Grinch Day

I kinda wish I had tried a little harder. . you know harder like not just gone to Old Navy and picked up a Grinch t-shirt kind of harder.  I almost did the whole Cindy Lou Who thing but ran out of time. . .well kinda . . .I really procrastinated and then ran out of time.  My girls were still super cute of course :)  I think almost all the kids dressed up or at least wore a Grinch tee and jeans (which is a special thing at a school where uniforms are worn). 

Carolina and one of her besties Kathryn

Alyssa, Raygen, Brooke, Wyatt, Benny, Kathryn and Carolina

A few of Mrs. Green's Grinch day cuties



Caylea and her Best Friend Layla

Caylea and her wonderful teacher Mrs. Miller

So Super Cute!

Ready, Set . . .

GO! HA! HA!

I joined a gym last week with a few friends.  The first day we went to work out was Wednesday.  So it was Caden's first day in the "daycare".  One of my friends picked him up at my house to take him and so that kind of tricked him.  I felt so bad for him when I got up there because I could see him through the window he was so mad!  He wasn't crying just standing there giving that Caden glare at everyone.   My friends and I were being helped by our personal trainer so we were at the gym over 3 hours.  Caden probably thought were weren't coming back.  He was playing after a little while though so I didn't have to feel guilty the whole time!  I really think he ended up liking it in the end.  He just doesn't want to be left.  I worked out on Thursday also and left him in there he chased me out but they caught him and he was fine, mad but fine.  I did zumba that day and it was probably a little over an hour total.  Friday I worked out in the evening so he got to stay home with daddy.  Although Carolina went with me and her friend Brooke played in the "daycare" with her. 

Friday after working out we went to dinner with our friends at a new (to us) place called Taco Mania.  It was very yummy.  Caylea was at her friend Layla's house for the evening so I picked her up on the way home and Brooke stayed the night with us. 

We made popcorn with the air popper ~ the kids all thought that was super cool!

Movie time on the sleeper sofa :)

Saturday we got up and got around and with our friends we went to pet savers to make a donation to help with the care of the animals. It is a non-profit no kill shelter in Shreveport. We then went out to lunch with our friends were went to pet savers with. I will put pictures of up that soon. I haven't finished them yet. 

Saturday night two of the girls friends stayed the night ~ Carolyn and Kathryn.  The girls played and played until after 11. . .they then were worn out! 

Up early for church and of course donuts and pop tarts. 

I was impressed with myself 5 kids ready and at church on time!  Woot since I am never even on time with just my 3 :)

After church we met Carolyn and Kathryn's mom at the park.  It was such a pretty day out side today. 

Then church tonight.  It was our Christmas dinner.  I won't say why but it was very bitter sweet for me.  I will share more about that at a later time I can't really share details right now. I will just say sometimes God calls us to do things and we don't understand or know why but we just know it's what His will is.   So even if there is the peace it doesn't mean you are happy about it. 



Oh last week our friend Eddie at church has been saying for a while she wanted to take Caden shopping.  If you know my Caden he has the memory of an Elephant (in fact I think he took all of my memory when he was born).  He was so excited to go shopping with her first at wal-mart and then off to Outdoor World.   

Here are the pictures she sent me.  He had so much fun! She spoils and loves our three so much!



How fun!  Well that was our busy week and weekend.  The next two days are cram packed full of things including school activities and packing.  Then Wednesday morning off to Oklahoma.   I know Thursday is the Lasenberry Christmas, Friday the Cook Christmas, Saturday Smith Christmas & Sunday Apple Christmas.  We will see how it goes.  Thanksgiving was 3 packed into one day & the other on a separate day.  This should make it a little easier to enjoy family & friends. 

I am going to miss my work out buddies but I will be back soon & my best friend offered to help keep me moving while I am in Oklahoma.  I am always the one dragging her feet needed to basically be chased with a stick to get going!  I think I am getting it though finally!  :)

I can not wait to see everyone and get all of the hugs I can because it will be spring break before I make it back to Oklahoma. 

Oh and in January for like two weeks I get one of my nieces and one of my nephews while my brother in law and sister are in Brazil on their survey trip.  I still need to talk with a few people at the school that are expecting my help because I think those two weeks it is going to be a little harder to be there for long lengths of time. 

Okay well I am off for now  ~  I hope and pray that everyone had a great weekend full of love and laughter! 

Oh Christmas Tree! (and more. . .)

Today was teacher appreciation day at the school.  The teachers had a luncheon and parents watched the kids.  Mrs. Miller had a parent to watch her class so she suggested that I at least come up for lunch because of Caylea's food allergies.  So I planned to be available for both girls classes.  I spent about half of the time in each room.  It was crazy and a great day.  The 3rd graders in Caylea's class were quite loud but I do not see Mrs. Miller having that problem with them.  I have been by her room a lot and I have never heard the kids out of control.  However she must have a great mix of personality because my daughter LOVES her!  I do to :) 

Oh and Caylea got a note home today that she is going to a Star Stallion Party tomorrow.  She said only one kid in her class gets to go.  I am so proud of her.  She also made all A's and B's on her tests last week.  I am so proud.  This year has been full of adjusting for my little lady (actually both of them but particularly Caylea) I can not wait to see what she does next semester.  Her grades have been coming up steadily (not quickly) for quite some time.  AHH!  Did I mention that I am so proud of Caylea and how well she is doing in school! 

She is so excited about being able to be in the spelling bee next year that only the 4th and 5th grade students get to do.  She is doing wonderfully in multiplication and division.  She has her skip counting facts down except the 6, 7 & 8's which we will get down over Christmas break so she can be ahead.  They are learning a lot of her things but math is becoming one of her favorite subjects (spelling is still #1).

Carolina is doing awesome also.  She is reading really well and enjoys every aspect of school.  I love that little lady.  They both make this mommy so very proud!

The winner for our Christmas Card this year :) Thank you all for your help choosing the card. 

So last Thursday we decided to put up our Christmas tree. It will be up less than 2 weeks before I leave for Oklahoma so it almost seemed like it wasn't worth putting up since we waited so long.  We went ahead and did it though.  The kids had fun decorating the tree's in their rooms that night also.  I will try to get pictures of them before we leave for Oklahoma. 

My 3 little "Santa's"

Working on "fluffing" that tree

Caylea hanging ornaments

Carolina working on the tree

Caden hard at work

My 3 and their pup's Misty and Tiger

Even though it will only be up for a short time I am so glad that we put it up.  It's hard to get into the mood for Christmas without a tree in your house.

Oh one more thing I am gaining so much confidence in Caylea's ability to make good choices and be aware of her allergies.  On Friday I got a call from the school that Caylea had a rash on her face and was itchy.  The nurse gave her Zyrtec and I went up there.  She was fine no epi-pen used.  She wanted to stay at school so I spoke with her and reminded her to tell someone if anything got worse.  She didn't eat anything with nuts in it.  However her friends had eaten candy bars with nuts so I am guessing somehow it got onto her face.  She had no hives and the rash and itchiness went away quickly after med's were on board.  Just one more step that I am so glad to see that she is able to handle with no problem! 

So proud of the little people I get to be mommy to ~ I am Blessed Beyond Measure!

Christmas Card Pictures

I decided it was time to get a picture and make Christmas Cards.  So this morning on the way to church I stopped at the trail.

Please help me chose out of the first four.  I got it narrowed down from like 50 to 4 lol. . .This SHOULD be the easy part. . . 



Caylea bug

Ni~Na bear

Bubby boy :)

Thank you for your help . . . I know most of you reply by e-mail . . .that is fine or you can leave a comment on the blog :)  I appreciate the input!

Cayea's First Slumber Party . . .And More

Caylea's Best Friend at School is Layla.  For Layla's Birthday she had a slumber party. 

I was torn about letting Caylea go because of her food allergies.  Layla is in the same class as Caylea.  I spoke with her teacher and she told me she felt like Layla's Mom would understand.  (also I am home room Mom and I knew she had sent safe treat bags for Caylea and another little boy in the class with food allergies) I went ahead and called her.  I am so glad I did.  Not only because she was so great with Caylea and  double checked everything to keep her safe.  Also because she has offered to help me with the class party.  She has been so helpful in the planning.  We spoke several times this week and I even met her at Target one day to pick out some things for the party. 

My kids have only stayed the night on even very few occasions with family and or a very close friend that might as well be family.  So this was a Leap for me. . .kinda I feel like I have been leaping since August and it actually really feels pretty good :)

Caylea and Layla

Not to offend anyone hopefully I won't but I guess Monster High dolls are super popular with kids Caylea's age this was the second party we went to that we bought them for gifts.  I called Mom's first to make sure both times.  I also had to explain to my girls that their Dad and I agree they will not have one.  I had honestly never even heard of them until the first party that that is what the little girl wanted. 

Awe sleeping little "Panda Babies"

Three pretty girls

The cake Layla's Mom Marianna made isn't it cute!

Fun idea of a sleep over pillow case that the girls decorated that Layla will always have.

Caylea wanted to have Layla over every night this week. Her Mom and I were on the same page as far as school night play dates. I told Caylea if she did well at school she could have Layla over on Friday. So she came over last night it was fun. The girls played outside and then in the girls room. They played the wii and then we made bracelets

Then a sweet friend of Carolina's Brooke and her Mom Kari stopped by to bring the kids some yummy snow man soup!  Cutest idea EVER!  We are so going to do this!

Hershey's kisses, hot chocolate, marshmallows and a candy cane :)

I should of gotten a picture of Brooke and Carolina . . .

She even ran to the car and grabbed an extra one for Layla since we had company ~ wasn't that sweet? 

So since I am on a roll I will go ahead and add the rest of last weekend on here. . .It goes last Friday Night. . .This Friday Night. . .Last Saturday Night/Sunday HA! HA! My brain makes no since. . .just trust me on this one!

So last Saturday night Carolina had her first sleep over with friends.  It was a busy time for Kari (Brooke's Mom) because her husband was coming back from deployment on Monday. . .well she found out Saturday Morning he was coming back Sunday!  I told her she should post pone it.  One of the little girls Aubrey was sick anyways.  She said no Brooke would be heart broken.  She pulled it off!  The girls had an amazing time!

Brooke, Carolina and Emma making pop corn.  Kari tells me that Carolina was amazed she thought popcorn only came from microwave bags.  I know we really should get an air popper!

Pop Corn and movie with friends!

Carolina and Brooke's dog

When I picked up Carolina her hair was so pretty.  She had her nails painted.  I should of taken a picture it was so cute each nail was a different color.  Kari is so brave she gave them real polish and a paper towel and let them sit in her living room floor!  BRAVE I SAY!

After church we went to lunch with some church friends but my friend Holly Jo called and said Kathryn was really wanting to play.  So we stopped and picked her up on the way home.  The girls played all afternoon until time to head back to church. 

What a super fun filled weekend! 

Most of these are phone pictures. . .so please excuse the quality. . .

Post with Christmas tree decorating coming soon. . .but not tonight. . .Nighty Night my friends!

School Project

I was going to to go to sleep. Then I noticed I only needed to post two more blogs and then I would be caught up. So here goes at least one more tonight. These pictures are from Carolina's class project for the hallway. The kids did not wrap the presents but they did decorate them. They also used their hand prints to make the Christmas Tree and their thumb prints to make the little lights on the tree. It was a fun, fast and easy project that turned out really cute. I am so happy that we get to go to up to the school and help so much with the kids projects. It is so much fun and it is the main reason I have made so many new friends these last few months. I was okay with not having a ton of friends here in Louisiana. What with home schooling last year and the very small church we attended it was just the way things were. I didn't realize it until recently but I am really such a social person. I just need to feel comfortable to open up. If I am not comfortable I will have the hardest time saying anything. However I think being at our church and doing the things I have been asked to do has pushed me to grow in that area. I can still be read like a book if I am not in the mood. Thankfully that does not happen very much anymore though. God has been so good to us!

I think I am off now & will save the very last blog for tomorrow. Good Night my friends! :)

Carolina and her very cute present for the wall outside her classroom

Carolina getting some friend love. . .Alyssa, Kathryn and Carolina

Mrs. Kari helping Carolina with her thumb prints for the lights

Finished wall :)