Payton’s version of the Lord’s Prayer

Payton is going to a Catholic preschool this year.  No, we are not Catholic, but preschool options have become limited here.  So, of course there is a portion of the class that is devoted to religious teaching (which I love) and part of it is is learning the Lord’s Prayer.  She was reciting it for Aunt Chelle and grandma this weekend and it went like this: 

Our Father who art in heaven, “how will” be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread …..One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.  Amen! 

So maybe we should call Payton’s version the Lord’s Prayer Pledge of Allegiance!

You’ll have to wait…

on the craftiness that is.  Shealyn’s costume is homemade this year, but I don’t want to post it before she has a chance to wear it tomorrow.  So, I’ll post our Halloween craftiness later this week,

Best Shot Monday

Okay, I asked you last week if “blackmail” pictures were fair and the only 3 that responded said go for it!  So, here it is!

My Mr. Carter!!  Click to make bigger.

It’s D-day

My sister-in-law, Donna (my brother Mike’s wife) is due with their 2nd child today!  We’re hopeful for a phone call, but as anyone of us knows this baby is coming whenever he or she is ready!  I do happen to know I’ll get one of the first phone calls though b/c  I’ll be going to get my niece, Haylee, so they can get to the hospital.  I pray it’s soon and most importantly that evertything goes smoothly and that the end result is a happy, healthy mom and baby.  After seeing Donna on Sunday I know yesterday couldn’t have been soon enough )  I can’t wait to meet my new niece or nephew.  So stay tuned, I’ll keep you posted.

One proud mamma

I’ve debated this post b/c I don’t want to seem like I’m bragging, boasting (or any other adjective that fits into this category).  But, ultimately this is my blog and I am PROUD so if you don’t want to hear about HOW GREAT my kids are stop reading here.

I went to parent/teacher conferences Wednesday night and received raving reports on Shealyn and Carter.  I truly didn’t expect any differently, but it sure is an amazing feeling to hear their teachers tell you how well they are doing all the way around.

Carter, you are in Kindergarten and already reading at an early 1st grade level.  Your  teacher said you are exceeding all kindergarten goals set forth at this point.  I knew from the time you could walk and talk that you would be a sponge for knowledge.  You love learning new things, not to mention what you have taught me in your 5 short years.  I am so proud of you buddy and knew once the routine was established you would love kindergarten.  And of course, to hear what a nice, considerate boy you are makes me smile, too.

Shealyn, you are also doing very well.  You are in 2nd grade and are reading at a 5th grade level.  Your teacher also told me what a nice girl you are and what an all around good student you are (including manners) —- YES!!!  Manners are so important to me, so even if you occasionally forget them at home you are remembering them at school.  Shealyn, you are meticulous (I know where you get this).  Your penmanship is gorgeous!  The one thing that I thought was funny b/c it’s so true is your teacher told me you like to be “in charge.”  Of course you do, you’re a first born girl and you’ve been like this since the moment we laid eyes on you.  Your teacher just reminds you that she (the teacher) is in charge and YOU only need to worry about yourself.  I think I say that at least 3 times a week around the house:o)  Regardless, Gert I am very proud of you, too and am so happy that you love school and look forward to the opportunity of gaining knowledge.

I can only hope and pray that you both continue to love school and set out to achieve the goals you set for yourself!  Don’t ever forget that mom and dad will always be your biggest cheerleaders!!

Is this fair game?

I’m going to tippy toe around this so I don’t give it away.  But, if a certain someone in my house says I can take a picture of him/her dressed in such a way that they will hate me down the road for; is it fair game to post on my blog?  Every parent has those “blackmail” pictures — you know, the ones that mysteriously appear at open houses or when the boy/girl friend is brought home to meet mom and dad, right?  Let me know what you think b/c it sure would make a great Best Shot Monday!

Crafty Tuesday …

pumpkin craftiness that is.  We carved pumpkins this past weekend b/c Clark is out of town until the 30th.  He had some pictures of 1 idea that he thought Carter might like.  Nope, not Carter, but Miss P. thought it was very cool.  You’ll see in a minute and then we printed some patterns online for Carter and Shealyn’s pumpkins.  Anyway, we have some creative jack-o-lanterns around here.  I could not get Carter’s jack-o-lantern to post (worked on it all day, hence this post actually posting on Wednesday), but it is very cool.  He has a cyclops.  But, please enjoy the girl’s choices.

Shealyn and mom’s rendition of the typical Haloween, black cat.  Don’t forget to click on the picture for a bigger view.

And here is the pumpkin I was referring to — P. picked a “puking pumpkin!”  I don’t think I even need to caption the last picture.

Click on over to Carrie’s to see her homemade cards this week.

Best Shot Monday

We went up to the ball field yesterday to fly kites and play at the little park and this is a RARE picture of me with one of the kids.  But, I love how she snuggles right in.

No kisses for daddy?

Yep, it’s true — Payton is blatantly refusing to kiss her daddy!  Why you ask?  Let me show you.

Clark shaved his beard on Saturday (with much urging from Shealyn).  I was out walking when he did it, but when I came home and Payton realized it for the first time; it was priceless!  She looked at him as though a complete stranger was in our house.  Since then she has ABSOLUTELY refused to kiss him!  She woke up this morning and her first question was, “daddy, did your beard come back?”  Well, the good news for daddy is the next time he sees her (he’ll be gone for 9 days) he will have a good start on the beard she and I have grown to love!  Fortunately, for P. and I it doesn’t take daddy long to look scruffy.  So what do you think —- beard or no beard?

                      

Let me vent…I’m sure I’ll feel better

I want to talk about “drop off” at school.  I certainly don’t remember it being as chaotic when I went to school, but maybe it was and I was oblivious b/c I was the kid.

Let me start by telling you the set-up at our school.  It’s one continuous circle around parked cars.  In other words, it’s a big loop that we make and there is no way around other cars b/c of the parked cars.  So everybody needs to wait their turn in line to drop their kids off at the door.  My question is why do you park in the middle of this loop and walk your kids to the door — knowing other vehicles are waiting?  I am all for making sure your kids are safely in the door, but please if you are going to physically walk them to the door park your vehicle and then do so instead of holding up the rest of the cars trying to get through this crazy line.  Not to mention the people that are still waiting out on the road waiting to turn into the parking lot b/c you’re parked in the middle of the drop off line. 

I know I could have my kids ride the bus and I wouldn’t have to witness this. But, we live a mile from school and the bus comes before 7;  I would rather we all get 1 more hour of sleep and endure this drop off cycle.  So, I will endure this and hope that people will start using common sense.

Hey, thanks for letting me vent…I do feel better.