Finally Friday!

We had a pretty good week back to school. It was tough getting back into the routine though. I really do dream of a job that starts at 8am and I know it sounds crazy to say I'd consider another position just for a later start time but it causes a crazy hardship on my family when I have to leave my house at 7am rather than 7:30 or later. Didn't say I was going to do it, but every morning when my alarm goes off at 5:30 I seriously do consider it.

Pete had to take up tickets at the basketball game tonight so it was just the girls at home. We popped popcorn and watched a couple of netflix movies on the wii. My sister in law told us about netflix via the wii several weeks ago but we'd never set it up until my friend Noel came down for New Year's and set it up for us. We love it!  I don't watch that much TV and neither do the girls,  but on a cold windy night like this, a movie, popcorn, and a snuggly blanket are great!  Both girls got to pick a movie. Ali picked Planet 51 and Addie picked a Veggie Tales movie. Ali loves Veggie Tales too but she won't tell anyone since she doesn't want anyone to know she still watches "kid movies". 

The girls have their first basketball game in the morning at 8:30. I wish it wasn't so early since I value my slow moving Saturday mornings but it should be a  blast. They are very excited and I can't wait to see them in action!

A great day to be sedated

This morning Addie had to have her last filling done at Dr. Spratling's office in Martinez. Addie ADORES Dr. Spratling and she loves going to the dentist. I don't know why she loves this train set at his office so much!  I really enjoyed the quiet afternoon at home today. Addie slept off her sedative most of the afternoon and since it was rainy and cold outside, it seemed like to me a state of sedation might be the way to go! I took a short nap but before I knew it it was time to pick Ali Grace up at EBA. 
Ali had a semi-meltdown on the way home today over having to stay 5 minutes after class to finish a spelling assignment. Good grief the child has a 100 average in Spelling. I had a long talk with her about reasons to melt down-  breaking the heel on a nice pair of italian leather pumps on the way to a broadway show, having to meet the United States Secretary of Agriculture in your sweatpants because of a flight delay out of Savannah, getting your garment bag caught in the people mover at Union Station...(all of which have happened to me)... now THOSE are reasons to melt down!!  Spelling homework? I don't think so. I think she was upset mostly because she was afraid I would be angry about her having to stay after class. Please child. I wish that was the worst disciplinary infraction I had to deal with as a teacher. We made chocolate chip cookies this afternoon and that seemed to fix everything!

Grumpy gus!

Don't let these faces fool you! These were the faces of foul children! This morning the back to school reality REALLY set in. Addie was especially grumpy since she's not really a morning person anyway.Her mood improved slightly when she remembered I'd told her she could wear her new John Deere dress and her matching bow that says "Dirt makes me cuter".  After she got dressed, she was at least able to fake a smile. 

Even after a horrid season, Ali still loves her Dawgs! She got a new Georgia ponytail holder for Christmas. Don't they pair well with those peace sign earrings? :) She really tickles me lately and it seems like everyday

 something changes about her that makes me realize she's really growing up. Lately she loves anything with a peace sign. Nanny got her a whole card of peace sign earrings in different colors. She still couldn't care less what she wears as long as she has a pair of peace sign earrings to match!She got her report card today and I am so proud of her! She only had one B in Math of course! The rest were A's. She's such a sweet smart angel.  I am so proud of the way she's adjusted to a new school this year. It hasn't been easy for her, but she's starting to adjust well and feel at home at Edmund Burke Academy. Addie went to sleep tonight before I thought to ask for hers. I went through her bookbag and could not find it. Hmmm...hope that's not a bad sign!!  :)  Addie is so happy at school and I really like her teacher. Addie comes home so excited  about the bible lessons they have in the morning and it's so entertaining to hear her retell the story as though I'd never heard it before. My favorite is her rendition of Moses and the burning bush. She came home and told me the whole story as if it was a movie she saw or a book she'd read. She started out by saying "Mama I heard the COOLEST story ever!".  She also loves to tell me about  the Egyptians or "begyptians" as Addie calls them.

Tonight we had friends over for dinner and the kids had a great time playing. I was afraid Ali might attempt to stowaway in the Wideners' car, since their daughter Hailey is the greatest thing since sliced bread according to Ali, but I went upstairs no more than 15 minutes after they left and she was out like a light. I love this time of the evening when children are sleeping.  It's about the only time of day I can get anything done!

Back to the Grind

This morning went considerably better than I imagined it would. The girls went back to school today, but I had another teacher workday. Luckily, I didn't have to rush off as usual (since my school starts at an insane hour of the day). Ali and Addie were definitely dragging though! It didn't help that they were out till after 9 last night with basketball practice. Back to the homework/early to bed/early to rise routine. Overall, not a bad first day back after a holiday!

No Addie isn't pitching a fit in this picture. Thankfully she's never really been a fit pitcher. I asked her what she was doing and she said she was looking for ladybugs in the door crevice. She said she saw Billy the Exterminator looking for ladybugs once. She looked in every nook and cranny of the downstairs today with a flashlight. I think we passed inspection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last blast before Christmas vacation has passed!

The house was eerily quiet after the Lawsons and the Tomlinsons left Sunday. The girls would not settle for a nice peaceful evening however. They INSISTED on getting out their gifts that Royce brought them. Pete and I finally relented and tag teamed them. Addie wanted to play with her Fazoodles or padoodles of pafoozles or whatever those things you make out of big fuzzy pipecleaners are! Ali had gotten a sand art kit and wanted to fill a teddy bear container with all the different sand colors. They really had a great time and it wasn't as chaotic as I'd imagined.The girls had Upward Basketball practice today. They are such sweethearts. I swear I could eat them up with a spoon some days. Today I'm particularly thankful for great kids and a hardworking husband who feels some sense of responsibility for our well  being. A friend of mine is facing a difficult family situation right now and talking with her about it made me feel guilty for all the little things I nitpick my husband about. This morning he set the alarm for 4:30am.  Today was a teacher workday and  I didn't have to be at work till 8am. What in the WORLD???? I was a little peeved! However,  I'm thankful today for my husband. I'm thankful for his devotion to our family and for the security he provides for us. I know that there is nothing he wouldn't do for me and the girls and that is truly a blessing.  This year I resolve to remember that!

Open windows!

We were so blessed to begin 2011 with beautiful weather. The Lawson and Tomlinson kids were able to  play outside with Addie and Ali. They spent most of the morning climbing the rock wall or riding around on the electric gator.

I love to take pictures of my redheads when the sun is just right. My aunt Rubye used to tell me that my red hair looked like spun copper. Now looking at my own children I know what she meant. I am definitely blessed to be a mom of redheads!

And of course no day on the farm is complete without a relay race on the hay bales and a ride around the arena on Peaches. 

I didn't think Addie could get much cuter, but doggone it- put a riding helmet on her and she is EVEN cuter!!

Ali was riding so well today that Pete mistook her for an adult and asked who was riding in the arena today.  She is growing up way too fast.  :(

Today made me remember why I love living in the Deep South. I like a little cold and a LOT of warm! We had a great day today with our windows open and it was a fantastic way to wrap up our Christmas vacation.

Alicia, Bailey, Ali and me enjoying the sunshine!

A New Year on Hill's Mill Pond Road

This morning Craig woke up and immediately started preparing the leg of lamb for our New Year's dinner. Looks great doesn't it? The men cooked it all day and it was wonderful!

While the lamb was cooking the kids had a great time outdoors. We ran them out early this morning since the weather accurately predicted rain for the afternoon.

We decided to take a walk down the dirt road just to get out of the house and shake off some cabin fever.  I also wanted to get a picture of the mill on our dirt road. There's quite a history on Hill's Mill Pond Rd. and I find it quite fascinating. I've been meaning to get a picture of the old mill since we moved here several years ago, but I always think of it during the spring and summer and the trees and bushes block the view. Brian and Bailey had a particularly enjoyable walk today. Well.... until it started to rain and Pete had to come get us on the gator and Brian got left behind. :) You're a trooper Brian!

This is a picture of Hill's Mill. 

Addie had a great walk down the road and she loves being able to wear her flip flops in December. 

The day ended with a total tickle smackdown from Royce. Addie loves Royce. One night back in the summer we were all watching "The Incredibles" and Addie screams "Mr Incredible looks like Mr. Royce!"  We all cracked up laughing at the realization that in fact Mr. Royce DOES bear a striking resemblance to Mr. Incredible!