Ice Days....

The Doves were taking refuge on our swing set.
The kids trying to get to the icicles.
Success!!!
I'm in my classroom on Tuesday morning around 10:50am and I hear over the intercom, "Will all team leaders please report to the office." Hmmm...I know that this is not good. Within 5 minutes my team leader is running down the hallway - literally - and gathering us all up. She tells us that Plano ISD is releasing the students at 12:30pm and we have to call ALL of the parents and make sure that they know. Well...that just sent everyone into a tizzy. Before I could even get back to the classroom to explain to the students what was going on, the office manager comes over the intercom and tells the students. Now we're at just pure bedlam. The kids are not worried, they are just plain EXCITED!! Note that at this time it's 11am and we're not dismissing for another hour and 1/2...also, please note that no learning went on during this time. The phones overloaded because every teacher of every student in PISD was having to call home. CRAZY. I, being the fabulous problem solver that I am, decide to use my cell phone. Now every parent from my 2nd class of kids (24 in all) has my cell phone number - nice 'huh? Oh well..no calls yet! Can you imagine what it was like trying to get 24 5th graders to stay focused on something to do or watch so that I could call all of those parents. It was definitely a large glass of wine night for me so I was glad that school was cancelled the next day. I just don't want to make it up!!

Out of the mouths of Babes...

Chris and I were cleaning up around the house this weekend and Grace says to us, "Are we having people over?" I found it both humorous and sad that my child thinks that the only time we clean toilets and do laundry is because company is coming.

Last night we were driving home from a fun afternoon of family time. We went shopping at Stonebriar and then to dinner at Scotty P's. On the way home from dinner Caden says, "Last week I thought that Jessica in my class was cute." Chris and I both glance at each other and try to keep from laughing...so Chris says, "Why did you think that?" To which Caden replied, "She had ponytails in her hair." I don't know that I'm ready for Caden to be thinking about things like that yet. He's not even 6.

A Nice Day Outside...

The weather in Texas has been hot one day and FREEZING the next. The kids took advantage of a nice day last week.

Christmas at My Parent's House...

The kids were all hanging out with their electronics on Emily's new bean bagGrace was excited with her new doll.
The kids are deep in concentration with opening gifts.
Before the kids opened the packages.
My sister in law, Amy, and my brother's girlfriend, Liz and I all posing.

Chris's parents go to Cancun, Mexico, every year for the holidays. We always head to my parent's house in the morning after we've opened presents at our house.

Christmas Morning...

Grace with American Girl doll nightgown and matching for her dolls.A make up kit.
Caden was concentrating very hard :)
Santa got us just what we wanted!!
Couldn't resist this smile...

Christmas Eve part 2...

Grace is fast asleep.So is Caden...
Chris's fabulous Xmas lights on our house...
Can't forget the letter to Santa...

Christmas Eve 2008...

Christmas Mass is must in our house. If you've grown up Catholic, you know what I mean. When Grace was little we decided to start going to the 4:30pm Children's mass at Seton. It's so cute because the first part of the mass is the children acting out the manger scene. Precious!! Every year Father Henry plays "Silent Night" on his harmonica and it just never seems like Christmas until we hear him play that tune. Each year Christmas mass seems to mean different things to me. It's such a reflection of the year. I get pretty weepy at all of the songs and being thankful for the many blessings in my life. It's pretty easy to get caught up in the day to day "worries", but overall...my life is good and I have much to be thankful for.

Our Annual Christmas Party...

Life is funny. I think that everyone we meet has a place in our lives for one reason or another. Chris has played softball with a group of guys for more than 11 years. We all started out as acquaintances and through the years we have become close friends. Friends for life. We've all watched each other get married, have babies, and go through good times and not so good times together. I am thankful for this group of people that I call my friends. Here are some pics from our annual xmas party that Chris and I host.



The Boys in their City of Plano Championship shirts for Softball. Their first ever in 11+ year. Go boys!!The Girls...

Trimming the Tree....

My mom buys us a new ornament every year. It's been fun seeing them each year with the ones from the beginning of our marriage of just the two of us, then add in Grace, and finally CadenBrother and sisterly love...for a minute....
Everyone helping out!

Christmas and New Year's

I'll be posting more this weekend. Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged :)