Spring has Sprung!

Saturday was PERFECT!!

The weather was gorgeous outside, and we made the most of it!

Audrey got to go to her very first soccer game, and Ben's team played the best I've ever seen them.  It should be a great season.

Miss Audie at Ben's soccer game

After the game, we spent most of the day outside.  The kids planted their Begonias in the backyard.

...with a little help from Daddy.

It was a big day for Ben.  He got to mow the yard for the first time. 

...of course Duke wasn't far behind.

Even the animals got in on the action.

Amelia Bedelia enjoying the weather.

Daisy being Daisy

 The kids also loved on Audrey.

Abby's chin boo-boo happened in PE at school  Its all but gone now.

(: My heart and soul, my pride and joy. :)

It was such a fantastic day - I really, really love this time of year.

Signing my life away...

I did it.
I asked the kids this morning if they were sure they wanted to stay at Fulton and they both resounded "YES!"
That's all I needed to hear.
I re-registered them both and I signed my contract to teach again next year.
I had alot of mixed feelings last year at this time. I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do.  Going from public school (and a district that I have been a part of since 1980-something) to private school can be a big adjustment.  It wasn't long after I signed last year that we found out we were pregnant with Audrey.  Boy did THAT change things!

But I feel very confident in my decision today.  I spoke with the head of school for over 2 hours, and he told me everything I needed to hear.  I'm even going to start taking on some administrative duties in the upper school.  Finally!  I get to use my principal certification for something!
I also ran into a few of my students.  "Mrs. Smith!" I heard them say.  "We miss you SO much!" I got lots of hugs on my way to the car after my meeting.
I love being home with Audrey right now.  LOVE IT.
But, I also enjoy being with my students.  I love those kids.  I would love to be a stay-at-home mom forever, but I know that isn't possible.  If I have to work, I love that I get to work with the kids that I do work with.
I've had some incredible students in my career, and it is such a relief to know that I will be going back to a school where I feel respected and appreciated.

So relieved today!

Spring Break 2011

The kids have 9 more weeks of school left - one quarter.  I realized over the break that if I had only taken off a quarter (which was the original plan) instead of a semester for maternity leave, I would have been back to work right now.  

I am going to enjoy every second I have over the following 9 weeks with her.   I appreciate this time more each day and I continue to feel so incredibly blessed to have it.  I know this summer will be great also with all three kids at home, but I realize that my time alone with Audrey is limited to these next several weeks, and I intend to make the most of it!  She continues to amaze me everyday, and I still can't believe that she is mine!

'Blue Eyes' in her Bumbo seat...love this girl!

 Over spring break, we were able to meet our newest family members - Lauren and Justin's twins: Hannah Claire and Everett John. 

They are both just so beautiful!  

Abby holding Hannah

Ben holding Everett

Aunt Joan with Everett

 

Mimi with her hands full!

  The twins seemed so small compared to Audrey...made me realize just how much my little girl is growing!

Audrey and Hannah

 

 Friday night, we went to dinner to celebrate Doyle's birthday.  While we were there, Audrey was pretty fussy - which is so unlike her.  After rocking her and feeding her and trying everything we could think of to calm her down, we started to fear that the RSV was back.  It was a relief for me to Google her symptoms and realize that my little 3 1/2 month old is already teething!!  Knowing this, we have been able to better accommodate her at night and things seem to be improving.  My how time flies!!

We ended our spring break Monday at the Ft. Worth Zoo.  

 

That's a snake wrapped up down there!

I love my 'kids'!!

Audrey was so good at the zoo.  She stayed in her stroller most of the time and either slept or just looked around. 

And we all had a blast!  The weather was perfect and we all enjoyed ending our spring break together.

5 1/2 Hours!!

Audrey has passed the 3-month mark, and she seems to be sleeping longer intervals at night. (YAY!!)

Last night she let me sleep from 10pm until 3:30am!  She also ate and fell back asleep quickly, so I was back in bed by 4:00. I certainly don't want to jinx anything, but I sure hope this trend continues!

International Week!

Last week was International week at The Fulton School.  Every student from pre K through 12th grade did a project over a specific country.  The students then presented what they had learned in front of the entire school. 

Abby presented her project on Mexico on Monday.  Duke made tamales for her to share and Meme found some 'authentic' Mexican items like a sombrero, a Mexican satchel and a fan.

Abby was so proud of her poster

 

 

 

 

 

Presenting in front of her class.

Ben's project was over Peru.  We made Tres Leches cake to share with the school, and Meme and Papaw came through again with a real Peruvian Alpaca-wool sweater, South American eating tools and even a cute little stuffed Alpaca!  Ben took the project VERY seriously.  He memorized his entire presentation and he got so many compliments from everyone.

 

 

 

So proud of his hard work

 

 

 

Ben listening to his classmates present.

These were the very first 'real' school projects for either Ben or Abby.  I thought they both did an incredible job on them. I am such a proud Momma!!

Welcome to our Blog!

I have been meaning to sit down and start a blog for my family for a number of years.  Now that our family is complete, I think I can finally get started!

I hope to keep the blog updated regularly.  It is aimed at keeping my closest friends and family members up to date on the current activities of our family.

So, welcome!  I hope to share with you and hear from you as our blog progresses.