The Gators!!!

We spent our Saturday at a local bayou with the gators! We were really lucky to see that one at the top! I have been on that local pier many times before and have never spotted one. But today was the day. We were actually leaving when the others on the pier called us back because they could see it coming! Just like me to just miss it! So I really love that top picture.
The small gators are obviously in an aquarium. They are so prehistoric looking! The one I have happy gator on just looked like he was smiling- especailly if you could have seen how it happened. That guy stroked the back of his neck and he rared back and closed his eyes- it was probably just a nerve- but it looked like an "Ahhhhh" to me!
Sorry for the stamp across the pics- but they are generic gator pics and I did not want anyone swiping them from the net without permission. I don't do this often, but I know my pictures are downloaded to other computers sometimes. If you are interested in my emailing you a copy without the copyright, just shoot me an email and I will if you'll protect it from the general public.-- no charge!
I know some gator fans out there may want one! =)

"Dandylion" Kamp

Well, 'H' went to her first dance camp. This is quite an accomplishment, you may have read on the earlier post. But before I get fussed at for not letting anyone know about it (family)- let me clarify. She didn't sign up until Tuesday, and she only danced for like 2 minutes. And I just completely forgot! So, sorry if you think you would have really been there, or want to throw daggers at me- but it just all flew by so fast! So, these pictures are for you =)  Is that better? Please don't be mad! =)I love the top picture with a "real" Dandylion. She is adorable and really good with the little girls. The other little girl with them teaches with her mom, too- so I thought they might like it.

"Dandy" fun

She had such a great time! It was so hard to take pictures in the terrible light and with so many people around! But I did manage to snap a few. She is just a cheering! It was fun to watch! Those poor "dandylions" - They really worked this week! I know they were worn out!!

"Dandy" friends

Isn't this a sweet picture?? This is father and daughter 'L'- as if you couldn't tell. This is my best friends brother and like family. She was pictured in earlier blogs also. They look so much alike and are so sweet together.



Can you believe 'H' got out there and danced?? She has really come out of her shell!! For those of you that don't know- she is EXTREMELY shy and usually refuses to even speak, much less dance! When she attempted to take dance a few yesrs ago- itwas awful- kicking, screaming, and lots of crying! But she got out there and had a ball!! I was so proud of her! The girls in the pictures with her are her friends from school. They are such a sweet group- I am so thankful for them!

Our "Dandy"-neighbors

This is our little neighbor I posted earlier (the "monster"). Her Mom is one of the Dandylion sponsors. She had all she could stand at the game. She woke up as we were about to leave, so she went home with us and got her "second wind". She and 'H' had a big time together!

Proud Momma....

Well, I don't usually brag on my children like I have tonight- so forgive me if I have bored you to death-- you can always look at the pictures and make up your own stories about them and ignore mine- HA!!

These are some of the latest of 'M'. He is looking so "grownie" to me- as our dear friend Mrs. Pat Geis says all the time! =)

The gifted teacher came to my door the other day to talk to me about 'M'. She started by showing me the gifted test he had just had to take. He was being screened that AM. I looked carefully at the problems- and WHOA!!!--- I honestly did not know past the 1st 7 or 8! It is a test that gets progressively more difficult all the way up to I think, 39. It looked literally Greek to me. It's some kind of IQ pre-cursor that tests all sorts of problem -solving skills. She said she wanted to show me the test 1st. I assumed it was because he did not pass the screening- which I would have been ok with- really, ... I would. =) So I said "yea, those are really hard" she agreed, but then said "but not for 'M'"! He had a 99 on the test! He had missed just ONE- and it was the last one! WOW!!! I knew my children would be smarter than me- but I was hoping they would be a little older first! =)

She said I should be VERY proud (which I am). And said that it is very possible that he may get accepted into the program on IQ alone and not have to finish the gifted screening! Isn't that awesome! Isn't IQ genetic? Shouldn't I theoretically have SOME of that in me too?? HA!!

So, we are still waiting to see what happens next- but I guess all those times when I wanted to throw out the computer because he came close to crashing it, or got to places I couldn't get to if I tried- by the time he was 4-- finally paid off! I am very proud of him!
He catches some flack from a certain uncle for not being too athletic, that's ok-- one day he will own a very lucrative business- and then MAYBE he will hire you- but you must get that college degree!! =)

Well, My Mom will be proud of tonights blogs- although they are "wordy" as she calls them. She likes to see my work- but she sure likes seeing her grandbabies a lot more! So, tonights blogs are just for you!!! So, get on that email and send them out! HA HA! Love you!!!

My Big Reader

Can you believe my baby- 'H' is reading chapter books????? I am so proud!! She just started 1st grade and is reading like a pro! Of course, she has had some fabulous reading teachers- past and present! They all told me that she would be a strong reader, but I honestly did not see it like I did with 'M', so I was getting a little worried. But man, she really got on it this summer! For those of you who don't know- I am a first grade teacher- so this is my LIFE!! I had even brought home tutoring type things for her- but she showed me real quick she did not need them.

So this picture is of her reading her 1st ever Junie B. Jones book! We are huge fans of Junie B.- and for all of you who have never heard of her- I insist that you go buy one- tomorrow - and read it! Even you grown ups- she is HILARIOUS! The books on CD are even better! What a stress reliever! H and M are always reading the funny parts out loud to me, and we all laugh together.----- We're a nerdy family, huh??

The other pictures are from the same day. I had just gotten another new lens- that I loooove and was playing around with it. The handsome little boy at the bottom is no stranger to this website. He is like my other son. This year he is in my 1st grade class and has proven to be quite a little brainiac! Looks and smarts?? Takes after his Momma! =)

Happy Birthday 'M'

This top picture is my sister-in-law. truly more like a sister. And I am not just saying that because she reads this blog! =)
She and my brother have been married more than 1/2 of my life- how does that make ya'll feel?? HA!! She has been tried and tested by our crazy bunch- but she has been a trooper and claims us as much as we claim her. I tell everyone this, so I'm going to share it with you, too--- but she and my Mom work together EVERY SINGLE DAY! On Saturday they often go shopping or somewhere together, and on Sunday they go to church together, and my Mom has us all over for lunch-- and she's there too!!! Can you believe??

I always say my Mom is the nicest person I've been around- anyone who is a close friend of mine knows I say this all the time-- and I also say 'M' is just like my Mom!! So, you know what that means! They just "nice" each other to death- HA!!

I love them both wholeheartedly and looove that my Mom found someone who can understand how it could happen that you not get your license until your 25, or have a very difficult time not running away from strangers, or even get lost in a parking lot!! They are 2 peas in a pod!!

Happy Birthday. 'M' -- I really do love you!

The picture under hers is her daughter- and under that is my 'H' in the middle with her friend and cousin on each side. Aren't they all 4 adorable?

The friend in the above picture-- on the left- remember her? I took their family pics about 2 months ago- her Mom is having a BOY! I am so excited! They just found out today. If you remember- they have 2 girls already. =)

MMM...WAA...HA.HA.HA

Isn't she a SCARY monster???
I tried my best to spell that monster sound phoentically- it took all of my 1st grade teacher skills- hope you "got it". =)

This is our new little neighbor, 'A'. She comes over a lot and keeps us very entertained! She is a doll!! Honestly, she looks more like I envisioned my little girl to look like than my own, with all of those crazy curls!!

She stayed busy for at least 30 minutes "scaring" Mr. B- her favorite big guy! She has him wrapped around her finger, too!

We are so blessed to have such fabulous neighbors!! They also have a boy, but I but he wasn't here that night. He's a cutie- patootie! They are already like family. We are all so much alike it is kinda scary, huh 'A'?? =)

"The Bad Kids Club"

Here is the club house we have all been waiting for. They dubbed it "The Bad Kids Club". How funny is that??
When we bought our house 9 years ago this was one of the 1st things their Daddy had said to me!! I had JUST found out I was pregnant with 'M'. He was planning on this exact spot to be the perfect place for a club house. I remember saying- "Way over there?" it just seemed soooo far away at the time!! But now it seems perfect- I guess!
They have been so excited! Our new little neighbor is part of the club, too. He wasn't outside for these pictures- so I'll have to do membership pictures another day. =)
Even our little dog Jack was excited. We know it is a very rough-shod club-house- but they did it in a day- and are VERY proud! They are supposed to add walls and other safety measures later- so, Mom- no need to email me about how unsafe it looks! HeeHee!
And by the way--- they really aren't that bad! - HA!!!