Jacob's Halloween Party

Yesterday, Jacob's class had a Halloween party. Since Jenna goes with me, she dressed up too. Today is her party. Today is a half a day of school for Joshua and then we are all off tomorrow (except for Jack) so I am happy for the break!!

Just Hangin' Around on Sunday!

Ladie's Group

Today we had a ladies fellowship at Clemmons Forest. It was such an awesome time. I thought I would sneak out early, but we had so much fun that I was actually late! We had some soup and chili,donuts and bread! I am not a big soup eater, but I fell in love with Olivia's chili! We played some games and had a "My trash is your treasure" thing. It was hilarious. I ended up with a cute pumpkin decoration which is on my kitchen table now. I am so thankful for such a wonderful group of ladies! I have met a lot of great friends! Sara, I have to see the pictures of your new treasure once you get them up!

Happy Homecoming

Jack made it home last night and brought me these beautiful flowers. What a nice surprise! I love the fall colors in them. Jacob was running a low grade fever last night. He is better this morning, but I am going to stay home from work today anyway. I am a firm believer in "24 hours" before they go out and about. I will enjoy having a morning off. I may even take a nap as I haven't slept good in a couple of days.

By the way....does anyone know how to get burnt pop tart smell out of your house? It's driving me nuts! I've tried opening all the windows, but that didn't help!

One of Those Mornings!

I thought I was having a good morning. I woke up a little early, got ready, got Joshua's lunch made, got drinks for breakfast made.....and then it happened. I put in the pop tarts and walked away. A few short minutes later, I smelled something! Somehow the button to the toaster got moved all the way over! My pop tarts burned. I could see smoke coming out of the toaster and then....beep, beep beep....the smoke alarm went off. I put a pillow on that to make it stop, turned on the fans and opened the window. Of course, now I have burnt pop tart to try to get out of the toaster. It also left me scrambling on what to do for breakfast. I guess there is no such thing as a smooth morning!!!! Have a great one!

Jenna and the Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday was Jenna's turn at the pumpkin patch. She had a good time, and I enjoyed watching her with her friends. She is really coming out of her shell. I look at these pictures and sometimes it hits me about how big she is getting! She sure is growing up!! Jacob spent the day with mom and he really enjoyed the day too.

Jack is off to Orlando today. I would have loved to gone with him, but maybe another time. At least this time he will only be gone one night. It will be another busy day. I have to work, plus I have a staff meeting after that.

Time to Brag on Joshua

Tonight the kids had their first Patch the Pirate performance. I thought they all looked cute with their hats on. Joshua was excited because he answered some questions tonight that no one else knew. They had their story on Esther and he answered about Haman and Mordechi correctly. He was asked how he knew about it and he answered "Veggie Tales". Some people may not like them, but they have certainly taught Joshua a lot. I am also proud of him because we had our parent/teacher conference Thursday night. He is doing fine on his work and is on grade level. When the remark came for "summary of behavior" this is what the teacher wrote......"Joshua is a model student" My boy? A Model student? "He follows classroom and school rules. He comes to class with a positive attitude daily. Joshua sets a good example for other students to follow." Joshua, we are proud of you!!!!!

Fair Fun

Who is having more fun...Jack or the kids?
Jenna is little wet!
Josh and Jake (Jenna is afraid of anything that moves!!)
Jake and his favorite cartoon, Curious George
Jenna being silly!

I'll post tonight since tomorrow will be crazy around the house!! We had a blast at the fair. The kids were really good. They enjoyed the rides and the food. We actually came home with money too, which is a good thing! Right when the gang got on the roller coaster, it started to down pour. It lasted about 4-5 minutes and then everything was over and the rest of the day was great!

The trip home with cotton candy!!!

We're Going To The Fair!!

We're going to the fair, we're going to the fair, I am so exited that we're going to the fair. (I'll just to write down the words since you can't hear me sing....and that's a good thing!!!). We haven't been in three years, so I am excited. I love all the smells, and sights etc! We are trying to go the cheap route....buy some tickets in advance, take can goods for admission today etc, but I know we will still slap down a bundle. I mean, I have to have a sausage dog! There is the funnel cakes, cotton candy, and I would love to try a fried snickers (don't know if I will). Jack is off today and tomorrow, so I'll go to work and Jenna to preschool until 12. I'll come home, get the stuff and pick up Jack and Jacob, and we'll sign Joshua out early and go to the fair!! I don't know if we will make Joshua's soccer game or not. We do have a parent teacher conference at 7:30 so I know we will be done by then.

A Little Green With Envy

Check out this place where Jack will be staying next week in Orlando. I can't believe all the places he gets to go to. http://www.marriottworldcenter.com/home.htm

I admit, I am a little ok, a lot jealous. Look how big it is and all the things they have. It's only a few miles from Disney too. Why can't he ever stay at Best Western? (ha ha). I really thought about trying to arrange some childcare since it was for such a short time, but it is hard to find someone to take all 3 kids. Then, we would only have one night, so I don't know if it would be worth it. It would be nice to go back to our honeymoon spot, but maybe another time!

The Little Mommy

I snapped this one of Jenna yesterday while she was watching Dora. She didn't know I even took it. Sometimes, this baby she has looks very real.

Sole Survivor

It's Monday, and I got the Monday blahs. It's back to the rush routine.....getting everyone dressed, out the door, get to work, HOMEWORK, (I don't know who hates that worse), baths, bedtime!!!.......BUT, I can report that I am sole survivor of the football game!!! I beat my mom, Jack and my brother and I am still alive! For those of you who don't know the game, you make your weekly football picks, and then you pick your one team that you are sure will win. If they lose, you are out, and once you picked a team, you can't pick them again, so I couldn't pick New England every week. Anyway, my brother went out last night, and Cleveland pulled me through. I have had some nail biters, but I made it!!! I am not a big football person, but I love playing the game. I love winning, especially since I am in last place for the weekly picks. My mom and I were tied, but she got one game up on me this week. I doubt I can catch up with Jack, and I think it is impossible to catch up to Mark, so I'll tip my hat to him in that one!!!

Saturday Baking and Chores

It's been a busy Saturday. We woke up and went to two community yard sales. Neither one was really big, but we got some books, I got some shorts, Jenna got a video, and I finally found Jacob some jeans for 50 cents each. We came home and I have been busy since. I got two loads of laundry done, vacuumed, mowed the grass, cleaned out Jenna's dresser drawers, and found time to do some baking projects with the boys. (Jenna went to Walmart and the dump with daddy). I am so tired, but I have so much more cleaning I could do. I don't even know where to start. I knew it would be difficult once I started working, but I wouldn't change what I do. I LOVE my job. I hope I can keep it one more year, but we may decide to home school, and then I will not be able to continue. So the pictures are of the boys and their chocolate covered (and white covered) pretzels, and ritz crackers with peanut butter, topped of course with sprinkles!!!

Weekly Deals

Here are some of my deals for the week. I found these Thumper and Tinkerbell PJ's on clearance for $2 at Walmart, a pair of shorts for Jenna for next year for 75 cents, and this purse last week at the yard sale for 50 cents. I also wanted to share some of my kids from my four year old class. These were taken at the pumpkin patch. I didn't get everyone, but here are just a few. I'll get a group picture soon.

Kayla

Cassidy (she is my favorite)

Ryann

Jacob (not my Jacob of course)

Sophia

Jacob and the Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday, the 4 year olds went to the pumpkin patch. We had a good time. My mom came to watch Jenna, so that Jacob so that this could be "Jacob's time". Thanks, mom! After that, I went to Joshua's class to work. I graded papers and then because I am "room mom" had to put a letter together for their fall festival next week and try to get volunteers. I was so happy last night to get my first volunteer. I was a little nervous, but very proud about being able to put a letter together to send home to the parents. I didn't know that being room mom would be so hard!!!!

Jack got home last night. His trip was very good and not stressful. I had to tell him to quit talking! He told me about the BIG mall across the street, about the walking trails outside, the lazy river they had. But then he told me about the fact that thy had a garden hot tub inside the bathroom with a flat screen tv. He told me about getting in it and watching tv and I heard enough!!!! I couldn't imagine sitting in a bathroom in a tub like that watching tv on a flat screen! Now do you see why I don't feel sorry for him??????

Lessons From A First Grader

Don't you like our spider treats we made? I don't know why they never quite look like the pictures!

I have learned a lot from Joshua the past few days. It makes me realize that first of all, he is listening, and secondly, I can learn from him. Yesterday, we had this real battle with homework. He fought me hard with it. By the time Jack came home, I was mentally tired. Joshua suddenly got really quiet. He didn't want to play and just sat on the couch. I finally convinced him to go out for a walk with me to talk to me. He told me what was wrong. He told me that he felt bad because he had a bad attitude earlier. I asked him what he needed to do and he said he needed to ask me to forgive him, and then ask God. He wanted to be alone to do it. He wanted to go to the bathroom where he could get away from everyone. I was just touched and knew it was God working on his heart. Friday, he got in trouble at school for talking. He has had a really great year, so we discussed why it was wrong and he told me that he went into the bathroom at school and asked God to forgive him. It just reminded me of a lot of things. Also on Friday, I was all upset because I forgot the taco seasoning. I was really bothered by it, and Joshua spoke up and said " Mom, you have to be happy and thankful with what we have" Now, where did that come from? Just a few sentences later, I mentioned that I didn't feel well, and he said "well mom, did you pray and ask God to help you feel better". He has also mentioned to me that his teachers didn't know God and he was praying for him. Sometimes I wonder if this kid is 6 or 13? Of course things like this don't happen often, and I am proud of him and embrace times like these. He took the time with me....just me....on a walk, telling me that he was wrong. Later that night, he wanted to go into his room with Jack and just talk. How many times do we get opportunities like that? Is my child perfect? Not even close, but I am proud of him and how much he really is soaking in. I am learning that even small things can be a chance to teach him.

The World Wide Traveler

Jack left this morning for Ft. Lauderdale. He has become my world wide traveler lately. I would have loved to go with him as it is a quick trip, and airline prices were very reasonable, but it is so hard to find sitters for the kids. Of course, he will be put up in this wonderful hotel, (more like a resort) as always. It's hard to feel sorry for him (ha ha). This one has a lazy river in the resort, plus all the normal things. He can eat ANYTHING he wants and get reimbursed for every little penny....it's like a miniature vacation! He will be back tomorrow night, so it won't be as bad as usual, however, in two weeks, he takes off for Orlando for a few days. It's getting hard to keep up with him, but I am proud of him. He has come a long way in his career since I first met him. He was in a totally different field, but he followed his dreams, worked hard, and worked himself up!

So, the kids and I don't have any plans except for our normal routine. We might make some treats tonight or do something special. It all depends on how well homework goes tonight. Tomorrow, Jacob's class and my class are going to the pumpkin patch for a field trip. It will be very fun and a nice break. We are going to Wilson's Mills Farm right off Hwy 70. They have a little maze, some goats to feed, and then they can take a hay ride and pick their pumpkin.

I'm really excited as we bought fair tickets last night. If you get them early, you can save money. We are actually going on Thursday (next week). Jacob and Jenna are free, Joshua is $1, and Jack and I are taking can goods to get in! Now, how cheap is that!!!! I ordered ride tickets because you save $8 by doing that in advance. We haven't been to the fair since Jacob was a little baby, and I was pregnant with Jenna. I can taste all that food right now!!!

A Little Slow

I bought this print how many weeks ago? I finally got it put up. It matches my carpet perfectly. Thanks Sara for putting it up for sale, and thanks to Michelle who helped me pick up the frame and cut it for me. I am a little slow at getting things together, but at least that wall is not bare now!

Jacob, the Policeman

We had community helpers week at school, and Jacob's class made these policeman hats. I thought he looked so cute. He came home and picked these "flowers" for me!! We had a good week, although I am totally exhausted. Tonight is taco night and family night. The kids are excited to play the games that we got last week for 50 cents each. The man kept these games in mint condition. We have "don't break the ice" "don't wake daddy" and about 4 other games that I hadn't heard of, but look really fun. Looking back, I wish we would have just bought the entire table at 50 cents each. We could have easily resold them if we didn't like them.

Flip Flop Girls

Jenna always goes around saying that we are the "flip flop girls"!!! I think it drives daddy nuts, but I really enjoy these "girl" moments!!

My Little Girl Is Growing Up!!