A Little First-ie update

First grade continues to be a rich & fun learning experience for Miller. His class had a Teddy Roosevelt celebration after completing their biography study. Mrs. K set up a teddy bear spa during recess with hair dryers and combs for the kids to enjoy pampering their stuffed friends.

I joined my special firstie on Dr. Suess's Read Across America Day. Several moms had fun leading his Techie class through various themed centers.  Miller chose a Green Eggs and Ham Math double digit addition center for me to lead. Of course, he never lets me just waltz out of the school without staying for lunch. He loves inviting a friend to dine with us at the guest table. He invited classmate and neighbor Lucas with us on this occasion.

 The Accelerated Reader program continues to motivate Miller to keep up with his nightly reading log. Mrs. K awards a Mystery Prize to her students for acquiring the most points during each 9 weeks. He's racked up 62 points so far this year and has taken 129 AR quizzes. He's shining on a mid- third grade level and we couldn't be prouder. I say this tempered with our need to continue to push Miller with his basic Math facts. We all have areas to celebrate and standards yet to master. But, the reading teacher in me feels so blessed to have a boy that always has his nose in a book. We devised our plan and figured out that if Miller reads one Magic Tree House chapter book each weekend, he racks up 1 whole point instead of just half a point. He's loving the world of Jack and Annie as a firs tie. We're also working our way through the Berenstain Bears series. I love the traditional values in their books that teach character lessons. My biggest struggle is navigating Miller away from The Diary of Wimpy Kid books. This book fad seems to have really taken off with some of the boys in his class. The character is a middle school boy with issues in his life much too mature for a first grader (in my opinion). While, the books are on Miller's reading level, the material is too advanced. So, that's our little firstie dilemma these days.

I finally worked in a Friday Mystery Reader spot to visit Miller's class. I usually score the AR helper mom on Tuesday mornings while Eliza Kate is in preschool.  Fortunately, Poppy picked up Eliza Kate from gymnastics so I could surprise Miller with a visit. I picked I Wanna New Room to coordinate with their opinion writings. The book is an entertaining read perfect for discussing persuasive language. Miller's choice was the fictional book If I Built a Car... since he's still obsessed with vehicles.  Miller loved the special privilege of securing the bean bag chair next to the rocker for the best seat in the house.We capped off the visit with a lunch date in the cafeteria. 

The Techies also squeezed in a half week of celebrating Mrs. K during Teacher Appreciation Week before the snow ruined the luncheon plans. On Monday, I had the kids write a short but sweet thank you message on the back of each flower.  They are truly BLOOMING this year because of her awesome instruction! We can't believe our first grade year is now in the final 9 weeks.

The Circus Came to Town

Cabin fever set in by the end of our second snow break. There is only so much hot cocoa sipping, snowball throwing, game playing, reading and screen time that you can do at your house before an unsettling feeling of boredom creeps in. Both kids missed their Valentine's Day centers and exchanges. Landon and I cooked up a plan to enjoy Valentine's Day out of the house at the circus. We pulled off a circus surprise as our family gift. I set up the table for the big reveal and it got the littles all excited about a night on the town.

They looked for clues on the table and put all the pieces to the puzzle together. But, I did have to explain what "admit one" on my printed, play tickets meant.  

I sure do heart these two!

This year's theme is "Built to Amaze".  The kids were at great ages to enjoy their inaugural visit to the circus. All of the action, animals, clowns, and colors drew them in. Miller was chatting Landon's ear off the whole time commenting on each act. That boy has a lot of words to share. 

I grew up attending The Greatest Show on Earth. Since the circus always rolled around near my birthday in GA, we often attended the show. I still remember flipping through the glossy pages of the program anticipating each act. The circus has come a long way since the 80's.

Call me a party pooper, but I'm not a fan of junk. So, our kids know not to ask for large stuffed animals at family excursions like these. We usually announce our plan for spending money before we go. This go around, we told the kids that we'd make a trip to the concession stand. How cute are these $24.00 snow cones? All laughing aside, this made their night. They are still asking for their special cups, and I had to find a special place to store such darling obnoxiousness:)

I thought we'd be smart and get our treats 10 minutes before intermission. And, can you believe that we missed the performer flying out of the cannon?  Poor Miller, he kept wondering when the big cannon reveal was going to take place. We just assumed that it wasn't part of the show, until a neighbor asked Miller, "What did you think about the canon toss?" Miller looked puzzled--parent.fail. Oh well, the Steel Vortex spinning wheels with jumping performers is still being raved about in his book. It was a Happy Valentine's Day for all of us with a sleeping beauty who crashed on the drive home.

Snowpocalypse

You can imagine our surprise when the second wave of snow hit us the week of Valentine's Day.  We woke up to the most picturesque views in our backyard.  Every single tree branch was dusted with snow.

This was my picturesque morning view while sipping coffee.  Winter wonderland right here in our backyard.  Everything was frozen over with icicles hanging off the eaves. God gave us a beautiful scene to drink in.

 Since snow happens so rarely in the south, we did take advantage of playing until our hearts were content. 

Caroline led the little girls by sled down the big hill. I love how Claire calls out to Eliza Kate in her most southern belle of accents "LiiiizaKate". It really is precious to watch her friendships develop at three years old.

Our kids insist that we sit up front on the sled. It makes for a hilarious photo op as they looked crushed riding caboose.

Eliza Kate found the twins in the cul de sac to play with and admire their snowgirl. She thought it was Olaf from Frozen. These days you never know when she'll belt out the "Let it Go" song complete with twirls and spinning.

We took frequent warm up breaks to heat up her tootsies. Rain boots aren't very insulated. Southern girls aren't use to these harsh winters, ya know.

I love this winter view up the street .  Neighbors were starting to congregate for a sledding adventure. It was truly a beautiful winter wonderland. Of course Miller was right in the middle of the action. He seriously thrives with any gathering of fun. If you look closely in a "Where's Waldo" sort of way, you can spy Landon belly sledding with Miller chasing him. Even the dads got into the adventure. Of course they did!

Riley walked our way and the boys partnered up for some sledding action before it all melted away. The snow didn't stay on the ground that long this go around before it turned into wet slush.

Most of the first grade boys found there way down on this snow day. 

Here, the boys were pretending to save the day on a 4 wheeler. 

I can safely say that we are officially ready to pack up winter at our house. The kids missed so much school this nine weeks and all the mommas surely need a mental health day of quiet to recharge.  We had a blast and now bring on the sun.

This seriously will be known at the year of the looong winter for mommas!

Wedding festivities

January and February was jam packed with all kids of wedding festivities getting the bride to be getting her all set for the big day. My long time high school friend, Jessica met her man and picked the perfect 55 degree February day wedged between both ice storms to get hitched.  We celebrated with a girl's weekend in January overnight at the W in Midtown. It was therapeutic  to get away with just the girls. Of course, it wasn't exactly a bacherlorette weekend as we were tucked into bed before midnight. It's amazing what age does to you on a Friday night. We always say that we need more time for just the girls, but somehow kids, husbands, and LIFE get in the way. It's a busy season for us in this stage of life...for sure.

Jessica's lingerie shower, bridesmaid's luncheon, rehearsal dinner and wedding weekend were all planned for the same week. Add a spray tan and a hair appointment in the mix along with my other mommy responsibilities and I was just a little stressed. Landon's parents were so sweet to come into town to run the show for us.  Its been a long time since I've had so many meals and events without children. We lingered extra long in a celebratory sort of way.

And, we couldn't be happier for the man that God brought into Jessica's life to step up and be an awesome step dad to their kids. He's a God send & has been prayed into her life.

Fox Hall was the rustic wedding venue just past Douglasville. And, the weather cooperated for all of us that day. It was a truly beautiful wedding with the friends I'll cherish for always. 

There's something extra special about the gift of girlfriends that span the seasons of your life. You have so many inside stories and laughs. A rich history of sharing in one another's joys and sorrows.  There's been proms, high school memories, weddings, hospital visits with first babies and so much more that has been enjoyed together. 

 I loved dancing with my man too. Of course, all the girls broke it down as the night wore on. If we weren't roasting S'mores by the outside fireplace, we were spotted in some sort of line dance or Congo line:) Still celebrating the bride and groom. Congrats to the new Brennan family! We couldn't be happier for their new adventure.

Snow in GA

Our house geared up for snow at the end of Winter break and pulled  out every lucky snow stunt in the book to get flakes to fall from the sky.  A pre snow toast after church in celebration of purchasing our saucers only heightened the thrill of the wait. Pjs were worn inside out and we hunted down gloves and scarves--every trick in the book was rehearsed while we waited.  Sadly, all we got here in GA  was the coldest day since 1993 and very disappointed kids;( 

 But, our storm prep paid off on my birthday week later in the month. I creeped home slowly from an early preschool pick up to get Miller off the bus from an early dismissal. The roads slicked up very quickly and my 20 minute commute home turned into 45 mins. I scooted into our hood just behind the bus and picked up our next door neighbor while his mom trekked home from work. It was stressful! The kids wasted no time bundling up and playing on the block.

The kids were out of school for 3 days--oh my!  Happy noises, snow ball throwing, sledding, chasing games rang up and down our street. It was a magical first day--and then it slowly lost its newness on day 3.

Each night we hopped to a different neighbors' house for dinner. My dryer was continually running drying out socks, pants and gloves from whoever landed at our house.

Our plastic sleds were put to the test on Kiser hill. The boys exhausted themselves on the hills in our hood. 

Mr. Gregg dusted off his childhood toboggan for some more sledding fun with Grayson and Brennan. This was our first time to experience snow in our neighborhood.

Emery, Nancy Claire, and Eliza Kate snuggled up in between a saucer run. They had to be quick on their feet to dodge the speeding bullet of the big brothers zooming down the hill on sleds.

It was surprisingly a great 34th birthday being snowed in with neighbors. We couldn't drive anywhere, so it was a blessing to be able to spend the whole day with Landon, our kids and friends during the middle of what was supposed to be a busy work week. The kiddos on our block baked me a sheet cake and sang the birthday chorus. Everyone contributed a different ingredient to be able to bake the cake--I loved it! So happy that our kids got the gift of snow this winter.

Hoedown and Monster Trucks

I'm finally catching up on lots of details in our life including the neglected blog. January brought lots of family fun our way including Miller's  Hoedown dance at school.  I find it hilarious that when the  the Smilebox slideshow from the dance was posted on the school's website, our little cowgirl with pink bandana flair showed up in multiple slides and poses. She heard the loudspeaker announce photo booth, and hee hawed her way with neighborhood friends unto the haystacks for her photo memory.  Miller missed the announcement as he was too busy rehearsing all of the line dances from PE on the dance floor.

Eliza Kate and Claire are foxes in training. Our neighborhood friends rallied for the after party over dinner. Miller loves party nights like these. It's in his social DNA;)

 Now if the hoedown wasn't hee haw enough, the Monster Truck Jam surely landed us in the ranks of REDNECK for the weekend. Landon and his new boss took their sons out for an engine revving good time at the Georgia Dome.

Of course, I loved receiving photos messaged to me during the evening-- notice the background of cultural experiences that Miller drank in for the night. Miller's headphone noise cancelers were a hit and surely a necessary purchase for the enjoyment of the loud show.  He felt BIG time. Miller was talking up their adventure for a good week after their date.  This is how the Fokens enjoy a Duck Dynasty weekend of togetherness:)

It's a NEW year!

Happy New Year! We donned our festive glittered crowns to ring in 2014. Eliza Kate sported her finest of party duds. Kids change the whole New Years scene and make it much more low key event. We hosted long time friends of our family over for a casual dinner.

Yes, our Christmas decor was slow to come down this year--don't judge:)

And, ya'll know we didn't even plan to stay up until midnight. I'm much too smart to know what payback is like the next day with exhausted kiddos. The kids played on every floor with their new Christmas gifts, enjoyed legos, the wii and indoor jumping. The adults cozied up to conversation without the kids. There's really nothing better than adult conversation in the stay at home mom's life, especially after the long, lazy days of Christmas vacation.

We had a good new years blow horn blast before the evening was over. The honking of silvery horns signals another year gone by. A rich, blessed year of transitions for our family. We're so thankful for new and old friends. And, if you ask Eliza Kate--she's over the top thankful for an excuse to dress up and wear her glittery Happy New Years crown.

The adults did squeeze in a Happy New Year selfie. We coaxed the guys into sporting man bands for the occasion. 

The littles awoke much too early anticipating breakfast, so we took our show on the road to Waffle House.  Miller loves family outings like these--we all do. A second cup of coffee perked me up to enjoy New Years Day.  Eliza Kate matched several of the waitresses in her bejeweled crown.  I did convince her to hang her party dress up for the day.

Wishing your family a wonderful start to the new year!