The Flu, Pumpkins and Wii

Yep, I have the flu. It's awful. I have fever, cough, wheezing, and my entire abdomen aches. Plus I am completely exhausted. I want to get better and get out of the house!

Chris and Kristin are holding down the fort. Chris has cleaned the house from top to bottom....I think he's trying to keep the germs at bay! Kristin informed me that she wants to go to Shawns house, where there "isn't a flu"! Hopefully no one else will get it.

Kristin finally got to pick her pumpkin. Towards the end of her kindergarten year, she brought home a pumpkin sprout that she grew at school. We planted it in the garden, not expecting too much. Well, we ended up with one pumpkin! She is so proud of it!



K has also been into the Wii lately...she loves bowling and if how she drives while playing Mario cart is any indication of what kind of driver she'll be, well, let's just say, my dad would be proud!!!

Kristin's First Post

I lost my first tooth! I was so happy! My Mom pulled it out cause I didn't know how to pull it out myself. Daddy wouldn't ever feel my loose tooth, I wish he did! The tooth fairy brought me four dollars and let me keep my tooth! My cousin Lindsay lost a tooth on the same night!

School is fun but sometimes a little boring. I like doing centers, computer lab, PE, art and music. Mrs. Taylor is a nice teacher and I like her.

Thanks for typing my words, Mom!

Goodbye!

Kristin Arft

BUSY!

We have been so busy lately around here...here are a few highlights (without any pictures, believe it or not!).

*I turned 34! Chris bought me a netbook for my birthday. I love it and will be using it a lot for:
*Montessori preschool teacher certification....I'm finally getting my certification! It will take 7-9 months.
*I started a 45 hour training class on social/emotional learning. Luckily it's a great class.
*Kristin started soccer and is loving it; this week she will begin Parables at our church on Sunday nights (our preacher is her soccer coach!)
*We bought a new dryer tonight and I cannot wait for Lowe's to deliver it tomorrow...that's definitley a hightlight since we have had to run our dryer over and over just to get one load halfway dry!
*Our Wal-Mart was remodeled....Chris was so busy with all of that, but the store looks GREAT!
*My class of 10 is keeping me on my toes....I've always said it's the children who challenge you who make you a better teacher. By the end of the year, I should be the best! They are fun, though and I love them!

So, we've had a lot going on which is why I have not been blogging much at all. Oh, just an FYI...since changing Kristin's medication, she hasn't had a single migraine! Praise the Lord!!!! She has had a couple of minor headaches, but they weren't anything major. She is enjoying school and loves her teacher. Next week K is going to the doctor for a med checkup. I emailed her teacher just to check that she was doing ok in class to help determine if she's on the right dosage. The teacher emailed back that up until last Thrusday she had been very quiet, but is now talking a lot, but is doing very good on her work and is staying focused....hot dog!!! That's just what I wanted to hear. Mrs. Taylor has been so good to let me know how Kristin is doing and I'm so thankful for that!

I'm off to bed. Hope everyone has a good weekend!

First Day...First Grade!

Well, Kristin started first grade. I took her to her class this morning and there were a few tears, but she was ok. She has such a hard time with change. Luckily there is a little girl in her class that she knows and Kristin talked about her a lot today, so hopefully that will help. Kristin got home around 4 and said that riding the bus is "so cool!" I like that I get home a little after 3:30 and have a quiet house before everyone gets home!

I already love Kristin's teacher. I got an email from her tonight. She said that Kristin had a good day and she appreciated the letter I wrote (I always write a letter letting them know about Kristin's personality, ADHD, OCD, etc. and I added today about her new medication). She said that she would watch Kristin for any adverse reactions, wanted to keep in close contact with me and work with me to help Kristin have a good year. That's more than I got all year from her Kindergarten teacher. So, I think it will be a good year for all of us.

Kristin went to the doctor yesterday. The doctor and I both think the Strattera may be causing some of her headaches, so we are switiching her over to a new medicine. It will be interesting to see what happens with the headaches. Migraines run in the family, so I won't be surprised if they don't go away completely. But as long as they aren't as often as they are now, I will be happy.

I'm still trying to get my classroom together. We have a few kids who aren't starting until next week, so we aren't "officially" beginning our new year until Monday. So, that gives me more time to put off getting my room done. It's driving me crazy, so I'm going to have to finish it.

That's about all the news from here. Kristin is bouncing off the walls. We went for a walk, she's been out playing with some kids and she just ran through here naked (she just finished her shower). Time for us all to go to bed! 5:15 came early for me this morning...I'm used to sleeping until 5:45 or 6:00. Now I've got to get up and ready before Kristin gets up, it just makes everything go smoother! Hope everyone is having a great week!

Where Has the Summer Gone????

Only one more week left of summer vacation. I can't believe Kristin will be in the first grade. Her teacher called a few nights ago to talk with her and that made her so happy! I was happy also to find out that her teacher is Mrs. Taylor. She has taught for a long time and is exactly what I requested Kristin get in a teacher...firm and structured, but loving. We've gotten all the school supplies together, a "new" backpack (thanks to Maddie and Kenzie!) and new lunchbox (Twilight, of course), and a first day outfit all ready to go. Next Monday is open house and then Wednesday is the first day of school! It will also be the first day of our official school year at Sunshine Montessori. The school-agers will be gone (finally!) and I will have 8 three year olds and 2 two and a half year olds. Lots of fun! I'm also getting ready to start a 45 hour training course on social/emotional learning. One of the girls in my class has some definite emotional issues and if I don't get some help, I'm going to have some emotional issues of my own! Hopefully it will be a good class. So, if you need me on a Tuesday night between now and December...you'll find me in class at Fayetteville!

Here are some random pictures from the last few weeks...Kristin is a goofball seems to be the theme!



This was after Kristin had been swimming all day one day at the aquatic center with the school-agers. She usually comes back worn out since she swims the entire three hours they are there. On this day it was very hot and she had a headache, and as soon as we got home she made a pallet and went to sleep!



Tyring on back to school clothes....



Here's Kristin trying out her dancing moves....






I'm not sure what she's doing here!!!!

Here are the pictures from our day in Branson.

Make a Smilebox photobook

We had a great day in Branson. The Titanic tour was really good but kind of depressing...Kristin was the only "survivor" out of the three of us. She LOVED the room that had all the stuff from the movie (it's one of her favorites...she will watch the ENTIRE movie) and was so happy to get her own Heart of the Ocean necklace.

We spent the rest of the day at Branson Landing. We went on the Ride the Duck tour, which in my opinion, is one of the best things there. SO worth the money! We of course did lots of shopping and watched the fountain shows. Kristin loved playing in the water before we left that night. We're going back for Kristin's birthday so she can see all the Christmas decorations at Silver Dollar City. We'll probably go Eureka Springs again then too, since they really "do up" Christmas. Anyway, it's back to work on Monday...school starts in two and a half weeks..I can't believe K will be in FIRST GRADE!!!!

Vacation!!!!

We had a great time on our Branson/Eureka Springs vacation. Here is Kristin's photobook of our Eureka Springs pictures that we worked on today.

Make a Smilebox photobook

We'll make one of our day in Branson later. Once again we stayed at the Stone Meadow Resort, and once again it was wonderful. We pretty much just relaxed, played games, walked around Eureka Springs and did some shopping. It was nice to not have everything planned out and just relax!!!!

Grown Up Survey

Got this survey from Alison :)

Tired of all of those surveys made up by high school kids?! 'Have you ever kissed someone? Missed someone? Told someone you loved them? Drank alcohol? Well, here are questions for those of us who are a little older.

1. What bill do you hate paying the most?
the car payment

2. Where was the last place you had a romantic date?
Well, we are probably the most un-romantic couple around, but we did have a nice steak dinner at Gaskins Cabin in Eureka Springs for our anniversary last month.

3. What do you really want to be doing right now?
reading...I need a good book to read

4. How many colleges did you attend?
one...Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge

5. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now?
because it is comfortable

6. What are your thoughts on gas prices?
I don't think about it much since Chris always fills up my car for me...if he didn't I would be stranded on the side of the road, out of gas!

7. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
I turned it off before it was time to get up. I always wake up before it goes off...my first thought was "two more days until vacation!"

8. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
don't remember

9. Do you miss being a child?
No

10. What errand/chore do you despise?
ironing! I NEVER iron...Chris irons all of his shirts for work!

11. Get up early or sleep in?
I actually like getting up early...I get up around 5:30. Sleeping in for me is around 8:00...I'm always the first one up.

12. What do you get every time you go into Wal-Mart?
milk, regular and vanilla soy

13. Beach or lake?
lake

14. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
No

15. Sopranos or Desperate Housewives?
Desperate Housewives

16. Have you ever crashed your vehicle?
hahaha, let's count how many times I've been in a wreck...once with Cassie on Missouri Street, then with Cassie again pulling into her driveway (a guy behind me ran into me). Then there was the time I rear-ended a car in Cabot. Then Chris and I were in a wreck on Range Line in Joplin when we were rear-ended. All of the wrecks were in my Blazer and were not serious (thank goodness)

17. Ever had to use a fire extinguisher for it's intended purpose?
Nope, never used one

18. Ring tone?
Just the AT&T ringtone

19. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth.
Not really sure...

20. Where have you never been and would like to go?
The East Coast

21. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or a new relationship?
No, I'm happy in my career, believe it or not!
A relationship as in friends, sure...you can't have too many!

22. How old are you?
33

23. Do you have a "go to" person?
Yep

24. Are you where you want to be in life?
Yes...and still getting surprised along the way!

25. Growing up, what were your favorite cartoons?
I really liked the old Warner Brothers cartoons..Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety

26. What about you do you think has changed the most?
I'm a lot more patient than I used to be

27. Looking back at high school were they the best years of your life?
NO WAY!

28. Did you have a pager?
No, I didn't even have a cell phone until a few years ago and they are still one of my biggest pet peeves!

29. Where was the hang out spot when you were a teenager?
Usually at someone's house

30. Were you the type of kid you would want your children to hang out with?
Yes...I was quiet and shy, followed the rules...just the opposite of Kristin! She's more like I am now!!!!

31.Who do you think impacted your life the most?
Several people...some I never realized until years later

32. Was there a teacher or authority figure that stood out for you?
Yes, my senior year English teacher in high school...he really prepared us for college with all the writing and essays we had to do, which I loved.

33. Do you tell stories that start with “when I was your age..."?
All the time...to my preschoolers and to Kristin! I catch myself saying things that mom and dad would tell me when I was little that would make me just roll my eyes (when they weren't looking, of course!)

Well, I needed blog fodder...if you do...copy and post this to your blog!

Fashion Photography Day!

Today was one of my least favorite days at school...picture day! And it rained, which meant we couldn't take the kids out and being the day before the full moon, they were especially hyper! I also had a new little boy start in my class, so I was really glad when the day was over. But Kristin got to have her picture taken and she was thrilled. It was "fashion photography"....the girls got their hair rolled and they all got to "dress up". These are a couple of proofs that I bought. The other two I'm getting in a package and I will post them when they come in. Kristin had a blast and I realized that there is a "girly girl" in there after all!

The week is almost over! I cannot wait to go on vacation! We are leaving Sunday for Eureka Springs. The only thing we have planned for certain is Monday in Branson. We have several things we want to do and see there. Kristin decided against Silver Dollar City (I'm secretly happy)...we plan on going back for her birthday in November to see all the Christmas lights. After our day in Branson, I'm not sure what we are going to do and it's actually nice not to have it all planned out. I do plan on sleeping late and just hanging out. Our cottage has a full kitchen, so we'll go to the grocery store and cook in the cottage some of the time. It will be nice to just be lazy. Oh, we are going to the Farmer's Market in Eureka Springs on Tuesday morning. I do know that!

Only 4 more weeks until school starts. Our lazy summer is quickly coming to an end. Preschoolers are enrolling like crazy and our numbers are going up...that's a good thing, but makes it hard to get back into "school mode." Kristin is a little nervous about first grade and about riding the bus. The bus stops in front of the preschool, so she'll leave from there in the morning and then I think I'll just have the bus drop her off at home, since I get off work at 3:30. I'll have to check and see what time the bus would get to our house. Anyway, I want to do some back to school shopping in Branson for both me and Kristin. I've worn capris and t-shirts all summer...I need some teacher clothes!

Happy 4th!

We didn't do much for the 4th this year...since it was on a Saturday, Chris had the day off, so we just hung out around the house. I grilled some chicken, but since it was raining, I had to grill in the garage/front porch area. The rain let up by late afternoon and we got to go see the fireworks. However while the fireworks were going on you could see storm clouds and lightnening back towards Oklahoma. It stormed most of the night, I think. Anyway, we had a good time...it was a nice day!


Kristin in her Faded Glory tee..we used to always get the Old Navy ones, but now can never find them!



Playing in the rain...Kristin got to try out her new umbrella...until it started storming!



Lunch! We had BBQ chicken, BBQ baked beans and chips. YUM-O!


Of course we had watermelon even though I'm the only one who really likes it! Chris ate cherries and Kristin ate blueberries instead.



Off to see the fireworks! It was a cool night..only 79 degrees!

Our Anniversary!

The last weekend in June Chris and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary...which was really June 12th! I can't believe it's already been 10 years, it still doesn't seem that long ago. Of course, Kristin will be 7 this year and will be in the first grade, which doesn't seem right either, but I digress.

We went to one of our favorite places, Eureka Springs, for the weekend while Kristin stayed with Shawn and her girls. This time we stayed at the Stone Meadow Resort and it was just great. It was the first place I've stayed that I didn't feel like I needed to clean first and it was the first place that was as nice, actually better, than the pictures made it look. It's about 10 miles outside of Eureka, out in the country and was so nice.


Our cottage, Apple Blossom






Inside our cottage






The owners moved here from Las Vegas and the wife graduated from culinary school there. Continental breakfast was brought to us each night so we could enjoy it when we wanted in the morning. Saturday morning our breakfast included bluberry muffins, french toast, yogurt, orange juice and milk. On Sunday morning we had two little egg, pepper cheese and ham casseroles, fresh watermelon, banana bread and orange juice. She even made us an anniversary cake and had a bottle of wine for us! We heated up the cake and enjoyed it with ice cream!

our cake





This giant chess/checkers set was one of the many neat things on the cottage property. Of course it was way too hot to get out any play!




On Saturday we spent the day shopping, had a light lunch, and for supper used our gift certificate for Gaskins Cabin. It is a pricey, but yummy, steakhouse in Eureka. It was SO GOOD and I'm not a steak person! I got shrimp with mine (of course!) which made it even better!

After supper we had a carriage ride scheduled (all of this was part of the package we got with the cottage). Luckily by then it had cooled off enough to enjoy.



Unfortunately Sunday came and we had to leave and come back to reality. Kristin had a great time with Shawn, Maddie and Kenzie. On Friday night Shawn took them out to eat and to see Beauty and the Beast; Satuday they went swimming; Sunday they got up and went to church and just hung out. We all had a great weekend!

Summer Has Arrived!

Summer has officially begun...school is out and so are the lightening bugs! This afternoon Kristin enjoyed the beautiful weather.



Kristin had a hard time with school being over, which surprised me since it's all she's talked about, but she hates change, so it really shouldn't surprise me. On the last day her teacher had an ice cream party for the kids and parents. I went ahead and took her back to work with me since there was only an hour of school left. Well, the tears started. Kristin broke down, said she didn't want to leave her teacher or her friends. We got back to school, made it through the rest of the day, then on the way home, she started crying again. She said that every time she thinks about her friends, she gets sad. I told her she'd she them next year and reminded her of all the fun things she'll be doing this summer. Which almost brought about the waterworks for me...I dread summer! Not only do I hate the heat and humidity, there is just so much going on. It's always more hectic at school with the schoolagers there and then K has ALOT going on this summer. With Sunshine Montessori she'll be going to the aquatic center MWF, 1-4. Then on Tuesday mornings, they'll see movies with the Malco summer kids program; in the afternoon they'll go to the library for their summer program. On Thursdays it's the library and something else. Plus other field trips here and there. This week is VBS at our church and K's ball tournament. Next week K will be staying with my cousin Kim and her boys. The following week K will be going to day camp at the big Baptist church all day (arty-crafty and cheer are the ones she chose...the cheer surprised me!) and that weekend she's staying with Shawn and her girls while Chris and I go to Eureka Springs for our anniversary. WHEW!!! Coming up in July we have swimming lessons for K, train ride from Springdale to Van Buren, and vacation to Kansas City at the end of the month. I'm worn out just thinking about it!

Northside Elementary Parade and Carnival

Every year in May the kindergarten has a parade/carnival fundraiser to celebrate the end of the year. It was Monday night and we had so much fun. The weather was beautiful, after having to cancel twice for rain. I was glad they got to have it on the football field, otherwise it would've been in the cafeteria, without the parade. Anyway, the theme was "the circus." Kristin's class was dressed as dalmations...they were so cute! Sparky, the mascot for the Siloam fire department, was supposed to walk in the parade with them, but ended up coming late, due to a fire. But he made it and the kids were so happy to see him. After the parade there were tons of games, balloons and food. There was also a petting zoo from the safari in Gentry. I think that was Kristin's favorite thing, along with riding in the wagon pulled by minerature horses. By the time we got home, K was exhausted and went right to sleep.

Kristin and Mrs. Thomas

Sparky made it just in time!

Kristin loved the petting zoo and now wants a rabbit!

Yummy nachos!

What's a carnival without a balloon animal???

Only nine days of school left! K is so ready for the year to be over...she said she's bored with school! Today they got to go tour Allen Elementary (1st and 2nd grade) and she was pretty excited about that. Of course she will be with me at Sunshine Montessori doing all kinds of stuff with the school agers...she is most excited about swimming three days a week at the aquatic center! She has two softball games left then a tournament. I think she's had fun, but could take it or leave it. This fall she's going to play soccer. I don't care as long as it's something to burn off energy!

Hope everyone has a good Memorial weekend. I don't think we are going to do anything too exciting. I'd hoped to have the pool up, but that may be a few more weeks! We may go see the new Night at the Museum movie, who knows!

Gettin' Down with Mother Goose

Tuesday was Kristin's school pod Kindergarten program. It was really cute and she did a good job. I was worried that the Quality Approval people would show up at work and I wouldn't get to go, but they didn't and I was there. Chris was on vacation so he got to go too. She seemed pretty nervous, but she had a good time. After the program her teacher had cookies and punch for the kids and parents. Kristin had fun showing us everything in her room. Poor thing...they have a chart of everyone who has lost teeth and she's the only one who hasn't!


Monday night is the Kindergarten parade/carnival. The weather is supposed to be beautiful, so I'm excited about it. We are almost done with softabll. I think she has 5 games left then the tournament. Then it's on to a full summer of fun!! I'll post more pictures soon!

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope everyone has had a great weekend and Mother's Day. We have had an almost rain-free weekend, believe it or not! It did rain off and on yesterday, but nothing like it has been for the past couple of weeks. Of course, rain is in the forecast for tomorrow and several days this week. My Mother's Day has been great. Chris and Kristin got me a hanging basket of white petunias and a dvd of Jon and Kate Plus 8 (I'm pretty sure Kristin picked that out...she wanted to watch it first thing). Kristin made a cute handprint picture with a poem at school and at church made me a card.







With all the rain that we've had my garden is growing really well and during the week my roses and honeysuckle started blooming. As soon as you walk out the front door you can smell them...I love it! K and I picked some roses and honeysuckle to bring inside and now my kitchen smells great!







On Friday my sister-in-law, Brandy, had her baby, Beau Austin. He weighed 7lb 13oz. Kristin cannot wait to see him, but has told us several times over the weekend that she does NOT want a little sister or brother...ever. Fine with me!!!!