Valentine's Day 2013

Valentine's Day.  A day of love.  A day of goodies.  A day of a jam packed schedule!!!

I finally got my mantle decorated the day before Valentine's.  I made the cute banner at my MOPS meeting and quickly displayed it.  The red balls are made of tulle and that's red crinkle paper in the hurricane jars.

I made sure to have strawberry muffins waiting for Kaitlyn and Preston when they woke up.

Of course, they had some other surprises waiting for them.  These shirts were from one of our countdown days.  They loved finding something new in their box for 14 days!  

This was one of the gifts I made for Craig.  It lists dates that are important to us.

He gave me beautiful yellow roses.

We had a Top Hat and Tutu Day at my work.  I had to decorate a top hat...

...and added it to a headband.  My sweet friend offered to make me a matching tutu.  It's sooo cute!

It was a day of black and red for me.  I just love those colors!

I then raced over to the kids school to be part of their class parties.  Kaitlyn decorated her bag so nicely. 

And here's Preston's box.  Ever the boy with the big imagination, he wanted his car stickers to be "crashing" into each other.

Kaitlyn had so much fun at her party.

She had lots of goodies.

After exchanging Valentine's, they played some games.  The first game was "Stack the Conversation Hearts".

Then, the kids had to toss the cotton balls into baskets on top of each other's heads.

I ran to Preston's class (actually, I went back and forth a lot between their classes) where he was having just as much fun.

His class decorated their own cupcakes.  You know, sometimes it's really nice to be married to a grocery store manager (well, all the time actually).  Craig asked his baker to make 2 dozen plain cupcakes and put the icing on the side.  The baker actually sent several piping bags of colored icing which made it even more fun and less messy.

The kids got to fill a glove full of candy!

They also played "Lifesaver Relay" which was hilarious.  Preston and Kaitlyn were very eager to come home and go through all of their goodies.   

Of course, for dinner we had our traditional heart-shaped pizza...

...and homemade cheesecake for dessert.

And we all went to bed completely exhausted!!!

Sea Life

The four of us recently had a Saturday off together, which doesn't happen often, so we were ready to go do something.  It was the last day of the Stock Show and Rodeo in Ft. Worth so we got dressed for it.  First, we headed out to do our taxes.  While sitting with the accountant, I checked th Stock Show schedule and saw it was SOLD OUT!!! Ugh!!!  So, at the last minute we decided to try the new Sea Life Aquarium not far from us.

 

Even though we were dressed in our country attire, the kids were excited to go.  Here are several pictures of the sea life.

 

 

I just love to watch their curiosity when they don't realize we are watching.

 

Kaitlyn was listening intently to an educator speak about sea horses.  Notice she still has on her cowgirl hat!

Then there are other times that they love to ham it up for the camera.





Daddy Daughter Date Night

Recently, Chick Fil A hosted a Daddy Daughter Date Night and Kaitlyn and Craig were eager to go.  Craig came home from work and brought a rose for his date.  She was so happy!!!

 

They were ready to go on their date and Preston and I spent time together.

They arrived at the restaurant that was so nicely decorated for the special occasion.

 



Waiting at the tables were some fun questions for Daddy/Daughter to ask each other.

Then, they were told to head outside for a surprise.  The windows were also decorated (that's not the surprise).

 

A horse and carriage waited for them!  This was Kaitlyn's first time on a carriage ride and she loved it!

 

Kaitlyn thoroughly enjoyed the glittery hooves!!!

Craig and Kaitlyn came home with a great memento with the Chick Fil A cow that is proudly displayed on the refrigerator.



I am so glad they had a great night together creating such special memories.

The Great American Presentation

Preston recently had an assignment where he had to pick a Great American, do some research on the person, and then give an oral presentation dressed like that person.  Did I mention Preston is only in 1st grade?  I couldn't imagine having to do something like that at his age.  I was actually a shy kid and being in front of people terrified me.  However, kids are learning so much more nowadays and good speaking skills is definitely something everyone needs to master.

Preston picked Benjamin Franklin.  We had the weekend to look up some facts and plan out the costume.  All week, Preston rehearsed his little speech and had every bit memorized.  For his costume, Preston wore black dress pants, a white button down shirt (or as Preston calls it "his work shirt like Daddy's"), a navy blue pea coat, and "bifocals".  He didn't want to wear a white scarf or wig.  :)  He looked great!!!

The parents were welcomed to watch the presentations and I was so excited for him.  I don't think Preston nor any of his classmates were as excited as the parents.  Finally, Preston's turn came and you can watch the video here.  Be sure to turn the volume all the way up.  

I apologize for all the background noise, but I think Preston got nervous.  He had his speech memorized, but decided to use his paper...and hold it up...in front of his face!  Silly kid.  However, he did great and I was just so proud that he got up there and did his presentation in front of his friends and their parents.

Transcript

Benjamin Franklin was born January 17, 1706.  He was an inventor.  He helped write the Declaration of Independence.  His picture is on the $100 bill.  He died of natural causes at age 84.

Fire Station Open House

Our family has been cooped up in the house due to illness.  Unfortunately, Preston came down with strep and Flu A.  Ugh!!!  Thankfully, his symptoms didn't last long and he recovered very quickly.  So, it was time to get out of the house.

One of the local Fire Stations was having an Open House.  Visiting the Open House would also allow Preston to get signed off on a Royal Ranger Badge.  So, off we went!!!

We walked up to the Fire Station and the kids were mesmerized by the huge ladder.

Preston was super excited to put out a fire.

Then, we headed inside the station to look around.

There was popcorn and lemonade waiting for everyone.  The kids also got goody bags full of fun stuff as well as a fireman's hat.

After our little snack, we headed back outside to check out the fire truck and ambulance.

Preston loved getting in the vehicles.  Kaitlyn just looked from a distance.

Always a curious little boy, Preston had to check out every gadget, gauge, and button.

Finally, we took turns taking pictures of each other.

I just love spending time with these two!!!

New Year's Day

New Years 2013.  The Year of Home for the Kelley family.  We're going to spend more time together, enjoy new experiences, and become even more of a tight knit family.  In fact, we have 2 great vacations planned for this year and we can't wait!

To celebrate the first day of the year, we just wanted to have fun and enjoy our time.  Unfortunately, Craig had to go in to work for a few hours in the morning so it was just the kids and I.  We went to McDonald's to grab breakfast, which is something we NEVER do.  They really considered it a special treat.

Craig got home in time to go to the movies in the afternoon.  We saw Parental Guidance and it was such a cute movie.  And yes, it made me cry at the end.

We stopped at the store for some groceries and headed home for dinner.  We had grilled chicken, homemade rice pilaf, steamed veggies, and deviled eggs.  Craig heated up some black-eyed peas for himself.  I remember having to eat them growing up and hated them!!! So, I refuse to eat them again.  ;)

We ended the night playing some games together.  Even Princess, our Sheltie, wanted to join in the game. 

It was a great start to the New Year and I hope the rest of the year follows suit.  Praying for a great 2013 for all of our friends and family.

A New Year

2013.  Hard to believe that is the year we are ringing in.  Remember when Y2K happened?  Everyone was rushing to the stores to stock up on food, water, and other supplies.  Here we are, 13 years later, still living life the same way as we did in 1999.  Well, except everything is more expensive.

Towards the end of each year, I always ask God for a simple word to describe what he would like of me for the upcoming year.  What changes need to be made?  What goals should I strive for?

Without fail, God always gives me a great word and it helps me enter into the new year with a sense of freshness and new beginnings.  Without fail, our family has been able to achieve so many goals by focusing on what God has told us to focus on.

But as we eagerly look forward to what is to come in the new year, we always look back to where we've been.  We reflect on the previous year and see all that God has brought us through.  We see the blessings He has given us and we are so thankful that God has guided our steps to bring us to where we are right now.

As you look to the future and reflect on the past, look at the God moments and remember that's just a glimpse as to what God can do in your life.

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives."-Psalm 37:23