PJ Party

There is nothing like getting to go to church in your PJ's, sit on the stage, and sing praise songs! My kiddos love it and I love what is poured into their hearts and mouths while learning to Praise Jesus!!

(I cannot wait for the stressful grin to go away!)

Cirque de Second Grade

This year's 2nd grade program was cute. They performed songs pertaining to the circus. Callan always surprises us because he is so keyed up about some things and so relaxed about others.

Here he is in his "Asian themed attire"

Here he is performing "Now I'm A Believer" in a trio. You could hear him too! He told us he was singing a "solo" but it was no sweat off of his back. He wanted it to be a surprise for us.

And being front and center with his "Asian style" dance moves (aka ribbon waving) was another unexpected highlight.

Easter Goodies!

The Easter Bunny always shows us a visit and leaves a few fun surprises.

Eliza is all into Littlest Pet Shop

Baylor is our electronics freak =)

Just give Silas some baseball cards and he is a happy camper.

All lined up in the entry (minus Cruz who I refused to yank out of bed)

Callan could not wait for the Easter bunny because he just knew he would bring him a mask and a snorkel.

Cruz loves some "HOT DOG!"

Easter Sunday Best

Jail Time

I started not to post this at all, but I know this is going to be something that we talk about into Callan's adulthood, so it could not go without words.
   My sweet son served a day of in school suspension this year... why you ask??? Because he was playing with his buddies on the playground. Of course there is a little more involved and this momma pitched a fit in the office, but it boils down to this. A group of friends were playing a keep away game with a toy. The friend that had the toy, threw it and dove on top of it. In response the entire group of boys ended up in a mosh pit on the ground trying to be the first at the toy. Another little boy peeping out from his cave like hiding place went and told their teacher that all the boys were hurting the friend that tossed and landed on the toy. Because the teacher did not see what happened (and evidentally was unsure of how to handle it) she sent them to the office. Our new vice principal thought it appropriate to lay down the law and put most of the kids in a full day in school suspension.

This momma fought like the dickens for her child, I cried, I blamed, and I told them that this would not be something we would ever forget.(of course I had to wait to talk to someone until 10AM because no one in administration was available the afternoon it happend or the following morning)  Honestly, I have lost confidence in my school. It seems that our schools have lost the ability to see children. Children are now numbers, instances, scores, and accidents waiting to happen. My kids walk around in fear that being a friend to someone will send a wrong message, that a game of 2 hand touch football (or a game of keep away) will be viewed as bullying. You cannot be good at something because it is a slap in the face to someone who is not good at something. Excellence is only celebrated when it can be fair and balanced for everyone. It seems that those who are no longer within the walls of the classroom (those calling all the shots) have forgotten why many people choose the teaching profession. I know when I chose my major it was not because I wanted the best TCAP scores in my school or a 10% improvement in 95% and above scores. Somewhere, we (and I say we because I am a teacher) messed up, and our schools and children are suffering for it.
(Well, it was not my intention to "go there" but now that it is typed...I am hitting publish!)

Just a touch of sass with our sweet

I love how she can make some 10 year old hand-me-down boots of her brothers into a perfect fashion statement. LOVE LOVE LOVE

A Girls Weekend

My college sorority was holding a celebration of it's 50th year on UTM's campus. When we heard it was coming the e-mails started flying out from the girls I shared so much with in my college years. It is hard to belive that I graduated from college almost 14 years ago, especially when I walked into the room with these girls in it. I do not get to spend much time with any of them, but just 5 minutes alone took us all right back to the comfortable page of friendships that stand the test of time, distance, and life. It is amazing to see what these women have become, and I am so thankful for the friendships that were created those 4 years that seem just like yesterday! My only wish was that I had taken more pictures so I could share more of the stories and faces of some of my lifetime friends.

Marcy, Chris and I lived together all of our college years. Our freshman year in the dorm down the hall from each other (always hanging out in rooms together). Our sophomore year in a Co-ed dorm where 8 of us shared a living room and bathroom. 4K (our room)was a crazy place where getting a complete sentence in was a miracle... and to be "the different egg". The rest of our years the 3 of us spent on Oakland Street in an apartment. I still wonder sometimes how Marcy got the biggest room with the biggest closet. If those walls could talk!! I will cherish those days all of my life.

The pledge class of 1993 (of those who were there and could be rounded up). 6 of the 8 of us 4Kers are pictured here. (Dawn you should have gotten in the picture) So many memories, so much fun... and reliving it if only for the weekend made my soul smile.