the older I get , the harder it is

Back from Spring Break. We have been back since Monday morning, and I finally unpacked today. Wow. How did it happen that we had something to do every single night this week? Every. Single. Night. And tonight we have to attend the prom. Big fun.
I have been trying to think of the best parts of our trip, and I still keep going back to our visit to Dachau . Ever since reading "The Hiding Place" as a young girl, I have always wanted to visit a concentration camp, to see it for myself. I think what amazed me the most was the size of the camp - it was so small, and yet, so many people were hurt there. I guess I was expecting it to be a huge place , even though I knew that people were crammed in there. I was also stunned to see that , right behind the wall, there is a subdivision . Who would EVER want to live that close to a place like that? Not the same as living by a cemetery , not even the same as living close to a prison. Okay, enough about that.
Ladybug's birthday party is coming up - we have finally narrowed down the theme. It is officially a Princess Party. [if she had her way, it would be a 'HellokittyUmiZoomieBarbieDisneyPrincess Party' and I just could not do that]
Easter is around the corner, and only eight more weeks of school - I am ready for a summer of fun !

happy balentime's day

so - it was as crazy as you would expect at the high school today - with students toting all the gifts they were given and with all the kiss-a-grams being sent out, we were doing good to get any work done.
The Monkey and the Ladybug almost behaved at dinner - but that's a story for another day. Right now, I am just going to focus on the good times, the hot tea in my pink tea pot, and some felt that I am sewing into little owl barrettes for my sweetest Adrienne Merritt.
Happy Day, happy night.

What a weekend ! Happy New Year , Y'all !

I finished the rainbow purse. It was the hardest one , so far. Glad it's done, I can tell you
The Monkey stood still long enough to pose with Ladybug one time.
hard at work, I can tell you.

Sorry , but I still think mine is the most beautiful of all ! They are all so lovely !

After the CNY party , the man took both children to the farm for the rest of the weekend. I had all these grand plans to clean and purge, and I ended up finishing one purse and cleaning one room. Had to pace myself, I guess.
Now it is Sunday evening, and we are looking forward to another week of school. The monkey will have a 60 % day Wednesday, and those are always fun - for the students. Not so much for us teachers. At any rate, we are one week closer to Spring Break, and that is okay by me.
Hope you have a great Chinese New Year , and a wonderful week !

and I said to myself - "what a wonderful world"

Sweet little family - something tells me they will not always be this quiet and still.

I doubt there have ever been any Grandmothers more proud !


Ladybug and Monkey and the Super, Fantastic, Great Aunt




She is here ! She is just as beautiful and precious and healthy as we all were praying for - and I don't think we could love her any more !
Ladybug and Monkey are so happy to have another child in the family - Ladybug , especially - this just proves to her that she is not a 'baby' any more.
It was so sweet to see so many of Tookie's friends come in the hospital today - one of her guy friends was smiling so much, I had to hand baby A over to him - he was so gentle with her, too.
Such a great thing to see.

Gloria , Emmanuel !

I really do love that song! I also love this time of year - we keep the tree and decorations up until Epiphany, so we can stretch out the season as long as possible. Then, it will be time to decorate for Chinese New Year ! Another fun time for our little family !
The monkey is loving his new games up in his room, and the ladybug is finding new joy in last year's toys, since I put them upstairs in the den . She never, ever got in that princess tent until yesterday - I promise. Of course, she informed me that she really needs to wear tu-tus when in there, but that will have to wait until I find where she stashed them.
Resolutions will be made this evening - the man says his is to be frugal, and he also said that I say that every year - I do think I am getting better at that, by the way.
I am working on my resolutions, and trying to figure out one phrase to sum it all up - I want to strive to be a better mother, wife, teacher, daughter, aunt, church member, neighbor, sister, and servant - I think my resolution is to work at being more Christ-like.
And now, it is time to go to the park, so Ladybug can ride her new bike.
Happy New Year !!!

how I spent my vacation

If you could not tell by now, I really love felt. And, the Ladybug really loves the Disney Princesses. I think it made for a good combination.

12 days of school until Christmas holiday !

and this game was called "get on Gay" for some odd reason. I hope Gay has recovered.
The youngest children at the smallest table - how cute are they ?!
Not sure, but we think Gay likes her late birthday gift - and you can see the Ladybug's owl purse
Red Rover. One of the most dangerous games. Ever. And Ladybug could not figure out why no one broke through her arm.
Meme and all her grand-daughters. All beautiful.

Wow ! Only twelve days of school before another fantastic holiday ! I think we all had a fun Thanksgiving - my brother, all my sisters , and all the grand-children were together. That was the first time in a long time, I think.
The monkey and the ladybug had fun , and it will be hard to be away from them tomorrow. It does help to know that they will only have three weeks of school before another break. Actually, we have a 70% chance of snow tomorrow - so I would love to think we will have one more day away ! [I am only kidding myself, because it has rained for days - no snow would stick.]
Right now the ladybug and I are all about the felt projects. She is loving her felt owl purse, and she is constantly checking on the progress of her nesting-doll one. [yes, I am almost done.] We are also making finger puppets, coasters, and little softies, all for the food-pantry fundraiser dinner and shop this weekend. Lots to do, I can tell you. Lots !
Have a wonderful week - stay warm and dry, and remember all of those things you gave thanks for !