would you like something to drink?

Bethany and I were running a few errands this morning and decided to stop for a cold drink. My beverage of choice happened to be a large blackberry iced tea (unswetened) from Sonic. I'm still not 100% confident that Bethany can manage a styrofoam cup unsupervised in the backseat, so I asked her if she would like a chocolate milk (it comes in a little plastic jug with the foil cover under the lid - great for minimizing spills). She said "I want a hamburger", I said "it's not time for lunch, would you like some chocolate milk?", she said "I want some french fries", I said "sweetie, I'm going to have some tea, would you like a drink?", again, she said "french fries, please", I said "you'll have to ask Daddy to get you some french fries this weekend" (as I'm going out of town), she said "french fries with Daddy?", I said "yes, would you like a drink?", she said "chocolate milk, and I have french fries with Daddy"... my girl loves her fried potatoes!

Another french fried story... when Anna was 2, she told Santa she wanted french fries for Christmas, and they were delivered Christmas morning as promised (a bit soggy and cold), but she became a believer for life!

back to school... 6 weeks later

So if I was getting graded on my blogging, I'd probably have to ask for an "I" (incomplete), or else y'all might give me an "F" (failure)... fortunately, my kids are doing much (much, much) better than that... wait a minute, I'm behind on this because I've been helping them with that, right? I give myself an "A" in justification!

Here they are... our two elementary students, Katie entering 4th and Anna entering Kinder... both excited, yet slightly apprehensive - Katie, not having any of her friends in her class; Anna, new school, new teacher, new friends, new routines...
We did encounter a bit of drama at the beginning of the year... first, let me say that we got the thumbs up on Katie's teacher because she had relocated from another school where Katie's friend had her the previous year... now, we also heard wonderful things about the teacher Anna was assigned to - problems arising - she was set to retire at the end of September - WHAT! why would a teacher even start the year only to leave 4 weeks into it? especially in Kindergarten, where the child's foundation is so crucial! Needless to say, Shayne and I were a little concerned (and some tears were shed) - we had the opportunity to visit with the principal before classes started and she was extremely positive and reassuring about the situation - as we had done every year Katie had been in school, we left it in God's hands... Anna is now under the instruction of a wonderful teacher (who also came with high commendations from a friend) and we are sure she's going to have a great year!

We met with each of their teachers this week for conferences. We've never been totally surprised, but always relieved, to get incredible feedback. I've always said it's o.k. if the kids act up a little at home, as long as they behave when they're anywhere else! It certainly holds true... (put on your bragging blinders - this is for the grandparents) we've had teachers say they want their young children to grow up to be like our girls, they've both been described as leaders and favorites (shhh!), and (like we didn't already know) they're both very smart! :)

Our sweet little Bethany also started school this year... preschool that is. She's been ready for awhile, as she was with me for the past three years taking Anna to the same preschool. She walked right in the first day and didn't even look back. She hasn't bitten anyone (hallelejuh!), and I believe she is one of the more vocal children in the class. Earlier this week, she had to do some time-out because she forgot to use her nice hands. We talk alot about using our words and asking a grown-up for help. When I was discussing it with her afterwards, her response was "but they were bothering me!" Hmmm... does that sound like a big sister quote or what? explanation of the pictures: top left - showing the contents of her lunchbox; bottom right - she currently has a fascination with armpits - amidst the other poses, she chose to add these herself

a little bit about our summer...

swim lessons Katie learned some strokes, Anna put her head under water! *** Mac Camp Iwilligoway every Wednesday night, That’s a fact, Jack! *** Kayren and Zoe’s baby shower at EZ’s *** Mac family game night – I want to be on Sophia’s team! *** Mac Young Families class party at the Taylor’s – great turnout, great food… but I had to watch Bethany like a hawk because she was heavily amidst her biting phase, oh yeah, and I sat on the kid’s picnic table during the devo and it collapsed beneath me (blush) *** Happy Father’s Day *** allergy shots every other week instead of every week! I never thought I’d look forward to getting injections, but I can’t even begin to tell you what an improvement they’ve made in my quality of life! *** Katie's piano recital (Marine's Hymn and Down in the Valley) – goodbye Ms. April, good luck in your new adventure! *** Six Flags Fiesta Texas – we only went a handful of times this summer, but still got our money’s worth on our season passes – thanks Mr. Jesse! *** Lunch at Willie’s – the girls love playing in the sandbox; we were there with some friends we hadn’t seen in awhile and the girls went home with them to play, Katie spent the afternoon as the star in a Rock Band *** dinner at Hutchinson’s – we’d been trying to get together for months! Lori gave us some bead/jewelry making lessons, Bethany and the dog chased each other around until they were both exhausted, we also met the Alpacas that live next door! wanna see? *** Camp Impact – Katie’s second year to go; last year I was up there with her because my mom lived there, but now my mom lives here, so it was weird to send her off – I knew she was in good hands; she had a blast, of course… golly, the house sure was quiet that week *** Anna went to VBS at Madison Hills and made a new best friend – turns out that she came from a Girl Scout family too and was looking for a troop, so she joined ours! *** Bethany and Lindy (or shall I say Lisa and I) having been swapping playdates for a few months, but they tapered off during the busy summer, and Bethany starts preschool in the Fall… it was fun while it lasted (I actually went and had an impromptu massage one time!) *** Snow White at the Steven Stoli Backyard Theatre – oddly enough, Bethany was not scared of the evil queen, but every time the prince appeared, she climbed into my lap just a few pics *** Joy’s promotion ceremony – it was an honor to be invited (along with my children) to be a part of this patriotic event; I was very impressed with her career accomplishments – sometimes you just don’t realize what someone’s special talents are… pose *** camping at the JW Ranch 4th of July weekend – we discovered our own little oasis on the San Saba river, but we forgot to watch the fireworks! make sure to watch the videos, too***

this was just some of June and July... more to come!

Super!

HELP!

Katie and Anna have "Super Hero Day" at their school THIS Friday. Yes, they actually get to dress up! (The school does monthly Rhythm Days, and each month is a different theme... works into the music/p.e. classes.) I've got a lot on my plate right now and can't seem to muster up the creative energy to think of any original ideas. Can you help me out?

Think easy, inexpensive, simple, comfortable, not too distracting...

sort of...

One of Anna's homework asignments this week was to find things around the house to sort - by size, shape, and/or color. I thought I might use this as an opportunity to get a little help with the housework, so I asked her to sort the basket of clean socks and underwear. She went along with it and called me in about 10 minutes later to see her finished work. Might I say that she did an excellent job, but it wasn't exactly what I had in mind... Did she sort by size? Nope. Did she sort by shape? Nope. Did she sort by color? Yep! There was a large pile of whites, and then several small piles of pinks, purples, greens, and multi-colored pieces. Good job Anna! Way to be creative!

Now I think I'll go finish sorting the laundry. :)

They're at the starting gates...

Katie and Anna start school on Monday - 4th and Kinder, respectively.

"c'mon Dover, c'mon Dover... move yer bloomin' arse."
(can you name the movie?)

2 days, 16 hours, and counting... maybe then I'll catch up on my blogging... in the meantime, checkout some pictures of what we've been up to at our Flickr site.

bueller... bueller...

the West's are present and accounted for...

we've had a wonderfully busy summer, and it's winding down... school starts 3 weeks from today!

you'll hear all about it soon... what have YOU been doing this summer?