Native American Festival

Today was the day that Danny and all 4th graders had been waiting on, the field trip to Moundville for the Native American Festival.  They have been learning about Native Americans, and just completed their projects and took their test and now it is time to celebrate and have fun with a field trip.

Brandon was off so he came on the field trip too, I definitely think that Danny was more excited about that than me, but I love going and spending time with my sweet boy. 

We all had a great time in Moundville.  The students at Alabama were actually doing a real archiological dig and the boys though that the archiologst was amazing.  They even had him autograph there cups.  We watched him get some things out, like pottery and part of a house, it was really awesome.  We learned more about the food that they ate, the tools and weapons that they used, the clothes that they wore, and how they lived. 

We ate lunch by the river and the view was seriously stunning.  I am thinking it is definitely the perfect spot for lunch, probably any day.

We left the school at 8:15 and got back at about 4:15.  It was an exhausting day but so much fun.  I went in to help at ASC and after a little while Debbie sent me home.  I tried to tell her  I was not going hom and was fine, but she insisted so we headed out.

Brandon, me, the boys plus one, Chandler is spending the night tonight.  We were going to the Mountain Brook vs. Trussville game to watch the Trussville band more than anything.  Anyway, we went to Dairy Queen and got an ice cream and just relaxed and then we went to the game that was anything but relaxing.

One of the Trussville players grandfather had a massive heart attack and dropped dead right there.  It was heartbreaking.  I do not know that I have ever cried that much for a stranger.  The fact that we had to explain it to the boys later was not much fun either.  They had the best time at the game though and they were so good!  I am so gald that we decided to go on an go.  It was great, I hate that Trussville lost though.

We came home and not too long into the night we were in bed, well except Danny and Chandler they were determined not to go to bed. 

Green Stuff

So today was a great day minus the fact that my tummy is just unsettled.  Hopefully it is nothing, definitely not how I want to spend Mother's Day weekend.

John Michael's class had a field trip to the McWayne Center!  It was so much fun.  Brandon experienced his first field trip, it is to be determined if he goes on another.  Just joking, he had a blast and looks forward to Friday field trips since those he can attend.  We spent several hours at McWayne.  Bubble, Dinosaurs, Sharks, IMAX, and so much more.  I think everyone had a blast.  After the field trip Bradon and I ran a few errands and then we were back at the school.  John Michael's best buddie Chason celebrated his Birthday at the end of the day today.  It was Batman, pizza, and cupcakes.  Needless to say Kindergarten had an amazing day. 

About twenty minutes before school was out Brandon and I passed out popsicles to the third and fourth grade for Mr. Wright.  It was great to see them just enjoying the end of the day. 

We headed out to check on the new house and they had treated the base with green stuff.  I am sure that it has a name, but I think it is to help prevent mold, weakening, and moisture from sinking in.  It looked cool, and the boys thought it was awesome.  It is great to see progress each day no matter how big or small, each step is a good one as long as it is forward.

John Michael had a game at 6:00 and it was a great one.  They won 17-16, but it was amazing!  I was super proud of them all.  John Michael was so excited because he had two balls hit to him and he stopped them and threw it in fast.   We even headed to Dairy Queen for a celebratory ice cream, well he had ice cream. 

Well, I am exhausted and there is so much to do I could cry.  It will all be great though, one way or another I will make it all happen.

Happy 6th Birthday John Michael

So I woke up this morning with the unbelievable realization that my baby is six years old. I have to admit that I am a little sad. He is growing up so quickly and into such a charming young man. We woke him up by singing Happy Birthday to him, and he woke up in the best mood!

Since Danny was sick I called my mom to see if she could come sit with him since I had a full day at the school planned with John Michael and his class. She was glad to do it, she hated that Danny was not feeling good, but knew that I was torn on being in two places at the same time. I am so thankful that she was able to come and sit with him. He liked the time with his Nana too.

Because the Kindergarten had a field trip they got to wear jeans and their spirit shirts, which was awesome in his eyes. No uniform on his birthday!

I took John Michael to school and then hung out waiting for his class. We were headed to Children's Theater to see The Little Engine that Could. John Michael was so funny. He knew that his teachers and Mr. Wright planned this trip just for his birthday, he even told them thank you for doing it. So sweet. I had Caleb, Cathy, and John Michael with me. Miss Ghossein also rode with me, which made John Michael's day. He loves his teacher, which makes me so happy. The play was really cute, the kids loved it. It ended up being Rusty's, the train, birthday too. Again, John Michael thought that it was awesome, he shared a birthday with a man who is a train.

After we got back to the school I headed out for a cupcake hunt, which I was worried would be a nightmare. Publix in Irondale had 30 Batman Cupcakes already prepared. It was awesome!!! I was really worried I would be limited to flowers since I did not order them and he wanted them for his class and Miss Noto's. He also wanted them to all get some M&M's. That was an easy order to fill. When I took them to the class the kids were so excited, but especially John Michael. I love the way that his eyes light up when I come to his class, it is a magical mommy moment.

We headed home after school and Danny was feeling much better which meant a lot to John Michael because we were still going to be able to go to Outback for his birthday dinner. It was delicious and even though a Bitch tried to ruin it while we were there a wonderful man who was celebrating his 72nd birthday made up for her. Some people seriously should not be allowed in public though. I have not had the maddening desire to hit someone in a long time. Seriously just rude, and hateful, and well rude. Thank you mom, Sybil, and Deborah for coming with us to celebrate his 6th birthday.

Today was a super special day! Happy Birthday to my sweet John Michael. Just remember you will always be my baby!!!

December....Here we Go!

So I got up this morning in complete disbelief that it was December. Even Danny has talked about how fast this year has gone by. It seems like yesterday we were getting ready for the first day of school and now we are halfway done with the school year. WOW! Yep, it is what I say each month and I mean it each time.
This morning was not as smooth as I prefer it, but we were on time so I am most definitely not complaining. I do wish it was warmer though. This cold mornings make we want to stay in bed. Super excited that the sun was out all day though.
Danny had a field trip today, to Samford to see White Christmas. I was so glad to be able to go with the class to see this. I love being home for this reason more than any other. I love to be able to truly be a part of my boys' lives. They have so much going on and while it might be hard to keep up sometimes I also know that sooner than later they will be grown. I treasure each venture with them. Now for the play, it was excellent. If you have a chance this weekend it is definitely worth it to head out to Lakeshore and check it out. Very talented performers and just an all around great show. It seemed to me that all of the kids had a great time. They were also very excited that they got to ride a bus to the show. It is the small things that mean so much. I am just so thankful that they enjoyed themselves and that I was able to be a small part of their day. It was great!
John Michael ended up with another yellow face. Tonight we wrote a note to Miss Ghossein. Starting today this is the new practice when he gets anything other than a green face. We shall see what happens tomorrow. Hopefully green will be what comes home.
Danny had basketball practice tonight. They did great. It is amazing the difference between 5-6 year old basketball and 8-9 year old basketball.
Well, the boys are in bed I am trying to get this session edited. It has been a long week with so much to do. I have been busting it though. Will keep it up! Peace out and prayers to you all.

Golden Flake

Today was a great day! I burned a serious amount of gas driving back and forth, but it was so worth it.

I went with the second graders to Golden Flake today. The boys riding with me were excellent. We were a small enough group that we did not have to be divided and we were able to go through the tour as one group. This was a nice surprise. One of the dad's in the class made the video for Golden Flake, and he was there today. His daughter was so proud and it was so awesome to watch her brag on her daddy to her friends.

The tour was really neat. I am surprised that I have never been. I am glad to know where it is though, being so involved with scouts we are always looking for places to take them. It was so interesting to see how these chips are made. It is really cool that they are made right down the street.

The tour lets you see how the potato chips are made from potato to ready for grocery stores. It was awesome to see how they recycle so much and how they use what is waste for other things. Like the starch from the potatoes. We were also able to taste a chip right out of the fryer, and I will say that there is something special about a HOT Golden Flake Potato chip! Thank you Golden Flake for the tour today!

I was really glad to be able to go and spend this extra time with Danny man and his friends. Thank you SFX for always letting the parents be involved, it means so much.

Well, now back to the photography projects that I am working on. This is a busy week and tomorrow is going to be dedicated to house work. At least that is the plan. Before I go to bed I will pray for all of my family and friends. The second graders at SFX will be making their First Communion on Saturday and I ask that you all remember them in your prayers as they prepare for this sacrament!