The State Fair of Texas

Today was our fair day holiday. This is the first time, in twelve years of teaching, that I actually went to the fair on the holiday. We saw so many people that we knew. We even met up with Ethan, Brock's best buddy, from preschool. The boys are not in the same class this year and they miss each other so much. When they get together, there is alot of dreaming about animal adventures to foreign lands. These boys are tight! Ethan, Brock & Addison on the canoe ride
Addison, race car driver
Walking into the Midway
Brock and Ethan in front of Big Tex Brock, Addison & Daddy with Big Tex


More rides.....
Making Daddy proud on the fire truck ride ;)
Addison ~ future firefighter
This bear and one other ride spun so much that Addison got a little sick at her stomach. We had to take a rest time while Daddy and Brock played games. Brock even won a horse for Addison while she was resting.
Brock won a prize throwing darts. He hit two little stars. He got a medium size tiger....impressive!

Brock and his tiger
Brock with the baby tiger he got for participation...he gave this one to Ethan.
Addison venturing out to the water after she got to feeling better
I was afraid she was going to fall in the water while trying to touch a lily pad
I love the flag of Texas....I think Michael should do this in front of our house next year!

Fall photos.....

After Addison recovered, she was ready to pop some balloons. She did a great job. We decided that we need this game at our next birthday party!

We met up with Ethan one last time for cotton candy at the end of the day.

It was a great day! I am trying not to think about how much money we spent and focus on the fact that our kids had a great day! Now it is time to start saving up for next year's fair.

One more thing.....we got to peek down the tunnel to the football field where the beating will take place next weekend. My kids proudly wore their OU things to the TEXAS state fair! Boomer Sooner!

Piano Lessons

Addison started piano lessons last week. This was the song she learned after one lesson. We are so proud of her and she is pretty proud of herself.

Brock had a stomach virus last Thursday. It all erupted 10 minutes before we left for school. So, poor little Brock had to ride to school with us until Daddy could get home from the fire station. He did o.k. in the car, but he got sick in the parking lot once we got there. Since I got sick there last spring, it is becoming a family tradition to vomit in the school parking lot. YUCK!! His little virus has lingered through the weekend, but he seems to be almost 100% today.

Tomorrow is our fair day holiday. We are headed to the State Fair of Texas in the morning. We hope to meet up with Brock's buddy, Ethan. I hope to get some good pictures. But before all of that fun........we are sleeping in......YEAH! Simple pleasures :))))))

Born in Texas, but.....

On Friday, we had college day at school. I proudly wore my Southeastern Oklahoma t-shirt, but Addison had to wear her OU cheer suit. Eventhough Brock doesn't go to our school, he joined in with the theme. The director at his preschool is a huge OU fan, so he was the favorite kid for the day. Addison was a hit, as well. I know she proudly held up #1 as they played Boomer Sooner over the speakers. Oddly enough, they played five school songs, but they didn't play the Texas fight song :) (They did play Tech and A&M.)

Brock has decided that he wants to wear his hair spiked. I usually don't put that much effort into his hair on school days, but he had a good week so I tried. I am so thankful that I only have to run a comb through his hair on normal days. I don't think I could get three heads of hair ready before school.

So my kids were born in Texas, but as you can see, their hearts are in Oklahoma (or Norman!)

All of the pictures look dark because we were doing this about 6:45 in the morning.

My favorite picture....






We are spending the day hanging out with IKE. He is bringing us very strong winds and pounding rain. We don't have a rain gauge, but I am guess that we are already over several inches. We have had sheets of rain for over 3 hours now and it is still spinning over us. I love storms! Michael, on the other hand, is spending extra time at the fire station. Since he is a certified swift water rescue man, he gets the joy of waiting on people to get into high water. He thought he might get to come home tonight, but we still haven't heard from him. Hopefully we will get to see him a little bit before we head back to school on Monday....

We Survived Week One

We survived week one of school. The kids handled it better than I did. I love sleeping until I wake up in the morning....without an alarm clock. Say goodbye to those days!! I will see them again come Christmas break. Anyway, Addison is in Mrs. Henderson's class. I have taught with Mrs. Henderson for four years. I knew she would be Addison's first grade teacher the moment I met her. We have been anxiously awaiting first grade. Addison's wonderful teacher from last year is next door to her, so she will be well taken care of again this year.

Brock started back this week as well. This was the first year that I have not walked the kids to their class. Since I am back in kindergarten, I didn't think the 5 year olds could handle their teacher being out the first morning. So, Michael walked Addison to her class (one hall over from me!) and then took Brock to his school. Brock's best buddy is not with him this year, so it has been a bit harder for him. It was hard on me too when I took him on Tuesday morning. He will have a good year, but I am ready to have him at school with me (and not pay for private PK!!)

My class is great! I wish I show their little faces to you. I have some diverse personalities this year. It will be interesting.

On Friday, Michael took Brock to Tom's to go fishing. They were also working some deer, so Brock got to get up close to the deer. He loved every minute of it. He took his deer Webkinz to show "Little Stuff" his family. We should have some pictures of Brock with the deer soon. For now, just pics of deer.

This morning, I heard Brock's video game being played. I assumed that he was laying on his bed playing it, although it did seem to be very loud. When I walked into the kitchen, I saw Brock (picture at the bottom).....say goodbye to the old fashioned magazine!

I am so thankful for this three day weekend! I am taking a nap tomorrow...it will be a great day!

Patrick Henry Hughes

This was our motivational speaker this week at convocation. He was so touching! Get the Kleenex ready when you watch it!

The Greatest Show

Last night we headed to Dallas to the circus. The performance was so bad last year, we thought we wouldn't go back....but we did. When you have a daughter who wants to be an elephant girl (the girl that rides the elephant) and a son who acts like a clown, you can't pass up on the circus. It was much better this year. It makes me sad to think about the animals, but the kids love the it. We took our neighbor with us. It was his first circus.

Some how Brock's picture was deleted from the page. It was suppose to be by Addison's profile picture :) If you arrive an hour before the show, you can go down on the circus floor and watch a few acts. This was the first year we did this. Look at these faces. Notice how Brock would not let go of Michael.
They were all eyes. Addison & Hunter
The main attraction for us, Asia.

She is a painting elephant.

Before the show, they draw a name to receive her painting.

My favorite picture....

Here come the tigers.





The head clown, Bello, climbing a pole in front of us.

He is very talented. He does most of the acts along with the performers, but he is a true clown. He reminds me of someone in our house.

Watching Bello high above the circus floor.
Intermission and Snacks!




My camera doesn't take very good pictures in the AA center, but we tried.

Man being shot out of the cannon.

Bello, again.
Addison's favorite, the elephants.




We had a good time. Brock barely made it out of the parking lot before he was asleep. Now we only have one more week before I report to work. Although, that is misleading...I will be in my classroom every day next week. Summer is over ;(

House Full of Happy Children

On Sunday, Brock invited his friend, Lottie, to play at his house. So today Lottie and Emma came over to play. We also had our neighbor, Hunter, spend the day with us while his parents were at school & football practice. We had five kids from third grade to age three playing. Surprisingly, we had five happy children playing together all day. It was so nice to have a day where I didn't have to be a referee. The kids had so much fun! Snow White a.k.a. Emma

Snow White a.k.a. Lottie with Prince Charming a.k.a. Brock
My beautiful ballerina, Addison

Who could say no to that face? Not me!
Candy Land ~ Lottie Sytle
Princess Aurora
Addison woke up at 4 a.m. this morning. Needless to say, she was worn out by the end of the day. As we say in Texas, "Bless her Heart!"