Zoo Lights

The kids and I went to Phoenix Zoo for the Zoo lights show they have have year. According to the brochure, there were over 3.5 million lights displayed. It was pretty cool. Thankfully, we got there early enough to get a parking spot up front.

Christmas Day 2011

Merry Christmas. We had a great day! The kids opened their gifts this morning and played with various toys.

This is a picture of them right before bath time. They were winding down.

These gifts were from grandma and grandpa.

Tyler felt the need to "help" NyCee open her gifts.

Yes, I actually let them play with the roller blades and roller skates in the house. Now that they have used them outside, they will stay in the garage.





NyCee's new bike.

Christmas Events Catch-Up

12/22/2011
The little girl in the photo is Ms. Morgan (16 months). Her mom is a friend from church. We drove around a looked at Christmas lights. We stopped at one house were the lights where in sync to Christmas songs. Pretty Cool!

12/23/2011
The kids took a picture with Santa. I sent a text message to my friend that Christmas pictures are so expensive. I remember when a picture with Santa was $10. Now, you have to purchase a "package." She asked why I waited until two (2)days before Christmas to take the picture. I replied, "Hi, I am Dayna. Have we met? You know I forget about stuff like this." HA!


12/24/2011
I spent the majority of the morning working, cooking and cleaning. I prepped most of the food for tomorrow. I have purposed that I will sit down tonight and relax.

We attended Candlelight Service this afternoon. NyCee twirled around in her Christmas dress from Nana Ida. Tyler took off the tie and vest by the time we sat down in church. At least I captured the photo of him in his Christmas outfit from Nana.

After church, my friend Vikki and her daughter Izze stopped by for a quick visit. They dropped off Christmas gifts. Izze received Twister. NyCee received a talking piggy bank. Tyler a big monster truck.


We've made birthday cupcakes for Jesus and will make cookies for Santa later. We are watching the Santa tracker.

Christmas Cookie Short Cut

Okay, so it is Christmas time and cookies are part of the tradition associated with the season. My first thought involved getting the dough, rolling it out, using the cookie cutters, etc. Then a friend told me of the cumbersome process involved with that decision. So, to pacify both me and my children, I bought the pre-decorated, pre-sliced cookies, placed them on a baking pan, popped them in the oven and Viola - Christmas cookies.

I let the kids frost them and put sprinkles. They still had fun and my kitchen was not a sheer mess.

Still Here

O-M-G. I am so behind on blogging. I wanted to share pictures of the kids in their Harvest Festival Costumes and a few other fun things going on. However, my comprehensive exam is due, my normal school work is due, my normal work is due and Thanksgiving is next week. I owe my grandparents a picture. Jeez o' peaches.

WOW! We will get caught up next week. My exam is due on Saturday.

We love you. Thanks for reading.

Strides and a Festival

I completed a three mile walk today for the American Cancer Society Breast Cancer walk. Every year, I support any cause associated with raising money for breast cancer research. Today, I walked in memory of my cousin, Cari Spitz Ashford.

Kendra Thomas, owner of Hair Under Construction, served as team captain. There were 8 of us in the party plus three children. It was beautiful day for walking.

Tonight after church, we attended Harvest Fesitval at church. The kids have been wearing their costumes around the house for the past week.

It has been a long day. I had work to complete and school work. The school work will have to wait until tomorrow. I am exhausted.

And the Gifts Keep Coming...

After almost 30 years of research, Dr. Gary Chapman concluded people communicate love five primary ways. The title of the book, The Five Love Languages explains the ways people receive and show love.

My primary language is gift-giving. The secondary is quality time.

This week, I recent learned that two different gentlemen have been attracted to me for a couple of years. The first one lives here and attends my church. He called me a few days ago and during our chat, he dropped this information. Also during that chat, I told him my favorite snack is a box of Nilla Wafers. I also mentioned losing the piece to my phone so I am unable to charge it unless it is plugged into the computer. Gift giving is not the size of the gift but the thought associated with the process of the gift.

When I saw him on Tuesday afternoon, he gave me this gift:


It is a box of Nilla Wafers and a charger for my phone. That really meant a lot to me because 1) he actually paid attention to what I was saying, 2) he went out of his way to put it in a bag and make it girly.

Later that day, my child came home from school and saw the gift bag and tissue paper. She took it to her room and decided to wrap herself in the paper before shower time. (I have no idea why. She's 5. It's what she does.)

This morning, he came over to the house for breakfast. When I opened the door, he handed me this gift:

It is a Calla Lilly plant which is my favorite flower. Such attention to detail. After breakfast, he just sat and talked to me. He sat on the floor, working while I worked. We talked a little on an off. Then he had to leave for work. My love tank is full for a week.

I encourage you to learn your spouses love language and choose to communicate to that individual in his/her language. It has a positive affect on relationships.

Stellar Students

I experienced my first parent-teacher conferences. NyCee received all 4s on her progress report. (She is not yet receiving letter grades.) Her teacher stated she is darn near perfect. She is well-behaved, concentrates on her work, and is self-directed to complete her work. The teacher stated NyCee does not rush through her work to get it completed. She takes her times and forms letters correctly or matches the pictures with the words. She is progressing very well in kindergarten.


Tyler's behavior has improved tremendously over the past few months. He is maturing and growing so fast. His conversation is clear and he is curious about spelling words and learning his letters.

His teacher stated he can count to five by himself, spell his name, and recognize shapes (save oval and rectangle). He spells his name, T-Y-L-E-R, and then says, "Bubba. Mommy calls me Bubba."
Now, we are working on pencil control to help him begin writing.

1+1+1

1 class
+
1 comprehensive exam
+
1 dissertation
_____________
= Dr. Dayna Carlisle Thompson

Jesus give me the strength to keep going.

Day at the Farm

The kids and I, along with a couple of their friends and moms, spent the morning at a place called Verticco's Farm.

We started by walking through a corn maze attempting to find the markers with the hidden animals. Each child took a turn as "line leader." After several times of walking in circles, Izze led us to marker number 2. That was the only marker we found.

After the corn maze, we ventured to some sort of inflated bounce thingy-ma-boober. I have no idea what it is exactly but the kids loved it. They played on that thing for about 20 minutes. We, the moms, finally had to tell them to move on to something else.

After that, the kids rode the "train." I was apprehensive to let Tyler ride alone. However, Ms. Vicki (Izze's mom) explained that he had to hold on tight to the steering wheel. He held on the entire time.


NyCee enjoyed running around and playing with her friends. Both Megan and Izze are older than NyCee but they still have fun together.

When we arrived home, the kids took showers and changed clothes. Tyler was fast asleep in less than 30 minutes. NyCee, on the other hand, did not want to take a nap so she had rest time instead.

I am exhausted.

Kid Day

The kids and I plus Izze spent the day together. We started with a train ride at the park.


It was a beautiful day. The temps went back up to the 100s. It had cooled down to low 70s last week. I was able to turn off the air conditioning four days. (That is wonderful living in AZ. We get excited to turn off the a/c.)
The kids rode the little rides at the park. This was the first time NyCee and Tyler had been on a ferris wheel. They really loved it.

After the park, we went to another park where the kids want to play. Then, we went to IHOP for lunch. After IHOP, we went to a movie. Following the movie, we ended our day with Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

When we arrived home, NyCee and I watched "Chopped" on Food Network. Tyler watched "Cars" in the play room. The highlight of a the evening came several hours later. I called Tyler into the shower and noticed he was chewing. When I asked what was he chewing? He calmly replied, "Broccoli." OMG! The boy held one piece of broccoli in his mouth for 3 hours.

WOW. I guess he really does not like broccoli.

Bowling Day

The kids are on Fall Break this week. (Seems as if they just went to school - jeez. where does the time go?)

We picked up my friend's daughter - Izze and hung out today. We ended our afternoon excursion at the park.

We started the day out at the bowling alley. That was pretty fun.

NyCee was very strategic as she attempted to line up the device directly in front of the middle pin.

Little Fred just rolled it where ever!

And Izze had a couple of ugly splits along the way.

Each of them had a couple of times where they picked up the split. It was fun to watch them.

After three games, Little Fred emerged as the winner. He actually won all three games.

I have to prepare for these breaks. This is the first year I am dealing with this issue. In the past, the kids were in daycare. I definitely have to figure out activities for the Christmas break. That is almost 3 weeks long.

Chilly Day

It was a little chilly today. The temps dropped from 100 degress on Sunday to 75 today. Now, those up north are probably wondering why my daughter is wearing tights in 70 degree weather. It was cold. There were kids at school with hats and mittens. Hey, we do not get to wear winter gear that often so we get excited when the temps are cool.

Of course, it will be 90 degrees next week but hey, she looked cute today.

In His Own World

Watching Tyler is absolutely fascinating. He plays in his own little world for hours on end. He entertains himself with the simplest toys. He races his cars or flies his sword. We all should learn how to be carefree and trust God to attend to our life needs.

Working Man

"Mommy, I have to do some work. We have to be quiet mommy. I have to work."

Have Faith In God -Mark 11:24-25

Today was a teachable moment for both me and NyCee

On Tuesdays, she goes to math club after school. When I picked her up, I asked for her water bottle. She forgot it in the math club room and stated, "Mommy, someone will throw it away because I did not keep up with my things."

I said, "No, we will pray and ask God to have a someone return it to us. Your name and room number is on it."

We arrived at school this morning and NyCee ran into her classroom to see if the water bottle had been returned. No bottle.

I went to the math club room - no bottle. As I was leaving, my mind thought, "Well, just go to Wal-Mart and buy her another one." Then a second thought rose up out of me, "No, trust God." The bell rang and NyCee stood in line to walk to class. I was leaving and had planned to stop by the office to check the lost and found. A little girl from NyCee's class said, "NyCee, I have your water bottle. I washed it and put new water in it for you." Her name is Ella.

NyCee and I both smiled and gave Jesus a high-five. We both learned the value of patience and trusting God when we pray. Not only was the bottle returned, but it was clean and full of ice water for the day. I later say Ella's mom and thanked her for taking care of the bottle.

Show and Tell Day

today was "show and tell" day at Tyler's school so I went to watch. He was so excited when I walked into his classroom. He showed me to the different center time stations.

His "show and tell" item was a movable Lightening McQueen car.

He showed his classmates how to pull the legs to help the car make noise. Each kid was given a turn to briefly play with the car. One little boy yelled, "Man, that is cool."
All the kids lined up and were ready to go after "show and tell." There are days when Tyler does not want to go to school. Then, there are days he really enjoys school. I am trying to find a sport to help channel some of his energy.

1st Day of Soccer

NyCee's fall sport this year is soccer. This morning, we went to register, meet the coach and get a feel for the sport.
She did a great job and made several goal shots. Of course, she was standing directly in front of the goal.

The coach covered a couple of the rules by explaining to the kids no hands are allowed in soccer. He also emphasized the importance of having fun. He also encouraged the kids to help their parents around the house and for those who complete their weekly at home chore, they will receive a special team player ribbon. I think that is a good way to help the kids develop responsibility.

Future Spelling Bee Champion

Family Game Night

Last night, the kids and I were involved in a pretty intense game of Candyland. We played three rounds and each one of us won a round. The game was very good for Tyler as it helps to reinforce his counting and identification skills.

Some times, it is just good to turn off the TV and return to basics.

The Power of a Lollipop

In an effort to avoid putting my son in a box with holes and shipping him across the country to somewhere in America, I gave him a lollipop as a bribe to go to school. Over the last week or so, he has gone from one extreme to the other. On one end, defiant and not adhering to 1st time obedience. On the other end, whining and crying. I was about at my wits' end! Seriously, I needed a drink.

Yesterday, he literally clung to my leg when it was time for him to go to school. I know what you are thinking. I am not a big fan of his teacher either. I cannot quite put my finger on it but she does not make me feel pretty inside. I am going to see about changing his program tomorrow.

However, today, I gave him a lollipop and he did not cry when I dropped him off. At pick up time, the teacher stated he had an awesome day. He followed instructions, played well, and completed his lessons.

Yes, I will give him lollipops every school day if that is what it takes. I know: it is a violation of Train Up a Parent rule number #42. It is either that, or I drink lots of alcohol!

My Other Scholar

I told NyCee to get ready for bed. She completed all but one thing- actually getting into the bed. I walked into her room and found her sitting in the chair "working on her computer." While I appreciate my child's commitment to her educational studies, is it possible that she can apply that same diligence to matching her pajamas. (Really, what is with that outfit?)

The next morning after breakfast, the kids headed to the car. When I walked out to the garage, NyCee was buckled up in her seat "working on her laptop." Again, I appreciate her commitment to education but may she please remove the 1000 toys from my van and neatly place her backpack on the front seat!

Sleepy Scholar

Tyler came home from school, ate lunch and said, "Mommy, I am tired. I want to take three (3) naps." I replied, "Okay" and he went to lay on his bed. He was asleep almost before his head hit the below.

At one point, he woke up, as for some water, walked right back into his room and went back to sleep. I do not know if it is pre-k, the heat or a combination of both, but he was exhausted!

(He did manage to find time to "read" his McQueen book before going to sleep.)

Kitchen Helpers

For mother's day, Nana Ida bought NyCee and I matching aprons. Super cute. This is the first time she has worn it. We decided to make cupcakes this evening.

I have decided that Sunday is has to be a day of rest. I am on the go all week long. Not anymore. Sunday is family day! Even if that is stay home, play games and make cupcakes. Earlier this afternoon, we played "Candyland" and "Perfection." The kids really like the new house. Much more than they did the other house. Definitely feels like a home.