Flowers and Berries

With help from my sweet parents I have some beautiful flowers. They helped me plant my containers a few weeks ago and they look beautiful. Last summer we planted snapdragons and they are beautiful. Blake and Blair love to pick the strawberries from our little garden!

Baseball

We are having a great season of baseball! Blake plays for the Phillies and his team is currently first in their division. He's not a power hitter, but he's very consistent at bat and very fast and his fielding is improving. It's a lot of fun to watch them play.

Piano

Blake and Blair take piano lessons and they had their recital this week. This was Blair's first recital and she did great! Blake did great too! He's funny-piano is not his favorite, but we have been very reluctant to let him quit. We just feel that it's important to exercise his brain with music. We had just had a little round over quitting piano not long ago and were driving to school. I had NPR on and there was a commercial for a music academy that started out by saying, "did you know, that students who take music lesson tend to do better in the classroom and on standardized test than students who do not." Now, I realize how loaded that comment is but, from the back seat I hear, "Ohhh, Good Grief!" It was perfectly timed!

Soccer

Blair really enjoys soccer! She has a great little team and they have played together for the past three seasons.

Blair's Recital

Blair was a snowflake in this year's recital. She loves ballet! Her teacher came to see her and another little girl, which was so special. In the last photo they girls are throwing snow-she is second from the right. (You may have to click on the picture to enlarge it and see it better) I love the expression on her face! It is absolute joy!

Blair's recital-a preview

Blair was a snowflake in her recital this year. She loves ballet and it is very evident on stage.

Easter 2013

It was a nice day. Started out rainy and dreary but we managed to get in some outside time. Grateful that Blake and Blair seem to like church, ask thought provoking questions about faith and God (I am really not interested in spoon fed faith) and ask to read their Bibles. Does a mama's heart good. The Easter Bunny came bringing Blair some hall passes for her pretend classroom, books for both, beach shoes and goggles for both, chocolate bunnies and a game called GoLo.

Just a Good One of My Boys

And, yes Hogan is allowed on the bed sometimes. Had to take Hogan to the vet this week. He was in a lot of pain and not acting like himself. He was diagnosed with arthritis. Has to take anti-inflammatory meds now and we have some other things we are doing to help make life a little easier for our first baby.

Spring Break

I don't think that I have ever been more ready for a Spring Break in my life! I really love being back in the classroom but, I was ready for a break. I took the children to visit the grandparents and got some rest a relaxation being at mom and dad's. I came home on Wednesday and was able to do some chores at home that had been neglected, got to go on a double date with Scott and our BFFs. And, got in a couple of runs with my other BFF in preparation for the Iron Mom in May. My sweet mom and dad brought Blake and Blair back to us on Friday evening. I was so grateful! At mom and dad's we colored Easter eggs and Blake got in a little hunting and shooting with Papaw.

A Few More From Blair's Birthday

Yes-I am that far behind. Oh well, better late than never! Blair had a sleepover for her 6th birthday. Oh my! I have to say that I had been warned but, seriously, little girls are way louder and much more needy than little boys. I feel like I am still recovering from that one! I have to say though that it was a sweet bunch of girls and I loved having them here. The first picture is of Blair on her actual birthday. We had dinner at home and opened presents. I also included pictures of the party decor (the calm before the storm)!

Life Lately...

So much has been going on since Christmas and I guess the reason that there hasn't been any posts is that mommy has a JOB! Very excited to be teaching second grade. Blake and Blair get to go with me to a new school with a great staff! It's about as perfect as it gets, but let's face it, it's a lot of work and a big adjustment after staying home for 7 years! I have the sweetest class and I love second grade. Blair just turned six-not really sure how that happened! Tomorrow we are having 5 little girls over to spend the night-heaven help me! I wouldn't have any other way though. Blake loves his new school. He has lost all of his from teeth. Looks pretty funny! Blair has lost both bottom teeth. We went home last weekend for a family party for Blair's birthday. It was good to spend time with so many people who love us. I will try to do better with the blog. Maybe I can get some pictures of my classroom up and of course we will be busy with soccer, baseball and ballet!

The Nutcracker

I took Blair to see the Nutcracker this afternoon with some other mommies and their little girls. They were all excited and did a nice job throughout the performance of being patient.

Basketball and Cheer

Blake is playing basketball this winter and Blair is a cheerleader. They have a lot of fun and we really enjoy the program that is run by a local church. Scott helps coach. I love the shot I got of them watching a team mate score. It was one of Blake's best buddies. He was happy for him!

Soccer Pictures

I have been going through emails and putting pictures in to iPhoto and I found these that I forgot to include in an earlier post. She had so much fun playing with this little team this fall. Such a sweet group of girls!

Cheer

Blair is a cheerleader for the same league that Blake plays basketball in this year. She really loves it! And, we are a constant audience for her cheer practices.

Halloween 2012

Blair informed me on the way home from school that she no longer wanted to be Angelina Ballerina for Halloween. I told her she had three choices-Tinkerbell, Belle or Cinderella. She chose Cinderella. Very thankful for dress up clothes! We had some friends over to trick-or-treat. They had fun even though it was cold. I made some "Monster Pudding" (as Blake called it) for a treat.

Blake Update

Blake is in second grade. He's a really good student and a good little boy (most of the time). He loves sports-any sport. He likes to be in the woods with his papaw and wants to hunt and fish any time he gets a chance. He's pretty strong willed and his daddy has finally convinced him to listen a little at the driving range. He's growing up fast. We are getting lots of what I consider big kid questions that I don't think I was ready for, but we have a sweet boy and hopefully we are fostering an open and trusting environment for all of his questions and concerns.