5th Grade School Pics!

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. 

Here are a few...I will post more later.

Spring is here and that means....DANCE!

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! 

 She really wanted a picture of her and Romeo but a grey cat doesn't show up so well in 

black and white photos.

This is the one we ultimately chose...actually not my favorite but she gets a vote too!

Servant's Heart, Friends and Puppies!

Yesterday, Sydney and I had the opportunity to serve our community by volunteering at the local food bank.  We were to bring a few items prepared for lunch and also serve the lunch crowd.  I was a little aprehensive to begin with because well, it's spring break and I was asking my daughter to get up early and work!  I was amazed at her response when we got there. She acted as though she had done it her entire life.  She really took charge and rolled silverware, took orders bussed tables and asked if she could pray for them! My heart was blessed beyond measure at the compassion and maturity of my sweet 11 year old daughter. We were there for over five hours standing on our feet and working.  There was also clean up in the kitchen and sweeping along with a few other housekeeping matters to be taken care of! I urge you to take time to do this with your kids, it's amazing and they will remember this too. Maybe they will also realize that there are no guarantees in life. We served families, elderly folks who must choose between medication and eating and an elderly man who was once a professor at TCU. 

When we got home, the Anderson's came over and brought their new puppy Mia...isn't she beautiful! She is a German Shepherd / Lab mix (I think). She was just spayed so not feeling to well, but she was oh so sweet! I can't wait to watch her grow up!

 Later in the evening, Sydney and Taryn were texting and it was determined that Taryn should come for a sleep over at our house! We went to the yogurt shop.  They are such clowns and so fun. I am so blessed to watch these two girls grow up.  They have been friends since they were 3 and now they are heading towards their 12th birthdays.  They are one month apart and love each other so much!

Tonight Sydney is going to sleep over at Emma's house who also has a new puppy! So far spring break is off to a good start!

Kids Fashion...a.k.a. I don't get out much!

Yesterday, I made a quick trip to Dillards to get stockings for my daughter.  I found lots of things I was not expecting! I want to start by saying Sperry Top-Siders are back in a big way! I had heard this last year but didn't give it much thought. Let's just say they are not your mother's top-siders from the eighties either...or from when I was in college in the early eighties.  Dillards has 70 styles of top-siders just in the children's department.  Here are a few...

 I bought these cute leopard shoes for Sydney...aren't they cute! 

Hard to tell in the photo but they also have sequins!

I also  found these darling jeans and I thought how cute! Then I looked at the tag...$76.00 for girls jeans.Seriously, people really buy these? I think the most expensive jeans Sydney ever owned either came from Gap or Gymboree. These are blue jeans people! Is it just me or is this pure insanity?

I did find a great deal on socks for me though. I got 3 pair for 7.50! Never got the stockings I went in after because they were out. So I guess she will be wearing Wal-Mart specials!

Tomorrow is our annual Daddy/Daughter date night at our church. We bought Sydney a dress for Christmas and a coat. Guess what? We forgot to get tickets until it was sold out! Anyway, I was able to find ticket from a sympathetic friend who as it turns out isn't going. There will be pictures to come early next week.

Busy Days!

Sometimes, no matter how well we plan, my life starts spinning out of control.  Today is going to be BUSY! As a matter of fact, this week is ramping up to be busy for us. When Saturday get here I will I have been out of the house 5 out of  7 days. Weeks like this usually sneak up on me and get me all crazy and discombobulated.  Here is the rundown of our past few days. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy all of these activities it but being gone takes its toll on my housework, laundry etc. Not to mention trying to educate my daughter. I know that as a homeschooling family we have a lot of freedom but sometimes that freedom can be our worst enemy. All of the activities are enjoyable but, like the holidays, The first week of Feb. is always a little crazy!

Saturday: Stock Show
Sunday: Mom's house for sister's birthday
Monday: Spent day with Jill's (after school)
Tuesday: Charlotte's Webb, Dr. appointment
Wednesday: Normal day, but also catch up day, dinner at church and evening activities
Thursday: Play date before homeschool group Valentine's party, then Valentine party and dance in the evening
Friday: Normal day, catch up day...date night and Parent's night out at the dance studio.

There was a time when being busy like this was normal because I wasn't sure what to do with myself after 28 years in the work force...so I just stayed busy and exhausted. For the past 2 years I have purposed my self to be home more and get more done. We remondeled our house last year so I stayed out of the house a lot more than I planned. For the past year I have been a hermit except for really special opportunities and yes, sometimes they do happen all on the same week. The rest of my months is very quiet...only 2 things on my calendar after this
week!

I am ready to put the stay at home back in the term stay at home mom!

Random Thoughts

I started this post a few weeks ago after meeting my new cousin Colton. A few days after I met him for the first time he got sick...really sick. Like a 3 week old with meningitis sick. He has been in the hospital for a week and a half and they expect him to be there for a total of 3 weeks. He is doing better but the recovery is long especially for one so young. He and his family are precious to me. His grandmother is my 1st cousin who is like a sister in many ways to me and it seems like yesterday when his mom was born.

Sydney and Colton

So far we are having a busy new year:

I am recovering from a nasty sinus infection probably due in part to the crazy Texas weather!

Last year we completed the remodel of our home and were content to sit back and enjoy the fruits of Jason's labor. We are beginning to think about the next step which is a few built-in pieces namely a desk for me and a cabinet/shelf/banquette combo for our breakfast room. We installed new flooring in every room last year which meant emptying said rooms. This was a great opportunity for purging stuff. I am ready to do more of that.

Tomorrow I am going to Ikea with mom and daughter to get desks for our mini playroom/schoolroom/sewing room makeover. Daughter isn't thrilled about having to share her playroom with me but my sewing hiatus is about to end . I have a really nice sewing cabinet with and electric lift etc. that I got about 25 years ago and I just really don't like it. I want my machine to just be available to me. Besides, I can count on 1 hand the things I have sewn since moving into this house 15 years ago. Before that I almost always had some sort of sewing craft, clothes etc. going on. So we will see where this goes! For instance I have fabric and a pattern for a cover for my Kitchen Aid mixer...my best friend! My husband bought this mixer for me in 1989 or so and they only had white at the time. Well, I would love to have a red one, but for now  I will just cover it. Robin, this will happen, just wait and see! My husband offered to spray paint mine...no thanks! So I am going to make a really cute cover for mine...it will be exceptionally cute!

Merry Christmas!

I am writing this post on my new iPad! A super surprise from my sweet hubby!