School's started

The blessing of the children

1st day of school Miss Drama Queen

Daddy told her to stop batting her eyes at the camera.

Everyone's unhappy but me! I can't wait to go to work!

Millie

Sleeping baby

Summer is Over!

So sayeth our convocation speaker. I'm glad to be going back to work Monday. Actually we've been working for 2 weeks getting ready. Amelia is doing well. I'll try to post pics later on. Gracie is looking forward to 1st grade. We went to Open House Thursday. It was all on the same night for the entire district, which I thought was bunk. Her teacher has sparkly purple eye lashes. Yes, that kind of teacher. I was annoyed, but Gracie worked with her some last year and she likes her, so hopefully it'll be great. I got lucky and will be teaching 2 pre-AP classes and the different kind of student that will be. I'm excited. There were about 12 that came to open house and they were all nice. I think it will be a good year, but I may just be optimistic ;) My outside duties are fine and I'm sure I'll find a good lunch group. I'm looking forward to it. I signed Gracie and me up for riding the yellow dogs to away games. I thought it would be a good bonding experience for us. I like seeing the kids in a different setting, they like it, and Grace gets a kick out of being around the big kids.

 We had a windfall in the form of a refund check from our mortgage insurance. Scott wanted to use it to replace our computers, which are old and don't hold a charge. I opted for a little red Acer netbook and I plan to get a new battery for my old laptop. It's still ok and has everything I like on it now. Anyway, we spent less than half of it then put the rest in savings. I feel good about having it for the next major car repair or whatever. The netbook is fun to take around. Much more portable. But the screen is smaller and I have to up the zoom to read comfortably on it.
I bought an epon for the "new fall color" and cut at a local salon for $65, which is cheaper than my usual girl usually charges for the works. It was such a waste. Evidently the new fall color is my natural hair color and the cut was just a trim of my original. Trifling.

Big plans

I have a week left until I have to go back to inservice. We have 2 full weeks of inservice. What to do, what to do? We're starting off with 2 workdays. I like to sit in meetings a while first to let things percolate before I start planning. Oh well. I'll move desks around and put up posters and set up my aquarium and go visiting. I'll be glad to be back, for sure.
Sunday we had a congregation party at someone's house. Gracie said it was  her best Sunday ever. Of course, I didn't take any pictures. People loved to see Gracie and loved to see Amelia and we got to sit and visit awhile.
Tuesday there is a book signing in Houston I'm going to with a friend. Since Scott's parents now live in Houston, we're going to drop the girls off with them and pick them up after we're done. Hopefully I'll be able to go out with another friend on Wednesday. Then just getting ready, cleaning out closets etc. I need to get started on a shower gift for later this month. Maybe today. I got the fabric washed and everything, I just have to make the placemats and coasters. Not hard, just have to buckle down and do it.      

Birthday party

We had Gracie's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. It was really easy. They had all the accoutremount (?) needed for a birthday party. We just showed up with a cake and goody bags. One person from her class showed up and one person from church. The rest were cousins. It was nice to see everyone and I think they had a good time. My little girl is 6. Not so little anymore.

Gracie's actual birthday breakfast. IHOP sent her a free breakfast coupon, so we went to town. We did IHOP and Casa Ole in one day. 

Cheapy cake with our own ponies. 

Amelia and Colt. Amelia is 6 weeks older than he is.