Monday, November 08, 2010

F.H.E.

Cass was in charge of F.H.E. tonight.
Things didn't run perfectly smooth.
Things were kinda crazy this afternoon, but it turned out good tonight... I think.
I have been getting a Chore Chart ready all day to use for tonight.
Cassi's quote was "Many hands make light work."
That is something we say a lot, and it was time to put it into action (on a more regular basis!)
I will post the chore chart when it is actually WORKING!!!
But I have high hopes for this one.
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On a side note...
Brent is a great cook.
He cooks most of the meals in our house.
Who could blame us...it is either a good bowl of mac and cheese from me....or some majorly awesome RIBS from Dad like he made tonight!
These were SO GOOD!
GOOD doesn't even give it enough UMPH!!!
These were perfect...like "you should start up your own restaurant" good!!!
Yummy!
But I ate WAY too much!
It was a big hit in the house and I can't believe we (he) has never tried to make them before!!!
I wonder if he will make them again tomorrow??????????????
Thanks babe, they were so good!

Sunday, November 07, 2010

Birthday fun...

Here is a little bit of the excitement Cassi had today!
She sure LOVE Taylor Swift!!!
Thanks for the Young's and Terry's for coming over for a major sugar high this evening!
It is so great to have such great friends in our lives!!!

HAPPY #7 BIRTHDAY CASSIDY!!!!!!

Since we had major rain today, we will do Cassi birthday photo shoot really soon...guitar picts and all!

But here is one we shot under our front porch this morning....

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10 days old

1 year old



2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

5 years old



6 years old

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Birthday Dinner...

Tomorrow is sweet Cassi's 7th birthday!
Crazy...I still can't believe they keep getting older every year!!!
We went out for Cassi's birthday dinner tonight.
Cassi chose Chili's (Thanks Drew for the idea...)
We had a lot of fun...and a yummy cake to end it.
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The girls got to go to Braelyn's birthday party today.
And it worked out perfectly, cause it gave me time to paint Cassi's room YELLOW for her birthday!
I have wanted to paint that room for a LONG time...I have even had the paint for a very long time!
When she walked in she was a little distracted cause she had opened her present she got from Grandma Ene in the mail, and she didn't notice the room, but Elsie kept looking around the room saying "Oh Wow!"
Then Cassi caught on...and she loved it.
She also got a new mirror to put on top of her dresser.
That room is finally coming together.
It had been so many things in it's life time...and is really too big for a bedroom, so it also houses a lot of the larger play things...barbie house, kitchen sink...those kind of things.
But I am liking how it is looking and I am sure I will take some pictures soon.
Speaking of Getting Grandma Ene's present today...I just have to tell this funny story.
Cassi got her front tooth pulled in January of 2008.
Grandpa has teased her every time we come to visit...wondering why there is NO TOOTH there!!!
Well, I guess Grandpa had to pull a goat tooth out...and he sent it to Cassi all wrapped up in the mail.
Grandma said he was worried that the tooth wouldn't grow in, and how would Cassi be able to chew if she didn't have a tooth!!!
Cassi got a kick out of it!
Pretty funny Grandpa!!!
One day that tooth will come in...and we will all be surprised!!!
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So tomorrow is the big day for Cassi!
I need to go wrap her presents!!!


Friday, November 05, 2010

Reflections 2010- "Together we can...."

Today the big girls worked on their Reflections projects...
They are running out of time to get them turned in.
The theme this year was...
"Together we can...."
As always, I love the way my girls think...and I am glad they love art the way I do!
I am excited to share their final projects...
Madi decided that..
"Together we can do anything!"
And she is making a paper family of us holding hands...
(I can't wait to hang it in our home!)
And Cassi decided...
"Together we can make the world beautiful."
And she chose to make a collage of sorts with papers of the ocean and rocks, and then painted on top of that.
They are doing a beautiful job!

Thursday, November 04, 2010

My girls

Today we had Parent/Teacher conferences.
I am sure that every teacher praises EVERY kid to their parents.....
But I am so very proud of my girls and what their teachers had to say, I just have to brag a little.
I started with Elsie's teacher, over at Prospect.
As far as Elsie goes, we meet before school starts...not sure when it was, I think May or June, and make a plan for what goals we, me, her teachers, and her therapists, think that Elsie should have for the year.
So when we go to PT conferences, we go over how well she is following that plan.
And she is rocking it!!!!
She has grown so much this year.
I think she has grown the most socially.
She initiates playing with her peers now, asks for help, does pretty well with new faces (like substitutes).
According to Ms. Jennie, Elsie is the SUNSHINE of her day.
She says Elsie gets off that bus with the biggest smile on her face every day and no one can help but have their day brightened by that smile.
She also said that Elsie rules the roost!
She says that everyone wants to play with Elsie.
Everyone wants to help Elsie.
And she is very grateful to everyone too.
She is very polite with her manners...and she makes sure we are too.
They sure love Elsie over there....and how could they not???
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Cassi is doing very well too.
I was not sure how this year would go.
I love her teacher.
Cassi loves school.
But her teacher is very BIG on reading.
IN fact, she doesn't care if the kids turn in their homework packets or not (I haven't told that to Cassi)...but you can't NOT read!!!
That is a must!
I agree.
But Cassi was never the big reader, like Madi was at her age.
So I wasn't sure how it would go.
Well, turns out I worried for nothing.
Cassi is an excellent reader, with great comprehension.
It is fun to see Cassi pick up a book and read out of her own will and choice.
Mrs. Davis told me that Cassi is the one that the other girls want to sit with and play with.
She said, and I quote "Everyone wants to play with Cassi, I just wish they would all ACT like Cassi too!"
She said that Cassi is very good at following instructions and listens very well.
I told her that Cassi was my wild/goofy one at home, and that I was glad that she was good in class, and Mrs. Davis seemed surprised that I said she was my goofy one.
I am so proud of Cass and how she has really buckled down and worked hard in class.
Great job Cass!!!
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My Madi Bell.
We have LOVED this school year.
Madi is a new girl.
Less stressed, less worried.
And she is doing very well.
Last year ended good, but I still wasn't sure we could gain back the love for school she once had.
But we are back.
Mrs. Summers was the right teacher for the job!
Madi is in a 4th/5th grade combo class, her being in the 4th grade.
The class was put together with kids who were easy going, hard workers, and nice.
That is what Mrs. Summers asked for her combo class, easy going, hard working, nice kids.
And it has been great for Madi.
First of all, she has always been 'old' for her age.
So to be with kids who are a year older, has been really good for her.
And Mrs. Summers has as classroom that is very inviting and loving....just what Madi needed.
Mrs. Summers had the kids fill out a paper to evaluate themselves.
She says it is fun for her to see where the kids think they are in class.
With a rating of 1-3, they were to write down what they thought...3 being the highest.
She gave herself good marks on a lot of the areas...a few two's, stuff like "Participating in classroom discussion" and "Showing neatness in my work"...Mrs. Summers said that Madi does participate sometimes...but she is very quiet and I told her it is probably because she doesn't want to embarrass herself, and Mrs. Summers agreed on that one.
We both agree on the neatness thing...
And she gave herself a 1 on "working well in groups".
Mrs. Summers and I talked about that...and we decided that in a group situation, Mad isn't one to make herself into the leader....and she is kinda quiet and kinda gets pushed in the background.
She is just a timid girl who doesn't want to embarrass herself or bring attention to herself.
Mrs. Summers says that she just LOVES having Madi in her class.
She says she is polite and one of the nicest kids around.
She tells me that Madi has many friends and she does very well following instructions.
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So all good things from the teachers!
I am proud of my girlies, and all their hard work!
They even did some housework today after playing ALL DAY with various friends.
They are good kids and we are lucky to have them!

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Goofing around

It's that kind of weather again!!!
We are loving it.
Porter was taught a BAD new trick today.
Jumping from the playhouse onto the Trampoline.
Hopefully...he doesn't try it on his own!
We usually keep the tramp away from the playhouse...but we will be sure to keep it away now.

Elsie has been doing really well doing the "Super-woman" on the swing.
She and Dad were having some fun...she would hang onto the Tramp...and egg him on to come and get her.
Then when he got to her...she would let go and swing away.
She was loving it!

And, or course..some wrestling.Not sure I will be ready for cold weather....
But I guess there is fun stuff to do then too!
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Check out my GIVEAWAY!!!


1000th post GIVEAWAY!!!!

Well...I decided I needed a give away.
I had my 1000th post last night!!!!
That is just crazy!
And I have some loyal followers out there that I thought deserved a little prize!!!
I made this cute little pillow.
Now, like everything I do, it didn't turn out exactly how I wanted it too...but oh well.
It is two sided, and I am not as happy with the other side...but maybe someone will be.
I made it white so it could be kinda neutral.
It would look great on a couch, chair, doll crib, kids bed, your bed...whatever you would like.
If you would like a chance to win this little pillow, just leave me a comment....
Tell me your favorite Thanksgiving tradition...or Christmas tradition.
And thanks for reading my little old blog!
The give away will end next Wednesday.

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Handy-Man in the making....

Our little man is actually quite a good little helper around the house.
We did some moving things around, cleaning, and un-screwing things off the wall, and putting them back on in new spots...(One of the many things that drives Brent crazy about me, but he loves me so much he does it anyway...)
Porter got up just in time from his nap to be Dads little side kick...or I guess in these pictures, it looks like Dad is the side-kick.
Porter is ALL boy, and Dad couldn't be any prouder!
My boys are just the best.

Monday, November 01, 2010

Beautiful weather!

I think we would all be perfectly okay if the weather stayed like this forever!!!