Conversations with Carleigh

Carleigh has kept us in stitches lately! You never know what she will say or do next (some things are not appropriate for the blog)!

This week she has:

*sneaked out of Cody's room through the door that connects to the laundry room and proceeded to turn the washer on without any clothes in it.

*ate gerbil food.

*rode her bike "super fast" as she puts it.

*turned on the dvd player, changed the tv setting to play a movie and hit play all by herself.

*helped me do the laundry.

*tries to boss everyone around.

*if she likes something you are doing, she will say "I love you __________."

What she has said this week:

"I am sooooo happy!"

"Oh, this is soooo comfy!"

"That is enough!"

"This is so tasty!"

"I want to ride bus 45!" (Okay, not sure where she got that one!)

Her big questions are "Why...." and "What are you/they doing?"

And she has been saying a few other things that are just HILARIOUS!

I am starting to see a lot of maturity in her and it's very exciting to see. She is also starting to be a great helper. If we could just keep her out of mischief......

Back to School Shopping

Unfortunately, the summer is almost over and we are in the midst of Back to School shopping. I have done some of the shopping already since a few stores have had great sales. Both Carleigh and Cody have school supply lists this year and I am trying to get them separated!

And this year, I have to buy Cody a LUNCH BOX! Yes, my baby will be at school all day! I just cannot believe it! It seems like yesterday when we brough our premie home from the hospital. He is also going to a new school so it will definitely be a such a change for my little guy AND he will not be riding the bus with his sister. And if you haven't seen him lately, I think he has grown at least an inch this summer. Lots of changes here! *sigh*

Carleigh told me a few days ago "I miss school." I told her that in a few weeks she would be going back and going every day like Cody did last year. She is very excited.

And yes, I am getting ready for another school year. Last night was the first time I had been in my classroom working on Back to School things.

Challenger Awards Picnic

Cody's Challenger League had their Awards ceremony at Monkeyland Park (a private park) yesterday. Despite the heat, it was a great time! There was a D.J. (and of course Cody wanted to be with him all the time), carnival games with great prizes, playground, lunch, and hayrides. It was really shady in most areas so we stayed cool for awhile.

Cody was the first player of the league to receive his trophy since the Angels are the first team in the alphabet. He LOVES his trophy (mostly because the baseball spins)! I'm going to get a wooden shelf and place it on there with his team portrait. This is his first ever trophy and no doubt just the beginning of many trophies!

It was great meeting parents who face similar struggles and it's comforting to know that we are not alone! And Carleigh cannot wait until next year when SHE gets a trophy!

Hayride

The Monkeys own this campground and park and took families on hayrides around their park. They have a really nice pond and cute campsites. My kiddos really enjoyed the ride despite the 90's temps.

His favorite prizes

It took Cody about 15 sucker pulls to get his prized possession.....an inflatable piano! But boy did he cry with glee when I handed it to him! Carleigh also won him a pink saxophone as well.

Molly and Minnie

We have two furry additions to the family! A couple of months ago, one of the teachers at my school asked me if I would like gerbils for my classroom or for home. I started to think, well, since we cannot have a dog, this would be a good pet for the kids. I slowly forgot about it until this week when my co-worker sent me an email. She has about 30 gerbils! Whoa! We managed to get a cage from another teacher and I had to buy bedding, food, and water bottle which were fairly cheap. These gerbils were born in early July and they are just a fraction of the size they will grow to be.

Let me tell you that Carleigh has been excited! All day Wednesday and yesterday, we talked about her "sherbets" (that is how she pronounces gerbils). When I pulled into the driveway last night with the rodents, Matt told her that I pulled up. Well, the girl SCREAMED so loud that I heard her from inside my van! She was immediately at the van ready to help with whatever! LOL!

It was so cute watching them observe the gerbils. Of course the poor gerbils are scared due to loud noises, Cody clapping his hands and kicking his feet with excitement for them and of course trying to pick one up!

It was so cute when Molly would run on the wheel in her cage. The kids would laugh and Cody would say "Do it again mouse!"

Bedtime was difficult because neither child wanted to leave their dear friends. No doubt that these additions will cause many funny stories in the future!

Teacher & Parenting Blog

Lately, I felt the urge to create a blog for teachers and parents who homeschool. I enjoy helping the teachers in my school with Smartboard lessons and ideas, however, I wanted to share and learn with other educators/parents world-wide. So, tonight I finished my teacher website. Feel free to visit it and share with fellow friends/parents. And I will be looking for ideas and resources. If you would like to help, just let me know!

Here is the new blog:

http://educatingthechild.blogspot.com

Banjos and "Cops"

Yes, I know that it sounds like a strange title, but this blog post is dedicated to the Codeman. Today, we went up the street to visit my sister and Cody noticed my brother-in-law's banjo case. He immediately wanted to play it. So, Jerry got the other banjo with his pick and was playing for Cody. The boy was in HEAVEN! He loves mountain music and well, just about any musical instrument. Jerry showed him how to strum a few cords and Cody LOVED it! It was so cute and now I am thinking about banjos and other things for Christmas gifts.

Tonight, Matt was watching "Cops" and Cody started singing the song tune. I laughed so hard when I heard Cody sing "Bad Boys, watcha gonna do? watcha gonna do when they come for you?"

Love it!!!

Introducing.....

the new Carleigh! I took the plunge and got her hair cut in a bob! She and I LOVE it! Plus, it is easier to manage! She said her hair was like Mommy's and I guess she is right. It makes her look older and so cute.

Just a few more weeks...

I have about a month off now before I have to be back at school. It's amazing how the summer goes by so fast! I had such a difficult school year and entertained thoughts of doing something else. However, time and relaxation helped tremendously and I am looking forward to a new class of wonderful possibilities! I also miss my co-workers and friends. I just ordered my usual teacher order and am now thinking of creating a new, more current class webpage.

The kids and I are going to do some school shopping today since BOTH have supply lists this year! I figure if I space it out over a few weeks, it will not be as expensive or hard on the wallet!

I so did not enjoy seeing Walmart's Back to School aisles ready before I left for vacation last week!

Angels Team Portrait

Can you find my Cody?

(He is in the front row, second player!)

Tomorrow is his last game of the year and he will have a banquet/picnic at the end of the month with food, games, and fun! It was fun meeting other parents with children who face similar challenges as well as meeting wonderful helpers and coaches who have fallen in love with my son!

Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN in Pictures

We left early Saturday morning (before 6:30am) and headed to the Smoky Mountains. We had almost a smooth drive except for the traffic being at a standstill for 30 minutes. Apparently someone was running from the police, had a high-speed chase, and then had a shoot-out on north-bound I-75 just north of Lexington. Both north and sound bound lanes were closed. It was very weird to see people get out of their cars on the highway and talk to people they didn't know. Some guy came up to us and would give us updates.

Once that was passed, we arrived at our hotel around 1pm. We walked around and swam every evening.

On the final full day there, we went to Ripley's Aquarium (of course I left my camera in the hotel then but got a few good pics on my cell phone if I can figure out how to upload them here), rode rides and go to drive go-karts on an elevated, spiral track. The kids LOVED the go-karts and did not want to get out of them.

It was a wonderful relaxing vacation and the kids are already excited about visiting Lake Erie next month!

Cade's Cove

Every time I visit Cade's Cove, I am just amazed at how the Lord created this earth. It's so peaceful and relaxing to visit this valley between the mountains and see how early pioneers lived. In one of the pics, I caught a black bear walking. Of course in the shot, he looks like a black dot but it was exciting to see a Smokie in the wild! Of course the kids were excited to spot one!

Cherokee, NC

My concentration of my Bachelor's degree was on Native Americans. It is truly sad what the European colonists did to the first people who lived in our counry try. Every time I visit this reservation, a sadness for them comes upon me. Every stereotype is accentuated here and the Cherokee has to build casinos and other resources to keep their community alive. Just so sad! However, lessons can be learned by visiting and getting to know them.

Creekin'

On Sunday, we went to Cade's Cove, up to the top of the Smoky Mountains, and over to Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina. I think the kids' favorite part was creekin' in North Carolina. Boy that creek water was COLD! Both kids ended up soaked, but the most important thing is that they had fun! Even the adults dipped their feet into creek water.

Ride Time!