking me for a week when school is going to start for her. I stayed up late Monday night finishing Lauren's backpack. It turned out cute and Lauren loved it! Both of the girls did a great job getting ready for school. They were both busy carrying around their nap maps before we left. Dropping them off was no problem. They both just walked right into their classrooms and started to play. I was lucky to get a goodbye kiss and wave! I was very proud of them. My little girls are growing up! When I picked them up, Sammy's teachers said that she was PERFECT! YEA!! I was hoping that she would have good day and play well with her friends. Lauren also had a fabulous day! Good job girls!

The girls were ready to get to school.

Samantha- 3-year-old class

Lauren- 2-year-old class

I made clipboards for teacher gifts. They turned out pretty cute. The quote in the corner says "For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." Psalm 91:11

Ms. Kristen and Ms. Kelly liked their clipboards and Lauren enjoyed giving them to her teachers.

Lauren & Ms. Kristen

Lauren's teachers had playdoh out for the kids to play with. Lauren sat right down and started playing. She gave me a kiss and told me "bye bye". I guess she is Miss Independent!

I made Lauren a special backpack. She was so excited to get it and wanted to wear it right away! The backpack is just about as big as she is...too cute! I hope this backpack lasts through first grade...we will see!

Samantha was also excited about giving her teachers their clipboards. Her teachers loved them!

Sammy & Ms. Heather

Ms. Christine & Sammy