Field Day!

Kalyn had fun at her field day! The weather was pretty pleasant with the sun hiding behind the clouds most of the day. However, that did not keep me from getting a sunburn! The morning started out with the 400 meter run then all the classes started rotations for different events.

The first event for us was the sponge race. The class divided into two groups and the way the game was played included team members taking turns to run with a sponge to the bucket full of water, get the sponge soaked, then run back and squeeze the water out into a pail. They did this back and forth until the pail was filled to the rim making the team the winner. The next rotation was fun where the kids had to put each foot on one board and work together as a team to move both boards across the grass using only their legs and arms to pull forward. It was funny to watch! Even Mrs. Rose and Coach Mitchell did it with the kids.

Next was the football kick where the kids had to try to kick footballs through a small goal. Kalyn had a couple good kicks.

After all that kicking the kids were ready to move on to the softball throw to see who could throw the farthest. Kalyn was consistently one of the top few to throw her ball a good distance.

Once all the throwing was over with we moved on to the obstacle course which was a new event this year. The kids LOVED it. It was so fun to watch!!

The hurdles came next and I must say Kalyn is pretty good! She had no problem getting over them while maintaining her speed.

After a few runs the next rotation was the long jump...piece of cake for Kalyn with her long legs!

Finally after several jumps the most antipicated event was next...tug o' war! To make things even more fun the coaches put a small swimming pool filled with water in between the teams. The losing team falls into the pool...it was hilarious! Some kids would "act" weak so they would get pulled into the pool to cool off.

Snowcones were next...always a favorite for the kids. Kalyn got grape and I got strawberry...YUM! The last two events were the sack and three-legged races. Kalyn and her friend Danielle worked really well together as a team and got first place in both races. Way to go girls!! The kids were all exhausted and hungry by the time all the events were over. Mrs. Rose brought blankets for her class to sit on for lunch so we sat under a tree and ate.

About a half hour later the kids were back on the track running the rest of the races. Kalyn did the 400 relay and 100 yard dash. I have said it before and I will say again what a beautiful stride she has with those long legs. I really enjoy watching her run.

Two happy girls at the end of a successful day!
Kalyn and I were able to leave a little early as soon as she was done to go pick up Sheldon to get home. Next year I will be going to TWO different Field Days since Sheldon will be able to participate with the 1st and 2nd graders while Kalyn will be with the 3rd-5th graders. Better stock up on more sunscreen and energy!!

2nd Grade Field Trip~Inner Space Caverns

Kalyn and her classmates had their field trip yesterday. Since I am a room mother I was able to go with them and we had so much fun! We left school at 8am and got to Georgetown around 9:15ish. Our tour guide was really funny and did an excellent job with our group. I was impressed with how well the kids behaved and they seemed to really take interest in the caves...and the BATS! Yes, there were little bats in the cavern! I got creeped out by one of them because when I stepped closer to take a better picture he opened his eyes....eek! Anyway, it had been many years since I had been to the cavern and I have to admit it was more interesting to me this time. After all the classes were done with their tours, we headed to San Gabriel Park in Georgetown for lunch and some recreation. We had a nice surprise soon after we got to the park! Uncle Brad (Ricky's brother) and a couple of his buddies from the fire station showed up in their fire truck. They even brought their lunch and ate with Kalyn and I. Kalyn was so excited and very proud to have her "fireman" uncle there. The firemen were so sweet and let all the kids take a quick tour inside their truck before they left. Thank you Uncle Brad for making Kalyn's field trip extra special!! After a L-O-N-G afternoon at the park we finally headed back to school around 2pm. We all were exhausted, but had a great time! The field trip to Bluebell Creamery with the Kindergarteners is coming up next...better catch up on my rest and energy!

"Singing Around the Campfire"

Kalyn and Sheldon had their end of school music program this past Monday evening. They were so excited because it was "western" and also the fact that it meant the school year is coming to an end soon. The program was short (whew) because it only involved Pre-K through 2nd grade. My parents and Ricky's mom were able to attend and we enjoyed having them with us. I have to admit I was not sure how Sheldon would do knowing how much he hates being in front of an audience, but he surprised me. He was a big boy and did a wonderful job! His big sister had a huge part in helping him do so well...she was very encouraging to him and I noticed he would look at her often while on the stage for reassurance. He was the cutest cowboy on the stage if I must say so myself. Kalyn and her group got on the stage at the end and it was bittersweet for me to see how much she has really grown in just the past year. It is hard to believe she is about to finish her THIRD school year at Lexington Elementary. She loves to sing and it was a joy to watch her enjoy herself onstage with her classmates. Yee-haw!

Sheldon smiling at his sister

Hi Mommy!

Singin'

All the Kindergardeners

Now the 2nd graders

Singing "Buffalo Gals"

Still singin'

Singin' "T-E-X-A-S" (tune to bingo)

Silly kids after the program

Ssssss...they're baaaaacccckkkk!

It's that time of the year again...creepy and crawly snakes are coming out of their hiding places. We hadn't been getting any eggs from one of the chicken coops and Ricky suspected that someone might be eating them before we get to them. So, he set up a trap with a fish hook in hopes to catch the "predator." Sure enough, the next day there was a chicken snake! It was still alive so Ricky let the kids kill it....goodness gracious!!! Sheldon LOVED it and was so proud to do the job for us. Kalyn wanted to take a whack at it as well, but it was so funny because she was cautious about how she did it in an attempt not to get too close to the snake itself! I kept my distance and took pictures as my excuse not to get too close. Don't worry, the kids KNOW the rules around here about snakes. RUN..and let us know where they saw it!! I just hope we don't have too many this year!

Ricky and his snake Look at Sheldon's face...he's determined to whack that snake on the head!

Kalyn takes a whack too!

PROUD kids...thank you for taking care of that creepy thing!

Easter in Llano 2010

What a blessed weekend we had!! Since Kalyn and Sheldon were off for Good Friday, Ricky was able to take off work as well. We enjoyed sleeping late and took our time doing chores and packing up for our trip to Llano. We stayed at the cabin at the ranch on Friday night and it was wonderful as always. I have many memories of all the times my family stayed at the cabin all those years ago and it is so special to add to those memories with Ricky, Kalyn and Sheldon now. As soon as we unpacked and picked our beds in the cabin, we had target practice. It was fun! Ricky cooked pork hamburgers on the grill and we enjoyed eating outside with the bugs. :o) Ricky and I invited my cousin, Kyndel and her new husband, Michael to stay with us...we kept it a secret from the kids. They were so EXCITED when they saw them drive through the gate...it was a great surprise for them! We all messed around outside for a little bit until dark then we got busy dying our Easter eggs. Even the adults enjoyed it! The boys wanted to go rabbit hunting so off we went...no, we weren't looking for the Easter bunny! We had no luck, but had fun anyway. It was lights out soon after we got back to the cabin.

It was f-r-e-e-z-i-n-g when we woke up on Saturday morning. Ricky and I slept in the screened porch and it was about 40 degrees!! Michael and Sheldon built a fire in the fireplace while Ricky cooked a big country breakfast for us...fried eggs, scrambled eggs, bacon, and texas toast. After we ate breakfast we went for a long hike to see the bluebonnets and just explore. Kyndel, Kalyn, and I enjoyed taking many pictures and the guys swapped stories and explored different tracks, bones, etc. Sheldon was so funny because everything Michael did he would do! After our long hike we went for a drive in another part of the ranch to see the tanks and more flowers. I love seeing the flowers this time of the year, especially on the ranch...so beautiful!! We went to eat lunch in town at Inman's Kitchen then we worked in my grandmother's backyward the rest of the afternoon. I was able to get more flowers to take home as well! We had so much fun with Michael and Kyndel...thank you both for sharing your time with us and giving the kids so much attention. We love y'all so much!!

We packed up our stuff and stayed at my parents' house on Saturday night...we were all dirty and tired! Kalyn and Sheldon went to sleep fast and the next morning they were excited to see what was in their Easter baskets...new swim suits, sugar and more sugar!!! It was sprinkling quite a bit on our way to church so we weren't able to take any pictures in the bluebonnets as my mom and I planned...bummer! I will just have to try again soon. After church we went to Aunt Joni and Uncle Gary's house for a delicious fajita lunch and an egg hunt for our kids. Kalyn and Sheldon had a blast hunting eggs and got more sugar and some cash. We really missed Colten and Cambry this year...it just isn't the same without them! It is always such a blessing to be with family and we look forward to the next time we can all meet again at the ranch.