Aunt Paige's Birthday

In honor of Aunt Paige's birthday, Lexi drew the picture above.  It may seem like an odd picture, but Paige is now part of Steam Powered Giraffe.  She is called a Walter Girl.  She takes care of the robots, handles merchandising, and answers fan mail. 

First Week of Second Grade

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday (School Spirit Day)

First Day of 2nd Grade

School started today. Lexi is in second grade.  She was quite excited.  I had planned to walk them to school, but it started raining when we went outside to take pictures.  We piled in the car and parked across the street near the kindergarten entrance.  We went to Jordan's class first and then Lexi's.  

Best friend from last year

Class

Aunt Angie

This week, we were saddened to find out that Steve's Great Aunt Angie passed away.  I really loved her.  She had such a calming sweet spirit.  Even little e-mail messages from her were full of hope and happiness.  Over the last year, we were exchanging e-mails about family history.  It was clear to me that she had a deep love for her family members and ancestors.

To see her obituary click:  Angela Rose Wilcox

Spoiled by Visiting Teachers

In the LDS church, each woman has two women that are assigned to look in on her and help whenever needed.  They are called visiting teachers.  Most of the time, that simply involves becoming friends, chatting, bringing meals when their ill, and being nice.  I happen to have extremely amazing visiting teachers.  I believe that special women were given to me because I am a single mom.  They really go above and beyond the call of duty in many ways.  Today, they stopped by for a visit.  One brought me chocolate and the other brought presents for the kids to help them get excited about school.  Lexi and Jordan got notebooks and fun pens.

Lexi decided to draw an owl picture to thank the one that brought the presents.  We know how much she loves owls.  

Palace Beautiful

This summer, I took the kids to the library and had them read LOTS of books.  It isn't an easy finding lots of books for Lexi.  I struggle with this because I want her to read books that are on her reading level, but not above her emotional level or too mature for her.  Quite a few of the girly books for 5th graders start introducing puberty topics.  I am always trying to find fun books that aren't about all that.

This book is called Palace Beautiful.  It was written by one of my friends that I knew back in high school here in Katy.  Her name is Sarah DeFord Williams.  Lexi happened to notice the book on my shelf and asked if she could read it.  I realized it was the perfect book.  She read it in a few hours and completely loved it.

Today, I had her pose for the picture above.  I thought it would be fun to post it on Sarah's Facebook page.  I know she has lots of fans and that this book is popular, but one more doesn't hurt.

Back to School Night

We went to Back to School Night this evening.  We got there fairly early because parking is always a nightmare and because the school supplies are distributed from the gym.  Running all over town to pick up school supplies can be such a pain.  Fortunately, the PTA has an online order system.  I ordered them back in the Spring.  We got a big box for Jordan and one for Lexi to take to their classes.  Most of the supplies are community property, so Lexi went around putting them into boxes for the teacher.  I wrote her name on the stuff she keeps.  

This year, Lexi has a fairly young teacher.  She is in her late 20s or early 30s and is quite cute.  She seems energetic an happy, which is always good.  She taught 4th grade last year.  

Windy Day

This afternoon, I opened the door and had the kids look at how windy it was outside.  Lexi ran out and climbed up on the fence.  Her hair was blowing all over the place, so I took a picture.

Chef Lexi

Around noon, I told the kids that I was going to take a quick shower and then I would make them lunch.  Apparently, Lexi decided that she couldn't wait.  She wanted pasta and she wanted it now.  When I came downstairs to get started, Lexi had a guilty look on her face.  I didn't say anything, but I walked into the kitchen and noticed something in our toaster oven.  As soon as I mentioned it, Jordan excitedly ran in to tell me all about what Lexi had done.

I was a little surprised.  Lexi has been taking a little more initiative in being independent.  Usually, that means getting snacks & fruit for her and Jordan.  She doesn't spend a lot of time with me in the kitchen.  Jordan is much more interested in food prep.  If she had, she would have noticed that I never heat anything in plastic not even in the microwave.  In fact, I rarely use the microwave so this idea of putting plastic into anything was not something she got from me.

Fortunately, it was easy to clean up & this was one of the disposable pieces.  I am always glad when my kids learn a lesson on something that didn't cost a lot or end up making a lot of extra work for me.  

Walking Toots

The weather has been fairly pleasant for August.  Some summers this month hits 100 almost every day.  We've had mostly low 90s.  This evening, we took Toots on a walk to the kids' school.  It is time for them to start thinking about what is coming up.  

Matching Jammies

The kids decided they wanted their own little slumber party this evening.  I said that would be fine.  The next thing I know, they are running around in matching jammies.  Jordan got both of these as a hand-me-down from a neighbor that had 2 sons.  Jordan has been wearing the size 6 ones all summer.  They found the size 8 ones in his dresser and wanted to match.  

The funny thing about it is that it took me a long time to convince Lexi to let me take a picture of her in these.  I have quite a few pictures of her hiding or running away giggling.  Girls like sports & the color blue, so I don't see that it should be a big deal.  

Like Montana Cousins

When we got home from church, we all headed to our rooms to change.  This is what the kids came out wearing.  They explained that they were dressed like their Montana cousins.  I guess one time I told Lexi & Jordan that the funny thing about northerners is that they like to wear shorts with long shirts.  I joked and said that they pretend it is summer even though it isn't very warm.

Pool Time