Strange kids and Stranger weather!

Who would have thought that out of both our kids it would be the girl that doesn’t like to wear a shirt?! But, she’s a little strange in many ways. . . .

Just a little ketchup with her apples. Yum.

Last Sunday we went to Hickory Ridge to eat lunch and then us girls went up to the church for Brandye’s baby shower. It was nice, she got lots of nice things of course! And Darcy got held A LOT.

The kids singing and playing with Darcy

On Wednesday, I went to school and ate lunch with Stratton and then took him to the book fair. I really didn’t want to send $ with him to buy book by himself. He’d come home with $20 worth of pencil erasers or something ridiculous! I noticed this hanging in the hall way. . .

Do What??

When I asked, He said he was thankful for teepees. Really?!

Then he said he was actually thankful for the Indians that invented teepees and fed the pilgrims. Okay. That makes more sense, I guess.

We are encountering troubles at bedtime. Arden will not lay down in her crib and go to sleep. She was always rocked to sleep as a baby (SO bad! I know!!!) and now at 2 years old we have created a monster. A monster who no longer wants to be rocked, instead she wants to either: a.) lay in the floor on a blanket while I sit beside her and rub her back till she falls asleep or b.) get in our bed while I lay down with her till she falls asleep.

It was option B on this night! My sciatic nerve doesn’t like me sitting in the floor for long periods of time! She is a sweet snuggler, though!

Thursday I took the day off work and Lori, Erica and I headed out to Memphis to the jewelry show! We left at 8:45, but due to the ice (yes it was so cold the bridges froze!) accidents and ongoing construction we didn’t get there till noon! It was crazy!! Good thing we had lots to talk about! Ha! We had a great time shopping! I bought lots of Christmas presents! I got Arden and Darcy these cute winter outfits. Darcy needs to grow!!

Arden wanted to put her’s on immediately and then I had a horrible time getting her to take it off and put her jammies on! At least I know it fits!

Friday night we had supper at Fat City and then stopped at Andy’s. I let Arden have icecream in the car. Not a great idea. But hey she was happy and quiet on the way home! You do what you gotta do to keep the peace!!

Saturday Jarrod worked and so the kids and I just stayed in (it was really cold) and played and enjoyed a day of not having to be anywhere! The kids were wound up! They smooth wore me out! Stratton and Arden had an altercation very early in the day. What happened is Stratton built a duck blind out of pillows and blankets, well when Arden saw it what did she do??? Yep, knocked it down. Then Stratton tackled her, and of course she bit him. She bit him good. I mean she didn’t release his arm till I pulled him off of her (he was still on top). Man oh man. He screamed for 20 minutes!! And it looked awful! I got on to her, but not that bad. She was just defending herself! I mean he’s bigger and on top of her?! What else has she got to use against him?! It was like that pretty much all day. Also while I was trying to fix lunch I noticed that I Arden wasn’t around me (which is odd) and she was very quiet. RED FLAG!!! I went to look for her and found her in their bathroom sitting in the floor, eating Spiderman toothpaste. Good times.

Jarrod was going to go to the ASU game at 2pm, but he ended up working later than he thought he’d have to and didn’t get to go. I had already told him I wasn’t going to this one, it was supposed to be very, very cold! After my morning and afternoon with the kids I didn’t feel like going anywhere or doing anything!! I wanted to go to bed early, but ended up staying up to watch the Razorbacks actually win! Who would have thought?? They beat LSU 10-0 and ended their 17 game losing streak!

Sunday after church we went to Hickory Ridge to eat lunch with the family for Daddy’s birthday. We had a good afternoon visiting and then when most of the family left mom dug out the baby pictures (to compare and see if Darcy looks like Dillon- Nope.) and we had a good time looking through those. Then we loaded up and headed back home in time for church.

The weather wasn’t looking good, they were calling for 1-2 inches of SNOW! SNOW!!! In November!! Crazy!! But I was actually looking forward to a day off (maybe not with the hoodlums, but I will take what I can get!) but of course we didn’t get more than a dusting and it was business as usual today! I’m glad the kids didn’t have to use a snow day, too. That would have been bad especially considering how bad they are saying this winter is going to be! They probably need to save as many as they can! But it is cold! I think the temps this week will be record breaking lows!

Montessori Observation

This morning Jarrod and I got to go to our first observation at Arden’s school. I was unsure of how it would all go, but it was really neat!

Have you ever wanted to “be a fly on a wall” and see what your kid is like at school when you aren’t around? Well, we got the opportunity to do that! And it was awesome!

So her school is in an old house (it really reminds me a lot of the house I grew up in for most of my life) and the school part is in the lower level and the 2nd floor is an apartment they rent out. It’s called the Byrd House, and then there is another larger house next door where she will go when she gets older. . .it’s very neat. Anyway. . .in one of the main activity rooms there is a door (that they don’t use) going into an office which is also accessible by another door that is located at the front of the house where the back entrance (the entrance we use for pickup and dropping off). On that door they have window, which has been replaced with a 2 way window- so if you are in the office room you can see into the main room but those in the main room can’t see you! So you go in the front door and quietly walk into the office and stand at the door and look out the window and you can observe your child playing, and doing their lessons and they never know you are there! Yes, it’s just like spying on your kids! It was great! Her teacher, Mrs. Heller sat with her and played with her (probably to make sure she didn’t go into the other room where we couldn’t see her) and helped lead her through some of her lessons. All the kids were so good! There was no screaming, dramatic meltdowns, and it was pretty peaceful- all the kids were busy, but it was not chaotic. They are very busy, but focused. . .

Our view from the observation window

Working a lesson at the table. They are working on learning about families this month. The tree to the right is a family tree, but our pic wasn’t up yet. I had brought it earlier that day.

Getting another lesson off the shelf. You can see the archway on the left, it opens into another large room where there are more lessons (not toys) and activities. Like drawing, painting, and crafts.

Mrs. Heller said this one sorting colors is one she does very well.

Doing a lesson on  a carpet. When they get done they have to roll their carpets up and put them away along with their lesson. And do you like her striped dress and polka dot leggings? Yes, she has an opinion about her clothes already! She usually picks out (with as much guidance as she will let me give her!) her clothes and shoes.

We were so proud! Arden did her lessons very well. She would sit and work them then go and put them up and get another one . . . . she stays busy that’s for sure! We are just so pleased with the Montessori School so far. It’s only been 5 months, but it’s been a great move for her, and us! I love to pick her up and drop her off and not hear screaming, crying kids and loud noisy toys. . .it’s not a daycare at all!! Plus they are teaching her so much! And her teachers are so great. You can tell they all really love her! Which makes it easier to leave her there everyday!

After we left we grabbed some lunch, and then back to work! It made my day to be able to see her happy and most of all behaving!

Hello, November!

Saturday Jarrod had to work, so the kids and I spent the morning at home. We ran to get doughnuts and get gas and go through the carwash. Arden is terrified of the carwash! She had her blanket pulled over her head, but when I turned around to take her picture she pulled it down a little, you can see she is hanging on to that blanket for dear life!

When Jarrod got home we headed to Searcy. He had to work later than he had initially planned, so we got a late start but we got to Terry and Margie’s about 3pm, and Jennifer and Archer were there, so the kids got to play quite a while. We had supper and then Jarrod and I went to meet Kristen at Midnight Oil. We had a nice (short) visit before she had to go meet her family for the Homecoming musical. We thought about taking Stratton, since it was Shrek this year, but it didn’t start till 8pm and I figured two nights of him being out late would be asking for it come Sunday! We got to visit with Jennifer and Archer more on Sunday before coming back to Jonesboro in time for church. Sunday was just rough, with the time changing and having a busy week. I think the older I get the harder it is to get used to turning the clocks back! The kids, of course, aren’t used to it either and it has been a long week getting adjusted! I hope they sleep in on Saturday, we all need some extra zzzz’s!!

Monday night we had to make a Sam’s run. Things were getting real in our house. Completely out of trash bags and running low on paper towels and laundry detergent. As of lately, Arden is not the good shopper she used to be. She adamantly refuses to sit in the cart, and good grief she’s so heavy to carry!! We made a pretty quick trip, at least Jarrod was with us! Otherwise I wouldn’t have made it!

So, Arden Loves her new “Boops” [Boots]. She wants to wear them everywhere- with her “Sparky” [Sparkly] Jeans. She threw a fit this very night because I made her take them off to put PJ’s on before bed.  She screamed and cried, “My Sparky Jeans!! My Sparky Jeans!!” I guess I should have just let her wear them! But they just don’t look comfortable enough to sleep in to me! I think I need to go back to Old Navy and get her some more! She’s going to have these worn out before long!

Both the kids and I have had a little bit of a cold for the last couple of weeks. Thankfully, no one has been too sick. We are just going through an awful lot of kleenex and boogie wipes! I dread this winter already. Both kids have gotten their flu shots (Well, actually they got the mist, and both got them at school this year! Major score for me!) Jarrod and I really need to get ours soon, too. Since it’s finally turned off cold and looks like it’s going to stay that way I’m sure sickness is just around the corner! And it was cold and rainy most of the week this week. I’m not ready for those long, dark and dreary days of winter. Unless, I’m home where I can take a nap- and that happens, oh about never these days.

Thursday night Dillon and Brandye and Darcy came over for dinner. I made chicken and dressing. Trying to perfect the recipe (and most of all prep and process) before Thanksgiving! It was pretty good, needs a few tweaks but not bad for the first time in about 2 years! Darcy slept the whole time we ate, then she woke up to eat but didn’t stay awake too long! Jarrod tried to feed her but she kept falling asleep. Then, both the kids got to hold her for a few minutes before they left around 8pm. Arden really wants to help. . . .

This weekend we are staying busy. The ASU Redwolves have a home game, and it’s Ag Day. So both Armor and Greenway are sponsors and it should be fun. We opted out of tailgating this time, and I’m glad- I think it’s going to be on the cool side! The Gibson’s are getting together for Papa’s birthday (he’s 86) on Saturday night, but I’m not sure we will make it. Hopefully, my mom can come get the kids early Saturday so they can at least go. And Sunday afternoon is Brandye’s baby shower in Hickory Ridge, so that should be fun.

It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just 2 1/2 weeks away and Christmas is 6 weeks away?! I need to get moving!! I have actually bought a few things already, and I may be putting the Christmas tree up soon. . . gotta make the most of what short amount of time we have!!

Halloween 2014

Stratton’s Kindergarten class had a field trip to Pumpkin Hollow. I needed to work, so Gigi went with Stratton. I think they had a good time! She sent me a couple of pictures of Stratton having a blast!

The Slide

Milking Corabell, the Cow

Walking the Log balance beam

They got back to J’boro around 3pm, so they went to pick Arden up early for me! Mom had them bathed and fed when I got home! Then it was time to get their costumes on and head to Truck or Treat at the church!

Our “Engine Turtle” Leonardo and the Sad Lady Bug

We didn’t stay very long, it was really cold and the kids and I all had a little bit of a cold. Plus, it was jammed-packed with people! They advertise the event as a community outreach, and let me tell you- I think everyone in Valley View and beyond was there! Next year I’m thinking we will decorate our trunk and pass out candy instead!! When we left the church we went by to see Uncle Dillon, Aunt Brandye and Darcy. We visited with them (and I got to snuggle with Darcy) for awhile before heading home! Both kids were mad because we wouldn’t let them eat all their candy, and were cold, tired and super cranky!! I was ready for bedtime! Halloween is my least favorite holiday, to say the least! And it wouldn’t be so bad if kids could trick or treat for books, or stickers, or ANYTHING besides candy! The majority of the kids stash will go to work with Jarrod! Ha! Oh well, another year in the books. Now on to my favorite Holidays!! Thanksgiving and Christmas!!