Wow - February is Almost Gone

I can't believe February is almost over.  Two months of 2012 are soon to be gone.  January and February have been busy as usual.  Tax season is upon us at work...lots of extra hours being put in.  We will survive it just like we always have, even though it seems very overwhelming at times.

Another season of Upward is about to go in the record books.  This  is Stephen's last year to get to play.  He wishes he could keep playing.  He has really stepped up this year.  He is a lot more aggressive on the court.  He made more shots in his first game than he even attempted in the last two years of play.  Skylar is still cheering.  She loves it and I think she will continue to cheer in the upcoming years.

I got an e-reader for Christmas and I have been putting it to good use.  I have found that I can get books free from www.christianbook.com, and I have been hoarding up almost everything they offer.  I have always loved reading, but I honestly didn't know whether I would like reading on an e-reader or not, so when I requested one, I asked for a cheaper no-name brand.  So far I love it more than I thought I would.  It doesn't have all of the bells and whistles that some of them have, but for just reading books it is great.  So far I have read Child of the Mist, The Help, Explosive Eighteen, and Directed Verdict.  I also just finished reading The Devil in Pew Number Seven in paperback.  Sometimes you just can't beat the feel of a real book in your hands especially when you receive it for free just for reviewing it.  I plan to review more of the books I read - especially the ones I download for free, but you know how plans are sometimes...we will see how that works out.

Skylar in Wonderland Portraits

While Skylar was all dressed up for her costume party yesterday, we decided to take a few pictures using the Alice in Wonderland theme. She had a lot of fun pretending to be Alice, and some of the pictures turned out really cute.

Alice in Wonderland

Skylar has been invited to an Alice in Wonderland themed costume party this Saturday. Of course she wanted to dress as Alice even though I suggested another less popular character. So I was suddenly in search of an Alice costume. This it what I came up with...

• 1 yard of eyelet fabric - $0 (thanks to Mimi and her stash of fabric)
• 1 perfectly blue dress - $4.20 (thanks to the clearance rack at Yours Truly Kids Consignment Store)
• 1 adorable Alice - Priceless

Oh and notice the new hairdo - she decided she wanted her hair shorter. It should be easier to take care of now.

Deja Vu

Ever felt like you have been there, done that before? I am having a severe case of that right now. Flashback 2 years and read the post Change of Heart. That is what we are dealing with once again. Skylar loved the first day of school - remember it was "Awesome." Unfortunately she has once again had a change of heart. The only explanation she will give us is that she wants us there with her. School is fine, but she seems to think that Brian and I should quit our jobs and attend the second grade once again, or her other solution was for us just to not make her go. Even when we explained that we would go to jail if she did not go to school, she said she would pay the money to get us out. It would almost be comical if it were not so painful to watch her cry every morning and every afternoon. She cries throughout the day in class. I am praying that God will deliver her of whatever fear she feels and soon she will enjoy school once again.

First Day of School

The 2010-2011 school year started today. Skylar was nervous this morning (just like her mom always was) and for Stephen it was just another day. We were very pleased to hear Skylar describe her first day of second grade as "Awesome," and Stephen agreed that fifth grade was "Awesome" as well. We are looking forward to a wonderful school year.

Our Brick

Princess Treatment

Skylar getting the princess manicure and pedicure for her 7th birthday. She is such a diva...of course as soon as we were done, she headed outside to play in the dirt with the boys for the rest of the day...dirt diva.

Nut Pie

Not long after we moved in February, Skylar brought home a pecan that she had found on the playground at school. A few days later she brought home another one. Not long after that she started wanting to make a "nut pie." Of course you and I both know that it takes a lot more than two pecans to make a pecan pie, so I told her we would have to find some more nuts first. Before long she had quite a collection of pecans and walnuts that she had gleaned from the playground and the lot across the street, though she was still way short of having enough pecans for a pie.

Eventually she talked about making a "nut pie" long enough that my grandmother sent her a couple of cups of pecans. So today I picked up the ingredients to make mini-pies. This was not only Skylar's first attempt at making a pecan pie, but it was my first attempt as well. I found this recipe for the mini-pies, and we went to work. As you can see, they turned out looking pretty good, and they don't taste 1/2 bad either. And no your eyes aren't fooling you. That one pie has no pecans in it. We made a couple just for Brian...since he doesn't like pecans.

Skylar's Latest Outfit

I told you I have been feeling domestic. I have now made Skylar 3 new outfits. I have even made her doll 2 outfits that match. Here is my favorite so far.

Feeling Domestic

I have had a sewing machine for close to 15 years, but have only used it on occasion. However, I have recently had a renewed interest in sewing. After looking at some of the clothes that are out there for girls Skylar's age, I decided...I can make something just as cute as that for a lot less money. Granted it does take an investment of time, I really think it is worth it. I enjoy the projects and of course I love the sense of accomplishment I feel when I see the finished project. So far I have made Brian and Stephen each a pair of lounge pants and Skylar and her doll Robin matching outfits. Here are a couple of pictures of the fruits of my labor.

Vacation Time

We will not be taking a huge long vacation this year. With our move earlier in the year, and all of the construction at church, Brian has used up the majority of his time off, so we have decided to do several small weekend trips this year. Last weekend we headed to Branson for a few days. We took the kids to Silver Dollar City for the first time and it was definitely a successful trip. The kids loved it so much that we decided to purchase season tickets so we can take them back a couple of times.

Stephen especially liked the rides. His favorite was the American Plunge. He loved getting wet. Skylar wasn't so sure about it. She decided to give it a try but wasn't too thrilled when we got off of it, though by the end of the day she had decided she really did like it and wanted to ride again.

We can't wait to take them back for another trip soon...

Per My Sister's Request...

I was informed I needed to update the blog. That everyone knew that Skylar was toothless. So now you can all see her graduation pics for a while. I can't believe she is almost 6 years old and finishing up kindergarten. Seems like only yesterday she was born. I always heard that time flies when you are having fun, and we are having a blast...

Toothless

Skylar lost her first tooth about a week ago. She was so excited. The tooth fairy is always very generous with the first tooth and she left her $5 and her meme gave her another $2. With her new found wealth she purchased a hula hoop and some pink flip flops. We have all had a good time with the hula hoop. Check out this toothless grin...

And this hula action...

A Room With a View

So I have promised pictures of the house, but I have yet to follow through. That is because I still haven't finished unpacking, so there are still boxes sitting everywhere, and who wants to see boxes, right? While it isn't a picture of the house, I will give you this.

It's not the greatest picture, but this is the night time view from our bedroom window. The picture really doesn't do it justice at all.

And since we have moved the weather has really run the gamut from one extreme to the next. The first weekend we were here it snowed...the next weekend it was 80 degrees...and now we are back to freezing temps. The kids enjoyed this snowball fight on the front deck just 2 weeks ago...

And I do promise to eventually get some pictures of the house posted...

Home Sweet Home

Well, it is official. Brian moved the last of our belongings from Earl Street today. He was off to tackle the mini-storage last time I talked to him. When that is all moved, we will be done with that monterous job. Next comes the unpacking, but the way I see it, the necessities are already unpacked, and the rest can be tackled in the same manner we packed it - one box at a time. We aren't on any deadlines, and while it will be nice to have everything put away and settled, it doesn't have to all be done at once.

Tuesday night was the first night we got to spend in the new house. The kids love it. The neighborhood kids have descended upon us like locusts. One of Stephen's classmates lives right next door. They have played together every evening so far. I know they will have a lot of fun together. There is also a little girl Skylar's age just down the street, though we haven't got to meet her yet. I am sure that once we do, they will become fast friends as well.

We have been so blessed throughout all of this. Our families have stepped in and helped so much. They have cleaned and moved and for that we are extremely grateful. Our church family has been so helpful too. Tuesday night four of the guys showed up and with three trucks and trailers, they managed to move all of our big furniture, as well as a lot of other stuff in a matter of a couple of hours. I can honestly say that we could have never pulled this off without all of the help we have had. Even with the help, poor Brian is absolutely exhausted. He has worked so hard this week. I know he will be glad when it is all done, so he can relax a little.

Maybe in a few days I can take a couple of pictures and get them posted. The ones that were on the real estate website really didn't do the house justice at all.

Mmmmm - Thanksgiving

So, Thanksgiving is only a week away, and already my mouth is watering thinking about all of the holiday favorites that will be adorning my grandma's table. Of course, one of my all time favorites is the dressing. I love my mom's dressing - it is always so moist. I have never been good at making it myself but I am considering trying a recipe I have found for Crock Pot Cornbread dressing. If it turns out good, I will share it.

I am going to be taking deviled eggs - Skylar's all-time favorite - and sweet potato casserole. I love sweet potatoes. I may also whip up a crustless pumpkin pie since that is Stephen's favorite. Oh my poor waistline. It is already expanding just thinking about all of the food.

So, what are your favorite can't have Thanksgiving without it foods? Feel free to share in the comments section.

At the Fair

Here is a picture of Skylar at the fair. They had a petting zoo this year which she really enjoyed.

Race for the Cure - Pictures

Saturday was the annual Race for the Cure. A couple of friends from church, the kids, Brian and I donned our pink in support of finding a cure for breast cancer. Oh and there were about 50,000 other people there too. We had a great time. The kids really enjoyed it. They even walked the last mile with me. It's not too late to make a donation. If you're interested click here to show your support.

Try Again...

Brian and I are in desperate need of a getaway. We had planned to go to Mt. Magazine State Park last Friday night, but we ended up cancelling our reservations due to Stephen being sick and Skylar's recent school meltdown. But we haven't given up. We have rescheduled for later in October. Hopefully by then the leaves will be changing, making for an even more spectacular trip. If we actually get to go this time, I will post pictures.

Also, after much prayer Skylar seems to be moving past her problems with school. She still has reservations about going, and definitely isn't as excited about it as she once was, but at least the tears and wailing seem to have subsided for now. We still don't know what got into her. Maybe she was just testing the waters to see how far she could push us? I am continuing to pray for her that she will once again love going to school, but for now I will accept the answered prayer of her not throwing a conniption fit every morning.

Change of Heart

Skylar has had a change of heart about school. She absolutely loved it at first. She couldn't wait to get there each day. Now all of a sudden she doesn't want to go. She cries every morning as soon as she gets up. She cries when she gets dropped off. She even cries during the day in class. We can't get her to give us a reason for this change of heart, and it has me worried. We have sat down and talked to her. Her teacher has talked to her. The principal has talked to her. We now have asked that the school counselor talk to her. I pray that we get to the bottom of this very soon, and it is nothing serious. There is nothing as heart wrenching for a mother as to have to walk away from her child who is crying for her to stay.