Teachers Appreciation Week

I honestly believe that next to family, the most important people in my child's life are his teachers. I am honored to be part of the Staff Appreciation Committee at Payton's school and for our first year, we wanted to make Teacher's Appreciation week a HUGE success.

We had parents write notes for their child's teachers and I read them aloud at all-school assembly that takes place every morning. Monday, we provided breakfast and huge banner made by some students. Wednesday they had lunch provided and Friday I made a cake. They got a couple little notions throughout the week and also a book assembled by us that had writings from each of their students.

I had chosen a cake that I thought I could do, but with Payton's birthday the week before, I was about fed up with cake. On Thursday night at 7pm, I finally sat down to decorate the cake I had been assembling over the last 24 hours. What was I going to do? Finally, it came to me!! The school mascot!! (created by Payton's infamous Uncle Jason...geez, he's getting a lot of face time this week!!)




It only took me about 5 hours to make the ingredients for the decorating and then decorate it. Not too bad really. And it was a huge success!! All the staff loved it and thought it looked great!

The Newest Love of My Life

I know some of you are worried. ;) It's not a "who"; it's a "what"!!

As previously reported, about a month ago, Matt's brother generously gave us his "old" digital camera; a Nikon D70 Digital SLR Camera with a few lens filters and such. I LOVE IT!!! I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself! I've been taking pictures of everything! Unfortunately with Payton being at school during the least busy times of my day, he's out of most of my photo shoots. (sorry, buddy!) But that will change in a few weeks when he's out of school.

So, here are my favorites so far. (Did I mention I love this camera?!?!?)


FLOWERS





FIRE



FAMILY

Payton Turns Six

Goodness. Can you believe my oldest child is six years old? I feel like I just birthed him. But alas, his birth month is over. We finished by running over into May a bit (just to the third) to have his big family birthday party.

MONTHS ago my child decided on his birthday party theme, LEGOs. (He's a planner...he already has his Halloween costume chosen.) That was a tough one for me, but I managed to pull it off. A good number of family and family friends made the trip to Toledo for the big day. A special thank to our guest who traveled the farthest...Uncle Jason all the way from Atlanta, GA. He was so happy, J. He talked about it for days. Thanks for doing it!

Here are the pictures (with my new fancy camera!). ENJOY!

Where it all began...

Almost 3 weeks ago now, out internet stopped working. I knew we'd paid the bill, so I couldn't figure out what was wrong. After a few consultations with my brothers, we figured out it was the network card. Simple replacement, $30, and we'd be up and running...

Unfortunately it wasn't so simple...or $30. Somewhere along the way, we decided to just get the new computer we'd been so anxiously wanting. Good thing I have a brother who is part owner in a computer store, huh?! :D THANKS, DAMON! After a series of unforunate events, the computer finally arrived, in several pieces and after getting the new pieces today, I was able to put it back together and TADA I'm back!!!

Since then, my last real update, we haven't been TOO busy, but staying busy none the less.
Here is my plan for updating. I hate to post too many because they get moved down faster than people check in and read. So:
Today: Payton's Birthday Party
Tomorrow: The Newest Love of My Life
Saturday: Teacher's Appreciation Week
Sunday: General catching up and Life without Matt (don't worry, I didn't kill him or anything)

Enjoy!!!

I'm BACK, BABY!!!

I did it! Thanks to some ingenious help from my brother,I am back online and loving it! I thougth I'd hate Vista, but it's growing on me.

Unfortunately for you, I have a ton of pictures!! I'll update tonight and tomorrow...and probably Saturday....and Sunday... I told you there were a lot.

Off to get P from school! TTYS!

I've missed you!!

Our Computer is in DELAWARE??

I'm still so far out of the Internet loop. I'm missing my social life online and I wish I was connected. Who knew how complicated this issue would be!!

I'm still getting online at Payton's school for now. Our computer has been accidentally shipped to Delaware instead of our home in Michigan. We expect it Monday. That seems so far away....

I have a ton of pictures to share. And I have two cakes I've made in the last week to share. And I'm LOVING my new camera!!! (Thanks, Jason!!!!!)

Have a good weekend! I'll update soon when we get our computer!!

I miss you guys! **KISSES**