The Rock Wall

In March Ally climbed the rock wall at Dicks Sporting Goods in Okemos. Every time we go there we spend about 30 minutes playing on the escalator and watching people on the wall. This trip Ally decided she was ready to do it herself. We were so proud of her, she did great!

Bug Howse

I love the new experiences of kids and the creativity of my own. They found this plastic container in a pile of stuff my Aunt Laurie gave us. They took out the beanie baby and came back with the "bug howse". Ally is learning to spell and if you have been there or are heading there let me tell you it is tough. Why wouldn't you spell house that way, she looked at me and said h o w s e, and made the w sound a couple times and just stared at me.
If I were a bug this is for sure where I would want to live. Though I probably wouldn't live long without air. My kids love "light bugs" and the other day Ally actually wanted to bury Emily, her dead firefly. I told her we could probably just get away with throwing her in my flowers, that's probably where she would have wanted to be anyway. Luckily this suggestion was met with no opposition. She opened the door and flicked her into the flowers.

My soccer star

Not a vacation post, but one that is long overdue. Lanie started playing soccer in the fall and LOVES it. We don't keep score with kids this young BUT if we did it usually looks a little like this:
Lanie 10, other kids other team 0. This little boy Landon, was her biggest competition all year.

Thankful...

I realized that I began this post but never actually posted it. I am thankful for so much but here is a quick rundown...

My God and our freedom to worship
My kids and husband, I am so blessed to have them
My friends and family
My job
My small group and their ability to challenge me
My church and a pastor that inspires me
My freedom and the people that put their lives on the line to protect it
Silly things: the internet, reality tv, my cel phone, chocolate, Starbucks

Random Thoughts...

~Not a fan of the cold weather but I am sooo looking forward to the Christmas season. We have so much already planned and I am getting pumped to put up our tree on Friday...
~Is it really almost dark at 5:30 each year around this time? As I type I am pretty much sitting in the dark, and it is 5:27, I think I need to turn some lights on...
~For how much longer will the girls think it is funny when they "toot"? It usually brings on genuine laughter and fun...
~Right now Ally is playing the piano and singing her heart out, maybe someday this will allow me to retire:)
~Lanie is grounded from Gracie for chasing her around the house, the poor dog has to hide under the couch to escape her sometimes...
~Ally is standing over my shoulder asking me "I see my name, are you typing about me again? What are you saying about me, tell me tell me tell me"...

If a 4 year old did my hair...

Kids Say the Funniest Things...

Ally: "No, mom it is called a da'sembly" (every Wed she has an assembly)
Lanie: "Sometimes me do, sometimes me don't" (what we hear when she has changed her mind about liking something)
Ally: "I know what the black part of your eye is called, a pimple" (pupil)
Ally: "Milk is really good for you it has lots of calories" (calcium)
Lanie: "My eye bulb is blue, yours is brown"

3 Things I Love About...

Have you seen the new campaign around town - Name 3 things you love about your husband or wife?

I wanted Trent to know my top 3...

I love you because you love me for me
You are the best dad
I can't imagine my life without you in it

Thursday TV

I am so excited to get home tonight and watch TV. Thursday is always a struggle because we usually get home late, I have about 500 different things I should be doing and I have to get the kids in bed before 8:00 to make Ugly Betty. But, I so look forward to Thursday night TV, my biggest struggle is that Grey's and the Office are on at the same time. Last year I bought The Office episodes on itunes, this year I guess NBC is putting them online for free, works out good for me. Luckily, I haven't allowed myself to get into any new shows, I just don't have the time.

I guess you know you are hooked when you think that the characters are part of your life and you get confused about the TV world vs the real world. Last week I woke up thinking the world was going to be under siege by a group of wrongly accused military members then I remembered it was just from an episode of the UNIT (Trent's favorite show). I have found myself so wrapped up in The Hills you would think Lauren, Audrina, Spencer and Heidi were actual people in my extended circle of friends.

I know that I watch too much TV sometimes and get a little too wrapped up in stupid shows but is it ok every once in a while?? Deep down I know the answer and I could find many more productive things to do with my time but I guess that is something I will just have to work on. We could probably have a good comment section if you want to list some of the embarrassing shows you watch, I will admit I got wrapped up in Gene Simmons, Family Jewels the other day and found it fascinating!

My kids Are Only...

My kids are only 4 and 6, who knew how much we would have to juggle for them already. We have Ally in the Western School District because we feel that is where we want the kids to go to school. Since Lanie is only in preschool she is at Sharp Park Academy through Jackson Public Schools (our actual district), hopefully next year they will both be at one school with Western. But anyway here is our shuffle today
5:45 - I get up, for those of you that know me you know how much I am loving that
6:15 - Get Ally up
6:50 - Leave the house, our friend Micki takes Ally to school
12:30 - Trent takes Lanie to School, then heads to work
3:30 - Our friend Renee picks Lanie up from school
3:30 - Ally rides 2 different buses to get to my cousin Brandi's
4:30 - Brook picks up Lanie to take her to Brandi
5:30 - I pick up both kids from Brandi to take them to a birthday party

So today alone my kids have been with 4 different friends that have helped to get the kids where they need to be. And this is just today my mother in law and my friend Kim are involved in this whole shuffle on Monday's. We also work around ballet, Wed night church, soccer, art class and bible study. Are we too busy, most of the times I think yes and life would be much simpler and more difficult at the same time if I didn't work but right now this is where we are.

Thank you to all my friends without you I don't know what we would do but we couldn't have our kids where they are with out you. When I hit the lottery next week you won't be forgotten!

A tough job....

Today I worked in Ally's class. Mr Archer had me do a project so I just got to sit on the sidelines and watch the kids interact. I found myself laughing, smiling and feeling a bit anxious as I watched these 1st graders.

Some of my observations:
The gambling table...One of the groups of 4 boys were playing a game with math cards. They were betting on who would win. When they caught me watching they so proudly told me whoever won the game got Skyler's quarter for popcorn. As I said really, Mr Archer got wind of what was going on and shut down the operation. Skyler put his quarter back in his pocket and they continued playing.

The looks of wonder...You are Ally's mom??? Most of the kids couldn't quite put us together they just looked at me inquisitively and said ok...

The bickering...Maybe it was because it was Friday but there was one group of 4 girls that couldn't quite go for more than a minute or so without picking at each other "She's making faces at me" "She's talking too loud" She's not doing what she's supposed to Mr. Archer" "Can you tell her to stop it" "I don't want to play with you I'm playing with her" - On more than one occasion Mr. Archer would have to interrupt the group of kids he was working with to squash the issue. A threat to stay inside at recess and talk about getting along seemed to slow the girls down.

Anyway all you teachers out there you do have a tough job and I for one appreciate your efforts, keep up the good work...