Good {ish} Citizen

Kindergarten has been a bit of a "challenge" for E. Not academically or socially, just generally. She talks too much, she's sassy, she's bossy, and she's determined. But she has a BIG heart, and did I mention she's determined?

She decided a long time ago that "Good Citizen" was on her "Kindergarten Bucket List", and she has worked hard to prove she's deserving. As a teacher myself, I know that sometimes I have to overlook the small stuff and choose the child who wants it enough to try and who has good character.

I don't think for a moment she received this award for being a "perfect kid", but I am SO PROUD of her for working hard to improve on some of the previously mentioned traits while continuing to be the kind hearted girl she's always been!

I love you, Emma Catherine, and I'm proud to be your mama!

She got the certificate on Monday, along with a free ice cream

from McDonald's, which had to be redeemed immediately. ;)

Yesterday was the Good Citizen Lunch. MawMaw and I were able

 to be there with her (and MawMaw brought Subway for lunch:).

Since Daddy had to be at JSU on Thursday,

he came to eat lunch with her today. :)

Girls & Boys

When  I was pregnant with Emma I really wanted a little girl. After we left the sonogram at which we were told in no uncertain terms that my wish would be coming true, Justin's words to me were "you always get your way."

Fast forward three years. Every daddy wants a little boy and Justin is no different. I honestly didn't care. I guess, though, I was slightly hoping for another girl...a sister for my baby girl. Of course, we ended up with a boy and Justin was beside himself after finding out he was going to get a son.

Oddly enough (or maybe not so odd?), Emma is a complete daddy's girl and Luke is a mama's boy through and through. And if you don't believe me, just ask E. She will tell you that she's her daddy's and Luke is mine.

I'm glad God gives us what He sees fit for us to have. If he had seen fit for me to have girls or boys, I would be ecstatic with that. But He didn't. He saw fit for our family to have one of each. And I'm ecstatic with that. As a mother of one of each, I won't ever get to experience the bond of "sisters" or "brothers" like moms of only girls or boys have, but I do get the best of both worlds. I guess there are trade-offs with everything. :)

Last night Emma was invited to a sleepover at Kinlee's

with Ensleigh. Another thing I'm thankful for is knowing the

parents of her friends. That makes parenting so much easier!

April posted this pic on FB this morning before they left for

church. Justin's comment: Tell your son as long as his hands

stay behind his head we are good:):) Thats my baby. {Bless!}

Meanwhile, last night, we headed to Oxford to eat supper
and celebrate Cheyenne's 9th birthday! Speaking of which,
why is it that when you finish school, get married, start having
 babies, etc. that time starts moving much faster?! Anyway,
I snapped this when we got home. Notice Luke holding onto
his daddy's finger...a rare occurrence...be still my heart!

Tonight, we were able to go meet the newest member

of our family. Katelyn is SO tiny, and I could have

held her for hours...except I had a little competition. ;)

25 days until Spring Break:)

First Sign of Spring

After the treacherous winter we've been having, the spring-like weather we've had this week has been wonderful! I'm not even going to discuss the fact that the "S" word is in the forecast (again) for next week. :/

Today E went outside to play after school and came running up to the house carrying these daffodils (my Valentine flowers, according to her;). They're definitely my favorite!

27 days until Spring Break...

 

And hopefully even less until SPRING! :)

Frozen {and V-Day}

Y'all.

There is a reason I live in the south.

A good reason.

I. Don't. Like. Cold. Weather.

I have lived in places where your nose hairs would freeze when you opened the front door during the winter. Graphic, but true.

If I wanted to return to that type of weather I would call Delta and book a flight.

We were out of school Wednesday and Thursday. Again. State of Emergency. Again.

Thankfully, we didn't get much here.

This was taken at Bald Rock at Cheaha. Pretty eerie.

We spent our free days working on Valentines for school/daycare...

Luke got a hold of my computer...

And ended up at the doctor on Thursday. Thankfully

it's not pneumonia, but we have started back breathing

treatments to clear up some congestion in his lungs.

Friday we all had Valentine parties, and the kids got a few prizes

 too. We're not big "Valentine-y" kind of people, so when the kids

 decided to stay at Nana's we went to eat with the Wakefields. :)

Saturday night we ate at church. This picture cracks me up. Luke

 was yelling, "Mama, get Blair off me!" And all I could do was

 whip out the camera, take a picture, and laugh. Poor guy! ;)

 

Today I helped give a shower for a good friend. Three classmates there were expecting wee ones in the next few months. Of course, this gave me the fever. But then I started reminding myself of all the reasons having a third baby would be a bad idea. At the top of that list was sleepless nights and diapers. Y'all. Luke hasn't worn a diaper (even at night) since right after his birthday. For the moment, the fever is gone. And when it returns (because I know it will), someone please remind me how glorious it is to not pack the house up just to go to town. :)

 

30 days until Spring Break...

3 Random Thoughts

1. Last weekend we went to eat at Cheaha Brewing Company, which was very good and kid friendly. Emma decided to stay at Nana's, so we only had Luke. Being the second child, we rarely have (or have ever had) any "alone time" with him. It's funny to see his little (or BIG) personality shine when it's just him.

2. Be jealous. Very jealous. But he's taken. Sense of style and all. ;)



3. We had Pajama Day on Thursday. It was PTO sponsored, so the kids and teachers paid $2 to wear PJs and drink hot chocolate and eat cookies for snack. Let me just go on record as saying that I would pay $2 EVERY day to be able to wear my pajamas to work.

35 days until Spring Break...



100th Day of School!

Today was FINALLY the 100th Day of School! For teachers and students, especially the little ones, this is a BIG deal! As part of the celebration of the milestone E had to create a project using 100 things. After some deliberation, she ironically decided she wanted to make a "Snow Queen" out of 100 cotton balls. We worked on the project the weekend before the unexpected snow storm! She finally got to share it today.

Counting!

10 groups of 10:)

Tada...

39 days until Spring Break...

Random Snow Day Happenings

Deer season came to an end Friday (can you see my frown?;), and Justin promised the kids that if he didn't see a buck by the end of the season that he'd shoot a doe. He went hunting Thursday afternoon and it looks like this poor girl will be deer jerkey and breakfast sausage by the end of the week. The kids were as excited as if they'd pulled the trigger themselves. The girl even went with her daddy to hold the flashlight while he gutted it. I'm now questioning whether or not I really gave birth to her, ha!

Luke (aka Pirate Jake) and I snuggled on the couch while they did the dirty work. He didn't realize where they went or he would've pitched a fit to go too. And since we're looking at the picture, let me just say that this is pretty much what I looked like all week...no makeup, sweatpants, hair in a ponytail. And I'm not even ashamed. It probably is for the best that I am not a stay-at-home mom.

Friday I decided it was time to humanize myself again. I showered, put on a smidge of makeup, and wore blue jeans! Justin took me to pick up my vehicle, and Ashley and I took the kids to Giggle Time and out for cupcakes!

Today we signed up for E's last year of t-ball (where has the time gone?), went to Nana and Papa's to visit, and have begun mourning our unexpected vacation. We're also praying that Punxsutawney Phil doesn't see his shadow tomorrow...