Christmas Portraits 2011

We went and had our annual portraits made. This year we went to JCPenney. I bought a groupon which turned out to be a bit of a dud. I wasn't thrilled with the place and definitely won't go back, but we got some cute pics. It's getting harder as Logan gets older to have him smile genuinely. As many of you know, this is a bit of an art form and something lots of people have to learn. He's one of those people!





It was really hard to pick out which prints I wanted and in what size, etc. So I bought the disc and am printing more on my own.


Christmas cards are going out tomorrow for most of you! Merry Christmas!

Ellie's piano recital

Ellie had her first piano recital on Monday. It was a very small, casual recital at the music store where we take lessons (Danny Ray's in Round Rock). The recital only included Ellie's teacher's students. Her teacher teaches many different instruments (trombone, clarinet, french horn, etc.), so not all the kids there played piano. Also most of them were fairly new at learning so Ellie wasn't totally out of her league since she's only been taking lessons since the beginning of August.
She did great! She didn't seem nervous at all. It kind of freaks me out actually since as most of you know she's incredibly shy much of the time. On stage though, she seems right at home.

She actually played 3 short songs. The video just shows one of them.

We're so proud and hope she continues to want to play. We also hope that she will smile occasionally and not look so solemn while she plays!

Hard Week

It's been a rough few weeks. Adjusting to my new schedule has been hard. Learning my new job has also been challenging. And to top it off, after almost 14 years, we lost Frank. It's been an adjustment getting used to the fact that he's gone. Several times a day, it will dawn on me that he's not here anymore to let in or out, feed, etc.

I'm glad he's finally able to rest and not be in pain. I don't think we'll be getting another dog anytime soon. The kids are already asking of course. I'm glad I had the distraction of work this week and wasn't home all the time to be reminded that he's not here. He was our first "baby" before we had any of our own. We got him about 6 months after we got married, so he's been a "Smith" almost as long as I have. It's weird without him. I'm sure we'll get used to it, but it will never quite be the same.

Rest in Peace, my buddy... Blaine Franklin Smith ("Frank").

Our First Day back to school!

The kids and I both had great days back to school today. I have to be at work at 7 am everyday now! Yes, I know that's insane. However, we're adjusting our morning schedule and luckily Stuart's able to finish them getting ready and walk them to school everday! Yay, Stuart!

Here I am heading out the door at 6:45 am. I'm going to have to get used to this one! No more late nights for me. Today at work was good. It was a looong busy day. We haven't started our regular schedules yet with the kids since we have to get everyone adjusted. Hopefully things will settle down soon.
Don't they look cute!! The kids both had good days too and liked their teachers and the after school staff. Whew! Glad that's over. I'll be glad when this week's over!! It only gets better!

It's official...

It's nice to see it in writing!
Here's a quick shot of our classroom!

Woo hoo!! I got a job!

Just when I thought there was nothing to wish for... I got a job!! It's not a classroom teaching job, but it's a great step in that direction. It's an Aid job in an Autism unit. I know it will be challenging, but I know it will also be a great learning experience for me and will help me get a classroom teaching job next year!
I'm going to be working with 2 kindergarten boys mainly. They'll spend time in our classroom as well as their "inclusion class". That means they'll be in a regular classroom sometimes as well and I'll be in there with them to help.
I'm just really excited to be an official employee of Riojas. I already know everyone that was there last year and they have all been really nice and seem genuinely happy that I'm back.
Even though I've been searching for a job since last summer, this all wound up happening rather quickly. I didn't even really interview for this position. However I had been interviewed there 2 other times, so I guess they figured they knew everything they needed to know! Basically Wednesday around 2:00 I was called and asked to come in and by around 3:00, I had a job! Crazy, but good!
I'm going to take some pics today and post later!

So that's where hope went...

I knew I must have put it somewhere... hopefully I'll find it again soon. :-)