River Trips One and Two

Reed spent the afternoon cleaning the boat.  He finished around 5:00 and asked if I wanted to go check it out and make sure everything was running right.  Of course, I jumped at the chance.  I need to add that I was a little surprised, because he had told me that with gas prices, we wouldn't be going very often!

It was just as beautiful as I remembered.

The Captain

These folks were out for an afternoon cruise, too.

Before I knew it, we were back at the landing.....

I can't wait to go back.......

And as it turned out, I didn't have to wait long.....Lindsey and Maddie made a weekend trip (Josh was working), and Maddie wanted to go for a boat ride. She loves helping Pop drive the boat. We stopped at a sandbar, and she was able to climb on a tree and swing a little. Brooke and Caleb were on the river with friends, but joined us for a little while. It turned out to be the perfect morning.

I can't wait until our next trip!

You Can Find Me Here.....

School's out, so I am going to try and spend as much time here as possible -

That would be my backyard.  I. LOVE. MY. SUMMERS.  Even if I don't make it out of the city limits, I'm going to close my eyes on my float and pretend I'm on a tropical island!  I would love for you to join me!

Another One in the Books

For many, many years now, I have begun each August with bright smiling faces and wonderful co-workers.  And as much as I enjoy my job, I also look forward to each May and the carefree days of summer.  If you had told me a few years ago that I would have taught a year beyond my 25th year, I would have laughed at you!  However, I am now working on number 28.  I have decided to take it one year at a time.......I feel like eventually an August is going to roll around, and I'm going to say so long to a great career.  Two years ago, I began a new position that took me out of the classroom.  I now work much more closely with the teachers.  Don't get me wrong, I love our teachers, but I miss the direct contact with students on a day to day basis.....Next year, I plan to increase my group time with our strugglers, and I can't wait!!  Now, I'd like to share a few of the reasons I enjoy going to work each day ~ We are indeed a cast of characters!

Miss Ball-The Leader of Our Pack
 (She has taken a job and the Central Office, and won't be back next year.)

Jessica, Juliette and Nekeda getting down.......

Lauri and the Temptations-Patricia, Val, and Houston

 Two Peas in a Pod-Nekeda and Lakethia

Three Blind Mice......

Raggedy Scarlett.....

Sweet Ann-We've been together quite a while now!

Quite a few characters here!!

Lisa-One of my favorite people in the whole wide world!

Jill-One of the best teachers in the world - and she cheers for the "right" team, too!

Fighting the fight together...

No telling what these three are laughing at...It's really great to work with some of your very closest friends.........

Two more of my favorite partners in crime-Kim and Lana

 I am sorry I didn't have pictures of everyone!  Thanks for making this another great year!



Uncle C

 

Simple times are the best times!

SURPRISE

I got one of the best surprises ever this week!  I was walking out of the restroom of my classroom and heard someone say, "Nana".  I turned around and Lindsey and Maddie were there!  Lindsey had 2 personal days left, and she decided to come for a quick visit.  I can't tell you how thrilled I was to spend some time with them.  (Pop and Caleb were pretty excited, too.) School will be out for the summer next week, and I hope we will get to see them even more often!


Although I did leave school early, I had to stay awhile....When I got home, Lindsey and Maddie were going on a little walk...

Of course, we stopped by the neighbor's trampoline.  I may have to start paying an admission fee....

A couple of months back we took her "bike" to Alex City.  Well, her sweet mom found another one at our local dollar store, so she would have one here and at home.  She loved helping Pop put it together....

 Priceless!  She loves it - the faster the better!

This surprise will be hard to top!  I really needed and enjoyed this visit!!  Thanks so much!

Early Morning Fun

Early mornings are so much fun with Maddie.  She wakes up early with a smile and is ready for some fun!  Reed had an early morning breakfast, and Lindsey and Caleb were still sleeping-so we ventured out for a little fun....Here are just a few highlights of our morning-

• Breakfast for two
• A pedicure
• A little etch a sketch
• Played a little farm
• Rode the firetruck
• Played with the dogs
• Fed the goldfish
• Went for a little walk
• Jumped on the neighbor's trampoline
• Checked out the garden
• Had a little fun in the swing

.........All before eight o'clock in the morning, and still in our pj's!


She loves looking for squirrels and birds on our walks!

Showing her moves on the trampoline!

Uncle C joined us after the trampoline.  He said, "Don't you imagine they're still asleep?"  Oops!
Here they are showing their very best "Say Cheese" smile!

Swinging, but ready to check out the garden.....

We really did dress her for the day!

This girl loves some sand and dirt!

Uncle C let her borrow his very first baseball jersey!  It really tugged at my heart....It seems like just
yesterday, he was wearing it!

She grabbed a board, layed down, and said, "Night, Night."  It lasted about 10 seconds!

The Garden

"So many seeds -- so little time."

Just wanted to give a quick little update of Reed's garden.  It's just growing right along.....I like the container garden, too.  It really seems to cut down on weeding.  It's also easier to water and care for. We actually ate our first cucumber from it tonight.  And Caleb made a wonderful squash casserole.  Also, several other things are almost ready to pick.  I basically need for school to hurry up and get out, so I can start putting all the fruits of his labor up!!  I can't tell you how much he enjoys gardening.  He almost knows every plant and bloom by name!!  I have been so tempted to pick a green tomato to fry-but I knew I would be caught.  However, during a recent rain, one fell off!!


These pictures were taken with Reed's Iphone-

Happy Gardening!!