Payton has news!

  A little late on posting this since it did become "Facebook official" over two weeks ago:)  We are thrilled that Payton is FINALLY going to be a big sister in January.  I am 15 weeks today.  Payton keeps saying that she wants a little sister, so we shall see.  :)

Congratulations, Chad!

After 9 years of coaching middle school cross country, Chad is moving up to the high school!  He will be the new MHS boys' cross country coach.  He replaces long time coach, Tim Bell, and takes over a prestigious program.  He is very excited and has already started writing workouts! :) 

http://www.timesrepublican.com/page/content.detail/id/560399/MHS-track-coach-Pietig-named-Bell-s-successor.html?nav=5010

We've been busy!!

So I think this is the first night since last Sunday that we've actually been home with nothing on the agenda.

Last Sunday was Mother's Day and we traveled to Knoxville for supper with my parents, Aaron and Jess and family, and my grandparents.  We had a lovely meal and it was nice to spend time together.

Monday night Payton had her st
udio dance rehearsal.

Tuesday night we were at Chad's track awards banquet.

Wednesday night Chad had to work the Hershey Track Meet (youth meet) and then we had the State qualifiers over for spaghetti supper.

Thursday night Chad was at State Track Meet.

Friday night Chad was at State Track Meet and Payton had her staging dance rehearsal.

Saturday Chad was at State Track Meet and Payton had 2 recitals--1:00 and 7:00. (That was a lonnnggg day!)

Sunday we went to Sesame Street Live--so fun!

Last night Payton had dance pictures.


So.....tonight is the first night in awhile that we are actually home and able to relax a little. This is such a crazy time of year for us! We are both busy trying to get assessments done and grades in. 7 more days of school! We are ready for summer vacay!

Here are some pictures of our fun happenings!

My friend Amanda makes canvases so Chad had her make this for Mother's Day.  He was pretty proud of his creativity--I love it!

All girls on Mother's Day

 

Love this little girl!

Payton getting ready to run the 50 meter fun run. Chad had Eisha run next to her.  Even though she got last, she had fun!

This is what your entryway looks like when you have 13 track girls over to your house--running shoes!

2013 State Qualifiers (plus Payton)  :)



Ready for her first recital of the day

Grandma Creighton came to the 1:00 recital. I'm glad she did because Chad was still at the State Track Meet so it was nice to have her there with me.  She came over for awhile afterwards and we sat on the deck for awhile.



Payton with Nana, Papa, and Harper before her recital



I tried to get a picture of her with her flowers, but she just wanted to go home.  It had been a long day!!



Daddy and Payton at Sesame Street Live

I'd say we got there in plenty of time.  First ones there!

It was a fun show and Payton loved it!

Phone Dump

It's been awhile since I've posted any pics, so I thought I'd post some off my phone.



Payton's May Day "baskets" that she took to daycare.  I wasn't in the mood for messing with red solo cups, pipe cleaners, and popcorn.  So we went with bubbles.  You can never go wrong with bubbles, right?  Although I did do popcorn, M&Ms, and starbursts for my students.  I just got already popped popcorn and we put them in baggies, so less mess. 

 

 

These next two pictures were taken during our May snow storm--so bizarre!  I let Relay out that morning and he looked at me like I was crazy.  He loves to play in the snow--in the winter.  But this dog must have known that it was May and it DOES NOT snow in May!!

 

Chad had Payton at practice one afternoon and I came to pick her up only to find Chad and the entire team in these awesome bandanas.  Apparently, the throwers wear them and one of the throwers decided to get one for every girl on the team. 

 

 

They had to get a team pic.

 May 6--Marshalltown finally got a Starbucks!  Love me some skinny vanilla latte!  I can't afford one every day, so I make it my little treat on Fridays. :)

 May 6--we also celebrated Relay's 6th birthday. Chad was at a track meet, so Payton and I had a little celebration for him.  I guess if you want to call a milk bone a celebration :)

 

We've been doing a Life Cycles unit in Science, and after our butterflies hatched, I brought Payton over to look at them.  I took her in when they were still in their chrysalises too, so it was cool for her to see the process. 

 

This picture cracks me up.   She went to bed one night in these black church shoes.  She is obsessed with these babies.  We don't allow her to wear them to daycare, but they are the first thing she asks for when we get home.  They are so worn out, too small, and pretty dangerous since they are so slick.  She had them on in the mall one day and slipped twice because they have no traction.  I had them in the Goodwill pile the other day and the stinker found them and put them on.  :)

Prayers for Oklahoma

I sat in tears as I watched the devastation on the news last night.  The part that really got me was the elementary school.  I just can't help but think that could happen to any one of us.  We practice tornado drills all the time, but you never really think that it will happen to you.  I read about a teacher who laid on top of 6 students to protect them.  I know that is what you do as teachers--anything to keep your students safe.  I can't imagine how those parents felt as they had to wait in a nearby church as rescue crews searched for their children.  It makes me sick to think about.  My heart breaks for all those involved.  Sending lots of love and prayers to OK!

Who Moved My Cheese?

Have you ever read this book?  I had to read it in college and then again a couple years ago as a book study at school.  It's about dealing with change...something I don't handle well.  Ever since I was a kid, I've never dealt well with change.  So, when I was approached by my principal back in January about moving up to 3rd grade next year, I was quite skeptical.  I didn't want to leave my classroom, my 2nd grade curriculum which I love, and everything that I have known to be familiar for the past 5 years.  After much prayer, I have realized that this could actually be a good change.  Last week the official announcement was made to the staff and I made the announcement to parents today in my newsletter.  I am certainly sad to be leaving 2nd grade, but excited for the challenge that awaits me.  I have always believed that everything happens for a reason, and I think there is a reason this opportunity has presented itself.  So, it looks like my cheese will be moving up to the 3rd floor at Franklin Elementary next fall! :)

Really, Mother Nature?!

Mother Nature, do you know not know that it's May 2nd?!