It's Midnight No More

I'm very sad to post that while we were at the Dallas Stars hockey game last evening, Midnight the hamster passed away. She had been very lethargic lately and not very social. We figured the time was near but were caught off guard. I don't know why or how we keep selecting hamsters that are crazed but it is fun while they live with us. Well except for maybe Midnight's fireplace escapade I don't think that was too enjoyable for anyone. We love that even though our hamsters make crazy choices and insane things happen to them they survive and keep us on our toes. We will wait a few weeks to select a new family member but a new one will come. And rest assured, I'm sure I'll have stories to post about her little adventures too!
Farewell to Midnight our little escape artist hamster :((

Round Up Time Again

I've of course mentioned that monthly the school holds a celebration to reward the students and celebrate their achievements. Well this month was our turn, of sorts. Kierstin was selected by her teacher as the Gold Medal reader for the month. That means she shows care and concern for her library books, is excited and continually reading and challenging herself with material, and provides leadership to others not so happy about reading. Or at least something along those lines! Adrienne, oddly enough, was selected as one of the 5th grade Athletes of the Month. I'm not trying to be mean, but she is the farthest thing from an athlete in my or even her mind. I kept it a secret as I always do and knew the announcement would catch her off guard. As they started to announce the selectees for athlete she was oblivious, because why would her name every be called in this category. Musician yes, every year she's attended; Artist yes, it's happened too; but Athlete no way never going to happen. When the PE coaches said her name, I could actually see her say the word "WHAT?!" across the room. I was able to get a picture of her standing to walk to the front in that state of confusion. It truly was one the best moments of these Round Ups thus far. I love that she was soo surprised and delighted to be choosen. Here's some pictures of the November Round Up -

Very Busy School Days/Nights

The elementary school decided to host Olympic Culture Night this year featuring stations of student Art displays, music from around the world, and multi cultural Olympic style games. Both the girls performed with their grade level. Kierstin was selected to play a steel drum to accompany the 3rd grade song. 5th grade made 'Carnival' style masks to wear during their performance of songs from Brazil and Argentina. Adrienne made a panda mask (front and center of the stage), and it's very cute! Additionally, the book fair was open for this semester. Unfortunately, that meant someone (wink, wink, can't say exactly whom) would be asked to dress up again in costume to help us welcome the students and help Kindergarten with their preview (see a post last November for same kind of thing)! However, this year the school had a fire drill in between Kinder classes visiting the library. Apparently, it was quite a site to see me leading Geronimo Stilton through the building and and across the parking lot hand in hand. Oh well all in a day's volunteering. Lastly, PTA (I was in charge) hosted our Annual Science Fair Night. All students grades 3-5 must complete a project and student K-2 may choose to do so. It's a wonderful event and fantastic way to see exactly what can come out of 8-11 year old minds. The projects are always amazing and the girls are friends with several of the winners from this years group. We also decided to add some fun to the evening by displaying the class pets from the building, along with Science Tools, and I invited the City of McKinney's Environmental Education team to come talk with us about recycling and pollution. I think/hope a good time was had by all, considering that's my PTA 'job'. I did not get a picture of each girl with their project that night but will try to soon. So enjoy the happenings of 2 nights and 1 morning! And that was only part of a week!!!

Pip & Jodi's Non Eurpoean but Texan Vacation!

We were very lucky to have Phillip and Jodi, due with sweet baby in January, come to visit us while they were stateside on leave. It's been a hard time this past year having them other than Louisiana! We were ready for four action packed, food frenzied days to spend with them. We visited Cristina's Mexican, Olive Garden, Speed Zone (mini golf and go kart racing fun) in Dallas, Buffalo Wild Wings, watched Madagascar 2, Braum's ice cream, and Chipotle and Scotty P's. Wow that was lot of eating out, did us in for a few weeks (I think)! It was really nice to spend time with them, and see pictures of Bryan (David and Pip's other brother) and Vanessa wedding and of the baby shower for the newest Marchal on the way. The boys toured a very local brewery, Franconia, and were impressed with the set up and it's product. Like we didn't know that would happen! So here's some pictures of our fun at Speed Zone. I didn't think it right to take pictures everywhere we went, people would think I'm weird. By the way, David and I tied to win the round of Mini Golf and everyone actually got a Hole In One!

Dang it Kristi :)

My friend Kristi shared with me at the beginning of October the Twilight series. Of course I was immediately sucked in as so many have been. I read through Book 1 pretty fast and just kept going. I picked up Book 4 at the local library on Thursday at 7 pm. I was completely finished with the 754 page book by 11:45 pm Sunday night. Probably would have been sooner but there was all that time devoted to Halloween (I'll get to the blog for it soon)! So that's why there's really nothing to blog for October because Kristi introduced to the very intriguing world of Bella and Edward. The housework got skipped, the movies in the mail got passed over, the PTA work pushed to the side all just to read. Thanks Kristi for sharing, now if only I can get the girls covered for the Big Girls Night Out to view the movie! The family is happy I'm finally finished now they'll get some attention and such now instead of my focus on Edward, Bella, Jacob, and the gang!

Halloween - It Has Multiple Parts

We were very worried that this would be the first Halloween David would not get to be off from work. That's of course the regular problem with working his schedule for over 5 years now! 23rd - I took the girls to the YMCA for their fun family carnival (I think they are too big now). For that event, Kierstin dressed as the daily Cinderella (you know slave to the evil stepmother and sisters) and Adrienne dressed as Felicity the American Girl. 24th - PTA Carnival at the school. Ok should have pictures but since I stayed and set up and asked dad to grab the camera it didn't happen. We had the camera with us all night long but never stopped to take a picture! Dang it!! Adrienne dressed as a 50's girl and entered the costume contest. We even made a spider cake for the Cake Walk that was desired by several kiddos (it made me happy to know people thought it was cute). We had a good time but worked our butts off before and after. 31st - We didn't know until 7:30 the night before that David would be off so I planned a very low key night. Friends were having some people over and we decided to Trick or Treat to their part of the neighborhood and then stay put. We ran into The Brock's so we had treated together, along with Rylee whom we borrowed from the King's while the little ones got ready. The Fun Cul de Sac did the usual set up: Haunted House (which neither girl entered but dad enjoyed), Concession type goodies for any and all who wanted, Hayride (long lines to do but love that they continue doing it for free), and candy. We had dual witches (finally been trying to get that as a costume for years now) and didn't get home till late.