The Puddles

As always, Ben did an excellent job.  He was adorable.  And again, Ben decided what he wanted in a costume and I just the person who purchased the materials.  Hopefully I’ll get some of the videos uploaded one day.

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Ben was picked to go to the Science Day and represent Wilkinson Ele. at Conroe ISD Science Day.  Every elementary school in the district sets up a booth at the Convention Center and has a science experiment for the kids to do.  It was a cool day.  The kids had so much fun. Ben was so proper in his apron and explaining everything at the booth to all of the visitors.  I was excited to see him at the booth.  The girls and I went around to the other booths to see the experiments, then we picked Ben back up after his shift was over and went around to more booths.  It was a good day.

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Ainsley and Ben are taking gymnastics at the Conroe Rec Center.  It is a great class that gives them a little taste of what gymnastics is like.  Plus it is a class that they can do together.  It is fun and they are having a great time.  I am thinking of taking a break over the summer.  But our summer is already so busy!  We may just do other things.

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Today was our last 100th Day Celebration.   After this year, they don’t dress up or do anything special any more.  It was a sad but fun day!  I wasn’t able to go to school and be with Ainsley but we took pictures before she left!

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Ainsley decided to run away from home.  I can’t remember why she was mad.  All I remember is the note slipped under my door that said,

I am runing a way. If you whant to no wer I am check at Shia (Sonijah’s).

When I saw the note (which was so awesome), I immediately grabbed my camera and ran outside.  I hid behind the car and watched her walk to Sonijah’s, then turn around and walk back.  She kept turning around hoping that someone would come after her.  After watching a couple of other kids run away, I learned that the best thing was to not pay any attention.  Then they don’t do it again!

But in the end, I have an awesome letter to put in her baby book to share at her wedding and high school graduation.  We all need at least one!

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Ainsley’s Girl Scout troop went to see the Harlem Globetrotters.  Since it was a family event, everyone brought their families and friends with them.  It was a fun event.  Ainsley probably could have skipped it and been ok, but Ben loved it (you see him laughing). Ben and Chris had the best time ever!!  The girls from the Girl Scout Drill Team called the Green Starlettes performed at half time.  It was a really fun day!  Chris hadn’t planned on coming, but he finally did and he was really glad he came.  We were all glad.

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Mom received the honor of the Special Education Teacher of the Year this year.  Which meant the entire family drove to Austin to see her receive the award and hear her speech (which was lovely). How cool is it that all  of the children and grandchildren were able to make it!  If anyone desired the honor, it was mom.

We took the kids out of school and it was worth it! It was a good day and the smiles are proof!

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Thanks to my mom getting an award in Austin, we were going to the capital city so we made an entire trip out of it.  There was a beautiful water fountain outside the capital that used to bring fresh spring water from the aquifer, but it has since been replaced with city water.  The kids still thought it was fascinating.  They agreed that this kind of water fountain was way cooler than water bottles!  Then we headed inside for a tour.  Our guide was an interesting man.  I was disappointed that some of his facts were not correct, but I didn’t correct him.  It was when I had to put my hand over Madie’s mouth to keep her from correcting him that I had my proud moment of the day!  (The kids and I had just gone to the newest historical park in Conroe that commemorates the flags over Texas and who created the first Texas flag.  The guide tells the story of the first flag without ever mentioning Montgomery county or the story of the first flag that this park in Conroe speaks of.  He also gave incorrect info about the Stephen F Austin statue in Brazoria County.)  But in the end, the guide did a good job of telling the story of Texas to the non-natives.  The natives and the children of natives probably should have just done the self-guided tour.

I loved all of the  details at the capital.  Even the hinges were special.  The capital is so beautiful.  When you think that when it was built that it was at the edge of the frontier with only muddy roads leading up to it, it makes the entire building even more beautiful.  Riding into Austin must have been like Dorothy seeing the Emerald City for the first time.  Awesome and inspiring!

p.s. If you ask Ben about his favorite part, it was the place where they filmed Spy Kids 3.  If you ask Madie, it was the library.  If you ask Ainsley, she says, “Everything!”

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The mood at the kids’ school is deadly serious.  Notes went home yesterday telling parents to NOT show up to school today.  Students who aren’t taking the tests have received “the speech” about behavior.  The teachers can barely crack a smile. The rooms are all covered in paper so the students can’t cheat. The students aren’t even allowed their own pencils, those will be provided by the school.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they stationed a police officer outside on the street to prevent traffic from coming down the street.

I’ve done my part.  The kids went to bed early with a good dinner on board.  They were all awakened early for a good breakfast and to get ready with ease so that they can get to school early. We are as prepared as ever for the state tests.  Kisses and hugs were given at the door to Miss Madie.  She’s wearing my necklace for good luck and to know that I am with her.  All of the kids piled on her bed this morning to kiss and hug her awake.

We are ready. So as we told Madie this morning, “Game ON!” It’s time to show the state that their tests don’t scare us!

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