What is important when you are in first grade

The first day of school Madeleine had to fill out a worksheet that said, "This morning I was worried about ..." and Madeleine told me that she was worried about being hungry before lunch. In kindergarten they ate breakfast at 10:30, but in first grade they don't eat lunch until 11 am! In both kindergarten and first grade they get a snack at 1:30 pm. I included a picture of Madeleine's paper below, apparently it is very normal for a first grader (or at least my first grader) to not include the vowels. They are apparently harder to hear when you are sounding out a word. On the right of the page Madeleine drew pictures of her food from lunch, the circle is her ham (no bread, not a sandwich, the girl will only eat pieces of ham), cheetos, and pudding.


Yesterday she had to write something that her teacher did not know about her. She wrote that she can not do the monkey bars. Really? That is what you want the teacher to know about you? Apparently first grade is all about food and monkey bars...

First grade

A few years ago a wise person shared with me that the days are slow, but the years go by so fast. They do indeed! Madeleine began first grade today.

Haircuts

Garage sales

I have always been a fan of garage sales. When I was little, ten year old or so, I bought a replica of the Philadelphia Love statue. I loved that Love paperweight.

(this photo was taken last October on my 35th birthday trip to Philadelphia)

Last year I took the kids to a garage sale in our neighborhood and told the kids before we left the car that they could each purchase one thing. The woman having the garage sale was cleaning out her "birthday closet", so everything was still in its original packing with the price tag on it. She was selling everything for half price, but I still spent $25! The kids kept reminding me that I had promised them they could each purchase one thing. Most expensive garage sale ever!

Yesterday after going to Madeleine's school supply sale where we purchased her school supplies for (gulp) first grade we went to the garage sale at Lake Highlands High School hosted by the Highlandettes (after being on the drill team myself for 4 years, there is a soft spot in my heart for drill teams everywhere). I told the kids they could each purchase one thing (I never learn), and Everett picked this skateboard over lightsabers. The $1 skateboard broke after it had been home for 5 minutes, but Everett wanted to sleep with it last night. He can actually ride it pretty well, on the carpet at least. My $1 purchase was the helmet, even though it was too big, Everett is so cute in it! Madeleine's $1 purchase was a snowman bag with body lotion inside. In the car on the way home, Madeleine smelled the lotion and she did not like the way it smelled. She said, maybe it smells better in the winter since it is a snowman? I love that kid!

how small is your bottom?

Could you sit in this? It is a 3 quart OXO mixing bowl...




Everett can!

Ode to Restaurant Week

I love to eat, a huge reason why I am a lifetime member of Weight Watchers! Restaurant Week is a wonderful occasion because I get to be a Dallas foodie and support the North Texas food bank! Our standard restaurant week practice for the last 3 years is I get to go out with my friends, Lee gets to go out with his friends, and then Lee and I go out together. Tonight was my night with my friend from 4th grade Victoria. We went to Bailey's Prime Plus, which is next to the new Whole Foods across from Northpark Mall. Our meal began with the Central Market 4th course which was calamari which is a big favorite of mine. I enjoyed the Bailey's house Malbec which was delicious too. I got the "That Salad" as my 1st course, steak for my 2nd, and peach cobbler for my 3rd course. Needless to say, I am full up to my gills, but everything was so delicious! Saturday night Lee goes to Ocean Prime with the guys.

Can we have chicken pasta?

It is not often that both children request the same dish for dinner, but they have lately! I am not a very creative cook, but I thought I would share the meal that both children currently like and will eat and it is super fast and easy. The original name (not sure where I found it) is creamy chicken and noodles.

1 (0.6-oz.) envelope Italian dressing mix

1 (8-oz.) package wide egg noodles

2 tablespoons butter, softened

3 cups chopped cooked chicken (I boil a chicken breast and then cube it)

1 cup whipping cream

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1. Remove 1 Tbsp. Italian dressing mix from envelope, and set aside. Reserve remaining mix for another use.

2. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain well and return noodles to pan.

3. Stir in 2 Tbsp. butter, and toss to coat. Stir in chopped chicken, next 3 ingredients, and 1 Tbsp. dressing mix. Cook mixture over medium-high heat, tossing to coat evenly, 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve immediately.

And after both times for prayer (we hold hands and pray and then Everett encourages us to make prayer hands and we say Amen), we share the best part of our day. It is so fun to hear what Madeleine says! Happy eating!

Training for the Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day for the Cure!

This coming November 5-7 I will be walking 20 miles each day for 3 days. I will be participating in the Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day for the Cure and walking 60 total miles. In order to accomplish that goal I have been incredibly blessed with wonderful friends and family who have donated $3,075 so that I could participate in the Komen walk. When I registered I committed to raise $2,300, but because of the generosity of my friends and family I surpassed my goal!

I first learned about the 3-Day from a co-worker when I served as an Associate Pastor at Lovers Lane UMC. Then, when I moved to Oak Lawn UMC one of the church members walked the 3-Day and completely inspired me. When Terri Meador, my brother-in-law's significant other, passed away from breast cancer this spring I was sure that raising money to fight breast cancer was the right thing to be doing. I talked to my mom and I am so excited that she will be walking with me!

The Komen people help so much to prepare you for the 3-Day. Every week I receive an email telling me how many miles I should be walking each day to get ready. So, I have been waking up at 6:30 am to walk 3 miles and a few times I have woken up at 5:30 am to walk 6 miles (I walk a 20 minute mile so 3 miles in an hour). Last week I woke up at 5 am to walk 9 miles (I walked from 5 - 8 am) but it was super scary dark and I don't think that I will try that again!

Mom came to Dallas a few weeks ago and we walked together and Mom took this picture of me training! If you want to see my 3-Day website, here it is.