{hallie}lujah

Summer 2011...just a little late.

2012-01-21T16:33:00.001-06:00

This past summer, my sweet friend, Amy, took some pictures of my sweet little family. She sent me all the pictures and Jonathan edited them for me. He finally finished some of them. Finally. :o) I love them.

Where is it 80 degrees in January?

2012-01-20T20:53:00.002-06:00

Believe it or not, I can answer the question that is my post title. Waco, TX. That's where it can be 80 degrees in January. Mid-January. Yesterday and today to be exact. Crazy, old weather. Evidently January did not get the memo that it's supposed to be freezing cold and snow! Ah...to live in a place where the four seasons actually exist.

If it's going to be Spring-like weather, we're going to act like it's Spring-like weather...short sleeve and all. And on top of it all, we're going to go to the park and enjoy the wonderful weather. We're even going to call some sweet friends that we haven't seen in a long time in hopes of them meeting us at the park!

Hallie and I really enjoyed our visit with Miss Becky and sweet Audrey Claire! Hallie kept wanting to play with Audrey and have Becky and me go sit on the bench. While Becky admitted having that picture in her mind, it wasn't quite feasible with a not-quite-one-year old little one. Hallie didn't understand and whined that she and Audrey needed to be alone to play. haha.

Hallie rode her scooter to the park. She was tired, but a good sport!

Sweet Audrey! She was cackling SO hard while her mommy was pushing her in the swing...I wish I had it on video! This little girl *loves* to swing!

As soon as I kneeled down to take a picture, Audrey threw her hand up. Think she's had her picture taken a time or two?!

Sweet girls!

Look at those sweet blue eyes and that cute toothy grin!

Hallie kept getting stuck in the tunnel...love this little girl and her wonderfully sweet smile!

And Hallie rode her scooter all the way back to Mommy's classroom.

What a wonderful afternoon at the park with sweet friends!

Alabama Christmas

2012-01-03T21:11:00.004-06:00

We arrived in at my parents' house in Alabama around 4 am Christmas Eve. I don't think we've ever taken so long to get from Texas to Alabama...and I'm not really sure how the 17 hours happened. Nonetheless, we made it safely, and I don't think I've ever been so glad to be at my parents' house! Christmas Eve, my dad read the Christmas story to the three girls. I can't say that Hallie was doing her best at paying attention--she was slightly wild. But it was a sweet moment. Afterward, Nonna read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas to them and then we got ready for bed. Hallie gave her elf, Whitney, big hugs before placing her under the tree and set out milk and cookies for Santa.Hallie was *very* sad to see Whitney leave, and she's thinking of asking Santa if Whitney can come back to visit for Hallie's birthday. I'm sure he'll oblige. I mean, even elves need a vacation. ;o) Hallie had tons of fun playing at Nonna and Pop's house...especially with her two cousins, Abby and Hattie Grace! Those three can make some noise, let me tell you. Whew. When it's Hallie and HG, they're fine...playing gracefully and sharing beautifully. When it's just Hallie and Abby...the same. When it's all three...a new World War could erupt at any minute, and you've never heard so much tattling in your life. :o) Still, it's fun for cousins to play together. Note to self...take ear plugs on our next vist. Ha!

During our visits, we always plan something big...and according to Jonathan, it usually involves riding some kind of train. Ha! This time we had planned to take the girls to the American Girl store in Alpharetta, but it just didn't happen. There was a whole lot of resting going on. It was exactly what we all needed! On our trip home, we realized we had been in Alabama for ten days. Ten glorious days of resting. Ten wonderful days of sleeping until 10:30 (Hallie, too!). Ten yummy days of my mom's breakfasts or Hardee's biscuits (YUM! on both accounts). Ten days of Hallie getting so spend with Nonna and Pop. Wonderful memories made. My mom and I did some shopping, and of course we got to eat at Top 'o the River (the fried pickles were super delish this time!). We got to spend time with my dad's family, too. It was a great ten days! Turns out we didn't have much of anything planned during those days either...even better. :o)

Hallie kept waiting for it to snow. This Christmas was completely different from last year which had a LOT of snow. I was going to link you to the pictures, but it appears I didn't put that on the blog last year. Oops. I know I uploaded them to Facebook. Ha.

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and were blessed by the true meaning of Christmas. And I hope you all have a wonderful 2012! Happy New Year!

Pop reading the Christmas story.

Opening some of Hallie's Santa presents.

These are all for me?! Let me tell you...it took her about 5 minutes (or less) to open them!

A little bit of craziness at Nonna and Pop's house!

Hallie and her new American Girl doll that is supposed to look like her. :o) At first she named her Ruthie...then she changed it to Katherine b/c "Abby already has a Ruthie and it's a REAL Ruthie...my doll isn't a REAL Ruthie, so I'm going to name her Katherine." Whatever you say, Hallie. :o)

Sweet cousins--Hallie and Nora

My cousin and BFF, Stephanie!

This is how we are normally. :o) Love these girls!

Hallie and Abby with Reecie. This is right before Reecie climbed up the screen...the screen fell into the kitchen onto the table. Both girls stood there with mouths gaping open. Reecie proceeded to meow, turn around, and walk down the screen back outside. That cat is "some cat". Ha!

Trying to get Reecie to climb the tree. She was being kind of obstinate.

Ah...she finally decided to perform!

Abby & Hallie were outside playing (look at the short-sleeves...I told you it was VERY different from last Christmas when it was FREEZING!)...I walked up on this and Abby saying "Hallie...see if you can fit down in that hole." LOL (Don't worry--the hole was only about two feet deep (it was for a post).

There was a lot of playing tag...

So...we had a very Merry Christmas. Oh to move to Alabama some day and be closer to my family. That is my hope and prayer.

What rhymes with slacker?

2012-01-03T20:12:00.002-06:00

Well...I don't know...but I know WHO is a slacker. That would be me. Ha.

I got this wall post today on Facebook:

Kyetra McCary Belton

I need to see some blogging Mrs. Echols. I miss Hallie updates.

Need I say more? Sigh. Let the updates commence...

Waco Christmas

2011-12-23T20:36:00.000-06:00

We headed to Alabama the Friday before Christmas, so we had Christmas with the Jonathan's family Thursday night before heading out the next morning. Hallie enjoyed spending that time with Gramps and RahRah. She received some very special gifts from them--a beautiful framed cross-stitched poem (Now I lay me down to sleep...) and a very sweet picture album of her year. Both are super special!

Hallie in front of the tree at Gramps and RahRah's house--she can't smile b/c she has a cough drop in her mouth. Ha!

A keyboard from Aunt Charlene (RahRah's sister) & Uncle Richard...I know we are going to have tons of fun with this. Hallie loves making music and trying to figure out little tunes. :o)

A very special Barbie from Uncle Donnie (Gramps's brother) & Aunt Irene.

Hallie's year in review book. :o)

Hal and Gramps looking through Hallie's picture book.

A Great Weekend Because...

2011-12-11T20:04:00.000-06:00

Baylor's Robert Griffin III got this. Huge for Baylor. Huge for Baylor Nation. Huge for Waco.

I found this t-shirt available HERE. I. Love. It.

We had our candlelight service at church.

And Hallie and I took a three hour nap. :o)

Little Cherub

2011-12-04T21:23:00.001-06:00

Fa la la la la...

Hallie made her debut in her first ever choir performance tonight! She was adorable! We are so incredibly proud of what she is learning in Cherub's Choir. She goes each Wednesday night for 45 mintues...and in just a few short months she learned all the Christmas songs and her sweet little Bible verse. She was very excited to be singing "on stage" (they actually stood on the stairs leading to the stage). Super cute!

Yesterday morning's rehearsal. :o)

ADPDE! What's that?

2011-12-01T18:14:00.001-06:00

...an ALL DAY PAINT DAY EXTRAVAGANZA!

The past few days have been...er, stressful (moreso than usual when you're in a small room with 21 six year olds all day long. All. Day. Long.) and today I needed to take care of myself. After taking care of myself, I proceeded to share a little of the excitement of Hallie's "All Day Paint Day Extravaganza". Oh boy. Maybe I should've just gone back to school. I kid, I kid. I had the best time watching sweet little faces with the most innocent eyes enjoy their treat.

See, as all teachers do, we offer little rewards for behavior. Sometimes we offer a reward that isn't quite attainable...a reward that might be *a lot* of work for the teacher. Sometimes that reward is never reached. But in the case of Hallie's class...theirs was. Hal's teacher said something along the lines of this (I'm certain on a particularly trying day...otherwise she just might be crazy--lol...again, I kid. We love her!): If we get 10 days on green, then we'll have an all day painting day. Well...70 days after school started, those kids met that goal! I believe her words were, "I didn't think they'd get it so quickly." :o) Ahh...PreK. Ha.

Nevertheless, Hallie's teacher stayed true to her word. The second that tenth cotton ball went into the jar and the kids' memory started working overtime remembering her promise, Mrs. B began planning this ADPDE (which is what came home on newsletters and took me the longest time to figure out). It was a hit! The kids had stations that they rotated through during the day, and then after lunch they got to "paint the fence"--butcher paper was taped along the fence and the kids went to town. They were super cute and had a blast.

We are very thankful that our sweet Hal has such a fun-loving, creative teacher. She is just what Hallie needed this year!

Get ready for a painting picture extravaganza! haha

Chugga Chugga Choo-Choo

2011-11-27T19:23:00.001-06:00

The day after Thanksgiving, the whole family loaded up and headed to Blue Ridge, GA to ride the Scenic Railway. The girls loved the train ride, and I have to say...it was pretty neat. We were on Coach 549, built in 1938 by Budd Manufacturing. We grabbed a quick snack before boarding and visited the Snack Car once aboard. The girls had a blast walking from car to car. We rode from Blue Ridge, GA to McCaysville, GA/Copperhill, TN. We visited Santa, his village, and grabbed a bite at Nifty Fifties diner and walked around before boarding the train to return to Blue Ridge. Oh, and Jonathan and Hallie were in Georgia and Tennessee at the same time! :o) I'd say overall it was a neat experience.

The girls with their elves

Abby and Tatum

Hallie and Whitney

Hattie Grace and Jenna

There were also open-air cars...the girls *loved* watching the scenery fly by!

Heading to the Snack Car...notice Rudolph? :o)

Left Feet (your right)--in Tennessee

Right Feet (your left)--in Georgia

Sweet Home Alabama Thanksgiving

2011-11-27T18:09:00.001-06:00

What a wonderful treat--Hallie and I flew into Birmingham *early* on the Saturday before Thanksgiving! We were very thankful to be spending some extra time with the family during our break. Jonathan joined us Wednesday morning. We had a lot of fun visiting and relaxing. Several days were dreary, but Thanksgiving day was beautiful! We enjoyed some delicious food (too much of it!), played outside, and then Jonathan and I went to see a movie with my brother and his wife while the little girls played with Nonna and Pop. After the movie, Jessica (my SIL) and I talked Jonathan into heading to Target to try to get some Black Friday deals. We thought they opened at 9:00...nope. Midnight. We weren't going to stand in line, so we went on to Wal-Mart. Talk about cray-zee! Oh. My. Word. Seriously...it was a madhouse. Even if we had found anything to buy, the check-out lines were so long...we'd have been 3 hours getting out of there! So we opted to just head home. I have never been Black Friday shopping...or "pre" Black Friday shopping. The experience (as short as it was) was quite interesting to say the least. Next year I just might join the crazies. :o)

The feast! Yummy! It was my intention to get a picture with all the guests. Alas, I failed.

Jessica and I tried snapping some pictures of the girls after lunch. I hope her pictures are better because this is what Hallie was doing in most of the ones I tried to take of her! Ha!

Cheesing for Aunt Jessica

Ah...she can smile for me. :o) Sweet girl!

Sweet Abby Brooke

Hattie Grace giving me a big smile.

Sweet girls

Love them!

iPhone Thanksgiving

2011-11-27T17:35:00.000-06:00

Daddy & Hal ... Hallie on the plane


Hallie & "Trunki" ... Hallie at the outlets


Hallie & Nora ... Love my Steph!


Hallie was promised a pedicure when we got to Alabama...sweet HG couldn't get one because she's allergic to the lotions they use. We tried to get her to get a manicure--she had picked our her fingernail polish and everything and then wouldn't have it done.


Abby ... Hallie & HG in the "Kids Cart" at Wal-Mart. That thing was CRAZY to drive!


Love my Mandi! ... Cailin and Hallie


Abby & Hal watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade ... Three tired girls after a long train ride.


Nonna, Pop, & Hal ... Hallie sleeping on the way back to Texas.

The weekend from...well...

2011-11-16T20:53:00.001-06:00

Oh my word. Last weekend (Nov 4-6) was quite possibly the worst weekend of 2011. There were so many factors that went into it...school, students, my health, Hallie was sick...and then the cherry on top of all cherries on top, Jonathan ended up in the hospital. (He'll probably be mad that I'm posting this...) He started feeling a little uneasy--his heart was beating rapidly and then it was hardly beating at all. So he went to Urgent Care. They sent him to the ER (but not before getting their $75 co-pay). We spent Saturday afternoon/evening in the ER...figured out that he had atrial fibrillation...he got lots of meds, shots, and more meds...and then he was admitted to a "real room" around 8:00 or so. He was not happy about this, but the cardiologist wouldn't release him until he converted (until his heart rate was back to normal...it was all over the place--120, then 70). I stayed with him until almost midnight and then came home to stay with Hallie (who had been staying with Jonathan's mom). Then Sunday morning I got up and took Hallie to Gramps's and RahRah's and headed back to the hospital. Around 5:30 am Jonathan "converted". He was thankful that he'd be released...he felt OK and really just wanted to go home. We were both thankful that he was going to be OK! On Monday I had doctor's appointments...and as it turned out, no substitute picked up the job. So my class had several different people in and out of my classroom all day. So frustrating! Nonetheless, I enjoyed lunch with Hallie and then met up with Jonathan in between my doctor's appointments (and trying to get my driver's license renewed).

Like I said. Not a fun weekend.

So...at the end of that week (which was this past Friday), Jonathan and I decided that our sweet little family needed a little pampering. Hallie had stopped biting her fingernails...and that deserved a manicure (she didn't even know what that was when I said, "If you stop biting your fingernails, you can get a manicure."). She was thrilled that she was having her special day! Daddy and I were thrilled that we decided to both get pedicures to relieve a little bit of the stress we had gone through last weekend and last week.

While Mommy and Daddy got pampered, Hallie was treated like a princess. The ladies at the nail salon were so sweet to Hallie! She sat in a massage chair beside us and just relaxed. She wanted her feet rubbed, too...but there weren't any kid chairs there and her feet wouldn't have reached into the little tub. So she settled on getting her "fingertoes" painted, too. :o)

The little sweetie pie leaving the salon...the sweet ladies cut some of the pedicure flip-flops for her so they'd fit her little feet. Hallie was so proud. :o)

Pink polka dotted fingernails and rainbow "fingertoes". :o)

Love my girl!

KoKo

2011-11-16T20:42:00.001-06:00

Two weeks ago, Hallie had homework. They were studying Native Americans...so for show-and-tell they had to make an Indian headdress. Also...all the cute little preschoolers had been given Indian names of their own. Hallie was KoKo. Fit her to a T! Ha! Hal and I went to Michael's to do a little headdress shopping when I realized I didn't have *any* of the things Hallie wanted for her special task. This turned out to be one fairly expensive headdress! She had so much fun making it...lots of concentration on her part to get it just right. Daddy helped Hallie make her headdress just perfect. :o)

Fixing the front...Hallie placed all the jewels in just the right spot and made a jeweled "H" on the very front with her flower. :o) She makes me smile.

Halloween Recap (slightly late)

2011-11-16T20:23:00.001-06:00

Hallie had a super fun Halloween evening...er, "Hallie-ween" evening. :o) As mentioned in the previous post, it was a very busy day. And you can tell by the look on her face in the last pictures that she was super tired by the time we left our church's fall festival. It was a fun evening, though we decided that next year we'll go to the fall festival the last hour it's "open" because there were just way too many people there when we got there on time (see what happens when we get places on time...we should have stuck to our usual lateness! lol).

Hallie's sweet little ballet/tap class. Her sweet friend, Ivy, is the mermaid to her left. Her other sweet little friends didn't make it to class.

Daddy and Strawberry...such cuties. :o)

The hayride!

Hallie stood in line for a long time to ride the mechanical bull. She *loved* it! She is so full of adventure, and this was right up her alley. Cute little cowgirl!

And the last game of the evening...a little Putt-Putt. She was pretty good!

Mommy & a tired Strawberry Shortcake

Hal & RahRah

A Strawberry Cutie Pie Preview

2011-10-30T22:29:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow will be a super busy day. School, then ballet/tap,grab a quick bite to eat, do a quick trick-or-treat at two houses in our neighborhood and then head to church for the Fall Festival. Whew! I'm already tired and it's just Sunday night. Ha! Hallie finally tried on her costume today (she was sick last week when it arrived...so sick that she didn't even want to try it on! Yikes!). I decided to snap a few posed pictures of this sweet little thing in case I didn't get to tomorrow (well, I'll get "action photos" tomorrow--lol). I've gotta say...she makes a pretty stinking cute Strawberry Shortcake! :o) We even bought some Bath & Body Works spray today so she'll smell Strawberry Shortcake sweet! She's super excited about that!

Can you tell who the real Strawberry is?! :o)

Look at those freckles! :o)

Hallie had to put freckles on me...and take my picture.

I'm not going to lie--when I later looked in the mirror (having forgotten that she dressed me with freckles), I nearly screamed for Jonathan to come see what was wrong with me! LOL!

(Side note: Hallie totally posed me--lol. Oh, and this picture does sport my new haircut that I got today.)

Nonna Box!

2011-10-29T16:20:00.003-05:00

A Nonna Box was just what Hallie needed after three days of feeling extremely under the weather! She has been suffering from a pretty icky inner ear infection that has finally taken a turn for the better. We took her to the doctor Wednesday afternoon, started meds (or triied to) Wednesday night, and then Hallie stayed home Thursday (and slept the entire day) and Friday (rested).

The Nonna Box arrived Thursday afternoon and Hallie waited until I got home from school to break into the cardboard goodness! She was so excited to open it. I know it made her feel better. :o) There was even a little treat (OK, two new pair of pants) for Mommy tucked inside.

Thanks, Nonna!! We *love* You!

No Words for This Cute Face!

2011-10-26T16:14:00.000-05:00

Hakuna Matata

2011-10-22T21:48:00.001-05:00

After a lovely afternoon nap, Hallie and I headed to the theater to ~~finally~~ see The Lion King in 3D.

We haven't really read anything about The Lion King, but Hallie has seen commercials for it and they dance to Hakuna Matata sometimes in Hallie's dance class. It was kind of a last minute thing to even go see the movie. I wasn't sure if I should warn Hallie about the scary parts or just take them as they came--I decided on the latter. It was a good thing to not mention the scary parts because we just quietly chatted about things as they happened. And some of the things that I thought she'd have questions about weren't the things she had questions about. haha.

None of us are really crazy about 3D movies--but I must say, this movie was fantastic in 3D! It was like the 3D movies I remember as a kid--things coming out at you at appropriate times--not ALL the time like the ~~obnoxious~~ 3D movies today. Hallie and I were both quite pleased with the movie--in fact, I had forgotten just how *GOOD* The Lion King truly is. Lots of wonderful lessons in that movie--and lots of giggles, too. Several people around us got tickled at Hallie laughing. And who couldn't enjoy her sweet little giggle?! :o)

As soon as the movie was over, Hallie asked if she could see it again. Then she added a twist: "Maybe we can go see it tomorrow so Daddy can watch it." She's *SO* smart.

We left Daddy at home to watch the...

Fun at the Fair!

2011-10-16T22:48:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was the last day of the Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo! We nearly missed it! Yikes! :o) This was Hallie's (well, mine, too) second time this week to go to the fair, only the last time she didn't get to ride any of the rides. The first thing we saw was the pig races. Hallie's comment, "I don't want to see the pigs race again!" haha.

She did want to spend a little time in this cute little playhouse that she didn't get to play in on her field trip. We actually thought we might be spending our entire night in the playhouse!

We didn't get much farther past the playhouse. Hallie wanted to jump! It was so cute because she can't quite make herself jump super high, so at times she was just dangling in the air, running in place, until the supervisor would come around and pull the strap down to make her bounce again. :o)

Heading down the midway!

After some fair foods, we headed straight to the ferris wheel!

Hallie planned her ferris wheel ride out--she wanted to draw/color while we were going round and round. :o)

She got to go in one of the little fun houses! She was so excited!

The swings. These little lovelies are located at the very end of the midway--where all the "big kid" rides are. We didn't enjoy swimming through all the teenagers, but it was SO worth it to witness the grin on this little girl. She loves some swinging, and this fun ride did not disappoint her!

We hadn't been in the air very long when I realized I was *VERY* glad I hadn't eaten any fair food! For if I had, you'd be seeing vomit sprawling across this picture. Oh. My. Word. I realized I'm way too old for carnival rides. Seriously, y'all. I was so dizzy and nauseated when we got off that I hardly caught Hallie's request to ride it again! lol

Hallie won her very own stuffed animal playing darts! She threw the darts right at the balloons! With her first throw, she popped two balloons! :o)

Morning at the Zoo!

2011-10-15T15:39:00.000-05:00

What a treat! Hallie got to spend a fun morning with Gramps and RahRah at the zoo. Last night it was the fall carnival at my school and tonight it will be the Heart of Texas Fair! What a super fun weekend for Hallie! :o)

When I asked Hallie what her favorite part of the zoo was, she quickly answered, "The toy shop!" Oh brother. I'm certain she loved the zoo as is evidenced in the following pictures. That little girl loves a good toy shop, though (what little kid doesn't?!).

Feeding the fish...this is one of my favorite parts of the zoo!

At the orangutan exhibit--they had ropes for the kids to swing on just like the orangutans! I can imagine Hallie *loved* this!

Two monkeys. :o)

RahRah said she took this picture for me--I just love meerkats. :o)

A snack break in the tree house.

Hallie & Gramps

RahRah & Hallie

Hallie in her canopied wagon! :o)

Thanks, Gramps and RahRah!!

Fall Carnival

2011-10-14T22:30:00.000-05:00

This past week has been FULL for me. Lots of this and lots of that. Yesterday I was at school from 7:30-8:00...with the exception of a 30 minute block of time where I met with Hallie's teacher and heard lots of good things about my sweet little angel. :o) Thankfully my time at school last night was spent having fun with my little girl at our Fall Carnival. The first thing Hallie wanted to do was get her hair painted! We had lots of tickets to spend, and Hallie didn't have any trouble doing that.

Pink, sparkly hair!

Hallie wanted a beautiful cupcake and a butterfly painted to match her princess-like hair!

After a hotdog and some nachos with Daddy, we went to Mrs. B's Book Sale for some good books!

Fishing for candy! :o)

This reminds me of the booth my mom always had at the fall festival at her school.

Hallie on the train ride with one of my cute little firsties!

Hallie with all her lollipops from the Lollipop Tree Pull. Yes...she spent probably $6 trying to win a prize...a lollipop with a red dot on the bottom. I felt horribly for her. She'd pull a pop and get nothing. The next kid would go up and get a dot. She'd try again and get nothing. Three girls went up and all pulled a pop with a dot. She kept trying and trying with no success! The carnival was over at 7:30 and it was 7:25...the lady seemed oblivious to the fact that she might help a 4 year old's feelings by just letting her have one of the prizes that weren't even worth the 50 cents it was costing to pull a pop. Finally...after another loser pop, and a very sad look on Hallie's face, the lady gave her a prize. haha. Hallie got a *beautiful* butterfly necklace (that I happen to know was left over from a fundraiser from last year! lol).

Here's Hallie-Lou waiting her turn for the cake walk.

It was a super fun night at the "carnibal" (according to Hallie). :o) Afterward, we met Gramps and RahRah for yogurt! A perfect beginning to a weekend!

Never Say Never

2011-10-13T22:34:00.001-05:00

After Hallie's field trip, I said I'd never go on another field trip again. Not because I don't love my sweet little cutie-patootie. No. But you know when teachers sometimes say that a child acts worse when his/her parent is with them? Well, that's totally Hallie. Oh brother. I had a good time, and I think Hallie did, too...but she did not hold back with her stubbornness on this particular day. Still, looking back at the pictures, I don't know that I could never go on another field trip again. She had a blast and I loved being able to capture those moments with her. The downside to the field trip--about an hour and a half after we were there, it turned dark gray and the bottom fell out. It rained and rained and rained! Thankfully we were under the tent petting the cute little animals. But then there were all sorts of mud puddles that I had to keep Hallie out of (sorry--but if she'd have had on her rainboots, I wouldn't have cared!). And the rain cancelled their plans for a picnic at the park...and Hallie was twelve kinds of unhappy because of that. But, she was excited to go back to school, and let's be honest...I was thrilled to watch some mindless TV for the rest of the afternoon (well, before picking Hallie up at school and having to go to a "mandatory insurance meeting" at school). Evidently, God knew I needed some down time and sent the rain...otherwise I wouldn't have had much down time at all. :o)

We started our field trip with Swifty Swine. :o)

These little piggies were just too cute! They were racing to get an Oreo cookie! Ha! I don't blame them!

Waiting for Rainforest Adventures...obviously, Hallie was more interested in a snack. She must have be3en savoring hers because I gave some to the little boys beside her, and they seem to be empty. Haha.

I wish this could have lasted longer...but the skies were starting to get dark and it was so chilly...so the guy had to rush through the presentation.

A monkey...

An anteater...

Hallie would rather play in the dirt. Lol.

And the beautiful bengal tiger...all the "Auburn Tigers" were asleep! LOL!

Petting zoo!

There were about 30 kids in this petting zoo. I think the llama was in shock. He didn't even spit at anyone!

There's a Pirate Dog show (lol) at the fair...but it was pouring rain on their pirate ship, so the guy brought the dogs under the tent. Here they are sword fighting! Hilarious!

The kids got to pet one of the sweet sword fighters after the "show". :o)

The kids got to go through the cattle barn (?) and see all the cows that were there for show. I had no idea that cows had huge humps of fat on their necks!

Hallie and one of her little friends were getting a little too close to Baby Cow, so she stood up and protected her baby. :o)

The little girl had a fun day! Can't wait to go to the fair and enjoy some rides!

And let's be honest--I can't wait for Hallie's next field trip. By then, I won't remember this one. :o)

Pumpkin, Pumpkin

2011-10-12T21:52:00.000-05:00

While Mommy was at school slaving away with her Firsties...then preparing for Open House...then preparing for her sub for the following day, Daddy and Hallie were carving a pumpkin (and burning pumpkin seeds)

When I came home last night, I found this little cutie sitting on my park bench. Granted, she was all ablaze in her precious 4 year old carving skills glory...but I didn't snap a picture of it. As the story goes, the design was all Hallie's doing, but she wasn't quite strong enough to actually carve the pumpkin. So she drew what she wanted to be cut out and Daddy did all the carving. Notice the rosy cheeks and beautifully long eye-lashes. :o)

We have a little Cubbie!

2011-09-29T21:39:00.000-05:00

Just look at this little girl! :o) That is one happy face after Cherub's Choir and an hour and a half of learning and playing at Cubbies. Her face was absolutely ecstatic when I picked her up at church last night--she was so proud of herself for reciting her verse and receiving her Cubbies vest. Now, on to earning more patches by reciting more verses.

We are so excited for her as she learns to hide God's Word in her heart. Jonathan and I were both marveling at what a blessing it was to hear Scripture pour from her lips. What a tremendous blessing! We are thankful for parents who raised us to love and fear God, and we are exciting to teach Hallie about His amazing love!

Cubbies

09.28.11

Tea Party Fun

2011-09-23T16:55:00.000-05:00

Hallie had the wonderful pleasure of attending a sweet friend's tea party at Pinwheel Kid's! And to add to the fun, we picked up another friend on the way there! Hallie had a blast, as did all the little girls. It was very cute--they were read a story, made a hat, made a bracelet, and dined on "tea" and treats all while dressed to the nines in fluffy skirts, feather boas, sparkly jewelry and gloves! It was definitely a party we will remember!

Sweet friends getting ready to go inside.

Can you spot Hallie?!

Well, every princess has to be dressed for a tea party!

The birthday girl!

Joy's and Friends!

2011-09-13T20:54:00.000-05:00

Dance season 2011-2012 has begun at Joy's School of Dance! Hallie has been looking forward to this day for quite some time--she was ready to dance and ready to see her friends! I've gotta say, getting back into the dancing groove and getting to visit with those mommas every week has been on my "can't wait" list, too. Hallie and I are blessed with sweet friends! There were SO many mommas and grandmommas there seeing those little bitties start their very first dance class that I hardly even got to see Hallie dancing. I snapped one picture of the actual dance class (so unlike me). Hallie was very glad to be in the same dance building in the same classroom, and she was thrilled to have the same teachers. I think it's going to be a super fun year with dance!

Leaving school to head to class.

(Adorable leotard compliments of sweet Nonna!)

Sweet friends (minus Ivy--she was already inside and isn't a fan of pictures anyway)

Hallie, Caroline, and Lily

The 3 and 4 year old ballet/tap class

Egypt

2011-09-07T22:06:00.000-05:00

Our Labor Day was filled with lots of relaxing...and a trip to Egypt. Sort of. Thanks to The Mayborn Museum, we were able to have a glimpse of what Egypt might be like.

This is Hallie's current favorite movie. And when I say favorite, I mean FAV-O-RITE! I'm not exaggerating. She knows the story, she knows the lines...and she has favorite parts. She loves this movie--and we really enjoy the movie, too. So much so that now we've watched it...oh, 20 times (at least), and we still find it amazing. This movie brought on the Labor Day trip to The Mayborn Museum for their Egypt exhibit.

The Egypt Exhibit

Hallie pulling blocks with (sleds) and without Egyptian technology.

Building a pyramid.

A camel! Jonathan told her to pretend like she was hot since she was in the desert. LOL!

There were also mummies--which Hallie was fascinated with. We saw mummies when we went to The Museum of Natural History in Anniston. I thought Hallie would be a little scared...but she wasn't. And the same goes for this visit into the mummy room. Unfortunately, we couldn't take any pictures of the mummy. It was pretty neat, though. And Hallie really enjoyed seeing the mummy and talking about who she might have been. Seems we might have a little love and curiosity for history. This definitely comes from Daddy and not from me! :o)

And because we paid our admission into the entire museum, we couldn't pass up the stationery exhbits. :o)

Hallie *loved* the transportation room...and I'm pretty sure she could have stayed there all day. But we were mean parents and made her go to other rooms. Ha.

Good thing there's a sunroof for those tall people. ;o)

The communication room.

Jonathan and Hallie thought these old typewriters were pretty cool.

The Weather Room

Hallie and Jonathan are giving a weather report.

Once Hallie realized she was on TV, she was totally into it. In fact, when we got finished, she asked us what time she'd be on TV. I guess she thought she was like Daddy and would be on the 6:00 news. :o)

The Sound Room

Jonathan and Hallie at the "Whisper Wall"--this was *SO* cool. I wish I'd have gotten a picture of how far these two things were from each other. You could barely talk into it and be heard on the other side of the room. Very neat. Hallie thought it was super cool.

Making some music in the sound booth--it was VERY noisy in there. LOL.

The Water Room

Hallie really enjoyed making a little canal for her boat. She stayed at this station for a very long time. The girl is a fish, I swear! She'd play with water all day if we'd let her. :o)

Making a bubble window--I love the look of intrigue in her eyes.

The Fancy Tea Party Room

This was a favorite of Hallie's, too--she served Jonathan and me tea and cookies. Very cute. She even gave me strawberry tea by putting pretend strawberries in a cup. :o)

Hallie was very disappointed that those hats did not come off. She said we needed proper hats for a tea party! HA!

The Pioneer Room

This is where Hallie had a melt down because she did not want to go home--even though the museum was closing and we had been there for almost 3 hours. :o) Glad our little girl loves outings!

Let Me Hold You Longer

2011-08-31T22:45:00.000-05:00

Bedtime stories were read...night time prayers were said. The princess had been tucked in. While sitting beside her, in her sweet voice Hallie said, "Mommy? Will you hold me like a baby?" I melted. My answer was "of course". Then another question..."Mommy? Will you sing me a song?" So I began singing the very simple and sweet lullaby I wrote for her when she was just a tiny thing and I was rocking her to sleep.

My beautiful girl, you are my world.

I love you so completely.

Those fingers and toes--oh Heaven knows...I love you so completely.

You are mine. And I am yours.

My beautiful girl, you are my world.

As I sang my heart to her, she drifted into her little land of dreams. Tears prickled my eyes as I realized I couldn't remember the last time I had actually sang and rocked my little girl to sleep. I was sitting on the bed, holding her...my arms were going numb and my back was aching. But I just wanted to hold her a little longer.

Then I was reminded of the sweetest book my cousin Stephanie gave me at a baby shower for Hallie--Let Me Hold You Longer by Karen Kingsbury. It is a precious book...and a wonderful reminder that before I know it, I won't even be able to hold my little girl in my lap. The book is written from a mother's view point. It is actually of her and her son...but so much of it is still applicable.

Let Me Hold You Longer

Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts; first smiles and teeth and baby steps, a sunbeam on the burst. But one day you will move way and leave me to your past, and I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts...

The last time that I held a bottle to your baby lips. The last time I lifted you and held you on my hip.

The last night when you woke up crying, needing to be walked, when last you crawled up with your blanket, wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me, still small enough to hold. The last time that you said you'd marry me (Daddy) when you grew old. Precious, simple moments and bright flashes from your past--would I have held on longer if I'd known they were your last?

One last adventure to the park, your final midday nap, the last time when you wore your favorite faded baseball cap.

The last few hours of kindergarten, those last days of first grade, your last at bat in Little League, last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all your yesterdays long passed. So what about tomorrow--will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog in that old backyard pond. The last time that you run barefoot across our fresh-cut lawn. Silly, scattered images will represent your past. I keep on taking pictures, never quite sure of your lasts...

The last time that I comb your hair or stop a pillow fight. The last time that I pray with you and tuck you in at night. The last time when we cuddle with a book, just me and you. The last time you jump in our bed and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson, last vacation to the lake. Your last few weeks of middle school, last soccer goal you make. I look ahead and dream of days that haven't come to pass. But as I do, I sometimes miss today's sweet, precious lasts...

The last time that I help you with a math or spelling test.

The last time when I shout that yes, your room is still a mess. The last time that you need me for a ride from here to there. The last time that you spend the night with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster, stealing precious days that pass. I want to hold on longer--want to recognize your lasts...

The last time that you need my help with details of a dance. The last time that you ask me for advice about romance.

The last time that you talk to me about your hopes and dreams. The last time that you wear a jersey for your high school team.

I've watched you grow and barely noticed seasons as they pass. If I could freeze the hands of time, I'd hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning, you'll be going far away. College life will beckon in a brilliant sort of way. One last hug, one last good-bye, one quick and hurried kiss. One last time to understand just how much you'll be missed. I'll watch you leave and think how fast our time together passed.

Let me hold on longer, God, to every precious last.

Whew!

2011-08-27T19:19:00.000-05:00

Well...I did it. I survived my first week in the first grade. And besides a few little glitches, it was wonderful! I absolutely love my little firsties. They are UH-DORABLE! Seriously. I can't stay mad at them for too long because they are so stinking cute. And boy do I have a smart group! A little too smart, maybe. :o) Of course, everything is review for the first couple of weeks, but it's definitely encouraging that they have retained so much of the information they learned from kindergarten! Several of them even remembered how to use tally marks! That made me smile! During calendar time one day, I told them that I had a secret for them...I told them that I thought I liked first grade *WAY* more than third grade, but not to tell anyone. Well, those of you who know first graders know to never say "don't tell anyone". Right after calendar time, they had music class...and Mrs. Locke (the music teacher) was the first person they told. And I'm sure she's not the last! Too cute! Now, I have no delusions that first grade will always be a barrel of laughs and fun; but I really do think I'm going to enjoy it! First week--success!

Now, Hallie has been having a little trouble adjusting to Mommy being back in school. She so desperately wants to be at school with me. But I'm not going to pay *more* money for her to be in a room full of 4 year olds (by room full, I mean 22) for 1/2 a day with a teacher and then 1/2 a day with an aid than I pay for her to be in a room of 16 with a full day teacher. No thanks. Next year we're seriously thinking about her coming to my school. I think she'd love it...and I know the teachers are fabulous! For now, she's very sad for much of the day...and that breaks my heart. I'm sure she'll adjust...and she does love school. It's just hard for her right now. But I know that her second year of Pre-K and my first year in first will be over before we know it! Goodness...let me savor every single day of her being little...even if it makes my hairs gray! LOL!

Hallie got a "Nonna-Pop Treat" for completing her first week of Pre-K! Don't you love her get-up?! HA! Too bad she's not standing so you could get the full effect. :o) She's such a mess!

Hallie's first homework project--create a paper Hallie! We had so much fun doing this! Her teacher traced all the students' bodies and then they took them home to decorate them. I wish I'd have taken a picture of all the little paper littles hanging outside their classroom door!

Hard at work. Mommy and Daddy helped very little creatively--we did the hot-gluing and some of the cutting. The rest of it was Hallie's idea. I suggested the fabric shirt. But she said she needed yarn for her hair. :o)

Ack! I can't tell which one is the real Hallie!

Can you see the face she drew? The brown eyes with eyelashes? And a tiny smile with rosy cheeks. lol.

And every afternoon Hallie gets to come to Mommy's school. She always finds something to get into. And I'm going to be honest. I spend probably an hour (out of the 2 or so I stay after school) chasing her down. Thankfully our school is fenced in, so I know she can't go too far...but goodness...she's not old enough to want to roam around all by her lonesome!

And a goody basket for Mommy! (Picture taken by Hallie with my iPhone!) Oh, I have *the* sweetest momma in the whole-wide-world! Seriously. She did the curtains in my classroom, she helped stock up my first grade room, and she has given me countless pieces of first grade wisdom. And now a basket filled with goodies. And I mean goodies--Kit Kats, Butterfingers, chips, Fiji water (since J does PR for the city water department, I never get bottled water anymore--lol), gum, fruit! Delish! My sweet momma has sent me a goody basket the first day of school since I started teaching. :o)

This weekend has been wonderfully relaxing! But momentarily I'm going to have to shift gears and get ready for Week 2 with my firsties! :o)

Classroom!

2011-08-17T23:18:00.000-05:00

After many weeks...many long hours of working this week (in-service week, no less...meetings from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm and then working on my classroom until 8:00 pm)...my classroom is *almost* completely ready. :o) There are still a few things here and there that I need to work on, but it is *just fine* for tomorrow's Meet the Teacher night. Hopefully our meetings tomorrow won't last until 4:00 since our Meet the Teacher starts at 4:30...I still need to put papers out on students' desks and sharpen a few pencils. :o)

Come on in and take a peek...

In the foyer outside my classroom (Room 1)--each grade level is in a separate building, and we all have a huge foyer among four classes. It is *wonderful*!

Pop into First Grade!!

View of my classroom as you walk in the door...

To the right, just as you walk in, I have pails for "Runaway Crayons" and "Runaway Markers". I can't claim this idea as my own...though I can claim it as "Man, why didn't I think of that"! :o) I found this super cute idea at Flipping for First Grade.

View from my small group table.

Learner Profile bulletin board. We are an International Baccalaureate school, so we have to have a lot of things on our walls. This is one of them--students will share when they see someone showing an attribute of the Learner Profile and we'll write it on a little slip of paper and put it on their clothespin. I'll either write their name or put a small picture of each student on a clothespin. :o)

Close up of the board. Hallie walked in the day I completed this and said, "Mommy! I just LOVE your sunshine!" :o) Now that I have her approval, I'm feeling pretty good.

Reading Station

(I absolutely must remember to nail the back onto the little mailbox system!)

View from the math corner...

Problem Solving Strategy--I have used this visual since teaching for Northside ISD in San Antonio, TX. It is an excellent way to get students to slow down. I've tweaked it slightly, but overall, the process is the same.

*RR--Read the problem two times

Oops...I have them out of order...lol. The ? should be next.

*?--Underline the question

*Circled F--Circle the facts...we talk about circling information that will help us answer the question.

(In NISD, we also crossed out extra information...I don't put that visual b/c I learned that kids would just scribble on their word problems which drove me nuts!)

A key with + - x and division symbol--What is the key action? What action will we use to solve our problem?

#S--Number sentence...write a number sentence that will solve the problem

S--Solve

Light Bulb--Think about it...Does your answer make sense? Does it answer the question?

I know first graders won't totally understand this concept, but if I can get the vocabulary in their brains, then when they go to second and third grade, I hope problem solving will be much easier for them!

Calendar! I am *so* excited about Calendar time!

*Seasons

*Dress for the Weather

*Weather graph

*What do you say, dear?--This will be like classroom news. I'll choose two or three kids each day to share a sentence. This will be a visual of writing a good sentence with puncuation (including quotation marks). For example, Hallie said, "I was so excited about coming to first grade!" My mom did this when she taught first grade, and her students loved it!

Calendar--I'm going to make little signs that say "last month, this month, next month" and talk about sequencing. You can almost see it in an above picture--I have the same months in sequence above the calendar.

Our math calendar station. I am not quite sure what I'm going to put on the rest of this board. Suggestions?

We'll practice our Key Concepts, Money (in the pink pocket chart) correlating to the Number of the Day, Even and Odd, and place value.

Closet Doors--Key Concepts (part of IB) and my Helper chart. I don't have my jobs listed yet. I think I might talk with the students about what types of jobs would be helpful in our classroom.

Behavior Chart. Students will begin on lime green (looks more yellow to me). For exceptional behavior, they'll get to move up to pink. After a warning, students will move to "This is my last warning"--orange. Then to blue...a partial loss of privilege and a note home. Yellow will result in a loss of privilege and/or an office visit. Students who stay on green will get a hole punch in their punch card. If they move to pink, they'll get a hole punch and an immediate treat. Any student who has 5 hole punches will get to go to the treasure box on Friday. :o) Eek--just realized I haven't added my clips! Oops!

**If you like this, you can get a free download HERE at Life in First Grade's blog.

Another view of my classroom.

Word Wall and Life Cycle posters. I'm quite annoyed that the frog poster is lower than the others. It fell down and I had to quickly put it up today. And now I can't get it off b/c I put it up with hot glue (shh, don't tell). The others are up with either Carpet Tape (amazing!) or Glue Dots (Zots--also amazing!). I haven't decided how I'm hanging the Word Wall Words...probably on ribbons.

Right side of Word Wall with Scientific Process posters--one of our planners (part of our IB program) is on the scientific process.

The front of my classroom. Can you see that *fabulous* media cart in the center of my room. Can you just say LOVE IT?! Well, I can...and I do love it! It's from Lakeshore and absolutely, wonderfully, twelve kinds of perfect!

And there you have it. My first grade classroom all ready for my very first group of Firsties! One of the blogs I read calls her first graders "Firsties" and I've decided I'm going to adopt that phrase as my own. I am NOT a fan of the term "kiddos". I don't know why, but I detest it. Hate the way it sounds. Yes, I'm a teacher and recognize all on my own that it's weird. I prefer students, kids, and now Firsties. :o) There's going to be a whole lotta learning going on in this classroom! I can't wait for my year to get started! I meet some of my sweet Firsties tomorrow night!!

Our little STAR!

2011-08-16T22:04:00.000-05:00

It's back to school time at our house! I have been super busy getting my classroom in order, and Hallie started Pre-K today! She is at the same school as last year, and she is SO excited about her new teacher and "new school". The elementary school joined the middle and high school in their building, so now everyone is a family again. She is thrilled to be going to the same school as the big kids (though it really isn't the same school). Last night, Hallie and I picked out her first day outfit. Actually, she picked it out. I thought it was cute, so I went with it. Anything to avoid a morning meltdown as no one in our family is a morning person. :o) Today was a half day, so I picked her up and took her to Mrs. Becky's house so she could spend the day with Becky and Audrey. So thankful for Mrs. Becky!

We are looking forward to a super school year for Hallie! Today her owl has stayed "wise in the tree". :o) Evidently, if they make bad choices, their owl gets moved down. She doesn't want her owl in the grass! Ha! Hallie loves school, and I'm so thankful for TCA because not only is it preparing her academically, but it's preparing her heart to love Jesus big!

Here's our big girl heading to her classroom!

She doesn't even need us! :o)

Ready to go in!

Hallie's class at circle time. :o)

Hallie and her new teacher, Mrs. Beaudin. :o)

Hallie had a GREAT first day of school!

Faith of a Child

2011-08-14T22:42:00.001-05:00

This is the face of a little girl who believes...believes that God answers our prayers. She experienced that first hand this afternoon. And I'm not sure who was blessed more--Hallie or me!

On the way home from school (yes, I was at school today working in my classroom), there were lots of gray clouds in the sky. As I've mentioned before, it hasn't rained a good shower in a while here. I said to Hallie, "Look at those clouds! Why don't we pray that God would make it rain because it hasn't rained in a long time!" She excitedly cheered, "Yeah! OK!" Here's her sweet, little prayer:

"Dear-a God...please let it rain. Please let it rain so the flowers can grow. Thank you. Amen."

And while she was praying, I silently prayed that God would listen to her and let it rain so that she could see first-hand that God does, in fact, answer our prayers. We have had big, heavy clouds recently, and they produced nothing but a little relief from the blazing sun. I'm the one who doubted it would rain...not Hallie. So about 10-15 minutes later when we saw drops of wet stuff on the windsheild, I was the one who was surprised. Not Hallie...she was *thrilled*! I mean, she was beyond excited. After a couple of raindrops, I figured it would stop. Again, I silently prayed that it would pour rain. By the time we pulled into the garage, it was pouring rain! Hallie couldn't contain her excitement. When she got out of the car, she exclaimed (and I really mean exclaimed), "Mommy! God hear-ed me! He understood me!!" She ran inside as fast as she could to tell Jonathan that God listened to her prayer.

For the 20 minute rain shower, we all stood outside and simply watched it rain (well, Hallie went inside and put her swimsuit on to enjoy the summer shower)...thanking God for the rain, and thanking Him for answering our prayers. I was blessed today by the faith of a child. And I was blessed by her excitement of recognizing that God heard her prayer.

Cuties

2011-08-13T10:22:00.001-05:00

While working in my classroom yesterday, we got a wonderful visit (and much needed break from cutting out lamination!) from two sweet friends--Mrs. Becky and Baby Audrey! We've all been out of town this summer, so this is the first time we've seen them since the end of the school year (Becky and I taught 3rd grade together, but she'll be staying home with Audrey this year!). We both commented on how both girls have grown in just a couple of months. And of course, Hallie had to hold Baby Audrey. :o) Aren't these two the cutest?!

A Work in Progress Take 2

2011-08-11T20:44:00.001-05:00

Yesterday's sedation experience left me feeling...well, nauseated. Extremely. So much so that I was certain I would throw up about every 30 minutes. I was also certain that if I would just throw up, I'd feel twelve kinds of better!

I couldn't go to sleep last night because I was thinking about all the things I didn't get to do in my classroom while I slept August 10th away. So when I finally went to bed around 1 am, I just lay there awake...thinking...for almost two hours. After blocking out my sweet Hubs's snoring, I dozed off. Probably 30 minutes later, I awoke with a start to a little face staring at me. She scared the snot outta me! I guess she had had another bad dream...I didn't even question her when she crawled up into bed with us...again. Bad dreams--that's what's been going on here lately. Sigh. So when I got comfy again, I had to drown out two little snorers. Geez. I think it was 5 am when I finally fell asleep...only to hear "Clocky"--Jonathan's *obnoxious* alarm clock. Didn't I say I was going to throw that thing out a window? Dang it. All our windows are sealed shut.

Anyway. Hallie and I laid around most of the morning. I wasn't feeling well, so I wasn't in any hurry to get to school to work in my classroom. She and I met my sweet mother-in-law for lunch around noon, and then she graciously took Hallie with her to school (she's also a teacher). She teaches 4th grade, so there isn't quite as many manipulatives for Hallie to get into in her classroom. I was *very* thankful to her for taking Hallie, and Hallie had a ball! I got so much accomplished in my classroom today...I'm very proud. I still don't have anything on my bulletin boards (except for the calendar wall, and it isn't complete yet) because I'm just not sure of what I'm going to put where. I have to put my PYP stuff somewhere, so that'll take up a lot of space. Then my helper chart--which is much bigger than I enjoy. And since my lovely alphabet is MIA, I suppose I'll go buy a new one tomorrow. And then I'm certain to find the missing alphabet. Oh brother.

Look *HERE* to see what it looked like before today. And here's what I got accomplished today:

The calendar area...slowly coming together. I'm thinking of doing a number of the day. I'm not sure. Being a third grade teacher for 9 years, I'm having a hard time switching gears. If you have any ideas for my calendar time, let me know!! Thanks!

The real star of my classroom. :o) lol

This is after RahRah dropped her off from spending the afternoon at her school.

Star Student!

This will be the math station. The bulletin boards above the windows will be my word wall...they are supposed to be replaced before school starts; that isn't looking hopeful. I think I'll put our daily schedule with clocks on the blue bulletin board.

Reading Station--not sure what to put on the bulletin board. The blue one will have our Essential Agreement...I think.

The Partner Reading Station. I added the Big Books Station to the side of this, and the little cubbies. I'm going to put a white board, a dry erase marker, and an eraser in each cubby for every student.

My Listening Station. I need to add some pillows or something. But this is the only space (with plug access) I had for it. I love my new Lakeshore box. :o) The drawer system holds all the books/CDs.

And because I want to keep it real...this is hiding behind my filing cabinet and desk. After cleaning everything out, I had ALL these baskets and surge protectors (I don't know if you can see those, but they're under there)! Now I don't know what to do with them. :o)

Maybe you can't tell a difference...but I can. I think it's all going to come together. Hopefully! I'll work tomorrow and then Monday is a work day. Now...I'm going to head off and cut out all that laminated stuff that didn't cut itself out yesterday while I was sleeping. :o)

Picture It...

2011-08-10T23:28:00.003-05:00

I spent almost an hour yesterday laminating about 15 file folder games and laminating my little alphabet people because I thought maybe I'd have a minute to cut them out today after the dentist since I couldn't go anywhere for 24 hours.

Here's the story of my day:

Lorazepam

(This is not an actual picture of the medicine I took this morning.)

Took this at 7:30...by 8:30, I was feeling a little woozy.

Then we got into the car and headed to Dr. Locke's office.

Once there, I was taken straight back by a very sweet nurse. She put me in the chair, laid the chair back and then she covered me with a lovely, white hospital-grade blanket. Haha. Then came the following:

Blood pressure/heart rate monitor

(Not actual picture from office.)

Goggles--Eye and Full Face Sheild--only mine were pink :o)

Ah...the "laughing gas" mask (not the actual picture). First it flowed with beautifully clean Oxygen. Five minutes later, I couldn't feel my body. It was flowing with lovely Nitrous Oxide. The. Entire. Time. I remember telling her about going to the dentist when I was little...the dentist called it the "Mickey Mouse Nose". And it clicked each time I breathed in or out. I loved that. At least, that was the story I was trying to tell her. Who knows if that's what I actually said to her before I told her "good night". Haha.

Then that same sweet nurse placed these headphones on me. From them flowed lovely classical music. She turned lights off and left. But, not before crushing up one more Lorazepam and putting it under my tongue.

**After I had all the above "attached" to me, I remember saying to the nurse: This would make a great Facebook profile picture."** LOL.

In came Dr. Locke to check on me. He told me I was doing great...and that's about all I remember. I was feeling pretty good. I was in and out of sleep. I remember fighting it and thinking "this is what Hallie does every single night when she's totally exhasuted"! haha. I remember giving in b/c I thought "when else am I going to get to sleep *this* well?!" But even though I was "out of it", I wasn't unconscious. I heard Dr. Locke and the nurse talking. I remember him giving me the shots to numb the areas where he'd be working. But I also remember not having a care in the world that he was doing this. I also remember thinking "this is how they should get terrorists to talk" b/c I would have answered any and all questions with pure honesty b/c I didn't care. lol. I remember wondering how they were keeping my mouth open b/c at the time I wasn't even sure I had a mouth. But then I realized that there was some type of little prop that held my mouth open.

Dr. Locke worked diligently...at least I guess he did. :o) At one point, I remember feeling a little pain when he began working on my root canal. I also remember *trying* to ask what happened to the laughing gas. Because my once-completely-relaxed body was beginning to tense just a little bit. He checked it and said he didn't realize it was off. About 10 seconds later, I was happy again. :o) And the drills. Oh, how I hate the sound of the drills. But you know what...I heard them...and I closed my eyes and went to sleep. :o)

When I was done, Dr. Locke told me I did a wonderful job...there was some talk about other teeth and different work I need done with the nurse...but I don't have a clue what it all was. Then I was given two Tylenol and two Advil and a bottle of Gatorade (with a straw). I had some great difficulty trying to take those four pills...and drinking from a straw. But with lots of fumbling, and laughing, I eventually got them swallowed. I drank the Gatorade with great pleasure, not realizing how thirsty I actually was. At some point, Jonathan was called. An intern with TSTC came in with a wheelchair and whisked me to the front door...backwards, actually. I remember saying thank you...and I don't remember much after that. Evidently, Jonathan drove me home and I went to bed. I do remember asking the time--12:00 pm. I had been there 3.5 hours.

The next thing I know, I'm waking up at 7:15 pm. Wow. I stumbled into the kitchen and saw the Gatorade bottle sitting there from earlier...there was *maybe* a sip left in it! I had no idea I had drank the entire bottle. Jonathan brought me two Tylenol and two Advil (doctor's instructions) and something to drink. I managed to eat some supper...but not without accidentally using the tooth that had a root canal. Talk about PAIN! Thankfully the meds started kicking in, and along with an ice pack, I was starting to feel OK. Let's just say the rest of my meal was eaten with extreme caution!

To our surprise, Dr. Locke called to check on me around 8:30. He is a super nice guy (and the husband to our super sweet music teacher at my school!), and he has wonderful "dentist-chair-side manners"! His staff is exceptional, and I don't think I will ever visit another dentist office. My fear of the dentist, however irrational, isn't completely gone. But he and his staff totally understand that. And they do everything possible to make your dental experience a pleasurable one. Hmm...the dentist pleasurable? I never thought that phrase would come from my mouth!

Today's experience--very pleasurable. There, I said it. And I really mean it!

If you have a fear (irrational or justified) of the dentist, and you live in the Waco area, I *highly* recommend Dr. Corbet Locke. If you don't live near here...I *highly* recommend sedation dentistry. Click *HERE* to read about it on Dr. Locke's website. You can also read testimonials about it on Dr. Locke's website. Maybe I'll be the next testimonial! Ha! I'm kidding. LOL.

Oh...and that first picture? Yeah...that was taken about 20 minutes ago. Obviously since I slept *all* day, I didn't cut out any of the laminated goods. Oh well. :o)

A Work in Progress

2011-08-08T22:05:00.001-05:00

Or is it? Oh brother, do I have my work cut out for me. Not only do I have little knowledge of what I'm going to be doing in my classroom, it looks like an absolute wreck. The week after school, my parents and I boxed up all my belongings in my comfy, familiar Room 14 of Building 3. And we made MANY trips down the long sidewalk to Room 1, Building 1. From third grade to first grade. Nine years of experience to zero. Sigh.

Slowly, slowly my room is taking shape. And today I received some of the many first grade happies that I had ordered at the end of the last school year. So that helped me to realize that I can, in fact, do this. I really think it will put a little spark back into my attitude. I had just about had enough of the whole state testing gig. I'm ready for something new and exciting. And I truly anticipate first grade being both!

Below proves my classroom (as well as myself) is a work in progress. Yes, I know I'm a pack-rat. Don't judge me until you've been a teacher (and for all [four] of you non-pack-rat teachers...I envy you!). Believe it or not, I filled at least two *huge* recycling bins (I mean HUGE!) and at least three to four huge trashcans. I'm getting there. I've got a lot less clutter going on. And that is a huge blessing! Don't judge me by all the junk you see. When you see the finished product in a week or so (hopefully sooner), you'll say "WOW!" :o) Maybe.

Oh, this is so sad. Ha. I should have actually taken a "before" picture...even though this might seem pretty "before". lol. There were tons of boxes stacked three and four high. And the desks were all pushed to the front. So in order to get a little order in my room, I arranged the desks the way I want them and then put all the junk on the desks. I know, I know. Crazy. But there is an order to my madness!

Those bulletin boards on the left, above the windows need to have the cork replaced. There is currently a work order for them. I'm hoping they get done before Meet the Teacher night!

Alright...a little color is getting splashed onto the walls. :o) But look at my desk! Ack! Of course, that's pretty much what it looks like after the first week of school anyway! Ha! (I'm kidding...sort of.)

A little more color, and the curtains are getting up. My mom spent almost two weeks with me and made curtains for underneath my bulletin boards (we removed the sliding doors), the windows, and then to cover the old air vents

I spent an entire day organizing my desk and closet along with a few other things (which include filling a few trash cans)! It was a task!

Looking a little better! (Ugh, that mammoth-size continent map has got to go!)

OK--this was today...and isn't looking a whole lot different from the other pictures. Haha. I have been doing a lot of laminating and micro-organizing. :o) And I did get a couple of bulletin boards up.

The reading nook. I'll have fabric on that bulletin border with super cute border tomorrow. And I'm going to eventually (hopefully before school starts) put a curtain on the bottom portion of that bookcase so the kids aren't totally overwhelmed at the monstrous amount of books in their reading station.

The Big Book Station...by my desk. And the blue bulletin board will be my board for notes and such. I don't think I'm keeping the little mailbox system. I have no idea where I'll put it if I do. I want to paint the front of my desk with magnetic paint so I can use it as a station. We'll see. Thinking about it, I probably shouldn't have spent over a month in Alabama on vacation. Ha!

A view from the corner. I got a lot of boxes full of first grade goodness today (hence the opened Lakeshore box). So now I have more boxes to unload. But I'm thrilled b/c it'll really begin looking like a first grade room when I get all those things in their proper place. :o)

This will be my small group station. It was looking nice and neat until I got those boxes today. And there are two extra desks (under those boxes--ha) and a chair that are leaving the room.

The Calendar/class meeting area. I still need to put up a little math wall on the green bulletin board. In the corner, there is a small group table. Don't you love my rug?! And notice the lovely curtains my mom made!

The math station corner. The bulletin boards above the windows will be our Word Wall. Hopefully the cork will be replaced soon!!

My desk. Let's see if it'll soon look like the "before" picture again! Ha! I got those fabulous file folder games (on the left) today in one of those many boxes. Now I have to laminate and cut out all those!

So...it's coming together. It isn't there yet, but it will be soon. I have the rest of this week to work and then next week some. The kids don't come until the 22nd, so there's time. I hope! :o) Check back soon...I'll have more "after" pictures. :o)

Car Wash

2011-08-07T20:25:00.000-05:00

Triple digits. That's where our temps have been since July 2. And according to The Weather Channel, that's where our temps will stay until at least August 16th. Then it'll just be in the upper 90s. Ha. :o) Due to the high temps, there has been a heat advisory (duh) every single day...in other words, don't go outside unless you're well hydrated and just have to. So...we just haven't been outside since returning from Alabama. And that makes for a slightly depressing summer. Boy do I wish we had a pool!

So today, to break out of some of the high temp blues, we decided to wash the cars together...at least we could hose each other off when we got too hot. And we really did have a fun time...until it got a little too hot, and the water from the hose didn't get below 80 degrees. Oh well. It seemed like a good idea at the time. At least we have shiny, clean cars.

Hallie and Daddy washing Mommy's car.

If you need someone to clean the rims of your car, Hallie's your girl. She did a great job. :o)

Hallie: Daddy...I have a surprise for you! You haven't had them in a long time! RAISINS!

I love this little girl!

Cooking with Hallie

2011-08-06T23:15:00.000-05:00

My sweet friend Kyetra inspired me to cook more often...even simple things. OK, our budget inspired me as well. It seems we eat out entirely too much and are really trying to achieve the "eat at home more often" mentality. Since being back home, I've tried to cook more just to get back into the habit of it...especially before school starts. Before Hallie joined us, I cooked often...though Jonathan probably doesn't remember. Ha!

Anyway. Kyetra has a cooking blog Cooking with Kyetra where she sports pictures of perfectly cooked yummies and the ingredients to copy the yumminess. :o) I will never have a cooking blog (and will gladly "eat crow" if that one day happens--ha!), but I did want to share the fun Hallie had fixing our supper tonight. Simple, yet yummy, pizza bagels. And I don't mean the out-of-the-box-mini-pizza-bagels either.

Nothing fancy. All you need are bagels, pizza sauce, and the cheese/toppings of your choice. Here we have some mozzarella (for Jonathan and Hallie) and cheddar (for Hallie and me) and turkey pepperoni on bagels. :o) So easy, Hallie has "cooked" our supper. And she *loved* doing this. She's usually not a big bread eater (she doesn't take after her mommy), but she ate her pizza bagel--I think b/c she fixed it. :o)

Adding the sauce

Adding mozzarella and cheddar to her bagel

Hallie calls this cheese "messy cheese"...and she was *thrilled* to get to add as much as she wanted. Can you tell she added more than necessary?! :o)

LOL--ready to put cheese on top of the pepperoni

More pepperoni

Ta-da! Hallie's supper--pizza bagels, carrots, apple slices, and pickles. :o)

Lemonade! Fifty Cents!

2011-08-06T22:57:00.000-05:00

When I walked out of the shower today, I was greeted by a lemonade stand. lol. Hallie had decided that she wanted to have a lemonade stand (like Olivia--we *love* Olivia!). So Jonathan helped her make lemonade. And she sold it to me when I got out of the shower. Jonathan was her very first customer. And she actually charged both of us fifty cents. :o) It was tasty...especially on a hot summer day when we're stuck inside! Ha!

Testing her product.

First customer!

Our little entrepreneur. :o)

Front Seat View

2011-08-06T22:15:00.001-05:00

Texas Ranger...and I'm not talking about Chuck Norris

2011-08-06T22:00:00.000-05:00

Everytime my dad comes to visit, he mentions wanting to go to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. I'm not going to lie--until a couple of years ago, I thought this was for the Texas Rangers baseball team and always thought how very odd it was to have a museum for the Rangers in Waco. HA! Yes. I'm aware of how stupid this makes me look...I'm just keeping it real. :o) Nonetheless, it's not a museum for the baseball team. It's much cooler than that. It's a museum for a very elite group of law enforcers that dates back to the 1800s. Very cool. And maybe I'm the only person alive who didn't know what Texas Rangers were until several years ago. I'm sorry...I didn't watch Walker, Texas Ranger. Ha. Anyway. During my dad's most recent visit, we went to the museum. And I'm pretty sure the two hours we spent there weren't long enough for my dad...we totally should have dropped him off that morning and picked him up at closing. He still could have probably gone back the next day. Love you, Pop!

Hallie and Nonna riding off into the wild blue yonder. Ha! This was Hallie's favorite thing about the museum. We'd look at an exhibit and then the next thing we knew, she had run back to these little horses. :o)

Pioneer Woman? HA!

Believe me, the fact that she looks like a little girl and not a toddler in this picture is not lost on me. My little girl is getting too big too fast! But look at that face...isn't she precious?!

I'm a slave-driver!

2011-08-06T21:43:00.000-05:00

This is what my mom did almost the entire time she was here. And if it wasn't at our kitchen table, it was in my classroom. Wondering what she's doing? She's trying to make my classroom look pretty! I might not have a clue how to teach first grade, but dadgumit, my classroom will be spiffy! Ha! Here she is making curtains. And I'm not joking...this is what she did almost the entire time. At one point Jonathan told me I needed to give her the day off. Ha!

Actual Date: 07.27.11

Pop Pop Pop!

2011-08-06T21:40:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to our Pop! He flew from Birmingham to Waco on his birthday...and that was a long day for him. His request--to not go out to eat. Ha! So, we cooked some fish (his favorite) and had some cupcakes from Simply Delicious Bakery. Oh my! Those cupcakes were divine! And if you can see the two on the back left...those are sugar cookie cupcakes. Too good for words. So good that I got another dozen just last week and we ~~devoured~~ ate them all ~~at once~~ over the course of the week. :o) Ha!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, POP!

Gramps also celebrated a July birthday...the 24th! He and RahRah went out of town to celebrate--wish we could've spent it with him and hope he had a super duper day!

Actual Date: 07.26.11

No Words

2011-08-06T21:30:00.001-05:00

OK...so I have a few...how about old, crotchety, and ornery? :o)

That's our Charley! We were just trying to make sure he was wearing his helmet the next time he took Hallie's tricycle for a spin. :o)

Actual Date: 07.25.11

Rain, Rain...COME AGAIN!

2011-08-06T21:28:00.000-05:00

On this particular day, July 18th...it was fairly cloudy. But we hadn't seen rain here in the Heart of Texas since May. With temps in the triple digits, a little rain could do a little good. Yards aren't a gorgeous summer green as they usually are...and the only upside is that Jonathan doesn't have to get out and cut the grass every week. Those clouds brought a really good evening shower...for about 15 minutes. This is a complete 180 from what we experienced in Alabama--rain *every single afternoon*. We were so excited to get some rain that Hallie wanted to play in it! I don't blame her...it's fun to sing in the rain. :o)

Actual Date: 07.18.11

Lions and Tigers and Bears...oh my!

2011-08-06T21:21:00.000-05:00

Um, not really. More like elephants, and horses, and dogs and cats...oh my! While it was extremely entertaining and Hallie *loved* it, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus has come a long way since I was a kid. It has gone from a three ring circus to a one ring circus (at least at our venue), and I suppose all the protesters have claimed that the circus was being cruel to all the exotic animals...and those exotics have turned into horses, dogs, and cats. Oh, and a bird. haha. But there was a lot of acrobatics and lots of entertainment. It was a really good show! We'll definitely go again if it comes back to town. :o) And next time we'll try to catch the circus train coming to town! Here are pictures from our circus adventure...ZING ZANG ZOOM!

We had great seats thanks to Gramps and RahRah!

We got to visit with some sweet friends during intermission. These two together make my heart smile!

We all *loved* the elephants!

Show's over. I didn't know that you could see the entertainers if you got to the show early...next year we'll be on top of things! They start breaking down super fast when it's over.

Actual Date: 07.16.11

Fourth

2011-08-02T19:39:00.000-05:00

We spent a rainy fourth of July in Graham, Alabama by the river at my Aunt Amanda's and Uncle Mike's place. I was hoping it wouldn't rain because we were going to cook out at my parents' house and swim. But...the thunder and lightning prevented us from swimming. My brother graciously cooked the burgers and dogs in the rain--we stood around him with umbrellas. Haha. What a memory we made. The rain did hold off for just a little while when we got home from the river, so we were able to pop some poppers. They were a hit--we all loved them! The sparklers had to be sparkled on the porch, though. And we caught the tail end of the Heflin fireworks (they totally changed the time without letting anyone know...besides the people who had already been there all day for the fourth celebration). Overall, even through the rain, it was a nice day with friends and family. And I saw my cousin, Stephanie, again. Steph--I refrained from posting the picture of you and me...it was horrible. lol.

Hallie and Shane & Erin's puppy

Uncle Kelly taking the girls for a ride in the ATV. Hallie *loved* it!

Some of my cousins took a spin on it...

Jonathan and I took a turn...it was *so* fun...and we laughed (and I screamed the entire time)!

The annual 4th of July game of volleyball. I didn't participate, but Hallie did. Ha!

At Nonna and Pop's house--popping poppers!

Sparklers!

I believe it was this time that a chunk of the sparkler broke off and landed in Jonathan's Sperry flip flops and burned a hole through them. His words, "These shoes will never be the same."

Actual Date: 07.04.11

Cute American Girls

2011-08-02T19:15:00.001-05:00

One of the many highlights of Hallie's visit to Alabama was getting to go to the American Girl Store and Bistro. Whenever someone asks her what she did in Alabama, she says, "I went to the American Girl Store and I ate there! With my cousins!" Makes my heart happy to know she's making sweet memories. Our reservations were at 2:15 EST, so we got there a little early and decided to ride the carousel before heading to the AG store.

Carousel

Waiting, waiting.

(Honestly, we did a lot of waiting. The girls had fun, but overall, I can't say this was the best experience I have ever had. I expected the service to be much better than it was...but it was worth it to me to see the smile on Hallie's face. :o)

Hallie's *favorite* part--feeding her Bitty Baby, Mollie. They give each doll a little chair to sit in and then they give each doll a cup and saucer and a pitcher of water (too bad they don't give actual people pitchers of their drinks...lol). It was *very* cute to watch Hallie mommying Mollie.

Hallie and Mollie

Abby and Ruthie

Hallie got chocolate ice cream!

The girls and their desserts--HG, Hallie, and Abby (Abbs didn't get dessert, she ordered hot chocolate--in the summertime!).

Abby & Ruthie

Hallie & Mollie

Hattie Grace & Abby's Kit

Girls with their purchases--thanks, Nonna!

Nonna and her girls!

We shopped a little bit at North Point Mall...afterward we got a little snack and the mall train (!) drove by. The girls insisted on riding it. And they wanted Nonna to ride with them! So, they all climbed in and took a tour of the mall! :o) I love the looks on their faces. Nonna, you were a great sport!

Actual Date: 07.01.11

TuTu Fun!

2011-08-02T00:26:00.000-05:00

Actual Date: 06.30.11

Good Times!

2011-08-02T00:17:00.000-05:00

When Stephanie and I were both single ladies (all the single ladies, all the single ladies...er, sorry), we would often take trips to visit the other. I'd drive to Birmingham and spend the weekend and then we'd trade off and Steph would drive to Atlanta for the weekend. I honestly can't tell you at what point Stephanie and I became best friends--it certainly wasn't when we were making fun of each other behind Mawmaw's house...although maybe that was a test to see how much the other could take (ha). I don't think it was when she called me a snob when I was about 10 years old or when I tried to get her to kiss our cousin. (Sorry about that...and if you don't remember that, just pretend I didn't just write that). At any rate, we are now the best of friends. Morris blood runs pretty thick in both of us, so I guess you could say we had that friendship coming. Yeah, I didn't think that made any sense either. We're family. We're friends. How's that? E-mails go back and forth daily...and if for some reason they don't (yeah, we both have to work...we've GOT to talk to our bosses about some free time during the day for e-mailing), we miss those e-mails. Well, I can speak for myself when I say that I miss Stephanie's e-mails. She's probably glad to not get some whining e-mail from me. HA. At any rate, usually when I'm home we're able to squeeze (and I mean squeeze) in some time together. But this time, we got to see each other THREE times. It was bliss! It almost made me feel like we didn't live 14 hours apart. And I finally got to see their adorable new house (I'm a little jealous of its cuteness!). And even better than that, Hallie and Nora got a lot of playtime together and Steph and I got a lot of gab time together. This particular day, Hallie and I drove to Birmingham to see their new place (new...well, new to me; they've been in it a year now).

Look at the smiles on these two! These two crack me up!

It's such a shame these two didn't have any fun!

What did Wes think this tent was? A dog? Poor thing. LOL.

Beautiful Nora (Hallie was being a toot and wouldn't sit by Nora...why, b/c I wouldn't let her wear Nora's flip flops. haha)

I think this was maybe before they nearly flipped the swingset over b/c they were swinging so high. Steph and I had to anchor both sides down. Haha.

Let's see...this may have been take 50 with the self-timer. Oh well. It documents the day and Steph is gorgeous as always! And no, we didn't plan on dressing alike. Great minds just think that way.

Actual Date: 06.29.11

Splish Splash!

2011-08-01T23:59:00.000-05:00

The following pictures pretty much sum up every day in Alabama. :o)

Sweet, happy Hallie

Hallie the chipmunk fish (look at those cheeks)!

Haha...this will totally be in a future wedding video. ;o)

Sweet Abby

Actual Date: 06.27.11

Follow the Yellow Brick Road...

2011-08-01T23:50:00.000-05:00

...or I-20 to 459S. Regardless, head on over to The (Historic) Alabama Theater for some fun summer movies on the big screen! We did and we had a blast! We went to a Saturday matinee for The Wizard of Oz...a movie Hallie has seen more than a hundred times, but never in such a glorious capacity! If you've never been to The Alabama Theater, you must go. It is breathtakingly gorgeous! This summer they are having a Summer Movie Series (I believe through August 21). It was definitely worth the drive to go and watch The Wizard of Oz on the big screen in such a beautiful venue. Hallie, my mom, and I surely enjoyed it! Beforehand, they had someone playing the organ (orginal to the theater) for a few sing-a-longs (along with two witches--haha).

Hallie and Nonna before the show!

EXCITED!

Where in the world is Hallie Shea?

Actual Date: 06.25.11

Sweet Cousins...Sweet Friends

2011-08-01T23:24:00.000-05:00

A fun day swimming ended with some blueberry picking. There were so many blueberries on the blueberry bush (which really looks more like a tree) that each girl had their own cup full of blueberries (and there were more left to pick)!

Hallie loves picking blueberries. And she used to love to eat them...not so much anymore. But she sure does have a mommy who doesn't mind benefiting from her labor! :o)

Aunt Steph reaching the high ones.

Beautiful Nora! Look at that smile!

Cousins and friends!

Four "Morris Girls"...don't let the sweet smiles fool you. These four can definitely cook up some trouble!

I love this picture. :o)

Actual Date: 06.21.11

We're Alabama Bound

2011-08-01T23:11:00.000-05:00

OK...so we've actually already gone to Alabama, spent three weeks, and then come back to Texas. Still. The title was catchy. Ha. After the dance recital, swim lessons, and Father's Day, Hallie and I heading back east with Nonna to spend some lazy days by the pool. And lazy days they were. We would wake up, eat breakfast, swim, go inside because it would start raining (every. single. day.) and watch movies. We did this for three weeks straight. Every now and then we'd shake it up--you know, The American Girl Store, visits with friends, lunch with friends, going to the Alabama Theater to see The Wizard of Oz movie on the big screen, "going to town" (that's what it was when I was little), and a few trips to Zaxby's and Top o' the River. Mostly, though, there was a whole lotta nothing going on. And I was spoiled and loving it! I love visiting my parents. I love the feeling I get when I cross over the Alabama state line. It's almost like things just automatically slow down. The smell of the air is different...the breeze is a little sweeter. And let me tell you...the temperature was pleasant. A lot of days, it didn't even reach the 90s. At night it was in the 70s. That is so different from what we left (and what we returned to). It's so hot here, we rarely get out of the house. And it hasn't really rained here for weeks. Usually I'm able to bring some of the rain back with me...this time it didn't work. I guess b/c I didn't really have any outdoor activities planned. Ha!

Overall, our Alabama vacation was wonderful. I wasn't even all that disappointed that we didn't go to the beach. A nice pool, a comfy bed, and good company is all we really need for a good vacation, and we had those things in the comfort of my parents' home! :o)

The next several posts will be "back-blogging posts" of our Alabama trip.

Here, Fishy FIshy

2011-08-01T23:03:00.000-05:00

Practicing her kicks on Parent's Day. You can't tell by her face that she cried almost every day (June 6- June 16)...she did NOT want to go to swim lessons.

While others practiced their kicking skills, the little ones stood on the steps and waited--Hallie's face is priceless as she's getting splashed by a swim friend. And check out the little girl on the end. Relaxed. Ha.

From standing on the steps, Hallie would swim to one teacher, then to the other, and then to the steps. I'm telling you--these swim teachers had it down to a science. These swim lessons worked!

My little swimming fish!

Getting ready to jump off!

Whoa! What a jump! In case you haven't caught on, Hallie doesn't do anything halfway. :o)

Swimming to the other teacher after jumping off.

And then swimming to the steps.

The kids were taught to swim under water only...and I was so impressed. Hallie really knows how to swim!

Sweet friends after swim lessons!

The Greatest Show on Earth!

2011-08-01T22:04:00.000-05:00

No, I don't mean the circus (although I will have a post about that)...I mean Joy's School of Dance's "The Greatest Show on Earth" 2011 dance recital. Hallie had her second dance recital (first with Joy's) on June 11th. I was so pleased with the organization of this recital! For the preschool aged girls, they offer a ballet and tap combo. So for 30 minutes they do ballet and then they switch and do tap for 30 minutes. I loved watching Hallie learn tap (since she took ballet last year). She loved it and decided it's her favorite! I really enjoyed seeing what Hallie learned throughout the year! We are so proud of our little dancer! Warning: Picture Overload! :o)

DRESS REHEARSAL

This was Hallie's ballet costume. I thought it was super cute! Her ballet routine was to "Doll on a Music Box" from the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Hallie loves that movie, so she was SO excited when her ballet dance was to that song!

Look at these sweet friends!

As many of you know, Hallie doesn't have thick hair like her mommy...but that's OK, I think her hair is beautiful. And I doubt you can deny that this is one of the sweetest little ballet buns you've ever seen!

Love!

Tap! Hallie's routine was to "Never Had Friend Like Me" from Aladdin. Hallie hasn't seen that movie yet, but I believe this dance routine was her favorite. She knew all the steps and had a lot of fun with it!

Hallie likes to squeeze her friends as tightly as possible. Haha. Sorry, C!

The girls had to stay at dress rehearsal all morning--until they practiced their finale bow. This made for some restless little girls. Thankfully, I had thrown Hallie's notepad and bag of Twistables in my bag. The girls were beautifully entertained!

RECITAL NIGHT!

Even though I wasn't a backstage mom, I made a basket (I used a laundry basket) of goodies for Hallie and her little friends--games, puzzles, crayons, drinks, snacks...etc. And it was a hit. I'm so thankful I did this because those little girls were hungry! I didn't bring home very many leftover snacks. :o)

My little doll on a music box.

This is how they began their routine.

Daddy and his little tapper!

Mommy and the little dancer!

Nonna and the little dancer!

(Pop had to head home before the recital--he had to preach...wish he could've been there!)

Hallie receiving flowers from RahRah and Grampsy!

Hallie and Grampsy

RahRah, the little tap dancer, and Grampsy

Hallie chose Cheddar's as her after recital celebration supper. :o)

We're looking forward to another great hear at Joy's School of Dance!

Pictures

2011-07-17T23:47:00.000-05:00

OK, so I lied when I said I didn't have any pictures. Since my dad cleaned off my SD card, I was able to snap a few more pictures (rather than continuously deleting some on the card just to take "one more picture"--ha!). So...here's the last few days in Alabama.

This was Hallie... Every. Single. Day.

And this just cracks me up--this girl will jump of the side of the pool a million times, do a "twisty jump" and nearly crack her head open, but put her on a water float and she insists on wearing her Froggy (safety float).

On the way to Texas. I wanted to take one at the Texas state line, but honestly, we were too tired to do so. One day we'll get one (we've yet to!).

2011-07-17T23:28:00.000-05:00

I would say I haven't had time to blog, but I'd be totally lying. I've had all the time in the world. I have been at my parents' house for a little over a month. However, the internet connection there isn't fast enough for me (I'm a little spoiled), so I laid out by the pool and swam with my cutie pie and two adorable nieces instead of blogging. Forgive me? (Thanks, Kyetra, I knew you would!)

As I sit down tonight to catch all [five] of you up on what's been going on in the world of Hallie Shea, I'm sad to relay that I have no pictures to share. That's right. None. Well, I do...it's just that they're sitting on the countertop in my parents' house (in Alabama). And I'm sitting on the couch in my house (in Texas). See how those two things just don't jive? Yeah. So...when my dad flies out next week, he'll be carrying precious cargo (a DVD with 8 GB of pictures). Of course, then it'll probably take me another month to sit down and actually update the blog. Maybe not.

At any rate...here's what you've missed:
*Hallie's dance recital with Joy's School of Dance
*Two weeks of swim lessons for Hallie
*Heading to Alabama...that means lots of friends and lots of swimming
*The Wizard of Oz movie on the big screen at The Alabama Theater in Birmingham
*Jonathan spending a week with us in Alabama
*My niece being baptized (and Hallie asking her aunt if Abby and HG could "spending the night" during the baptism)
*Lots of relaxing (so if I'm honest, there really probably aren't a whole lot of pictures)

So...hopefully it won't really take me a month to update. :o) Here's hoping...

Nonna and Pop!

2011-06-16T12:21:00.000-05:00

Nonna and Pop left early Monday morning so they could get to Waco to see Hallie in her last dance class before her recital. Pop didn't get to stay for the recital, so I'm glad he got to see her practicing it. Nonna will be staying the next two weeks because Hallie has swim lessons...and then we'll head to sweet home Alabama!

Hallie's Last Day of School!

2011-05-26T11:04:00.000-05:00

Where did the year go?!

Miss Hallie has completed her first year of preschool. Hallie loves school! She learned so much about getting along, sharing, and serving others. It is amazing. She is such a smart, sweet little girl. Along with the "regular" school lessons, she also learned many different Bible songs and Bible verses. Those always make our hearts smile. She had a wonderful teacher and made many sweet friends.

On Hallie's last day of school, she had Field Day. She was so excited about this--they played super fun games and just stayed outside most of the morning. Their last day was also a half day, so I just took the day off. The plan was that I'd go to Field Day and we'd leave and have lunch when they were done. But when 10:30 came (the end of Field Day), Hallie did not want to go home yet! Thankfully, she had a very sweet teacher who said there were a few other kids staying and that Hallie was welcome to stay until noon. Hallie practically begged to stay, so I left Hallie there and went to the mall! :o) To celebrate her last day of school, Hallie got to choose where she wanted to go to lunch...and she chose her favorite...Cracker Barrel! It was a fun day! Now, if only it had been my last day of school, too! :o)

Looking sleepy but excited about her last day of school!

Getting pink hair!

Hallie is a little star. :o)

Getting ready to race!

Tug-o-War...boys against girls

Yep--the girls won! :o)

Popsicle time!

Hallie and Rayleigh--she is SO sweet to Hallie!

Marleigh, Jersi, Rayleigh, and Hallie

Hallie's Class:

Malachi, Little Joe, Tucker, Ariel, Elijah, Lauren (can't see her), Jersi, Marleigh, Sarah, and Hallie

On the new playground equipment

Swinging HIGH

Hallie and Mrs. Lovecky

For most of the year, it was "Mrs. Wa-bet-skee"...finally, at the end Hallie finally got it "Mrs. Lov-et-skee".

The ones who stuck it out until the very end!

Ariel, Hallie, Mrs. Lovecky, and Elijah

Sitting at her spot. :o)

Mommy's Birthday

2011-05-01T10:33:00.000-05:00

Today I turned 34. Yep. Sometimes I find it really difficult to remember how old I am. I certainly don't feel *34* (whatever 34 is supposed to feel like). So I am very fortunate to have Hallie. She knows how old I am. And if she doesn't, I just have to think of how old she is and add 30 to it. :o)

For my birthday, we took a little day trip to Dallas to take Hallie ice-skating. :o) We were dressed for the warm weather we had been having in Waco only to have it dip into the 50s when we were in Dallas. It was CHILLY! Thankfully, we had on jeans and a few sweaters (for ice skating). We did a little shopping, ice skated, and then had a late lunch at The Cheesecake Factory. It was a wonderful birthday with my two favorite people!

Now...birthday picture overload! :o)

Hallie showing off her green band--she got to ride the carousel as may times as she wanted!

Ready for her first time on the ice! She was SO excited!

Spring Pictures

2011-04-22T11:04:00.002-05:00

My sweetie pie...ooh--wee, this little girl makes my heart M.E.L.T. :o) She is so sweet and is becoming more independent each day. I wanted to snap a few pictures of my sweet girl in her fun-loving state. All these pictures are untouched, so some are a little too bright...just like Hallie's personality!

Easter Party!

2011-04-21T10:47:00.000-05:00

I was excited to have the opportunity to fix lunch for Hallie's little class for their Easter party. I immediately got on the phone with my mom for creative inspiration! :o) Together, we came up with a cute little lunch menu. Of course, I didn't even think to snap a picture. Oh well. I cut out little ham sandwiches in the shape of flowers, eggs, and butterflies. Hallie was very excited to eat a sandwich shaped like a butterfly! :o) They had pickles, cheese cubes, carrots, and their choice of chips. They loved it. I was worried that the ham sandwiches wouldn't go over very well, but surprisingly, they did! There were only a couple of little ones who said they didn't like sandwiches. Oh well!

Butterflies

2011-04-16T11:27:00.000-05:00

Hallie got a butterfly house from Gramps and RahRah for her birthday. When we returned from Spring Break, the caterpillars had arrived at Gramps and RahRah's house! We brought them home and watched them grow...and each little caterpillar quickly formed their chrysalis. Hallie already knew the life cycle of a butterfly thanks to her being in my classroom the day I taught it last year and observing the butterflies in my classroom...she made her very own life cycle.

(Picture from April 2010...my how she has grown!)

So this time around, Hallie knew what to expect from her caterpillars. And they quickly did their job. Here are Hallie and Daddy transporting the chrysalids into their new home.

And rather quickly, those butterflies were ready for their new home! We have an observer (see him camouflaged in the chair?)...he is very curious about the butterflies. And actually tried to rip into their home. Yikes! Thankfully it's a little too high for him! We'll let our butterflies go sometime today...there's still one chrysalis left!

Neighborly Neighbors

2011-03-31T10:53:00.005-05:00

We have the most wonderful neighbors--Mr. Jim and Mrs. Rosemary. They are just two of the sweetest people you will ever meet. Mr. Jim is so much like my own daddy, it's hilarious! If those two were able to run our country, we wouldn't have near the problems we have now! Ha!

Today was an especially warm day (for March, that is)...and Hallie was outside riding her trike. Mr. Jim said that he was about to turn on the sprinklers and that Hallie could play if she wanted. That's ALL he had to say! She had a blast, and I couldn't help but snap a few pictures of her fun. During her fun, Daddy came home...and I got the best picture of him admiring our little girl. He's not smitten by her at all! ;o)

And yes...she is fully clothed. She is all about being spontaneous. :o)

Saturday Morning Fun

2011-03-26T10:14:00.019-05:00

The Ladybug Game...this is Hallie's new favorite game. And let me tell you, Jonathan and I love it, too! It is the sweetest little game; and it was created by a first grader! :o) This game is wonderful for your preschooler! It will definitely be a go-to birthday present for us. Hallie has learned so much--counting, reading the words "move ahead" and "go back"...she has learned to play fairly and to be a good sport if she doesn't win (though she usually wins!). In the game, four ladybugs are trying to get back to their home. You have to get past a praying mantis (either by sliding across the branch) or with a Mantis Pass that says "BUG OFF MANTIS" card (and don't be afraid to scream it)! lol. Along the way, you collect aphids...and you'd better hope you have ten of them by the time you get to the angry ants or you'll be stuck in a continuous loop before ever getting home. It is truly an adorable game that Jonathan and I don't mind playing with Hallie over and over again.

(You'll have to excuse the appearance of my two models...it was Saturday morning and we had all just gotten up! HA!)

Hallie with Nonna and Pop

2011-03-13T01:38:00.001-06:00

Hallie really enjoyed getting to spend two weeks with Nonna and Pop! They picked her up from school every day at lunch time and spoiled her the rest of the afternoon. What girl couldn't get used to that? We were pretty spoiled, too, with laundry getting done and the house staying clean! :o) While in Alabama, Hallie makes herself right at home at Nonna and Pop's house--and I know they wouldn't have it any other way.

We love y'all and miss y'all already and are eagerly awaiting our next visit with y'all!!

The Museum of Natural History

2011-03-10T01:24:00.000-06:00

Thanks to The Busytown Mysteries, Hallie was super excited about getting to see mummies at the Museum of Natural History! The only disappointment...they didn't mumble! LOL! :o) The girls had a fun time going through the museum...it hasn't changed a bit since the last time I went--at least 15 years ago!

Sweet pictures

2011-03-08T01:15:00.000-06:00

Birthday Pictures

2011-03-08T00:56:00.000-06:00

A week after Hallie turned four, we planned on going to Birmingham to have Hallie's and her cousins' picture taken together. HG turned 3 in January, Hallie turned 4 this month, and Abby was turning 8 in just a couple of weeks. While I'm not a fan of indoor studio pictures, some of the pictures turned out pretty cute. Of course, the impromptu pictures were my favorites. :o)

The Paci Fairy

2011-03-07T01:03:00.000-06:00

Hallie has finally given up her paci. I know, I know...just now?! It just wasn't something we were concerned with, and it was the last thing that was keeping her our baby. :o) We knew she wouldn't go to kindergarten with it! And she had only been using it at night. It just wasn't a big deal. However, we thought we would use her turning four as a chance to rid ourselves of the paci. We've had stints where we've gone without, but it never failed...Hallie always went back to her beloved paci. Don't we all have something that's comfortable for us?! :o) The week before Hallie turned four, we gave up the paci...left it for the paci fairy...sort of. We really bribed Hallie to go a week without it and then she'd get a little surprise. Of course, we knew there was a VERY good chance that Hallie would go a week without it, get her surprise, and then demand her paci. haha. Surprisingly, that didn't happen. She asked for it a few times, but we didn't give in. I thought the drive to Alabama might be a nightmare, but since we drove through the night, it wasn't bad at all. But once we got to Alabama, Hallie's attitude about the paci changed. I reminded her that the paci fairy had it...she didn't like that idea. So one night, we went to sleep remembering that the paci fairy had Hallie's wonderful lovey and woke up with a wonderful little letter and gift from the paci fairy herself! :o) Hallie was VERY surprised and loved every second of it!

The great thing is that a couple of days later, Hallie found a paci from one of our previous visits stashed behind the clock in our bedroom and laughed at the paci fairy for forgetting one. Oops! :o)

Alabama Birthday!

2011-03-06T00:22:00.000-06:00

On March 6, Hallie had her FOURTH birthday party of the week! Ha! She said she needed four since she was four. She had one with her friends, one at school, one on her actual birthday with family, and then one in Alabama. Whew! Needless to say, by the Alabama party, my mom and I were partied out! Ha! :o) We had an absolute blast celebrating with family and friends who are like family! Thank to everyone who made Hallie's birthday super special...we love all of you!

Because it had been raining, the other bouncy house that we were supposed to have fell through. So thanks to my wonderful cousin..."Aunt Steph"...who saved the day by borrowing one from a friend! It was chilly outside, so this one was perfect for our get together! :o) And the kids had a blast on it!

The food! :o)

Abby, Mallory, and Nora

Our cousin, Meredith, and Mandi's little pumpkin Cailin!

My fabulous brother and his "little sister", Mandi

Calin and Hallie...oh, if these two lived closer, they'd be double trouble...just like their mommas! :o)

Whew--these two might be trouble, too. :o) They are SO silly when they're together.

The birthday girl!!

Aunt Mandi holding up the birthday girl! :o)

Me and Steph

My cousin, Clay and his little guy, Ethan

Cailin, Abby, Nora (singing?), Mallory, Hallie and HG

"Best Cousins"! lol

The "Messy Room" LOL

Best friends...Mandi, Cailin, Stacey, me, Hallie

Love these girls!

I absolutely love this picture! Hallie, Nora, and "Aunt" Steph

Love!

{hallie}lujah

Summer 2011...just a *little* late.

Where is it 80 degrees in January?

Alabama Christmas

What rhymes with slacker?

Kyetra McCary Belton

I need to see some blogging Mrs. Echols. I miss Hallie updates.

Need I say more? Sigh. Let the updates commence...

Waco Christmas

A Great Weekend Because...

Little Cherub

ADPDE! What's that?

Chugga Chugga Choo-Choo

Sweet Home Alabama Thanksgiving

iPhone Thanksgiving

The weekend from...well...

KoKo

Halloween Recap (slightly late)

A Strawberry Cutie Pie Preview

Nonna Box!

No Words for This Cute Face!

Hakuna Matata

Fun at the Fair!

Morning at the Zoo!

Fall Carnival

Never Say Never

Pumpkin, Pumpkin

We have a little Cubbie!

Tea Party Fun

Joy's and Friends!

Egypt

Let Me Hold You Longer

Whew!

Classroom!

Our little STAR!

Faith of a Child

Cuties

A Work in Progress Take 2

Picture It...

A Work in Progress

Car Wash

Cooking with Hallie

Lemonade! Fifty Cents!

Front Seat View

Texas Ranger...and I'm not talking about Chuck Norris

I'm a slave-driver!

Pop Pop Pop!

No Words

Rain, Rain...COME AGAIN!

Lions and Tigers and Bears...oh my!

Fourth

Cute American Girls

TuTu Fun!

Good Times!

Splish Splash!

Follow the Yellow Brick Road...

Sweet Cousins...Sweet Friends

We're Alabama Bound

Here, Fishy FIshy

The Greatest Show on Earth!

Pictures

Nonna and Pop!

Hallie's Last Day of School!

Mommy's Birthday

Spring Pictures

Easter Party!

Butterflies

Neighborly Neighbors

Saturday Morning Fun

Hallie with Nonna and Pop

The Museum of Natural History

Sweet pictures

Birthday Pictures

The Paci Fairy

Alabama Birthday!

Summer 2011...just a little late.