2010?!?!

I can not believe it is 2010. Where have the last 10 years gone? I was going to share some decade highlights with you, but am having some serious trouble scanning old pictures (I am very frustrated with technology right now-- whole other post) so I will settle on giving a recap of Christmas and New Year's. Woo Hoo!

We had a wonderful Christmas and the kids LOVED the snow! We had to change our Christmas Eve plans-- we were supposed to drive to Sherman to see Jonathan's cousins, but decided we would rather be safe than sorry. So after a nice Christmas Eve lunch at Jonathan's brother's house we went to church and then came home, made reindeer food and got ready for Santa.

And let's just say Santa did NOT dissappoint! Trevor recieved a new, taller basketball goal (which he has already mastered! The kid can shoot!) and Ashley got the piano keyboard she asked for. Thank you, Santa, for these extra large items that have taken over my home. Much appreciation.

Anyway, after the madness of ALL the Santa loot and the 4,000 other presents that somehow landed under our tree (cuz we sure did need some more stuff), we took a break to go play in the snow. There was a snowball fight, snow angels, and a snowman~ what a fun bonus to have snow on Christmas! We spent the rest of the break just hanging out, and enjoying being together. Coach Ellis even took a few days off!

My mom was here for the full two weeks and my kids LOVE their Nonna. And I LOVE how she helps me! She even braved a sleepover with Ashley and her friend on New Year's Eve as Jonathan and I went out with friends! Go Nonna! Every year she gets the kids party hats and noise makers, pizza and a fun dessert so they can have their own party. Such a fun grandmother! She's still trying to recover...

School started back as promised (yippeeee!!) and now we are already getting an extra day off because of the freezing temperatures and "ice". Thus a very bold confirmation that I am a warm weather and flip-flops kind of girl!

Here are some pics from our wonderful holiday! Hope yours was fabulous too! And I promise this is the last year for matching Christmas plaid pajamas!


Christmas Eve at Uncle Scott and Aunt Jamie's House

The Cutest Momma's Boy!

Reindeer Food!

Hope Rudolph likes this stuff!

Thanks Santa!













Happy New Year!

We're Still Here!

No, we haven't fallen off the face of the Earth! Here's a bit of what we've been up to...

Basketball season is in full swing. The Mustang Misfits (they have earned this name, trust me) are sporting a 10-5 record which includes a tournament championship. Coach Ellis may end up completely bald by the end of this season.

Elvin the Ellis Elf is back and Trevor is IN.TO.IT. He's in to all things Christmas this year and if you're lucky he'll even sing Jingle Bells for you. Hopefully Santa will bring a bigger, taller basketball goal~ it's a little hard to slam dunk on a 3 footer.

Trevor is potty trained now and it is fantastic! It actually didn't take very long at all. He is very proud of his "unnerwears", and VERY proud of what those unnerwears are covering up! Geez...

Ashley survived the first semester of 1st grade and is LOVING school. She is a reading machine and has made some great new friends. Her teacher is amazing and has been wonderful at helping Ashley recover from her experience last year.

Ashley is really doing great with her dance and gymnastics. There are days I feel like a NYC taxi driver as I shuttle her around, but she loves it and is advancing so it's worth it.

There's nothing new with me. The school year is flying by, which is good I guess. I don't really have any issues this year with my students~ only a mom who helps her 5year old cheat during writing time. Who knew a sticky note could cause such drama?!?

Anywho, we hope your holidays are happy and that all is well. Maybe I'll add "update blog more often" to my new year's resolution list...

Now for the real reason you visit our blog!


Ashley on her 7th birthday just after they announced her at the morning assembly!

Trevor, just being Trevor!

Our family at the Cowboys Stadium! So fun!

Cutest cheerleader ever!

Silly, silly boy

Go Mustangs!

Busiest.past.2.months.EVER. Seriously, September and October were jammed packed and flew by. I can't believe it is November~ Ashley's birthday is later this week and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I'm dizzy just trying to keep up! I won't bore you with all the details of what we've been up to, but I will tell you that we are all fine, healthy (now we are-- kids and Jonathan both had the swine flu. Oink, Oink!), and ready for the holidays so we can just CHILL OUT! Here are some pictures from our time away from blog world. The pictures speak for themselves, but I will say that when you see the very last one, please excuse the OCD that has apparently been passed on to my children. A love for sorting and organizing isn't so bad, right?

We survived the first week of school! Trevor is a lot better, thank goodness (that was very scary) and we are having a relaxing weekend to catch up on laundry and sleep. Ashley is loving 1st grade and my new class is super cute! They all know their names and are potty trained! Woo Hoo!

Anyway, here are some pictures of Ashley on the first day of school, and Trevor when he got into my make-up. Please notice the table, his clothes, face, and hair. Lovely.

Sunday Funday and Back to School

What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon, specifically the day before school starts? In the emergency room at Children's Hospital. That's right folks. Nothing like a little drama to start this school year off on the right foot. Poor Trevor had 2 absesses that needed to be taken care. I thought they were bug bites that he had a bad reaction to, but he woke up this morning and they were swollen, hot, and painful. So, we went to urgent care first, then made our way to the Children's ER. I think he'll be OK, but he may be traumatized for a very long time. So sad.

Now for the super exciting part of this post~ School Starts Tomorrow! Can you believe that the Diva Darling will be in 1st grade? I can't. 1st grade sounds really old to me, but she is ready and so excited! We had Meet The Teacher Night on Friday at our BRAND NEW SCHOOL and it was awesome. Jonathan took Ashley to meet her teacher and organize her supplies in her desk (the desk is what she's most excited about!) while I hung out in my classroom to meet and greet the 21 kindergarteners that will march my way tomorrow morning. They are super cute and so little! For the first time in many years I am actually really excited to start this year. Like I said, our school is awesome and the staff is amazing. Woo Hoo!

Here are some pictures of Ashley on our way to Meet The Teacher Night and then some pics of my new classroom!

Houdini Strikes Again

You might remember this post from last year when Trevor magically escaped from the buckles of his high chair. Well, last night as I am driving 70 miles an hour down the tollway, our little Houdini performed his latest trick. He can unbuckle his car seat straps. Lovely. This is how I found him when I pulled in to the garage. And yes, he wears his sunglasses at night.

Pacifiers Anonymous

Hello. My name is Trevor, and I am a pacifieraholic.


We are desperately trying to kick this habit. Actually, for the past year Trevor has only had his beloved paci when he sleeps. We don't take it anywhere. It stays in his bed and he knows to leave it there when he wakes up. Buuuuut, then we went on a road trip. And Trevor got a little bit more attached. Soooooo, we have enrolled in the twelve step program and the process has begun. The night before last he went through a screaming/creaming/flailing withdrawal that lasted until about 11:30pm. Last night we ended up driving around in the car for a bit just to divert his attention. We came back home and he was able to fall asleep, but not before pitifully begging for his paci a few times. Oh.my.goodness. We keep telling him that pacies are for babies~ last night he told me that "Baby Kate please bring back my paci!"

Anywhoo. Hopefully tonight will be better. Next up, potty training...