Our Block Party

Yesterday some of our neighbors organized a block party for our section of our neighborhood. It was at our "pocket park" down the street. Lots of people came. It was a Mexican potluck. We ate and socialized. The kids played and there was even a pinata.

We were watching Grace and Carter for Erica and Ray who were at the UT game, so they got to come with us and spend the night.



Logan hit the pinata so hard it fell down!

This morning the kids went out first thing and started catching lizards. Geckos to be exact. Grace is fearless. She will chase them down and fish them out of the little cracks and crevices they love to cower in. I was just proud my kids were willing to hold them. I still won't even do that! One they caught was tiny. So tiny I'd actually go so far as to say it was cute. I still wouldn't hold it. The second one was pretty big. That didn't bother her at all though!

We had a great time with them. Everyone went to bed just fine. They all slept this morning until after 7! Carter didn't get up until after 8! I think I see many more "cousin sleep-overs" in our future!

My flower beds...

It's amazing the difference a little rain and temperatures that aren't in the low 100's makes for my flowers! I may have to cut them back a 3rd time this year.They make me happy every time I pass by!

Too bad our grass looks like crap. It did not fair well in the massive heat wave. Hopefully a nice wet fall will help it heal!

New School Year

We started our new year at preschool last week. I've started a blog for my classroom. It's a private blog, so you all can't see it. :-( It's called Doodlebug Diaries, since our class is called the doodlebugs. The T-Th class is called the Jitterbugs (cute, huh?). I'm only working MWF this year, yay! Although I've yet to have a day off. I subbed for someone yesterday so I'm really looking forward to tomorrow! Who would have thought the idea of getting to clean your house could be cause for celebration?

Here are a few pics of my classroom this year. It's similar to last year. I have a really sweet class. Ten 3 year olds can wear anyone out though.

I have a new co-teacher this year. Her name is Jackie. She's lots of fun! She's very crafty. I think I'll ask her to our next crafting night. :-) She has a son named Logan who also started Kindergarten at Ellie's elementary school! Small world, huh? Actually lots of the teachers from my preschool have kids at the same elementary as me. I see them every morning and afternoon.

So far this year has been going very well. I'm looking forward to getting in the groove and getting my new doodlebugs "trained" for all our daily activities. Right now they're still figuring it all out! I'm sure we'll get there soon!

Can you say, Autumn??

It may not be Fall yet or even remotely feel like Fall, but I'm ready!

All the stuff in the stores has put me in the mood! I made these for our girls craft night tonight. Yummmm!!!

The right dictionary

Logan made this a few weeks ago. I've been meaning to post it. He was mad a Ellie one day and went in his room and made this. He does things like that often- pictures, notes, etc. when he's angry or sad. (He did it on orange paper, so it's hard to see.)

It says: "The right dictionary".

Then inside: (I'm correcting spelling so you can understand it)

"The wrong dictionary says sisters are a part of your family. But this dictionary says sisters are nasty old twigs."

Notice the pictures that go with it.

Need I say more?

Out with the old, in with the new!

We did it!! Woo hoo! I'm very happy to say that we got our new(ish) Honda Pilot! We've been planning for about 2 years to get a new car once Ellie started Kindergarten. I've had my suburban for 7 years!! It was time to go! I LOVED my suburban and would like to have another one someday if they could improve the gas mileage!

I've literally been looking online at cars for about a year. We never really found one that was the "it" car for us. There were several makes and models that we were considering. We needed one with a 3rd row of seats that wasn't too expensive and got better mileage since I'm pretty sure gas is going to go up again one day soon! It pretty much came down to what was available at the time we decided to buy and what Stuart would even consider (no minivans!). We decided to go with a Honda since it is a great car brand. And we were very familiar with the Pilot since Erica has one! I wasn't sure about the color at first, but I have to say it's grown on me. It's quite dark, but has a lot of depth and it sparkles in the sun!

So far it's been great. It's very different to drive of course. But at least Ellie can open her own door now! (The doors on the burb are super heavy!) I actually got a little sad the day we took my burb to CarMax though. It's the only car Ellie's ever known! We brought her home from the hospital in it! :-( My sadness quickly wained once we were crusin' in the Pilot though! Yippie!

New post coming soon!

I've been super busy this week getting my room ready at preschool and getting a new(ish) car! I promise to have a new post up soon!