Father Daughter dance

Playing catch up...

One of my biggest ... resolutions if you will, this year was to be a much better blogger.

I am determined to do it.

So we are playing catch up

starting today.

Stormy had a Father daughter dance last month.

Her last one..

Her last one in Elementary school

Her last one at her old school

Yes we moved too.

I have been a bit preoccupied 

Much much going on.

More on that later..

Without further ado...

Let me get to blogging.

The night of the dance Matt-Daddy had a scheduled test

at school.

No way to reschedule

had to take it then.

Dance starts at 6:30

Test starts at 6:00

He said maybe an hourish for the test and it was 30 minutesish 

driving time one way.

I was skeptical they would make it all much less

in time for a photo.

I offered a couple weeks ahead to ask her Uncle to come step in

and take her.

No, It is my last one I want to go with my Daddy.

I said no problem.

So she got dressed

and we waited.

My girl...
We waited some more...

Then he arrived!
Hahaha...
He got to school early and they let him go ahead
and take the test so he finished much sooner than expected.
Yay!
Everyone was happy :)

Not completely in focus but I love it anyway.
He couldn't wait to get home to go with Stormy
That by far, is the best part ...

Oh and btw....
He aced that test :)


I hope that your year is off to a brilliant start.

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity ... 

1 Chronicles 29:17 

Around here...

This child..

When she wants to be, she is so focused.... 

And I don't want to do anything to break it.

She has always loved to design clothes...

She didn't get the clothes part from me but her Grandmother and I can be pretty creative

and crafty when we want to be... 

Her grandmother more so than me and 

on a much larger scale... 

Quilts, refinishing furniture, painting etc.

Me..
Well...photography and paper crafts.

She got these design templates a few years ago and pulls them out from time to time.
Then it graduated to a dress form that she loves to dress up with material and costume jewelry.

Last week we went to visit a friend that runs a dress shop that specializes in formal attire.
Especially dresses for prom and bridesmaids... well, you get the idea.
Stormy was in a trance...
She tried on dress after dress...
(much to her Dad's chagrin)
Those pics are on my phone... will have to get those uploaded..
I need to do a phone dump anyway.

I had mentioned to my friend that Stormy loves dresses and draws them free hand and puts them in a
notebook and she loves to create on her dress form and with her templates etc.
She said, "Well she needs to come spend a Saturday with me dressing the mannequins."
She told Stormy that... and
Girl. It. Was. On. 

She has been using her templates and organizing her "portfolio".
She can't wait to go hang with Miss Tammy ;)

On a another note...
She got off the bus Friday and was non stop chatter about her project due in two weeks.
I thought, great we have time.
No.
She wanted to do it TODAY.

It is on Native American Dwellings. She picked a "Winter Hogan".
Not the easiest one either I might add.
She has actually done 90% of it.
She has done an amazing job so far.
Matt-Daddy has guided and given her instruction, although the above
photo would say the contrary. ;)
He was working on the very top of the roof.
She wants it to be removable so she can show the inside and what they are doing.
You go girl.
Don't let me stand in the way.

f.y.i. ....
Me - fourth grade...
Mom --When is that project due?
Me -- "Um... in two days.."
Mom -- "How long have you had to prepare for this?"
Me -- "A little over two weeks."
Mom -- (steam blowing out her ears and flames in her eyes)
Me -- "I guess I will go with the igloo.
Do we have any sugar cubes??"
"Glue?"
Yeah..... I would have totally chosen the easiest one.

 Like I said.. I'm not going to do anything to
break that focus.
Especially when it comes to school work.
We are only one week into school and she has already read
the 3rd book in the series "My Sister's a Vampire".
She started the 4th this morning.

Wow.
I love her.
For any number of reasons....
But today I found another reason. I see another strong point and she
makes me want to make them mine.
Since the day she was born....
She still makes me want to be a better person..

Hope you guys have had a great weekend!
Here's to fabulous week ahead :)

Ciao,
Rox

Soft hearted...

I went to pick up our girl from school Friday and she burst into tears when she got into the car.

I was so surprised...

 I said what is wrong?

Are you hurt?

Did someone say something to hurt you?

Is someone else hurt?

She kept saying no. No. No.

I said then what is it?

She said in a very high pitched voice between sobs.

Today was Mrs. 'Teacher's' last day!!

Um... Duh...

Mom of the year here..

Her teacher is having a baby on Monday.

Today was her last day at school for the year.

I've only known this was coming the ENTIRE school year.

So... While I polished my Mom of the year trophy,

I talked to her and tried to calm her.

 I told  her how wonderful a blessing it is that Mr. and Mrs. 'Teacher'

(names have been changed to protect the innocent ;) 

were going to receive on Monday. And that their son was going to be a big brother.

They would have a little girl in the family now.

She said I know. I know. *gasp for air sob sob*

I KNOOOooooooWW...

But she won't be there the rest OF THE YEAR MoOOoOOoOOOOMMM!

Geeez.....

I get it.

I do.

She proceeded to burst out in sobs at least three more times before bed.

I let her get on the laptop and hold it in her lap on the couch for awhile.

(that is a big deal - they are only allowed toset it on the table)

I captured these images between sobbing outbursts...



I hope you guys are having a great week.

By the way...

Mrs. 'Teacher' had a successful delivery on Monday and she and

'Baby girl Teacher' are doing fine.

And so is my Baby Girl :)

Ciao,

xoxo

Zoo

A couple of weeks back I got to chaperone a field trip with the Kindergarten to the Zoo!

We had a great time but not enough time to see it all. Matt and I will definitely go back with the kids :)

The entrance to the zoo..

The flamingos..

Owls are so beautiful :)

The goat in the petting zoo..

Panda's are so cute!

Panda stamp on Sully's hand..

Yawning....

So majestic...

His girl :)

The giraffe.. In need of a power wash ;)

And the elephant

101st day of school

Friday was the 101st day of school for my minions.. wow.. it is flying by!

In Stoney's class they were the 101 Dalmations.

So here is my little Dalmation :)

You guys make it a great week!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

... LOL.. It is back to school around here today!
They were both very excited this morning.. I hope that their day is going well.
As much time as went spent together this Summer... And it was time for them to be back on a schedule.... I miss my little minions and am feeling a little lost today... I am eager to get into carpool and hear about their day!

My big Second grader :)

My Big Kindergartner!

Ready to take the day!


New shoes... We will take this picture again next May ;) !!

Happy Monday! Hope everyone's week is off to a great start :)

Better late than never..

Here is Stormy's End of year awards day party...

It's only like... three weeks late! Ha :)

They played musical chairs.

And Stormy was the last one standing... er well.... sitting... She won..

You think she was happy? LOL

They had sidewalk chalk... She and a friend were playing a little tic-tac-toe..



She received two awards.. She was so pleased with herself ... I was too :)

She loves her teacher so much... She is actually doing the looping thing this

year and will move up with Stormy's entire class. We are very excited!

And one of our most favorite people in the world...

Miss Andi! We love her :)

School's Out For Summer!

Field Day..

It has been a busy week around here.

One week of school left so there are a lot of activities going on.

This week was field day at the kids school. Wednesday was Stoney's class and Thursday was Stormy's. I was able to be at both. And everyone had a ball!

Stoney being meticulous with the water in the plunger.

I think the favorite game of the day was with the parachute.

Too fun!

Over then under with the toilet paper, without breaking it ;)

Stoney broke a record for Pre-K with the pizza box relay ;)

Watered down socks slung around then thrown over a line.

The kids loved this one!

Again... there is something about a parachute.. They had a ball.

Ahh... Over under with a soaked sponge in a bucket of water. Then

fill the can at the end when you squeeze it.

Love these two shots.

But this has to be my favorite shot of the day...

Only five more days of school. I can hardly believe it.

Awards day and end of school celebrations next week. It is

a busy time of the year at our house. But, I wouldn't have it

any other way.