So much has happened...

Mother and Dad: Santa-ing all over the place!
Malee: In and back out of the hospital. 'Tis the season...
Grandma: In the hospital, then surgery, now on 5th floor of Gibson General.
Granddaddy: So sorry that he has died. Words cannot yet express what I feel. Sad mainly.
Lauren: GREAT STUDENT!!! GOT PRIZES FOR: behavior during lunch, attendance, turning in her homework. Super kid and I was told by one teacher today (not Mrs. Arnold) that Lauren is "just precious!" Makes a momma proud.
Jack: Talking like a champion 3 YEAR OLD! How did that happen so quickly?
Rebecca: Having another baby. Just in time, too. I need a baby to snuggle and give back...
John: Getting back to a normal schedule, which is good for all of us!
Me: Doing it all and loving every minute of it!

Happy Halloween

IMG_9055
Originally uploaded by The Joys of Motherhood

Jack had shed his doctor costume by this time of night, but he was cute, you have to take my word on that one. Lauren was a perky cheerleader and Daisie and Daphne were cute kitties. After an evening of trick or treating and getting lots of good candy, the kids all got to play at Rebecca's for over an hour and eat some pizza. Fun times!!!

Jack is liking school by the way and Lauren got a straight A report card. Also, we went to the dentist today and NO CAVITIES for either kiddo! Yippee!!!!

Overheard:

"What's that sis?"
"It's an alien. They're not real. They pretend to live on other planets, but Earth is the only planet that can sustain life."

************
"How you sleep, Momma?"
"Not too well Jack since you and sis woke up so early..."
"Here Momma. Love my nigh night. Sorry."

************
"Momma? You the best Momma."

************
"Mom? I couldn't sleep anymore with Jack yelling so much. Sorry."

School and all

Overall, school is going well for Lauren. Great spelling tests and coloring like a professional. Reading is coming along quite nicely as is touch math. Her teacher is wonderful and patient and nice. All qualities you want in your child's teacher. We have walked to and from school most days this school year and the few days we haven't, she isn't too happy. We should walk until weather keeps us from it. Not looking forward to nasty weather for lots of reasons, but I will miss talking to her on our way there and back.

PTA is also taking on a life of it's own for me this year. Have you joined our PTA yet? Let me know if you are interested!

More later...

You say tomato, I say to-mah-to...

Untitled
Originally uploaded by The Joys of Motherhood

We have some. Do you want any?

We are having a great school year. Lots of new friends, reading more words, promoting PTA...by the way, have you joined Harper's PTA? It's $5...Anyway...

Jack is doing well, Jenna spent last weekend with us and had fun, John is traveling a lot for work, our street is being worked on so our sewer doesn't collapse, the work trucks are SO interesting for Jack...

Wow! We are busy in a good way, and I will try to post more later...

Beauty

IMG00351-20090809-0828.jpg
Originally uploaded by The Joys of Motherhood

This was our Sunday morning. Smiles and sunshine. Sweet babies and swimming and it was lovely. A fun weekend followed by the start of school Wednesday. Lauren will be in first grade and Mrs. Arnold will be her teacher. She is excited and scared. So am I.

Here we go...

Vacation

We had a wonderful time. We went to Chattanooga, TN, to Ruby Falls, Rock City and rode the Incline Train. Of the three, Rock City was the best!! It was pretty scenery, nice temperature, and best of all, at our own pace. If you haven't been, GO!! http://www.seerockcity.com/
Then we went to Ft. Walton Beach, FL. The kids liked the beach, but LOVED the pool! Lauren was a fish before we went, but reached a new level of swimming and flipping and jumping and cannonballing!!! Jack had a lot more freedom this year since he uses his swim belt and can move all over. Made the whole trip easier since my tiny monkey wasn't attached to me the entire time in the pool!
We ate some good food, did some shopping, and a whole lot of swimming!!!

Having a ball at the mall!

6-28-09 097
Originally uploaded by The Joys of Motherhood

Fun on the farm at the family reunion

6-28-09 192
Originally uploaded by The Joys of Motherhood

Notice that she has my coke...

IMG00180-20090629-1328.jpg
Originally uploaded by The Joys of Motherhood