A few weeks ago, Nonno came to watch Luke while we had a day off and Marc had one of his tests at the hospital, and brought him a fig tree. Everyone got in on the action of planting the tree- even Molly! And then there's a random photo of Mia's first corn on the cob experience. For some reason, I feel that's an event worth capturing on film!
I have a lot to post, but haven't downloaded photos or thought much about posting during the craziness of the past weeks. So keep checking back the next few days to see what's been going on in our lives the past weeks. For now, I will share with you photos Luke's teacher sent me from their Fairy Tale Ball. Last Friday, her class was to dress up as nice as they could and they learned how to dance and they had a ball in the afternoon. They'd been studying all kinds of fairy tales. I missed the actual ball since my class was having our valentine party at the time, but I am glad because I have a feeling Luke wouldn't have danced if I'd been in the room! And Mrs. Gonder said he managed to hide in every photo of them dancing, but you can see him in some after he came through the line of kids. 
We had a pretty lame superbowl Sunday, but we were all together and happy, so I guess it wasn't that bad!
While watching the game...
Luke and Mia built things with blocks,
Luke read some books to Mia,
played with daddy's facebook pet,
while mommy read her latest Twilight book,
and daddy texted (probably Doug about sports...) while Mia finally layed down with him and relaxed.
Still no photos to post... guess I'm too busy to ever think to pull out my camera and capture some moments. I promise some photos soon! This week was crazy busy, and I can't believe my weekend is more than half over. I don't feel rested and haven't accomplished much off my to-do list either. So, what's happening in our lives?
Monday - Did my taxes. Planned a possible summer trip to Philly and Sesame Place. Never been to Philly, the kids would love S.P., and one of my dearest friends lives close by and hopefully we could meet up.
Tuesday - My student teacher started. The next 11 weeks (1 week down already) may be interesting. I hate to say that she is old, and offend some of my faithful readers, but let's just say she seems old to just be student teaching. She has been an aide for 8 years at Marc's school, but he doesn't know her. My friend Jeff calls her "grandma"... not to her face of course, so that gives you an idea that she's a bit older. I'd guess late 50s or early 60s? Anyhow, she's very sweet, willing to learn, jumped in helping the kids at their seats, and said she's already learned a lot from a pro (I guess she meant me!) I see her being a great aide, but not sure about teacher. She is timid, and I am the very outgoing in my classroom and LOUD! :) I will say I felt like I was a great teacher all week since I knew everything I did/said was being watched carefully. Monday she starts teaching her first subject, then picks up one more each week from there. The part that's hard is that it's TAKS season, high stress teaching time, and I'm giving up control. Hope it all works out ok. Tuesday night there were threats of ice storms, so Luke's first soccer practice and Marc's game were cancelled.
Wednesday - We went to school. I say this only because everyone who reads this blog got to stay home! We had ice, but no cancellations. When the bell rang for school to begin, I was the only person there for 3rd grade -all other 4 teachers and our aide were still trying to make it to work! But at least we get to enjoy Good Friday off still! I have been going for a series of hydrafacials with microderm about once a week. The 6 sessions were expensive, but wanted to do something nice for myself! When I showed up Wednesday, they said the microderm tip was broken, but I got the intense facial still - for free! That's about a $100 facial free. Love it! From there we went to Marc's game -make up game from Tuesday. We got there at the half, and they were playing the best team in district, and one of the best in the state, and were doing so well! Then Marc got 2 technical fouls and thrown out of the game. Not so good. The team ended up in OT, a big shocker for everyone, and I had to do a play by play on the phone to Marc since he was stuck in his office. They ended up losing, but played great despite everything else.
Thursday - Luke had his first soccer practice of the year, and did so well. Played hard, talked to the coaches... and had a great time!
Friday - Another basketball game, and they pulled out a win. Still in the running for playoffs.
Today - Today's been a long, busy day. Mia has yet another "bug" and we spent the first few hours of the day changing diapers every 10 minutes. I managed to sneak out for a good workout and an hour of time to myself. Then Luke and I had a "date" -went to see Hotel for Dogs, and I actually really enjoyed it. He loved it. On our way home we noticed smoke near our home, and then I spent the next hour basically standing in the back yard watching a rapidly spreading grass fire burn out of control -about a mile from my house. And the part that made me nervous was that the only thing between the fire and our house was a road and a lot of dead grass and dried out trees. Nothing to slow it down if the wind turned our way. Later, Luke and I drove to get Chipotle for dinner and saw where the fire had burned. It had gone all the way across the highway and the grass in front of Mia's daycare was burned... so we're lucky her daycare is still standing!
As for tomorrow, I will find an hour to work out after church, but then it's lesson plans, putting away laundry, making lunches and ironing for the week, and helping Luke create his 100 day of school project. (and don't ask what it'll be... still not sure!)
My apologies for a long blog. If you really don't care what I did all week, then hopefully you just skimmed my detailed version.
Marc had his follow up appt yesterday. All his lab work came back great as did the stress test. The past few days he's had a lot of back pain now, and is walking at a nice angle, so they did a spine/back xray to check that out. He got some relaxers and we think everything was triggered by back muscles. If he still feels bad in a few weeks I guess he'll go back and try something else.
In other news, my student teacher starts Tuesday. I know nothing about her except that she's going through an alternative certification process and will be with me 12 weeks. I meet with her mentor Monday afternoon, so not sure what to expect. Just hoping she's easy to get along with and willing to jump in and help.
Marc won a game Tuesday, so right now he has a shot at playoffs if the team can keep winning. The big game against the arch rival is tomorrow, so that'll be a big deal.
Well, I got Mia to bed at 6:30 without screaming, so I'm going to take this little miracle as a sign that I have to get my kids' writing graded and get busy. Thanks for all the messages the past week while we were wondering about Marc.
Sorry I've been an absent blogger all week... but it's been a long, tiring week. Most of you know by now that Marc and I spent Tuesday night in the ER. He had chest pains and numbness/tingling on his left side. I knew he felt bad because he missed a district basketball game to go. The ER doc did lots of tests but we left knowing nothing except it was a low likelihood of anything cardiac. Marc went to the dr Wed. and got thoroughly checked, but no real news there either. Today we went to Scott and White Hospital for him to have a stress test. Again, no real news, but they did say if it was anything bad, a dr. would have been called in. He has a follow up Wednesday, so we just wait till then. The problem, in the mean time, is that he still doesn't feel any better, and is starting to get pretty upset not having an answer or solution to his pains. He couldn't really coach his kids tonight at his game because he really needs to take it easy, so that just makes things harder on him. It will be interesting Wednesday to find out what happens next if there are still no answers, and he's still feeling lousy. So we're tired, a little worried, and I also had a super busy week at work that I just did my best to get through. So pardon my silence... not really having the time or energy to do much of anything this week.
Last week was very busy, and I'm gearing up for an even busier week starting tomorrow bright and early. No photos opportunities happening unless you want me to take a photo of Marc cleaning the house or me grading papers. That's about all that's going on right now! Last week Marc won a great district game, and has two more this week and we're really hoping he can pull off wins for both. Then I think next week is the first of the big game vs. the arch enemy of Heights. This coming week is the last week of the semester, so I have to give 3 big tests, finish grading, do report cards, and permanent records. I'm tired already just thinking about it.
Have a super week everyone... will try to update again next week.
A lot happened the past 2 weeks, so rather than telling you all about it, I'll let the photos and captions speak for themselves.
Well, all of our Christmas celebrations are over. The kids cashed in with tons of great gifts, and I didn't do so badly either! Marc got his 2 framed Houston jerseys and seemed happy with them. After many trials and tribulations, Luke's trampoline was put together and has been enjoyed by all the cousins and even mommy! (Check Amy's blog eventually for a possible photo of me in action!) The Ohio clan arrived Friday night and tomorrow we take off to Brenda's for a few more days of family time. Today well all went to Austin to the Arboretum, and it turned out to be a gorgeous day for some outdoor shopping! We ate at Cheesecake Factory, and I got to spend my big Sephora gift card -and my best purchase was Smurfette brand glitter eye liner. Fabulous. We hung out at the fountains there, that someone had filled with bubbles, and grandpa let Mia slip a bit and she went face first into the bubbles!
12. Listening to Luke singing Christmas carols (even in the shower!)
seems like several things have happened the past few days and need to blog it all before i forget! it's late, i'm tired, so sorry but no photos added tonight.
What a day. It seems like everyone at work today was a scrooge, making the rest of us who thought we were happy feel like scrooges too. I thought it was tis the season to be jolly... anyone else finding a lack of "jollyness" out there this year? Everyone seems so grumpy and moody. Last night was my school party and I wasn't able to go since Marc is out of town and I had no sitter. I was upset till I found out there were rude comments still being said today over the staff gift exchange, of who didn't get what they wanted. Come on people, they were $10 gifts. Who really cares what you left with? So now I'm pretty glad I stayed home in my PJs making goodie bags with the kids. I, for some crazy reason, agreed to make them for Luke's class, Mia's class, and my class... so now Luke knows that 13+18+20=51 since that's how many we made last night. My kids at school today were crazy, and I'm starting to buy into the "full moon effect" on kids... has anyone else checked out the moon last night and today? So cool. I even saw a man stopped by my house snapping a quick photo. Go out and see it tonight if you haven't yet.
Well, back to work tomorrow morning. Thankfully the break seemed long for once. It's sad though that I'm still on Thanksgiving break, and I'm already counting down to Christmas break.
Here's my week in review:
1. Went on Wednesday to Marc's game- first one I could go to and their first win.
2. Spent Thanksgiving in Bryan with Marc's family -ate a lot, read a lot. Good times.
3. Brenda's family was at my house when we returned Thursday night and stayed till Saturday morning. She and I spent about 6 hours out Friday morning, WITHOUT KIDS!!, shopping and going to the Sami Show. I spent way too much money, but it was all worth it!
4. Saw Twilight Friday night with Brenda -now waiting for the second one to come out.
5. Marc went to Houston to a game Saturday with his dad so the kids and I hung out all day together, and had a really good and relaxing day. Luke and I watched Iron Man last night together too.
6. At the TAG convention, I got 2 caterpillars to grow to butterflies. They turned to chrysallis', and the first one hatched (is that what it's called??) Friday and the other one came out this afternoon. So we have 2 butterflies, and we'll probably let them go tomorrow. In all the times I caught caterpillars at home and put them in jars with sticks, I never did successfully grow a butterfly, so I was as excited about it as Luke.
As I prepare to head back to work tomorrow, I leave you all with this thought - 15 school days until a 2 week break! :)
Every year around the holidays, I get homesick, especially since I haven't been to Ohio for a while this time of year. I know all my relatives think I'm crazy, but I really miss the snow and cold weather. I have a hard time getting into the holiday spirit here when it's 75 degrees still, and some days are just a little sad for me. I miss my Ohio Thanksgivings, with all the gravy, mashed potatoes, and playing games around the table. This year I've been thinking about Grandma Davis quite a bit as I look forward to Thanksgiving, as she is known for her perfect spread of everything from turkey to jello molds to the tray of olives and carrots that I always passed by. After all, who wants to fill up on carrots when there's all the other great foods you only get once or twice a year? And I especially remember going back into the fridge a few hours later and snagging a huge piece of cold white turkey. So in honor of Grandma's Thanksgivings which I will not be a part of again this year, I made banana bread, her cheeseball, and drank some eggnog. I always thought grandma had homemade eggnog just because she put it in a bowl and added whipped cream and nutmeg. Thanks for all the great memories of the holiday Grandma, and I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving! We will be at Marc's family's house for an equally wonderful meal, especially when you add in the Oreo turkeys Luke and I made tonight to take!
...till a much needed 5 day weekend from work! can't wait till thanksgiving break. this past weekend went way too quickly, but doesn't it always? i had a good time at the TAG conference in dallas. had dinner at cheesecake factory (but wasn't hungry enough for cheesecake! can you believe it??), got a bed all to myself, then went to several good workshops and one not so good (an old lady reading poetry. really??) i came home to mia with a goopy eye so we went to the dr. saturday and sure enough, pink eye! but she will be fine for daycare tomorrow. marc's first real game is tuesday but i think we'll have to skip it since it's in waco. different now that luke doesn't get to nap the next day - have to be more picky which tuesday night games we go to! off to get the kids ready for another week!
have nothing much to say, just bored and felt like blogging. so here are my random thoughts...
1. i leave tomorrow after school for my tag workshop in dallas. i get to go with my friend ginny - luke's teacher- and we are getting a hotel and then coming back friday evening. i know it's a short trip but it's 24 hours to only think about me and to get a good night's sleep! oh, and i'll probably learn something about teaching too.
2. christmas shopping is more than halfway done! woohoo!
3. basketball season officially started last night with a scrimmage. the team played well so maybe it'll be a better season than expected. now mia is going to be a challenge at the games though!
4. mia update - her favorite words are "nack" (snack), "emo emo emo" (elmo), and "mama mama mama" repeated. she talks a lot, but also cries a lot these days!
5. luke update - had a test today on word wall words and knew them all. brought home a turkey family project- make a disguise for the turkey so noone will eat him. after spending an hour turning him into an elaborate snowman complete with real buttons and stick arms, luke scribbled his whole face blue because he couldn't find any other crayons.
6. i've been on facebook a lot lately and this past week got back in touch with several high school friends and a college roommate. neat to see where everyone is, what they are up to, and how much they have/haven't changed.
Despite a rough start to the day, trick or treating did happen for the Minatreas. However, Mia's school party didn't as she'd had well, let's just say many dirty diapers, on her costume and change of clothes, then threw up on her plate of party food and her last bit of clean clothes. So we brought her home early. She perked up and went out begging for candy and she had a great time. Luke was so cooperative with photos and everything, and he did great too!
I am way too tired to upload Friday's photos, so here are a few from the past week just so I can't get picked at by a certain aunt for not blogging!
Friday we had 50s day - so this is my grade level and Jeff Ball (2nd grade teacher)
