Christmas with Family, Two Gingerbread Houses, and Lots of Love

We have had a busy and fun Christmas Holiday. When school got out on the Friday before Christmas, we left for Austin to see Cleveland's parents and his sister Crystal and her family. We ate well and played hard. Cleveland and Larry went golfing. Emma and her aunt made a gingerbread house. (Crystal's first one) Emma had a grand time and we traveled back home on Monday to prepare to spend Christmas with my family. On Tuesday, we traveling to Petrolia to see Grandma Mayo. She was in great spirits, even though she was already in bed at 5:30. She has gained 12 pounds and is doing well. She laughed, made jokes with Todd about his beard and knew all of us. It was great to see her so happy. We made the trip then to Oklahoma to Bill's Catfish. I love Bills. We ate cole slaw, hushpuppies and catfish and we were all stuffed. Then we drove back to Jill and Todd's house for opening of presents. Emma loved her walkie-talkies, so did Uncle Todd. We ate cherry cheese cakes made by Jill. They were great. We played with the Anderson's Wii and had fun. Wednesday was to be a slow day. Mom came to our house about 1 pm to make cookies. We ate a late lunch. We made two kinds of dough for cookies and began to work on the second gingerbread house. The house went together fairly easy and we started making the cookies. After several dozen cookies, we turned our attention back to the gingerbread house for decoration. We finally finished and ate a late supper. Emma barely hit the sheets before Santa came to Texas. Then I had to wrap Em's presents from Mommy and Daddy. I finally made it to bed around midnight. We woke around 9 am for Santa's gifts under the tree. Emma was excited to find a Wii, Connectagons, a pink guitar, and some other stuff that I can not remember. Emma and Daddy played and watched tv as I cooked a turkey breast, ham, potatoes, carrots, green beans and rolls. Emma did not like my rolls, they were not like Nanny's rolls. Sorry, Mommy is tired at this point. Around 2:30 in the afternoon, we went to the ranch for Christmas with my Daddy and family. We ate lots of food: brisket, rolls, hot sauce (made by me), chips, cookies of course, pie, fudge, etc. Jill's sugar cookies made the top of the list and were loved by all. I tried again to make the cookies like she does. Not successful, my cookies are not bad, but they are not like Jill's. The kids played and opened their gifts. We played the gift exchange game. No one was ugly this year. We were disappointed. The kids played as we talked. We ended the night by playing dominoes. Todd quietly kicked our tails. We had a great time of love and fun. Hope your Christmas was a happy one. Check out our photos in the slideshow below.

Merry Christmas!

Well, I must say that I am ready for 2008 to pass away. During this past year, there have been blessings, don't get me wrong, but. . . There was been a summer redoing Kindergarten curriculum, a class loaded to the limit with 22 children in all of Kinder, first, and second, ADD diagnosis, glasses for distance vision, two new meds for me, two new meds for Emma, a crazy nurse staying with my grandma, a cousin with health issues, an aunt with cancer, a dad with crazy hunter and loaded guns, mom hitting a jaguar in a parking lot, etc. That is just to name a few. I am hopeful for 2009. It will start with a bang. Emma has an appointment on January 5th at Scottish Rite. They will test her for dyslexia, and learning disabilities. I feel she has dyslexia. I pray that the wonderful people there can tell us how we can help Emma to learn at her full potential. I am asking for prayers for a safe trip, a talkative child who will answer questions when asked, and help for a precious child and her parents.

May God Bless Your Family,
Lori

Jigzone

I like jigsaw puzzles, but they are big and take up a lot of room. Someone usually loses a piece of them and that drives me crazy. Therefore, puzzles online. I love them. I can take a puzzle a make it easy for Emma with only a few pieces. I can do puzzles myself with upto a couple of hundred pieces or pieces for my kids at school with around 50 pieces. Check out the puzzle below of my Little Fairy. If you like it there is a link on the side to Jigzone.

A Tooth Lost and a Pet Funeral during a Cold Front

Emma loses Tooth #6!

Our Fab Five: Emma, Marklie, Ian, Brady and Duke

Item 1: Emma lost her sixth tooth on Wednesday night. She was so excited to again catch her boy, Brady. She adores him. Right now, its cute . . . Later it may not be so cute for my daughter to adore a BOY. Now it is okay because we are family, well sort of family. When I was pregnant with Emma, three of my best teacher friends were pregnant, too. We had such fun experiencing the joys and strange side effects of child bearing together. Kelli, Becca, Melanie and I were a walking sideshow everywhere we went together for many months. Finally, the supporting characters arrived . . . Emma, Brandy, Ian, Duke and Marklie. Yes, I know that is four women and five babies, but Melanie doesn't do anything half way. She wanted to show the rest of us up by having two babies at once. The supporting cast has grown up together through birthday parties, Halloween, trips to the park and many many days at the Water Park. If Em has to be (and will be) an only child, then these precious babies of my best friends are Em's brothers and sisters. I love you guys and those babies. Item 2: We buried Emma's pet hamster on Thursday night. I have to admit that I did not want the hamster, but I loved Emma's face when she jumped up and down in front of the hamster case at the pet store. We have named all of our pets after Presidents (that may stop, I can't imagine calling a dog Barak or O'Bama). Emma continued the tradition by naming her hamster, Madison. She came home when Emma finished Kindergarten last year. Well, Madison made a trip around the kitchen one night when her ball opened surprisingly and even made a trip to Iowa for summer vacation. But that is not much for a short life of 6 months. Emma enjoyed her. Well, we all kinda grew to like her. So when Cleveland woke me up at 6 am on Thursday morning, I was sick. Sick for my baby. Madison is the only pet she really remembers. She talks about Jackson, our dog, but she really doesn't remember him. Emma cried for a while, but seems to be okay. She wants another pet. I told her to wait until after Christmas at least. Item 3: Anyone who thinks that a cold front does not affect children's behavior is wrong. I love my class this year, but the cold doesn't like them. I am hoping for a short winter or any sick days for me to make it through when it is cold. Item 4: Prays needed and wanted for family and friends. May God hold the sick in his hands and heal them. God protect the growing and innocent coming in the future. (No not me.) God guide us as parents to help our children be the best people they can be.

My Biggest Blessing and Big Girl High Heels!

Emma is my biggest blessing from the Lord. She is beautiful, sweet, kind, and mannered. Well, some days. Other days she is not so pretty, unkind and rude. Did I forget loud? Everything always balances out. She is our biggest blessing. She was so proud of her big girl shoes that she wore on Thanksgiving day. If you have heard me lament on the perils of shopping for a child with skinny feet, well I am sorry. Emma's heel is about 1 inch wide!!!!!!!!!! That is not normal. She has her daddy's skinny feet. The Mayos have wide feet. My get wider when they are on the floor. (That may not be normal either.) Back to the shoes. . . Emma and I have been shopping for dress shoes since August. No luck! Well, the week before Thanksgiving Carolyn (Cleveland's mom), Emma and I went to look for shoes again. It is to cold to wear flip flops to church. God takes us as we are, but Momma wants shoes on her girl's feet. We were not finding anything, as normal. Emma saw these high heels. Oh, I mean HIGH HEELS !!!!!!!!!!!! Emma screamed with delight. I knew that they would not fit well. They are clogs. They were close, with socks even okay. But not what I was looking for in dress shoes. But she loved them and they were no clearance for nine dollars. I bought them with the agreement that she would try on any shoes I wanted for the rest of the day. A win-win in my eyes. She hates shopping. Later, we went to two other stores. Finally, we found dress shoes at JcPenney's. Okay, they are the same style we have had for a few years, but they fit that skinny foot. Yeah! Did I say win-win!

I took my doll to "Guys and Dolls"

Emma and I went to see an afternoon showing of "Guys and Dolls" at the Wichita Theater. It was great. Wichita Theater offered complimentary tickets to teachers for this weekend shows. I jumped at the chance. Emma and I went to "Beauty and the Beast" last year. She watched the show intently and with excitement. I enjoyed watching her as much if not more than I enjoyed the show. She loves music and dancing so this show was right up her alley. She did not get much of the plot line, but it did not matter to her. Thank you to Wichita Theater for thinking of WFISD teachers! We enjoyed the afternoon.

A New Coat and a New Hole

Well, Emma lost her fifth tooth. She was so excited to catch up her buddy, Brady Cotton. He had lost five teeth first. She could not wait to call Brady and tell him about it. She looks so funny with three big holes in her mouth. Such a big grin on such a little girl! She also got to wear her new coat today. It was finally cold enough. She looked adorable in it. She was so proud.

Christmas Shopping almost finished!

Yes, my Christmas shopping is almost completed except for Cleveland. He is the hardest person on my list. He buys the stuff he wants and there is really nothing that he needs, so I am always at a loss when it comes to shopping for him. So this is my list of suggestions for Christmas for kids, especially if you have a little cute six year old named Emma.

Christmas Presents and Stores for Shopping online

1. A pillow from Southern Sassy Pants. I found this woman on the net. I loved her personalized pillows. Someone in my family is getting one this Christmas, but don't tell her. Look at these adorable pillows at http://southernsassypants.ecrater.com/.
2. A lamp from Discovery Store. This is a cute design your own lamp. It is a cylinder which allows you to slide in pictures or artwork. Look at this lamp at http://shopping.discovery.com/product-65876.html?endecaSID=11D7F78EF502.
3. Anything from Hearthsong. I love this company. They have unique and cute stuff, not the cookie cutter stuff from Wally World which everyone in town has three of toys. They have fun stuff. I really like their creative games, dress up stuff and old timey toys. Toys are made of wood not plastic. They also have great sales. Check out the Connectagons. Look at this company online http://www.hearthsong.com/.
4. Anything from Mindware. I love this company for it's games and creative play things. They are good games for all ages and creative art kinds of things, too. Look at the game Quirkle for a fun domino type game. This site is great for parents and teachers. Look at their stuff at http://www.mindwareonline.com/.
5. Siggs Water Bottles. Emma and I both have a water bottle from Siggs. They are made of a single sheet of aluminum. They come in great fun designs. They don't leak. Every other bottle I sent to school with Em would leak and ruin everything is her backpack. They come in several sizes, too. Check out their latest designs at http://www.mysigg.com/.
6. Anything from Magic Cabin. This is a sister company to Hearthsong. They came some of the same stuff, but not all. This company carries lots of fairy dolls and toys and creative toys. They also have unique things like balancing butterflies and stone blocks. Check them out at http://www.magiccabin.com/.
7. All kinds of things from Kids Surplus. This company carries close out items and overstocks from children's stores. I have bought top line coats, Haba jewelry and other toys. They even carry clothes and shoes. Check out this company at http://www.kidsurplus.com/.
8. Photo gifts from Exposures. I love this company, too. I have purchased custom photo coasters with old rodeo photos of my Granddad and my Daddy on horseback, and custom photo makeup bags for the women in my family. Great stuff at this website: http://www.exposuresonline.com.

Biggest tip of all: Before you purchase from any store online, search for coupons for that store. Just goggle coupons and the store name. Occasionally, you will have find coupons.
Posted by The UnShopper

Treat or Endoplasmic Reticulum . . .

Emma and I went to Petrolia tonight to Trick or Treat. Yes, it is November the 2nd. But family will treat you even if you're late. We went to see Nanny first. She gave Emma the usual, candy with some muffins and clementine oranges. Emma loved it all. We then went to Grandma Mayo's house with Nanny in tow. Grandma doesn't eat much anymore, but she always has candy. Grandma knew who we were and today was a good day. She misses Granddad so much now that she often goes back in time to the thirties, forties, and fifties. Today she was with us. I seem to catch her on her good days. I dread the day that I don't. I don't look forward to her not knowing me or Emma. Emma is starting to be afraid of her. I think it is due to her slurred speech or even garbled words. I miss our conversations. The last time we really spoke she told me about her first date with Granddad. They went to the Lake Wichita Resort. They danced and rode the paddle boats. She seemed so happy to remember those days.
Back to tonight. After Grandma's house, we went to Aunt Jill's. Aunt Jill also had treats for the latecomers, but the girls were working on homework. Alaina was creating an animal cell for science class. The whole family became interested. It was fun to spend time with Alaina, Abby, Jill, Emma and Mom. We had a good time. Check out the slide show below! You might learn a thing or two.

Halloween Fun

The Cottons and the Fowlers hosted their Halloween party last night. A good time was had by all. I was not sure the Wallerichs were going to make it. Emma has not felt well for days. She has a sore throat and just drainage. Yuck! She made it to school on Friday and even made a 100 on her spelling test. Her first one!!! She even not so good that day, she received a magical gem at PE. A magical gem for those of you out of the loop is a glass bead, fish or trinket. The kids love them, especially Emma. Back to the party, Emma was crying, laying on the couch and generally not in a good mood. Cleveland was at work! No surprise there. Well, we finally got dressed after the hair curling and the drying of tears. We went to the party without Daddy. He arrived later. We ate hot dogs, chips, brownies, cookies. There was even a dish of brains, but we refrained. After eating, the whole troop set out to Trick or Treat in the Tanglewood neighborhood. We walked and walked until Darrell took pity on us. Darrell, Doug and Cleveland went back to the house and got the truck complete with a trailer loaded with hay for a hay ride. We finished Trick or Treating on the hayride. Back at the house, we toasted marshmallows and smashed a pinata.
Daddy gave out first and headed home about 9:00. He had been up since 4:30. Emma and I gave out about 9:30. A Happy Halloween was had by all. Thanks to the Cottons and the Fowlers.

The Fourth Tooth

Lookout Brady! Emma wants to lose another one to catch up with you! She lost number four, but still a tooth behind. She knew that she could not catch up by your Halloween party on Friday, but I convinced her that she would be one tooth closer. It took me several smiles to get one without a pink tongue pushing through the holes in her mouth. But we finally got on the same page and got a smile without the tongue. Well, got to go and find the Tooth Fairy! Hopefully, she can remember when she hid her silver dollars!

Momsense

Goggle the following video, Momsense. It is from Anita Renfroe. She is a christian comedian. I started thinking do I have mom-sense. Sometimes I wonder if I have any sense. I know a lot of people say that they want to not raise their children like their parents raised them. Well, that is not the case for me. I want to be the mother that my mother was and is for me. She was kind and loving, fun and silly, and kicked our tails when they needed kicking. I have said every mom thing to say already in Emma's short six years. My favorite is because "I am the mother". But I also use several others such as "I'll give you something to cry about", " I am older than you and I know more than you do". At least that is what I say. Sometimes I am not so sure. Enjoy!

I have been Tagged?!?

Shanan, I am not sure how you get me into these things. You started this blogging thing. My biggest worry about this activity is that I don't know seven people who blog. I may need modifications (shortened assignment or something). Thanks http://footballfamilyof4.blogspot.com/ for tagging me.

Things about me:

1. I read cookbooks. I usually have one on my nightstand. I know it is weird, but that's the point right.

2. I love old movies. Thrillers like Hitchcock's Read Window or Marnie. Musicals like Seven Brides for Seven Brides and Kiss Me Kate. I use to watch them in college when I had a big drafting project due. I would rent movies, set up the drafting board, and watch/listen while I worked all weekend.

3. I was a flag girl in high school. How much detail do you need here? I wore a big black strange hat and a polyester skirt, shirt and vest. But hey! It was better than the regular band uniform. That hat was a big white fluffy cylinder with a chin strap. It was no contest!

4. I am a neat freak at work/school, but a mess at home. My locker at school was the neatest one of all. My book covers and folders were color coordinated and organized by the day's schedule. My sister would scream when we came home from school because I dropped all my things just inside the door. Well, times have changed and again they have stayed the same. I am still very organized at work/school. When I first married I worked very hard and was able to keep up with my husband. But now, I can not keep up. (My husband is a messy. Shh! Don't tell anyone.) It takes me too long to pick up the stuff to be able to clean that I usually run out of time before the cleaning actually begins.

5. I wanted black and white wedding photos. I never told anyone because I knew my mom would lose it. I also wanted pale green celedon bridesmaid's dresses. But I opted for the more traditional colored photos and deep purple dresses. It was very colorful, even without my original day dreams. Cleveland never would have approved the other stuff either.

6. I got pregnant really easy! Most people thought that Cleveland and I could not get pregnant after we got married. Truth is we did not try. We worried about my health and the health of a possible baby. We finally decided that if God choose to bless us with a baby, we would happily have one. We went off birth control and were pregnant with a couple of months. It was God's timing. All of my girlfriends were pregnant at the same time. Those little blessing allow our only child to experience children her own age. We're not family, but very close.

7. I have a Fine Art degree. Most people who know me now as a teacher. But I went to TWU in Denton for too many years and finally graduated with a degree in Fine Arts/Interior Design. But that was in the early 1990's. You could not buy a job in interior design those days. Most of my friends were working as receptionists in design firms. How I became a teacher is another story for later.

The end of the list!! That was hard. But now who will I tag? Not seven, I have modifications remember. I only know two others who are blogging other than Shanan since my other friends will not jump on this wagon.

http://angelampatterson.blogspot.com/

http://jillnichols.blogspot.com/

A Change in Reading Materials

Well, the books by my bed, on my desk and in my bag have changed. I was reading cook books and novels mainly. I also read the occasional teacher's book on something. Now, my tables and bags are littered with other choices. I am currently reading "You and Your ADD Child", "Raising Resilient Children", and something else I cannot even remember the name of . . . I just ordered Executive Skills for Children and Adolescents: A Practical Guide for Assessment and Intervention (a book on a idea by Thomas Brown and the new ADD model) and Attention Deficit Disorder: The Unfocused Mind in Children and Adults. Wow, that was a mouth full and doesn't it sound like something you would like to borrow for a light read. Just joking, I have always jumped in the deep end when reading up on a topic if a student in my classroom was struggling. Well, now that student is my child, so I dove in head first. Sometimes I don't know where to start, but the majority of the research says that therapy for the ADD child is necessary with or without medicine if chosen. I want the world for my Emma. It is my job to learn everything I can to help her, fight for her if needed, let her fall on her face when necessary, encourage her, love her unconditionally, pull her teeth, tie her shoes (still), organize her closet again and again, pray over her little sleeping body and cry when she is not looking, etc. Some moments, it seems like we are back pedaling, but mainly we are moving forward. Emma is more out going and talking to people. She had two conversations with the librarian at school. Janice was so excited. She has known Emma for two years. Before Emma just said nothing or gave a one word answer, now look out. She is not screaming and crawling up my leg when large dogs are near. We went to Pet Smart the other day when they were taking Halloween pictures of pets. Before, we would have probably had to leave or I would have held her while trying to check out with hamster food, but she stand beside me. I was so pleased for her. She still did not like the big dogs, but she remained calm. Calm is heaven! She has been getting herself up some mornings and getting ready for school on her own. I know, she is six, but it is the first time. She did not forget to brush her teeth, even with 200 reminders, etc. She is happier at school and at home. Thank God and those people for have helped our family during this time. Maybe I should say during this life!

The 3rd Lost Tooth and Voting Issues

Emma lost her third tooth tonight. I know that she lost two before, I have a direct link to the tooth fairy, but I don't remember the second one. I have pictures of the first, but no photos of the second, just physical evidence of it's loss. Maybe it's an odd thing. I'll just mark the odd numbered losses. Emma was so excited. She has several loose teeth. Tonight as we were trying to put her to bed, she kept asking us to check her latest loose one. Cleveland confirmed it was loose, I did the deed and pulled it. Then we had to find the tooth fairy bear, we have not seen it since tooth #2. It was under our bed, not hers, ours. What is amazing is that she located it in about five minutes! Cleveland and I were looking in her room and she looks under our bed and finds it. Well, sometimes it seems like our room is her room. The house is hers, who am I kidding!

Top Ten Voting Issues

10. No one votes. Why is it that more people go the high school football than vote in the US elections? Do we can care who runs our country?

9. When college kids are polled on who they are voting for, they say Obama. When asked why, they say because the other guy is old.

8. College kids can vote.

7. In a country where the founding fathers placed so much importance on God, we have a Muslim running for president and he may win.

6. Obama is attractive. That concerns me because that is how Clinton became President.

5. Since when does be attractive make you a good leader. . .

4. I have relatives who will vote for Obama. I am not sure we are really related.

3. Mrs. Obama is just now, for the first time in her life, proud of America. This is a possible first lady??!!??

2. I may have to leave the country. What is Canada like? Can you get a four year visa?

1. On my voter's registration card, it says Democrat. I have not considered myself a democrat since Clinton ran for office and I ran to the Republican party as fast as I could!

Vote for a real American! (Even if his wife looks like Barbie.)

Purple Princess Glasses and a Halloween Tea Party

I took Emma to the eye doctor today. She did so well. For over an hour, she listened, attempted to follow directions, and even verbally answered some questions. She warmed up the nurse or aide, and to Dr. Joe. She was so excited to see the glasses. We looked at them before we even knew whether or not she needed them. She orginally choose these red plastic frames with rinestone hearts on the corners. She reminded me of Sally Jessie. I vetoed those frames. The ones she choose are purple with sparkles on the sides. She was beyond excited. She almost cried when she could not take them home today. I took her picture to show Daddy and for the blog of course. Be sure to check out the happiest little girl in glasses.

Tonight, Emma was invited to a Halloween Tea Party at the neighbor's house. Our neighbor's the Holidays' granddaughter Katelyn choose Emma to join her in the fun. They are planning to have cookies, cupcakes, and maybe watch a movie. Sorry, Mrs. Headlee tomorrow maybe sleepy Emma.

I am a Wallerich!

Yes, I married into the family sixteen years ago. I had troubles at first signing my "new" name. At first I signed Lori Mayo Wallerich. That was helpful when I forgot and wrote Lori Mayo by mistake, I could add Wallerich and be okay. I am not sure how it happened, I can not name the day or the hour, but I am now a true Wallerich! Tonight I went shopping with Momma and Emma. We went to Kohls' department store. I wanted or needed a new purse, let's say needed. Mom wanted to buy it for me for my birthday, but I thought it was too expensive. We worked out a deal, Mom paid part and I got the rest. Well, when we paid out the purse cost more than the sign had said. It said 40% off on one side and 30% off on the other side. It made a ten dollar difference. I mentioned the difference, but misspoke and said 30% off. I corrected myself, but thought "Boy I sound like a liar!" I thought this is over. I look at Mom and tell her that I am not paying that much for a purse. Well, the girl overrides the price and give it to me at 40% off. I am a Wallerich! I did not even try! I even told the girl not to do it, I said that I did not want her to get in trouble. It is the last name, Wallerich. I never would have gotten that done as a Mayo, I would have apologized for stupidly misreading the sign and offered to reshelve the purse. Alright, Wallerichs! By the way, I love my purse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I loved school! Will I continue to love it?

I always loved school. I loved elementary school. I loved my teachers, the books, writing my own rebus stories. I wanted to be a teacher. I loved the book part of junior high. I hated the social stuff because I never fit in, but I loved reading and writing, etc. I loved high school, again the book part. I loved Shakespeare even though I never had a real part (the teachers knew I would listen even if I didn't have a part). I loved writing stories in creative writing, answering questions in history. Well, to be honest, I did not love math. I never really got it. College was wonderful. I loved the classes. Everyone there wanted to learn and I was in the fine arts department. A new world opened up for me, I learned about painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, classical music, art museums, etc. But, now as a mother, I am beginning to understand how children hate school. I fear that my child will soon hate school. She has stomach aches on Fridays and so do I. Cleveland is calling as soon as he can to see how Emma did on her spelling test. I wanted to work on the reading test more at home, but we never got to it. We are spending some much time on spelling that I could not add anything else. In many ways, Emma is learning and things are better, but I fear that this spelling test will not be good. She doesn't have it. At least not tonight. Who knows about tomorrow.

Worse than that, today on the way home, she told me about another girl in her class not wanting to work with her on spelling flash cards. I fear this is the beginning of issues if something doesn't change for her soon. The other kids know something and Emma is beginning to notice something, too. She asked me for glasses tonight so she could learn better. She wants to do a good job. I don't know what to do for her. I don't want my baby to hate the place where I spend my most happy times growing up. How can I help her if she hates the only thing I know? I don't know sports, and she is my daughter. She may not be athletic. I hated cheerleading, hair and silly girl stuff. My head was always in a book. I want Emma to be herself, but what if she becomes someone that I don't understand. How can I help her in the bigger things, if I can't help her with this spelling test. This stupid spelling test. Emma would have a fit because I said (wrote) stupid. But stupid is the nicest word I can think of right now as I sit here crying.

Spelling Joys Again!

We got Emma's spelling test back today. She got 8 words right. She almost got 10 words right. She reversed the D's in dig and did and wrote big and bid. So close and yet so far. She has been working so hard and doing such a good job. Cleveland and I are so proud of her. There is so much she needs to continue to learn to be successful, but she is trying and learning. Slow, but sure we will fight our way through. I pray that the Lord will guide Cleveland and I through this process as we try to help Emma. I pray that the choices we make are the right ones for her. It is our job and responsibility to ensure that she has the best life we can give her. Heaven give us patience and wisdom!

Pioneer Parade

Emma and I went to the Pioneer parade in Clay County today. This event was big in my family when we were growing up. We went to the Rodeo every night and the parade each day. When in high school, I marched in the parade with the band and my sister Jill rode in the parade as a cheerleader. Jill was even the class favorite her Sophomore year for the class float. Tradition continues for our family. Jill's daughter was the freshman favorite and rode on her class float today. They did not win, but it was fun. Emma was so excited to go to the parade and see her cousin, she wanted to ride on the float, too. The floats are a lot fancier than ours were back in the day. The theme this year was Through a Child's Eyes. The freshman created a little boy's dream of flying a plane. Alaina and the other favorite were flying high in a plane of some kind with a little boy flying a toy plane behind them. Check out the slideshow near the bottom of the page.

Spelling Test Joy (at least this week) & Computer Woes

Emma got eight words correct on her test! She has worked so hard and I am so proud of her. This is by no means the end of the road, but hope aids in the journey. Em earned her reward. Her daddy promised her a white board so she can play school. Sometimes, I cannot believe she still wants to play school. Is seems like her life is school. I hope she can keep the joy in playing school for a little longer. It is hard to be a teacher's kid. She is at school by 7:30 in the morning and stays until 5:00 or 5:30. But Fridays are much worse I have been leaving at 7:00 or 7:30. But I made a promise to Emma and to myself that I will leave by 5:00 on most days and 5:30 on a few finished with work or not. She needs to be a kid not just a teacher's kid.

Computers. . . We love them and we hate them. Or maybe we just hate new computer programs. I have been struggling to learn the new grade book system at school. Tonight, I got locked out. Usually, I can solve my own problems, but not this one. I tried and tried, but I could not help myself. I hate asking for help! But I finally did I emailed the help desk and handed my problem to someone else. Did I say I hate new programs?

What Family Really Means

Thank God for my mama. She always loved us no matter what we did or didn't do. But equally important, she taught us that family is always family. Family members may mess up or make choices that you do not agree with, but they are still family. I have never stopped speaking to a family member. Sometimes, I did not agree with them, but . . . I have tried to bring the "black sheep" back into the fold. But sometimes only the good shepard can help. Prayer is my only hope now in some family situasions. As I type this, I am thinking that prayer should be my first choice, not my only choice. I pray that some broken relationships can be restored before too much time passes.

When our parents divorced, our mother or father never said a bad word about the other. They never allow us to use the divorce as a way to gain control as a child. They always supported each other. I now know that they did not always agree of course because people don't. But they were always the parents and we were the children. Now as an adult, I understand how family can fall apart no matter how hard we try to hold it together. Things happen that you never would have imagined. But I want an open door, family is always family.

Thanks Mama for loving us and teaching us to love unconditional love! Thanks for never cutting us out of your life when we made you angry. Thanks for being the best mother ever. I hope that someday, Emma looks up to me half as much as I look up to you.

Spelling Test and Grandparents' Day

Well, We got four words correct. Yeah for Emma. Unfortunately there were 10 words. Well, we all learned some and we worked hard. I am proud of her. She worked so hard and she learned four words. Moving on. . . to next week's spelling words. Fun, Fun, Fun.

Grandparents' Day was today. We got up early, early. We had to be at school by 7:10. That is early for my baby. She was dead to the world. Nanny came for lunch and brought pizza for Emma and Momma. Thanks, Nanny.

Hat, Sat, Can, Pan, Man Do I Hate Spelling!

I have never like spelling. I remember working and working to memorize the words. I didn't hear the sounds of the letters until later in life. Now as a mom, I am taking spelling tests again. Not that I have not been giving spelling tests in my classes for the last fifteen years, but my child is now taking spelling tests. I have tried to think about spelling, really I have. I usually choose words with a pattern to help the children learn chunking of basic sounds. I have spent days working with Emma on her words. She has written them and drawn pictures to go with them. She has written them in shaving cream and jello (not together, separately). She has written them on the white board at school. We have taken spelling tests at home. I am scared to death, my baby cried tonight and is afraid of not doing well on the test. I feel like I am failing her as a mother. I am a teacher, but I am at a loss. Emma prayed that God would let her do good on her test tomorrow. I pray for her to listen carefully, look at the teacher when she speaks and remember the sounds. How do I explain things to her if she is not successful tomorrow. Cleveland and I have done all we can do. She is on her own and she is six. The parent side of the teacher's desk is difficult. God help me help my daughter and help me help the babies of others which are in my care at school.

Labor Day Fun

I'll have to start with Melanie. We all met (my teacher friends) at Melanie's new classroom or unfurnished portable with 100 boxes of stuff. Mel has to have her "new" room ready for 22 shiny first graders on Wednesday. As we unpacked, Kelli the Party Planner, invited all of us, our husbands, and about a dozen children to go to Brandy's house for a cookout. Now Brandy is a night owl, her family wakes at dusk and parties all night. The plan was to start cooking about 6:30 and eat close to 7:00. Good job goes to the Kaster's, we ate about 7:30. Brandy's husband Jay cooked hamburgers and hot dogs. Notice the beautiful picture of our Host and Hostess in the slideshow. John (aka the single dad since Becca was sick) came and brought Ian and Riley Roo. Riley loves animals and had a blast with the dog, Sam. Don't miss the picture of Riley feeding Sam ketchup from her fork. By the way, Becca, she was finished eating. I promise! Emma and I went alone to the party. Cleveland followed after a golf trip. Emma spent as much time as possible in the bounce house. Kelli, our party planner came with her husband Darrel and their boys. Brandy's teenagers were also in attendance, but hiding from us. I don't know if it was the smaller children or the grown up they were avoiding. Brady, Lily, Ian and Evan played games in the playroom while Ty "played" the piano. Everyone had a good time and I even caught a picture of the party planner for her Christmas card. Several sick and/or tired members of our group did not attend the festivities. As we left, we began to plan the next get together at one of the missing member's homes. They will not miss the next party! Thanks Brandy and Jay for a fun night!

School Starts for the Wallerichs

Well, it was officially the first day of school. Cleveland continues at Rider High School as the assistant golf coach. He will be teaching "big kids", no more freshmen. I have moved to "littler kids" (back to my past and my heart). Emma started first grade and thank you God, she likes it. She was surprised to see that she knew people in her class and even likes her first grade teacher. She was so in love with her kindergarten teacher that she wanted no one else. But now she has accepted Mrs. Headlee into her heart. I so wanted Emma to feel comfortable as soon as possible. She was a tiny fish in a big pond last year and sometimes she really struggled to stay afloat, but this year will be different with daily prayers and lots of work. I hope your first days were fun!

School Worries and Joys

School is starting on the 25th of August. I can't believe that it is already time. This time of year brings the worries about getting my classroom ready on time, showing up late the first day, what things I have forgotten to do, etc. Every teacher I know dreams of those worries and sometimes even has a nightmare about showing up naked the first day. This school year has brought more worries for our family. Last year, Emma had to deal with a bully in her class. She struggled to handle the situasion all year. We had many tears and stomach aches due to fears. As school approached this year, Emma's fears returned. As a teacher, it was very hard for me to have a child who did not want to go to school and cried at the mention of it. As Cleveland and I tried to help with prayer, hugs and kisses, assurance, Emma continued to struggle. The first day back to school to prepare my room, Emma "got sick" and went home with Nanny. All my fears for her returned. The next week as Emma visited my sister's family, I returned to school to work in my room. Every time someone asked me about Emma and if she was excited about school, I began to cry. I did more crying than working that morning. During my tears, I met the new first grade teacher, Becca Coe. God places the right person in the right place for us. Becca and I spoke of Emma and the coming school year. Becca sweetly reminded me to pray and let Emma know that God loved her more than I did and he would take care of her. Later that morning, I found out that the bully Emma struggled with would not be at our school next year. I hope this child is in the right place for them, but I am also glad that God found a way to give Emma some assurance in a concrete way. Thank you Lord for all you do for us.

Note: This photo is from the Kindergarten Program last year.

Lori

Mom's Birthday (aka Nanny)

We took Mom out to dinner at Cheddar's for her birthday. Jill, Todd, Alaina and Abby brought Mom into town. We all met at Cheddar's. A good dinner was enjoyed by most, I would not recommend the Chicken Alfredo. (Go to Johnny's instead for pasta.) The girls all ate Onion Rings and Chips and Queso with six hands fast as they could. I don't know if they ate much dinner, but of course they needed dessert. Emma had ice cream and Jill's girls shared some ice cream, chocolate chip cookie thing. The best thing about dessert was that we got it free. Which we should have after they dropped the first batch and took another 15 minutes to bring a replacement. Mom had a good time with all her girls. Cleveland and Todd held court at one end of the table. They try to pretend they are not with us, but they are stuck. Happy Birthday, Mom (Nanny)!

I moved the cookie recipe!

Chewy Chip Cookies-Everyone Loves these Cookies!


1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 pkg. (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2-1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups chips (chocolate, cinnamon, white chocolate, etc.
1 cup chopped nuts

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars, until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time beating well. Beat in pudding mix and vanilla. Combine flour and soda; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in chips and nuts. Dough should be stiff.Drop by rounded tsp. 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-9 mintues. Cool on wire racks.This recipe says that it makes 9 dozen. I never get that many. I get about 6 dozen using a small ice cream scoop to make them.You can use different pudding mixes with different chips. We have combined cinnamon chip with vanilla, white chocolate chip with white chocolate, chocolate chip with vanilla.

This recipe was taken from a Taste of Home recipe.copyright Reiman Media Group, Inc.

Christmas in August

My friends laugh at me, but I normally have most of my Christmas shopping complete by now. I feel behind since I am barely started. I did find a few things. Emma wanted a guitar. Yeah right, Cleveland and I could never help her with that, so I found a lap harp. You know the kind that the teacher played at church when we were little. I have played it before and it is easy to learn. You can slide the music under the strings and pluck where the circles are located. Hopefully, Emma will like it and learn to play a song or two. I found a lamp at Discovery Store. com. It is really cute. The shade has two surfaces, like a pocket. You can slide in pictures, art work, etc. I think Emma will love it. She is always creating something for her family and friends.

Emma made 4 frames today for presents. I can not spill the beans and tell who they are for in case someone reads this before we deliver the gifts. Eveytime, I am working on a project and we go to Michaels or Hobby Lobby for supplies, Emma wants something too. On our trip to Michaels today, we also purchased a cookbook. The name is Little Cakes from the whimsical bakehouse. Emma is so excited to start on one of their fun projects. I have a feeling that we will be baking soon. The cupcakes and little goodies in this book are amazing. I am as excited as she is to get started. The problem will be deciding what we are going to bake first.

Family Dinner

My brother Mickey called and suggested we all get together and go eat at Bill's Catfish in Oklahoma. We all ate a lot of fish and hushpuppies and had fun laughing and playing with all the kids. Mickey, Amy and Kline drove. Cleveland, Emma and I rode with them. We met my sister Jill, Todd, Alaina and Abby at Bill's. A friend of Alaina's, Brianna, also joined us. After dinner, we drove back to Texas and stopped in Petrolia at Jill and Todd's house. Todd has been hatching baby quail all summer long and the little kids wanted to see the baby birds. They were pretty cute. After seeing the birds, the kids were playing outside. Amy, Jill and I joined the guys and the kids outside and had a photo session. Amy took a couple of photos of the kids with the horse. But of course I had to poise the children and try to see what kind of a masterpiece I could get. I got some pretty good shots, but I think it was the subjects. As Kline would say, "That's what I'm talkin' about!" We don't get to spend enough time together and tonight was great and a blessing. Be sure to look at these beautiful blessings (our kids) in the slideshow above this posting!

The Beauty Shop

Emma and I went to see Teresa today. Teresa has cut my hair for years and cut Emma's for about 2 years. Today was the first time that Teresa washed Emma's hair like a "big girl". Emma was very excited to get washed, dried, and styled like moma does. Look at the slideshow to see Emma's transformation!

Iowa Trip-Summer 2008

We spent a couple of weeks in Iowa visiting Cleveland's family. We feed the swans, saw Aunt Renee and Uncle Merv's new house, and popped fireworks. I got some great photos. Now we are back home in Texas and getting ready for the new school year. Enjoy your summer!

My Creative Expression

I have started painting again. I really have missed being creative. I paint mainly at night when Emma and Cleveland are sleeping. It give me time alone, but I feel productive too.

Summer 2008

Summer is half over. We spent time in vacation bible school learning about Jesus and having fun: Emma in her class and me in pre-school crafts. The water park passes have come in handy since it has not rained all June like last year. Emma loves playing on the slides and in the lazy river. Cleveland spent many days at Region 9 taking classes to maintain his administration degree. He has played golf a few days and also worked at our friend's fireworks stand as usually. This biggest event this summer was an addition to our family. Emma got a hamster. We named her Madison after President Madison. (All of our pets have been named after Presidents of the US.)