Hosanna!

Palm Sunday- I love it!  Our church gives the kid's a palm and they walk out saying "Hosanna!"  So sweet to see them get excited about the REAL Easter story.  We have been discussing the Easter Story and each year they "get" more and more of the story.  One of the most important stories I want them to understand- God is Good!

School Adventures

The kids' school raised money for the Leukemia Foundation.  They both found it super important- and both raided their own piggy banks to donate money.  I love that they are both caring and compassionate.

And I donated another way- I took 60 students to The Virginia Living Museum!  4 hours on a school bus is most certainly an act of kindness!  The students were actually well behaved and we all learned a lot!

Spring Time Fun

Even though the weather is all over the place, we are embracing Spring- or at least the idea of Spring!

Addie continue to excel at gymnastics!

Alden is starting t-ball- and he couldn't be MORE excited!  The BEST news though, is that he has an amazing coach- Al!  The two of them have been out tossing the ball around, and Alden is just soaking up all the instruction and is so super excited!

All the neighbors tend to come over and play, too- so wonderful!!

With warmer temps on the horizon, Al, with the help of Alden, has continued to tackle out backyard.  The ivy is gone but the vast root system is still there- and he spent the entire weekend pulling them out!

Street Hockey!  What great memories are being made- I love our cul-de-sac and all the time spent playing outside!

A Rather Eventful St. Patricks Day

Growing up, I always liked St. Patrick's Day- a day with roots in Christianity!  I have enjoyed sharing this heritage with Addie and Alden- and this year, we really, REALLLLY took it up a notch!

Drum Roll- A new nephew, Oliver Lee, was born on St. Patrick's Day!  My baby brother is now a dad- he is adorable and Addie and Alden can't wait to meet him!

Adorable Band-Spankin' New Pic!

He came just in time for this outfit!!

 We had a "leprechaun" visit- and sadly, I didn't capture any of his antics on film.  He left a trail of Lucky Charms, a note (explaining his antics), green "pee" in the toilet, peanutbutter cups and green milk.  It is such fun to do these things and make a day special for the kids!

The kids weren't too sure about the the green milk, and it turned out to be just enough to make our blueberry muffins- which then turned green!!  And then we made some green eggs- yum!

In keeping with St. Patrick's Day- Addie went in front of our church and publicly shared her faith in Christ and joined our church- she had already met with the Pastor and an Elder, so we knew this day was coming. We are so incredibly proud and excited- God is already clearly working in her little heart and we are humbled at what He is already doing and WILL be doing!

Just a little pic of my two sweeties in their green outfits!  May God continue to bless them and embolden them to share their faith, just like St. Patrick!

Warranty Goodness

What feels like a lifetime ago- but in actuality is 3years exactly- we bought a MacBook.  I was teaching online and felt like it was a worthy investment.  At the time we were undecided about the extended warranty- but since it would be our only computer, we had 2 small children, and I would need to travel with it- we got the 3 yr warranty through BestBuy.

It is SUCH a good thing we did.  The screen was cracked- twice- and replaced no questions.  Everything was fine until 6 weeks ago.  The hard drive was clearly having "issues."  The Geek at BestBuy (their term, not mine) agreed it was a problem- yeah, when the computer doesn't turn on, it's a problem....  They had it for 2.5 weeks.  When we finally got it back, it had a brand new hard drive- gone is everything that was on it- good thing most of the pictures were backed up!  Bottom line- I was happy to have computer that works!!  Well... It worked for a few hours and then died.  Again it was sent off- 2.5 weeks later we got it back- the screen had died and had been replaced.  This time it only works for an hour.  AN HOUR!  Back it goes- and after another week, we found out via their tracking, that they think they may need to replace it.  Ya THINK??  Al and I are on our date, and stop by BestBuy to see if there is an update- our status hadn't changed at all on line....  Sure enough, it's been "junked out" and we can get a new one!! This is with 2 days left on our warranty- TWO day!  God does take care of the details!!

What a huge blessing!  Now we are the proud of owners of a new laptop!  We did NOT get the warranty from BestBuy- I'm pretty sure we are flagged in their system as the same warranty we got last time costs over double now...  We DID get an amazing warranty through Apple- which I hope I don't need but am thankful to have!

I am beyond grateful to have a laptop back in my life!! Now to get all caught-up on all things that were fire-walled from my work computer!!

And Winter is Back....

"If you don't like the weather in Virginia, just wait a day"- that is oh-so-true here!  Spring weather one day, and a few days later school is canceled as the local area gets 5" of snow!  We knew there was a chance of snow- but each day the weathermen declared the chances decreasing.  As a teacher, this information is incredibly important and followed closely.  Imagine my surprise as I wake-up, look outside, see nothing, to be almost done getting ready when I get a call stating that school was closed!  And it's a good thing it was- it SNOWED huge, wet flakes and it was gusty.  This was the wettest  snow I had even encountered.  Thankfully it didn't keep Al from flying home from Orlando- talk about a brutal change!  We had fun and totally enjoyed our mini-vacation mid-week!

Alden loved the snow- Addie got whacked in the face with an enormous flake and was done- she then enjoyed the snow from inside....  Alden played outside for a good 30-45min and was totally drenched and happy!

My two munchkins

Snow Family!

So proud!

What else do you do with time inside?  Bake!!  I saw a cute idea on how to turn bread rolls into bunnies- I made the dough (which worked- and if you know me and yeast, know what a celebration THAT was).  Sadly, they did NOT look like bunnies but more demonic....  It wouldn't have been bad, but most of them were going to a family that had just had a baby!  "Welcome home with your sweet bundle of joy, have a demon roll!"  Good thing my friend has a sense of humor....

We did make a Snowman Cookie Cake- he was yummy and not at all scary!  We used jelly beans to decorate him- that was our touch of spring!

Another fun thing we did was to make our own icecream!  I love that I have smart friends who find all kind of fun ideas on Pintrest!  I just pick their brains and don't have to search Pintrest!!  This idea is so fun- milk, sugar, vanilla and some time sent shaking it- and wal-lah- ice-cream!!  Perfect way to work off some snow-induced wiggles!!

In true Virginia fashion, all the snow was melted within 48hours!  As we drove to school the next day, it was amazing how even 10miles from our house had literally no snow!  The area where we go to school barely got a dusting!  That made us even more thankful for the snow and the fun we were able to have because of it!

Spring Is In The Air!!

Warm weather is here some days- and then it snows- and then the warm weather is back- this is the south- we embrace the strange and erratic weather!!  When it is warm, we love playing outside with our many fun neighbors!!  And when the weather is cold or rainy- we still manage to have fun inside!

Addie and Jack playing house

Helping us carry out some loot we scored from a consignment sale!

When the weather isn't nice- we still work out our wiggles!

 Addie has been working hard at her gymnastics- and last week was promoted to a new class- it meets longer and does harder "things".  She is SO excited and we are super proud of her!

Our little gymnast!

More playing outside during some simply gor-ge-ous weather!

Friends tree house

 Alden is glad the weather is warm enough so he can start working on his skateboarding skills!  I may grow a ton more gray hairs, but his smile and joy as he works on it makes it all worth while!

Alden's Service Day

March was Alden's First Saturday!!  And due to Al's work schedule, it had to be broken up over several Saturdays...  The actual First Saturday, he got to go with Al to a Monster Truck Show- he LOVED it!!

Loving the headphones!

What amazing seats!

The following Saturday he followed in Addie's footsteps and picked out and delivered food to the Food Bank.  Next month we hope that both will be able to read/color at a local retirement home.  It really is sad at how many places will not allow young kids to come in and help.  We will not stop- we will keep searching out ways for our kids to help and give back to their community!

School Time Memories

Addie and Alden do not go to their zoned school- there is nothing wrong with their zoned school- it's actually a really great school.  The only draw back to it is that it is not near where I teach.  I love that I can see the school they go to, from my classroom window!  I also simply adore that I am able to be involved in their classrooms- I know all their friends and am excited that I can be involved.  I am honored that I get the best of both worlds- working AND being able to help in their classrooms like a SAHM!

First Up- I have an elective of sorts class we call SOAR.  Last year I had this group of students construct individualized books for each of Addie's classmates using the list of Word Wall Words.  The kids loved them!  I was able to deliver them to Addie's class last year.  This year I wanted to do the same thing with Alden's class, but I wanted to take it up a notch- and boy did my students deliver!  And by deliver, I mean we all walked to the Elementary School and hand delivered each book to the child they had written specifically for!  It was so neat for me to see my group of 7th graders happily sit on the floor and read with a kindergartner.  Seeing this soft and kinder side of my students was amazing- and my students LOVED it- and as we walked back to our school, they asked how soon could they go back!!

Steven reading with Alden- everyone wanted Alden!

Since kindergarten was such a hit, we went back 2 weeks later, but this time, to Addie's 1st grade class!  Here we brought 4 specialized math problems.  Once again my students happily sat on the floor and worked through the various problems with their student, colored with them, chatted with them, etc.  The teacher and I both agreed we needed to do this again- and soon!  My students loved it- and can't wait to go back!  I am so honored I work in a school that not only allows, but supports me being involved in my kids' classrooms- I love it!

Addie with my group of students who "had" her- her class is drastically smaller than mine!

My SOAR group and Addie' class- love those smiling faces!!

 Another neat thing we are involved with is Watch DOGS (Dad Of Great Students).  This is a pilot program and this year Al was able to particpate!  He signed up to come in one day and he did everything from high-fiving kids as the walked in at the beginning of the day, to working one-on-one with various students.  He also got to read and help in both kids' classes.  They were SO proud that their Dad was The Watch Dog- and Al enjoyed getting to meet many teachers and students.

On a side note- he did notice that many of the teachers area rugs (for circle time) were in deplorable shape.  Since then, he has been able to provide many teachers with new, free rugs!  His company has carpet that is defective somewhere on the roll, and the entire roll has to be "destroyed."  Most of the carpet is fine- so he is able to donate it to the teachers!  For those who want their carpets bound, he is able to get that done for a fraction of the normal cost.  Once again we are both humbled that God is using us to help out in such a tangible manner!

Another way Al helped out was during the school's Carnival- he ran a game station the entire evening.  I escaped by being the one to take the kids, and their friend, around to the various stations- face painting, cotton candy, dance shows, games, bouncy house, etc.  Al was able to meet lots of students and parents- and since he had been Watch Dog recently, many kids recognized him!

Running his bowling game

Balloon and cotton candy= perfection

Enjoying some snacks in the cafeteria while waiting for Goddard's Dance Troupe to perform

Watching the show

 A friend's daughter is in Alden's class- and she sent me this adore pic of Alden during one of her times helping in the class- I love this!!

My school celebrated Pi Day on March 14th.  Last year I had 10 pies total sent in for the day- and it was just enough for my 100 students.  This year I sent the exact same email out- and over 40 pies sent in!  We ate and totally celebrated "pi"- what a blessing!!

Special Times...

Life is crazy busy- but now that I have a functioning laptop, I will try to get caught up!

In a nutshell, we have spent time one-on-one with the kiddos, worked around the house and celebrated lots of fun "milestones"!!

Time with my Boy at a local park while Addie had a birthday party

We finally finished decorating the Master Bedroom!

Awesome report cards call for special treats!