Sadie's 1st

So Sadie came up to me today and told me she wanted to write a note to a boy in her class and asked me how to spell his name. I asked her why she wanted to write him a note, and she said "because he's my friend." Fine...I told her how to spell his name. While she begins writing her note, I continue reading the news headlines on my homepage.

Next, I look over at Sadie's note, and she informs me that she drew a heart, and then a U, and tells me she is writing this because the boy loves her. Great...it's already starting. So I ask her how she knows this boy "loves" her, and am expecting to hear that he professed his love during recess or lunch, or that they had decided to get married. Instead, she says, "I know he loves me because he kissed me."

Ugh...

After further investigation, it turns out that this boy kissed her twice at school today, in the classroom, this was the 1st time this had happened, neither the teacher nor the aid saw anything, one kiss was on the cheek, and the other was on the shoulder...

I told Sadie that she would have to tell this boy that he can't kiss her anymore, and that Sadie can't kiss any boys (other than Daddy and Aaron) until she is 21. She thought for a minute and then declares that it really should be a number "bigger than 25...how about 26." I tell her that I am good with that, and she then asks me,"How do you spell 'never kiss me again'?"

Just to make sure that this boy gets the message, and to start the proper "Big Brother" training, I inform Aaron about the situation and tell him that he needs to have a word with this boy and make it clear that he is to lay off the romance with his little sister. I'm not real sure if Aaron will go through with his responsibility of protecting Sadie's honor and dignity, though, because he pretty much just thought the whole thing was funny...

YEAH!

It is amazing how the brains of kids work. I will never tire of watching those "light bulb" moments...the way that at first, you see the understanding in their eyes, and then you see that pride radiate across their face as something finally clicks, especially if it is something that they have been struggling with.

Today, I had the pleasure of watching Sadie as her light bulb went off...with reading. We have tried several different times to begin reading. She has known the sounds the letters make since she was 3, but never could figure out how to *bam* those sounds together to form words when reading. She would very accurately report the sound of each letter in a word, but couldn't grasp how to take those individual sounds and turn them into words.

So after struggling a little at first, she kept trying and the last few pages, she did a great job! So wonderful (and amazing) to see this finally click!!!

I am so proud of her! She is so proud of herself! Sadie, my newest little reader!!!

Texas Panhandle Weather

The weather here in the Texas Panhandle never ceases to amaze me...or should that be irritate me? Take today, for example. I heard on the weather last night to expect it to be colder today, with a high in the 40's, and a chance of snow tonight or tomorrow morning. So when I ventured out of the house today around noon, I pulled on my heavy winter coat to protect me from the bleak February environment I expected.

Instead, I walked out and quickly realized that instead of my coat, I needed my sunglasses. It was actually very nice outside, which made my day much better! When I left the house again around 3:30 to take the dog to her grooming appointment, I left my coat at home. Dropped the dog off, and then went to Walmart for my weekly descent into hell. After enduring the torture of buying our groceries for the week, and then surviving the check-out lanes, I left Wally World. As I walked to my car (actually, Toby's pick-up...Toby took the kids to the WT pool in my van), I very quickly noticed that the cold they had been predicting in last night's weather forecast was in the process of arriving. Now, it was cloudy and the wind was picking up. It now looked like a typical bleak, dreary February day.

I guess really the weather here is a lot like life. Even though the meteorologists attempt to give you some idea of what to expect, we never really know what will happen until we are in the moment. And life can sure change just as quickly (or more so) than the weather. Who knows what tomorrow will hold for us!

Here's hoping your forecast for tomorrow will be bright and sunny, even if the weather forecast is calling for snow and fog :)

Here Comes Lent!

Happy Ash Wednesday to everybody! And with Ash Wednesday comes the beginning of Lent. As I have grown up (at least a little) over the last 30 some-odd years, I am finally beginning to view Lent differently. Instead of dreading Lent as a time of giving up something near and dear to me (and as a time of being forced to eat fish), I am now seeing it as a time for a cleanse. Instead of a body cleanse where I starve myself and only eat certain things that will detox my body and clean things out, I will be working on a spiritual cleanse. And boy, do I need one. It won't be easy for me, but I guess that's the point. Hopefully on Easter, I will find myself renewed and rejoicing!

So, what am I giving up? Well, any of you who are my Facebook buddies already know...I will be giving up FB and several other computer time wasters that I have grown so fond of. And not only will I give these things up, but will not pick up any other time-wasting habits to take their place. That means that I am vowing to be more productive during Lent...to get my grading done in a more timely manner and to do a better job of keeping my house clean and spending quality time with my kids. Sounds like a good plan. Feel free to keep me accountable...I'll need all the help I can get...

Yesterday, we asked the kids what they were giving up for Lent. Aaron very quickly replied that he was not going to fight with Sadie anymore. Music to my ears...I hope he is successful in keeping his Lenten commitment! When we asked Sadie, she very emphatically stated "NOTHING!" Can you tell this is new to her? After explaining what "give up" means, and also letting her know that she could say more prayers or something instead of giving something up, she thought for just a few moments. Then she informed us that she would give up watching her Barbie and the 3 Musketeers movie. I was shocked! Those of you who know Sadie know that this is her favorite movie. She watches the movie at least 3 times a week and knows all the lines and songs. I reminded her that this meant she couldn't watch it until Easter, and she said she knew that. I am so proud of her for making such a sacrifice!

As for Toby...I don't know what he's doing for Lent. Last year, he never would tell me and I wonder if he'll tell me this year...As of yesterday, he said he hadn't decided. We'll see...