The BEST Birthday Gifts!!

Do you see what my girls did for me? Wow! I got the best gifts from them this year! Renee made a quilt (a quilt!), matching necklace, earrings, bracelet and ring, a jewelry box with daisies, a jewelry box with rainbow colored drawers and another necklace. Emma made a huge photo album with pictures of her and me; the pages are dotted with sweet notes throughout. On the box she wrote, "Life is not easy for all of us, especially our moms, especially my mom. She is the best mom and I love her very much. I love you mom".

There is so much love in this family. I am incredibly grateful!

Dance Class

Renee and Emma both attend bellydance class once a week. I'm sure this won't be the only picture I post this year of one of my girls dancing.

The Birthday Elves

Oops, I forgot to post my photo yesterday (Tuesday), so here it is now. The girls have taken over several rooms in our home. They are creating birthday gifts for me! Whatever Emma is making is, according to other family members, quite a big deal. I can't wait to see it! I suspect Renee is sewing something. I should know what these mystery gifts are tomorrow (Thursday). I can't wait to see!

Bitty Twins

I love this age! Just when you think they are growing out of their child like interests they surprise you. My 10 year old wants be treated like a "big kid"; she often reminds us that she isn't a "little kid" anymore. So imagine my surprise (and happiness) when I walked into the kitchen to see Emma serving her Bitty Twins lunch.

Dolores!

Dolores (also known as Lola or Mulva) along with her hubbie Ethan came up from Austin to see us! Her visit brought much happiness to all. We are especially excited to meet her first born child, a son, due in June.

The "School" Room

The "school" room is one of my favorite rooms in the house. This room is loaded with "school" books...History, Science (including my well used field guides), Grammar, Math, and Literature...to name a few. It's as if all of the information contained in this room is just waiting to be revealed, like a hidden treasure. The fact that the room is actually clean is amazing. It is usually cluttered with books, art/science supplies, and paper.

Amazing Girl!

Today, in Emma's Readers' Theater class (history stories), she played the role of Mary Todd Lincoln. She did an absolutely amazing job! I don't say this because I think she is destined for a life in theater. In fact, it has nothing at all to do with her acting skills.

Nope, this was a big day for her for an entirely different reason. At almost age 7 after a day of exhausting testing, Emma was diagnosed with dyslexia. While she has a high IQ and great recall, she painfully struggles to decode the words. While I had no doubt she would eventually be able to read (her determination alone will take her wherever she chooses to go), she had to overcome her desire to hide her challenges from the rest of the world. This year, shortly after turning 10, she decided she needed to get over her fear and start trying to read out loud around her friends.

Oh my! She blew me away today! I had the privilege of hearing her read big words (for her), like "henceforward", so beautifully that one might not ever realize the hours, tears and struggles this sweet girl has gone through to get to this point. I was so happy for her I had to fight back my tears of joy (so that I didn't embarrass her or frighten the other children in class). Way to go Emma!!

Treehouse for Girls

This pulley contraption on the treehouse often changes. This is the latest configuration. Renee and Emma are definitely girly girls (except they both hate pink). I love to see their tomboy side come out when they hang out in the backyard or when the family goes camping. They climb trees and rocks, build forts and make bows and arrows. I felt the need to record this small regularly overlooked detail I hope never to forget.

Wisteria

The Wisteria is blooming! The bees and I are very happy about it.

Bridal Wreath

Every year one or both of my girls come running into the house with a small cutting of one of my favorite flowering plants. When they notice it's blooming they hurry to tell me because they know how happy this little plant makes me. It always offers such a generous amount of flowers for us to enjoy. Emma brought me these flowers today and placed them in one of my antique glass bottles. She thought it looked best next to the clementines.

Hawk

We went to Finch Park today with several friends (a bunch of unsocialized homeschoolers) for a St. Patrick's Day party (just a few days late). Not only was it a beautiful day, we also got to watch two hawks flying around their nest. See it?

Target With Friends

My friend Nikki and I both had to stay home with our kids tonight instead of going out with friends (because our husbands were out of town working their butts off, for which we are very grateful). We had a different kind of fun this evening.

Oxalis

I could have this totally wrong, but I don't think so. This is Oxalis. This pretty, little, flowering plant is growing in the flower bed in our front yard closest to the entrance to our home. This plant came from my mom. She has them growing in her garden and passed some of her plant along to me. My mom's oxalis came from her mother's garden. I love the connection to both my mom and my grandmother; I think of them every time I see these flowers.

Hipstamatic

This photo was taken using an app on my iPhone called Hipstamatic. It is meant to replicate the square, off color photos taken with the (possibly mythical) cheep camera invented in the early 80's. I like the effect because it reminds me of the dorky pictures I took with my friend Lori in Manhattan Beach, CA when we were young and roaming the hood.

Baby Clothes

I had to do it! He isn't born yet, but he needs these little shirts. I can't wait to show them to his mommy!

My New Phone!

I absolutely LOVE my early birthday present!! Thank you SO much Matt!

How to Design a Booth

Today the SAIL Robotics Booth Team went to visit a local business to learn about the essential elements of trade show booth design. Little Miss Emma was very "into" it. She had some great observations, questions and design ideas.

The Boy

Matt and I were so honored to have Cam spend one of his Spring Break evenings with us (not a drop of sarcasm here....honestly). I totally love this guy!!

Designing

This is what my kitchen table looks like when Renee is working on Robot designs. Hot glue, foam core, rulers, exacto knife, etc. are all essential tools for my young designer. Evidently the BBC version of "Pride and Prejudice" is also a necessary item.

This is a Good Sign!

The sign says it all!

1st Day of Co-op

Today was the first day of spring co-op. Renee is taking Consumer Ed, Philosophy, Theater, and History. Emma is taking Chemistry, Creativity (awesome class), Theater and Choir. The girls love attending co-op! In this photo, Renee is working on statistics with her friends. It was a good day!

Self Defense Class

Renee and her friends took a self defense class to day with Master Vu. They are really something else! I pity the fool who might decide to mess with them! These girls will hurt you!

Cookie Contest

Renee participated in a cookie contest with a bunch of her friends (other teen homeschoolers). She won the award for "Most Pleasantly Fattening" for her cream cheese swirl "blondie" cookie bars.

It's Time!

Sitting on my kitchen table is the constant reminder that we have some gardening to do. Hopefully we will get caught up before the end of this weekend.

Dog and Sod

Buddy went to the vet today and got a clean bill of health. Emma told the new-to-us vet that she wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. After hearing that, he let her assist him with Buddy's entire examination. She helped him draw blood and even gave Buddy two shots!! She was so happy about it all (minus the fecal test-she found that to be a tad disturbing).

I doubt Buddy cared for the trip to the vet, but I'm pretty sure he is happy about the new grass in the backyard. Matt has been busting his butt to till, level and place the sod. It looks so much better already!

1st Day of Fab

Today was Emma's first day (ever) to participate in Robotics fabrication. She loved it! The drill was the first power tool she got to use. Afterward she absolutely beamed with pride.

Working

Working or Working it at the booth sale? I'd say both!

More Signs of Spring

My neighbor's tree is blooming. I have no idea what kind of tree this is, but we are enjoying the view!

Got Cookies?

The girls are trying to reach their goal! Wish them luck!

Renee's 13th Birthday

I love her so much! I'm having a difficult time accepting the fact that she is already 13.

Dallas Museum of Art

We went to the Dallas Museum of Art this afternoon. Yesterday Emma chose to go to the zoo and today Renee chose to go to the art museum (which is one of her favorite "field trips"). Renee is interested in learning more about Georgia Okeeffe. She said this was her favorite painting of the day.