The Puddles

Ainsley’s class had a Halloween Celebration (meaning that this wasn’t a full party which is an important distinction at this school). These are the treat bags that I made for the class.  A super easy and cute idea!  I love that the kids weren’t over filled with candy from everyone!  Most of the kids sent non-candy items!  I loved it!  Then we played a quick game, “Mummy Relay”. Ainsley was the mummy!  Way too cute!

On Wednesday, Ainsley and I headed to the Houston Museum of Natural Science with the fourth grade class.  We had a ton of fun!  I remember going to the same museum on a field trip when I was in elementary school.  I can’t remember when though!  What was funny was one of the students with us was stating how he was the one who came up with the idea to run down the hill at the Miller outdoor theatre. I can remember running down the hill when I was his age.  Generations of children have enjoyed picnics at the base of the hill and then have had races running down the side.  Oh what adventures that hill has seen!

After the kids left back on the buses, Ainsley and I headed back into the museum and finished seeing all of the exhibits.  We had a great time!  Our last elementary school field trip.  Next year she moves to middle school. They grow up so fast.

The first day of Red Ribbon Week asked each student to wear red.  There was a contest at school of those who wore red best and Ainsley won!!!  Look at her.  She looks fabulous!  I think she pulled off red well!  She was so nervous about the contest.  She really wanted to win, but we just had to talk to her about being positive and having fun in the participation of the event.  If she wasn’t having a good time, then it wasn’t worth even trying to win.  All of that and she won any ways!

with a great start at church!  Ainsley and Ben were both acolytes on Sunday, so that led us to have Ben practice carrying the very heavy cross.  Ben managed it beautifully.  I love that from my seat the only part of Ainsley that you can see is her bow!

After only 4 hours of sleep, we managed to only leave town an hour past our scheduled departure time. I stayed up late and finished packing everything while Chris went to bed earlier and then woke up early to put everything in the car. It was a good plan until the morning rush included two stops in town before we could even leave. One to exchange a new gun for Ben for one that didn’t work and one to pick up items at church that we couldn’t leave town without.

We couldn’t even start packing our stuff together until dinner time on Sunday. Madie wound up needing to go to the doctor on Sunday before we left town because she had a bladder infection. Poor thing. That would have stunk being stuck in a car with that illness. I am glad we got it all figured out before we left town!!

Luckily Chris’ parents were not upset that we were arriving late to our rendezvous. Our course, it would be more shocking if we made it on time.

So we have arrived in Amarillo, for our first evening and we have enjoyed a fabulous meal (at least mine was) at a steak house and the kids got to swim before heading to bed. A great way to end the day!! Tomorrow we head to New Mexico and prepare for our mountain top adventure!!!

Pictures are enough to show how happy that we are right now.

The morning started with Muffins with Mom at the elementary school.  It was fun!  Then back home for a long day at work.  Madie ended up being sick, so she stayed home and tried to get better.  By the end of the day, she sounded ten times better, so a day of rest was perfect. This is the last day without Dad.  He is coming home today!

Thursday was a busy day.  Besides work we have scouts on Thursday.  Ainsley’s troop earned the 2nd of the journey award by performing their skits about stereotypes.  They did a good job. Then I went to pick up Madie from school after her orchestra went to a contest.  They didn’t do as well as Madie wanted them to do, but they still did well. Then back to Girl Scouts for Madie’s troop meeting.  The girls learned to sew.  They had so much fun!  And as a miracle, we all brought enough sewing machine for each girl to have her own. They made “snakes” for the NICU.  They are long stuffed tubes that the NICU uses around the babies to help swaddle them.  The girls enjoyed making them.  Next week they have decided to make even more!

It was fun seeing the girls excited about making something that they can give to someone else.

Today was a day of work. We ended up not going to Wednesday at the Tree in order for me to put a longer day in at work. The kids were sad, but they were also somewhat understanding.  But luckily I was in my office  most of the time, so I didn’t have to see the sad faces too much.

But it is also Teacher Appreciation Week.  We sent something to school each day.  I thought I would include the pictures.  It was fun.  The kids love taking the gifts each day.  I forgot to take pictures on Monday and Friday, so I’m including pictures of the ones online that I got the idea from.

Monday

Tuesday – Altoids

Wednesday – Sharpies

Thursday – Hand Sanitizer from Bath and Body Works

Friday – Gift Card to Starbucks

Papa and Grandma Lake came and helped us today.  Chris won an award from the kids’ elementary school.  He was invited to a huge banquet at the Lone Star Convention center to be presented an award.  It was a huge dinner.  About 1000 people attend.  This was WAAAAY out of my comfort zone.  1000 people?  Hanging out with people I don’t know?  Yuck.  But out of love for Chris, I attended.  His dad joined me for the evening.  Thank goodness his Dad came.  The evening went way better.  Dinner was good, and his dad walked up front to pick up the award.

And to top it off, the girls got Grandma to take them to all of their evening activities.  It turned out to be a great evening.