Favorite Photo Friday

Kendall Leigh and Junie B.

March 2011

Kendall finished her first chapter book yesterday.  I am beside myself with how excited I am about this.  Don't get me wrong -- K and i have read books together before.  but Junie B. is the first one she's read completely by herself.  in fact, most nights, after bath, she would huddle down on the couch with her little book.  I would look over and catch her grinning or snickering about some silly thing Junie B. had said.  

The mommy in me is so excited -- excited for all the fun "adventures" Kendall will be able to experience now through reading.  I hope she finds enjoyment in reading  before I did.  It took re-reading many of the "favorites" from middle school and high school (whether in college or when i was teaching them to my own students) for me to appreciate writing.  The fact that Kendall is only 6 and already appreciates reading and writing make me so proud.

The teacher in me is even more proud.  I know -- many of my friends' children have been reading for a while. And that's fine.  I figured out a long time ago that is does no good to compare children when it comes to learning and achievement.  The best part of Kendall's reading?  When she told me, "Mommy, when I don't know a word, I just think 'whatever' in my head, and usually I can figure out what the word means after I finish the sentence or the paragraph."  Yes, honey, that's called using your context clues.  My heart melts.  I'm so proud of her.

And this precious picture and wonderful achievement couldn't have come a ta better time.  We have a had a week of PMS (from 3 members of this family), bad weather, and lots of over-eating for me.  So this highlight of the week has made me a happy girl again.  (Along with some much-needed love and hugs from the men in my life.)

So, there you have it.  Sorry for being MIA for a few weeks.  It's bee crazy for us -- I've been subbing alot, and there's been a lot of playing outside with the early spring-like weather.  The next few weeks are only going to be busier.  We begin our spring festivities this weekend with the Shamrock N Roll race.  the kids are very excited about going to watch their daddy run a race.

So happy Friday!

Who Cares if the Tub is Dirty???

I just read this on my cousin's Facebook page and it speaks volumes to me.  As a SAHM, I struggle daily with all the hats I must wear.  Many of my SAHM-friends joke around about needing a secretary or an assistant.  But it's so true.  Staying at home and raising kids is a full time job.  One that often goes unrewarded and underpaid, unless you count being paid in kisses.  But even as the kids get older, their appreciativeness and kisses tend to get fewer and far between.  So, as this poem says, I think it's important to make the most of the times when you can get them.

Some houses try to hide that fact

That children shelter there.

Ours boasts of it quite openly--

The signs are everywhere.

For smears are on the windows,

Little smudges on the doors.

I should apologize, I guess,

For toys strewn on the floor.

But I sat down with the children

And we played and laughed and read.

And if the bathtub doesn't shine

Their eyes will shine instead.

For when, at times, I'm forced to choose

The one job or the other,

I want to have a lovely house,

But first I'll be a mother.

--Author Unknown

He's Gonna Melt Some Hearts!!

OK, so I complain about all these artsy things Tanner has to do for school -- but I have to be honest.  I love doing these artsy projects.  Unfortunately for my kids, I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to said projects.  So we start off with all these, "Look, Buddy, you can help Mommy do this" comments, but, in the end, I printed some pictures from the Playhouse Disney website so Tanner could color while I finished gluing my creation.


Tanner did choose the design, after scouring the Internet for ideas.  Then he helped me find some toilet paper rolls and cut some letters on the Cricut.  I let him do a little bit of the glue mess, but since the glue sticks wouldn't work, I had to take him off glue-duty.  (Tanner + Tacky Glue = DISASTER)


I've been posting pictures via Facebook throughout the day of my progress.  I have to say, now looking at the finished product, this one won't be going in the trash any time soon!!


Step 1 -- Cricut letters -- Tanner likes to help with cutting the letters.  It gives me a chance to work on his letters and some phonics with him.  Gluing the teeny-tiny letters down was a different story.


Step 2 -- Cutting the circle and making the tires.  Did this part on my own.


Step 3 -- Painting the toilet paper rolls.  I did this while Tanner was at school.  I know, he would've loved to do some painting, but oh well.


Step 4 -- Tape up the Capri Sun box and make the flap.  Then I had to cover the box with red paper.  This step would have been so much easier if I had some red wrapping paper; instead, I had to use several pieces of red construction paper.  Lots of glue and tape helped hold the paper in place.  It's a big 'ole mess up close.


Step 5 -- This was fun!!  I had to get some pictures of Tanner in his fireman outfit so he could be sitting in the windows of the truck!  So we played dress up and printed some cute little pictures.  Then I made "windows" with his picture from every angle of the truck.  I'm really happy with the way that part turned out!


Step 6 -- Glue the tires on.  Fairly easy.  Tanner got to squeeze the glue for that part. :)


Step 7 -- Glue on the ladder (made of Popsicle sticks and tooth picks), the "doors", and the license plate with Tanner's name.




And here is the finished product.  I am so excited for him to take it to school on Friday!!

Now to just finish the actual Valentine's that go inside all his friends boxes ...

Favorite Photo Friday

And you thought I forgot??

No way -- I simply got distracted by all my nothingness today.

Yes, I was simply too busy contemplating going back to bed (in one of the kids' beds since I made mine when I first got up this morning) and thinking about dusting and running the vacuum.

Anyway, here is my favorite photo for this week.  It, in fact, is not one of my photos, but one that came across my wall on Facebook.

Because I do have time for that ...  and I can look from the convenience of the recliner.

The New Starbucks "Trenta"

That's right, people.  Starbucks has exceeded all expectations.  I thought they blew me away with the BOGO Christmas Blend and the Skinny Lattes.

But this one blows all of that out of the water.

The new trenta size holds 31 ounces.

Allow me to calculate that into terms you will understand.

The new trenta holds an entire bottle of wine.

Yes, I have died and gone to Heaven.  Please do not resuscitate.

Happy Friday!