"It takes a village to raise a child." African Proverb

We need your help! Bailey's school is collecting Campbell's Soup Labels- Each month they are collected and counted (BY ME!....yes I am so excited about this!) and the class with the most for the months WINS a small cookie or popsicle party. WOO HOO! But even better....Bailey's school can earn free educational materials and equipment.

For more than 30 years, Labels for Education has been awarding schools these products in exchange for proofs of purchase from the Campbell family of brands. It’s a fun, easy program where students, families and members of the community work together for a common goal. Please click on the link below ((or cut and paste if you need to) to see all the qualifying products.

http://www.labelsforeducation.com/eligibleproductsEN.aspx

"Once you choose hope, anything's possible." Christopher Reeve

UPDATE: The kids took their boxes to Olive Garden with us to show my aunt (who was visiting from out of town) and Uncle Mark. While we were there, 2 customers saw their boxes, and donated some money to the cause! Boy were we surprised! It sure was a good feeling.


This year the kids and I have decided to try something different for Halloween. Yes...we are still dressing up and going trick or treating- but, we have also decided to try Trick or Treating for UNICEF! If you are not sure what it is all about....I am going to tell you.

UNICEF was started over 58 years ago and in that time boys and girls have collected over $140 million to help change children's lives. Last year alone, over $4 million was collected. UNICEF has a simple goal- "They will do whatever it takes to reduce the number of childhood deaths." Only UNICEF has the global experience, resources and reach to give children the best hope for survival.

We think it will be difficult to ask as neighbors as we walk door to door - So, we are asking our family and friends this way. We hope that by the end of October that we can send in a $20 donation to UNICEF! Kaci and Bailey have set a goal of $10 each! So, next time you see us....let us know if you have some change to spare that we can add to our Trick or Treat for UNICEF bucket. We sure would appreciate it!

Here are a few interesting facts:

6 cents provides water for 1 thirsty kid

$2 provides nutrition for 1 hungry kid

$44 provides school supplies to 20 kids

$112 provides emergency blankets to 37 kids

$200 immunizes 550 kids against measles

Help us help UNICEF!

To learn more about helping please visit:

http://youth.unicefusa.org/trickortreat/

If clicking on the link does not take you there...please cut and paste!

My brave little Indiana Jones

My sweet Dorothy and her ToTo!

"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend" Robert Loius Stevenson

Kaci. Romy. Jill. Kendal and Bailey making waves in the lake!
Kaci and Taryn
The Birthday Girl with her Birthday cookie-
The best sand castle ever!!

On Sunday, we headed out the lake to celebrate Romy's 4th bday and spend the day with good friends. My friend, Jessica, went all out and had sandwiches, chips, dips and the whole spread set up! The kids had a blast! It is so fun when we can all get together. I am always amazes how everyone gets along so well. The girls spent a good portion of the day building a very large sand castle. They did an awesome job as you can see in the picture.

"Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels." Faith Whittlesey

This week was "B" week at Bailey's school ....so I thought I would include some photos on our blog that started with the letter B from this week.
The first picture if of Bailey and Kaci riding their BIKES. Kaci is very good and can ride her bike fast around the corner. The next step for her is to take the training wheels off. Bailey is getting better everyday at riding his spiderman bike he got from Santa this past Christmas.
The next picture is of a BABY, named Jaxon! He is super cute and was super good the whole time I had the pleasure of being around him.
The third picture is of one of my very BEST friends from Kindergarten. That is right! --Kindergarten. We lost touch a bit in between, but recently meet up when our kids signed up to play on the same soccer team. For weeks we just looked at eachother and wondered....and then finally Laura messaged me on Myspace to see if it was me! We met up this week to have lunch together and catch up on the last 12+ years. The cute baby above is her little boy.
The last picture is of Bailey at his school blowing BUBBLES!
Tons of fun!

"The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Bailey was chosen Student of the Week at his school this week. We are so proud of him.
Here he is standing next to his bulletin board at school. The board features many interesting facts about Bailey.
His favorite foods are: cheese, chicken nuggets, cake, cupcakes and brownies. His favorite animals are: kittens, puppies and bunnies. His favorite thing about school is playing in the kitchen and block centers.
Bailey also got to carry the cross to the alter in chapel this week. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me and missed the photo opportunity. Luckily, Pa Pa had come with us that morning and got to see him. I am sure he will be chosen again before the year is over and I will get that picture!

I got to go to Kaci's school today and have lunch with her. She picked McDonald's! She loves their chicken nuggets and they are giving away Wizard of Oz toys! She wants to collect all 12 since she has decided to be Dorothy for Halloween. Today she got the lion. He is too cute! We will have to do our best. It was so nice to see her so happy and smiling at school...even when I had to leave to come home. I am so proud of her!!

"A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." Tenneva Jordan

UPDATE: Kaci does not have a stye or pink eye. The doctor says that she has been bitten by some sort of bug on her upper eyelid and is having a normal allergic reaction. When the docotr told us this is what had happened Bailey said, "Kaci- I told you shouldn't have let the bed bugs bite!" It cracked me up! At least we know what it is now and that she is not contagious. Now we just have to get it better.

Well, Kaci woke up on Saturday complaining that her eye hurt. I looked but didn't see anything at the time. We put a cold pack on and went on with the rest of our day.

By Sunday morning when she woke up it looked like she had been hit in the eye. The upper lid was swollen and it looked really painful. I started treating it as a stye, since she had had one of those just weeks earlier- but underneath her eye.

By middle day Sunday, it started getting really yucky! I told her if I could take it out of her eye and put it in mine I would. To which she answered, " If you could take it out of my eye...why wouldn't you just throw it away?"

When I checked on her this morning- she couldn't open that eye at all. I am thinking more than ever now it is pink eye.

It is always something at our house! I just want this to get better quick before it spreads to any of the rest of us.

"Him that I love, I wish to be free -- even from me."Anne Morrow Lindbergh

We decided to let the butterflies go tonight. All 5 of them survived, but only 3 wanted to leave the butterfly dome tonight. Kaci tried to get the last 2 out by getting them to climb on the flower stems, but they didn't want to come out. Kaci said it was one of three reasons why they didn't go:

1. It was getting too dark for them

2. They think the dome is their home and they didn't want to leave

3. They weren't sure where the door was.

All very good ideas! So, we will try again tomorrow. It really has been fun to watch them grow over the last few weeks. We learned that the full life cycle of a butterfly once they hatch is only 2-4 weeks. We want them to be able to enjoy the beautiful outdoors in the small amount of time they have left to live.

You don't have to brush your teeth - just the ones you want to keep. ~Author Unknown

All smiles while waiting on her turn.....


All smiles while waiting on his turn...


Watching a little Sponge Bob!

Here are a couple of photos of the kiddos waiting to go in the dentist office today!

This was the last time I would see smiles on their faces until about an hour after we got home.

Not the best day to remember....but they can't all be good!

"If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change." BUDDHA

When Kaci and Bailey got home from school today we noticed that 2 of the 5 butterflies had arrived!! One of them was from the chrysalid that fell from the top of the cup, but we picked him up and put him in the butterfly dome anyway. The directions said to set him on a paper towel at the bottom, and he might still live- Well, he did! How exciting!!!

We had to make a quick trip to HEB to buy them some carnations for the sugar and water mixture they will eat over the next few days before we release them in out butterfly plant in our front garden. We will keep you posted and try to get a better picture of the actual butterflies. We tried today, but the white net is so thick it is really hard to see through.

"The only way to have a friend is to be one." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Grayson, Kaci and Bailey ready to play!
Soccer Girl!
Grayson and Bailey working on their drills!

Tonight was "Bring a Friend to Soccer " at Kaci's soccer class. She decided to bring her very best friend, Grayson. We were so glad she got to come. Bailey loves "his Grayson" too! Bailey was also allowed to participate in the class, as he had to miss his soccer class yesterday since he was sick with a bad cough. He stayed home on Monday since we were afraid that getting too hot might have made his cough worse! I had so much fun watching the 3 of them play tonight. They get along so well!

“We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” Randy Pausch

A few weeks ago my friend, Jessica, let me borrow one of her books. She told me I had to read it- but I would need to buy some tissue first. Boy was she ever right! The book is called, The Last Lecture, and was written by a man named Randy Pausch.

On September 18, 2007, computer science professor Randy Pausch stepped in front of an audience of 400 people at Carnegie Mellon University to deliver a last lecture called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” With slides of his CT scans on the overhead screen, Randy told his audience about his pancreatic cancer that will claim his life in a matter of months. During the speech he is funny, serious, strong and joyful.

Randy’s lecture has become a phenomenon, as has the book he wrote based on the same principles, celebrating the dreams we all strive to achieve~

Sadly, Randy lost his battle to pancreatic cancer on July 25th, 2008, but his legacy will continue to inspire us all, for generations to come. This book is a MUST read for EVERYONE.

To learn more about the book, Randy Pausch or pancreatic cancer you can click the link below:

http://www.thelastlecture.com/

Live everyday....be in the moment.

Don't sweat the small stuff...and it is all small stuff!

Make A Memory

Family has always been one of my strong values.


Here is a short poem that reminds us the need to keep our priorities in order and keep the focus on what is important :

Make a Memory

Make a memory with your children,

Spend some time to show you care;

Toys and trinkets can't replace those

Precious moments that you share.
Money doesn't buy real pleasure,

It doesn't matter where you live;

Children need your own attention,

Something only you can give.
Childhood's days pass all too quickly,

Happy memories all too few;

Plan to do that special something,

Take the time to go or do.
Make a memory with your children,

Take the time in busy days;

Have some fun while they are growing,

Show your love in gentle ways.

Elaine Hardt

When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other.- Chinese Proverb

I had my carpets cleaned today!!! YIPEEE! For those of you who know me...this is like winning the lottery! I went with Daddy's Carpet Cleaning, who I have used several times in the past. They do such a great job- I can't even begin to tell you how good it looks and smells! I have included their website in case you are in the Austin area and are looking for a good company. They have great prices and customer service as well. Always on time...and get the job done fast.
Tell them that Andrea sent you- You'll be glad you did :)
http://www.daddyscarpetcleaning.com/index.htm

So for me, the Chinese Proverb would go like this, " When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread and some cleaning solution." I can't help it....I seem to have OCD- Over Cleaning Disorder. Now I just can't wait for the carpet to dry so I can put the house all back together. I just need to find my patience.....

"Life is a process. We are a process. The universe is a process."Anne Wilson Schaef

For those of you wondering about the butterflies....they have now all formed their chrysalids and we are anxiously awaiting for them to emerge as butterflies!! We think they should be here by the middle of next week.

They all had their chrysalids made on Wednesday, but one of them became unattached and fell to the bottom of the cup. I moved them from the cup to the Butterfly Dome this morning and we placed the one that fell in the bottom of the dome. The directions say it still may hatch. So, we have 4 hanging from the top and one laying on the bottom- I would say we have a pretty good chance of hatching several butterflies!

We will post more pictures when they finally arrive. For now- they are in Kaci's room so that no one is tempted to "shake" the dome and make them fall. We have posted the website where you can order your own butterfly kit....just incase you are interested! http://www.insectlore.com/

"The world is but a canvas to the imagination." Henry David Thoreau

Giving their animals a fluff!





Dressing them~



Perfect!

We got to make a trip to Build A Bear yesterday! It was so much fun. The kids have been bugging me for months now....so I told them that we could go when we all completed one good week at school!

Kaci picked the pink heart kitty and Bailey picked the brown honey bear! The outfits are so cute that it makes it really hard to choose. Kaci decided on a Cinderella costume and a pair of glass slippers for her kitty and Bailey picked the soccer outfit (shin guards, soccer ball and all!) for his bear.

They put their animals hearts on their heads to make them smart, on their hearts to give them love, on their tummies so they would never be hungry and then kissed them and made a wish before tucking them inside to get sewn up forever! This was Bailey's first time at Build A Bear and I am sure he will be going back.

The last step, of course, is choosing names. Kaci decided on Catrella. Very clever! Bailey named his bear, Bear Grrrrrrr. That cracks me up~

God grant me the serenity....

God,

grant me the serenityto accept the things I cannot change;

the courage to change the things I can;

and the wisdom to know the difference.

"There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved." George Sand

Well, today was Bailey's first day of Pre-K! He was so excited he could hardly wait to get there this morning and was upset that he didn't get to go first. (Kaci's school starts at 7:45- and his does not start until 9) So, we tried to kill some time running to the bank, but we were still the first ones in the parking lot and the first to enter the school. Bailey was thrilled to see his teacher and put his name tag on right away.

I went to the sanctuary for the new parent information meeting where the HeadMaster made me feel right at home. She told us all the important info we would need to know over the next fews weeks and closed with the poem I have listed below:

WHOSE CHILD IS THIS?

Author Unknown

"Whose child is this?"

I asked one day Seeing a little one out at play

"Mine", said the parent with a tender smile

" Mine to keep a little while

To bathe his hands and comb his hair

To tell him what he is to wear

To prepare him that he may always be good

And each day do the things he should""

Whose child is this?"

I asked again

As the door opened and someone came in

"Mine", said the teacher with the same tender smile

"Mine, to keep just for a little while

To teach him how to be gentle and kind

To train and direct his dear little mind

To help him live by every rule

And get the best he can from school"

"Whose child is this?"

I ask once more

Just as the little one entered the door

"Ours" said the parent and the teacher as they smiled

And each took the hand of the little child"

Ours to love and train together

Ours this blessed task forever."

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." Marcel Proust

We had a great Labor Day weekend and spent the majority of it with the Walker Family.

We like to call it our " Walker Weekend" and it was a blast!!! Marty and Jessica were nice enough to invite us out to the lake on Sunday and we had loads of fun seeing all of our friends, Bj,Denise, Taryn, Jill, Mike and Sue! We got to fish off the boat, swim in the lake and eat ice cream at the cottages! What could be better?

We finished off the night playing Guitar Hero.....Marty, Clint and Jessica ROCK! I, on the other hand, NOT SO MUCH! ha But I gave it a good try!

Then on Monday night we meet up for some Fire Grill and Sushi. The kids loved it. We watched our chef throw shrimp tails into his hat and flip my bowl of rice upside down without spilling a single grain!

Bailey gave the soup and shrimp a try and Kaci was wild about the fried rice! Everyone mastered their chopsticks ....but I gave up about half way through the meal! ha Even Reese used hers to pick up her fruit snacks! (see picture) She was amazing! Kaci liked it so much, she is ready to go back tomorrow!

It was a great weekend...too bad it has to end...but that is what happens to all good things! At least we have another 4 day week to look forward to. Bailey starts his first day of school tomorrow. I am sure a post all about that is soon to follow~