The Closing of Another School Year

We are in our last week of the 2015-2016 School Year.  Here are some of the many highlights that happened in our family this past semester.

Anna  thought I needed my hair braided

 Anna and I out on a shopping trip for Easter

 Easter Baskets

 Anna making resurrection rolls Easter Morning.........a tradition.

 One Act Play Bi-District Rehearsal

 Anna's 10th Birthday at Olive Garden In Abilene

 Anna and her friend riding rides at Bluebonnet Days in Kenedy

 STAAR Test time again.........

We have had great things happen this year and this year has brought some challenges for all of us but we have been able to overcome them.  That is important what is important!

Star Wars and American Girl

Back in November I promised Andrew a date and told him he could choose where and what we did.  He chose to go see the Star Wars movie again.  I was perfectly happy with that because I have been a Star Wars fan since the first time my Dad took my brother and me to see the original in the movie theater.  My cousins in California were also die hard fans and we always played Star Wars when we went to visit. 

So this past Monday, I took Andrew to the 10:30 AM showing at the River Center Mall.  Those seats are SO comfortable.  They are just like a recliner, I could have taken a nap but I was too interested in the movie to sleep.  After the movie, we went down stairs to Chili's and had lunch and Andrew wanted to shop around for video games, Star Wars gear etc. I always enjoy one on one time with my kids and loved every minute of our Mom and Son date.

Tuesday and Wednesday were spent cleaning, storing and getting rid of things around the house.  Anna asked me Tuesday if I would take her to the American Girl Doll store in Houston and eat lunch in the Bistro and spend her Christmas money.  Houston is about three hours away and I was not too thrilled at first about making that drive.  However, I tried to make reservations on Wednesday in order not to be on the road on New Years Eve but they were completely booked. So I booked our lunch for Thursday and we left our house at 7:30AM  to be at the store by 10:30AM.  The smile and excitement on her face was absolutely priceless.  It was worth the lack of sleep and the energy it took to drive on one of the craziest days of the year just to see her face.  She loved every minute and of course I did too!  I have always loved dolls and I have a good time just looking at all the dolls and their accessories too.  Of course, eating lunch with Anna and her doll is a lot of fun too!  After she spent all of her money, we decided to go check out Katy Mills Mall since it was on the way home and it put us closer to home.  I planned for us to leave the mall at 3:00 which gave us enough time to get gas, a snack and a drink before heading home.  We got home about 5:40 before it got too dark. 

The last week of 2015 was a treat spent individually with each child and we made memories that I will never forget.  Now I need a date with Alan ;-)

 Getting ready to watch Star Wars

 Inside the American Girl Doll Store

 Lunch with Anna and Marie Grace

Anna and all she bought for her doll

Christmas 2015

This year, we started our Christmas vacation with the Varsity and Junior Varsity Basketball team meeting at our house for a Christmas party.  We had a lot of food, laughter and fun.  I read the Wright Family as each girl passed their present to either the left or right according to what I said in the story.  It is always funny to watch this happen.

Then the next morning, we got up early and headed to Weatherford to paint our house.  I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by this.  The entire house had to be painted and we only had three days to do it.  I am so thankful for friends that were able to devote some time to help us out.  With their help, we were done by Tuesday afternoon which really was our deadline. 

We did happen to catch a late Saturday afternoon showing of the new Star Wars movie.  This was one movie that ALL of us wanted to see.  Then I was able to sing on the Praise Team at church the next morning, which is always a blessing and an honor.  Andrew and Anna were able to catch up with their friends while we were there.  We stayed at my Aunt and Uncle's house and were able to catch up with them as well.

We got back to Karnes City about 10 PM Tuesday night.  The next day, I went grocery shopping and finished Christmas shopping while Alan, Andrew and Anna got the house ready for Alan's family. 

Alan's Mom, Dad and his Sister Shara arrived about 2:30 Christmas Eve. Andrew and Anna made their ginger bread house that was given to them by my Mom.  We then had our traditional Christmas Eve Soup which is a tradition on my Mother in-law's side of the family for over 100 years.  We played the same Right Left game that we played with the basketball girls which was a tradition started by my Dad's Mom several years ago.  We always read the Christmas Story which is something my Dad read every Christmas while I was growing up.  Then the presents were opened.  I love to watch Andrew and Anna open their gifts and see the joy and excitement in their eyes.  After the presents were opened and the area cleaned up, I popped popcorn with M&M's, made Hot Cocoa, and the kids got ready to watch our traditional, "The Polar Express."

Christmas Morning, Anna comes into our bedroom and taps me on the shoulder and says, "Christmas Gift!, Now get up you sleepy head."  She literally pulled on me until I got out of bed.  She was so ready to open her stocking and Alan told her, she had to wait for me and Andrew to wake up.  So she took it upon herself to take care of that.  Stockings were always my favorite part of Christmas because I loved the things my Mom put in them, so I try to do the same for my family.  After breakfast and stockings, I started lunch and setting the table.  We had Prime Rib, roasted vegetables, fruit salad and rolls. My Mother-in-law brought chocolate pie and ginger bead which was all gluten free.  I used my Grandmother Adams fruit bowl for the fruit salad and my Grandmother Johnson's red glasses for our Iced Tea.

Alan's parents were suppose to stay with us until Sunday but with a winter storm warning in Midland, they left Saturday.  We drove to San Antonio and ate at Alamo Café with Alan's family and they headed back, but we went to Outdoor World and then went to see the Mocking Jay Part II.

Christmas 2015 has been a nice break from our school lives for all of us.  Now it is time for Basketball for three members of the family (that would not be me), UIL One Act Play (now that is me), the dreaded STAAR test or what I like to call STAAR Wars, softball, and birthdays.  Here is to 2016!

Christmas in Kenedy

This year the Kenedy Elementary Choir got some exposure.  They were asked by the Kenedy Chamber of Commerce to sing at Christmas in Kenedy on December 5, 2015.  We were the build up to Santa coming to town and turning on all of the Christmas lights in the park. The Chamber of Commerce provided hot cocoa, cookie decorating, kettle corn and a train ride.  It was a really fun evening and all of the students seem to have fun.

Then the following Friday about 50 Fourth and Fifth Graders went to John Paul II nursing home and sang three songs in the dining room and then we caroled up and down the hallways to the residence who are confined to their rooms. Again our students were well behaved and enjoyed getting to give the gift of music to some of our community.

On December 17 was our final concert.  After weeks of rehearsing songs, how to stand, where their eyes should be, cutting off together etc., all students from Kindergarten to Fifth Grade were exceptional.  They came in orderly, kept their eyes on me, followed my cues and sang their hearts out.  I am so proud of all them.

What is next?  Students in third, fourth and fifth grade will try to solve the Mozart Murder Mystery.  This is one of my favorite lessons.  I even dress up as a mysterious character and I hand each student a note as they enter the room with no lights on and the Mozart requiem playing in the background.  It is quite a sight to see even those students who have a lot to say normally, completely quiet.

 Anna and one of her best friends.

 Anna with both of her besties

Anna and her Choir Director :-)

As I Went Down to the Ocean to Pray

November 2, Andrew and Anna decided they wanted to be baptized and wanted both their Grandad and their Dad to do it, but Anna had one condition.  She wanted to do it in the Ocean.  My parents came in for Thanksgiving and on Friday, November 27, 2015, we headed to our favorite spot, Mustang Island.  My Dad gave a brief sermon or charge to Andrew and Anna and took their confessions and then went into the COLD water. Afterwards we headed to Pier 99 for lunch and then headed back home. We gave Andrew and Anna each a new study bible.   It was quite a special day for our family.