cute girlfriends

Christmas Eve

Cute Caitlyn stuff

The other night as I tucked Caitlyn into bed after reading to her about the ocean abyss, she noticed date on one of the Christmas bears she was sleeping with.  It was one that Grandma Janis gave Emma so the year read 2005.  She went on to ask me how long we had Emma before she came.  I told her that it was 2 years and 10 months and that when she was born she completed our family.  Without skipping a beat she replied “well our family is complete now with Laura and the baby”.  My heart melted, I said "yes you are right”.   Just a little glimpse into her loving heart.  

As a mom, I sign off on many “official” things…school agenda, music homework, reading logs among other things.  From time to time, Caitlyn will fill in my initials on her music homework and I usually let it go because she indeed has practiced. This morning in carline drop off I told her that I forgot to sign off on her school agenda.  She said, “that’s ok, I can do it.”  I told her that was not a good idea to let mom do it.  She responded with “but why mom, do I not do a good job with your initials?”  So began the lecture on forgery at 7:30am.  :) I love that she had no clue, she just thought that I felt like her writing was not “good” enough.  

A heart erupting with love

Em came home from school a few weeks ago and explained that she had won a thumb war with her Science group...the prize...we got to create a volcano so that her group could "erupt" it the next day.  After a quiet little moan from me, we embraced her winning and got to work.  We had a lot of fun getting creative; her volcano had a palm tree area, huts with villagers, a flower field and of course the water with big boulders.  The glue gun got a good work out.  

I got to go in and help with the eruptions.  It was fun to be a part of it. 

After the eruptions, her teacher told her class that each group (3 girls) needed to decide who should take it home.  She added that the person who created it should probably be the one to take it, considering the amount of work that was put into it.  As I watched the groups making their decisions, most of them followed that plan.  One of Emma's group members (not pictured) was trying to talk her into giving it to her.  I watched Emma waver but then encouraged her (from across the room) to say that she wanted, because from her body language she appeared to be unsure. The two girls ended up talking to the teacher and Emma was told that she could take it home.  The other group member teared up.  It was very hard to see.  As we walked out into the hall, I whispered to Emma that it was up to her, that I was fine with what she wanted and that if she was okay with it, she could give it to the other group member.   At that time, she ran ahead of me to catch the group member and kindly, lovingly and selflessly gave the volcano to the other group member.  I was so proud of her.  She told me later that it made her happy to make the other girl happy.  My heart was overflowing.  I love you Emma, you are true example of God's love.  

Masterpiece by Catherine Eva

I asked sis bear to head upstairs to the tech center to draw while I helped Em with the rest of her homework.  She came down a bit later with this drawing of Bryan.  Note- the bubble says "I'm happy" and the shirt logo reads HOPE GROOP.  We laughed and sent it to Lori (owner and founder of HOPE GROUP LLC).  Love C and her take on life.  

A few miles together

The 3 TV half marathon to raise money to fight childhood obesity 

Start line - 7am

Crazy runners

Esprit de she 10K 

So thankful for this gal Jen! She is my therapist, trainer, friend and inspiration ! So happy we have shared so many miles together. I would not run without her. What's next my friend? 

Maggie's Place 10 K with the hubs :)  

Halloween night

Ava and Caitlyn (Ava is a little friend from Arete that lives in our hood)

Our cute nerdy gal 

20's flapper girl (second year in a row)

Em, Leila (Em's friend from school) and C ready to roll 

We love Morrison Ranch on Halloween- everyone is out in their drive ways passing out candy and being neighborly.  Happy Halloween! Note- Em's pumpkin was also a "nerd".  

October 31, 2014 Read a thon

Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and Laura Ingalls from The Little House on the Prairie headed to school today for the Read A Thon. 

Emma and friends in the lunch room (I got to see all the cute costumes when I was on lunch lady duty)

C's room for the read a ton- I think C was in heaven with stories being read all afternoon, she was front row for each book ! 

The cute Dorothy's of C's classroom + 1 teacher's assistant and 1 front desk manager = pure cuteness 

I got to read one of my favorite books to C's class and do a puppet show with my reading group and some other friends ! 

Hattie and the Fox by Mem Fox (I miss teaching)

I am so blessed to be able to volunteer at Arete and be in on the fun too ! 

Egyptian Celebration for 1st grade

Ms. Spriggs 1st grade class celebrated their Egyptian unit by having an Egyptian celebration.  The classroom mom is amazing and planned the fabulous party.  We decorated headbands, arm cuffs and neck jewels, excavated treasures and ate hummus and pita ! It was so much fun. They even had an Egyptian museum  and an Egyptian sarcophagus thanks to the room mom's friend.  

C's classmates, Ms. Spriggs, Coach Cook and Ms. Bolzeman

Oktoberfest with the Mesquiters

We had a fabulous time with our friends and neighbors on Mesquite street when they hosted their 2nd annual Oktoberfest! They have the city block off the streets, make a ton of yummy food, tap a few kegs and throw one heck of a fest... oh and the cops came (but were very nice and let us continue on) !! 

Of course B and I signed up for the bean bag/ corn hole tournament ! We were team BRAUTZ !! We came in 2nd out of 8 teams and if it wasn't for the harassment that I endured in the finals, we would have been first ! Watch out we will be practicing for next year...

The Daveys and our coach "Brad" (he is a psychiatrist by day, bean bag game coach by night) 

The fam at the end of the night- the girls did face paint mustaches on each other !! 

Emma's Halloween recital

Our cute nerd played a fun song called "Grumpy Old Witch" for the Halloween piano recital.  She chose the more difficult song of the two she was given, we are proud of her for that.  She did a fabulous job and it was fun to see her and all of her fellow piano player friends. 

Avi, Em and Keeley

Africa

Nana, Papa, Uncle Nate and Aunt Laura went on their safari this week.  Amazing and exciting ! 

"Way back" Wednesday

This seems like soo long ago, but it was just 2.5 years ago !