Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Tuesday Things...

Yesterday we spend about many hours on the beach...it was awesome! When we first got out to the beach...Norah wanted to read with me...so is this a "mini-me" or what! :)
We had some dinner with my mom and Aunt to end our Memorial Day and came home to crash! Today was Field Day at our school and they had face painting....Norah loves to have her face painted! So here is her first face of the day...(She picked a cat!)
After a lot of play in some water...it washed off so here is what she had painted next...(this time she told me she asked for two hearts and a cross!)
That is my sweet girl! She had a lot of fun and tomorrow is her last day as we have the "moving up ceremony" for our Lower School...and then she is done for the year! I cannot believe she will have finished her first year of "real" school. It is going by so fast! Today means we have exactly one month left of Norah being 5...I want it to last forever!

Living at the beach has me wanting to wear a little less black (if you know me....you know I love black clothes!) and just lighter clothes in general I guess. So of course I sure would love a new watch (and yes, I know I am not getting one...but it is fun to look!)...here are the two watches I really like right now...isn't the first one so "beachy!"
Source

Source
We are starting to work with Norah on how to ride a bike without training wheels and the other day I rode on my mom's bike while Norah rode around and it made me think about the dream bike that I talked about HERE and pink no less! But here is a more reasonable priced version! How fun would this be to ride to the pool!
Source
Well that is all the random stuff I got for today! Off to gear up for tomorrow!

Monday, May 27, 2013

Happy Memorial Day!

My grandfather and grandmother and Jeff's Dad were both in the military so wanted to share a little about them on this day...
My grandfather was Louis "Sonny" Harrell Siau Jr. (to me he was "Pop") and my grandmother was  Peternella "Nell" Catherine Joaquin Siau (to me she was grandmomma.)
My grandfather lost his leg in the war...and walked with crutches for the rest of his life...but there was nothing he didn't do! Today...he would have his stainless steel crutches out and head to the beach with us or maybe a boat ride! Source from HERE (page 11)
My grandmother was "not afraid" as they would say today! I spent some summers with them and she would always make my food for me (this may sound silly but it felt like a treat!)...I felt spoiled! Source from HERE  page 16

Jeff's dad (Norah called him Grandpop) passed away last year on May 19. Even though Norah is young, she still talks about Grandpop and of course Jeff misses him lots! Source from HERE

So far this long weekend we have seen a movie, spent time with friends, seen the family, hit the beach and had some Church time!
Norah really liked "Epic" and I thought it was cute too! We went with some friends from Norah's class so that was fun!
Believe it or not...Jeff and I had a date night Saturday night with our friends Julie and Scott from Charlotte...so much fun and so needed! We tried to take a self portrait but Jeff kept making me laugh so I gave up!

At Church this week, we collected items to send to the people in Oklahoma. Norah picked out toys, books, stuffed animals and clothes of her own to give to those in need...which is awesome to watch. The youth at the Church helped sort and box all the items. They even made signs to go with it...Norah's sign says "I love you" and "Have good days"...I think that says a lot right there! :)
Well today we are back to the beach and eating BBQ with my mom later too! Enjoy your day!

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Book Time...

I finished our Book Club book ("What Alice Forgot") last week and liked it a lot! It was an easy/quick/fun read....would be a good beach read for the summer!
Yesterday I finished reading "Heaven is Here" and really liked it too. It made me cry at some parts but I think it is such a miracle book. Reading it you think you know how you would react but in reality I cannot imagine being in "her shoes." I knew the story of Stephanie Nielson and her husband and read her blog but it was nice to read about some of the details of the accident and recovery (still a daily recovery and never-ending process.) I find her inspiring and hope that she continues to lead a wonderful life!
I received a $25 gift card for Amazon.com (which is like my favorite!!) from one of my students yesterday! I have already bought some books and cannot wait to start reading today! Gotta love getting a book delivered to your Kindle instantly!
Happy Memorial Day Weekend! I think we will go enjoy the day on the beach!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Mid-Week Happenings...

This week has been exhausting...but it is half way done and a three day weekend approaching...so not all bad! Today Norah had her Art time and painted a Marlin...(look how fast her face has healed!)
Then since it is Wednesday...it is Family Night! We made Norah a sandwich and a bag of strawberries and headed to the beach!

Jeff and Norah braved the waters and had a blast! I watched and read a book...so it was complete heaven! Every time I would look up...it would make me smile. I love my Jeff and Norah! I have been stressed out lately and slightly overwhelmed but the beach and spending time with my family always clears my thoughts! We ended up leaving about 7:30 pm to get Norah ready for bed and now we are gearing up for tomorrow and headed to bed ourselves. So I will leave you with one last beach pic...enjoy!

Monday, May 20, 2013

Weekend in Review...Camping time...

Friday...Jeff took Norah to school for me so she didn't have to go as early...well...she was getting out of his truck and somehow lost her balance/foot got caught and ended up face planting on concrete! Not good! Blood was everywhere....we couldn't tell if she broke her nose or her teeth...ended up taking her to dentist (a big thanks to Dr. Grabeman for seeing her before he opened!)..teeth were good. She had cut the inside of her mouth pretty bad, busted her lip and scratched up her chin and nose. After we got her some medicine, bag of ice, and cleaned up....she went to class and was such a trooper! Here is a pic once we got home...poor thing!
Friday afternoon came and Norah and I picked up the last items needed for the camping trip and packed up everything. Jeff and Norah left for our first camping trip and I went to a school event party. We were so appreciative to be asked to go camping with the Georgetown Presbyterian Church group. It was one price and included the camp site and food. So now the camping trip...
This was the first time we have camped as a family and the first time Norah and I have camped at all! I hate that I didn't go on Friday because...I LOVED CAMPING! Who knew?! Seriously...it was the most fun and I cannot wait to go again! Here are the details...we stayed at Huntington State Park which was great because it was so close to us (We stayed in "Primitive Area" on the left of the map which was for tents only.)

We were in spot "4" and had Boy Scout Troops staying in the other areas so there was a lot of tents out there! We were in walking distance to a bathroom and beach. Jeff and Norah got there Friday with the rest of the families, set up camp, explored, had dinner (grilled chicken, sausages, onions and potatoes) and hung out. Jeff said the kids were running around having a blast. They found a pelican skull which they thought was cool. :)



We used a tent that my mom had bought years ago but never had used! It was the Cadillac of tents and it worked awesome! It had a "screen porch" section that helped keep all the bugs out and the room part was super tall and spacious. (That is our tent on the right!)
Saturday morning I got up...took care of dogs, showered and did a quick clean and load of laundry and got out to Huntington about 10:00 am...I met Norah at the Nature Center where she was making a shirt with paint and these rubber sea animals. It is cute! Jeff and Keith had taken Alec and headed to the beach to set up some fishing poles. Norah and I headed over with another family and met them on the beach. We stayed on the beach from 11:00 til 4:00 leaving once to make some sandwiches at camp for lunch. The weather was perfect!
Jeff fishing and Norah playing in the water...I was reading my book! A perfect day for me!

The salt water really helped heal her cuts on her face and in her mouth! The beach cures all!
Jeff headed back twice to let the dogs out, etc. which worked out great. After one time, he went and explored the marsh lands with a fishing rod...(That is Hoppe!!)
We then cleaned up at an outside shower that was super cold! Then hung out around the campfire before dinner. They grilled some venison sausages to snack on and then made tacos! The food was handled by a couple of families and was awesome! Here is a pic of Norah and Ellie hanging by the fire...
We got an entire group shot (one of the boy scouts took it for us) so I hope they e-mail me a copy and I will update the blog with it! I do wish I had taken more pics but it was nice to not have my phone attached to me. No TV or anything...it was pretty great. I honestly can say that camping was the most fun and I cannot wait to do it again! I loved everything about it and the company was great! When we got up Sunday...they made pancakes, eggs and sausages (they had this Saturday morning too) and then we packed up! We headed home to take the dogs out and then Norah and I cleaned up and went to a dance recital. We got to see cute Ellie perform and one of my students was in it too! It was so cute and I am glad we went. To end the night...I took Norah out to eat where she got spaghetti...it was so nice to go out to eat together so we could chat about everything. She loved camping too (when asked what her favorite thing about camping was...she stated "I liked all of it"!)
Well it was hard for the weekend to end and we are already trying to plan our next camping trip...I am ready to go for a longer period of time. Taking my Kindle was great because I read "Anne of Green Gables" to Norah at night before bed and was able to read my book too. We used a lot of bug spray and there was a lot of spiders (I hate bugs!) but it still goes down as one of my favorite things we have done. :)

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Three (point) Three Things Thursday...

1.
Books I have read lately...

Just a quick "fun fluff" read as you know I love "Pride and Prejudice"...plus it was like  $2.99 for the Kindle book


This was for our book club (I actually finished it after we met for it...oops!) and the writing was good but really...I so dislike both Charles and Anne Lindbergh as they were portrayed after reading it so it is hard to recommend to others. Both characters drove me crazy and I did not like reading about the kidnapping/death of their child. However, it was interesting to learn about them..being real people. I did actually hear that people like Anne Lindbergh's book "Gift from the Sea"...so maybe I will read that one day.
This is our book we picked for our book club in June and I am already half way through it...so far I really like it! I'm very anxious to see how they make it end, etc. 

2. 
I got my hair all cut off today. It needed it! I had issues with having a lot of new growth but the ends of my hair up about 3-4 inches was very fine. She asked if I have had thyroid problems or been under extreme stress in the last year...I laughed! I think we will go with option 2...anyway...after lots of inches gone...it feels much better. Now if I could just find my money tree so I can get it highlighted... :) Haircut is a little like the one I got HERE but slightly longer...
Would love highlights like this! (And look at that make-up...perfection!) I LOVE Adele!
3. 
This weekend is going to be a busy one. The Hoppe Family is going Camping! Yes, in a tent! Norah is so excited! I will share pics and details soon. I also already have another commitment on Friday night...so I will be heading off to a Martini Party that benefits our school (it should be a great time!)...and meet the family on Saturday for the rest of the camp trip. Sunday...after we get home from camping...I will be heading to see one of my students in a dance performance...should be great (Thank you to the parent of this student who bought me a ticket to it!) Still wondering if we can get to Church on Sunday as it is a big event and picnic but not sure if we will make it...

3.1 
I got the most amazing note today and a gift card to Starbucks with it! This note came from a student at our school (and I don't even teach this student!)...when you get something like this...it is the reason you teach. This student is such a good kid! It made my week to get it! 

3.2 
TV...So Season Finales are all on TV and I watched "NCIS LA" in full yesterday (DVR) and loved that he kissed her! But the end was painful to watch...now I want to know what happens next!
And tonight is the "Big Bang Theory"...I hope it is good!

3.3
Oh yeah...gotta tell you about my deal I got. I need new running shoes...I have gotten a blister the last couple times I have gone running and/or walking so knew it was way past time to get new ones. I wear the same ones as they are the ones I got fitted for a long time ago and they are awesome! (I so recommend you get fitted for running shoes at a running store...it makes a world of difference.) Well I have been watching the shoes since the beginning of the year on three different sites for the price to go down (They were $109.00 pretty much everywhere) (Why are running shoes so expensive? MB-I know you feel this pain.) Anyway, last night they were only $75 on this WEBSITE (they usually have the best prices) and then I "Goggled" for a coupon and low and behold...found one...the shoes ended up being $63 total (that is shipped and all!) I was so happy!
So I might have picked another color...but you can't be picky when you save over $40!
Well I'm off to get ready for TGIF tomorrow! :)

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Great Weekend...

It has been a great weekend but need to back up a little...Norah had Muffins for Moms on Friday at school and she was so cute! She made me the best cards and vase of "flowers" for me...I just love her so much! My mom got to come with us so she ended up taking Norah home after the program and they ended up hitting the beach.
Poor Darcy had been acting strange all week and I thought maybe he had an allergic reaction to something that was used on him for his wash and haircut...but I ended up taking him the the vet on Friday. I am so glad I did because he has a bacteria infection in both ears and all over his skin! So lots of medicine later, he is slowly getting better. Poor thing!
So after taking Darcy home from the vet, Norah and I went and got our nails done for my Mother's Day! When I asked her what her favorite part was...she said she liked when they rubbed her feet and the chair "bumped" her! She is awesome!
Jeff fished on Friday so we had a fish fry with the Wilcox family and it was a great night!We always have such a great time with them! (They fried some shrimp too...it was all so yummy!)
Saturday came and we went to breakfast together. Jeff and I got some papers to read...still aren't big fans of reading the local papers here yet...so we got these...
Saturday was low key and needed! Norah and I went to visit Nini and Pops and then went on the beach for a little while. The weather is pretty awesome right now!

Sunday we ate brunch with Pops and Nini for Mother's Day...then Pops had to head home. I ended up going for a run (which was so needed!) Jeff went to the gym while Norah and I went to the grocery store for the week's supplies. Then I took my mom to the movies and dinner for Mother's Day and Jeff took Norah to the beach! Today was absolutely beautiful weather wise too! My mom and I saw "The Great Gatsby" and both really liked it! The clothes were amazing and the details were grand. (Seriously I loved the clothes!!) It was a little strange to hear such modern music during it but I thought the acting was perfect! We then got a great dinner at Salt Creek Cafe...it was a great day! Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there...especially my mom and Jeff's mom! Being a mom to Norah is my favorite thing in the entire world!!
Now it is back to reality and time to gear up for the week...how horrible is it that I'm already ready for next weekend! :)