Still Here!

I wanted to let everyone know that I plan to do several updates tomorrow night and this weekend! I feel like I'm letting all of my "blogger" friends down. I haven't had much time to visit other sites and leave comments, nor have I had time to update my own. I have been very busy fulfilling my duties that go along with teacher of they year. My state application is due at the beginning of January, and I am working hard to get it finished by the time we get out of school for Christmas break. Tonight I will be busy working on my speech that I am to give tomorrow night at our District Teacher of the Year banquet. I have many things to update about, as well as several picture that I can't wait to share from our Thanksgiving. I hope to be caught up this weekend, and get a chance to visit and leave comments on my friends' blogs. Thanks to you all for being patient, and for being loyal visitors of my blog! Hope you are all having a great week!

Give Me Five!

My friend BeccA at BeccA's Buzz has started the Give Me Five meme. Each Monday she gives us a topic where we list 5 things/thoughts about that topic. Please click on the link above if you'd like to join in on the fun! This weeks' topic: Give Me Five things you like and/or dislike about your birthday.

1. I like that my birthday is in the summer! I've had many outdoor birthday parties as well as swim parties as a child! I think outside parties are the best

2. I dislike that my birthday is in the summer! Now, some of you are saying "what?", but let me explain. As a child, when your birthday is in the summer it is hard to invite friends from school to your party because of summer break. Both of my children will have this as well as both of their birthdays are in the summer.

3. I like cake - more importantly whatever kind of cake I choose. Sometimes it's a cake from a local bakery, other times it's a cake my mom has made for me! Wonderful!

4. I like to hear my children sing "Happy Birthday" to me! So sweet to hear their sweet little voices sing - all for me!

5. I like that I get to choose what to have for my birthday dinner - a family tradition. Sometimes I choose one of my favorite restaurants, sometimes I choose one of my favorites from my mom's kitchen. My choice is what I like most!

There ya have it - most things about my birthday I love!

Popcorn!

Our kindergarten classes always visit an apple farm each year for one of our field trips. This year, we visited a farm we had never visited before. It was a nice trip, and I learned something as well!! One of the gentlemen there told the story of "Johnny Appleseed" which I knew, but then he told us about popcorn. He said you could take the little ears that look like "Indian Corn" and put it in the microwave and it would pop. That's because it is actually popcorn. I had never heard of this before, and he even showed us an ear that had popcorn covering it (as proof that it would work, I suppose). I found this so neat that I vowed the next time I saw "mini Indian Corn" in a store I would buy some and try this at home. At Bilo a couple of weeks ago they had some so I was able to try it for myself.

I told Drew and Mikayla about it, so they were excited to watch it in the microwave to see if it really would pop.

Sure enough it works - popcorn! It tasted great as well. All natural - no salt or butter added! I want to take another ear to my classroom to show my students.

If you are going to try this at home, I will warn you it makes a mess in the microwave (you may have already assumed this). The mess was worth it when I saw the looks on Drew and Mikayla's faces!

Soccer Banquet

Last Monday night we attended Drew's soccer banquet at Pizza Inn. Jennie, and Mimi joined Craig, Drew, Mikayla, and I and the rest of Drew's team for supper and awards.

Drew sits at the table with all the boys from his team. They had so much fun that night!

I love this face Mikayla is making - I caught her with food in her mouth.

Drew receives his trophy from Coach Chris, Coach Matt, and Chris' son.

It was a fun night, where the boys could be silly and enjoy spending time with each other off of the soccer field (we reserved the banquet room). There were smiles all around!!

Give Me Five #1

My friend Becca at BeccA's Buzz designed the 'Give Me Five' Monday meme to share fun information with each other in a simple short list! Each week, she will put out a random topic from her list of topics and you share 5 answers of your choice on the given topic and link back to her! You can add photos, links or stories or just a simple list of your own of 5 things that relate to the topic as it pertains to you and your life experiences. It doesn't have to be in any order of importance unless otherwise specified. Head on over to BeccA's Buzz to join us...

This weeks' topic is 5 Favorite Amusement Park Rides. I'm not much of a rider at Amusement Parks as I am usually more interested in taking pictures of the rides my children are riding than riding myself, and I am what some would call a "chicken" when it comes to these things. I do have a few favorites so I hope I can get 5...this would have been easier for me if it were my 5 least favorite amusement park rides (I can think of several of those).

1. Merry-Go-Round - This is a "classic". A ride I think everyone enjoys at some point in their lives - as a kid themselves, with their children, or even as an adult.

2. Pirate Ships (not the upside down kind) - I wasn't brave enough to ride any of the "big" rides until I was in my late teens. The moment I rode this ride for the first time (at Mile High Ghost Town in the Sky) I was hooked. I could ride (and have) this ride over and over again. I try to talk Craig into riding this ride with me, but he won't. His mom tells me stories of when he was little - he used to cry when they had to walk under this ride. From that information, I'm thinking he'll never ride it.

3. E.T. Ride at Universal Studios - one of the neatest rides I've ever ridden. I love the very end of the ride where it looks like you are flying over the city.

4. Haunted Mansion at Disney World, Florida - another neat ride. I never will forget the first time I rode this ride - I was 12. I stood in the long line bravely with my family (about 10 of us), then decided when we got to the door I didn't want to go in. Well I didn't really have a choice because the whole group was going in and I sure didn't want to stay outside that place by myself. I was so scared at the beginning when the walls started closing in on us, and then when we (my dad, brother, and I) got into our "seat" the person "manning" the ride scared me even more. Once we got going though I thought it was the coolest thing - I wasn't scared at all. I can't wait to take Drew and Mikayla to Disney World one day and let them experience this ride for themselves.

5. 3D Experiences/Simulators - to some these probably don't even count as rides, but I love these. A couple of my favorites have been Days of Thunder at Carowinds and Honey I Shrunk the Audience at Disney's Epcot Center. Fun, fun, fun...

So there is my first ever Give Me Five list!! That was fun!

My Sweetie...

Last Saturday morning I awoke to something on my pillow. After opening my eyes, I realized it was a rose. Now, some of you are probably thinking awwww her husband is a sweetie, but hold that thought. Craig didn't know anything about this - my sweetie in this case is my son!! While I was sleeping, Drew had gotten one of the roses that I had dried and had placed it on my pillow!! Can you believe it??? He is going to be a WONDERFUL husband one day. I'm still trying to figure out where he learned to do this - he hasn't seen his daddy do it, that's for sure. I told Craig he could learn some things from his six year old! There are times that he makes me want to pull my hair out (like from the book Love You Forever), but then he goes and does something like this. I'm sure when he's older, I won't be able to recall many of the mischievous things, but the sweet things I'll remember forever!!!

Basketball and Cheerleading

Between Drew's soccer games last Saturday, we had to go to the church to register Drew for his second year of basketball. Mikayla had also expressed an interest in cheering this year (last year she wasn't old enough). Craig said he didn't think Mikayla should cheer because dancing is a year long activity for her. He was afraid the practices/games would conflict with her dance days/competitions. Bryson and his dad arrived shortly after we did to register Bryson for basketball and Breanna for Cheer Leading. That decided it - Mikayla would cheer with Breanna. How could Craig say no to that?? So, we are waiting to hear from Drew's basketball coach (we hope Drew and Bryson are on the same team again this year), and Mikayla's cheer coach. I can't wait to see my little ones in action together!! Rest assured there will be pictures to come...

Playoff Games...

Drew plays goalie for our team - he played in this position the majority of both games on Saturday! He loves it!!! It makes me just a little nervous...
This is where you could normally find Poppi and Mikayla during the games (well during quarter breaks anyway). They were chasing each other in the open grassy area beside the field. It was pretty cute - my dad would "tackle" Mikayla and then Mikayla would chase him and "tackle" him. I tried to get a picture of Mikayla "tackling" Poppi, but he was pretty quick to get up...
I LOVE this picture. It shows how close the teammates were. Drew and a teammate share a chair during a quarter they were resting!

Drew's soccer team had 2 games last Saturday as part of the playoff tournament for AYSO. I was super excited about this as Drew missed his last soccer game of the regular season the week before. His games were scheduled for 10:00 and 3:00 last Saturday and if they won those two games there was a chance they would have played on Sunday for the championship game. As it turned out, they won the 10:00 game (beating a team that had previously beaten them), and lost the 3:00 game (to a team they beat previously in the season). They didn't play in the championship game, but our boys had fun and that's what it's all about anyway, right?

Update on Molly

This is another post I've been meaning to post for some time - my friends Nicole and Becca were wondering how our new puppy Molly was doing! I am happy to report that she has meshed with our family very well! She never growls (which is what I worried about with small children), and the only time she barks is if she hears something/someone directly outside. She is such a sweet girl, and her favorite place to be is in my lap! Drew and Mikayla LOVE for her to sit in their laps too!! I'd love to post another picture, but she seems to be very "camera shy", and every time I get the camera out, she runs. We will have to get her used to that, because those who know me know that I LOVE taking pictures!! Thanks for asking about our newest addition! She's just PRECIOUS!!!

Straight A's!!!

I've been meaning to post this for the past week and a half. Drew made straight A's on his report card for the first nine weeks of first grade!! GO DREW!! We couldn't be more proud of our little man - who is not so little any more! We've known he is a smartie his whole life, but hey, we are a little biased! It sure feels good to see him applying himself. We've always told both of our children we expect their best, and we are glad to see him giving his best!!

First through fourth grades at our school also have an award ceremony, so I got to attend my first one with Drew. Mimi and Aunt Jennie also came to see Drew receive his awards. He received an award for Perfect Attendance because he didn't miss any days during the first nine weeks, and he also received an award for Principal's Honor Roll - Straight A's!!

Drew (in the red shirt) waits in line to receive his award from Mrs. Pryor (one of our Assistant Principals).

Drew receives another award (homework pass, and invitation to Principal's Pals Party) from our student council Vice President.

Drew looks so sweet as he leaves the stage!! Please excuse the black paint on his face - the awards ceremony was the day after Halloween - the red paint came off easily, the black would not...

Something Special!

My friend Holly at Mama Pajama has given me the "Bloggers with Integrity" award. This award originated at The Little Aussie Cynic, and here's Aussie's post:
"After looking, reading and watching many many Blogs and bloggers I decided to issue some recognition to those fellow bloggers I feel maintain integrity in the Blogs. All these bloggers incorporate within their wonderful sites, an integrity not always seen. They share terrific stories, topics, discussions and images. All Well worth a look."

I want to thank Holly for this award - it is a true honor coming from her!! I will be passing this along to my friends I feel are "bloggers with integrity" a little later!

Trick or Treating at Mimi and Poppi's

After we left our church Wednesday night, we continued with our yearly tradition of trick-or-treating at Mimi and Poppi's house and my Grandma's house (which is directly across the street from my mom and dad). We always have so much fun there, especially at Halloween and Christmas because my dad and mom have many decorations. I didn't get many good pictures of their Halloween decorations this year, but just to give you an idea they have: two caskets, a cemetery with a strobe light on it, black lights, skeletons, a scary looking face that looks as if it is coming out of the wall, and a light up witch that looks like she is really flying on a broom. Of course these decorations are all in good fun. Poppi gives Mikayla candy after she says "trick or treat".
Poppi tried on Mikayla's wig, and I just had to get a picture!
Drew helps Poppi give out candy to some trick-or treaters.
Mikayla and Drew pose with Mimi (dressed as Aunt Jamima) and Poppi.
Mikayla and Drew pose with Aunt Jennie. We had such a terrific Halloween, Mikayla is already asking when it will be Halloween again!

Our Church Festival

Wednesday night we went to our church for our Fall Festival. We enjoyed hot dogs and nachos for dinner, and then Drew and Mikayla played carnival games and received candy. They always receive more candy than they need - even with mom urging them to only take one piece. In fact, I combined all of their candy today into one bag and it was completely full, with sides bulging out. There's no way we will eat it all... Mikayla throws the bean bags to get some candy!
Drew goes fishin' for candy!!
We had a wonderful time, and the kids were worn out by the time we left!

Trick or Treating at "Uncle Ronnie's"

Craig's boss, Ronnie, has our same last name. Craig's family and Ronnie's family have always been close, and our kids have always called him "Uncle Ronnie". We don't take our kids "trick or treating" like we did when we were kids. Instead, we go to church festivals (see earlier post, and another to come from our church festival). We do take the kids to "trick or treat" at Mimi and Poppi's house and Grandma's house (pictures coming soon), and this year we took the kids to Ronnie and Cindy's house. Their house is decorated beautifully, and the kids loved going there! When Ronnie told Drew he had given out all his candy, Drew said "I came for the money" (per his daddy). Ronnie and Cindy got a good laugh out of that one! Thanks Ronnie and Cindy for being so kind!!

"Carving" Pumpkins

Drew, Mikayla, and I left school a little early (I used an early leave pass) yesterday to come home and get ready for Halloween! They still had to carve their pumpkins so we wanted to do that before getting costumes on. Mimi, and Jennie had gotten them some little "pie pumpkins" so they didn't take that long. Poppi also found this neat little kit where the kids didn't actually have to "carve" the pumpkins. Instead, they could push these clear pieces (looked like golf tees) in the pumpkin following a pattern, and when they put the light inside it would make the "pegs" light up. Drew and Mikayla had a ball doing this - I think because they could do most of it by themselves! I was made at myself for not getting a picture of the finished product (we keep them at my parents' house because we don't have trick-or-treaters at our house), but they sure turned out cute!

Fall Festival #1

Mrs. Hayes, one of Mikayla's 4k teachers, invited us to her church Saturday night for their Fall Festival. So, after Jadyn's birthday party we came home and got Drew and Mikayla in costume and off we go (minus daddy). The kids and I had so much fun!! They enjoyed hot dogs, participated in "trunk or treat", played on an inflatable slide, went on a "hayride", and we all participated in the "cake walk". We know a lot of people that go to church with Mrs. Hayes as there are a lot of people from our school there. It was nice to get together with all of them. Drew and Mikayla were not ready to end the party, and Mrs. Hayes had mentioned a "slushy" from Sonic. So, Drew and Mikayla rode with Mrs. Hayes and her van full of children to Sonic while I followed in our van. Nanda, Jim, Bryson, and Breanna (who also attend church there) met us there! Then, Drew and Mikayla still weren't ready to ride with me apparently, so Mrs. Hayes brought them home! We had such a fun time, and we are so glad to have been invited!!