Santa and Keira...Not BFFs

I have been MIA due to lack of time and energy. But, school is out for two weeks so you may to peek into our lives for a bit! Today was a great day at school. For some who don't know, I work at a lower income school with wonderful kids and faculty. I truly love my job and all the kids who attend Wilson. Our faculty adopted over 150 kids (who attend Wilson) as Christmas Angels. Today, I along with our counselors, I got to deliver the presents to the parents at their houses. It was a wonderful experience, delivering these presents to the oh so grateful parents, and it made me stop and think about how thankful I am for everything that I have.



We took Keira to see Santa on Wednesday night. Prior to that, we have been talking to her about the jolly fellow and any time she sees anything that resembles him, she points and Say's
"Ho, Ho, Ho". She loves everything about Christmas, the books, the songs, the lights, the rein deers, and especially Santa and Frosty! {Her favorite book is the Gingerbread Man! She will try and say something on the lines of, "Run Run as fast as you can....you can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man!") SO, we were at North East Mall and in line. Kira kept pointing at him and seemed very excited about seeing him. I was excited too because I thought this may be a really, cute pic. Turns out...it is very memorable pic!

Halloween 2008

We had a fun Hallow's Eve. Keira was such a precious bumble bee and enjoyed going door to door. She even mumbled something that could possibly be heard as "trick-or-treat". Hope everyone had a good evening. Here are some pics that I took this week.

Keira, Avery, Bowen, and Nana (or Ne-Ne, as Keira calls her)

Reiley, Keira, and Delaney (with her eyes closed!)

Keira and her good friend Madeline who lives across the street from us.

Last weekend, we went with Brodie's parents to the annual Golden Retriever Rescue Picnic at Grapevine Lake. They rescued their Paddy dog a few years ago and go to this every year. We are looking for one to rescue soon. It was a lot of fun and I took some pictures. Here are my favorites!

This is Keira and her buddy Paddy. She loves her Paddy!

Fall Fun

Been very busy. Last Sunday was lots of fun. We took Keira to the Green Meadow Petting Farm and Pumpkin Patch. I think is the same one that was on Jon and Kate plus 8! There are several around the US and one happens to be in Grand Prarie. It is right by Joe Pool Marina. I would suggest going if you have little ones because it was a blast and Keira had lots of fun. We took our wagon so she could ride around but she enjoyed walking/running more. We saw lots of animals like goats, pigs and pigglets, cows, baby ducks, llamas, horses (or Neigh Neighs as Keira calls them) and even a zebra. We were alound to go in and pet all of the animlas. We even got to milk a cow. I was very amazed that we were able to do that. And it was really cool. We also went on a hay ride which was lots of fun. I was very impressed and hope to make this trip again next year.

Our TV went out in the living room...and not to mention any names...but some little person in our household was the last to touch a button on the TV. That is a big NO that we are apparently still working on. So we ended up getting a new big ol TV. Probalby too big for us but we are enjoying it. I cant wait to see the difference on Wii tennis. I bet I will be better now!

This weekend is my High School reunion. I am pretty excited. Brodie and I are going to both Friday and Saturday night. It should be fun to see old friends...and I am kinda looking forward to some kid free night outs. Brodie and I both took off work Friday so we can spend the day with Keira. No plans yet but maybe the zoo or something. We shall see. Saturday should be fun because all three of us are going with Brodie's mom and dad to the annual Golden Retriever Rescue Picnic. Keira loves dogs so I know she will have a ball. And maybe we will find a new member to add to our family!

Guck, Guck, Goose

Today was a lovely day! We had a fun family day and I am sad it has come to an end. We spent the morning lounging around and enjoying the morning with eachother. Then had a nice late lunch with Brodie's family where we celebrated Delaney's 8th birthday. We ate at IHOP which was very yummy! Then we came home, and Brodie and Keira took short naps while I finished reporing my kiddos grades for the first six weeks. I can not beleive six weeks has gone by already. Only five more six weeks left until summer! Thas funny to say. Actually I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. It will be here before we know it. Speeking of bees, Keira is going to be a bumble bee for Halloween. She has the cutest costume ever. It has a black tutu so she kinda looks like a bumble bee ballarina! I can't wait to see her all dressed up.

So, after doing some works, we took Keira to a duck pond. It was so fun. We brought bread and feed the ducks. They were so friendly and Keira just loved it. She kept calling them, "gucks!" It was too cute. And I was surprised that they were as friendly as they were. I guess they are used to people and kids. Keira was upset when we ran out of bread so I told her we would come back sometime this week. Here are some of my favorite pics from the duck pond....

Happy Feet

I have started tap dancing again. I was a dancer in my younger years...for along time actually. I was in tap, ballet, jazz, and point all through elementary and into Jr. High. But them I became the mascot in 9th grade and gave it up to be Wally Gator. I've always wanted to get back into dance...actually just tap. It was always my favorite. So I decided to start it up. Like I don't have enough free time on my hand...but I love it and am so glad to have found my new little dance studio, Frances Lea Dance Studio. This is my 4th week of tap lessons and we finished our first dance tonight. And I must say...I am really good! I am probably the best one in the class. Really! No joke there! (okay, so we only have 4 people, and one is a guy) Not that I have anything against guy tap dancers, but I think they are at a disadvantage because they have bigger feet, and seem a little more...clumsy. The guy in my class does anyway. So I am amazed how quick it came back to me and how happy my feet actually are! And man, I am getting a workout! I sweat so much in that hour. I wish I could go more that just one night a week. I have been practicing in out kitchen sometimes after I get home from work and Keira just loves to watch me and listen to the ratta tap tap! She just smiles and tries to dance with me, even though her shoes are silent. I remember when I had recitals and my dad would always be waiting in the audience with flowers. I can see Brodie there now with a bouquet for Keira. I can not wait until Keira is 2 so she too can show off her happy feet!

A moment to breath...and blog

I finally have some free time. Things are going good. Keira has just finished her first week of pre school and it went wonderfully! She loves going to school! No tears from her which is such a relief...especially since I taught pre school and I know how some kids are when their mommys and daddys leave them. She acted like she ruled the school! I am so happy for her. I have been getting notes home from the teacher and they all say what a joy she is, how helpful and verbal she is, and how happy she is all the time! It is so good to hear that. When Brodie droped her off the seconde day, she took off down the hall and went right to her classroom! I am so glad this is working out for her and I know how good this is for her as well. Here are some pics of her on the first day of school:
This was in our front yard...ignore the long grass! It was cut shortly after! She has her back pack and ready to go to school!This is in her classroom with her friends and her teacher Ms. Shannon.

We have been taking Keira for wagon rides which she loves. Here is a picture on one of our outings. She points up at the sky and says "moon" and "star". Keira is so much like her mommy. We both love shoes! I was on the couch doing some school work when I heard this shuffling....I looked over and Keira had a pair of my shoes on and was walking around! Glad I had my camera near by cause it was so funny. She tries to do this with Brodie's flip flops too.

I also must mention how good Keira is doing on the potty. She goes both #1 and #2 daily on her pink potty and is so proud of her self, as are we. After she is finished, she will stand up and giver herself a round of applause. She will tell us when she has to go and will run to the potty. Well...its my bedtime but will try and update more soon.

Sniff sniff....

Have not had too much free time to blog. The free time I do have I prefer to spend with Keira so I am beginning to realize that my blogs will be minimal. School is going great. I love my kids, my school, and my new coworkers. Everything seems to be going good. I still am kinda clueless on some things but I am getting the hand of it. It is very frustrating not knowing what exactly to do, what to teach and not having anyone to ask or go to for help. Everyone still thinks I know everything...which I do not! But I am doing what I can to give it my best. So far (this will change, I bet you a million) I have learned that I like teaching math better than teaching reading/language arts. That is so crazy because I hated math in all my school years. I like teaching reading, but it is still hard to plan a lesson because my kids are on all diffirent levels.

Speaking of school...Keira is about to start preschool. I am so excited for her and I know she will love it and that it will be so wonderful for her. Her wheels are always turning and she is always wanting to learn, play, and interact with others...especially kids. She will be in a Tuesday/Thursday class and...she is the only girl in the class. She will be the little Princess! There is so much I feel like I have to do this weekend to get her already....get a lunch box, get ID tags, monogram her lovey that she sleeps with, and much much more. My little girl is off to school... one more day of drying my tears away.

New Pics.....

Keira and Aspen snuggling

She is already for school, reading to BooBoo Kitty