"I like my birthdays, every one;
Mrs. Talley's Little Yellow School-House
St. Nicholas, aka Connor, has brought the Christmas Spirit into our home this season. He hadn't spent all his birthday money yet, and was forming great plans to give to everyone in the family. This was contagious...all of a sudden, Quinn wasn't concentrating on how many packs of gum he could buy for himself, but instead was thinking about what extra jobs he could do to earn money to buy for gifts for the family. Thanks, Connor!
PS This was one of the pictures our friend, Dony, took at our fall photo shoot. He caught the true Connor in action!
Today the middle brothers could dress up in festive clothes for school. They wore the usual clothes, but topped it off with a Santa hat! Off they went to school, the two elves, on their scooters....
Quinn wearing Red Sox - Literally, all ready to go roller skating. I had suggested that the kids put on long pants to go roller skating in. Quinn took the advice to heart, and put on his baseball socks, totally covering up his knees. It's so fun that he's so fun!
He made a tough choice lately. There was a family church camp-out last Friday night and he wanted to go. He had already signed up to try-out for Region Orchestra. He had worked really hard in preparing for this. He struggled over that decision for quite some time...writing down the pros and cons, etc. As it ended up, he went on the camp-out and had a blast---but not before he had to tell his orchestra teacher (who I think is Region Chair!) that he wasn't going to try out. What a brave soul, that Quinn.
Tanner had one of his art pieces on display at an AISD arts building place thing recently. We went up to see it one afternoon after school.
After Connor talked about doing well in the Turkey Trot race at school, Tanner chimed in that he did well, too. But, he also mentioned how he asked his fast-running friend if he would let him win. The boy agreed! Tanner did end up winning the Turkey Trot race for first grade boys----but, because honesty and how we feel inside means more to us, we (I) talked to the P.E. teacher and we had to disqualify Tanner and his friend. So, while Tanner won't take home a stuffed animal turkey this year, he can have a good clean feeling and win the Turkey Trot fair and square as a 3rd grader. Honest Tan. He's a 1st place winner to me!
....I was all prepared with my stack of stuff to take to church a couple of Sundays ago. I had my conducting sheet that I had already worked on getting it all filled out, and it was the Sunday the Young Women meet with the Relief Society sisters. And there they sat on the kitchen counter all during Church, in a nice, neat stack!
Allison said, "Mrs. Talley pretty much does know how to do everything, right Mommy?"
To Quinn, "Did you know Mrs. Talley can touch the ceiling?"
The other day she was looking for the anti-bacterial something or other, and asked instead about the anti-depressants!
Last year in art class, Connor drew the above pumpkins. I think he was pleasantly surprised when he was honored for it. We were invited to the AISD Administrative Building this fall and watched him get recognized for it. His artwork is featured in October (how cool is that since it's his birth month) in the 2008-2009 AISD calendar.
Along with the good, also comes the not-so-good....I found out today that he won 2nd place in the 4th grade boys Turkey Trot. And while I think that's so good, he thought he had placed 1st. My heart aches for him, as I know he'll be disappointed. But, we've been working on smiling and having a good attitude. He'll be fine....he's my little hero boy.
Last night was Tanner's end-of-season football party held at the roller rink. Scott was a good sport (as usual) and took the kids while I went to a meeting. They had a good time. I don't think Quinn is in the video, but the others are.
Just a handful of days (or so) ago, Allison and I were trying to decide which ribbon to put in her hair. She was wearing RED shorts and a white shirt that had pink and purple on it.....
"Can we do yellow? Since that's Mrs. Talley's favorite color?"
So, with not a stitch of yellow on her that morning (except for the bow), she went happily off to pre-school in Mrs. Talley's favorite color--sunshine!
We have the "cheat code" for dishes....
Today Connor got a book from the book fair because he turned in his summer Bluebonnet Reading sheet. The book is about video game secrets and codes to win. Tonight Tanner was grumpy about doing his dishes. Connor asked him if he wanted to know the "cheat code" for doing dishes. Of course Tanner did. Connor responded that the "cheat code" for doing dishes is to start it right away - it gets done faster. Believe it or don't.
We did it! Another Halloween has come and gone. Allison was a fairy at Mrs. Talley's party. Tanner wore just his cape of his knight costume to school (and I took the cape home after the PE performance). Connor wore his baseball uniform. Allison was a Corey Cub Cheerleader at Connor's PE performance. She changed again for the evening trick-or-treating.
That night, Eldon and Stephanie had Sophie dressed up as Dorothy (sorry I didn't photograph her darling red felt shoes). Lyle, Zaret and Teancum came all decked out. A few of Connor's friends from school came with us, too! We had a good time trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. And Quinn? Well, he's too cool, I mean -- too old, to trick-or-treat. He handed out the candy so Scott and I got to go trick-or-treating with the group.
I was able to go with Tanner on his Zoo Field Trip the day before Halloween. I had my little group of 4 second graders. We had such a good time....we got to choose when and where we'd eat and what to go see. The first picture is of one of the little girls in my group. I betcha can't guess what her name is! They are so sweet in second grade. That age is SO my preference for teaching. They are old enough to read and write, but sweet enough to love their teacher still!
I am grateful for my friend, Janae, who watched Allison with me. It was too weird, she had a zoo field trip for one of her boys, so a couple Thursdays ago, Jeffrey played with Allison for the day, and last Thursday she got to have a field trip to Jeffrey's! Thank heaven for friends.
Allison loves to arrange things. Awhile back, she arranged her "Humming Family" (aka "Loving Family" by Fisher Price) into backbends. I think Allison may call them "bridges." Either way, she has them bending over backwards!
Then, just the other day, she arranged her "Little People" all circling around Baby Jesus. Too sweet. (I almost can't post the first picture because of her w-i-l-d hair! But, she was so proud of what she did. Now, there's the proof that her hair isn't always done - just most always!)
Quinn had a fall orchestra concert. He's in the middle of the photo standing up (just squint). Connor came with me because he wanted some refreshments. I thoroughly enjoyed his company while Quinn was on-stage. There was just enough lighting that Connor could even read his book while listening to the orchestra play. I went early to help out in the orchestra room. Quinn looked so sharp in his orchestra "costume."
A little something about each one....
Quinn had this afternoon all planned out, as he is the master planner around here....after doing what he had to do after school, he would practice hitting the baseball left-handed (he's right-handed) and then watch the world series. He also planned a very fun afternoon when the cousins came....races of all sorts. He even had the chart taped to the kitchen wall (he has learned that masking tape is just fine - NEVER THE CLEAR TAPE!)
Connor has been so good at getting his homework done right after school. He got a hit each of his 3 times up to bat at last night's ball game. There is only one more baseball game left. Tonight Connor said he'd rather do 2 other kitchen jobs than empty the rest of the rice into a smaller container! (He ended up just emptying the rice into a smaller container.)
I get to go with Tanner on his field trip to the zoo tomorrow. (Thanks to my friend for watching Allison.) We get to be in a group of 4 children (he got to choose one child - Victoria) and get to go explore the zoo without waiting for the whole second grade. This will be a good time, I'm sure!
Last night Allison was yelling to Connor, "Connor! I got a grass stain!" Her and Tanner were purposely falling off the scooters into grass. She was so proud of her grass stain. This morning I was telling Quinn about it, and he showed interest, "Allison got a grass stain....was it big? was it just little?" She was wondering if it would wash out when I did the laundry! This morning she wanted "the oatmeal that doesn't taste like anything. Regular oatmeal then put lots of brown sugar in it."
Here's some pictures from Allison's birthday. Sorry about the blue over-tones. Weird. I had to use our other camera, since I didn't know where our new camera was.
I have learned where the new camera was.....Quinn had taken it away from the younger kids because it was an object of contention, and put it in the dresser that we never use. Thanks, Quinn.
The barbie cake was made by my friend, Henrikka. She made this cake, because she wanted to try to make one. It meant so much.... You see, she would like to have a baby, and it hasn't happened yet. There's more to the story, but the part that means the most is that she made it and gave it to my "baby." What an angel.
The bottom picture is of sweet, sweet Mrs. Talley. She throws the best parties at pre-school! She lets the birthday child choose someone to sit by them. Allison chose Addison. After the treats, Mrs. Talley helped them to jump-rope. I will be so sad next year when Allison's party isn't with Mrs. Talley. I love Mrs. Talley.
Connor's Birthday photos....
.....Joshua, Hayden, Connor, Shazib.
.....Connor at the bowling alley.
\
.....on the ACTUAL day!
As soon as I find....
....My sweet husband, he'll download (upload -- does it matter and what's the difference?) me some pictures of Allison's birthday from our old camera.
....My camera, my sweet husband will download me some pictures of Connor's birthday.
This is one of my favorite photos. It just is.
Allison turned 5 today!
She requested her breakfast in bed for yesterday (so she wouldn't have to rush, because Thursday isn't a pre-school day). She had bacon and....well, mostly bacon, I think.
Today she had pre-school. Mrs. Talley had everything ready. I just brought the Rice-Krispy Treats and the goldfish. She had made her goodie bags a before hand.
She FINALLY got the Baby Alive doll that pees AND poops. She's waited a year for that. Last year, she got the one that just pees. She has talked about it ALL year long.
The other day I called her "little one." She responded that I could call her "big one" now....an almost 5 year old doesn't need to be called "little one."
Today she was opening a little surprise from a friend, and she said that since today was her birthday, she can pretty much leave trash around......to which I responded something like, "and tomorrow you have to be responsible again." She agreed!
She manipuled this birthday thing to the fullest, something she's learned from the brothers to take full advantage of. I told her I would do her 10 item pick up for her after dinner.
Allison was a little sad last night to say good-bye to 4. Four is a good age around here. But, alas! Here comes 5 and we'll enjoy it, too!
My "Little One".....until someone littler comes along. Happy Birthday, Bug!
Connor turned 10!
Connor "Reid"-ing - photo taken by Allison or Tanner.
He is cranking through those Harry Potter books. He is only allowed to read them if his attitude is positive after reading them.
Connor's been working on a goal....and if he makes it to Tuesday (three weeks), he gets a trip to 1/2 Price Books. He would probably do just about anything for a trip to the bookstore!
He has his 2nd baseball game tomorrow. He had fun at his first one. Connor is on the AquaSox!
Connor got to go on a field trip to River Legacy Park today. He was so excited! It was fun to see him anticipate it so much.
The kids have started wanting to do their "Saturday work" on Friday evenings....so that they don't have to do it on Saturday! We still have to maintain, but they like this. I'm good with it, too....doesn't matter too much to me WHEN they work, just that they do! Hope that doesn't throw you off, Natalie!!!!
Allison started pre-school again on Monday, September 15th. Oh, she's growing up sooooo fast!
She can blow a bubble with bubble gum! She just learned at church on Sunday. She is sitting here with me while I am doing this, "Can I have a piece of bubble gum, Mom?"
She has friends at all of the brother's sports....
Carson at Tanner's
Sydney at Connor's
a whole bunch of girls at Quinn's.
Tanner can officially blow a bubble with bubble gum! He practiced last night at Connor's baseball game (lots of free time to ride the scooter and practicing blowing bubbles).
Tanner is playing flag football this fall. He is quarterback again. He doesn't like that he has to call out the plays -- last year the coach could be on the field to do that.
I get to volunteer in Tanner's classroom on Wednesday mornings. It's that teacher in me that gets fulfilled each week up at the school. I love the kids!
We finally did it! We have finished our adoption profile. We have attached a link (with help) from our blog to the website. If we make changes to our profile, it will be off-line for like a day. But, then we'll be back up.
Also, you can find us the long-way: www.lds.org, then to home and family, next provident living and finally adoption assistance and then search adoption profiles. You can enter ScottAndPatti (no spaces) and we should come up.
Now there will be a place a birth mother and family can go to get a glimpse of us. Exciting!
Sleeping Sue will still be home for one more year....
and I think that's probably a good thing! After church on Sunday, following a little fit, she fell asleep on the floor. Sweet thing. She will go back to pre-school at Mrs. Talley's on September 15th.
All ready for Church! Our friends passed along some darling clothes for Allison. Which, in turn, we got to pass along things to one of our friends.
