Burgers, Snow Cones, Strawberries ... Oh My!

When we woke up today we had a plan ... which was a first for us this Spring Break. Spring Break for Torrey and I could be called the "Week of the No Plan" ... and it was fantastic.  But, Dean was home and we had a plan ... partly because we had to cram a whole week of fun into one day.  Dern the "Week of the No Plan"!

We started with lunch at Smash Burgers ... a first for us.

 It was OK ... Five Guys is still our fave.  I got a salad ... which Torrey said was my problem.  Perhaps.


There was then a fun for me trip to Pottery Barn.  There are no pictures because it was only fun for me ... the only thing that kept Torrey in the game was knowing that right after we were finished in Pottery Barn we were headed to ...

 Mam's House of Ice.  Oh how we love!  We discovered this little trailer of icy goodness last summer.  It is only open during the warm months (thankfully MOST of the year in Houston) and the only draw back is the almost hour drive to get a snow cone.  Worth the drive.  And the usual half hour or more wait.  This was our first snow cone of the season ... it won't be our last!


After the snow cone goodness, we drove to my favorite farm stand to pick strawberries.  Seriously.  If you visit me in the summer, I guarantee you will get a snow cone and a trip to Frohberg's.  You may not love either as much as me, but just pretend.

 At this point in the post, I want to throw out there that Blogger is being wonky.  It is allowing some pictures, but not others.  Huh?  I may or may not be to blame.  Whatever blogger.


Right before I took this picture, we passed a group of women and one of them exclaimed, "No one told me there would be sweating involved!"  Which caused us to giggle ... and then Dean got a whiff of manure and this picture HAD to be taken!

 Oh field of strawberry goodness ... I would pick every single ripe strawberry if I had three weeks!  The field stretched on and on and on.  Super fun for this city girl.

 Torrey had been wanting to go strawberry picking most of Spring Break.  At some point we decided to wait until Dean could go with us ... neither one of them had been strawberry picking before.  Huh?  She loved it.

 I loved that I didn't have to pick one single strawberry.  Oh, I kid.  I picked about ten.  The only thing my two strawberry pickers did not love were the bees.  There are some things you don't tell people about until you are absolutely certain they can't back out.  

 In the end, one bucket had 4 pounds and the other one had 3 (slacker, Dean) ... which means we now have 7 pounds of strawberries in the fridge.  Um, anyone know what to do with that many strawberries?

When we left the field we spotted this little beauty ... since we were so close to St. Patrick's Day, we got a good giggle.  Because I'm pretty sure this isn't the "pot o gold" everyone thinks of when they think of a rainbow!

In the end it was a glorious day.  Well, it was glorious in the beginning too.  And the middle.  And the ...

Why We are Adding a Few Locks

Spring Break is two days away.  Two.  If you are quiet you can hear the angel's singing.  It has been a long two and half months.  Very long.

We are staying home this year.  Well, half of us are staying home.  Dean will be in Orlando for meetings.  Torrey and I are pretty bitter about it.  He comes home the evening of her 15th birthday ... which only adds salt to the wound.

With or without him we have plans ... none of which involve me going to see that Bieber kid's movie.  Which is totally contrary to Torrey's belief.  I have bigger plans ... cleaning out our closet (AGAIN ... I think it will have to become a bi-annual event!) and adding some locks to the front door.  Mostly because I discovered these on the camera when I got home ...

The past two weeks have been "Interim Term" in high school.  Which basically means for the past two weeks Torrey has been doing fun things.  The first week is all about service ... she served at a homeless mission.  And loved it.  This week has been a little different.  On Monday she went on a walking tour of downtown Houston ... didn't love so much.  Last night she went to see Billy Elliott on Houston's version of Broadway.  Loved.  

Tonight she was headed to see the Blue Man Group.  They have to dress up a bit ... tonight was more casual.  Dean snapped these for me ... mostly because I haven't really seen her since Monday night since she has been out late.

And, seeing these kind of made me cringe.  And, not just because I posted a picture of my girl standing in front of a huge empty wall that needs to be repainted.

No ... I cringed because cuteness is growing up.  When did this happen?  And how? And who gave permission?  

But, I've got no time to sleuth out the answers ... I've got to go add to our lock situation.  I've got a feeling we are going to be needing them soon!

43 Things about Tracy...

As is my annual tradition, each year on February 12^th, the 12^th of February, I “hack” Tracy’s blog to post a birthday wish. Today, 43 things about Tracy...

She loves and trusts God. She loves me. She loves Torrey. She never talks bad about me to her friends. She’s a GREAT Teacher. She likes a good nap. She picks a lane and stays there.  She protects Sophie. She makes me laugh. She is a book worm. She does a terrific Barney Fife impression.  She is smart. She pours a mean Diet Coke. Jesus wants her to be happy. She doesn't like talking on the phone. She hates the smell of fish. She is a blog stalker. She’s addicted to Starbucks, lemon heads and Angry Birds. She has an unusual attraction to frosting.  She’s craftsy. She likes to be home. She always takes the smallest slice. She can always tell when people are full of it. She wishes we got an electric blanket 18 years ago. She is Ben’s birthday buddy. She loves the beach. Easter is her favorite Holiday. She sorts in piles. She has 383 emails in her inbox. She proofreads all my important emails. She doesn’t like change but is always willing to breathe through it. She colors inside the lines. She is shy. She makes delicious rolls. She doesn’t like cold weather. She cries on the last day of school. She is already planning her (Torrey’s) wedding.  She knows a touchdown is worth 6 points. She is sweet to her friends. She is a “little” competitive. She was there when I caught my first firefly. She changed my life for the better when she said, “Where’d you get that?” and then said “Yes.”  She is 29 (again) today!

Happy Birthday, Tracy! Torrey and I both love you very much!

Dean

I Am Aware ...

It is Tuesday.  Which means I SHOULD be posting my Project Life Week 3 post.  


Please notice the word SHOULD.  Because tonight I can not.  


Before you panic ... the pictures are taken.  I have carefully kept track of what happened and what I want to say.  I will be ready to post tomorrow.  


But tonight ... oh tonight, I just can't.  Someone has a fever.  Someone taught Kindergarten today with a fever.  Someone should not have gone to school today with a fever.  Someone is going to school tomorrow with a fever.  


And, I know I shouldn't ... but, it is the 100th day of school and my little peeps are coming to school dressed like they are 100 years old.  Oh for the cuteness ... I will not miss it for all the world.  


I realized I should not have come to school today when (firstly) a mom said to me "I love you.  Let me start with that.  But, you look terrible.  Go home.  I'll take your class." and (secondly) when the making of the Fruit Loop necklaces nearly did me in.  For the love ... 18 Kindergartners simultaneously making Fruit Loop necklaces with 100 Fruit Loops.  ("Can I eat one?" "I need help."  "My needle came out of the string"  "Can I eat just one?" "I need help."  "I have to make a pattern?" "When will I get to eat this thing?" "I need help."  "Did you know I LOVE Fruit Loops?" "PLEASE CAN I EAT ONE?!!")  It would have been easier to herd cats.  All I'm sayin'.


So, tomorrow.  I'll post the pictures tomorrow.  Even if I have to do it in a fevered state.

Project Life ... Week Three

Oh, yes peeps, I have made it to week #3 ... and, yes I am aware that several of you are shocked.  Whatever. 

Another one bites the dust.  This time it was the washing machine.  Totally over things breaking.  Big things breaking.  Praying this week is break-free ... our wallet and psyche can't take much more!

 Martin Luther King's Birthday.  I spent the day at school with my Kinderfriends.  Part of our day was spent doing a service project.  We packed 21 boxes for a platoon of Marines serving in Afghanistan.  Sent with the love and prayers of 72 Kindergartners.  Doesn't get much sweeter than that!

 We don't do Teacher Appreciation Week at my school.  Instead, families take turns blessing teachers for the week.  We never know whose turn it is or what week they have or even if it is a week someone will bless us ... surprises just arrive.  These lovelies arrived for me today ... and instantly brightened my day!

We heard about the Texas sky before we moved here.  Words and pictures can't begin to describe its beauty.  Tonight I stepped out into the backyard and couldn't get over the beauty of the night sky.  Gorgeous!

 Dean's 43rd birthday.  We went to dinner at Outback ... much to Torrey and Dean's joy.  Our lives feel out of control busy right now ... between school, work, volleyball practice, this day alone was crazy.  It was sweet to stop and breathe and celebrate Dean ... if even for just a bit.

 Torrey wrote this card to Dean.  She called it "The. Best. Card. Ever." and made me take a picture of it.  I do believe it was the best card ever.  Because she meant every word.

The moon is full.  Which would explain a lot.  Since becoming a teacher, full moons have taken on a new meaning.  And that meaning is not good.

There you have it ... week #3.  And to week #4 I say, "Bring it!"

44 Things About Dean

He loves God.  He loves me.  He loves Torrey.  He takes great care of his mom.  He works hard.  He accomplishes more by 6 in the morning than most do all day.  He drives fast.  He doesn't honk his horn anymore when he drives.  He loves his dogs.  He is funny.  He doesn't love to read.  He is a New England Patriots fan ... even when they stink.  He is smart.  He is politically savvy.  He is willing to sit through a Justin Bieber concert ... because he loves his girl.  The thought of walking Torrey down the aisle makes him cry.  He doesn't like roller coasters.  He won't eat cherries.  He tries to like coffee.  He brings me coffee at school and always gets it right.  He gets up early, not because he has to, but to help me in the morning.  He always loads my car in the morning.  He goes to the beach because Torrey and I love it.  He makes me laugh.  He loves to worship.  He knows all the words to most hymns ... all 4 stanzas!  He can play the guitar.  He doesn't like clutter.  He is quiet.  He thinks before he speaks.  He doesn't like to have more than 5 things in his email inbox.  He talks about writing a book.  He will do anything for Torrey.  He is the loudest cheerer at Torrey's volleyball games.  He doesn't like to see us sad.  He can fix things ... garbage disposals and wagons.  He reads my blog and smiles when he does.  He is teaching Torrey to drive.  He can recite most lines from any MASH episode.  He can speak well in front of a crowd.  He doesn't forget names.  He dreams of visiting Italy.  He changed my life for the better when he asked me to marry him.  He is 44 today!


Happy Birthday, Dean ... praying your 44th year is full of good things!  Torrey and I both love you so much!

Project Life 2011 ... Week Two

Week two.  I actually made it to week two.  Look at me go.  And, please know that I am totally patting myself on the back and giving myself fireworks claps ... it is how I tick. 

I am posting this over at Jessica's blog ... her blog totally made me believe I could actually do this.  I do not know her in real life ... which is probably a good thing.  Since I stalk her and all.  I am supposed to put the Project Life button on my blog or on my post ... if Jessica and I were real life friends she would know that I am technologically challenged.  I figured she would forgive me for a week or two while I tried to figure it out.

So ... here we go ... this is what we did this week.  Please contain your excitement!

 Rainy.  Gloomy.  Cold.  Totally describes the weather today ... and my mood.  Not sure the reason for my foul mood, but it has lingered and lingered and lingered today.  Praying for the sun tomorrow ... both outside and in me!

 Family dinner.  Moments to come together.  Moments to laugh.  Moments to reconnect.  Moments to talk about our day.  Seems like not long enough moments, but these days I'll take whatever moments I can get.  Gram is home.  Our family is complete.

 It.  Is.  Freezing.  When we left the house it was 31 degrees this morning.  It warmed up some, but not much.  I was so happy when Dean turned on the fireplace tonight.  The family room was cozy, cozy, cozy.  Perhaps another one tomorrow night ... it is supposed to be even colder tomorrow!

 We got new furniture in October.  I love it all, but I am especially in love with my paisley chair.  Seems I am not the only one who loves the paisley chair.  Zack is in love with it too.  Which explains why my beautiful paisley chair is covered in towels. Dern dog!

 She is a playa' ... a volleyball playa' that is!  Torrey played on her school's 9th grade team this year and fell in love with the game.  She is now doing club volleyball, but is only on the practice team (her choice).  She goes to practice two nights a week from 7:30-9:30.  Yes.  AT NIGHT!  She always comes out with a smile on her face ... and utterly exhausted.

 We made it to the weekend.  Wahoo!  There were a few moments when I wondered if we would ... some weeks are just long like that.  But, here we are ... at the beginning of the weekend.  A weekend that will go too fast ... but, don't they all?

The guest room closet.  Gag.  I couldn't really get in there too well to truly do it justice ... this snippet is enough.  I spent hours in here today and ended up with a plastic tub (plus some!) for a garage sale and a black trash bag (plus some!) for the garbage ... and a cleaner, more organized closet.  My goal is to purge this room by January 31st ... so I can move on to something even grosser.  The craft room.  Give me strength