Sunday, November 22, 2009

Potty Trained!

Title and picture says it all!

"I mean...did you think it was going to be hard? I've been waiting for ya'll...who would request not to go when they want, have their bottom wiped, and a fresh diaper put on?!?!"

We are so proud of Jack. He started potty training on last,last Saturday and day one had 3 accidents, day 2 had 2 accidents, and a few on the first day back to school but since then the most accidents we have had are while he is going if the aim goes wrong onto his shorts/underwear. We are still in Pull Ups at nap and night but they are dry when he wakes up most of the time. Maybe next weekend we'll brave the transition into full day/night big boy underwear. So proud!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Boys vs. Girls

At the beginning of the year Angela emailed a group of us about a one day photography workshop that her online teacher was putting on in Prairieville, LA. My first thought was yes, then no, then you know how it goes....with the nonstop of the beginning of the year, the trip to the Auburn game, tons of before/during/after school requirements that are more intense than last year (didn't think that was possible), Halloween, and my trip to Ron Clark...I said, "Sure, why not!"
She picked me up at McGowen after school on Friday and we set out on our drive to Baton Rouge. Both coughing in sync and exhausted from the weeks previous-but made it in pretty good time (minus my frequent needs to go potty-sorry-normally I'm not like that...I blame traveling to and from with Jack for altering my past conditioning to elimiate stops).

Jack and Nick headed to the Allen vs. Wylie football game since the weather was perfect, Jack is still talking about "the lady not having a Tiger Ticket for him", and he LOVES marching bands. a 600 member band with a 35 minute half time show...he is still talking about it.
And as you can see it was truly a powerful experience for him.

These pictures were "borrowed" from Angela's blog: www.angelajoyvaughan.blogspot.com since I was not experienced at taking pictures without "Dummy Mode" aka using a flash. Plus I was non stop paying attention in our inhuman conditions, exhausted from life, and sick from the funk. But after a trip to Wal Mart during lunch to purchase a tailgate chair, massage roll pillow, clipboard, more meds, and caffeine we finished it out and I can't wait to have the time now finally (hopefully) to put some of my knew knowledge to use since it was mainly just absorb, absorb, absorb.
Here is the instructor. She really is amazing. Check out her pictures and blog about her trip to Louisiana on her website: http://karenrussell.typepad.com/
She did an amazing job considering her travels, the conditions that we were provided to teach/learn in (that is a whole other story but not worth even addressing with the scrapbook store because well.....nothing to gain), teaching during the LSU/Bama game dealing with updates, some jerk that was constantly challenging her for no reason, and having to do the same 9 hour class the next day in New Roads. Wow!
My survival pack.
Towards the start of the 9 hour class.
Towards the end....I was spent. :)

The next morning I woke up even worse, ended up at Lake After Hours with a severe sinus infection and bronchitis. Loaded up with more meds (a steroids shot, steroids pack, and antibiotics) we headed home with an ice pack and barf bag to return and prep for my next adventure, The Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta!

Thanks Angela for the adventure....now I just hope Santa gets me those few things I need to make all that learning and my soon to be practice pay off. :) Be looking for better blog pictures....just don't expect them too soon. :)

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!
The McWilliams family offered to host small Halloween party at their house since Halloween was on a Saturday night. What they thought would be small-ended up big-but the hostess with the mostest did a great job and fun was had by all! Thanks Karen and know that this was the only picture I had of her alone and she did have a smile all evening despite her pumpkin size....this was just an awkward moment.
While the hot dogs were grilling the kids ran around the backyard in the mud and did some playing on the swings and in the pretend kitchen.

Pumpkin Karen/Harper & Dragonfly Olivia.

Princess Cali.
Headless Tiger Luke.
And Tiger's friend, Elephant Josh. There were a few more kids there but this was the main group of Trick or Treaters.
After dinner and decorating pumpkins with stickers it was time to load up and head out. Love our wagon train.
And our cooler. :)
As you can see it came in handy since most of us like Aaron only had 2 hands so double fist in one and assist trick or treater/pull wagon with the other.
"Trick or Treat"
Witch Stephanie getting a refill of witch's brew.
Handy Manny and Dad figured out walking was more time effective. Before long running was more time effective for Handy Manny on his own. :)
Before long they needed no assistance (even with saying Thank you!).
What fun!
Can't wait til next year when Harper joins the crew. I'm sure they'll teach her the ropes.

It was a great Halloween-the McWilliam's neighborhood is great for family fun! Thanks Karen, Aaron, Olivia, and "Harper". Everyone had a great time, the kids looks precious, Jack loaded up on candy, and I can't wait til next year to see what Jack is going to want to be and how much more excited he is the more he understands the concept. Karen's Dad took a ton of pictures so one day when I get them I'll upload a few (some of these are his as well)-I just had to get this post done....it's been bugging me that it's already almost Thanksgiving...but sometimes life doesn't allow and when it does I"m too wiped out to use the time doing anything of purpose. :) Hope everyone had a great Halloween!
A short video from my phone at the start of the night.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Table or Treat

The weather was yucky the week of Halloween/Red Ribbon Week....aka Hell Week so our Trunk or Treat turned into Table or Treat. Jack had his traditional dinner in my classroom (Taco Bueno to change things up a bit from Chick Fil A) then transformed into Handy Manny to do some Table or Treating in the gym aka Swine Pin.

Handy Manny and Bumblebee Willow
The first grade team's "Web" aka table

What clean, family fun....but made for a long night, Friday with a Pep Rally, and big Halloween plans....Thanksgiving can't get here soon enough!