A Christmas Tree Decorated

I decided to skip on the Thanksgiving decorations this year since we aren't having Thanksgiving in Sugar Land this year and we moved right onto Christmas. For some reason, decorating the house has been super easy. I don't know if it's because I didn't stress about or I just kept my expectations low.

Jerrod put the tree up and I put the garland on the staircase. Today after school, I pulled the ornaments out and gave the kids a free pass to decorate! Whoo Hoo!

They had so much fun and I just love the result I got and I think the kids had a great time being in charge...of something this year!

Bubble Santa's

Ho ho Ho!

We celebrate Christmas early!

This was all Jackson's idea. He thought it would be a great idea to make a lot of bubbles in the tub and then add it to his face...then, he asked for a Santa hat and this is what evolved. I think it was a great idea!

A fairy, a Witch, Indiana Jones and ELVIS!

I am doing my best to keep up with this blog. I just can't keep it together enough every day to log on and of course, post pictures!! Pictures are my favorite part of the blog so for some reason I think it's not a post if it doesn't have a picture with it.
Here's a quickie post of the kids from Halloween. Bailey was a midnight fairy, Emma was a stitch witch, Jackson was Indiana Jones and Teague was Elvis. I had so much fun making Teague's costume and he wore the glasses for a whole 2 seconds. Actually, just long enough for me to snap a few pictures!

Community workers week

This week is "Community Workers" week for Jackson's class in Kindergarten. They are busy learning about all the important community workers like police officers, fire fighters, and the like. He is having so much fun!!

Can you imagine the stories that Ms. Janacek heard about as they discussed police officers from her kindergartener's??! I bet that was a day she learned a little about the Mommy's and Daddy's in the room!! Of course, Jackson couldn't say anything about me...but his daddy? That's different!!

Jackson is the one on the far left and see, somehow he knows what it looks like to write a ticket....Here is his again (on the far left) holding his water hose.
He is still having so much fun at school everyday. He comes home full of stories and one usually entails who got their "clip" moved on the discipline chart! He is so happy he has NEVER had to move his....seriously.

URGHH

I set a lunch date with Jackson this morning last minute. I told him I would come and meet him during his lunch time since he is "star of the week" right now. I asked him if he wanted me to wait and come on Friday and he told me he wanted me to come today.

I got ready and headed over to Campbell at 10:20- giving me plenty of time to park and head in to see my favorite 5 year old in the world.

I went straight to the lunch room and Jackson was no where to be seen!

I looked all around and then took a closer look at the tables for information about teachers and times. I found Ms. Janacek's table and my heart sank. His lunch began at 10:00 a.m NOT 10:30!!

I went back to the office bewildered- I didn't know what to do. The sweet ladies in the office told me to go by his classroom (which is typically a no no) to see if he was there so that I could explain. As I walked down the Kindergarten wing, his teachers (and several other teachers) saw me and immediately got Jackson. They knew that I needed to see him and he see me!

He came out of the classroom sobbing- he could barely breathe! As he wrapped his arms around me and shoved his face in my neck, I put my arms around him and we didn't say anything for the longest time...we just both sobbed!

I explained a little bit, but I knew he didn't care why I wasn't there...just that I wasn't so I didn't push the issue.

He will have McDonald's at 9:55 a.m. waiting for him tomorrow morning for our second lunch date.

If McDonald's doesn't make burgers that early, they will be tomorrow. No, really.

Star of the Week- Jackson

Jackson and I worked hard tonight on his poster for student of the week. I must admit, he did the majority of it. He decided what he wanted on it (which pictures), he decided where he wanted them to go exactly on the poster board, he wrote out all the labels ("swimming", "family", etc.), and printed off several pictures off the computer and then cut them out himself! And of course, glued it all on.

When I went to use my cricket to make his name across the top, he was offended. He told me HE wanted to write his name- so he did. We just glued it along the top too.

He is so proud of his poster and I am proud of all the work he put into it. I am so surprised...and I think Ms. Janacek will be too!

We got Cocoa and lots to do!

We've got a new family member this weekend. Jackson got to bring home "cocoa" from school today because next week Jackson is the "Star of the Week". He has to

bring a poster telling all about himself and record all of the events with "cocoa" in a scrapbook.

Cocoa has already had a ton of fun and it's only the first day. He got some of our new books read to him after school, he got buckled up in the back seat right next to Jackson, he learned how to go down the slide and how to handle the monkey bars at the park and even got to swing. Then, tonight he went to eat at Luby's with our family. Jackson said he really enjoyed the macaroni and cheese and after dinner Cocoa even got a little ice cream!

We also got some more great news today after school. Bailey and Emma both were selected as a part of the Science Olympiad team at Campbell. Emma is considered an "alternate" but will still practice each week with the group and will compete if someone drops out, can't make it to the competition or doesn't complete part of their responsibilities. The competition will be November 14th and they will begin practice next week- every Tuesday afterschool until 3:30 p.m.

The girls are also working on their elections for Student Council Representative for their individual classes. Their 1 minute speech is due Tuesday, next week, and the election will be on October 1st.

We have a lot to work on this weekend! Jackson's "star of the week" poster and scrapbook page with Cocoa, Bailey and Emma's speeches and their posters for the Student Council election. Do you have any good ideas for the speech? We want it to be unique, schnazzy and upbeat!

I love lava rocks

I have been priviledged with many, many lava rocks this year so far. Jackson brings home these "lava rocks" every day for me from the asphalt track at school during recess. It's his "flower" for his Mommy!

I have collected enough of these large rocks to fill a decorative vase (I think I may try it) and have found remnants all over the house. The remnants have appeared in the chair cushions, the couch cushions, in the washer, the dryer, and even in my bed!

I love lava rocks!

Buc-ee's vs. Reliant Stadium

This past Sunday we got to go to our first Texans Football game with our season tickets. Jerrod has been to another game, but the rest of the family couldn't go because of school so it was the first time for the rest of us. The excitement of getting there is enough to make anyone's day. I've never seen so many people decked out in Texan gear!

The oohing and ahhing started immediately as we entered the arena. The kids eyes kept getting bigger and bigger as they saw the most important things- the concession stand offerings. There were a ton of choices from ice cream to cotton candy and everything else....

We made our first trip to the concessions right before the game started. Everyone chose nachos and got their seat. The game was just starting, we were enjoying our nachos and Jackson asked the first insightful question of the day. He didn't comment about the yummy nachos, the cool fireworks that went off as the team arrived in the stadium or the cheerleaders that were dancing right in front of us. He asked Jerrod when the game was going to be over.

Then, we decided to make our second trip to the concession stand at half time show. This time it was Jerrod's turn to go so he and Bailey went and picked up the goods. While they were gone Emma explained to me how the "Astros" weren't very good and even said, "well, they have already lost the game".

I am guessing that neither Emma or Jackson were impressed with the game, but they sure liked the treats! Here they are enjoying them:

On the up side, Emma and Jackson participated in the "Jump Jam" during half time. This is where the kids jump to the music and try to get on the big, jumbo screen in the stadium. Emma and Jackson were spotted by the camera for their jumping skills and were shown on the screen! They were thrilled!! They even went to school on Monday and several of their friends said they saw them on the big screen at the game. Funny!

For the record, the Texans did stink. They lost to the Jets (24), Texans (7)

I'll never understand why the kids think nothing of a world class NFL football stadium right in their own hometown, but can't wait to get their paws on a slurpee from Buc-ee's, a highway filling stadium in Luling, TX.

Ms. Janacek

Jackson just loves Ms. Janacek. He is eager to get to school each day and the girls say that he blushes when he sees her in the hallway. They say he always runs up to her and gives her a hug and he even told me this week that he overheard her telling her friend (another teacher) that "he is a good boy". Now, I don't know if this is true, but I do know that Jackson adores his Kindergarten teacher.

She called me at home Tuesday after school when Jackson didn't get off the bus with the girls after school. Of course, I panicked and called the school which in turn told Ms. Janacek that Jackson didn't get off the bus and then she called home. Story goes...Jackson and Colby were in a very important conversation about their Halloween costumes and Jackson said, "we loosed our house, Mommy". Anyway, she took the time to call home just to make sure he made it home to me. Love that.

Then, tonight Ms. Janacek created a website for her Kindergarten class! She just made this Kindergarten Mommy's day AND YEAR! There is nothing I want more than to be able to catch a glimpse of my big boy at school learning and making friends.

So precious. Check it out:
http://mrsjaneceksclass09.shutterfly.com/

I can't believe I've got three going to school now!

My angels the first day of school! All SMILES!
Bailey held Jackson's hand the entire way to his classroom. She might as well pushed me out of the way- she was determined to make him feel comfortable and frankly, she is proud of her school and HER BROTHER!!
When we got into Jackson's classroom, he found his snack box immediately and placed his snack inside. He also took out his water bottle and went to find his desk. Not one TEAR! Ms. Janacek gave him a big hug as we were leaving...
and then, this is how we left him- smiling and all ready to get to work. Not ONE tear for Jackson or me. I really think I would have had a harder time with it, but I am certain that Ms. Janacek is the best fit for Jackson. She is gentle, loving and firm- but more importantly, a great teacher with a great reputation.

Here is Emma with her homeroom teacher, Ms. Balogh. Her switch teacher is Ms. Garza so she is excited about getting her things and switching classrooms everyday. I can't believe that Emma is going to be responsible for an agenda (a right of passage for 3rd graders) and go to more than one teacher. It just doesn't seem possible that she is really 8 years old!!

Here is Bailey with her homeroom teacher, Ms. Downey. Her other teachers are Ms. Gresham and Ms. Kopps. We have been praying for Ms. Downey for several years. Bailey really wanted her in 4th grade, but didn't get her. When I heard she was going to 5th grade to teach, I told Bailey and she got her hopes up again.

Julie (Ms. Downey) and I have been friends for years. I met her right when we moved to Greatwood and we have been in several Bible studies together and even been on a trip to shop at Canton together for a girls weekend. I know her ethics and her morals and happen to know that she is really a great teacher...her reputation is incredible! Bailey told me that she wants to make straight A's this year- I am super excited about that and I know she can.

After school, I waited patiently for the bus to arrive with my precious cargo. They all came back smiling...and sweaty. Jackson has recess right before he goes home and then he promptly noted, "that bus has no cold air on it!".
Everyone had a great first day. Jackson was all smiles. When I asked him what he liked the most- he said, "playing with Colby on the playground"- some things don't change, I see. I asked him about Ms. Janacek too. He said, "Mommy, I think she likes me" and of course, I said, "I bet you are her favorite," and he replied, "I know!". So matter of fact and sure of himself. LOVE the attitude.

The night before kindergarten

I wanted to get Jackson ready for Kindergarten tonight with a book. Jackson and Kendall, our neighbor, got the same teacher and we are just thrilled so I decided to get them together tonight so that they could see each other before school and maybe even have someone to eat lunch with tomorrow. The little get together would not have been complete without Colby so he stopped by too.

We read several books about school like How do Dinosaurs go to School? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague, It's Hard to Be Five by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell, and Shiver Me Letters- A Pirate ABC by June Sobel. This is the one they loved the most! They just loved looking for the letters hidden on each page. It was so cute to see them get into the story.

We followed books with homemade cookies made by Kendall's Mommy, Nicole, and then Bailey, Emma and I sang a song to end the party. We sang "Go Go Go to Bed" to the tune of "Row Row Row Your Boat" from the book Take me out of the bathtub and other silly dilly songs by Alan Katz. Fun times!

Soon after, we hit the sack! It's going to be a early morning and we have not practiced getting up early and all that jazz. Bailey and Jackson are early risers anyway so they will pop right up, I am sure of it.

Bowling

Check out our bowlers! We asked the bowling alley to put up the gutter guards and we were in business.

Lezlie Andrew Photography

Last summer, for my birthday, my MIL and SIL surprised me and had pictures taken of my kids in a park in Amarillo. One of Carey's friends is a photographer as a side job so she offered to snap them up.

To this day, those are my absolute favorite pictures of the kids. I think I love them so much because I see nothing but beauty when I look at them. I don't see the sweat and tears it took to get them or the stress that we all went through either- because I wasn't there. It takes a lot to photograph 4 children so I appreciated them taking the initiative to get their photos and I've since decided that this is the BEST way to get my children's picture taken each year.

This summer, Carey wanted to get a few of Olivia Claire at 6 months and so I offered to pay the bulk of the fee if she would be willing to have it done while they were visiting in Amarillo. She offered and this is what they got...I am so pleased!

My favorite of Olivia Claire...those little lips are perfectly puckered!

Lezlie Andrew Photography