Back in the Swing of School

Katelyn returned to Norfleet Elementary for 2nd grade this year. She has a permanent substitue for the first quarter until her "real" teacher Ms. Bray comes back from maternity leave. Her name is Mrs. Hoover. Kate & I both really like her so far.

So we are back into the swing of going to bed earlier, getting up earlier and learning, learning, learning! I'm glad she likes school. It makes it so much easier on me. I'm pretty sure that isn't going to be the case with Brett.

Frustrated...grrr

So very frustrated! Why is it people can't discipline their own children and make it stick? Why is it I live beside these very people and nothing ever gets better? Why is it they don't see that it is only going to get worse as their children get older? Why do they not see it is already happening? Why? Why? Why?!

A HUGE thank you to my mother who always made the punishment fit the crime and stuck to it. One of the best parenting lessons I have ever learned. As hard as it is on parents to stick it out, it is so very important. How else will they ever learn? Thank you, Mom. Thank you.

Working the yard

We've been busy around here. Getting all the flower beds ready, mulching, mowing.







Busy, busy, busy.





Aren't these the cutest little chairs? I just love them! I was admiring them at Lowe's one day. Came home last week and Steve had gotten them for me - what a great surprise!

These are our little toad friends that reappear every spring. They live in the window well. Good to see they survived the winter. Must have been the Gogurt someone left down there.



These wild violets have been popping up all over our yard. More than I've ever seen before. This one came up in my wildflower bed. Nice addition I think. Aren't they so pretty? Make me think of my Sigmas and smile.

Thanks Easter Bunny!

What I heard whispered this morning. "Kate, get up. The Easter Bunny was here. Kate, the Easter Bunny - he was here. He left us stuff." That one got her up. A quick scramble of covers & running feet down the stairs. They are so funny!



The bunny definitely left the loot!





Goodies galore.



I happened to open the fridge & "notice" the dyed eggs were missing. I reported the news to the hunters. Squeals & a sudden scurry to the back door.





"I see one! I see another!"



Happy Easter every bunny!!

Trampolining!

For Christmas, the kids got a trampoline from CoCo & Poppa. They have been dying to have it put up. Due to weather, snow, snow and more snow, we just got it put up a couple weeks ago. They LOVE it! Everyday after school everyone flocks to jump.







They are getting pretty good. Katelyn is even figuring out how to do a front flip - yikes!

Spring is in the air

Everywhere I look, I see signs that Spring has come.



Daffodils are blooming





Buds are poking through



Right there, do you see it?



The weather is perfect - sunshine, rain, a thunderstorm or two, breezy - perfect weather for getting outside and getting motivated. Spring has Sprung!

A letter to my children

Dear Kate & Brett -

I hope that as you grow up, Daddy and I do a good enough job of teaching how you should treat other people. All people - not just the ones that are like you, that agree with you, that don't challenge your ideas. Our country seems so full of anger and hatred right now. I'm not sure when it became okay to threaten people because you disagree with them. When it became okay for leaders and people who want to be leaders to suggest, recommend or condone violence toward our fellow citizens. I was not around during the civil rights movement. I didn't experience first hand how cruel people could be toward each other because of the color of their skin. I really thought maybe our world had moved past that. I watch you as you make new friends and see that you don't see a difference. I'm so glad for that. I hope that our world is not turning back and becoming that horrible place that it once was. I don't want to have to fear for my life or the safety of my family because I say something that others disagree with. I am scared of this world we are in right now. I've never understood using violence because of ignorance, especially when someone says they are "god-fearing Christians". I hate that someone would use Christ in that way. All the reasons Daddy rejects church.

Hopefully, we walk the walk as well as talk the talk of being tolerant and respectful of others and their opinions. I hope someone will step forward and be a true leader and stop all of this hatred. I hope and I pray.

Love, Mom