Lunch and My Space

Due to low numbers last week, I left early on Friday and surprised Jamie by showing up for lunch. She loved holding Anne. Jamie showed me her "My Space" tree for science class observation. It was good to spend time with my girls.

Oreo cookies and cream cheesecake

I have a friend who follows a blog called 52 cupcakes http://52cupcakes.blogspot.com/. . . the lady makes tons of cupcakes. Go check it out! (Ok I just looked and she is doing graphic Halloween stuff - so be warned! Sorry - go back a few days/weeks.) She is now using Martha Stewart's 175 cupcakes and posts pictures and recipes. I'm inspired. I've tried a few different things but they don't always turn out; I'll keep trying. I want to earn a badge for this hobby. haha This is so awesome. Jamie helped me make the oreo cookies and cream cheesecakes today. She beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and eggs. She let me crush the cookies - big mess (and clean up). Jamie rated them about a 4 and I rated them about an 8. We like the fact that the oreo cookies get soft. I'll be hurting tomorrow but oh they were good tonight.

Symbol

We the people . . . ensure domestic tranquility . . .
Jamie had to make a symbol for a part of the preamble of the constitution which she memorized earlier in the month. At first glance, I thought that's interesting - flag, peace signs, etc. but then I realized she put it on praying hands. Jamie is growing a lot. We had a long conversation tonight about growing up, responsibility and letting her sit with friends during church service, etc. We are also learning a lot in our new Young Families class about parenting. We have a long way to go. We are trying to find a place where we fit and can meet other people at the same stage of life. Thank you God for so many answered prayers. . . class for us, place for Jamie during our class, James' schedule change, free flight, family time, good friends . . . even if I die tonight (of whooping cough), I have been blessed. And I love my kids.

Quilt balls

Almost a year later, I finally got help finishing a quilt ball. It's hard to get everyone's schedules together and to focus on one thing. Nancy wanted to learn how so we finally attempted it this week. We had a roast in the crockpot with mashed potatoes and green beans. Very simple. Nancy brought chocolate chip cookies that Jamie loved!

Grandma supervised and fixed our work. She had to leave early but we were glad she made time for us and got us going.

Update

The week went by in a blur. One of the babies in the daycare ended up in the hospital and they finally diagnosed him with the whooping cough. I had to get a tetanus shot and take antibiotics since I'm coughing. On Saturday Jamie went to UT to explore underground bowling with the Orange Dots Sunday School class. Anne and I had fun reading and playing. She attempts to do her shapes with help. She likes to play ball now with her dad and wanted to play with me. Later on she said "ball" too. She is getting another tooth coming through this weekend - on top this time. She is learning how to pull up and had help standing up today. She crinkles her eyes now when she sees the flash coming on the camera. She is so cute. James is starting a new schedule - working nights so he can be home on weekends. Pray it all works out.

Peek-a-boo

Anne loves the Peekaboo Zoo book Aunt Teresa let us borrow. Early this morning in the dark, James put Anne on her blanket with her books and I heard a little "boo"! haha

Later in the day, I took pictures of Anne reading and playing peek-a-boo. She gets so excited when she sees the baby in the mirror. We say "Yeah" every time she matches her shapes and she says Yeah too. She loves making sounds.

Crafts

Jamie made a driedel and played the game.

Jamie made a dream catcher. She loves them as much as Dee Dee did.

She used lots of pretty beads to help catch her dreams.

Flower halo making in progress.

New American Girl Doll - Rebecca

We spent the morning at the Girl Scout Center learning about the American girl stories and making crafts. Jamie got to bring home the mini Rebecca doll and book.

Rocking horse

Daddy let Anne try out the rocking horse.

light switch

We have been teaching Anne about on and off this past week. She loves the light switch now and points to it and wants to turn it on and off repeatedly. haha

Book club

A book club for 4th and 5th graders has just started after school on Tuesdays. The first book is called Matilda by Roald Dahl. Jamie has read it before; now I'm trying to read it so I can help out too. We are excited.

Sculptures

The Kiss statue is surrounded by ferns in the middle of a small body of water.

Here is another kissing statute close up.

The skater was fun to see in motion!

This was a family sculpture. Charles Umlauf has 6 children and his wife still lives nearby.

Little Anne eating her toes caught forever in sculpture. . .

Mother and child statues everywhere . . .

The war mother and child makes you cry; he grew up during the war.

Umlauf Sculpture Garden

There was a waterfall off to the side but I didn't get close enough to it.

Jamie likes this waterfall from the rain gutter and stood under it with her umbrella. Wow I wonder why we are sick all the time.

The garden was beautiful with the greenery and flowing water.

There were lots of sculptures to view. It was rainy but I took pictures with my camera phone anyway.

There were bridges and it was so peaceful listening to the rain.

I only spotted one patch of flowers.

We stayed 1/2 the time under cover looking out. But we did take a 15 minute walk around the garden for the girls to collect nature items. They described their items to each other and tried to draw them from the descriptions. They earned their outdoor surroundings badge. We took homemade chocolate chip bars and enjoyed them after our field trip.

Bio poem

Jamie wrote a poem all about things she likes for school and she was supposed to draw a background picture as well. She picked the crucifixion. I was surprised. But she said I'm a Christian and that is what I want on my poem.

Food - Never Ending Pasta Bowl

I had penne pasta topped with five cheese marinara with delicious meatballs as well as fettucine with the new creamy parmesan alfredo sauce (and spinach).

I have worked hard all week (longer hours than I wanted to) and I was glad to have the day off today. Michelle texted me last minute to say she needed me; I enjoyed being the model again - I got a facial; the hot towel is the best! I have several pictures and things I want to write about. I wasn't sure where to start but decided to start with food since that is my favorite subject besides my girls. I think it was one day last week that I went to the Olive Garden for almost 2 hours of good comfort food and a good book. I had a coupon! It was so relaxing. I think back on it as the days grow long. Every now and then moms need a real break (from kids, cooking and cleaning up).

Miss You

We miss you mom and we remember! Thanks for the legacy you left us.

Grandparents Day

Grandma Jacky took Anne to school to visit Jamie today for Grandparents Day. Jamie insisted they wear their Big sister, Little sister shirts. Jamie was so happy! Thanks for the picture.