Graduate!

Last week Briley graduated preschool. We went to the celebration and listened to her sing songs and collected her accomplishments from the year. Much to our surprise, she had perfect attendance... who knew? Briley loved it; new friends, field trips, her teachers, show and share day, and having "somewhere" to go. Thank you Mrs. Greiner for a great year and Grandma Chuck for the taxi service!

Happy Campers!

We experienced our first family camping adventure in the "Old IH" last night. Things started off with Brett making a list of the supplies we needed to remember. After about an hour of packing the small space, I wondered just where in the world we would find any space to pillow our heads. We had fishing poles, a cooler, lawn chairs, sleeping bags, dutch-ovens, shoes, coats, and weenie-sticks... we were loaded and on the road. We camped at a friend new, beautiful farm, off the road and down below a pond dam between two big groups of trees. The spot was perfect. The kids loved the tire swing, fishing and playing together. We roasted weenies, toured the farm on the ranger, and enjoyed my first-time, dutch oven peach cobbler. Next time, I think I can leave the cook book in the camper. When we finally headed in to bed, all four of us were trying to find our pj's with one flashlight... interesting. Even more interesting was trying to get them on in the tiny area, with one flashlight. We get settled and the girls had to pee. So out we go into the dark to pee, better now then in an hour or so. We get back to bed, Briley and I are in the table bed, while Brett and Blake are on the couch bed, and Briley's tells me she has dog poop on her hand and foot. Brett found the wipes and we got her cleaned up. Just for the record, dog poop is not something you want in a 10x6 camper, in your bed, in the dark! We had a great time and we are thankful to be home to watch it rain from inside the house not our camper!

FINISHED!!!

It is 10:47 on Thursday, May 21 and I am officially finished with school for another year. Summer vacation has arrived. Books are put in lockers, my desk is cleaned off, all supplies are stored away, and the lights are about to be shut off! I am blogging because Lori (my traveling partner and sister) is in a summer school meeting, boy am I glad I'm not teaching summer school! I need summer for blogging... I know I've been a slacker lately, sorry.

anxious

After today, the count down is on... 5 days of school left in the 2008-09 school year. (actually I have been courting down for weeks) That means I have have 5 day to get everything done at school. My to do list is quite large. You all know I am one of the world's best procrastinator.... but this year I am going to do 2 things from my list each day. I just have a little trouble focusing on the next five days, you see my mind wants to jump to summer vacation... family rodeos, camping, boating, camping in our old remodeled camper, sleeping in, watching soaps, camping, riding horses, did I mention camping? I can't wait to take the "Old IH" on it's first outing! See this is the problem... focus on the next 5 day... only 5, I can do it... and actually the last day is a half day. Four and a half days of school left, then SUMMER VACATION! (I think I'm more anxious at 31 then I was when I was in school... sad, I know, but true)

Jingle Bells

When I got home from attending Bri's Mother's Day Tea at preschool I helped Blake hang gates in the arena. I return to the house to make the bottle for the newest goat and found the girls dancing in the living room, not an uncommon sight to see at the Lough Ranch, they dance everywhere!! However, they were dancing to Jingle Bells in matching teal tank tops and shorts... just a little odd for the 11th of May. What will they come up with next? So 10 minutes later, Brett yelled at me to come and watch the dance. When I return to the house this time, they have moved the furniture from the living room to the kitchen and have made a routine. Picture it... teal tanks, kart wheels across the living room, and all to the tune of Jingle Bells!

Happy Mother's Day

Mother- something or someone that gives rise to or exercises protecting care over something else... I looked up mother in a dictionary and found this definition. Now, to me, the word mother needs a few more words to describe it. Let me give you my definition... a mother is the one who gives carries a child for 40 weeks; the one who gives birth; the one who thinks... a baby now what; the one who watches and helps that baby grow and grow; the one who teaches everyday though actions and words; the one who puts hair in pony tails or french pigs; the one who shapes and molds a child's mind though experiences and surroundings; the one who reads books and sings songs at bedtime; the one who cares about every single decision made; the one who we share thoughts, worries, joys, and questions with; the one who cares and protects her family; the one who lays down at night and thinks about what or how she can do a better job, knowing her job will never be done; the one who loves every single thing about her children. Happy Mother's Day to ALL the great mothers I am blessed to know!!!

Grandpa's Cabin

At Grandpa's cabin...Briley caught her first "real" fish!

Lindsay tried fishing (as you can see, she is not even looking at pond)!

Grandma Suzy casted her lure ON the dock and lost a few lures in the trees.

Grandma Chuck and Culee ate cheetos!

Lincoln and Payton entertained us all with Frisbee fetch off the dock.
And the girls were really ready for a 4-wheeler ride. All in all, great weather and great day at the cabin, thanks to everyone!!!