Amaya's Big Debut

For African American History Month, the girl's school put on a presentation with music and stoires about slavery. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes all had a part in presenting the information to the rest of the school and the community. Amaya was very excited because she had a special speaking role, and I was excited to be able to take a little bit of time off work to be there for her. Way to go Amaya! You did great!

(Just as a side comment...I didn't send her with a cute outfit and sneakers. She had PE that day, switched her shoes for it, and refused to put the dress shoes back on!!)

Standing up front proudly

The last rehearsal before everyone came in.

When fashion goes bad...really bad.

No, I do not let me children dress themselves. And no, I would definitely not allow my girls to go out wearing two different kinds of stripes and mismatched shoes. But, it was "Fashion Disaster" day at school...and here are the results.

I'd say they look pretty good, for trying to look pretty bad!!

I personally like her high ponytail and the one rainbow sock.

She thought the whole thing was hilarious.

So, ignore the mad look. She had just gotten in trouble and wouldn't smile. But, the fashion here is amazing. The striped tank over the floral shirt really adds the disasterous touch!

Showing some love

Yes, I know!! I am a horrible blogger! I am so busy that fitting in time to blog hasn't been feasible. But now that things are calming down, I vow (my right hand is up) to be better. I am now going into the archives and catching everyone up. So here we go...

Valentine's Day

Every year, I try to do a little something for the girls for Valentine's Day. I don't get to buy anything for a "honey", and they are my loves so I get to focus on them. As a tradition, they wear Valentine's shirt (cheapy Target or O.N.), a few candies, and I make them a special breakfast.

The gifts from mommy. Happy Valentine's Day Amaya and Caysen!!

Pink and Red breakfast. The pancakes are pink, but you can't tell in the picture.

So I cheated on Amaya's breakfast who got chocolate milk instead of strawberry milk. She doesn't like it.

The traditional V-Day pictures. Always a chore though because they are either way goofy or throwing a fit that they have to take pictures. Today they were goofy. But this pic is sweet because they weren't killing each other!

Here is the goofy!

Here is just crazy! Caysen looks psychotic!!

Let it snow...let it snow...let it snow

So let it be said... I LOVE SNOW!! It seemed like everyone else was getting the snow and we weren't! I was getting really jealous. Then we started to get it and before it even barely accumulated, we out playing in the snow.

Caysen making her "barely there" snow angel.

Amaya joining in.

Here is my driveway...not as much as south of us, but getting there.

Everett, Jared, and Kim came over to play. The snow stopped and it seemed as if it was going to melt away so the kids played outside for a while to get a little snow time in.

Pulling the sled in the driveway.

OK, so my wish came true. The snow started back up and didn't stop. We then got freezing rain for a while, which caused ice over all of the roads, then snow again. This is the top of my car in which you can see the layers of snow and ice. I think this picture is so cool!

My poor firepit... no fires gonna happen right now!

The yard toys covered in snow. These were on the side of the house under the eave so they didn't get as much snow and yet they are still covered.

When the snow began to melt, I was so sad. I felt like it meant getting back to real life and not living in a fantasy world anymore. I know some of you hated it but just think...it's only the beginning of January! We still have PLENTY of time to get more!!!

American Idols in the making

The girl's daycare had a small Christmas program on Friday afternoon. Caysen was so excited to be a part of it and has been practicing the songs for days. Different story for Amaya! She really didn't want to do it at all. She wasn't a fan of the songs and felt she was too old for the whole thing! (She is one of the oldest at the daycare.) She was a trooper and got through it. They, of course, did very well. Check out the pronunciation on Caysen.

I think she REALLY wanted everyone to understand the words, I guess.

Schools out...

I finished my last paper and had my final yesterday. I am ecstatic that this term is OVER!! Only 2 more terms to go! I now have 3 weeks off with no school, no homework, no teachers. Let the Christmas festivities begin...as well as the housecleaning (cuz it's a mess!!).

What lies ahead..

I feel like there is never a light at the end of the tunnel for me. Not only does it seem like my schooling keeps going and going, but everything keeps happening to me making it tougher. Illnesses with me, illnesses with the girls, financial woes, more responsibilities at work...I feel so much PRESSURE! All of the pressures make me not want to even do my schoolwork and I am falling behind...And I NEVER get behind in schoolwork!! I wanted to quit a couple of weeks ago but something happened yesterday that allowed me to finally see that light. It is very faint but the light is there.
Yesterday, I picked up my application for graduation. Can you believe it? I have to turn in my GRADUATION application!! I still have the rest of this term and two more after, but I am already getting ready for graduation! Let me tell you...after 6 years to get 2 degrees, I cannot wait to be done with classes and homework. This is so exciting and I cannot wait to take that walk across the stage. So, save the date...June 13, 2009...Misty's GRADUATION and big ol' celebration after!!