Ticket to Ride

Brian got a new game for Christmas... We played on Christmas day...
I was blue. : ) Brian was winning...or so we thought. Turns out there was a mistake when the game was put together and he only had 30 trains, but the rest of us had 45 each. So, we made him use 15 red jelly beans as his extra train pieces.
I was just having fun with my camera while we played.
This is a really fun game. It is hard to find so you'll probably have to order it online, but definitely worth it. And they're sending me the game pieces I need...no questions asked. : )

Christmas Party 06

Today we had our class Christmas Party. We had early release but these days feel like the longest. There isn't a single second of down time as the teacher. There aren't any specials classes, lunch is with the kids, and parents are everywhere! Don't get me wrong...I like having the parents around, but sometimes it's just too many people in one room.

The party was good though. The kids had a blast, and we played a word game with kids and parents. Whenever I have a timed activity in my room the kids have to start and end by putting their hands on their head. We made the parents do this as well, and it was a sight to see! You could also see their child's traits in them. What parents couldn't follow directions (or felt directions didn't apply to them), which ones needed directions repeated multiple times, which parents took over the game from their child and wouldn't let the child participate (i.e. control freaks).

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The kids enjoyed their presents...my mom went all out again for the kiddos this year, and they loved it. They think I have the best mom in the world...and I would have to agree with that statement.

Most of all I loved seeing their little faces light up with excitement. There were sad moments (saying bye for 2 1/2 weeks). As much as I like to get a break from them sometimes I worry that their time away from me isn't as enjoyable for them as my breaks used to be when I was a kid. One of my little boys asked if he could take some of the party food home, I gave him permission, because I know that will be his dinner tonight. : ( It makes me want to cry. So, this Christmas keep my little ones in your prayers, that they have a FUN and SAFE holiday.

Blood Diamond

Simply amazing!!! It makes me want to get out there and do something. I know it sounds lame, but I love it when big Hollywood types bring attention to important issues. So many times these issues get brushed aside in the media, and this seems to be the best way to bring these issues up front.

Both Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou are incredible. They bring such emotion to their roles. It is amazing to see how Leo's character interacts with different types of people...does he care about the people more or the diamond? You never really can tell. Definitely worth an Acadamy Award...and if he doesn't get one I'm going on a movie strike.

Go see it. You won't be sorry. Then maybe go and join the ONE Campaign. www.one.org

12-7

A&M kicked some t.u. butt today. This means that my friend Steve Whiteley has lost our bet (he went to that school over in Austin). He now has to watch an episode of Gilmore Girls. : )

Great win for our soon to be Secretary of Defense, TAMU President Robert Gates. WHOOP!!!

Let the gloating begin!!! (At least something went right this crummy Thanksgiving!)

My Little Sunshine...

Three years ago (November 21) Grace came into our lives. That was one of the best days ever!!! Every year we celebrate that day as Grace's birthday. Unfortunately we don't know when her actual birthday is or how old she is, but I haven't heard any complaints from her regarding this matter so I think we'll be ok. Usually we take Grace somewhere special for her birthday, but this year she seemed content to just lay back and relax... She got to have pancakes, bacon, and butterscotch rice krispy treats. : )
This is a picture of her original "adoption day" 3 years ago.

Practically Perfect in Every Way...

So, I have completed the guest room painting and am pretty much done the decorating as well. We are loving the bungalow gold. Great color (again this picture makes it look a tad more yellow than it is in person). Those are my animal pictures from the National Zoo. I had them blown up, and then I framed them and matted them myself. I'm very happy with the outcome. I'm sure you will all agree that the color just goes great with the bedding and curtains.I know the closet isn't that exciting, but I moved the masks from their original spot (they used to be where the bookcase currently is). So, I had to get those in there. They are to the right of the window. This picture is from where the masks are hanging (between the window and closet). That blue chair is a crazy comfy chair that my parents gave to me in college. It still has Lucy and Cleo hair on it. (A moment of silence please for my old pals Lucy and Cleo.) That chair will be slip covered at a later time. I am also thinking of putting a tall palm in the corner behind or to the right of the chair.

As Mary Poppins would say, "practically perfect in every way." : )

Painting the Guest Room...

Our guest room was feeling a little blah, so I decided I should paint it. It sort of has an African theme. We have African masks and pictures of African animals taken by yours truly. We created this theme to divert your attention from the palm trees. Yes, my husband apparently has a fondness for the palms. Who new?! There is even matching bathroom decor! Needless to say my taste is a little less...tropical, hence...Africa. I'm happy with Africa...although it did need some sprucing up. Which is why I decided to paint. I'm a little disappointed in the coloration of the pictures b/c they look a little more "mustardy" than the actual paint looks, but you get the general idea. This is "Bungalow Gold"...
Keep checking back for updates. I'll post another picture when it is complete. :)
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Gig 'em Aggies!


Dr. Robert M. Gates, current Texas A&M University President, is the new Secretary of Defense! That's right people...an Aggie is taking things over. I personally feel that there is no "winning" this war. It seems to be a lose/lose situation. But, maybe Gates can bring some common sense into the picture. Democrats and Republicans seem to be happy with the appointment.

How cool is it that Brian and myself both have pictures getting our diplomas from the Secretary of Defense?! I say pretty darn cool!

Gig 'em, Gates!!! WHOOP!!!!!

The Abner Jackson Plantation

Brian, Steve, and I visited the Lake Jackson Plantation today. It's only open the first Saturday of the month and the weather was so nice to go walking around outside. We did have to brave the mosquitoes but we had a good time. Abner Jackson was the largest slave owner in the state with just under 300 slaves. When his slaves were sold off (around 1862) a hefty price was paid for each one. A slave that had a skill (blacksmith) fetched $1600. (That's in "1800s" dollars! That was a lot of money!) Field hands and laborers in prime working age were "worth" about $350-$400 dollars (again, this is all in 1800's money we're talking), and a little girl one year of age was $100. There was even a young slave girl, Mandy, which hit a little close to home being my family "nickname." This is the "Enchanted Tree." Lake Jackson is the self-proclaimed City of Enchantment. That title supposedly came from this tree. I tend to disagree with that claim as the nearest Starbucks is 45 minutes away! I guess that leaves me a little less "enchanted" with the area.
This is Lake Jackson. Really! It is!!! We didn't even know a real Lake Jackson existed. We always thought maybe it had, but had dried up a long time ago. Low and behold here it is! There are actually railroad tracks underneath the lake. I guess it used to have tracks above the water, but as the water level rose they became submerged. The railroad was used to haul supplies to and from the sugar mill on the plantation.
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