Good Pickin'

At our preacher's house in the backyard they have an avocado tree. Since none of them are huge fans of avocados, my dad usually picks them and passes them out to everyone. Last Saturday they got 180 off the tree and my kids were there to help. Kassidy was the self-proclaimed "spotter" and pointed them out to the rest of the workers (I am thinking she might be management material - or maybe just bossy like her mommy!). Konner picked them up off the ground when they fell. Kyler was the official counter (one dozen at a time) and bag holder. They were rewarded with a sucker and (in the future a bit - they are not ripe yet) some yummy avocados all to themselves. Where were Jason and I - at a belated Valentine's Day lunch. Everyone got a treat that day!

Rain, Rain

When the clouds and rain come, the fun umbrellas (or according to Konner, umbreyas) and boots come out too. Who knew those rain boots were good for more than playing dress-up!

So Cute

Here is small snippet of a conversation heard around here.

Me: Kassidy you look so cute today.
Kassidy: No, I am not cute, I am beautiful.
Me: Oh, really. So is Konner cute?
Kassidy: No, he cool.

Well, then there you have it. One is beautiful the other cute. But if you ask Konner if he is cute, he will say yes!

Love All Around

Our Valentine's Day was spent with the whole family. We exchanged gifts - kids getting the now traditional book, Jason a new t-shirt, me some cute jewelry. Simple. Thoughtful. We ate heart shaped ravioli and meatballs, followed by chocolate covered strawberries for dessert. Jason and the kids played games and read their new books. We also checked out all their valentines from family and friends. Kyler gave us a valentine he made at school which included a note promising he would do something for us with a smile. (Maybe Jason and I can get away for a dinner together soon!)

100th Day of Fun

So Kyler went off to school today with a pack of powdered donettes and some high expectations for the 100th day of Kindergarten. He was not disappointed. He told me they "had" to play some games. Turns out he got to eat one of his O donuts hanging from a string, made a 100 cape, got his picture taken with "Zero the Hero," got his face painted, did 100 exercises, and so many other things. Man those kindergarten teachers are creative!

The 100th Day of Kindergarten

Tomorrow is Kyler's 100th day of Kindergarten! They have a HUGE celebration complete with treats, activities and each child makes a 100 poster to share. When trying to get Kyler to come up with what he wanted on his poster, we had quite a time grasping the poster concept. I had to explain that buildings and trees were too big to fit on a poster. We ended up doing an ocean theme. So he came up with 10 different sea creatures he liked, we googled some images and then printed them in sets of ten. A lot of cutting and gluing (mostly by mom! - of course) and his poster was done.

My Corny Valentine

Kyler gets to pass out valentines to his schoolmates tomorrow and we decided to do something a little different and fun this year. So we made "popcorn" themed valentines. We cut out an outline of a popcorn box, added a few red lines, glued on a cute message, and taped a bag of microwave popcorn to the back. They turned out too cute.

A Nice Holiday

All us teachers and students have Martin Luther King, Jr. Day off, so we though it a perfect time to have a play day. We brunched at Mimi's and then played some mini golf at Golf 'N Stuff. The kids had a great time, even though it was unseasonably warm, and I had to take some of them on two very long bathroom breaks. The fell asleep before we even hit the freeway. Kyler now thinks that every Friday is the signal for a three-day weekend, which I have to keep reminding him is not the case. What I wouldn't give to have a nice break now (we are all sick, sick, sick!). Here's looking forward to that next three-day weekend!

Thank You

I think I owe a few people out there some thanks for being there for me and the kids this week. It's finals so that equals every one of my tutors needing a session in three days and in addition to that Jason has been out of town all week in Louisiana for some training for work. I think I might have called in all of my favors and am not sure how to "pay" everyone back, so I am starting with a public note of thanks.
Crystal and Kyle - thanks for taking the long Monday night shift
Tami - thanks for taking the long Tuesday night shift
Grammy & Granddaddy - thanks for Wednesday and getting them ready for church
Terri - thanks for Thursday's hour
G-mama - for putting in extra time each and every day this week

A New Year...

Full of the same stuff - friends, fun and family. Perfect.

We partied on the eve of the new year with our friends from church playing lots of games and eating a lot of yummy treats. Konner and Kassidy made it to 11:15, then it was lights out for them! Kyler was going strong (or on fumes) and made it to midnight. Thanks to the Caldwells for opening their home to all of us loud gamers.

New Year's Day was spent at my Aunt Wendy's. We all ate our traditional good luck black-eyed peas, played at the little park, and played a few more games.

We were happy, healthy, safe and sound - hope the rest of the year follows along just as nicely.