Christmas 2008

Christmas Eve we went to see my Uncle Jeff and Janice. We have not been able to see him in about 2 years so there was lots of growth by girleez! Both Janice and Jeff know of the girls' passion for art so they purchased (independently) art kits for the girls. It was nice to visit with everyone and spend some quiet time together.

We realized how truly blessed we are today with having such wonderful girls. They didn't really get a letter off to Santa with wishes this year but left him a note for his consideration upon arrival. The letter and list were simple and sweet! We have an agreement with the girls not to wake parents before 8 am due to David's work schedule. They abide by the rule every year in good spirits without fail and not even pout about having to wait. There was positive responses to everything they received including the not quite what we were asking Santa for presents. He got it close but not exact! We had a wonderful Christmas and hope you did as well.

I usually don't post pictures of the opening presents business but since we didn't share the holiday with any family I'm doing so this year.

Princess Blossom (Pepper Doodle Von Yum Yum sorry it's kid tv show reference)

Midnight, the hamster, died a month ago so it's time for a replacement. Today we picked out our newest family member. Her name is Blossom and she's very bouncy and nervous. I'm sure she'll adapt eventually but she's sweet enough and the girls love her. She looks very, very similar to Pixie, our very first hamster. Dad was hoping for another all black furry friend but there wasn't one in the pet store. Here's hoping we didn't get another great escape artist!!-S

Houses for Habitat Year 2

The Brock's invited us again, thankfully, to participate in their church's Houses for Habitat (for Humanity). It's a lot of fun together and build a gingerbread house! We were joined by another family the Flores' so we had a nice group of crazy people to build and play with candy. I didn't get too many pictures because my hands were covered in frosting, at least I left with only frosted hands. Others left frosting in their hair, clothing, and bodies. Thanks again to the Brock's for including us can't wait for next years event. -S

In A Nutshell

December has been a crazy month as everyone should expect or anticipate. Between working (you know subbing at every opportunity), Christmas business (PTA float, cards, presents, and baking), being sick and worried about the girls being sick the time has flown by again. Here we stand 13 days before Christmas and there's very little under our tree and no thoughts on what to get! Oh well it will come to us or we will go without it, must not really be necessary anyways. Oh yeah, we're still supposed to be dealing with replacing the hamster gotta get that done by year's end too. Hoping to find some peace and quiet and rest in the very near future. So that's why there's not been a blog entry since Thanksgiving, too much going on and not really blog worthy!

Except for the PTA's Christmas float taking 1st place for the 5th consecutive year! Now that was cool and I really should have blogged it but our batteries were dead in the camera so no pictures were taken by the Marchal's. I may end up stealing some from friends just so you can see the funny business we created to represent Christmas Vacation (complete with Crazy Cousin Eddie, overlit house, burned chair, cat, and tree, and the beautiful Winnebago). It was a lot of fun to participate and hear the response from the parade watchers. And yes we are crazy enough to keep trying, going for number 6 next year why not??-S

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!!!