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My girls
Grace getting to hold her sisters hand for the first time.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Lizard
I like to think that I am pretty brave sole. I have done and seen things that most won't by the time they are twice my age. But that is the path that God chose for me. Any who yesterday I was helping a teacher friend of mine learn this new, well new to our school, leveled reading intervention program. I went to get the box that the resource material are located in. I sat in on the floor and opened the top. A gecko came at me. Yes I swear it came at me. (Ok I know in my brain it really was more scared of me then him, but they are gross and scare me.) I lost it, really I lost it! I screamed, yelled and couldn't stop waving my hands around. I was very unnerved. The thing wasn't more than 3 inches long. Thankfully my teacher friend isn't terrified of them as I am. Her and a student were able to catch it and dispose of it. BUT, BUT the tail had come off. I had no idea that it kept moving! ACK, UGH, AHHHHHHHH. That tail moving all by itself totally grossed me out. I felt faint too.
After all the drama I was able to help my friend and move on. But today when I went to get that same box down, I had a student do it and look around BEFORE I touched it. Yup!
After all the drama I was able to help my friend and move on. But today when I went to get that same box down, I had a student do it and look around BEFORE I touched it. Yup!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
School is back in session
Well I have taken a nice break for the summer. Traveled more than I have in the whole past 10 years. Seen history in action and sat in really old seats! I even attended a worship service at Westminster Abby. It was beautiful! Very moving too. The best part of being in London, was that for the first time in 10 years just Brad and I spent quality time together. we missed the girls a lot and boy did they miss us. Evelyn scream cried at us when we got home. My other trips were facanting as a History teacher, learning about American History and going deeper with the causes and effects.
But school is back in session now. I have 23 little darlings and boy are the full of energy. I had many of them when I finished the year out in 2nd. So on a good note they felt really comfortable with me on the down side of that they are comfortable with me so they test the limits more. ;o)
Well my feet are hurt and my eyes won't stay open much longer. Happy almost first week is done and behind us!
But school is back in session now. I have 23 little darlings and boy are the full of energy. I had many of them when I finished the year out in 2nd. So on a good note they felt really comfortable with me on the down side of that they are comfortable with me so they test the limits more. ;o)
Well my feet are hurt and my eyes won't stay open much longer. Happy almost first week is done and behind us!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Busy, busy, busy....
The end of the school year is near!!! Time to clean out those desk and pack it up till it is time to get all back out and ready for a new group of kids. I am ready for a little break!
I have been making my own cards for a couple of years or more now. I enjoy it and saves us some money. Unless we forget and are in a hurry. When I go make cards I enjoy my Stampin' up consultants Big Shot from sizzix, but I know that isn't something I need since I have a cricut expressions. So I am looking at getting a small embosser to emboss cards and things I cut. Just can't decide if I am going to go with the more exspensive Cuttlebug from cricut or go with the Texture Boutique from sizzix. I don't need a machine that will cut, just emboss. The circut will take larger folders, where as the sizzix will only take the A2 size (still working on understanding what the A2 size means). Cool thing about my cricut is that I can make my on embossing folders with the designs that I already love.
Price? Well the sizzix has a bundle that with a discount is pretty cheap, comes with a lot, cricut doesn't have that. But the cricut is a heavier duty machine.
Got a lot of thinking to do on that. Off to go scrapbook. Happy Sunday everyone!
I have been making my own cards for a couple of years or more now. I enjoy it and saves us some money. Unless we forget and are in a hurry. When I go make cards I enjoy my Stampin' up consultants Big Shot from sizzix, but I know that isn't something I need since I have a cricut expressions. So I am looking at getting a small embosser to emboss cards and things I cut. Just can't decide if I am going to go with the more exspensive Cuttlebug from cricut or go with the Texture Boutique from sizzix. I don't need a machine that will cut, just emboss. The circut will take larger folders, where as the sizzix will only take the A2 size (still working on understanding what the A2 size means). Cool thing about my cricut is that I can make my on embossing folders with the designs that I already love.
Price? Well the sizzix has a bundle that with a discount is pretty cheap, comes with a lot, cricut doesn't have that. But the cricut is a heavier duty machine.
Got a lot of thinking to do on that. Off to go scrapbook. Happy Sunday everyone!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Relay for Life Quilt
I was asked to make a baby clothes quilt. I am nervous so I did one more quick quilt before I made the other one. I have a friend that is raising money for Relay for Life and I decided to make a quilt to donate. I have very much enjoyed working on this quilt. It is my first time working with a jelly roll. I have to admit that it was nice to have most of my cutting done for me.
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| The words are Faith, Courage, Hope |
Church Lady Quilt
For my second quilt I took a class that my mother-in-law taught. It was easy and it is one of those quilts that looks harder than it was. It has a nice light dark contrast. I picked these colors because they are the colors of our bedroom. Yes believe it or not, every room doesn't have a purple theme to it.
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| Church Lady Quilt |
Friday, March 11, 2011
Sweet Memories
Today is a sad day for me. 7 years has past since we lost Alex, but I can close my eyes and remember that day in vivid details. I can even smell the room. I can see the nurse hand us Alex and the Dr. removing the tube. I can even feel his weight in my arms and see my tears glittering on his blanket. The only think that is hard for me now is remembering what he sweet face was like. I try and try, but to no avail. You think back and wish you had taken more pictures or had taken just one certain picture to remember, but in the end you did the best you could to just be there physically and emotionally.
I am thankful that God chose Brad and I to Grace and Alex's parents. I am thankful that he let Alex be with us for a little bit. I also know that we have a tiny angle watching over us each day and that some day we will rock and hold him and get to know Alex. Not going to lie, I have times of hate and so much upset that things didn't turn out the way I wanted them. I try each day to live life in the now and not go back, but times like today are hard. Here is the few pictures we have of Alex.
God's speed!
I am thankful that God chose Brad and I to Grace and Alex's parents. I am thankful that he let Alex be with us for a little bit. I also know that we have a tiny angle watching over us each day and that some day we will rock and hold him and get to know Alex. Not going to lie, I have times of hate and so much upset that things didn't turn out the way I wanted them. I try each day to live life in the now and not go back, but times like today are hard. Here is the few pictures we have of Alex.
God's speed!
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| Visiting Alex in the NICU the next day |
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| Alex just a day old |
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| Alex 2 days old |
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Pictures
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| Just a few days old. |
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| 2 months old, getting to Kangaroo care her. |
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| About 4 months old, tube free!! |
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| 1st Halloween |
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| 1 year old |
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| Got her new eye! |
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| 2 years old |
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| 3 years old. Yes I realize she is standing on the skee ball lane. But could you really resist this cutie? |
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| Little Cowgirl |
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| 4 years old |
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| At the beach |
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| Getting ready for surgery |
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| 5 years old |
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| 6 years old and now a BIG Sister! |
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| My girls. Grace is almost 7 here |
Sunday, February 27, 2011
New Drug
We were in the Wall Street Journal!
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703961104576148692383748796.html?KEYWORDS=avastin
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703961104576148692383748796.html?KEYWORDS=avastin
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Time is passing fast
I have had a lot of time to think this evening, both girls went down fast. Grace is almost 7! I can't get over this. She is this spunky, sassy little thing. She works hard and plays hard. 7... really? When did this happen. I am beginning to reflect as I always do as her birthday nears. I won't go into much detail tonight. But reader to be aware I am going to dip into some deep thoughts. ;o)
March 8th, is just around the corner and it is just a bitter sweet day for me. The day my babies were born, an exciting day, but such a scary day. If I close my eyes and just sit I can see it all, as if it happened yesterday. I can picture the people in the room, the sounds as my c-section took place. Brad holding my had, Dr. Bedi leaning over me telling me who he was and to not worry he would take care of my babies. The small squeak of a new born kitten that Grace made. The hurried steps of nurses and Dr.'s as she was taken care of. Then then absolute silence as Alex came out. The sudden feeling of dread followed by a lovely bought of nausea. Seeing my sweet babies for the first time, Grace squirming as I spoke to her and then slowly being wheeled off. My first memories of them are sweet and laced with the happiness of being a mommy and the wonderful drugs I was being given.
Seeing Grace for that first time once most of the anesthesia wore off is hard for me. But that memory comes back to me too. Sharp images, Grace on one side, Alex on the other. Who do I see first? Did I spend the same amount of time with each? Brad's face, and my mother's swim in these memories. Beeping, constant beeping and smell that I will never forget. One that haunts my dreams to this very day.
You would think that after 7years these images, smells and sounds would lessen, but they don't. They still assult my memory and seem to last longer. I have learned to deal, no that isn't the correct word. I have learned to cope. adapt, breath through these memories. Some are so clear I tear up and others, ones I want to remember are foggy and I believe that is my brain, my emotional side taking care of maybe what I can't handle. Will I remember in detail all of it? No I think not.
People think I am sure, "Why can't she just get over it? Or stop talking about it?" I will use a quote from one of my favorite movies here to explain this question. Pride and Prejudice when the younger sister is coming home married, "(Marriage) Is that all you can think about?" Ms. Bennet replies, "When you have five daughters, Lizzie, tell me what else will occupy your thoughts, and then perhaps you will understand." This is how I feel about Grace and about Alex. When you have lost a child, but still have the other half it is all you can think of. The what if's, the dreams you had the, what would he being doing now thoughts. I try to move on and not think about it at all. But when my sweet Grace flashes me her dimples to get another cookie once out of every 6 times I think, would he have matching dimples?
With Evelyn being in the NICU so recently I think I am thinking more about it than ever. Last yer was very hard on Brad and I, almost as if we had just been through it. So a second layer of healing is happening with our family and thankfully our two girls just help us pull through it.
I will close with this for now and end with a picture of a wonderful moment with Grace. I promise to post a few more of her journey closer to her birthday.
March 8th, is just around the corner and it is just a bitter sweet day for me. The day my babies were born, an exciting day, but such a scary day. If I close my eyes and just sit I can see it all, as if it happened yesterday. I can picture the people in the room, the sounds as my c-section took place. Brad holding my had, Dr. Bedi leaning over me telling me who he was and to not worry he would take care of my babies. The small squeak of a new born kitten that Grace made. The hurried steps of nurses and Dr.'s as she was taken care of. Then then absolute silence as Alex came out. The sudden feeling of dread followed by a lovely bought of nausea. Seeing my sweet babies for the first time, Grace squirming as I spoke to her and then slowly being wheeled off. My first memories of them are sweet and laced with the happiness of being a mommy and the wonderful drugs I was being given.
Seeing Grace for that first time once most of the anesthesia wore off is hard for me. But that memory comes back to me too. Sharp images, Grace on one side, Alex on the other. Who do I see first? Did I spend the same amount of time with each? Brad's face, and my mother's swim in these memories. Beeping, constant beeping and smell that I will never forget. One that haunts my dreams to this very day.
You would think that after 7years these images, smells and sounds would lessen, but they don't. They still assult my memory and seem to last longer. I have learned to deal, no that isn't the correct word. I have learned to cope. adapt, breath through these memories. Some are so clear I tear up and others, ones I want to remember are foggy and I believe that is my brain, my emotional side taking care of maybe what I can't handle. Will I remember in detail all of it? No I think not.
People think I am sure, "Why can't she just get over it? Or stop talking about it?" I will use a quote from one of my favorite movies here to explain this question. Pride and Prejudice when the younger sister is coming home married, "(Marriage) Is that all you can think about?" Ms. Bennet replies, "When you have five daughters, Lizzie, tell me what else will occupy your thoughts, and then perhaps you will understand." This is how I feel about Grace and about Alex. When you have lost a child, but still have the other half it is all you can think of. The what if's, the dreams you had the, what would he being doing now thoughts. I try to move on and not think about it at all. But when my sweet Grace flashes me her dimples to get another cookie once out of every 6 times I think, would he have matching dimples?
With Evelyn being in the NICU so recently I think I am thinking more about it than ever. Last yer was very hard on Brad and I, almost as if we had just been through it. So a second layer of healing is happening with our family and thankfully our two girls just help us pull through it.
I will close with this for now and end with a picture of a wonderful moment with Grace. I promise to post a few more of her journey closer to her birthday.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Grouchy Old Men!!
Warning... The content in this message has really upset me, therefore I will begin a rant. Oh and it is long! ;o)
Brad and I took the girls to Friday's for dinner tonight. It was nice and not crowded. Other couples were set around us, including another family with a small child. Evelyn was being good, occasionally she should shout out cause I wasn't feeding her fast enough. Just her normal grunt shout that she makes. There was an older couple in the corner and they didn't even talk to each other as they ate their meal.
So all of the sudden the manager is at the older couples table. He starts to complain about the food, still not talking to his wife, then he starts to comment that while he knows this is an upscale restaurant but it is hard to be placed next to all this screaming children when you are trying to eat. UM excuse me! Did he just openly and very loudly complain about my child screaming! At first I thought I had heard wrong, so I blatantly stared at their table to hear the conversation better. He continues on his tirade about how loud my child has been and she is screaming. Um she isn't screaming I can show him screaming. Trust me if he really heard the lungs on this kid he wouldn't need his hearing aides any more.
We all continue our meal. Evelyn was really good, she was cute and smiling and every now and then, for a total of 4 times, she did her little shout out for more food or her bottle. Each time he would glare at our table I would give him my best southern women go to hell look right back. Think it ends here? NOPE!
Our/his waitress was waiting on the table across from him, giving them their food. While she is passing out their food he taps her on her back with his credit card and wants his bill now. She nicely ask him to wait just one minute and let her get all the food out. Well he wasn't standing for that! No siree! He wanted the manger again and right now. So I let Evelyn shout out again and let it last longer, YES ON PURPOSE!
Manager comes again and he is then very rude, goes on and on and on about my kids now. Umm Grace hasn't said a word, just her normal quite talk with her drawings. Dude he crossed the line. I had enough and Brad didn't even stop me, just nodded. He knew I was about to say something and didn't stop me at all. Tells you what he was thinking.
I then said loudly, "I am sorry if you find my children disturbing, I am doing the best I can to feed her fast enough." He said well, "I raised 4 kids and we never let them shout out at all. We got up from the table and left the restaurant." I raised my eyebrow, "Well I am sure you children have turned out just a nice and considerate as you and your wife are." Other tables, whom were all couples with out kids laugh at this. Grouchy man then says, "You have a nasty mouth and are being rude and do not know how to raise your children correctly." I replied in my nice southern female voice, "Well isn't that nice. I am sorry that your are such a miserable person and forgot that Friday's was a family establishment and loud to begin with. You should have gone some where more upsale." No reply from him and he left.
Now we have taken both girls out of a restaurant and quickly for being loud and fussy. Evelyn was not fussy she was talking to use and saying her new word Uh-oh loudly. She wasn't crying, screaming or throwing a fit. She was pleasant and when she did hit her breaking point, I was done and got the girls and up we went.
I get it with kids in restaurants, been there. But really do you have to be mean about it? When the hostess was about to sit you down, why didn't you just ask for a different table away from the kids? That would not have bothered me at all. You can complain about me any day, mess with my kids and you are playing with fire. Who gave him the right to judge me and how I am raising my children? Judging me as a parent. Lets look at you Mr. Grouchy. Couldn't talk to your wife the WHOLE dinner. Just sat there glaring at me, other tables and yelling at the waitress. Complained about everything, too much ice, napkin was abrasive, fork wasn't bent right and food not right either. Now lets look at my table, talking with my family, Grace giggling, Evelyn all smiles, talking about fairies with Grace and Brad playing tic-tac-toe with Grace. Seems I am doing a good job, both kids are happy and are able to entertain themselves at a restaurant. I just need to work on feeding Evelyn faster.
I feel sorry for you Mr. Grouchy, I pray that when I am you age I can look at a family like mine and smile and remember those days. Remeber how hard they are, how long the nights are and then blink gone. Seems to me his needs to go back and read his bible about the judging thing, missed some key point there buddy!
Funny thing was I was worried about how loud she was, then one couple in our area was like I didn't even know there was a baby there. The 3 other couples were like she is fine, nothing that warrants leaving.
So Mr. Grouchy here is my wish for you... I hope that in every non-upscale place you eat, there is a kid sitting near you. I hope that it will teach you humility and consideration. I hope that your grandchildren really teach you that in public and that you learn to go with the flow and get out of your misery. Life is not worth being miserable all the time. I also hope that if we meet again you are REALLY ready to hear all that I want to say to you! ha ha ha... ;o)
Brad and I took the girls to Friday's for dinner tonight. It was nice and not crowded. Other couples were set around us, including another family with a small child. Evelyn was being good, occasionally she should shout out cause I wasn't feeding her fast enough. Just her normal grunt shout that she makes. There was an older couple in the corner and they didn't even talk to each other as they ate their meal.
So all of the sudden the manager is at the older couples table. He starts to complain about the food, still not talking to his wife, then he starts to comment that while he knows this is an upscale restaurant but it is hard to be placed next to all this screaming children when you are trying to eat. UM excuse me! Did he just openly and very loudly complain about my child screaming! At first I thought I had heard wrong, so I blatantly stared at their table to hear the conversation better. He continues on his tirade about how loud my child has been and she is screaming. Um she isn't screaming I can show him screaming. Trust me if he really heard the lungs on this kid he wouldn't need his hearing aides any more.
We all continue our meal. Evelyn was really good, she was cute and smiling and every now and then, for a total of 4 times, she did her little shout out for more food or her bottle. Each time he would glare at our table I would give him my best southern women go to hell look right back. Think it ends here? NOPE!
Our/his waitress was waiting on the table across from him, giving them their food. While she is passing out their food he taps her on her back with his credit card and wants his bill now. She nicely ask him to wait just one minute and let her get all the food out. Well he wasn't standing for that! No siree! He wanted the manger again and right now. So I let Evelyn shout out again and let it last longer, YES ON PURPOSE!
Manager comes again and he is then very rude, goes on and on and on about my kids now. Umm Grace hasn't said a word, just her normal quite talk with her drawings. Dude he crossed the line. I had enough and Brad didn't even stop me, just nodded. He knew I was about to say something and didn't stop me at all. Tells you what he was thinking.
I then said loudly, "I am sorry if you find my children disturbing, I am doing the best I can to feed her fast enough." He said well, "I raised 4 kids and we never let them shout out at all. We got up from the table and left the restaurant." I raised my eyebrow, "Well I am sure you children have turned out just a nice and considerate as you and your wife are." Other tables, whom were all couples with out kids laugh at this. Grouchy man then says, "You have a nasty mouth and are being rude and do not know how to raise your children correctly." I replied in my nice southern female voice, "Well isn't that nice. I am sorry that your are such a miserable person and forgot that Friday's was a family establishment and loud to begin with. You should have gone some where more upsale." No reply from him and he left.
Now we have taken both girls out of a restaurant and quickly for being loud and fussy. Evelyn was not fussy she was talking to use and saying her new word Uh-oh loudly. She wasn't crying, screaming or throwing a fit. She was pleasant and when she did hit her breaking point, I was done and got the girls and up we went.
I get it with kids in restaurants, been there. But really do you have to be mean about it? When the hostess was about to sit you down, why didn't you just ask for a different table away from the kids? That would not have bothered me at all. You can complain about me any day, mess with my kids and you are playing with fire. Who gave him the right to judge me and how I am raising my children? Judging me as a parent. Lets look at you Mr. Grouchy. Couldn't talk to your wife the WHOLE dinner. Just sat there glaring at me, other tables and yelling at the waitress. Complained about everything, too much ice, napkin was abrasive, fork wasn't bent right and food not right either. Now lets look at my table, talking with my family, Grace giggling, Evelyn all smiles, talking about fairies with Grace and Brad playing tic-tac-toe with Grace. Seems I am doing a good job, both kids are happy and are able to entertain themselves at a restaurant. I just need to work on feeding Evelyn faster.
I feel sorry for you Mr. Grouchy, I pray that when I am you age I can look at a family like mine and smile and remember those days. Remeber how hard they are, how long the nights are and then blink gone. Seems to me his needs to go back and read his bible about the judging thing, missed some key point there buddy!
Funny thing was I was worried about how loud she was, then one couple in our area was like I didn't even know there was a baby there. The 3 other couples were like she is fine, nothing that warrants leaving.
So Mr. Grouchy here is my wish for you... I hope that in every non-upscale place you eat, there is a kid sitting near you. I hope that it will teach you humility and consideration. I hope that your grandchildren really teach you that in public and that you learn to go with the flow and get out of your misery. Life is not worth being miserable all the time. I also hope that if we meet again you are REALLY ready to hear all that I want to say to you! ha ha ha... ;o)
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Moody Visit
A great thing about living so close to Galveston is:
- We are close to the beach
- Great seafood
- Schlitterbahn water park is just about 35 minutes away
- Moody Gardens and all their attractions.
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| Seals being fed. |
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| scrunchy face... |
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| Me, Cecil and Evelyn |
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| My girls and I sitting in front of the seal tank. |
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| Sofia and the Penguins |
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| This little due was showing off for Sofia |
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| Evelyn sucking on the glass |
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| So excited to see the Penguins coming and going. |
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| Waiting for our show off to swim back by. |
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| Look at how tall all these girls are! |
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| Touching a star fish |
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| Still touching the star fis. |
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| Grace was still enjoying touching the star fish. We were so excited that she wanted to do this. |
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| Grammy and her two big girls in the tunnle. |
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| This part is just amazing to sit under and watch. |
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| Having fun |
100th day!
Kinder and 1st grade have a parade to celebrate 100 days of school. Poor Grace has been home for 5 days worth of school sick. She thankfully is well now and got to attend her 100th day of school.
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| Her lovely poster. |
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| Very exicted to be in the parade again. Her hat kind of messed up her hair a bit. Who is this kids mother? I mean doesn't she fix her up or what? ;o) We are finally in that, "I will fix it and get myself totally ready!" stage. I just bit my tongue each morning. |
BIrthday fun!
As promised here are some birthday pictures of Evelyn. She was too cute! I think the funniest part was when she got her cupcake. She first picked it up with her hands, then decided that she didn't really want to get messy. She then put her hands out to the side and leaned in just with her face. She was bobbing for cupcakes.
I still can't believe that she is 1 years old. Where has the time gone?
She went right for the cupcake. No fear here!
Thank you to all our family and friends for helping make Evelyn's first birthday so special and helping me to laugh about my cake disaster.
I still can't believe that she is 1 years old. Where has the time gone?
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| This was the replacement cake that SAMS made for me. It was yummy. Still sad about it. |
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| Grill master Brad cooking up the yummy hot dogs. |
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| Evelyn about to enjoy her cupcake. |
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| Bobbing for cupcakes! After she decided that a hands free approach was better there was no stopping her. |
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| Birthday girl enjoying herself. |
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| Present time. |
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| Taking a nap with Niki. She lasted the whole entire party. She slept for a good while too and was ready to play when she woke up. |
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| This is her original smash cake. I saved it cause I worked so hard on it and the original and darn it I wanted to eat that yummy cake. Yes I am still a bit sad about the cake. Thinking should I try to make Grace's or just be done forever? Maybe cupcakes? |
Thank you to all our family and friends for helping make Evelyn's first birthday so special and helping me to laugh about my cake disaster.
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