September/October 2019

I'm way late in posting this....yet again!  I've been subbing a bunch and the girls have been busy too.  Can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving.  Where did fall go?  We've had wacky winter weather in Texas too, so it really feels like I missed out on fall.

So what have we been up to you may ask?  The girls are still loving school and learning lots.  They've had some fun dress up days, the favorite being book character day.  We've also done Field Day and I got to go with Hannah's class on a field trip.  Both girls have also been chose as Star Student for displaying the character trait of the week.  So proud of them both.

We've spent TONS of time at church lately....even more than usual.  The girls got to sing a special quartet part on Sunday with the adult choir and orchestra.  They are also part of the select ensemble for our upcoming Christmas program.  And the kids choir just did their yesterday.  Hannah was part of the drama cast, though she didn't have any lines.  Lots of rehearsal hours put in and they both loved every minute.

This blog is mostly about the girls but I have to mention my silly kitty every once in a while.  Hannah got a loft bed for the birthday almost 2 years ago. We've put Domino in it before and he never seemed to care.  He just recently decided it's a nice place to sleep.  It's hilarious to watch him climb the ladder to get up there.  Silly silly kitty boy!

We had SO MUCH FUN with our Halloween costumes this year.  We've done a family theme for the last 4 years but I think this one is my favorite.  We chose Wizard of Oz.  I must give my mom all the credit for helping make costumes and taking the amazing photographs.  Yes the yellow brick road was created in Photoshop, but it looks amazing!

Stay tuned for more updates....maybe even on time. 😋

October 2018

We have several new staff members at our school this year so that means a few new activities.  We had some fun dress up theme days for book fair week and Red Ribbon week.

 Decades Day

 Tacky Tourist Day

 Twin Day

Super Hero Day

We also did Field Day in October (instead of May).  It definitely wasn't hot this year, but we did have some rain.  We only had to wrap thing up about an hour early so most of the kids got to play all the games.  All in all a fun day!

We wanted to do family themed Halloween costumes again this year.  So my mom and I started hunting on Pinterest at the end of the summer.  We decided on bee keeper and honey bees.  Thanks to my mom for all her hard work making costumes and for taking our pictures as well.  We were lucky to get any pictures with all the rain we've had, we took advantage of a 30 minute break in the rain to do a mini photo shoot. The ground was squishy and we had to avoid mud....yuck!

May 2018

The month of May is always CRAZY busy and this year was no different.  I can't believe another school year is almost over.  It seems like just yesterday we were getting ready to start school.  I am however excited about summer and getting to spend more time with my girls!

The month started off with a bang with 3 events in the same week.  The kindergarten classes at school did a performance for all the parents entitled "Going On a Bear Hunt."  It was so cute and they all did a great job.  Our music teacher is awesome and I know she worked really hard on getting the kids ready for this.  I didn't get any great pictures, but I promise Abigail is up there in the middle.  😁

The next day we got to hear Hannah play at her piano recital.  She did awesome as did the rest of the kids.  Hannah truly loves to perform and doesn't seem to get nervous before playing like I always did.  Abigail is counting the days until she gets to start lessons....mid June....so very soon!

Then that Sunday the kids choir at church did their spring musical.  This year it was called Let's Rock and taught the kids about how we all have to work together as the body of Christ.  No one job or talent is the most important.  Hannah sang another solo and Abigail's class this semester was black light puppets.  They performed a song too.  Abigail is the orange puppet in the front between the skeleton and green one.  Hannah picked a drawing class this time and loved it.

Every grade at our school gets to go on two field trips each year.  One is to the Outdoor Learning Center which ties into the science curriculum.  They have nature trails and lots of indoor rescue animals.  It's a neat place.  Both of Hannah's field trips ended up being in May this year and I was able to go on both...yeah!  I am a little sad that Hannah only wanted to sit with me on the bus on the way back to school on both trip and with a friend on the way there.  Guess that means she's growing up...sniff!!  Their other field trip was to the Sci Tech Discovery Center.  They had lots of cool hands on exhibits. We were there about a little over an hour and then we headed to a nearby park for a picnic and some playtime.  It was a state testing day for older kids at school so it was really nice to be gone almost all day. It was a really fun day!! Here's few pictures from both trips.

I volunteered at Field Day by myself this year.  Abigail was super excited to be an official participant this year and not just my assistant. 😁  Everyone had lots of fun despite the heat and humidity.  Let's just say I had to come home and take another shower when I was finished.....yuck!!

We finished out the year with the end of year party.  Kindergarten had a summer theme with a popsicle craft and then they got to eat real popsicles for their treat too.  2nd grade went super easy and had ice cream sundaes and then played on the playground. 

Even though both girls LOVE school they are ready for more play time and a relaxed schedule.  We have several things planned so we'll stay busy this summer.  I did my substitute renewal training last week so I'm all set to work again next year.  I really enjoyed being back in the classroom but with the flexibility to do volunteer things as a parent too. 

May 2017

We started off the month with Hannah's piano recital.  She did such a good job and I am so proud of all her hard work this year.  She seems to really enjoy performing and "sparkles" for an audience.

Then Hannah's church choir did their spring performance.  This semester it was Kingdom Connection about King Saul, King David, King Herod, King Solomon, and can't forget King Jesus.  All the kids did a great job and Hannah had so much fun.  She picked dance class again this semester and they got to perform as well....so cute.  These great photos were taken by Jack Hess.

Hannah's school did Muffins with Mom for Mother's Day.  So much fun!  They even had a sheet for the kids to fill out asking mom questions.   Even snapped a quick selfie before walking her to class.

Lots of Hannah activities, so I should post about Abigail too.  =)  We met one of my friends from college and her little girl for a play date and lunch. Alexa is a year younger than Abigail, but they have so much fun together.  And Kendra and I always enjoy visiting as well.  Love that we are still friends after 20 years....and that makes me feel old to type that. =P

Nathan and I also volunteered for Field Day at Hannah's school.  Such a fun day!  And we lucked out and it was cloudy with a slight breeze so it wasn't unbearably hot.  Abigail was a great helper too.

I can't believe another year is over and that Hannah is no longer a 1st grader.  She had a great year, learned a lot, and grew too!  Check out the comparison photo (thanks mom)!

May 2016

We started off the month by watching Hannah's spring church choir program.  The performed the Go Tour - about taking the gospel to the nations.  Hannah picked dance as her class this semester and had so much fun.  They performed to an Indian themed song so they got to wear saris.  It was a great performance. Photo credit goes to Jack Hess

The baby Canadian geese we've been watching finally hatched.  We've taken several trips up to the college to see them.  So so cute!!

These girls are awfully cute too.  =)

For those who are not on Facebook you may not have heard that Nathan has been stuck in Philadelphia for over a month.  =( =(  He works for Verizon and they have union employees up north (NY, NJ, PA, MD, RI,etc).  Their contract was up in August and everyone thought they were going to strike but they thought they could negotiate.  Things were going nowhere and so Verizon drew their line in the sand on April 12.  The union was not happy and walked April 13.  So all employees with an Emergency Work Assignment (EWA) were notified at 5 am on April 13 to book a flight to their assigned location.  So while the union workers stand outside and walk the picket line, those with an EWA are doing their jobs, going into people's houses to repair phone and internet lines.  The hours are bad: 12 hour day, 7 days a week.  Thankfully they get paid overtime for all hours over the normal 40 hour work week.  We all HATE that Daddy is gone, but are trying to make the best of the situation.  Nathan was able to come home for a visit the 2nd weekend in May.  We loved having him home and had some great time together as a family.  It was hard to say goodbye again and send him back to Philadelphia.  We are praying things get resolved soon so everyone can return home to their normal jobs.

Hannah had her kindergarten performance a few weeks ago.  It was so cute and the kids did a great job.  They sang about 10 songs and each one demonstrated a concept they had learned this year in music class.

Abigail and I got to help with Field Day too.  It was fun to be on the other side as a volunteer and not the teacher.  The coaches did a great job planning things.  It was very well organized and had lots of really cute games.  Hannah had fun and so did we!!

Can't believe school is almost over and I will have a 1st grader.  Looking forward to lots of summer fun!