tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32221717913889227672024-03-13T14:16:50.950-05:00Mama Sue Homeschool MomMama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.comBlogger207125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-48366913733463040362018-02-07T15:01:00.000-06:002018-02-07T15:01:20.573-06:002017Before we get too far into 2018, can I just say that 2017 was maybe the worst year ever! Way too much loss...we lost my youngest step brother suddenly in June and My uncle in September they were devastating losses in different ways to our family. Add to that my 5 hospital stays, (three admissions through ER) and 3 surgeries. 2007 was certainly a close contender.<br />
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Now, with all that being said I am hoping for a wonderful 2018 with no hospital visits and a new healthier me! I have finally been released from the doctors and surgeons since beginning this journey last spring.<br />
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My Squad! </div>
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These are the women who have helped me keep it together. There are a couple missing, but these are my peeps! Three generations Mom, my sister Cindy and I and of course all our favorite daughter, granddaughter and niece Sydney and of course Belle and Murry! Everyone had a hand in my existence this year! I would also like to shout out to my love's oldest daughter Courtnay who was ALWAYS there with me when mom or Rick couldn't thanks to her summer schedule. My Sydney was amazing considering her entire summer and Christmas vacation was totally blown, never complained and was there to constantly pick up after me. I never realized how much stuff I drop until I am constantly asking someone to pick up after me because I can't bend over.</div>
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I have found more love and respect for all my mother can and will do for me. You truly never stop being a mom. It's a life long job! I am blessed to have all of my immediate family except my brother John living here locally. I know in this day and age it is a rare thing.</div>
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I am beyond blessed with all God's provision in my life. I have both my parents, a loving husband and daughters, countless friends an incredible church and supportive homeschool community.</div>
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For my love, Rick he holds me close and has cheered me on even when the scary stuff happens. He and my mom are the two bravest souls I know. They never let their own fear show me any lack of faith or confidence that I would be fine.</div>
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Now for the good stuff. We did have good days last year. For Sydney it was being asked to be represented by an agent, having the privilege to be cast as an extra in the pilot of the FOX show The Gifted, as well as a commercial shoot for Texas Instruments. She was never seen in the pilot but it was a phenomenal experience for her and she was paid well. Sydney also got to go to New Mexico to Lone Tree for camp, Noize Camp and Acting Camp so her summer had some bright spots as well.</div>
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This year my journey is better health. I have been ordered to lose weight so I have joined Weight Watchers with an old friend. I should begin exercising soon and that will help me lose weight as well as become stronger.</div>
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My God is so good!</div>
MamaSuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04245466879436642002noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-62870869822996784692017-01-05T16:16:00.000-06:002017-01-05T16:30:56.770-06:00Happy New Year!Since Thanksgiving our calendar has been crammed full of activities with friends and family.<br />
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We started off the season with a trip to Six Flags for Holiday In The Park with Emma and her mom Tracey. As you can see by the way the girls are dressed it wasn't a super cold night. We had a blast and Tracey made a new friend in the Guest Services department!</div>
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After Thanksgiving we took a trip to the Dallas Galleria for some shopping and fun with my mom, Kendall and her mom Michelle. We had so much fun and hated for it to end.</div>
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As always our trip included a trip to the American Girl Store and a visit to Paradise Bakery for some awesome cookies. I am going to make a copycat version and I will let you know how they are.<br />
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In early December we went to Casa Mañana to see a play called Santa Claus A New Musical. As always the production was fun and the kids loved it. Sydney with her nephew Levi!</div>
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After the play we went to Central Market for lunch and some friend and sister fun. This is Annie, our middle daughter. It was a great day for sitting outside while Levi played on the playground. Sydney and I spent many days there when she was little...I love being able to have a table to eat and watch the kids at the same time. It was Annie's first time but I'm sure she will be going back.</div>
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Our homeschool group had their annual skating and cookie party at a local skating rink!</div>
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Recital Flowers from my friend Tracey!</div>
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Horsing around at South Cliff Baptist Church's Christmas program Where Shelby Anderson performed with her dance group Devotion In Motion.</div>
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After 2 recitals we settled in for In And Out Burgers which Sydney loves and I tolerate.</div>
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Sydney and her friends Brooke and Hope while waiting on Shelby to perform.</div>
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When in Texas...</div>
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Trying to find some good Christmas shots for cards and gifts. I dropped my Nikon camera at Mayfest of the bleachers and I haven't gotten the courage to take it to the camera shop to see how much the damage is. I think the camera is okay but it's the lens. </div>
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The week before Christmas was Sydney and Kendall's official Christmas celebration beginning at Zekes for fish and fried okra and mushrooms. Sydney doesn't care for fish so she had chicken. This place is a family favorite since the 70s.</div>
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Oh Christmas Tree!</div>
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My mad bow making skills! I love bow making during Christmas. It's relaxing and I can do it while watching a Christmas movie. My mom taught me how when I was a teenager and I have made them most Christmases of my adult life. When Sydney was young I resorted to stick on bows for a while but I really missed these beauties.</div>
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Finally some cold air for the holidays! It didn't last and was back in the 80s last week.</div>
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Sydney and Kendall going to see Moana. They both said it was really good.</div>
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Sydney and Kendall goofing around.</div>
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Cookie decorating with the Anderson family! Every year Robin makes cookies and I make the icing and we meet at one of our houses for the kids to decorate cookies. Such a sweet tradition that I hope we are able to continue when our kids are grown.</div>
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Sydney, Garrett and Christopher were in the same kindergarten class and have been friends since. Emma is Christopher's little sister who is only a year younger and has alway been part of the group and usually the life of the party!</div>
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View from my kitchen...calm before the storm!</div>
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My Christmas Belle...</div>
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Christmas morning fun!</div>
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Sydney finally got her phone!</div>
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We wrapped our Christmas up on the 29th with Sydney's sisters, niece and nephew.</div>
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<br />Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-38115219807550815182016-08-14T13:23:00.000-05:002016-08-14T18:35:54.969-05:00Blogging, Co-op and Seasons...The past couple of years our family has been in a hard season. There has been a lot of loss for my immediate and extended family including death, near death x 2, a house fire, loss of pets and jobs, sickness, pain and suffering, dealing with dementia and having to put my mother in law in a nursing home. I don't know anyone who responds well to chaos and confusion. That's why Satan uses those very things to disrupt our lives and divide families. I have a very strong faith and it has been tested in ways I never imagined. Through it all God has shown me love, grace and mercy like I never imagined.<br />
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It has gotten much harder for me to blog about these things in part because of Facebook and because some of it is just to sad too articulate. We lost my father in law and now we are watching my mother in law deteriorate. Lately, however my daughter who is now 16 and so full of life and love and energy that I think I will have plenty to write about as our homeschool journey comes to a close in a few short years.<br />
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Even our dog Belle was hurting after the loss of Freddy, my mom's Cavalier.</div>
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Sydney and her friends at acting camp this summer!</div>
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One of the earliest photos of Sydney and Kendall together from years ago!</div>
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Pondering the future...</div>
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For the past 2 school years we have been involved in a homeschool co-op. For 14 weeks each semester we gather for classes at a local church every Monday. This has truly kept me going and maintained my sanity. Ours is a parent taught co-op so there is heavy participation expected from the parents. There are somethings I love and a few things I don't love about it. I love the social aspect for sure. Sydney and I already had a pretty awesome network of homeschool friends but this has broadened our spectrum of friends immensely. I still teach core classes at home and she takes electives at co-op. Sydney has been in dance since she was six and dancing, singing and theatre are her passions. So I allow her to focus on those outlets for her coop classes. For example, last year year she had art, drama, character design and study hall for her classes. You can opt for study hall if there isn't a class any hour that suits you. Some of her other classes have been Victus Study Skills (hated but will admit it was helpful), Quilting (also hated because of the pins) Yearbook/Newspaper and Photography.<br />
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In the beginning I didn't love the idea of teaching other kids at all! I mostly assist or co-teach with another mom. After 4 semesters I do have more confidence and I am beginning to like the other kids, dare I say love them! I have taught pre-school age, young elementary, older elementary and middle school kids. I have really warmed up to them this year though. I avoided Sydney's grade level classes because, let's face it, she gets enough of me at home! I have taught Lego Mechanics, Pre-K story time, Geography, Science and Math Games which is just fun ways to enrich math skills for elementary students (I have to admit that after years of depending on calculators, it challenged me). This year I will be co-teaching drama and middle school grade General Science...Yikes!<br />
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<br />Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-14428206709728571512014-04-24T10:26:00.001-05:002014-04-24T10:26:21.902-05:00What? 2013 Recital!I have to confess that I started this blog to document our homeschool journey and to document our lives in general. Based on what I found in my drafts I am not doing a less than stellar job! I never posted recital pics from last year. I had a draft but I never got around to doing it so I thought since her 2014 recital is less than a month away and she has already received her costumes for this year I would post my good intentions from last year!<br />
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Sydney performed in her dance recital for the 7th year in a row. I am amazed how much better the girls are each year. It has been so much fun to watch them grow up. Each year there are those who don't return and some new faces. Middle school seems to be the age where dancers lose interest, opt for cheer leading, don't have time for dance or decide to try dance for the first time! This year she was amazing! Of course, she doesn't think she was but I love watching her dance. <br />
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In the beginning we did professional photos as a studio but that stopped about 3 years ago. We are not allowed to photograph the actual recital but we can take pictures during dress rehearsal. It is very dark in the auditorium and I always get my camera set just right and then set it down and mess up the settings. I have two points here 1). I need a photography class 2). My pictures didn't turn out well. I brought a flash light thinking that may help but it didn't!<br />
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Jazz - "Keep the Party Jumpin " as you can see a little fuzzy!</div>
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Lyrical - "Good Mother" a little better…</div>
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Beautiful…</div>
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Hip Hop - "Girls Talkin' 'Bout" again…fuzzy. How cute would this have been?</div>
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Ad in the official FWPAC program…</div>
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As you can see this is not from last year…it's from 2007 and it melts my heart </div>
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every time I see it…sniff! My baby's first recital.</div>
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There will be more dance pics coming soon. Mayfest is in a couple of weeks!</div>
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Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-23315956460397492032014-02-14T08:57:00.001-06:002014-02-14T08:57:19.960-06:00A few words about my sister.<div style="text-align: center;">
My sweet sister Cindy and sweet Sydney at the Gaylord Texan in 2012!</div>
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I recently read a post by Pioneer Woman comparing her 2 daughters and how different they were. This made me think about my sister Cindy and I. We are barely 2 years apart and are as different as night and day. We shared a bedroom for 16 years...from the day she was born until I turned 18 and moved away to college. We look nothing alike. I am brunette with brown hair and eyes and I am 5'2ish. Cindy, my sister is blond to the bone, 5'6" with one blue eye and one brown eye. We love each other to death but don't see eye to eye on some things. I am conservative, she more liberal and more open minded. I used to get so frustrated and think why is she so different? We have the same parents (although there were times I may or may not have told her we didn't), had many of the same friends, went to the same church, high school etc. She played soft ball and ran track. I was in drama and homemaking. Crazy stuff. I am certain though that God has a special purpose for each of us and for each other. She is my rock and my best friend and we are inseparable (not literally because we are in different cities but we are connected in a way many sisters aren't). Cindy is the first one to be by my side (with mom and Rick), to pray, cry, celebrate life with me and laugh until we cry or pee! Cindy has an unbelievable sweetness and gentleness about her and I love her more than I can even say. <br />
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Now she has RA and I don't know how to help her other than pray...a lot. Thank you God for my sweet little sister...always hold her close and protect her and please heal her. Amen.Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-54320972858230349742014-01-05T12:42:00.000-06:002014-01-05T12:46:31.200-06:00Back To Life Back To Reality And The "S" word!<br />
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Tomorrow is "Back to Reality Day" in our house! </div>
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We resume school, Dr. appointments and dance. It means we have to get up early, get dressed, eat breakfast and hit the books! Since I am the teacher, it means today I have to dig out school books and transform the playroom back into the schoolhouse. It means I have to dig out Math, Spelling, English, Vocabulary, History, Science and Reading materials and figure out where we left off and how best to proceed for the rest of the year.<br />
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Being able to homeschool our daughter is the best gift anyone gave our family but it's not always easy. I wrote about my reasons for homeschooling <a href="http://mamasuehomeschoolingmom.blogspot.com/2009/03/its-my-first-time.html" target="_blank">here</a>. We are in the middle of middle school and we are over halfway through this journey. I have days where I am a complete mess and I wonder if she is getting all she needs to have to get her through life. <br />
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Onto the "S"word...the entire world seems to be concerned whether or not homeschooled children are "socialized". In our rather large circle of homeschool moms we giggle at that word and call it the "S" word! We know this as code for "those people are crazy and their kids don't have anyway to make friends". The truth is, most of us have children who are happy, balanced and are able to interact with children much younger and much older and can have a decent conversation with an adult as well...this will serve them well in the "real world". Besides, who decided it was healthy to put that many children in close quarters was insane. Oh! I forgot, our government decided for us and we know by how they handle the postal service, DPS and tax offices how smart and efficient they are so yes! Let's trust them with our children...not! Please do not assume this means I don't like teachers because I think most people who go into the teaching profession love children and want to help them become all they can be. Sadly, I can only think of 3 teachers (Drama, Homemaking and Geometry) in high school that had a positive impact on my life and none in college. I'm pretty sure that being a government employee got in the way of their passions for teaching.<br />
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The moral of this <strike>story</strike> today's rambling? If my daughter isn't prepared for life, college, trade school or being an administrative assistant in a few years... I can't blame the government! I have seen successes and failures in every educational venue and we can only do what is best for our own children and our own family.<br />
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<br />Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-4022857106078934962013-12-25T10:45:00.000-06:002013-12-25T10:45:46.524-06:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-79786385323947177762013-12-11T18:36:00.004-06:002014-02-11T21:33:13.079-06:00Maybe I Should Update My Blog!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This has been a busy, busy season for our family. Here are a few highlights from the past few months. Sydney and I went to the mall to see Frozen last week and week took the opportunity to take Christmas pictures since it had turned nasty her in our area. Here are a few of my favorites. She changes so much each year. Now she is a teenager with braces. She isn't thrilled about the braces in her pics but this is a season of her life and it needs to be documented. </div>
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This is from the first day of school...7th grade! The years are passing by so fast...way too fast!</div>
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We had a special breakfast for the first day of school... Belgian waffles, fresh strawberries, whipped cream and homemade chocolate syrup. Amazing!</div>
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This pic is from our summer vacation in Fun Valley, CO. This is the back of our cabin on the river. That night we had Frito pie...yum. It's the only time we eat that kind of food in the summer.</div>
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In August, we had a baby shower for Annie who was expecting Levi in early September. </div>
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This is her second boy.</div>
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Here is Levi a couple of hours after he was born being introduced to big brother Michael.</div>
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Levi is all dressed for Halloween! He was my date to the Fall Festival at our church and he was very popular! This outfit was worn by Sydney and also Michael! It was the first baby clothes I ever bought for Sydney before I even knew she was a she. I got it and a Christmas sleeper in February at Dillard's 75% off sale! I think I paid $6.00 for each one. This is a big deal because I love bargains but I really don't look for them...not a good shopper at all!<br />
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We have been iced in here in Fort Worth since Thursday or Friday and today was my first day out. I've enjoyed staying in but I think Sydney was getting restless.<br />
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I really need to work on a new blog header since the one I have is from Christmas of 2009 or 2010, I'm not even sure!<br />
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<br />Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-19714757261304522892013-08-28T01:08:00.001-05:002013-08-28T01:08:13.492-05:00Summer 2013 According to my Phone!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is a recap of our summer via my phone! </div>
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Summer was kicked off with FWPAC recital at Will Rogers! Sorry about the quality </div>
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but sometimes it happens...</div>
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One of several trips to Starbucks.</div>
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Fort Worth Cats game with the Annunziato family...</div>
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1st of several trips to Six Flags this summer...</div>
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Worries over our vacation destination...way too close to the action...</div>
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the wind changed and Fun Valley was not touched!</div>
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A new friend...Boomer! He's grouchy and a talker...we often call him Simon's cat! If you don't know who that is you should google "Simon's cat" </div>
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Dog sitting for Herby and Teddy!</div>
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Movie Tavern night with Jana and Marina...</div>
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Tweaked the front hall which has been empty since we remodeled...</div>
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Many, many Jam Camp rehearsals...</div>
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Jam Camp fun...green screen...</div>
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I have a teenager now! Slumber party fun = big mess! She is so blessed to have the sweetest friends!</div>
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Vacation means questionable breakfast choices in our cabin...</div>
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After an early summer lightning fire which burned 110,000 plus acres you could </div>
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feel the relief and gratitude in the area!</div>
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Day trip to Creede, CO means lunch at the Firehouse...</div>
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Going to Creede must include our annual visit to the Creede Mining Museum </div>
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and feeding the ground squirrels and chipmunks...love!</div>
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It did this every day for a few hours and the highest temp we saw was maybe 75 degrees. One morning there was frost...happy, happy, happy!</div>
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There were lots of campfires, hot dogs and s'mores at our cabin...</div>
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Sydney and Gracie dancing in the rec room! When you have no phone service or wifi, you play!</div>
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Sydney and her friend Bryn on the paddle boats...</div>
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This always freaks me out!</div>
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Boomer likes to sleep holding onto his foot sometimes...</div>
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Not included were pictures of Sydney's birthday, Michael's birthday and Annie's shower. Baby Levi will be making an appearance in the next few weeks. Dance started on Monday and our Wednesday night church activities start tomorrow and of course, school begins next week for us!</div>
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<br />Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-34487939638863493662013-05-18T23:25:00.001-05:002014-02-11T21:37:44.757-06:00So Far This Spring!We have been busy this spring! Time is flying by so fast and it's hard to believe that summer will be here before we know it! Today was a hot and steamy reminder.<br />
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Last weekend Sydney and I went to the big Home School Book Fair in Arlington. We went on Saturday and it was crazy crowded but we had a great time. It's a nice reminder for those days when I feel lonely that I am in good company! We ran into friends we made in Colorado last summer who drove in from Amarillo. They weren't homeschooling until January of this year so we had no idea.<br />
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Sydney danced at Mayfest again this year (that's why she is wearing red lipstick). I have a new awesome camera bag and was so excited to try it out but I left my sd card in my computer and was unable to take decent pictures while she was dancing but got a few of the fair with my phone. The dance pics I took with my phone were too far away and to much glare. This lovely statue of Mark Twain is located in Trinity Park on the banks of the Trinity River near downtown Fort Worth. The river is the benefactor of this event.<br />
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Spring break fun at the park with the Lain boys and their cousin Shelby.</div>
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Sydney got her braces. She will get the top ones this summer...not so happy!</div>
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Last month we visited the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History for the Titanic exhibit and Titanica show at the Omni Theatre. It was so good! Here is my little fashionista by the water fountain.<br />
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After the museum we went to Central Market for gelato...yum! She likes soy chocolate (yuck) and blood orange (half and half). I like lemon cookie cream...so good!<br />
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A special trip to Krispy Kreme...the shop in Fort Worth is closed so we drove to Arlington after nearly a year of promising!<br />
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At Krispy Kreme with Emma!</div>
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We baked and iced cookies for Easter.</div>
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...and St. Patrick's day cookies!</div>
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Foot Works Performing Arts Center 80s party with Emma.</div>
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Before party pics at Emma's house...</div>
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Today her dance studio Foot Works Performing Arts Center had an end of the year party...a Luau! This is Noel the cat getting into the mood for the party...he had a little help! I think he looks good, don't you?</div>
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<br />Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-89454076314521030792013-03-25T11:16:00.000-05:002013-03-25T11:16:20.634-05:00Random Stuff...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I have not blogged in months so this is just some of the highlights since the last post. </span></div>
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Thanksgiving:<br />
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My new brother in law Tommie requested sweet potato pie for Thanksgiving and I thought it was as good a time as any to try. We don't go to Donna and Tommie's until after we have been to my mom's where we pig out...so I didn't try the sweet potato pie because I was full of pumpkin pie etc. This was my first try...looks like pumpkin which I prefer but I hear it was good. I used Paula Deen's recipe so I am sure it was very good...not healthy though! I also sent whipped cream along for the topping. My mother in law told me they probably had Cool Whip and I shouldn't go to any trouble. I informed her that after going to the trouble of baking a pie, they were not going to desecrate it with Cool Whip! Just another of those things I have little use for except in a couple of specific recipes. A lot of people like sweet potato pies but I love pumpkin and can make them in my sleep...nearly. Besides I loathe sweet potatoes except baked with salt and pepper only...no marshmallow, nuts or syrup for me. There are not many foods I won't eat but candied, smothered sweet upon sweet yams is at the top of my list along with liver. My mother has probably tried every recipe under the sun and I do try them but it's just too much!!!<br />
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As always the Christmas festivities began with my daughter's Christmas Dance recital. Sydney is in her 7th year of dance and loves it. She is taking Jazz, Lyrical and HipHop. They did Jazz and HipHop performances and no Lyrical. There are no special costumes this time of year, only studio sweatshirts and black jazz pants. They are encouraged to wear Christmas socks and hair ribbons if they want. The first 3 years these performances were held at Ridgmar Mall by Macy's between two escalators...just a little cramped and we could never get good pics except one year when Courtnay crawled around on the floor with the camera! Anyway, I can't stress how elated I am each year when Iwe don't have to drag my 85 year old mother in law through the mall and that crowd! She's is a real trooper!<br />
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In February there was the Father Daughter dance with our church...even my husband said it was the best one so far!!! It was a western theme complete with a mechanical bull! Since we had already bought her a fancy dress, she got to add a pair of boots to the outfit!</div>
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Then we had our homeschool Valentine party...loads of fun!</div>
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Last month my sister, daughter and I drove to my cousin Jenn's in McKinney to meet her new son Tate. He is precious as are her 2 year old daughter Aneliese and her son J.D. The chocolate mustaches were favors that my aunt Gayle made. Yum! This is Sydney goofing around in the back seat with Instagram on our way home. My sister and I talked all the way there and all the way home...We don't get to do that often enough.<br />
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Last month we also lost this guy...Romeo, the best cat ever! I have had more cats than I can count and cats can be very disappointing because sometimes they get out and fight or get run over, sometimes they grow old and stay with us for years but this guy just vanished and it's been really hard to let go. He was a real lover and lived up to his name. The hardest part is no knowing what happened to him. The lady at our town's animal control is Jennifer and I'm sure she is sick of me and Rick after nearly 4 weeks. My husband chased her down last week when she retrieved a dead gray and white cat from our neighbor's back yard and even looked in the bag but it wasn't him. I asked Sydney to wait until the fall before we get another cat. We have Noel and Belle and have kept and extra eye on them and Noel has very strict hours he can go outside and he has been very willing to oblige so I think he understands, he is grieving too. Not usually a very snuggly cat he has started sleeping in my bed with his paws wrapped around my arm or resting on my arm.</div>
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Last weekend Emma Claire came for a sleepover...it was a late night but fun!</div>
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<br />Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-45672385328811696062012-11-19T11:31:00.003-06:002012-11-21T10:16:11.881-06:00Thanksgiving Service Project Each month Sydney and I meet with a group of several of homeschool families called Maidens of Virtue. The focus of our group is to build stronger bonds and learn with some of our like minded friends and to train our daughters to be strong and virtuous young ladies. We learn scripture and have Bible stories that pertain young women. This month was a lesson and service project for Thanksgiving and giving back. The girls (and some of the brothers) made cards for a sick child who has been in the hospital for a while and for our respective fire departments. The girls baked pumpkin bread, made muddy buddies and white chocolate popcorn. There was enough for each girl to take a loaf of pumpkin bread and several bags of sweets plus a card to give our neighborhood fire department. <br />
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The girls are so sweet to help with the littles. The little one that Sarah is holding is not her sibling. And see all of the family photos in the dining room? They were taken by our hostess who happens to be the same photographer who took Sydney's pictures last spring. She and I have the exact same camera but she knows how to use it better!</div>
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Sydney and her friend in the kitchen...</div>
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Older girls filling bags...</div>
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Yum!</div>
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One of the little girls gets in on the action...</div>
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Littles in the kitchen making Muddy Buddies...</div>
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Some of the families have brothers so were outside making cards...</div>
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Misty teaching a Thanksgiving lesson. </div>
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After we finished the lessons and treats many of us went to a nearby park where a craft fair was being held...there were tables set up in the pavilion with samples of salsa, cupcakes, hair bows, Pampered Chef, Christmas wreaths and everything else you can think of.</div>
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Saturday afternoon Sydney and I went to the fire department to drop off her care package and it turns out the fire fighter who greeted us was her swim team coach's brother! Sydney enjoyed it so much that she wants to do this again for Christmas! Maybe cookies next time. She loved the Muddy Buddies so much that we came home and made a batch for ourselves. They are the perfect holiday treat because they are quick, super easy and oh so yummy! You can find the recipe on the back of rice Chex cereal.</div>
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Thank you Misty for opening your home to all of us for this fun project!<br />
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<a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2012/11/wow-us-wednesdays-93.html" target="_blank">Linking to Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesdays</a></div>
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<br />Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-69960799814520482352012-11-08T15:48:00.004-06:002012-11-08T15:48:55.691-06:00Well it's about time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Rick and I have been remodeling our house for EVER! Now that we are done with the hard stuff, we turn to the very much needed replacement of our old sofa and chair. We bought the ones we have 16 years ago when we bought our home. They held up very well for about the first 10 years before the fabric began to disintegrate right before our eyes. Held together with duct tape and a quilt thrown over it to make sure that it lasted until all of the work was done. Anyway...we originally wanted leather, then we got scared, then I found one I loved and got scared again. We have 2 cats (de-clawed) and 1 dog. I went back to the furniture store and found some fabric sofas I really loved and last Monday took Rick to look at them. I showed him the original sofa and isn't it lovely? Well, guess what..he fell in love with it too. So here are the pieces that we chose from the Bernhardt line so it's good quality and should last a long time. Aren't they pretty? They aren't in stock so it will be after Thanksgiving before they arrive but I am sooooo excited! We will have to get a light colored rug because we have a lot of dark...dark wood floors, dark entertainment center, dark kitchen table...you get the picture? Oh and they are so soft and comfy! Here are a few pictures of the Haverty's website...</div>
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<br />Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-70379002354572495552012-10-22T14:47:00.002-05:002012-10-22T14:50:54.440-05:00Fall Decorations!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There many bloggers out there who change their decor with every seasonal change. I'm not one of them! Here is the extent of my fall decor. Corn, gords, pumpkins and candy corn. It's just dumb luck that the lamp matches! When I first moved into this house I made a gorgeous wreath for the front door and a friend painted a ghost cut out for my front yard and it was really cute! Both of those items were stolen on Halloween night in 1996 and my front door was egged! Sorry but I'm a Halloween Scrooge. Not really intentionally but for the last 17 years I have had other things to do. </div>
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I think the pictures turned out well and they were both taken without my camera flash.Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-67982130364874323392012-10-09T18:46:00.002-05:002012-10-09T18:48:26.605-05:00Mainstay Farms...Field Trip!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last Monday was homeschool day at Mainstay Farms also known as the pumpkin patch...you might notice that I failed to take any pictures of pumpkins which were gorgeous! An interesting view of an old car...show the rest of it later. We are in front of a really nice<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0xCGX7wS6zc/UHSvf0Er0kI/AAAAAAAABaI/jCry18yv9Fg/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0xCGX7wS6zc/UHSvf0Er0kI/AAAAAAAABaI/jCry18yv9Fg/s400/IMG_0003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sydney on a fun bench made from tractor seats. We had perfect weather...it is usually a little warm when we have been before!</div>
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Another old car was set up for the kids to sign with chalk...I remember those old cars with the dried up finis. Sydney said it had poop in it...I am assuming cats are the culprit.<br />
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In addition to being a pumpkin patch (farm), Mainstay also grows Christmas trees and I think bees.</div>
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We also took a bumpy hayride but fun as always. The driver does silly things like telling the kids to look out for the bats when we came upon a tree with baseball bats hanging from it and beware of the bees when we saw a tree with wooden letter "B"s hanging from it. </div>
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A three story tree house with several slides. This is at the top of a huge hill at the end of the hay ride. There are picnic tables and a little playground. There is also a 100 foot slide that goes down the other side of the hill. Sydney took the slide but I walked!</div>
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Sydney was very good for posing for pictures which is unusual...</div>
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The other end of that car!</div>
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My little ham taking her picture on the ride home.</div>
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After we left the farm we high tailed it to Jill's house for a few minutes before she had to run off and pic up her boys at school! Oh well, 20 minutes is better than none! We got together for lunch on Wednesday for lunch with Charlie and Sydney...twice in one week...score!</div>
Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-19800470936732001232012-10-08T16:43:00.000-05:002012-10-08T16:43:21.322-05:00Happy Columbus Day!We don't usually do anything for Columbus Day and I don't remember taking the day off from school other that in 2008 when we went to Six Flags which may or may not have landed this roller coaster loving mama in the hospital for repair surgery! I'm not sure if that did it or not but now my husband has banned me from them. Six Flags is not the same with out them. I slightly pushed the limits this summer when I went with Sherilyn.<br />
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Anyway, today we slept in a little and then got dressed and met my friend Tracey and her kids Emma and Christopher at Central Market for lunch and some shenanigans! We always have fun with them. When we first met it was Sydney and Christopher's kindergarten and Emma's Pre-K orientation in 2006. Tracey was the first mom I met at Sydney's school. We became friends and Sydney and Christopher because of their last names and they had to sit together in Miss Smith's class also became friends. Over the years, Sydney and Emma have become closer and boys are at the age where they don't much want to be bothered by girly-ness! Well he's a good sport about it all.<br />
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Sydney amongst the pumpkins...that is actually a "neck pumpkin" around her neck!</div>
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Here she is with a larger "neck pumpkin" around her waist...they called it a floaty pumpkin.</div>
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Christopher and Emma clowning around with their "neck pumpkin"</div>
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All three posing together! Emma Christopher and Sydney.</div>
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We had perfect weather today cool but not cold, warm but not hot. A perfect day for eating outside and playing on the playground. Hard to believe how much these 3 have changed over the years. Tracey is from England and a lot like Mary Poppins...and she used to be a Nanny too!Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-70133847698204806942012-10-03T15:03:00.000-05:002012-10-03T15:03:08.036-05:00Fun Valley Part II<div style="text-align: center;">
Sydney taking off to find a friend to play with. She was so excited to finally have the courage to take her training wheels! With a little encouragement from Gracie!</div>
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Stopping long enough for us to get a picture. You can tell by the pictures what time of day it is based on whether or not Sydney has her jacket on.</div>
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Visiting her friends on our day trip to Creede, CO. Creede is an old mining now tourist village about 30 minutes from Fun Valley. Lots of good shops, good food and very tame furry friends!</div>
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Line dancing lessons at the square dance hall for young and old...</div>
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I'm sure there is a story to this yellow painted rock outside of the square dance hall but I don't know what it is. Kids climb, slide and have pictures on it all day long. </div>
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It was outside the square dance hall that a lady asked Rick if he was having fun with his granddaughter:)</div>
Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-41986556839888300952012-09-30T13:12:00.002-05:002012-09-30T13:13:45.657-05:00Colorado Horseback Riding and other fun stuff!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In August we went to Fun Valley near South Fork and Pagosa Springs for a week and Sydney got to </div>
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go horseback riding on Thursday. Her horse was named "Milk Shake".</div>
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The go for 2 hours up the mountain and back down. As you can see it was warmer on the way back.<br />
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Sydney on the iPad one cool and rainy day. There is a game room that has wi-fi...some of the time! Sydney can't wait to wear this cool hoodie again...it's so cute! I'm ready for cool weather too.</div>
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space like we do. They have quite an assortment...I love this picture!</div>
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We had a great time and more pictures to share later!</div>
Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-68524776278432928242012-09-27T08:40:00.003-05:002012-09-27T08:40:42.679-05:00Our School Days So Far<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We always start school the Tuesday after Labor Day. By the time we get back from Colorado, unpack and settle in it just feels like we need a little more free time. This summer was especially busy and we needed to chill and get organized before starting school.</div>
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It always amazes me how eager she is to get started and how well she adapts to the change in schedule. Me, not so much! I don't have a problem getting up in the mornings but I do have a problem with getting moving! </div>
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Sydney had a darling school desk that was a gift from my friend Tracey when we started homeschooling. She is so sweet and talented! Sydney treasures this desk and will be able to use it at least another year. Tracey was my first mom friend when Sydney started school at TCA and it meant so much to me for Tracey to want to be a part of starting up our home school. </div>
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1st day of school 2012.</div>
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Nosey Noel! Why do cats have to try out every surface in the house?</div>
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Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-7336199996802411062012-09-24T11:36:00.000-05:002012-09-24T11:46:25.788-05:00So Long Summer, Hello Fall!...and I am so glad it's behind us even though we are still having highs in the 90s, cooler weather will get here sooner or later!<br />
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So we had a busy and eventful summer just like everyone I know. In June we started swim team for the 4th year...epic fail! Sydney hates it and I force her to do it and it's kind or torture for me as well. It was 106 degrees for our first swim meet and I was sick for 3 days after! Practice is Tuesday through Friday from 3:30 to 5:30 (refer to temperature mentioned above) with meets on Monday. In June we put my father in law in Hospice and he passed away on Father's Day so we only went to one swim meet plus the championship. I might add that was more than enough for me Next summer she will be doing dance or gymnastics...something we can both enjoy!<br />
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July brought Sydney's 12th birthday and Jam Camp number four! Jam Camp is a music and drama camp our church puts on and it is superb! It was the last week of July but we has rehearsals for her singing and speaking parts a few times a week for most of July. This is probably besides Christmas and her birthday Sydneys' favorite event of the year!<br />
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Early August, the day after Jam Camp ended we left for beautiful Colorado (Fun Valley). Ahh! I can't say enough about this place! Temps in the 50s for this Texas gal were like heaven! We also squeezed in a trip to the American Girl store and ice skating at the Dallas Galleria with bestie Taryn.<br />
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Fort Worth has a wonderful museum of Science and History and we frequently go with my bestie Jill and her 3 boys! The kiddos spent most of their time in this room creating. There were these amazing quotes hanging from the ceiling...museum pics were taken with my phone so they aren't the best.<br />
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We started school on September 4th and it is amazing this year. Sydney is in 6th grade and is actually reading on her grade level! She has worked so hard to achieve this goal over the past few years. Now we need to double down and see if we can get the same results in math and spelling! The funny thing is that my personal goal was to have her reading on grade level by middle school so it's big for both of us!<br />
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Homeschool Princess! Love the dress code! Glad you can't see what I was wearing!</div>
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Sydney has always wanted a locker so we found this at Ikea!</div>
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In the meanwhile I have had a little more face lift work done on my house and I will share those pics soon! I have to dig around and find before pics and they are all over the place. I will also do a separate post about our vacation!<br />
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How was your summer?Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-20950892166511797902012-08-11T11:05:00.000-05:002012-08-11T11:05:56.703-05:0012Last month on July 27th my baby girl turned 12! I can't believe how much I love this girl! One more year and she will be a teenager...yikes! <span style="text-align: center;">She started off the day before her birthday with a mani-pedi from Granny. </span><span style="text-align: center;">We both have fun visiting with Mie (pronounced Mia).</span><br />
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On her birthday morning we celebrated by opening gifts from Mama and Daddy. New sparkly Toms!</div>
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I can barely get her to take them off.</div>
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A new flatscreen with dvd player!</div>
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Rainbow Dash! One of her favorite of My Little Ponies!</div>
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Then on the 29th her birthday party! This was a great but quieter party! Most of her friends were either at camp, or on vacation. So we were missing the Lains, Annunziatos, Andersons, Doretys and Hollmans. We ended up with a sweet group of four. Even numbers are always good with girls! If you have girls you know what I mean. She had a My Little Pony cake </div>
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She recieved many sweet and thoughtful gifts but her favorite was her American Girl "McKenna" doll from Nana, Pop, Mom and Dad! Nana also bought a few outfits too! In the next week or so Nana, Sydney and I are going to the American Girl store in Dallas for more fun! I hope that means I get to visit the Pottery Barn store at the Galleria!<br />
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Soon I will post vacation pics, Jam Camp pics, a mother/daughter cooking post and a few new additions to our house. </div>
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I am really hoping to start blogging more often! </div>
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TTYL!</div>
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<br />Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-21143313142941408672012-06-13T10:08:00.001-05:002012-06-13T10:09:06.345-05:00Happy Birthday Papa!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today he is 88, he is my father in law and he is also in Hospice care. The past week has been hard for our family, especially for my husband. He has spent the past 5 nights with his dad. </div>
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This first photo was taken on May 24, 1985...the day he became my father in law. Since then we have shared many happy and difficult times as a family.</div>
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The kids know him as Papa., Sydney is the youngest of his five grandchildren. This photo was taken right after Valentines Day in 2000 when she was 7 months old. I dressed her in those overalls a lot...they were so cute but much more boyish than I remember. </div>
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If as mere men we can forgive and show mercy and grace, how much more will God, the one who knit us together in our mother's womb show us? </div>
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<br />Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-28942512717866806502012-05-06T11:38:00.001-05:002012-05-06T11:38:47.826-05:00Mayfest 2012!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This year Mayfest was HOT! I love the idea of Mayfest but just not actually being there when it's 95 degrees and 98% humidity. Just not a fan of summer weather under any circumstances but definitely not in the first week of May. The parking and bus schedule left a lot to be desired and in the end Rick had to drop us off at the entrance and go back to remote parking and take the bus. He sprinted from the bus stop to the stage and made it the very second her dance started. </div>
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Sydney is second from the left and deep in concentration...she has laser sharp focus when she is dancing. She also rocked her high kick but I didn't have my good camera with me, just a Cannon point and shoot. I need a different camera bag if I'm going to take it places like this because it's way too heavy.</div>
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Here she is from the back...second from right this time. Isn't the costume gorgeous! I can't wait to see it from the stage with the lights hitting it. I will be backstage again this year. I'm not really a stage mom but I do enjoy being with the girls and as long as she wants me there I had better take advantage of it.<br />
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After her dance with my beautiful mama! Sydney calls her my Nana. She really never has to share her but it's always been my Nana. After this picture she changed into her shorts and tank top and was seriously sweating but ready to play. We bought our tickets and got a drink. While she was on her first ride, I thought to myself I should check the weather and there were storms moving in from the west. This is not something you ignore if you are at Mayfest and 45 minutes away from your car and another 30 minutes away from home. Large hail is a reality here in Texas especially in May. In 1981 we had grapefruit + sized hail in my backyard. Then in 1995 during Mayfest there was softball size hail and Rick and I were out in it looking for our then 16 year old Courtnay. Softball sized hail is scary! Anyway lots of people were injured including little dancers. This year they called the festival off not long after we left. No hail this time but lots of lightning.<br />
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Now that the Mayfest performance is behind us, we will now focus on finishing school and recital. I have not seen her lyrical dress yet but I hope it's as pretty art this one!Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-73987188123216272672012-04-30T23:21:00.001-05:002012-04-30T23:21:59.756-05:005th Grade School Pics!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Better late than never right? Fifth grade is nearly over but I finally got around to getting some pictures done. Misty, another homeschool mom took these a couple of weeks ago. We started in her back yard and then we trampled all over downtown Weatherford for the rest. It took Sydney a little while to get comfortable even though Misty tried every trick in the book....bubble gum, jumping on the trampoline even a zip line! We all three had a great time. I will definitely use her again. She and I have the same camera but she really has a clue how to use hers...me, not so much. I love my camera and it takes awesome pictures but I am disappointed that I haven't learned more how to use it. </div>
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Here are a few...I will post more later.</div>
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<br />Mama Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493295572548612915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222171791388922767.post-37703967896422515152012-04-14T11:52:00.000-05:002012-04-14T11:52:07.277-05:00Spring is here and that means....DANCE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Each year about this time Sydney's mind turns to one thing and that is her dance recital and Mayfest performance! That means we have to select a photo for the ad in the program. Since we didn't do professional photos last year it is up to me. I took 204 pictures of her in our back yard yesterday. Didn't even notice the big bald spot in our yard...nice! She is wearing her ballet costume from last year. The photos are in black and white in the program so color really doesn't matter! I still have a long way to go in the photography department! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-prT6kX7ftjA/T4mo80Vp78I/AAAAAAAABLE/ztypPh6okfw/s1600/DSC_0764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-prT6kX7ftjA/T4mo80Vp78I/AAAAAAAABLE/ztypPh6okfw/s320/DSC_0764.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OvHdpIlhpJk/T4mpPEedZhI/AAAAAAAABLU/J6LEJqP3Ix0/s1600/DSC_0898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OvHdpIlhpJk/T4mpPEedZhI/AAAAAAAABLU/J6LEJqP3Ix0/s320/DSC_0898.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> She really wanted a picture of her and Romeo but a grey cat doesn't show up so well in </div><div style="text-align: center;">black and white photos.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hVh_XVUvw7E/T4mpTkjaWCI/AAAAAAAABLc/ztOBOMc3Oec/s1600/DSC_0916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hVh_XVUvw7E/T4mpTkjaWCI/AAAAAAAABLc/ztOBOMc3Oec/s320/DSC_0916.JPG" width="272" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the one we ultimately chose...actually not my favorite but she gets a vote too!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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