Love Her!

My Desk View

Well I guess if she gets her work done...

Sleeping Beauty

Crafty Ladies Meeting

I started a crafting club at school.  We had our first meeting today.  I had chosen a craft I found here.  It is one of my favorite crafting blogs.  I had an insane end of the month for Thirty-One in a good way, and Eric has been staying close to work because of a turn-around.  Let's just say, it was such a welcome "girl's night."  Eric cut all of my wood and I sanded it MYSELF.  I KNOW, I sometimes surprise myself.

Here are some of the pieces spray painted and stenciled (Marth* Stew*rt at Mich*el's).

 

Here is the completed set!  It came out so cute!

I then stenciled a car on a tote, Thirty-One of course:).  

I hope Jet likes it.

Now we have to come up with our craft for next month.

Organized Tricia Continues!

I cleaned out my van a couple of weeks ago and was amazed to find that it was mostly still clean and organized today.  I did some quick pick up today and vacuumed.  Hattie was home sick, so I had some time.  I decided to share some of my ideas to help keep my van organized, but functional.


The #1 thing that I have been focusing on is backpacks.  I have been very firm with the girls that the backpacks and lunch thermals go into the trunk.  I know this is easier for me since I only have two backpacks and two lunch thermals, but hopefully this can help others too.


The #2 thing is that everything they bring into the car has a place.  Each of the girls have a bag hanging near them.  The bag has a large compartment we use for a blanket and the zipper bag of movies.  The bag also has 7 outer pockets.  The pockets hold small notebooks, a DS, pencils, little pets, and other odds and ends they want with them in the car.  I have been going through these bags about once a month to keep them updated and not too full.


The #3 thing is trash.  I love using the trash cans at gas stations and fast food restaurants.  We do "Trash Check!"  They collect it and pass it to me.  For my trash I generally have an empty cup up front from my morning coffee or tea that I call the "Trash Cup."  Lydda hates to hold on to her trash after finishing a snack.  I use my "trash cup" to hold used napkins, straw paper, etc.  I then take the cup out when we get home.


The last thing I wanted to share is the big bag.  I have a large tote hanging on the back of my seat (on my headrest).  I use that bag to hold my errand items.  This usually means packages that I need to ship, items I need to give to Lydda's caregiver, or deliveries I need to drop off.  That way, they are not rolling or sliding around the car.  I then have it all in one place and feel organized.


Not many people love having a stroller in the trunk.  I don't, but it is needed.  I found a small bungee cord that I use to stand up my stroller and fold up chairs so they are not taking up all the space on the bottom of my trunk and just annoying.  Here are some pictures.

 I have my stroller and two chairs standing up and staying up with a bungee attached to the headrest and then the stroller strap.  I have a hanging bag to hold book-sacks, lunch thermals, and soccer cinch sacs.  I then have an over-sized tote on the bottom of my trunk to organize the things I like to keep with me.  It has three separate zipper pouches to hold soccer balls and blankets, extra outfits for each child, and one that holds outdoor toys to use at other people's houses.  I also keep my large thermals with me in this container.  I never want to be out and about without them.  I like to put my cold things from the store in 'em.  I also keep another large container just like the hanging one.  I flattened it and stuck it behind the hanging one.  I like to use it while shopping or for times that I need a big container.  You just never know!

Here is the back.  You can see each girls' hanging bag and mine on the back of my seat.  

I hope this was helpful or it may have been just boring. 

Maybe, my family members are looking at this and assuming I took pictures of someone else's van and I'm trying to pass it off as my own.  NOT TRUE!  I'm telling you folks, the organized Tricia has arrived and she doesn't want to go away any time soon.  I'm loving it!

Just My Luck

It can't be good luck to have 7 lights all go out at the same time.

Miss Music

Emogene is learning to play the clarinet, and she is doing really well.  

She is teaching me too.  I'm so proud of my musical baby.  She is working really hard.

Two-Wheeled Triumph!

 Hattie has been working on riding a bike without training wheels for at least a year.  She doesn't have a lot of patience and gave up very easily over and over again.  Well today was the day.  Here is how it unfolded.

SUCCESS!!!!!

She called many people to announce that she now can ride a two-wheel bike.

We did have a few mishaps.  She couldn't "unturn" and almost ran into our mailbox.  She did actually slam into the neighbor's mailbox.  Whew!  Thank goodness I remembered to add the helmet.  

Hattie is also getting me a bike for Christmas!  She was so excited to learn that I knew how to ride a two-wheel bike too!  

I'm proud of my girl. 

Argh!

 The girls went to a birthday party.  What were they looking at?

 THE CAKE!!!

It was beautiful and yummy!

They even left with some pirate booty.

Remember

This was across from our church fellowship on September 11th.  The trucks were from NY.  

I will remember!

My Bee-utiful Daughter!

Hattie was "The Un'bee'lievable Student of the Week!

Each of her classmates wrote something nice about her.  I only remember one of them.  I guess it is because is was my favorite, "Hattie has a beautiful mother, Mrs. S---.  She is an awesome teacher!"  

That child got all A's this week.

Here are the pictures that were put on the door.  She is such a ham!

The Dentist

 We were really thrown for a loop recently.  I took the girls to the dentist and my usual no cavity darlings were full of them.  Well, Emogene only had one, but Hattie had 6 just on her top teeth.  The doctor was in shock and I was totally embarrassed.  I know I told her to brush her teeth.  I would feel her toothbrush in the morning and at night.  I'm thinking toothpaste didn't touch the toothbrush. 
We missed a whole day of school and got half of Hattie's mouth done.  She is now a huge pusher of teeth brushing.  She preaches to her classmates about the evils of candy.  I hope it sticks with her.

They were playing some pre-cavity fixing games.

 She came out and said, "I think I have some gold teeth now.  They feel gold."  

I'm pretty sure I convinced her she was a pirate.

 Her top lip wasn't moving so much for her smile.

I think I know which side Emogene had numbed.

The dentist came out and had to brag on how awesome my girls were during the visit.  

They are pretty awesome. He then called later that night to check on them.  I love our dentist.  Hattie wasn't feeling good with a lot of nausea and a headache.  I am not looking forward to her next appointment to work on her bottom teeth.

The Goalie

 Who is that in the orange shirt?

 It is Hattie!  She was a happy little goalie.

 She might should have been looking at the ball instead of posing for the camera.

She had one goal go by her.  I think she ducked to keep it from hitting her and it sailed right on in.  Notice her sleeves.  The shirt was about 6 sizes too big, but she asked to be goalie.

Recess

Latest Favorite Lydda Pics

I went through my pictures and found some pictures of Lydda that I just love.  We were potty training and home alone, so panties were her only clothes.  She insisted on a bow.  This was about the only time she wears one for me.  Usually it goes like this.  I take the time to fix her hair and put in a bow.  We ride to school.  I go around to her side of the van to get her out, and find nothing in her hair.  I think her teacher thinks I never touch her hair.  We still need to take family photos.  I am such a bad mom for not having them done yet.  Hopefully when the weather cools a little, we can go to a friend's house for some pictures.