TARDY

As I'm a teacher and all, I was thinking I should use some "jargon" from my profession in this post, and the only word that came to mind was "Tardy".

Because I am so late in getting any posts up on my blog. I'm TARDY.

It's not that I don't have anything to post... I have TONS to post. It's actually astounding how much I have to say, but no time in which to say it. I am perpetually late these days. I think it's something I'm just going to have to get used to.

I DO have a prayer request... For the two people who still read my blog...

Last week my little Abby was complaining of some chest pain and dizziness after running during P.E. Because I am a great mom, I told her not to worry about it. She was just hot, and that pain was probably just a stitch in her side. I'm real accurate like that (sarcasm!!) I should have known better, as Abby's not really much of a whiner. That evening, as she was still complaining, Luke got out his stethoscope and listened to her chest. She has a whopper of a heart murmur. We now have an appointment with a pediatric cardiologist. Luke says not to worry yet, so I am choosing not to worry. (I am also watching her like a hawk, and not letting her run or get hot AT ALL until after this appointment, just to be on the safe side!!)

Pray it's not a big deal, and pray she outgrows it.

Soon.

And I'll try not to be so TARDY with my next posts.

I did not cry...

...but it was still tougher than I thought dropping off my baby for Kindergarten today. She did great. I was oh, so proud of her. She was big and brave and wonderful, and I felt a chapter of our "book of life" slamming shut. We have no more pre schoolers. No more babies. We even have a *GASP* Jr. High Student living in our house now! I won't lie... it was tough.

But I am so very happy and reaffirmed that the decision I made last year to go back to work was THE RIGHT DECISION. Even though Kate is in Jr. High, she's just down the hall. Even though Grace is in Kindergarten, she's really just down the hall in the opposite direction. Abby is literally next door to me. I see them all day, every day. I love that. I am SOOOOOO much a part of their lives. Maybe more than ever!

I did take pictures this morning, but I'll be really honest... I'm too tired to load them right now. Soon, I promise!

Day #1 was a huge, wonderful, awesome, great SUCCESS.

Bring on day #2!!

Well, Hi there.

Well, Hi there! Haven't heard from me in quite some time, huh?

Let's just say it's been a LITTLE busy this week.

I've been in "teacher training" since last Friday, while at the same time trying to get my classroom ready for "Meet the Teacher" Night, which was last night.

I DID IT!

My room looked great, and I had 11 little darlings come out to meet me. I am going to call it a success.

On an even brighter note, dear hubby was in charge of taking OUR three darlings to meet the teacher night. Alone. As in without me. And, did I mention he also had to manage to drop off their school supplies with their teachers and additionally find all 8 classrooms in the Jr. High, get her schedule, find her locker, AND attend 6th grade orientation? (I know... I know... Your head is spinning. Mine was, too. I thought this had "DISASTER" written all over it!)

But, clearly I don't give the man enough credit. He did fine. Better than fine, actually. He did GREAT. Everyone was happy, and they got everything accomplished. I think hubby feels very proud of his accomplishment!

Now, today, one last day of teacher inservice and planning. Then comes what I am referring to as the "Last Free Weekend For A Very, Very, Very Long Time". I am hoping to enjoy it and *GASP* not go to my classroom over the weekend.

Because, on MONDAY, "it" begins!!!!!

I think I am ready. And, in the words of Rhino the Hamster from the movie "Bolt"...

LET IT BEGIN!!!

Beautiful Summertime

Tomorrow is my very last day of summer vacation, and I might be just a little bit sad about it. This has been the BEST summer yet... The kids are big enough to actually DO stuff. Nobody needs a nap (except maybe for Dad...)So... in honor of the Summer of '10, here are just a few of the things we did this summer!

Went to a Ranger Baseball Game. (Kate did NOT catch a ball, much to her chagrin.)
Rode the train at the zoo. (Abby really like it.)
Graduated my final little pre-schooler. (Grace begins kindergarten in a few short days.)
Went to Six Flags. Twice!
Celebrated 16 years of wedded bliss with the best man I know. Went away WITHOUT CHILDREN to celebrate. It was WAY relaxing!
Went to Medieval Times. The kids REALLY like it!
Saw some awesome fireworks.
Babysat a VERY sweet 10-day old baby, Miss Berkley. It was so special to have a baby in the house again!
Went to the movies a few times...
Celebrated Lainey's birthday at American Girl in Dallas... (Lainey is Abby's BFF).
The girls attended cheer camp and had a blast. Go Bulldogs!
Rode to the Horny Toad with some friends.
Kate and Abby completed the 2nd annual Hamilton Kid's Triathlon.
Did a lot of swimming with my girls...
Attended family reunions. Here's me with my Daddy...
Went to the zoo. Grace LOVED the birds!
Went to the beach. Everyone except me got stung by the jellyfish on our last day! And, it IS true that if you urinate on the sting, it does not hurt any more. FYI. :-)
Sent away our oldest child to a sleep-away camp for the first time. It was a success!! She had a ball!
Picked some berries...
Celebrated Luke's birthday. He's 39 and holding!!! :-)
Believe it or not, there WAS more, but country-fried internet can only handle so many uploads at a time.

Farewell summer. I sincerely love you, and cannot WAIT until you come to see us again.

The last "Mini-Vacay" of summer

This is my last week before I have to go back to work. Actually, much less than a week, as I have to report back on Friday. :-(

I love summer, and am SOOOOO not ready for it to be over! I know it will be fine once school starts and we get back into our groove, but this summer has been WONDERFUL. The kids are old enough to really DO some things, and they have been so fun - I want summer to last forever! BUT... I know it can't... SO, Luke and I decided to take one more last "mini-vacation" before summer's over and gone!

We went to the beach at Galveston and had a great time. It was a quick weekend trip, and we all wished it could have been longer.

We took a side trip on the way home to NASA, and it was GREAT. If you've never been, you should go. It was really, really something to see. We WILL go back again when we can stay longer.

Here are the girls in front of the Saturn V rocket. It was huge!
Here are the girls on the beach at Galveston.
Here they are with their awesome balloon animals outside of Rainforest Cafe.
And here they are out on the beach.
We had a ball!! We love summer!!!

Cheerleader Camp!

In July, my girls attended cheer camp here in H-town. Here they are, ready for day #1!Let the "catch-up" blogging continue! :-)

Playing "Catch Up"

I am so far behind on blogging... But I am going to try and play "catch up" this week and at the very least upload some of my favorite images from the Summer of 2010.

Here's my favorite pic...
My Daddy and Me at the family reunion. Love my Daddy! :-)