NyCee's First Field Trip

NyCee has been so excited waiting for this field trip. All the Kindergarten classes visited the Stuffington Bear Factory today. I think NyCee was more excited to ride on the school bus which she wants to do everyday anyway.



The kids walked through different parts of the factory and learned the history behind the Teddy Bear.

The kids were able to go behind the scenes and feel the fabric for the bears, the various parts, and how the bears are stuffed and stitched.

The bear in this photo is 10 feet tall when standing and weighs almost 600lbs. This is NyCee's entire Kindergarten class. Each kid was able to make a bear to take home.
After the factory, we enjoyed a picnic in the park and then the kids returned to school. Overall, the kids were good given their excitement.

Today's thought: need birth control? go on a field trip with 60 Kindergartners. LOL...

It was fun. I am glad that I was able to go with NyCee on her first field trip. We even dressed alike for the occasion.

NyCee and the Poptart

This information is vital to understanding the story. My children eat a full breakfast every morning before school. It is includes: turkey bacon, fruit, vitamins and a cup of milk. The middle component varies from day to day: grits, oatmeal, eggs, pancakes,etc. Okay, let's proceed.

I pick up NyCee from school and she says, "Mom, I stole a poptart." To which I replied, "I am not clear. Why did you steal a poptart?"

Her teacher, Mrs. Bilow approached me and began to tell the story. (Backstory: NyCee gets dropped off at school around 8:10a. I have to get Tyler to school by 8:30a. NyCee knows to go straight to her classroom and then the play ground. Okay, let's keep going.)

NyCee has been going to the lunch room everyday and having breakfast while she waits for the bell to ring. On the day in question, NyCee walked into the lunch room and "stole" the pop-tart. Mrs. Bilow, NyCee's teacher, stated, "No, she didn't steal it. She has a pop-tart everyday." To which I replied, "Really? She shouldn't be."

To further exacerbate the matter, when Ms. Heidi, the lunch room attendant, tried to stop NyCee from "stealing" said pop tart, NyCee became indignant and sass mouthed Ms. Heidi. Seriously, NyCee stop the train from running off the tracks!



That is why she was reported to Mrs. Bilow. Now a few days before, NyCee said, "Mom, Ms. Shannon, (lunch room manager), said I need lunch money." I could not understand why my child needed lunch money when she takes her lunch to school. Well, then the story came full circle. I later learned that my child would not only eat breakfast but help the other kids by making toast, opening milk containers, offering cereal, etc. Hence is why her lunch account was in a negative balance.

When I asked NyCee why she was eating breakfast at school every day, she replied, "Because I like pop-tarts." And with that, I was too done!

Kindergarten Musical Debut

The kids walked out onto the stage very quietly with their hands behind their backs. NyCee looked around for me. I stood up and waved but she followed Mrs. Walker's rules and did not wave back. (Performers do not wave to the audience - smile).

All the Kindergarten classes performed their musical last night. It was titled, "The Noisey House."


All the kids were so adorable as they sang along to the music. They were all so proud of themselves and you can tell they rehearsed the songs over and over again.

I wouldn't let NyCee sing any of the songs to me as I wanted to hear them at the performance. I felt my eyes welling up. I did not actually cry but in a glimpse, I saw her going off to college and then getting married. Okay, so she has to complete Kindergarten first but it will happen. LOL..

"Seriously Mom, I can handle it."

NyCee had a 1/2 day of school. Tyler did not. So NyCee and I had lunch together and then went to pick up her brother.

When I arrived at the school, I told NyCee to come on and get out so that we could go inside to get Tyler. She was playing her video game and said, "Go ahead mom. I will wait in the car."

Are you sure Bean?

"Yes, ma'am. Seriously mom, I can handle it."

While I am not exactly sure what she is "handling," I busted out laughing at her calm demeanor. She is such a big girl. I try to help her do things and generally she gives me the "mom, I am not a baby and can do it by myself" look. It is bitter sweet. I am raising my children to make good choices so they do not need me. But as their mom, I still want them to need me a little bit longer.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I John 3:16
"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us."

As I thought about today, I realized Jesus' love for us cannot be compared to anything on earth. Love is an action. Jesus demonstrated love by dying for us. Love is not love until you give it away through display.

The kids made me cards at school. I bought them balloons and cupcake grams. Tyler gave me a red heart shaped ring. (It was off the cupcakes he had as school. But it was the point that he thought of me.)

My mom, in San Antonio, got a new job today. Making a lot more than she requested in her interview. I believe that was God's Valentine's Day gift to her. He always gives the most amazing gifts.

Remember to invest time in your loved one today and every day. It will pay priceless dividends.

Interesting Conversation

"Mama."

"Yes, my son."

"I think those earrings are too big."

"Why? don't you like them?"

"Yes, ma'am. But they are too big for you. You need to give them to another mother."

"Why? I like them."

"Because they are too big."

I was not aware that I had to clear my wardrobe choices with my three year old son.

Forever the Fashionista

NyCee is quite the girly girl. She gets all dressed up to take a nap on the couch.

His Choice

After church yesterday, Tyler went to his room to take a nap. This is how I found him:


After bathtime last night, he asked if he could sleep on the floor. I asked why and his typical three year old response, "Because mommy, I want to. Please." I said, "Okay."

I figured if I put down the blankets at least he would be a little more comfortable.

Reason #6.7

So I attempted to remove the trash bag from the trash can in the kitchen. Well, it was stuck and
leaking. As a result, I had to walk it out to the large trash can on the side
of the house to dump out the trash bag. In doing that, the entire kitchen trash bin fell into the large trash can. Keep in mind it is dark & both cans are black.

What happened next? Glad you asked. I had to dig into the large trash bin to
get the kitchen trash bin. Again keeping in mind that I have not put the large
can out front for pick up. Right! Gross! Then of course, I had to wash the
kitchen bin before I could put it back in the kitchen. WOW!!

This is reason number 6.7 as to why I am supposed to be married. This pales in comparison to falling off the ladder but it was still funny nonetheless.

**Choose joy and laugh a lot today.**

Thankful

For the past week, I have chosen to be more thankful to God. It is so easy to complain and murmur about everything like the Israelites. But why? Honestly, if you stop and think about complaining, what is the point? Does anything change? No. If anything, you become more frustrated. Rather than complain, or when my mind thinks of being sad or depressed or frustrated, I quote Psalm 23 outloud. (I do that several times a day to be honest.)

My attitude is better. I have a greater sense of peace.

The kids and I went to the park today. They played and I read a book. We were there about an hour. Tyler ran and NyCee rode her bike.

After baths and dinner, I polished NyCee's nails and read a book to them. I then chose to thank God for the small changes in me to appreciate the goodness of my life. God is good.

I want to share this scripture with you. It has become part of my daily confession:

9"‘I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you.
10 You will still be eating last year’s harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new.
11 I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you.
12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.
13 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high." Lev 26:9-13.