Pretty in pink

Today was a pretty long day. We arrived at school at 6:40 and left at 8:30. Of course, they are am and pm. Whew. But the float is pretty ready for tomorrow, and I'm really pleased with how it looks.

Since tomorrow is homecoming, it's been Spirit Week. Today was class color day. The Sophomore class color is pink, so here is a picture of MK and friends in their pink.

Busy.

I'm not the kind of person who likes to be on the go all the time. But it hasn't been up to me lately. This week I've been working on a homecoming float which has taken a lot of time after school. It will be finished tomorrow, and I think it's turning out well. It's judged, and it isn't expected that the Freshman class will win, but I'm hopeful that we'll make a good showing. The kids have put a lot of work into it, and I'd love to see that work rewarded. So I'll post pictures of the finished product Friday, but here is a preview.

Happy Labor Day!

MK spent the day shopping with her friends for Homecoming dresses. They had great success and are ready for Saturday night. We have a tremendously busy week ahead of us, so it's good to have that out of the way.

T. Willy and I also shopped today. We had moderate success, but we found that "Five Guys" is now open. We have eaten at one near my brother's house and are happy to have one here. So that's today's picture.

In the tent

We managed to get MK to join us. Three games of "Go Fish" and now we're telling stories. Don't you wish you were here?

Tonight's sleeping quarters

Since there is no school tomorrow, T. Willy asked me to put up the tent. It's supposed to get to 65 tonight, so I was happy to do it. (If you look closely, you can see T. Willy and the Big Man in the pool.) The Big Man and MK aren't interested, but I'm looking forward to it. There is also a chance of rain...so I'm glad it's close to the house.

Like mother, like daughter.

I am posting a picture of MK with permission. There's a story behind it. However, in order to tell hers, I need to tell one about myself.

The Big Man and T. Willy usually leave the football games at halftime, because T. gets bored. That's what they did last night. So I stay and take MK home. That's what we did last night. Since MK has to get to the game so early, she's pretty hungry by the time we go home.

Last night we stopped at the Burger King drive-thru on the way home. I ordered and paid and they handed me the drinks...and I started to drive away. MK asked, "Where are you going?". I was about 2 feet from the window and realized I was driving away without her food. I tried to back up, but the people behind me had already moved up. So I was stuck away from the window without her food. And I started laughing. I mean laughing so hard that I couldn't catch my breath. The employee was able to reach the food to me, and he started laughing too. I think it's the first time I've ever done that, but I assured MK that it's only going to get worse. She didn't disagree.

So, here's her story. I took MK and two of her sweet friends shopping for dresses to wear to the Homecoming Dance next Saturday. We didn't have much luck shopping, but we had a fun day. We did find what we're calling a "backup" dress. MK likes it but doesn't love it. However, the price couldn't be beaten, so we bought it. She had just tried it on, and we were standing in line to pay for it when her friend looked at her and realized that she'd put her shirt on backwards. MK fell to the floor laughing, and I was able to snap a picture of it. I smile every time I look at it, and I hope you will too.

Before

It's Friday night, and I'm back at the field. Tonight is the first football game of the season. I brought MK early for Color Guard, then I worked in my room for a while. Now I'm in the stands watching people show up and waiting for the Big Man and T. Willy to join me. This is seriously my favorite way to spend a Friday night. Now, as soon as the sun goes down, it will be just right!!! Play ball!!!

Kind of neat

I am still teaching Reading this year, but, instead of English, I'm teaching Drama. I love it!!! And, kind of a neat thing, this flyer was already on the wall in my classroom. This is where the Big Man and I went to college, and it's where we met. We had a class together...I kid you not: theater appreciation.

Those eyes!

Picture day

I snapped a picture right before we had school photos taken last week.

Not a bite....

But I'm not giving up.

The Big Man works with a woman whose property has a pond on it. She said we are welcome to fish there any time. So, T. Willy and I gave it a try today. We still didn't get a nibble, but it was a lot of fun.

MK and her cozy cat

Here's T. Willy

T. Willy is spending the night with his grandparents tonight. I know he's having a good time.

In character

So, this year is extra fun and interesting, because I have MK in my class! The class is Theater, and today they performed their first monologues. It will sound like I'm just saying it because she's my daughter, but MK seriously blew us all out of the water.

The Big Man's parents are in town, so she gave us a repeat performance. Here she is getting into character.

Whew...

That's how I feel right now. I used to have a hard time getting to sleep. No more. I am tired when it's time to be tired, and it feels good.

MK had band practice tonight. The Big Man was working, so I took the opportunity to get some work done at school. I took T. Willy with me, and we accomplished a lot and had fun doing it.

We had a few minutes to wait for MK, so T. and I got some chairs and enjoyed the slightly cooler night while watching her practice. Here is a picture.

Too busy

Whew. Things are not slowing down, and we may have one more thing to add to it. We'll know soon. So, tonight is just a picture. This was taken the other night at "Meet the Bulldogs" while we waited for MK and the band to perform.

One more pic.

Take two

We tried fishing again today. This time the Big Man was able to join us. We still didn't catch anything, but we had fun trying. We packed a picnic lunch and made a fun day of it.

Game on....

And I'm back.

This was the craziest week. We were busy every night, and the weekend was no different.


MK went to an "all-nighter" with the church last night. She sneaked a few minutes of sleep, but after laser tag, mini-golf and other activities, there weren't many opportunities for rest. I picked her up around 6:30 this morning, brought her home, and we soon were off again.

T. Willy has joined the Cub Scouts. The Big Man took him to the registration night at his school on Tuesday, but he had to work today, so I took him to his first activity: fishing! And, as tired as she was, MK came too! I'm so glad that she did. She turns out to have a natural gift for casting. She looked like a pro! They both loved fishing although we didn't catch anything. It was just too hot, but we still had a really fun time. So, we're hoping to go again as a family soon, because I think it's something we could enjoy as a family.

We came home from fishing, showered, and left for a birthday party at the bowling alley. MK still hadn't slept after the all-nighter, but she was a champ. The party was for one of T. Willy's classmates. He had so much fun! He is so good at making himself at ease in situations like that.

Then we came home, and MK finally got to sleep. I thought she might sleep till morning, but she woke up after 3 1/2 hours. Now it's time for all of us to get some sleep. Here are some pictures...and good night!

Taking a break.

I've been consistently blogging for over a year and a half. It's time for a break. See you soon.

Have I told you lately...

How much I love these girls? Here is a picture of MK and her friends. They're making chicken Parmesan and eggplant Parmesan for dinner. They're playing music loud and dancing and laughing and having a ball. I thank the Lord that she has girls like this on her side.

Oh my soul.

This picture is of MK and my nephew J. They were both about 2, and we were visiting my parents for my friend's wedding in 1997. She and her husband just celebrated their anniversary on Monday.

Fun!!!

T. Willy went to a bowling party with church tonight. They fed them hot dogs and took them to the bowling alley on the bus. He had a blast. The Big Man, MK and I met him there at the end so he didn't ride the bus home. But we had a great time.

Tonight's picture is of MK holding T. Willy when he was just a day or two old. I guess I'm feeling sentimental.

Black and blue

I bruise easily. The Big Man and MK noticed a bruise on my arm the other day. It's huge, but I have no idea what caused it. Then I noticed that I have 6 or 7 bruises on my leg. I couldn't remember how they came to be either...then it came to me. T. Willy has a bunk bed. I had taken it down, but he wanted it put back together. So, MK and I managed to do it, but we didn't quite get it on the first try. Hence the bruises.

Also, the Big Man put this sticker on my car tonight. I'm so proud to be a "guard mom!"

Just hangin' around

World Travelers

My parents return from their trip to China today. They are in San Francisco right now, and after a long layover, they'll get home late tonight. My mom called a little while ago. They had a wonderful time but are pretty tired right now. She sent these pictures, so I thought I'd share them.

My pretty girl

And my parents get home from China soon. Welcome home, Mom and Dad!!!

Dear friends

Chaos into order

Meet the Band, part 2

This is MK's second year in the Big Red Machine.  She took part in "Meet the Band" tonight, and I can't imagine a better way to spend a Friday night (without football, at least.) The band demonstrated their skills, and the stands were full of people watching and supporting the band.  

In addition, two of MK's very dear friends came with us just to support her.  They are two wonderful girls, and I'm so thankful that she has them for friends.  

So here are pictures of chaos turned into a cohesive unit and MK and her friends.  

First and Ten

And 21.

Today was the first day of school. It felt like a whirlwind. This year is completely different. My schedule is jam packed, and my classes are MORE packed. At one point students just kept coming in. It turns out (according to a student, at least) that kids were trying to get schedule changes, and they were being told the only openings were in my class. We completely ran out of desks. But once we establish a routine, it's going to be great!!! My favorite part? MK (the sophomore) is in my class. I loved getting to see her. She even sat near my desk!!!

T. Willy had a great day in first grade too. He said he made some new friends, and his teacher is great. We're all looking forward to the year.

It is also the Big Man's and my 21st anniversary. We didn't do anything out of the ordinary, but we had a great time anyway. We went out to dinner at a newer place in town, and we think we've found a new favorite place.

The pictures are of MK leaving for school at 6:15 this morning and of T. Willy being welcomed home from the bus after school.

T. Willy

T. Willy just showed me his muscles. I said, "Look at those guns." He said, "That's not what they're called." I explained that sometimes people say that when people have big muscles. Then he said, "Well, they're small. You should call them pistols."

We almost had a new pet.

I had a hitchhiker on the way home from school today. It made it about halfway home with me...then, whoosh, it was gone.

Why I'm up early

The reason I'm not going back to sleep is that I go back to work today. The reason I am up too early is the cat.

There is a white and grey cat that lays itself right by our back door. It drives our cat crazy. She lunges at the door crying and hissing. I can hear it from our room which I did this morning. As I got up to deal with it, I remembered that T. Willy was sleeping in the living room. He was already at my door when I was opening it. I got to the back door, and there was that cat, lying in front of the door as if to taunt our cat. It has cost me a lot of sleep, but I'm never able to catch it. I promise I wouldn't hurt it. I just want to scare it away.

Anyway, T. Willy is in our bed, and I'm getting out of it to go to work. I'm looking forward to it! I'm teaching a new subject this year, and I still have a lot to do to get ready for it!