Merry Christmas!!

We celebrated Christmas tonight at mom and dad's house. We had most of the VanWinkle family there. We are, talked and gave the children and Granny Jane presents. I got a lot of great pictures of Granny Jane with Harrison and Samuel and even got them to sit still long enough for another picture with Shaun, me, Harrison and Samuel with Granny Jane. She is amazing at 95 years old. I'm so grateful that my children will always have great memories of her like I did my Great Granny Gibson. I can't wait to get the pictures off the camera to post so everyone can see how YOUNG she looks!! I also got a few good ones of the boys with mom and dad that I will post too.

On another note, Samuel is so excited for Christmas BUT he is super excited about his birthday too. He was talking today about the day he was born and how we came up with his name. His full name is Samuel Aster Owens. Aster was my grandfather. We knew we wanted to name him Samuel but Aster came to us at the last minute and we didn't tell a soul about it. When he was born we were so excited to see little Samuel and new Aster was the name we should put with it. It was snowy and my grandmother couldn't come over and see us in the hospital. When I talked to my Granny Jane on the phone and told her what we named him she was literally speechless. She handed the phone to my Aunt Brenda. Brenda asked why Granny was crying and I told her what we named Samuel and she was also speechless and crying. So my Uncle Glen got on the phone and asked what in the world I had said to them to make them cry. Well, I was really confused at this and had thought I had done something really wrong. When I told him the name Samuel Aster, it made sense to him. I'm not sure of the exact date, but they said either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day was Granny Jane and Aster's wedding anniversary. I never knew that. So, Samuel is convinced that Aster is his very own Guardian Angel. I believe it too. Happy Birthday, Samuel. I can't wait for your birthday party later today!!

I'm Still HERE!!

Someone pointed out to me that I had not updated my blog since August. I know I'm a slacker. I have come to terms with it and will look for a Slacker Support group soon (not now, but soon, seriously, I'm not kidding).

Let's see.... what has happened since August. Work..... work.....work... help kids with homework, run kids to swim practice, pick them up from their after school activities, work more. Nothing really very interesting.

The one great thing that has recently happened is we are transferring Samuel from his Spanish Immersion school to my school. He is so excited to be going to an all English school. Harrison will stay at the Spanish Immersion school and follow the program to middle school next year. Samuel never bought into the whole Spanish language thing and has limited understanding of the language. I think he just tuned her out during instruction. We agonized over what to do but in the end decided it wasn't worth him missing out on learning the content just to learn the language. He wasn't happy there at all. When we told him, he was so excited. He seems much happier now too just knowing that he will be coming with me in January.

I'll post pictures of Christmas and Samuel's birthday in a few days. I have had to make list after list to make sure I haven't forgotten something for either celebration. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that I don't wake up the night before Christmas remembering something I had forgotten. I THINK I have everything except a birthday cake. I need to ask him what he wants. I try to make his cake since store bought cakes are made with the same equipment they use for nut products. With Harrison's tree nut allergy, I try to buy from a store that uses different equipment or just make something here at home. Guess that is the last thing I need to do! I hope!

Getting back to school

I haven't posted in quite some time because we have been having too much fun during our summer vacation. We took a trip to PA for Molly's graduation party and to visit with Shaun's family (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc). It was a great trip. We even spent a few days in Erie and got to take the kids to a drum corps show. They loved it!

The rest of the summer, we have spent around Lexington. I spent a couple of days trying to de-clutter the basement storage room to make room for a few things I wanted to get out of the spare room. Why, you ask? For Harrison's birthday, he got his own bedroom. He moved back into the spare room. How strange that he is now in that room again. That room was the nursery when he was born. Anyway, I spent days trying to de-clutter that room and get him moved in. Harrison is now fully in his own room and he gets the bedroom suit that was his grandparents (Owens). He loves knowing that he is sleeping in the same bed that Grandpa Lester slept in long ago. Kelli and Brent bought the twin beds for their boys so that left us hunting for a bed for Samuel. Mom had a bedroom suit that she didn't like so she gave it to us. It is an old antique looking set and is really pretty. Samuel loves knowing that he got a bedroom suit from his Grandparents (Cromer) too!!

Summer has officially started

Pack the classroom......check
Paperwork done...........check
House tidied up............check
Summer has officially started!!! I took a trip with some friends to Pigeon Forge from Monday -Wednesday. We has so much fun. I mean, who wouldn't love 3 days of shopping, eating, laughing and sitting in the hot tub. Yea, that last one has me hooked. Do I NEED a hot tub or just WANT a hot tub? I think I NEED one. But we'll just have to see how much we can get done on the house this summer before we look at that expense. One day soon though.... one day soon.

I came back with some new clothes for the summer and with a relaxed attitude. It is nice to be home but it was really nice to go away for a few days and not have any schedule or responsibilities for a few days too. Everyone needs that sometimes. Now is the time to get some of our summer "to-do" list done. We need to get the air conditioning guy to come look at our air conditioner and see if he can fix the leak or just replace it. Then, depending on how much that costs, we need to tear out the flooring and/or counter tops in the kitchen and get ready for new ones to be installed. I hope to be able to do both but we will just have to see after the air is fixed. Keep your fingers crossed for me that we can do both!! I have been drooling over new counter tops and flooring for YEARS.

Other than that, we are just going to be lazy and read, sit at the pool and hang out all summer long. Oh yea, we are taking a week long trip to PA for Molly's graduation party. It will be fun to see all of Shaun's family as we don't get to visit very often. The only thing I DREAD about the trip is the actual driving up there and back. I HATE long car trips. I can't read or do anything because of motion sickness so it is hours and hours of just sitting and doing nothing. Maybe I can get some good music on the MP3 player and sing the whole way up. Sorry boys!! Hee hee.

Why doesn't it feel like summer?

So, here it is. School is out. I should be up at the pool chillin and relaxin but instead I am stuck up at the school packing up that crazy classroom to get ready to be moved to our new classrooms. I have been in that classroom for about 10 years. Do you know how much stuff a person can accumulate in 10 years? A LOT!!! I worked from 10:00-5:00 today and am still not finished. My plan is to be up there by 8:00 in the morning to get the rest of it done. I also still have some paperwork to do and get turned in to my principal but at this point, that is the least of my worries. Shaun has to go to a meeting 2 hours away tomorrow so I am going to see if Grammy can watch Samuel and take Harrison with me to help. I told him I would treat it like a job and would pay him for helping me. He will do great at helping me move some of the materials to the new room. He is a really good worker (especially when there is an incentive). I hope I get it all done tomorrow because if I don't, I will not be able to take my Gatlinburg trip on Monday.

The end of the year crunch

Yesterday we had Fun Day at our school. Let me tell you up front that no teacher looks forward to fun day (except for maybe those new teachers who don't know any better). We spend the whole day outside doing various events. The kids had a blast running and screaming all day but the teachers and assistants were so tired after the day. I got a text from my team teacher and one of my assistants telling me they were about to drop and that their legs were so tired.

Shaun was nice enough to take me out to eat so I wouldn't have to come home and cook. I was so tired I was falling asleep at the table if I stopped moving around and shaking my head. The boys had swimming lessons yesterday evening but Shaun dropped me off at the house so I could go on to bed. Thanks, honey!

There is still so much to do before the end of the school year. June is going to be one hectic month!
* Today the gang is coming for game night so I have to get this place straightened back up and food prepared.
* Tomorrow is my mother in law, Marge's, birthday so I have to plan the meal for that and get food ready for that in addition to going back home for Sunday dinner with my family (who I haven't been to visit for at least a month).
* Next week is the last week of school so progress reports have to go out and our end of the year party is on Thursday.
* I have to get the classroom pack up so they can move it to the new room (with a potty in it, yea, finally after 9 years).
* The 2nd week of June, off to Gatlinburg with the Hacienda gang (some fellow preschool staff).
* The 3rd week of June - off to Louisville for the Early Childhood Conference
* The 4th week of June - off to Pennsylvania for Molly's graduation party and visit with Shaun's family up there.
I can't wait until July when I can just sit up at the pool and do nothing!!

I think I can.... I think I can....

I feel like the Little Engine That Could during these last few days of school. I walk around saying.... I think I can.... I think I can.... I think I can.... I think I can. I'm starting to believe it. ONLY 6 MORE DAYS. Just think, after tomorrow, we will be able to count it on one hand!!
I think I can...

It has been a crazy week!!

Oh me, oh my! It has been crazy around here.

1. We had a bird get in our bedroom wall. We finally figured out we needed to do something and that it was in the wall when these little bugs started coming in our room. We knew it had to have something to do with the bird because the bugs were on the side of the room where we heard the bird. Anyway, I stayed home on Monday and called the Orkin man. He verified that the bugs were bird bugs, also knows as bird mites. SO GROSS!!. We found out the hard way that they also bite humans and leave a mark like a mosquito bite (and itch like them too). Well, when he said he wasn't going to treat it the same day, I almost lost it. Ok, I'll tell the truth. I did lose it. I started crying and kind of yelled at him that had I known he wouldn't do anything today, I would have called other companies and whoever agreed to treat it would get my money. Must have scared him or at the very least made him uncomfortable, but it worked and he stayed and treated the room. We have only seen 2 more alive so I'm going to have him come back and treat it again just to be safe. LESSON LEARNED - if you hear or see birds coming and going anywhere on your house, take care of it immediately. DON'T WAIT. We thought that the bird was in the gutter and had babies. We didn't want to kill them so thought we would wait until they flew away. We should have checked it out earlier and we would have seen it wasn't in the gutter but in the house instead. We did learn our lesson from this.

2. I took a personal day on Thursday so I could do more cleaning from the first bug bomb. Apparently my substitute was LATE, then LIED about when she got the call (said she was called that morning when actually the records showed that she was called the night before). She was wearing a mini dress and high heel boots.... to teach in a preschool class where 50% of the students have disabilities. HYSTERICAL. She was the talk of the school with what she was wearing. Anyway, after my morning class, she asked where the cafeteria was and left to get lunch. She never returned. NEVER! They searched all over the building for her and she was AWOL. Needless to say, she will not be subbing at TCE anytime soon. I laughed and laughed when they told me about her and that she felt like she had to sneak out and make a run for it. LESSON LEARNED - dress correctly for your job. And I will make a list of appropriate subs and request those people first!!

3. The last thing that happened, happened today. At dismissal, a relative of a student of mine was trying to hit on me in my classroom WITH THE STUDENTS RIGHT THERE. I was embarrassed and when I get embarrassed I start laughing hysterically. So there he was asking me if I was married, saying I looked like I was 21 (he looked like he was 18) and there I was laughing and laughing. My assistant had the funniest look on her face. Her eyes were huge like she couldn't believe he was saying that to me which made me laugh even more. I finally calmed down enough to tell him I thought I was a little old for him and that yes I was married. He couldn't believe I was almost 39. Then the funniest comment came out of his mouth. He said if he had to guess, he would guess that I was married to a black man. WHAT? How can you tell that by looking at someone. I guess you can imagine what I did. YEP, laugh even more. I thought I was going to pee my pants. LESSON LEARNED - I'm hot for an old broad (insert hysterical laughter here).

This has been one crazy week!! I'm still laughing from everything. How come crazy stuff always happens to me?

Pics from Samuel's 1st Holy Communion

Here are some pictures from Samuel's 1st Holy Communion. He did great. He even waited until he was sitting before he made a face because he thought the bread and wine tasted terrible. He said the bread tasted like cardboard and the wine was disgusting. We are very proud of our little boy. He has waited for this day for so long.

Samuel before the service. Isn't he handsome in his little suit?

Samuel's class before the service.
He is squatting so we can see the kids behind him.

His banner that we made.

Father John (left) and Samuel on the day of his 1st Holy Communion.

His class and teachers.

First Communion

This Sunday at 9:00, Samuel will make his First Communion. We are so proud of him and so excited for him. He acted like such a goofball tonight at the practice but when his turn came to practice what to do, he totally knew what to do.

We found the perfect suit for him. We have a really cute tie. Now for the shoes. Sneakers with a fancy suit just would not be appropriate. Gracious, who knew that shopping for a boy would be so difficult. Samuel already has rosary beads and a wooden cross for his room. So now the question is what to get Samuel for a gift. He, of course, would LOVE another Lego set but I'm not sure. We usually do a religious gift then another one that is small. The Lego set he picked out was definitely NOT small in either size or price. He sure knows how to use those eye lashes to try to get what he wants. Girls, beware when you are older!! I'll post some pics when we get them. We can't take pictures or videos during Mass so I'll have to scan in the professional pic that we ordered and I can post the before and after pictures.

Here we come Boston Marathon!!

This weekend was the Defender Classic 5K Race at Bryan Station High School. It is a great fundraiser for Shaun's band. Shaun, Harrison and Samuel participate every year. They get really excited about it every year. Last night after swimming lessons, Samuel came in and told me that they were eating carbs to prepare for the race today. Both boys are in the 9 and under age category. Typically Harrison comes in first place (every year except one when he was maybe 4 or 5 and a 9 year old beat him). Samuel is typically 2nd or 3rd place depending on how many kids are entered in that age range. This year was no different. Harrison was 1st place with a time of 27 minutes and Samuel was 2nd place with a time of 37 minutes. Check out some pictures of my little runners.

Here is Harrison at the start of the race. Look at that smile!

Samuel and Shaun at the middle of the race slowing down for a little water.

Harrison, Shaun and Samuel right after they all finished. The look proud AND tired!

Samuel and Harrison with their awards for coming in 1st and 2nd place in their age division.

Spring Break is BEST

I will sure miss this week after it is gone. It has been so nice to slow down and just relax for a change. Spring break always seems so full of possibilities at the beginning of the week but around Thursday I start asking myself, "Where did the time go"? We didn't go anywhere for the week as a family. It is just too hectic and we are taking a trip mid-June to Pennsylvania and hopefully to Niagara Falls so decided to save out pennies for that trip. The boys and I did go back home and spend one night with mom and dad. That was nice. My old friend Shannon came up and we looked through old pictures and laughed and laughed. The boys were sooo funny with their reactions to the pictures and hair styles. Harrison just tells it like it is while Samuel just laughs hysterically. We have 2 more days before going back to the daily hustle and bustle of work, school and homework for the boys. The good news is that the boys will be doing swimming every Friday so that will be something to look forward to each week. Only 8 more weeks of school left this school year. I think I can.... I think I can.... I think I can....

My growing boys

Harrison is so excited. He went on his first over-night field trip today. The 4th grade is going to northern Ky the the 4-H camp for one night. This is all he could talk about the whole weekend. We finally got everything packed up last night. I'm sure he will be fine but he has never had an overnight trip without parents or at least close friends supervising. I can't wait to hear how it went and what fun he had. He is growing up, that is for sure. I'll post some pictures when if I get any from the trip.


Now for Samuel. He is turning into such as compassionate little boy. We had to have our sewer line replaced and it took the company a full week to come back and fill in holes in the yard. Anyway, the guy finally came back on Friday. I looked out and saw Samuel "helping" him shovel the dirt into the holes. What a sweetie!! He was so proud of himself. Sorry for the quality of the picture. I couldn't find my digital camera so this one it takes from the bathroom with my cell phone camera. I made it black and white because for some reason, color pictures all turn out blue!!

More pictures from the posting below.

Here are more pictures from my posting below. I finally decided to take some pictures from outside!! Brrrr, it sure is cold! Out thermometer says it's 26 degrees.

Harrison and Samuel REALLY wanting to throw some snow at me!!

My two cuties!!

This is how much snow and ice we have.


Don't you dare!!!


Shaun cutting down some of the branches from the power lines. Hope it helps!

Ice storm 2009

We have been out all week because of the ice and snow here in Kentucky. I was so excited on Monday when school was canceled because I was feeling terrible and really didn't want to take a sick day but didn't want to go to work either. When we woke up, we couldn't figure out why there was no school because there was only a "dusting" of snow. It was ridiculous but I went back to sleep anyway because, like I said, I felt terrible. Monday night is when the ice hit. We woke up Tuesday morning to a thick sheet of ice covering everything and we continued to have freezing rain all day. Harrison did get out and TRY to go sledding but it was difficult. Going down was fine. He absolutely flew down the hill. Coming back up the hill was another story. It was so funny to watch him and his friend Diana. They would get almost up the hill then start sliding back down. They had a blast though. We continued to get freezing rain all day and night Tuesday. Wednesday (today) we finally got some snow. It was huge, wet snowflakes. It only snowed for a couple of hours and now the sun is out. Here are some pictures I took. I took them from inside the house so please excuse the quality. I wasn't going to go out in this mess. I'm scared of falling branches of chunks of ice!!!

Harrison going ice sledding.

The ice on our shrubs.

The front yard. It is shiny from all the ice. It looks like an ice skating rink!!

After the snow, this is the branch that fell. We typically park our car in that spot but Shaun moved it down the street when we knew we were going to get all this ice! Smart move, honey!!

The tree limbs on the power lines that attach to our house. We still have power!!

I LOVE long weekends!!

This has been a really nice LONG weekend. On Friday we had a "cold" day. I was really surprised at around 3:30 on Thursday to hear that we would be out of school on Friday just because of low temperatures. But hey, I sure wasn't about to complain. AND Monday was MLK day so we were out of school on that day as well. But wait, there's more. Preschoolers do not come to school on Tuesday so I will have no kids tomorrow at work. YIPEE!!!! I spent this weekend working on lesson plans/newsletters for the rest of the year. I have made pretty good progress but there is still much to do.

Last night it finally snowed so the boys were really excited to get out and go sledding. They had a blast. Harrison really wants to learn to snow board so I caught him trying to stand on his sled and go down our hill in the back yard. He didn't have much luck, poor kid. I might have to see about getting a snowboard for him to use in the snow. He is so athletic that I don't doubt he could learn to do it quickly.

If you notice the time this is posted, you will see what a Pepsi does to me if I drink it late in the evening. UGH! I'm going to be wiped out tomorrow morning at 5:30.

We're back!!

I always forget how difficult it is the first week back at school after Christmas break. It is like day 1 all over again only with more children than the first day. You would think that the children would come back in the classroom and think to themselves, "oh, I remember this place. It has rules and consequences". But no such luck. I am completely exhausted and can't wait for tomorrow at 2:40 when all of my lovely students go home for the week and I can get the room back in order and ready for next week. I also can't wait until all of the work is done and I can go home!!

If it has been difficult in the classroom, it doesn't compare with my kids at home. We were total bums over the 2 week break; staying up late and sleeping in until lunch time (and I'm not exaggerating). I will not make that mistake again!!! You would think that as a teacher I would know that routine is very important in a child's life but, hey, teachers/parents get lazy sometimes too.

Friday is almost here!!

The end of the ponytail :(

Shaun finally did it. He let me cut off the ponytail he has been growing for 3 years. It was finally long enough to donate. We chose Pantene Beautiful Lengths because you only needed 8 inches of hair (but he had a little over 10 inches) and because they provide FREE wigs to women who lose their hair to cancer. Many years ago, my grandmother had breast cancer so I really wanted him to donate here. Here are the pics of me cutting it. Harrison was videotaping while Samuel was taking pictures. They turned out pretty good for an 8 year old. Doesn't he look so handsome with his "new do".

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

We had a great New Year. We stayed in and watched the ball drop from the comfort of our own room. Shaun, Harrison, Samuel and I cuddled up in our bed and watched TV to ring in the new year after making and eating cookies (yummy). There has been so much good food this holiday season that I really need to go back to work just to keep myself from becoming as large as a whale. Anyway, we just wanted to wish all of our family and friends a great new year!!