Saturday Morning Fun

This picture was taken prior to our regular Saturday morning breakfast trip. Someone around here loves hair bows!

Green Nail Polish

To get ready for the party, the girls and Little Danny wanted green finger nails.

Thanks Lealane.

More Party Pictures

Here are a few more pictures. The kids really had a great time. Being an only child must be very painful because Mallory gets so excited when her cousins come.

I'm signing off till Wednesday. I'm leaving today to go to Savannah. Its a work thing, I will be in training all day Monday and all day Tuesday. I will be home late Tuesday night.

Here is my hotel, ain't the state wonderful, what budget cuts???? http://savannah.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/

Eating healthy will be very hard. I always struggle when I am traveling but I am committed--once again to maintaining a healthy diet. I will work extra hard to get my vegetables in (the hardest for me).

Need Your Help

Okay, I have just taken a sleeping and drank a beer. I probably won't remember a lot about these details--something else you can help me.

Problem: I have too much body fat. (and I am gaining weight again.) Seriously, I exercise hard most days. I'm carrying about 22-25%. In my leaner days I was around 15-18%. I really think my intense workouts should automatically give me at least 20% body fat. I eat too much.

Solution: I must change my diet. Absolutely no soda, no white grains, no candy, no ice cream, serious cutback on the desserts, NO fast food.

I think will think some more and more stuff.

Happy Birthday Cadance Amelia Raulerson

Today we celebrated Cadee's birthday. She had a luau themed party. The kids swam, played Limbo and Kristy served pizza and ice cream cake! Everyone had a great time!

Beauty Queens

These beauty queens are having a slumber party. Notice the blue eye make up and various pieces of jewelry.
Later tonight: Grandma and Grandpa Brown
Tomorrow: Cadee's birthday party

Class Photos

Here are a couple of class photos. The first was taken at the kindergarten honor's day and the second was taken at Christmas. Mallory is in the first row in each.

p.s. if you have my camera, please return it. I will need it for this weekend.

Sunday Morning

This weekend we were fairly busy. I wasn't feeling
good so I laid around as much as possible.

On Saturday morning, Mallory and I swam for a few hours, I ran 3.5 miles and we went to Jacksonville. We attended a Jacksonville Suns game with Daniel's work friends. A suite was rented and free drinks, hot dogs, baked beans, cole slaw, and a fruit platter was provided.

We also sat across from the big mean and high Hart's Bridge (see post about Jacksonville Gate River Run).

Sunday was church for Mallory. She wore this new dress, which we purchased in Jacksonville. I loved it on her so I took her picture. She also wore a pearl bracelet.

As soon as I find my camera I will post a few pictures of me and Mallory swimming.

Happy (late) Memorial Day.

Last Weekend's Fun

Here is proof of the fun we had last weekend. We had company on Saturday and Sunday. It was a great family weekend!

Not seen: Kristy (on Saturday) Papa Don, Grandma Ann, Aunt Shelley, Uncle Greg, Uncle Gary, Nana, and Harlie (on Sunday).

In the the pictures, Mallory is swimming with her oldest cousin, Blake. The other picture is of Blake and another cousin, Braydden.

More School Pictures

On the last day of school, Mallory brought home a cd full of pictures. Here are some from her Easter field trip. The trip was at a nearby home.

The first picture: Mallory's first fish.

I'm Back---Again

We have been disconnected from the Internet for about 2 weeks. I'm assuming you noticed--if you read this blog. We disconnected our local cable service. Our new service: AT&T.

The delay: First we had to wait for the technician to come then we had to wait for the modem to arrive via UPS. Of course, the phone jack in the computer room did not properly work Therefore, we had to wait another 2 days for the technician to return.

We also have a new e-mail address. I will e-mail you soon so you can update your contact list. If you don't receive an e-mail in the next few days--post a comment to this blog.

Here are a few pictures from Mallory's "end of the school year" party. Check out the dark haired beauty in the second picture (in the background).

In the second picture, the kids are dancing to music that contained cuss words. I think I was the only one who had noticed. No one else showed any concern.

The Fight Is Finished

Well, its over-- for this year. I'm referring to my ongoing battle with Wacona Elementary. I guess it wasn't really a fight, I just had expectations. The problem: they are lazy, unprofessional, and ineffective. All detrimental to my daughter and other students receiving special education services--if you ask me. And yes, I have shared these feelings with the teachers, the administration, and finally the special education director. Can you guess how popular I am?

I'm going to count this year as a victory. Truthfully, Mallory has learned a lot. Her reading skills amaze me, her math has improved, and she has learned some science and social studies facts.

The true success: Mallory will continue to advance during the summer. She is scheduled to receive speech and occupational therapy for 7 weeks over the vacation. She will also get some tutoring sessions. I contribute this success to my position with Babies Can't Wait, my knowledge of special education services and the special education laws. Knowledge is powerful and all parents need to fully understand their options and their parental rights--at least in Ware County.

Saturday Fun

Yep, we went to the beach! We had a great time. I didn't think it was possible, but Mal seems to enjoy the beach more this year. She was constantly running back and forth. She didn't stop but she only lasted about 2.5 hours.

The highlight: She found 4 sand dollars. I found one and Daniel found a half of one.

Our gulf vacays have really spoiled us. St. Simon's water is so dark and dirty looking! At least Mallory doesn't mind.

Honor's Day at Wacona Elementary

Friday was Wacona Elementary's Honor's Day. It was really nice. I attended. Mallory received a kindergarten completion certificate and her class performed, "I Know an Old Lady"

Can you believe the batteries in my camera died? I had intended to video her walk across the stage and her performance. I was lucky to get these shots.

First pic: Mallory walking in with her class--each class made a grand entrance.

Second pic: On stage about to start their song.

And yes, Mallory has a lot of nice summer dresses. She didn't wear one because she begged to wear a t-shirt and shorts.

p.s. Mallory literally dragged herself across the stage.

Field Day

Today was field day at Wacona Elementary. Luckily, I was able to spend nearly two hours with Mallory and her friends.

Field day has changed a lot since I was in school. Basically, it was nothing but bouncy houses. There were 4 of them--2 with water, 1 sand pile, and a snow cone station that included free play on the playground. There were no three legged races, no sack races, nor was there hop scotch!

Back from my training. All I'm going to say: I survived!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! I hope everyone had a great day. Mine was awesome! I got exactly what I wanted. I slept in and when I awoke, breakfast was already cooked. I had blueberry pancakes, bacon (extra crispy--just as I like it), eggs and grits. Daniel even washed the dishes! They also picked some roses for me.

Here are a few pics of me and Mal. Daniel took them before we went to church.

I'm signing off till Wednesday evening. I 'm leaving early tomorrow morning to go to Columbus, GA. I will be attending a Babies Can't Wait (BCW) training. The state of GA is implementing new assessment/evaluation/screening regulations, which will be the purpose of this trip. I have this training and two more in June.

Fun Saturday

We had a mini pool party! Everyone came today and we had a blast. The Thigpens were the first to arrive--Becky, Little Danny, daddy, and Sam. The Raulersons, as usual, were about 35 minutes late.

The kids played hard. I think they played for nearly 3 hours. They swam, jumped on the trampoline, played on the swing set, and snacked.

Everyone should sleep well tonight.

Mallory's Field Trip

The field trip was a huge success! Mallory and her friends had a great time and no one drowned or got lost!

We were lucky that Daniel was able to go. He kept a sharp eye on Mallory, which was really good because he said she was "everywhere!"

They played in the water (Mallory said it was freezing!), played in the sand, and had a picnic lunch.

She was so tired. In fact, she slept the entire way home (which is about 1.5 hours--a long nap for her).

Tomorrow's hopes:
1) sleep late
2) skip Jerry J's
3) have swim companions (the Raulersons might be coming)
4) nap
5) watch my movie that I've had for over a month.

Wish me luck!

p.s. congrats to Becky! For details see her blog, "My Life."

Mother's Day Celebrations has already begun

Mallory visited me at work today. She brought a big white bag that said, "Happy Mother's Day." Inside was a flower that she planted at school. I really liked it. She picked the perfect place for it: In the center of my desk! She told me not to move it.

Tomorrow all kindergartners are going on a field trip. They are going to the beach! Mallory is so excited. She will be accompanied by a special guest--her daddy.

Dedicated Swimmer

Mallory had to go swimming so she got in this evening.

For those of you who are wondering, yes it was pouring. Yep, Mallory went swimming in the rain. In fact, she said, "it doesn't matter. I'm going to get wet anyway."

The real kicker: She didn't want to take a bath. She said, "I already took a bath--in the pool."

And yes, I made her shower and wash her hair!