Night with Friends

We had our friends over to celebrate Jason's birthday. He wanted us to grill burgers and hot dogs. I also made potato salad and these brownies I saw on pinterest. The recipe is HERE. You need it and will thank me later. ;)

The guys played cards while the girls watched Adele in concert up in the theatre room. Then we watched Journey in concert. It was a fun time and it's always so nice to have just adult conversation every once in awhile, especially when it's with your very best friends.

Friends

Grasen and I have the day off from work/school, so Khloe came over to play all day while her parents work. Grasen and Bayler are loving it! We have played, watched Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, ate animal crackers, painted finger nails.....and the day is not over yet. I love these kiddos and am glad that they get to grow up together.

Happy Friday!

Double Play

Grasen had a tee-ball game tonight and even though we lost, the kids scored lots of runs and had fun.

Grace made a great double play. She got the runner out at first base and then tagged the runner at home. She is a little timid on the field, but I could tell that she was so proud of herself and excited after that play.

We have team pictures on Monday, but no games this week. :( A great opportunity to get the tee out at home and practice a little.

Brother is still enjoying cheering Sissy on. Papa bought him his own gloves a couple of weeks ago and he can't wait until he's old enough to play.

Kindergarten Music Program

Every year our music teacher puts on an outstanding music program with our kindergarten classes. I have worked there for seven years and each year is different, but so good.

This year was the best performance yet! The kids were singing so loud and each speaker knew their part. There were no behavior problems on stage.

I remember one year, we had to actually stop the program to settle them down and tell them to quit talking- so embarrassing. But this year- it was phenomenal!

This is a video of the most anticipated song of the night. They got to use flashlights to perform to the song Fireflies and boy were they excited! The audience loved it, as well. Teaching is so rewarding!

Classroom Re-do!

I'm having the 7 year itch with my classroom. I think it's because the first several years I never really had time to focus on the aesthetics of it and make it how I really wanted it to look. My first year I was in survival mode and I was pregnant, so puking was what I did in my spare time. The next year I came back in October after being on maternity leave, so I was in survival mode again. The other four years, I was trying to familiarize myself with everything there is to know- lesson plans, frameworks, activities, etc. etc. etc., and I also had another baby! This year has been the best year yet- my kids are super, I haven't had to spend any time on kids moving in or out (which is a miracle in and of itself), and I haven't had to miss much school (Praise the Lord! I may even have 4 days carry over to next school year, Lord willing). So-I've decided to spruce my classroom up a bit.

I've started in this corner, which I have now made the reading area. I ordered these two chairs on Walmart online and I am in LOVE with them. The kids are pretty crazy about them, as well. I got some artificial flowers to put in some pots to "home up" the kitchen center. And I found those adorable striped curtain panels at Walmart on clearance! I am still looking for some cute baskets in fun, bright colors to hold all of the books for the reading center. I still have lots of plans for that area of the classroom, including rock wallpaper, twine for hanging art, and a Picasso quote.

This little thing has added a lot more character to the classroom this year. Its' name is Tilly. It's a red-eared slider and he is sweet, but hisses at me when I take him out to clean the tank. The kids just adore him and love to watch him eat in the afternoons. The only thing I don't like is his tank stinks- no matter how much I clean it. I moved him away from my desk and put him on the highest shelf I have so that I don't have to get a whiff of it when I walk by. Thank goodness it has helped and he is able to stay another year!

Pretty in Pink

Grace and I had a little "photo shoot" to get a good picture for Miss Sam to use for advertisements for her store. I just love her in this adorable dress!

classroom chalkboard

While looking around Pinterest for classroom inspiration, I've seen some adorable chalkboards that I've been wanting to re-create. I had this old, ugly green chalkboard that I thought would work fine. I visited my painter friend's classroom telling her my idea of painting this green chalkboard black and what do you know...she gets in a cabinet and hands me some black chalkboard paint. I am not crafty. But here I go. I dumped some of that paint on the chalkboard and smoothed it out, turned on my ceiling fans, and let it dry. When it was finished drying, I still wasn't happy with the silver frame around the black board, so I got out some white and orange paint and gave it a fun little border. Then I wrote the message that I loved as soon as I saw it on Pinterest.....

...not happy with my writing, wish I could write more whimsy and fun, but I just have kindergarten teacher handwriting. It'll work.

Chicken and Rice

I made a new crockpot chicken and rice recipe today, came from the amazing Pinterest. It was so moist and creamy- we all loved it! I doubled the recipe for left overs and instead of an extra cream of chicken soup, I used cheddar cheese soup. So good!

Daddy's Band Gig

We listened to daddy's band play today at a Spring Greening Festival. We were sitting in our lawn chairs and who walks up? Only The Cat in the Hat himself...and he brought Thing 1 and Thing 2 with him! Great photo op! And you would've thought that I knew ahead of time since my kiddos color coordinated with their costumes....but I didn't, just luck.

We would've been content just listening to dad play, but this was icing on the cake!

Beach Ready

While doing my normal WalMart shopping with the kids, I decided to take a peek down the Summer aisles. We are going to the beach this Summer and I wanted to see if there was anything we would possibly need. I was thinking more along the lines of pails/shovels....but what did I come home with?

I got one for Emmett as well and I can't wait to get some adorable pics of them "relaxing" on the beach! C'mon June!

Tee-ball!

We are almost half way through with our tee-ball games already! :( The season goes way too fast! G is doing so well- she has improved so much since last season and is really learning more of the fundamentals. She is happy that a few kids she attends preschool with are also on her team. Kylie is in her preschool class and they will begin kindergarten together this year. They will probably play ball together until they are seniors, if Grasen continues to enjoy it. ;)

Brother enjoys cheering sissy on, climbing on the fence, and digging in the dirt- just like any other boy!

This is just so precious to me. A bunch of girly girls playing ball together. This is exactly how I was when I was younger- super girly, but give me a glove and put me on second base......I still ran like a girl, however. Grasen does as well, makes her Mommy proud.

Giving Miss Andrea a five for making it to first base!

Grasen is watching the next batter and ready to run to home!

Ready for the ball on 3rd base! We have 6 games left and I am savoring every minute of every game that I get to watch my sweet girl play in.

Easter 2012

Easter was fantastic this year! Everyone was together and healthy. We attended a great church service, had a yummy lunch, a fun egg hunt, and just good visiting! Thank you Yaya and Pop for hosting once again!




















1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Matthew 28:1-10

Happy Easter!