presentation day 2014

The kids took advantage of our home school communities' presentation day again this year.  Boo chose to read her original story, The Lonely Teddy Bear, that she wrote.  LE played the Star Spangled Banner on piano.  Both girls put their journals out for display and R2 displayed his art work, the Snowman, he created when he was learning about the shape, circle.
It really hit me this year, how invaluable this opportunity was, when Pastor Steve came to support the kids.  He was telling me what a great idea it was b/c the kids really don't have the opportunity to present in a public setting or practice speaking in front of strangers.  It made me grateful, the kids were able to do this and I could see such a sense of responsibility in their work and pride when they were presenting.

wordless Wednesday - big helpers

last zoo hoorah

This past week our zoo membership expired, and it was our off week from school so we invited a few of our friends to join us for a zoo play date.  (I left the big camera and HR at home this time).
I don't recommend going late in the day.  I called the zoo office and asked if we were in the park at closing time if we could still walk around and see the animals, but by 4:30 the zookeepers began locking exhibits and putting the animals in for the evening.  We went later b/c my friend and I were killing two stones that day by attending the Waco used curriculum sale that evening.  We made a stop at Chick-Fil-A and then hit the sale.  I struck out this year at the sale, but LE found a set of  Little House Chapter books to complete her collection, an AG Samantha Christmas craft book and a Calico Critters nursery school set.  It was still a nice day to get out with friends.  We will do the zoo membership again, it was worth the expensive for a family of six.  We went more this year b/c we had the passes and we were able to share extra tickets with friends.

Crowe's Nest Farm

During our last school break, we took a field trip to the Crowe's Nest Farm.  We learned how they milk a cow, saw lots of Texas animals, and how not to get near an ostrich egg that has been in the Texas heat.  Let's just say Mama was glad she was not one of the pregnant Moms on that field trip.  We took a hay ride and had a picnic lunch with friends.

new senior fitness classes

I have been at the gym for three years this spring and I LOVE my job.  I have been trying to get them to add silver sneakers since we opened b/c of the number of seniors who participate in my aqua classes.
I have been through three gym managers, three human resource directors, five group X managers during this time.  Several have pushed for the classes, but nothing ever came of it.  But my newest club manager is interested in senior fitness as I am and beginning this Monday, I will be the new senior fit instructor for 24.  They decided with my knowledge, we could just brand our own fitness classes.  It will be similar in format, but SS is very present in the area and they did not think we had the numbers to support another club.  I am just so excited for my members b/c so many of them are too intimidated to venture into the weight room, have issues that prevent them from participating in classes that would cause joint pain, and when the pool is cold, they won't workout.  It will be a combination of low impact cardio/strength training/balance and stretching.  Can't wait!

Easter at Mimi's

This year our we celebrated Easter at Mimi's.  Aunt Francy is teaching this year and b/c of the bad weather makeup days, she had to teach on Good Friday and could not prepare for our annual Saturday Easter party at her home (even though I offered to help with cleaning).  Gigi was in Washington for the week so we celebrated as a family on Easter Sunday and it was another rainy one.  We had to postpone our egg hunt till later afternoon and wait for a break in the rain.  We had brisket and the fixin's and of course our tradition with cascaranas.  I had ordered 15 dozen of the stuffed eggs in February from a lady in my class (5 dozen for each party), so PawPaw's front yard was sprinkled with confetti by the end of the fun.

investing in Clorox

Over the past six weeks, HR has had strep twice, two ear infections and the final round was hand, foot and mouth disease.  I have washed laundry almost every day to keep his sheets fresh and his lovie bear that he sleeps with free from any germs.  LE and I have spent hours (while Boo babysat) sanitizing EVERY single plastic toy and surface that we own more than once.  When I got to the lego bucket I almost cried and then it came to me let's bathe them.  So, during nap time I dumped all of our duplo blocks in my soaker tub with a bleach/water combination and let them sanitize themselves.  Let's just pray this is the last go-round with these germs in our home.  Hoping as summer nears all the cold germs will die and Little Man soon outgrows putting things in his mouth.

updating the fence

Ben has installed us a new fence (pics will come when he finally gets to stain).  With all of the old pickets (+the help of pinterest) he created me some fun new elements for the house.  The top left pic he made for my kitchen wall.  LE says it is b/c I'm tired of saying the word, so he created a reminder.  The other three photos are of the downstairs bathroom that is under the stairs.  It was a uber dark brownish-red color that I never liked.  He painted it a light blue that my friend had in her entry way and then created a rustic wall behind the toilet for me.  He also replaced the light fixture and created a frame for the mirror.  It has so much more personality than the old bathroom.  He is also learning he has more skills with saws and hand tools than he thought.

our homeschool Easter Party

This month has been so crazy busy.  I have been the leadership liaison for our April Mom's for the events they have planned.  This past week they held the first Easter egg hunt for the group.  We were able to participate b/c park day was at an earlier time that didn't interfere with nap time for the boys.  We had a potluck picnic lunch, Easter egg hunt, story time and a Resurrection craft.  I was responsible for the story time and craft.  We read the Tale of the Three Trees.  We made this craft I found on pinterest and well as one I did when I was teaching.   At the egg hunt, a squirrel stole one of HR's eggs.  He bit a hole the size of a dime in it before I could get it back.  He made it half way up the tree before dropping the egg.

wordless Wednesday - the worker