Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The New Design
Ta-da! The blog design is done. I am so happy with how it came out! If anyone is ever looking for a blog designer, check out more of what Ashley, at Great Grabbie Designs, can do. She is super fast, and her design packages are much less than what most other designers charge.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Hello Fall...Goodbye Summer
Fall has arrived, and oddly enough here in North Texas the weather supports that (it's currently 65 degrees and it's day time)! I marveled a week ago, while we were in Virginia, that the leaves were changing color already, and here they are starting to turn yellow here, too! The Texas summer brought us so much fun this year. Hayden changed and grew up so much. Things he disliked last year he loved this year. Yeah! We started the warm summer months with Greg getting his third, yes third, degree from SMU this time.
We spent A LOT of time swimming. Hayden was very hesitant at first, so we were worried. That ended quickly, especially with fun swim lessons. We have a great pool with slides, sprayers, and zero depth entry for kids.
Hayden and I took a mini trip to H-Town, while Greg was away in Canada. Everyone was able to spend a lot of time playing with Hayden.
We tried out the Children's Museum of Houston, which was so much fun. There was a huge water area outside and and an entire floor just for the small crowd. On the way back, Hayden got to check out the cock pit of out plane. This was great since he LOVES airplanes!
Our big vacation this was to Coronado, California. It is called an island, but it is really just a peninsula across the bay from downtown San Diego. What a great change from 105 degrees here in Texas! We stayed at The Del. It is one of the iconic symbols of San Diego...very historical. We hit up as much as we could while we were there! We are pretty big theme park people, so we tried out Legoland. It is such a great place for kids, of almost all ages. There were several rides that Hayden was tall enough for, and of course all kinds of massive Lego structures. We also saw lots of animals at Sea World and The San Diego Zoo. The zoo was as massive as everyone says it is. We definitely did not see everything!
The Del at sunset
Pretty much paradise!
We ended the summer with the beginning of football season...college, not pro, in this house! We took a quick trip to Virginia for the TCU vs. UVA game. We stayed in Williamsburg, so we were able to do all of the colonial sightseeing. We had never been there before and it was really quite interesting. You can see all the buildings from the 1700's, some have been rebuilt do to age or natural disaster, and everyone is dressed in colonial wear and playing their part. We also made a quick stop at the first settlement, Jamestown. It's all you learned about in part one of American history class! Beyond the historical aspects, it is a very lovely town to be in. While we were in Charlottesville for the game, we also visited Monticello, where Thomas Jefferson spent his days.
These are both just looking down the streets of Colonial Williamsburg
In between all of this, we fit on lots of play dates with friends. It's funny because when Hayden was a baby I would find myself wishing for things to do, and now we have to many things some weeks!
We spent A LOT of time swimming. Hayden was very hesitant at first, so we were worried. That ended quickly, especially with fun swim lessons. We have a great pool with slides, sprayers, and zero depth entry for kids.
Hayden and I took a mini trip to H-Town, while Greg was away in Canada. Everyone was able to spend a lot of time playing with Hayden.
We tried out the Children's Museum of Houston, which was so much fun. There was a huge water area outside and and an entire floor just for the small crowd. On the way back, Hayden got to check out the cock pit of out plane. This was great since he LOVES airplanes!
Our big vacation this was to Coronado, California. It is called an island, but it is really just a peninsula across the bay from downtown San Diego. What a great change from 105 degrees here in Texas! We stayed at The Del. It is one of the iconic symbols of San Diego...very historical. We hit up as much as we could while we were there! We are pretty big theme park people, so we tried out Legoland. It is such a great place for kids, of almost all ages. There were several rides that Hayden was tall enough for, and of course all kinds of massive Lego structures. We also saw lots of animals at Sea World and The San Diego Zoo. The zoo was as massive as everyone says it is. We definitely did not see everything!
The Del at sunset
Pretty much paradise! |
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We ended the summer with the beginning of football season...college, not pro, in this house! We took a quick trip to Virginia for the TCU vs. UVA game. We stayed in Williamsburg, so we were able to do all of the colonial sightseeing. We had never been there before and it was really quite interesting. You can see all the buildings from the 1700's, some have been rebuilt do to age or natural disaster, and everyone is dressed in colonial wear and playing their part. We also made a quick stop at the first settlement, Jamestown. It's all you learned about in part one of American history class! Beyond the historical aspects, it is a very lovely town to be in. While we were in Charlottesville for the game, we also visited Monticello, where Thomas Jefferson spent his days.
These are both just looking down the streets of Colonial Williamsburg
After the game
Thursday, September 17, 2009
School Days
After almost two years at home with me, Hayden headed off to school last week! I am so excited for him and me. I think after spending several years in early childhood classrooms as a teacher, being on this side of things is already giving me totally different perspective...whether that's good or bad I haven't decided! As a teacher, I am always wondering what is going on when I'm not there. As for all of my now alone time, I am still deciding how to fill it. I imagine I'll come up with something!
The school
Hayden did absolutely great his first week. We had already been up to the school twice for an open house and meet the teacher, so he was pretty familiar. We had no tears. He went in, I distracted him, and I left. I'm told he listens very well, and he comforts a little girl names Sutton, who tends to cry a lot still. We already have a nice collection of artwork and projects. His teacher commented on what a thinker he is and how much he concentrates on tasks. He always has a big smile when I pick him up and has lots to say. Most of it toddler speak but to him he is giving me a full overview of the day! One day it will turn into real words :-)
Here he is on the first day with his big boy backpack. Pottery Barn Kids does good work. Even the preschool line backpack has padded shoulders and back area! My mom got it all monogrammed and titled it 'the worlds cutest backpack'! He actually wears it, which is impressive if you know Hayden.
I've been trying to come up with traditions for us. So, I thought of a few things for the first day of school. I tested out my long lost cake skills with an apple shaped cake. Hayden isn't always into cake (it's messy) but one day he will be, I'm sure. I thought these would be fun and easy to do every year!
Hayden also got a small first day gift, so I could carry on my apple theme on the bag! He loves cars and Backyardigans. Luckily there are cars out there with Nick Jr. characters. They were a must have, along with a truck book.
All in all, the first two weeks have been great for everyone, and I can't wait to see what he does next!
The school
Hayden did absolutely great his first week. We had already been up to the school twice for an open house and meet the teacher, so he was pretty familiar. We had no tears. He went in, I distracted him, and I left. I'm told he listens very well, and he comforts a little girl names Sutton, who tends to cry a lot still. We already have a nice collection of artwork and projects. His teacher commented on what a thinker he is and how much he concentrates on tasks. He always has a big smile when I pick him up and has lots to say. Most of it toddler speak but to him he is giving me a full overview of the day! One day it will turn into real words :-)
Here he is on the first day with his big boy backpack. Pottery Barn Kids does good work. Even the preschool line backpack has padded shoulders and back area! My mom got it all monogrammed and titled it 'the worlds cutest backpack'! He actually wears it, which is impressive if you know Hayden.
I've been trying to come up with traditions for us. So, I thought of a few things for the first day of school. I tested out my long lost cake skills with an apple shaped cake. Hayden isn't always into cake (it's messy) but one day he will be, I'm sure. I thought these would be fun and easy to do every year!
Hayden also got a small first day gift, so I could carry on my apple theme on the bag! He loves cars and Backyardigans. Luckily there are cars out there with Nick Jr. characters. They were a must have, along with a truck book.
Finally Did It!
I am now catching up with a lot of my friends and sharing what we do from time to time! So, I started this like, well, almost a month ago. I just keep re-editing the post so it matches the time frame for when I finally get the link sent out. I have an issue with getting started on a new task these days. Once I do, I fine, it's just the initial push, I guess. I am still learning to navigate and trying to place pictures and words appropriately. I am in the process of getting a blog designer to make things fancy, as well.
And yes, I know what a lot of you are thinking...she can do this but not Facebook?? Don't worry--I'll get motivated for that next!
And yes, I know what a lot of you are thinking...she can do this but not Facebook?? Don't worry--I'll get motivated for that next!
