Jacalyn is here to visit

I wanted to give Jacalyn the Texas experience, so I took her to the Feed Store for barbecue ribs.  We also went for a hike at Knob Hill.  The weather was in the 70s, which was a nice change from Park City for Jacalyn.  Aaron Layne also joined us on our hike.

Talented Uncle Dane

Gavin received a birthday card from Uncle Dane, Aunt Laurel, and Zoey. When he opened it he said, "Wow, this is homemade. I didn't know Uncle Dane could make cards."  Thanks Aunt Laurel:)

Carter's New Style

Carter requested this hair style before preschool.

FANTASTIC Gavin

Gavin's teacher sent me this in an email today:

I know I wrote it on his behavior sheet but I promised him that I would email you to let you know that he has done a FANTASTIC job in class the last few weeks.  He has been really trying hard and trying to “set himself up for success” by sitting in places where he will be able to listen and pay attention to what we are learning in class. I am SO very proud of him!  I am seeing the effects of this in his work.  Anyway, just wanted to brag on your boy.

Still a Single Mom

Sam left on the 9th and was supposed to be home on the 27th, in time for Gavin's birthday party.  Unfortunately, they still need him in Tennessee and really are not sure when they are going to give him back to us.  I have switched from, "I can handle a few weeks alone" to "Are you kidding me? Six weeks by myself?  I am going crazy!!!"   Seriously, I may go crazy.  My friends have been really nice and try to help me out by offers to babysit.  The problem is that my kids are struggling going so long without their dad and I am seeing signs of separation anxiety.  Since they don't have Sam, I am trying not to leave them with sitters more that I have to.   Thank goodness Carter is in preschool, or I would have no time to myself.  Not only is it hard to be a single mom, but I really miss Sam.  As of now Sam doesn't have a return date, but it shouldn't be more than three more weeks.  Hopefully it will be sooner.

Wooden Dinosaurs

The kids made dinosaurs at the Lowe's Build and Grow workshop.

Laser Tag Birthday

Gavin and a few friends played laser tag to celebrate his birthday. He chose his friends from our street. The boys were hysterical to listen to on the way there. Although, I was surprise to find out that the seventh grade cheerleaders are "hot." They had a blast playing laser tag.  I came in dead last. When we got back to the house, I grilled hot dogs and Lindsey came over with Carter. After dinner, cake, and opening presents, the boys played Wii until 9pm. Gavin had a great time.

Aaron, Gavin, Seth, and Tyler getting ready to go play Lasertag.

Hot dogs for dinner.  Some of the boys ate three!

Nine birthday cake.

Make a wish.

PEDAGOGY & PROF RESP EC-12 (CAT) Test Code 160

I am working on getting certified to teach in Texas.  Carter goes to kindergarten next year, so I am going to go back to work.  I took my first certification test, of two and was a nervous wreck.  I have not taken a test since 2000.  I was supposed to be at the testing center at 7:30am and I got lost and didn't make it there until a little after 8.  I called Leslie and she gave me verbal directions until I made it.  The testing center official still let me take the test, which was a huge relief.  The paperwork required that I write in cursive a paragraph that basically said I am who I say I am and I will not cheat.  Cursive????  I can't remember the last time I wrote in cursive.  The test was a nightmare of me second guessing what the correct answer was.  I came out of the test and had no idea if I passed or not.  I got the email on Friday with my score.  At first glance I thought I had earned a 160, which is the test number, but I passed with a 274.  You only need 240 to pass so I am thrilled to be done.  My next test is about art, which will be a lot easier for me.
It was such a blessing to have Jenné and Jace visiting.  They were able to get everyone off to school.  Thanks so much!

Off to Midland

I sure enjoyed having Jenné and Jace stay with us this week.  They were such a huge help to me and the kids love them so much.  I'm so glad they are within driving distance to us so we can see them more often. 

Trying out a bed at Rooms to Go

Uncle Jace listening to Renée read her bag book.

Their paintings at Let's Art Party

Happy 9th Birthday Gavin

It is hard to believe that nine years have gone by since I held Gavin in my arms for the very first time.  The years have indeed passed and I have a burn on the back of my sofa, an iron melted carpet, and most recently Carter has shorter hair to prove it:)  Gavin is a sweet boy who is hysterical to listen to.  He is fascinated with the world around him and we all get to listen to his inventions and ideas.  We started off the day with a nine pancake.  Jenné, Jace, and I brought cookie to his class at school.  When he got home from school we had him finish his homework and practice the piano before opening his presents.  I know that sounds mean, but his gift hadn't arrived yet and I was praying it would get here on time.  It did come with five minutes left to go on the practicing.  His big gift from us was the pocket knife.  We ate dinner at Babe's where Gavin was able to eat his weight in mashed potatoes, his favorite food.  I made Gavin a marbled cake, which he requested.  We really missed Sam but have Uncle Jace and Aunt Jenné here really helped.

9 pancake

Cookies for his school class.

present time

Bear scout stuff.

from Aunt Nay and Uncle Jace

I love that face.  He had no idea he was getting it.

He did ask me if he could cut his food with it at Babe's.  I said no:)

Fried Chicken!

Gavin was very excited to flap his "wings" while we sang happy birthday.

HOA President No More

I conducted my last meeting as the Crawford Farms HOA President at our annual meeting.  My term was up and I didn't allow my name to put on the ballot.  I was elected in 2008 to the board and served as secretary, member at large, and spent the last year as president.  I have learned a lot from the experience and will miss the other board members and our manager.  I won't miss the responsibility and the difficulty I had finding childcare so I could attend meetings, since Sam is so rarely in town.  All in all, I am glad I served my community and I am glad I'm done serving in this capacity. 

Uncle Jace

Uncle Jace arrived late Sunday night.  The kids adore him!  We took a trip to IKEA so Jace and Jenné  could get idea for their new apartment in Midland, TX.    Carter loves IKEA.

Valentine Making

Jenné volunteered to make the kids' valentines this year.  She has been hard at work.

Painting Parties

I had a full day of painting classes.  I taught at a birthday party for my buisness.  I got there, set everything up, only to realize that I had forgot the easels.  I was 45 minutes from home and had to call Jenné to bring them and rescue me.  Sue watched the kids because Jenné couldn't fit my kids and the easels in her car.  It all worked out and the party went really well.
I taught at Let's Art Party in the evening and Jenné came to the class.  She did a fabulous job on her painting and even helped Leslie and I set up and clean brushes.  

Science Museum, IMAX, Stock Show, and Ice Cream

Jenné and I picked up the kids from school 30 minutes early so we could head down to the city.  Our first stop was the science museum.  The kids showed Jenné all the fun things there to play with.  We also went to a dome IMAX move about the history of horse riding.  Renée loved it.  Jenné fell asleep.  I forgot that the Stock Show was going on and my museum membership got us in free.  We walked around looking at all the animals.  We had to be really careful where we stepped and Jenné had to be extra careful in her city flats.  We ate dinner at Braum's and of course had ice cream.   Gavin has been begging for a banana split and I finally gave in.  He couldn't eat it all, but he sure enjoyed trying.  We slept in until 9 the next day.

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Renée did not enjoy the smell of pigs.

Watching the sheep get sheered.

Banana Split

Shopping and Shopping and Shopping

Jenné needed clothes for her new job so we went shopping at Grapevine Mills.  I do not spend much time shopping anymore so Carter is not used to it.  After a melt down in Ann Taylor we took a little break in Gymboree.  After I bought him a ball that splats on the floor like an egg, he was a little better about the experience.

Family Fun Night

Gavin and Reneé were both recognized for participating in the reflections art contest at the PTA meeting. Renée was also recognized for being selected as a student of the month.  Renée lost both of her awards before we even left the school.  Luckily the art teacher found them and gave them to her in the school the next day.  Eagle Ridge Elementary had family fun night where we got to do activities in their fine arts, P.E., science, and computer classes.  My sister, Jenné is in the process of moving from Utah to Midland, TX to be a report.  She is staying we me during the transition and I am thrilled to have her here, especially since Sam's travel has taken him away from us for three straight weeks.

Reflections Award

Reflections Award

Student of the Month Ribbon

Rock On

The music room was a little loud.

The kids got to stack giant cubs in the gym.

We made masks in art.