Lizards and Lollipops

CLICK!

2012-02-04T10:36:00.000-05:00

After a few years of planning, writing grants, researching, etc., my school was awarded charter status. This seems to be the new trend in education...and it is awesome! Our school chose the School Wide Enrichment Model. To make a loooooong story short, the entire faculty decides on a "cluster" that they would enjoy teaching. We each choose what to offer the students based on what we are interested in. One day a week (for an hour and a half), the students attend the cluster that they have chosen. They spend their cluster time learning through their interests! Since the students list 5 clusters that they would like to be a part of, we are able to place them in one of their choices...and keep our numbers down to 14 or less per teacher. NICE! Here are a few of the clusters that are being offered right now.

*Dirt and Worms *Footloose (dancing) *Jewelry Making *CSI *American Girls *Dogs and Cats *American Heroes *Poetry *Pottery *Games (chess, etc.) *Cross Country *Cupcake Creations *Jr. Master Gardeners *Karate *Chocolate Creations *Book Cooks *Photography *Cross Stitching *Sewing *Drama *My Little Pony (all about horses) *Computer Creations

~If you are still reading this long post, keep reading! The best part is coming up.~

Since I looooove taking pictures and editing them, I offered a photography cluster.

Even though I teach 1st grade, I offered it to 3rd-5th grades. It is like a breath of fresh air when these "old" students walk in my room. They can tie their own shoes!

Each cluster is responsible for coming up with their own authentic audience. We are encouraged to find an audience outside of the school. It can be as simple as having a poetry reading night at a local library...or helping others! My cluster students came up with the most precious idea! We are going to head to the zoo to take pictures of the animals. Once we edit and develop them, we will be donating them to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta! We will have them blown up to 8x10's or larger. The students will frame their pictures and we will deliver them to the hospital. Then, they will be hung in the children's rooms. One of my students said, "the sick children will love getting to see zebras, elephants, and giraffes. Hopefully the pictures will make them smile and forget about how sick they are." To me, THAT is real learning.

Over the few months, we have a lot of work to do. Fun, meaningful work!

Like I said, we have a lot of work to do! I can't wait to share their photos and experiences with you!

Lorri

February Love!

2012-01-31T19:57:00.002-05:00

February is one of my favorite months of the year. As silly as it sounds, I think all of the pink is a pick-me-up in the middle of a wet winter. Not to mention all the candy, cookies, and...a box of Valentine's Day cake balls!

Why can't Bakerella be my next door neighbor?

Yum! I am not in love with baking, but I actually enjoy making cake balls. And more often than not, they have turned out pretty cute. Every time that I make them, I am surprised at how yummy they are. The question is...Am I brave enough to attempt the ones above?

*I don't have the best track record with baking.*

Moving on. I made this today and plan on printing it out to frame for the month.

How fun is that?

Got any cake ball tricks up your sleeve? Please share!

Happy February!

Lorri

Remember This?

2012-01-27T21:42:00.000-05:00

It's a Monchichi! I loved these when I was little. I had several of them. I considered getting Annie one for Christmas...until I discovered that they now cost anywhere from $25-$275! Seriously? They are only 10 inches tall! I couldn't believe it. Too bad I didn't keep any of mine.

However, I was able to find something very similar! In fact, this one is much cuter!

I think it is safe to say that Charlie needs a haircut. Along with everything else (including this blog), haircuts have been dismissed in order to accomplish some of the other gazillion items on my to-do list. I'm not sure how I have landed myself in the middle of on thousand things at once, but I have certainly learned that even the best multi-taskers can't do this much stuff without letting some things go.

And so...

...this little Munchichi may have to wait a few more days to get his little mullet taken care of.

Lorri

You Are My Sunshine

2012-01-09T21:48:00.000-05:00

This little girl is my sunshine.

My ladybug.

My love muffin.

My little one.

My cupcake.

My lemon drop.

My itty bitty.

Annie will be turning 6 this month. I can't believe it.

It still brings tears to my eyes to think about my pregnancy and her stay in the NICU. I never want to be that scared again! Her story (which you can read here) is a roller coaster ride, but certainly has a happy ending. The day she came home from the hospital, she was only 4 pounds 8 oz.

This picture was taken when she was 7 weeks old. My hands still look enormous compared to her!

My itty-bitty is growing up too fast. She still makes smile and warms my heart every single day.

She will always be my sunshine!

Lorri

I Guess It's Time, Clark.

2011-12-28T21:51:00.000-05:00

As much as I hate it, it is time to take down the tree. Christmas is my favorite time of the year. It makes me sad to see it pass.

Each year we pick out our tree the day after Thanksgiving. Have I ever mentioned that I am married to Clark Griswold?

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"The bigger, the better!" I'm pretty sure that is my hubby's motto. Over the past few years, I have been able to talk him into a skinny (well, skinnier) tree. However, this year's tree still stands at a little over 10 feet. Clark.

As in years past, we packed her full of ornaments (for some reason, I think of her as a girl).

The children all have their own (small) trees in their rooms, but I love having all of the ornaments they have made on the big tree.

We will keep a few decorations out through February. Like these snowmen (minus the red ornaments).

These were on one of the fireplaces at my wedding reception.

They are so sweet. Hopefully the will bring a little snow our way!

Even though I am sad to see Christmas go, I am looking forward to a few less pine needles in this house!

I hope you had the merriest Christmas of all!

Lorri

Whoo-hoo!!!

2011-12-27T09:46:00.000-05:00

We had a wonderful Christmas! Hope you did, too!

*Please don't tell the hubby I put this on here. He just might strangle me!*

Lorri

Cookies

2011-12-23T10:22:00.001-05:00

It is very hard for me to say "no" to this little girl.

Annie and the other little girls in the neighborhood seem to be future party planners. It seems that every time I turn around, they are planning a different party (complete with a theme and invitations!). This time, they wanted a cookie party. This worked out well since I had a ton of sprinkles left over from class party. And so...we threw together a cookie party!

Luckily, I had all plates, napkins, etc. Someone once told me that I have a paper plate and napkin fetish. This just might be true.

Yes...I used Pillsbury Sugar Cookies. The break and bake kind. Mother of the year. I did, however, bake 3 dozen peppermint cookies that are to die for. Seriously, they have to be the best things in the world. Rambling.

There were 11 children that came to the Christmas Cookie Party. They had a great time!

I will be finding sprinkles in random places for the next two years.

Next up? A candy making party. Ummm, no. Another mom will have to handle that one!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Lorri

Naughty or Nice?

2011-12-19T21:34:00.000-05:00

We are anxiously awaiting Santa! Their lists have been made and mailed to the North Pole.

Max's list required extra postage (Santa would have to rob a bank), Annie's consisted of about 6 things, and Charlie's list consisted of one word.

TRAINS!

Santa sent a video message to all three today.

We were happy to hear Santa say that they are all on the Nice List!

It's a good thing there isn't a "mischievous list!"

Perhaps Elfie (our naughty Elf on the Shelf) is responsible for this great news. I'm pretty sure that one of Charlie's tantrums looks pretty good compared to some of the ridiculous messes Elfie has made!

Even on their naughty days, they make me proud!

Merry Christmas!!!

Lorri

The Oldest

2011-12-07T22:06:00.000-05:00

Nobody else like him, he's unique - - this one. How fortunate we are that he is our son.
-- Author Unknown

He is...

kind

loving

smart

caring

compassionate

thoughtful &

giving.

He makes me so very proud.

Lorri

I'm Sorry, But...

2011-12-02T17:21:00.000-05:00

...these pictures are the sweetest things ever!

Lorri

All in one day? No way.

2011-11-26T23:40:00.000-05:00

"Serenity now!" Have you seen that episode of Seinfeld? Please tell me you have.

I found myself saying "serenity now" (along with a few other things..oops!) more times on Monday than I have in a long time. Here is a quick layout of our day.

Mack woke up on Monday morning with a stomach virus...the one that Max had come down with on Friday night. This is bad enough on it's own, but there was more to follow. You see, I was scheduled for a procedure at 11 (not to get too personal, but I was having an HTA). I loaded up on all my meds and left the house...leaving Mack at home with three children! The procedure went pretty well. Not too painful, but would certainly have me out of commission for the remainder of the day. When all was done, my sister-in-law brought me home. As I entered my home, everything went down hill. Fast! I was already feeling nauseous when I heard Mack tell me that A and C had started throwing up as well. I had been home, in my bed, for all of 30 minutes when the stomach virus hit me. The most important thing of my procedure was to make sure that I stayed on top of the pain medicine. My doctor explained that if I didn't, "I would feel as if I was in the worst labor of my life and will be begging to head to the emergency room." You can see how this quickly became a problem. When it was time to take my medicine, I was throwing up like crazy! Unfortunately, I was unable to keep the medicine down. Let me just say this...I delivered one of my three children without an epidural. I vowed to NEVER experience that kind of pain again! Well, as luck would have it, I did. For about 5 hours...plus the joys of a stomach virus...and without the incentive of holding a precious newborn.

"Serenity now!"

I can't tell you how glad I am that we don't have to relive that day. Whew!

Breakfast for the Girls

2011-11-06T19:45:00.001-05:00

Annie and I had a "treat" for breakfast yesterday. I am calling it a "treat" because that's what she called it.

Yes, that is a tomato...with salt and pepper. Fresh out of the garden. Not my garden, but that's beside the point, right? I am aware that this probably makes us both a tad bit abnormal, but it beats cereal any day. Right, Jenn? I can almost hear my sister getting grossed out as I type this. Ha!

According to Annie, we can have these "treats" for the next week or so.

Gotta love a girl with good taste!

Lorri

A Butterfly, Skeleton, and Percy

2011-11-02T20:20:00.000-04:00

Max, Annie, and Charlie started planning for Halloween the day that we received the first costume catalog in the mail...which may have been in late September. Max and Annie seemed to change their minds about what they would be dressing up as every 2 days. Finally, they settled on a pink butterfly, a "scary" skeleton, and Percy.

Annie's favorite thing about this Halloween was her costume. She absolutely loved it! Lucky for me, Crazy 8 put their costumes on sale very early....before they sold out of her size.

Max's favorite thing this year was trick-or-treating with cousins and all of his friends in the neighborhood...on a school night!

Charlie was only interested in the candy (imagine that!). He was not a fan of walking from house to house. Lucky for him, he didn't have to walk as much as some children.

After the first two years of walking the entire neighborhood, we finally figured out the trick.

*Attach a trailer to the back of the truck

*throw in some blankets and folding chairs

*fill the travel mugs with hot chocolate and whipped cream

Now that is the way to trick-or-treat!

After a bowl of potato soup and some brownies, we headed out.

We stayed out for about an hour and a half. By then, their buckets were full and we were freezing.

Hope you had a wonderful Halloween!

I'm Not Sure Who Had More Fun...

2011-10-15T17:59:00.002-04:00

...At the Pumpkin Farm

Last weekend we headed to Jaemor Farms for pumpkins. I grew up about 10 minutes from Jaemor. At the time, I had no idea how great that was. Fried apple pies, fresh produce, boiled peanuts, funnel cakes, homemade ice cream, Georgia Belle peaches, and apples! It's like a little corner of heaven!

And of course, the corn maze. Last year I was floored with how BIG the maze was. This year it was just as good!

My sister and her children were visiting my parents and joined us for the day. My children love it when Henry and Lucy are here.

We had the best time! I took so many pictures that I probably looked like a tourist visiting a foreign country!

While the kids ran ahead of us, Jennifer and I caught up on all the happenings in our lives. I really wish that she lived closer...

Cute girls!

I even handed over the camera to Jenn so that I would be in at least one picture (since I am always the one behind the camera).

I loved this day.

Lorri

I May Have Missed My Calling

2011-10-07T21:26:00.000-04:00

Even though I enjoy teaching my sweet first graders, I think I may have discovered a new love. Unfortunately, teaching the little lovebugs comes with a ~~HUGE~~ little bit of stress. Typically the stress isn't from the students, but from all the other "stuff" that teachers have to do. These days it seems that every time I mark something off my To-Do list, I add two or three more things to it. There are sooooo many days that I feel like this:

Source

Now don't get me wrong. The little lovebugs are worth every bit of the "stuff." Watching them learn and grow is priceless. Seeing a child go from not knowing the letters of the alphabet to reading is very rewarding! The hugs, smiles, and giggles remind me of the most important things in life. But unfortunately, teaching is not just about teaching anymore (because I like you, I will save that topic for another day).

But THIS...

...is stress-free. I don't know what it is about taking pictures, but I love everything about it! It's like therapy! Being the type of person that I am, this is shocking. Usually I continue to stress myself out about something until I have conquered the task. With this, I haven't. I don't really understand which settings I should choose or why I should should choose it. I haven't spent hours reading about photography or watching videos on YouTube. Instead, I just pick it up and go with my gut. Granted, I don't always get the exact look I am going for, but it is still fun!

Thanks to my sweet hubby, I can now get my therapy again! My camera died about a month ago an the cost to repair it was outrageous! Instead, I got the camera above. Happy Birthday, Anniversary, and Merry Christmas to me!

Lorri

Our Top Ten...

2011-10-02T11:37:00.000-04:00

...Favorite Things About FALL!

This weekend we have had perfect weather! The high on Friday was 72, yesterday was 64, and today it will be 65. Perfect. If Charlie wasn't running a fever, we would be headed to Jaemore Farms for pumpkins, hayrides, funnel cakes, and delicious fried apple pies.

Maybe I should give these a try.

Last night, the kids helped me come up with a list of our 10 favorite things about fall. This wasn't an easy task. Our list ended up being very long! We narrowed it down to 13. Take a look.

But...they insisted on adding a few more.

There is so much to enjoy this time of the year. We are looking forward to all it!

Lorri

Lazy Days

2011-09-24T22:28:00.001-04:00

Our lazy days of summer are over. We have been back in school for 32 days now (the reason why I haven't posted in forever!) and things are crazy around here! I have started classes for my gifted endorsement, Annie started back to ballet, Max is learning how to study for the first time (only because I am making him), and Charlie IS POTTY-TRAINED (insert at least 10 super excited faces here).

We sure do miss our mornings without alarm clocks, lunches by the pool, flexible schedules, and staying up a little later just because we can. Getting back into a routine was harder on some of us than on others. Charlie and I seemed to be hit the hardest. Poor guy. He inherited his mother's need for sleep.

Even though our weekdays are rushed and a bit chaotic, our nights and weekends have been a little calmer.

The hubby's new toy has provided tons of entertainment for us.

In fact, it seems that several of the neighbors have enjoyed the new toy. Now that we have one, there are more opportunities for "racing" in the neighborhood.

I didn't even know it was possible to "burn rubber" on a golf cart! I guess the old saying that boys will be boys doesn't discriminate against age.

All that being said...we miss summer, but are looking forward to cooler weather, pumpkins, mums, candy corn, and a few Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks.

Happy Fall!

It's a God thing.

2011-09-05T20:46:00.001-04:00

Mothers know the true meaning of unconditional love. A love that explodes the first time you hold your baby in your arms. A love so strong that giving your life for your child would happen without hesitation.

Over the past two weeks, I couldn't bring myself to post. My heart has been so broken. Blogging about my life and children just didn't seem right.

Two of our friends have just lived through the most difficult thing parents will ever have to go through. To be honest, I can't even wrap my brain around it.

"It's a God thing."

Debbie and Brian found out they were expecting a sweet pea right before the new year. They were both very excited and looking forward to all that the upcoming months and years would bring to their lives. But as the pregnancy progressed, they were given news that their sweet pea would not be able to survive for long after he was born. Baby Harvey had several big complications that even the best physicians and surgeons would not be able to fix. And so...we prayed. We prayed for miracles. We prayed for strength. We prayed for comfort. Early one morning, Debbie's water broke. Later that afternoon, Harvey was born weighing in at 4 pounds. He was absolutely beautiful. Sweet Harvey spent 30 perfect hours with his mommy and daddy. Being held and loved on. Without any doubt, he knew and felt how much he was loved.

And then God showed them how He had heard their prayers. Their sweet baby no longer would feel any pain or discomfort...only the pure JOY of meeting our Heavenly Father.

Debbie and Brian were surrounded by those who would be their strength for the days, months, and years to come. I received a text from Debbie's sister (my sweet friend Jennifer...who happens to be my children's second mother) shortly after Harvey passed away. The text read "Harvey made it to Heaven!!!" Just seeing that text showed me how lucky Debbie and Brian are to have such a strong support system.

I can't imagine how hard the upcoming months and years will be for them, but I know that they are strong. I have seen their strength. I know that God will carry them through the lonely nights. When people ask me how they are doing, I reply with the same statement each time. "It's a God thing." He is giving them strength. How else could they possible go through this and survive?

It is obvious that God has heard the prayers being sent up for them...and will continue to answer those prayers.

And so, I am asking that you pray for Harvey's mommy and daddy. For comfort and strength.

Thank you!

Picture This

2011-08-19T21:34:00.001-04:00

It was a typical Friday night. The kids and I were in the living room watching Diego (we live very exciting lives around here). All of the sudden, I hear Mack yelling for me from our bathroom. From the sound of his scream, I knew something was "up."

Little did I know...It wasn't just something. It was water. And GALLONS of it.

My bathroom resembled the picture above. As I entered the bathroom, the floor was soaked and water was spraying me in the face. No really, it was. In fact, water was hitting the ceiling! I quickly noticed that the knob for the cold water (thank goodness) on the tub was off. Mack was bending down over the tub with his hand on the "hole" that was spraying water at a massive force. I quickly grabbed some towels and threw them on the floor. Mack uncovers the "hole" long enough for me to stick a towel (and my hand) over it and attempt to divert the water into the tub. What happened next may sound a bit dramatic, but I really couldn't make this up. I had been kneeling on the floor during the water diversion. As I tried to reposition my knees on the tiled floor, I slipped. My hand flew off the hole just long enough for me to catch myself from falling. The water began spraying at full force again. No lie, a spring flew out the hole and hit me in the face. It didn't hurt at all, but definitely caused me to begin laughing hysterically. In the mean time, two of our neighbors came to assist. Mack got the water turned off and all the boys came in to check out the damage. I would like to say that I looked like this...

Or this...

But to be honest, I think I looked a little more like this...

Lessons Learned: #1-Don't leave Mack alone with a toolbox anywhere near plumbing.

#2-Be prepared to be hit in the face with flying objects when the water pressure isn't being controlled.

#3-Don't change into a black tank top and boxer shorts before 9pm. You just never know when three men will be standing in your bathroom...when you are soaking wet and wearing your husbands boxers as pajamas!

Lorri

*All images were found through Google Images*

The First Week

2011-08-09T19:44:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was our first day back at school with students. As you know, I teach first grade. This year I have 20 students (as of now). 20 first graders is manageable, but the first few ~~months~~ weeks can be a tad bit stressful. Of course, I believe this time is stressful for all teachers. The picture below is a perfect illustration of teachers in the summer vs. during the school year.

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Along with getting new students, teachers seem to get a lot of new "stuff," too. New paperwork, new ways to document student success and student struggles, new classrooms, new sets of parents, new schedules.....well, you get the idea. There is so much going on that I have to work hard not to let my stress show when the students are around.

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The amount of work we have to do in the beginning of the school year gives the old saying of "running around like a chicken with it's head cut off" a whole new meaning!

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By Friday, I expect to completely exhausted.

But one thing is for sure. The students are worth all of the time, hard work, and energy that we put into the beginning of the year. They come in smiling and ready to learn. And when they leave us? They have learned to read, write stories, add, subtract and so much more! In fact, they make so much progress that we are continued to be amazed year after year.

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With that said, I am heading to bed for some much needed rest. :)

Lorri

A New Baby For Me...

2011-08-05T22:29:00.002-04:00

to love on.

No, she isn't mine...but I would happily take her! I am already in love with her. How could I not be? Just look at those lips.

Little Molly was born just two weeks ago. Her mommy, Sara, is my sweet friend of 15 years. We lived together for several years and now we live right across the street from each other. Not only am I lucky to be able to have coffee with my friend at any given time, but I get to see her babies grow up.

I love these babies.

Little Molly was born several weeks early, but was a champ in the NICU. She was home with her mommy is just a few days. Now I get to walk across the street and hold her whenever I want. Well, as often as Sara and her hubby will let me (hint!).

Welcome to the world, Molly!

By the way, does baby fever ever go away???

Lorri

Back to School-A Must Read!!!

2011-08-01T10:21:00.000-04:00

*This is a really long post, but I promise to end it with some eye candy!

As if I didn't love him enough already!

source

Matt Damon recently spoke at the Save Our Schools March (near the White House) to protest President Obama's Education Policies. Here is his speech.

I flew overnight from Vancouver to be with you today. I landed in New York a few hours ago and caught a flight down here because I needed to tell you all in person that I think you’re awesome.

I was raised by a teacher. My mother is a professor of early childhood education. And from the time I went to kindergarten through my senior year in high school, I went to public schools. I wouldn’t trade that education and experience for anything.

I had incredible teachers. As I look at my life today, the things I value most about myself — my imagination, my love of acting, my passion for writing, my love of learning, my curiosity — all come from how I was parented and taught.

And none of these qualities that I’ve just mentioned — none of these qualities that I prize so deeply, that have brought me so much joy, that have brought me so much professional success — none of these qualities that make me who I am ... can be tested.

I said before that I had incredible teachers. And that’s true. But it’s more than that. My teachers were EMPOWERED to teach me. Their time wasn’t taken up with a bunch of test prep — this silly drill and kill nonsense that any serious person knows doesn’t promote real learning. No, my teachers were free to approach me and every other kid in that classroom like an individual puzzle. They took so much care in figuring out who we were and how to best make the lessons resonate with each of us. They were empowered to unlock our potential. They were allowed to be teachers.

Now don’t get me wrong. I did have a brush with standardized tests at one point. I remember because my mom went to the principal’s office and said, ‘My kid ain’t taking that. It’s stupid, it won’t tell you anything and it’ll just make him nervous.’ That was in the ’70s when you could talk like that.

I shudder to think that these tests are being used today to control where funding goes.

I don’t know where I would be today if my teachers’ job security was based on how I performed on some standardized test. If their very survival as teachers was based on whether I actually fell in love with the process of learning but rather if I could fill in the right bubble on a test. If they had to spend most of their time desperately drilling us and less time encouraging creativity and original ideas; less time knowing who we were, seeing our strengths and helping us realize our talents.

I honestly don’t know where I’d be today if that was the type of education I had. I sure as hell wouldn’t be here. I do know that.

This has been a horrible decade for teachers. I can’t imagine how demoralized you must feel. But I came here today to deliver an important message to you: As I get older, I appreciate more and more the teachers that I had growing up. And I’m not alone. There are millions of people just like me.

So the next time you’re feeling down, or exhausted, or unappreciated, or at the end of your rope; the next time you turn on the TV and see yourself called “overpaid;” the next time you encounter some simple-minded, punitive policy that’s been driven into your life by some corporate reformer who has literally never taught anyone anything. ... Please know that there are millions of us behind you. You have an army of regular people standing right behind you, and our appreciation for what you do is so deeply felt. We love you, we thank you and we will always have your back. Source

I can't even begin to tell you how much this speech means to me (especially coming from a celebrity....and one as yummy as Matt Damon!).

I teach because I enjoy it. Not only do I do everything in my power to give my students the very best education that I can, but I strive to provide them with opportunities, life experiences, love, recognition of their potential, fun learning, and individualized instruction. I will be the first to admit that I am NOT a teacher that focuses my instruction on standardized testing. I do not believe in teaching the test. On more than one occasion I have had students that are reading a year or more below grade level that pass the test with flying colors. I have also had students that should have passed without any problems fail the test (or sections of the test)......simply because they were stressed out about it. In my opinion, those tests (more often than not) do not accurately show what the students have learned. I'm sorry, but it's true. However, there are some things that show how much progress our students are making. The child! READING with the child...WRITING with the child...TALKING with the child! These are the things that all parents and teachers should be doing.

Man! I am so sorry! I really didn't mean to get on my soap box.

As a teacher, I get asked (many, many times) what the most important thing is for young students in regards to education. For me, there are several things.

*READ with your child every single day!

*Ask your child what he/she did at school every single day!

*Review any completed work with your child!

*Encourage your child to use their background knowledge to solve problems and learn new things.

~I hope everyone has a wonderful school year! And I am super jealous of those who have another few weeks of summer!

And as promised:

Source

Lorri

It is just about impossible...

2011-07-30T17:49:00.000-04:00

...to get a great picture of all three of my stinkers.

"Look at me and smile."

"Charlie, look at me. Not at your Bubba."

"Max and Annie, look at me."

"Max and Annie, you are squishing Charlie."

"Annie! Look at me!"

Finally....

This is the best one I could get. The lighting was all wrong, but they are all three looking at the camera AND they are all smiling. I'll take what I can get!

Sandy Toes

2011-07-27T12:27:00.000-04:00

Charleston, South Carolina

Mack had a business trip planned to Charleston, so we decided to tag along and sneak in a few days at the beach. We have been lucky enough to visit Charleston every year for the past 5 years or so. A good friend owns a couple of condos about 2 miles outside of downtown. It is the perfect location for shopping, restaurants, and the beach. We didn't have perfect beach weather, but we still managed to enjoy the ocean.

Charlie loved the beach this year. Last year he enjoyed it until sand ended up on his face or in his mouth. At that point, he had a major breakdown. This year, he didn't care where sand ended up. In fact, we may never get rid of all the sand!

Annie loved it, too. She jumped waves and sat in the sand to let the waves run over her legs. She spent a good amount of time looking for the perfect shell.

Max was in heaven. He spent all but about 10 minutes in the ocean on his boogie board. I have to admit, he was pretty good at it.

Again, we may never get rid of all the sand. I seem to be finding it everywhere.

I wish the weather had cooperated more, be we did have a great time. We had some wonderful food, did a little shopping, and were just plain lazy. In that regard, it was definitely a true vacation!

Why I Have Been MIA

2011-07-23T10:43:00.000-04:00

I have been missing in action.

I haven't accomplished my To Do list for this week (and it was full!).

I haven't gone to the grocery store (and we need milk).

I haven't watched The View, The Today Show, or Ellen (my summer staples).

I haven't taken nightly rides on the golf cart (more on this later).

I haven't been reading my favorite blogs.

I haven't posted anything on this blog in a week.

Here is the reason why.

Have you read the Millennium trilogy by Stieg Larsson?

Please tell me you have. My sister, Jenn, has been telling me to read Larsson's books for a while now. Since she and I don't typically read the same genre, I wasn't in a real hurry to read them (just being honest). If only I had known. Last Thursday I downloaded the first book (above) on my iPad. Jenn had warned me that the first 70 pages of the book were a bit difficult to follow. It takes place in Sweden and is filled with names that can be easily confused with each other. She promised that I didn't need to worry about all the names or re-read to make sense of it all. She was right. By the time I got past the beginning, it all began to fall together. And I was hooked!!! I finished the first book in about 3 days and couldn't wait to read more about the characters, Lisbeth and Blomqvist. I downloaded the second one the minute I finished the first. I absolutely could not wait.

To my surprise, the second book (above) was even better than the first. The Girl Who Played With Fire had me hooked by the end of chapter 2. I finished this book in about 4 days (had to go work in my classroom or would have finished it earlier). Naturally, the third book had to be downloaded.

And yes, it is fantastic! I haven't finished it just yet, but hope to today.

If I had to describe the books....well, I simply wouldn't know where to begin. All I can say is that they kept me guessing (and glued) to the very end.

If you haven't read them, I strongly suggest that you do.

*And yes, Jenn, you were right!*

Picture Source

For BB and Pop

2011-07-17T08:47:00.000-04:00

My sister (Jennifer) and her family live about 2 hours away from my parents. Mom and Dad don't get to see them as much as they would like to. They make trips down for the weekends, etc, but would really love it if they could see Henry and Lucy every day. Since they don't, I grabbed these pictures off of my sister's facebook page so that mom and dad can see them (they aren't facebook savvy). Jennifer and I are truly opposite when it comes to pictures. I have a ridiculous amount of pictures of my children. In fact, Max has started hiding when he sees me pull out my camera. Nice, huh? Anyway, since Jennifer never takes pictures or shares them with us (we love you anyway!), I wanted to show off her beautiful children!

Henry- 10 years old. Smart (loves to read). Inquisitive. Caring. Funny. Respectful (more so than any other boy I know). Happy. Soccer player and dirt bike racer. Takes care of his mommy when she isn't feeling well.

Lucy-6 years old. A gift. Intelligent. Animal lover. Extremely flexible (might have to join a circus or something one day). Tomboy (she races dirt bikes with Henry. No, really. She does. As in...at a track with many other children. Complete with biker attire). Protective of those she loves. Fearless.

One of my favorite pictures.

Nothing is better than a barefoot boy in madras plaid. Makes me smile.

Look at those feet.

BB and Pop, hope you enjoyed these pictures. And don't worry, I will print some for you!

Lorri

A Day With Chuckles

2011-07-12T22:22:00.000-04:00

As I have stated many times before, there is never a dull moment with Charlie.

With Annie in Kinder Camp and Max in basketball camp, Charlie and I have had some extra one-on-one time together. I love having his undivided attention.

Charlie is hysterical. No really, he is. He is...his father.

Just look at these facial expressions. He starts out looking so innocent.

And then he starts thinking. I know this look. It usually leads to trouble.

He still looks pretty innocent in the picture above, right? Now look at the one below.

This is the exact look he gives me as he contemplates doing whatever it is I just told him not to do. Complete with the side glance. Sometimes I even get a little evil grin or a wink. It is hard to discipline this child. I have a very hard time not laughing when I should have that serious mommy-look on my face. For example, I asked him not to sit on the porch and let his legs hang down. I know he can't fit through the bars, but I am scared of heights. Anyway, the second time I told him to get up, he turned around and gave me this look.

"Mommy. Me do it. Mommy no be mad."

After I turned my head and pretended to cough, I picked that little fanny up and took him inside for a chat. Speaking of his little fanny...

It sure is cute. And just look at those rolls on his legs. I promise I only nibble on them once a day. :)

*Disclaimer-Yes, I am aware that my 3 year old is still in diapers/pull ups. Yes, I know he should be potty trained by now. Yes, I am working on it. Yes, it bothers me tremendously. No, he hasn't mastered it yet, but has come a long way. No, he isn't planning on wearing them to college....I hope! :) Will this child ever be trained???

Lorri

Favorites From the 4th

2011-07-06T16:54:00.000-04:00

We had a perfect 4th of July. We celebrated all weekend. Our weekend was filled with great friends, really good food, and HOT weather. 96 degrees takes on a whole new meaning when you add in humidity.

The pool was our outdoor activity of choice during the day.

Other than being inside in the AC, the pool was the only thing that kept us cool.

Oh how I wish I had his eyelashes!

We had 4th of July cake pops along with smores.

Have you seen the new StackerMallows?

They are perfect for smores! I recommend roasting two StackerMallows for each smore. I can't believe someone didn't think of these marshmallows before now.

M, A, and C played with friends until they were so tired that they could hardly stand up (literally).

Baseball, cars, corn hole, chase, hide-n-go seek, and scooters were a few of the things the children enjoyed.

We attended the 3rd annual 4th of July party at one of our neighbor's homes. Not only is this party great every year, but I love getting to explore her home. It is simply beautiful!

We love living in our neighborhood. It reminds me a little of college because I can walk down the street and have coffee with friends at any time.

This sweet stinker enjoyed the fireworks for the first time! In the past, he would cover his ears and cry when the fireworks began. This year he covered his ears, but he loved looking at them.

Hope you enjoyed your holiday weekend!

Lorri

"BIG!!!"

2011-07-03T17:22:00.000-04:00

"My got a BIG boy bed!"

We are in the process of changing Charlie's room over to a big boy room. Today was his first day to sleep in his new bed. I took these pictures as he was waking up from his nap.

He has been telling everyone that he is getting a big boy bed. While the kids were spending the night with BB and Pop, we took down his crib and moved in his bed. I wish I had taken a picture of his face when he saw it for the first time.

I fully expected for him to get out of his bed at least 15 times before he fell asleep for his nap. I was pleasantly surprised that he didn't get up a single time! It sure would be nice if he would do that tonight.

There is still a lot to do in his room. Everything has to organized before the fun part can begin. The decorating!

I have picked up a few things here and there, but there are still a few things I ~~want~~ need for his room.

I am on the lookout for a new lamp, some baskets for books and toys, and some fun picture frames. The green and yellow frame above is one of several that I painted when I was decorating his nursery. I also painted the canvas below for his nursery. I plan on hanging it on another wall (it is currently over his bed) because it is a bit too busy with his new bedding.

Hopefully I will get to ~~shop~~ work on it some this week.

I think Charlie is going to love it!

*Happy 4th of July!*

Lorri

"Is that a good decision?"

2011-06-30T10:16:00.000-04:00

I thought I would share a conversation that took place a couple of days ago between the kids and I. This first picture says a lot.

Annie to Max: What are you doing?

Max: I am about to do the coolest scooter trick!

Annie talking to herself on her "cell phone:" Well, Max is about to do a trick that will probably make him break a leg or something.

Max talking to himself: I just need to move this over here.

Me to Max: You aren't thinking of using that ramp for the trick, are you?

Max: Mom, I am going to do a trick that I have done a thousand times.

Me: Well, move that ramp into the grass so that it is out of your way.

Annie on her phone: Max is going to get hurt. We will end up having to go to the emergency room.

Charlie on his phone: Max huwt leg. (He still hasn't mastered the "R" sound.)

Me: Max!!!

Max: Whoo-hoo! That was awesome!

Me: No it wasn't!

Charlie: Max is in twouble!

Annie: Man! If he does that again mommy is going to get really mad. Then she will have to pay a copay and she doesn't like that. (I kid you not!)

Me: Annie, you are right! Max, don't you dare do that again. You just about gave me a heart attack!

Max: Mom. It's fine. I do it all the time when you are inside.

*I don't even want to think about what else he tries when I am not around.*

Never a dull moment around here!

Lorri

*Yes, Jenn. I fussed at him for not having on a helmet.*

Monday Mornings

2011-06-27T09:32:00.001-04:00

I have never been a fan of Mondays. During the school year, they usually hit me pretty hard. Getting up at 5:30 am...wrestling with my stinkers to get them out of bed...driving to work with a list of things to accomplish running through my head...sleepy first graders that need one more day to rest (which usually means needing a little extra TLC from me *the best part of my Mondays*)...homework packets for Max...well, you get the idea.

But in the summer, things are much different. I get up and ENJOY a cup of coffee on the back porch before my kiddos get up. I check my email and read my favorite blogs...in the quiet! Then I hear the pitter patter of little feet and see crazy bed-hair and sweet smiles.

Giggles

Chit Chat

Kisses

Show and Tell

I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved these mornings.

It makes my heart sing.

Cuddles

Hope you have enjoyed your Monday morning!

Lorri

I am a list maker.

2011-06-23T16:26:00.000-04:00

I make a lot of lists. I like lists. They keep me on track and help me not to forget things (most of the time!). I might be a little on the OCD side, but I like it that way. As I accomplish things on my lists, I mark them off. Then....I rewrite the lists. I can't stand to see a messy list. I wonder if this is why my friends think I have a touch of OCD???

Anyway, my major "summer to-do list" is being neglected.

I would like to blame the negligence on my foot drama, but that will only work for this week. I have been out of school for three full weeks...and the only thing I have accomplished is my laundry room. For those of you that have been in my laundry room, you know that was a huge project on it's on. Why must everyone in this house dump their junk in that room?

I have several additional lists on my board right now. I am making some progress on a few of them, but not as much as I wanted to by now. Too many things have been in my way. Camps, pool, shopping, play time, pool, cookouts, pool, reading, and...the pool. At least most of my hindrances have been fun, right?

And since tomorrow is Friday, my lists will have to wait a few more days before they receive any attention. I am ok with that for now, but if I don't start marking some things off soon, I will end up looking like the cat on my list!

Are you a list maker?

Do you think I could possibly use the word "list" a few more times??? :)

Lorri

Talk about PAIN!!!

2011-06-20T21:10:00.000-04:00

I fell down the steps on Saturday night. Well, I didn't actually fall down the stairs....I just missed the bottom step and fell down. The result is NOT pretty!

Other than delivering my babies, I have never felt pain like this. When I fell, my foot/ankle rolled to both sides. I heard several loud pops...before I passed out. When I woke up, I could barely stand the pain. I can't explain the pain.

I am now sporting a black, blue, and purple foot...the sized of an elephant's foot.

The x-ray showed no breaks or fractures. I was excited about that because I just KNEW I had broken something. But then the doctor kindly told me that I was wrong to be excited. She explained that if I had broken it, the pain would quickly go away and would probably heal quickly...and not bother me in the future.

But instead, I managed to tear and stretch some tendons. Oh joy. The doctor told me it will take 2-3 months for it to heal. She also explained that it will likely give me trouble off and on for the rest of my life. Seriously?

And so for now, I am wearing a brace and elevating my foot for 3 days. Did I mention that we had a storm Saturday night that knocked out our cable, garage door opener, home phone, and Internet? Not a good combination with being immobile. Guess we will be doing a lot of this...

Turns out there is a good reason for my dad always calling me Grace.

Lorri

Too Much Heat

2011-06-18T09:12:00.000-04:00

It is HOT! So far June has brought us temperatures in the 90's and humidity out the wazoo!

But I will say, the mornings and evenings have been very pleasant (this won't last long, though). We spend the mornings and evenings playing and the daytime at the pool.

Between Camp Invention, art camp, and VBS, we have been so busy! I am VERY excited that we have NO plans this week. I can't wait to sleep in at least until 8 and then drink coffee in pj's. Let the lazy days of summer begin!

I am so excited!

I told you so.

2011-06-15T19:48:00.000-04:00

I have to keep an eye on this guy every-single-second-of-the-day.

Otherwise, he ends up doing something like this.

Never a dull moment with him!

Little stinker!

Lorri

Three Things That Made Them Smile

2011-06-12T21:06:00.000-04:00

Friday Night Fun:

Fireworks. Face painting. Fried Chicken.

On Friday night we headed over to see the fireworks at a local college. Even though we hit 92 degrees earlier in the day, the evening turned out to be breezy and cool (we call 80 degrees "cool" in the summer).

Mack and I were able to sit and visit with good friends as the children enjoyed running and playing. They threw the football and enjoyed snow cones.

Charlie spent a lot of the time picking "flowers" for me. I held them proudly....even though they were weeds that make me sneeze. :)

To celebrate the fireworks in style, we had fried chicken, potato logs, and Coke. Needless to say, I don't think I will be receiving any awards for serving the healthiest meal that night.

Annie loved the chicken....until she discovered the bone.

I have to say, this was one of my favorite nights ~~of forced family fun~~ we have spent together this summer. I enjoyed every minute of watching them run and play.

I especially loved the moment below.

Hope you had a fantastic weekend!

Lorri

I Can't Believe I Did That....TWICE!!!

2011-06-10T17:31:00.001-04:00

This is my front porch.

Please forgive how dirty it is (trust me, I am about to explain).

Notice the pot of Gerbera Daisies on the left? It is about to tople over. Unfortunatly, I can't fix it.

You see, we have a family of birds living on our front porch. In the past, the birds that have occupied the nest have been very timid. These birds are NOT timid...

And they DON'T like people.

Can you see the little babies that hatched last week? I know this isn't a great picture, but it is not for a lack of trying.

Last week Annie and I decided to try and get some pictures of the baby birds. We took the step ladder outside and placed it on the walk way (not on the porch...we didn't want to scare the mom and dad). I had my camera (with my zoom lens attached) hanging around my neck. As I climbed up on the step ladder, the mom and dad got angry. In fact, they must have signaled to their entire family. All of the sudden, birds were flying all around us. Actually, they were flying AT us!

As crazy as it sounds, one of them brushed my check with it's wing. I can honestly say, I was scared! As they began swooping closer and closer to us, we ducked. If only I had remembered to lower my hand that was holding my camera. But sadly, I didn't. I banged my head on the top of my camera...hard!

I was laughing and crying at the same time. As I stood up to back down off the ladder, three birds headed our way. Annie squeeled and we ducked...again. This time I banged my chin on the camera...HARD!

And so...these are the best (and only) pictures we will be getting of those crazy birds and their babies.

I am not about to try again!

Oh! And just to irritate me more, they are leaving me with this as a contant reminder.

Oh joy!

Cover Girl Model

2011-06-07T13:42:00.000-04:00

I can't even talk about it.

Congratulations!

2011-06-06T20:24:00.001-04:00

The Bride

The Bride's Proud Mother

Last week we celebrated the upcoming marriage of a sweet friend's daughter. Melissa, the bride's mom, teaches first grade with me. Her daughter, Haley, is one of "those girls." You know, the girls that have it all? She is very smart, sweet, kind, beautiful, friendly, trustworthy, grounded, happy, and ambitious. Yep, one of "those girls." :)

Brunch

Jackie, my partner in crime at work, invited us to have the shower at her house. Jackie is the queen of southern hospitality.

We were excited to celebrate with Melissa. And what a perfect excuse for a bunch of teachers to get together and chat!

We had biscuits (bacon, sausage, ham, jelly, etc.), fruit, sausage and cream cheese stuffed crescent rolls, muffins, bacon dip, brownies, cookies, cake, and several other yummies. Add a pot of coffee and some sweet tea to that and you get.....a very talkative group!

Melissa is so excited about her daughter's upcoming marriage. She "couldn't have picked a better husband" for her daughter. I can't imagine what Melissa is feeling. I think about Annie getting married and start to hyperventilate. And she is only 5.

Congratulations to BOTH of you! Can't wait until August!
Lorri

In The Spotlight

2011-06-05T08:59:00.000-04:00

Annie had her first recital last weekend. She was so excited for her big show.

She did great! It was definitely one of those proud moments as a mother. Annie has come so far! She has always been a bit shy and nervous, but she did it....and smiled the whole time!

Annie is a daddy's girl. I can't imagine where she gets that from. :)

My parents came down for the recital. I loved looking over at my dad and seeing a huge smile on his face as he watched her dance. That was priceless.

Mack's mother came, too. Annie has spent a ton of time with her this past year. I love how close they have gotten. Grammy is, by far, one of Annie's favorite people.

Annie loved "her" day.

So proud!

They Have My Heart

2011-06-04T09:25:00.000-04:00

My sister's children just spent a week with us. I could kick myself for not taking more pictures!

Here are a few of my favorites.

Lucy was such a sweetheart! She was very helpful with Murphy and Charlie. I miss the sound of her ~~stomping feet~~ footsteps already. :)

Henry is both funny and smart. He is full of interesting facts that I KNOW come from his father. And Jenn, please feed him. He is starving!

Love her sweet lips.

We had a fun visit! Can't wait to see them again!

Jenn, this last picture is just for you! *For those of you that don't know my sister, her children are given a choice of either a Friday Coke or Friday gum for good behavior. She sticks to giving this treat to them one day a week.

~~"Friday Coke"~~ They were limited to one coke a day! :)

Aunt Lolly is more fun than you are! Ha!!!!

A Lot of It!

2011-05-31T18:27:00.001-04:00

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

I recently started reading She Knows Food and Recipes. She has some fabulous recipes for summer lemonade and lemon desserts. To me, lemons are summer. Even though we are not officially in "summer," our temperatures are! Today we topped off at 92 degrees and are expected to hit 97 degrees tomorrow! If this is any indication of what August will be like in the south, we are in for it.

The last couple of days have been so hot that I have already started searching the Internet for new summer salads and desserts.

Lemon Thyme Bars

These Lemon Thyme Bars are on my list to try. They sound delicious. Even though I am often intimidated by Giada's recipes, these seem be something I could handle.

After being outside in the heat, my desire to cook seems to vanish.

Cucumber Sandwiches

Last year we snacked on Ree's cucumber sandwiches many times. These are super easy and ridiculously yummy!

I am looking forward to trying these, too.

Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Quesadillas

This recipe is also by Ree. The ingredients are simple, but the combination sounds fantastic.

What are your favorite things to "cook" in the summer?

*click on links for recipes and picture sources*

The Cherry on Top

2011-05-27T21:47:00.000-04:00

Today was the last day of post-planning. I am going to miss my students like crazy over the summer. I loved this group of children. They were sweet, caring, smart, funny, and eager to learn.

What more could I ask for???

The Cherry on Top!

This year's class was definitely a treat, but spending the entire summer with these guys will be even better!

And these two.

lazy mornings

breakfast on the porch

running through the sprinklers

popsicles

swimming

watermelon

sidewalk chalk

water guns

lightening bugs

summer camps

ice cream cones

dinner on the grill

strawberries

snuggles

Can you tell I am a little excited?

I've Been A Bad...

2011-05-19T14:57:00.000-04:00

Blogger.

Tomorrow is the last day of school with students! I can't believe how ~~painfully slow~~ fast these last two weeks have gone by. :)

My days have been consumed by end of the year activities, maintaining some control in my classroom, filling out end-of-the-year paperwork, and tying up loose ends.

My nights have consisted of baseball, award ceremonies, graduations, and creating (and burning) a class movie for my students to take home to their parents.

Due to all of these things, I have been a bad blogger. I haven't had time to blog. I have a running list of stories and pictures to share, but can't find the time to do it. I have been reading my favorite blogs, but haven't slowed down to comment. :(

One more day with students and five days of post-planning......maybe then I will have time to stop and smell the flowers!

Lorri

Big Girl!

2011-05-13T21:53:00.000-04:00

My sweet girl graduated from pre-k on Thursday. How on Earth did this happen???

Watching Annie graduate was bitter-sweet for me. At one point I was crying because my baby is ready to start kindergarten in August. Moments later, I was grinning from ear to ear because she will be with ME next year. I love being able to walk down the hall and see Max. Now I will be able to do the same with Annie.

Like any proud (and emotional mommy), I cried.

And then...I laughed.

Do you see that little cutie whispering in her ear? Well, moments later, he yelled "give me that microphone!" Keep in mind that the sanctuary was quiet and that this was the look on his face.

Yep, that's all it took. From that moment on, I laughed. And smiled.

Congratulations big girl!!!

Lorri

Ups and Downs

2011-05-07T10:22:00.000-04:00

Being three is tough stuff.

There are certainly a lot of ups and downs.

There are a lot of happy times, but there are also some not-so-happy times.

I don't know who invented the term "terrible two's," but I think they missed the mark. The two's were pretty kind to us. Of course, he was a bit stubborn during his two's, but nothing like he is now.

I had no idea that such a little human could make so much noise! The little stinker can pitch a serious fit! Luckily, he follows up with a little of this.

I have to say...M and A never pitched fits like C does. I can honestly say that, together, they might have pitched 5 fits. Don't get me wrong, they had their moments. But nothing like the little man!

Despite the fits, this little man is amazing. He is loving, kind, giving, funny, and more. He makes me smile all the time (except during the fits!). His personality is great! I think he will be a wonderful husband, fabulous father, and a super salesman...he can convince complete strangers to give him what he wants. :)

Man, we love this boy!

But it won't hurt my feelings at all when he is over the fits!

Lorri

All Wrapped Up...

2011-05-02T21:00:00.000-04:00

...into one big word.

RANDOM.

A few years ago I learned a hard lesson. My computer caught a nasty virus and crashed. I lost a ton of pictures. After that, I make sure that my pictures are backed up. It takes some time, but it's a great excuse to sit down, put my feet up, and relax. Here are a few of the random photos that I found on my computer.

I want this door in my house. It makes me happy!

Really cute apples.

A fun rooster that I can't seem to talk my mother into giving me. I really need it.

Baby feet and cake.

Annie's sweet friend. Love her eyes.

Annie and her favorite "big boy!"

Serious thinking.

My favorite coffee cup.

A piece of Heaven.

Hope you have a great week!

Lorri

Saturday Sunshine

2011-05-01T09:36:00.000-04:00

*Games and Pink Nail Polish*

Our Saturdays are spent at the ball field.

This is M's first year playing baseball. I have to say, he has done really well.

He has enjoyed playing...and is already talking about "next season."

Hubby has been assisting the coach. They practice two nights a week and have a game each Saturday. Max has loved spending all that one-on-one time with his dad.

They rest of us have enjoyed it, too.

But only MY daughter would use this time to get a pedicure.

There may be a few specks of dirt in that polish. :)

Yep. I'm old.

2011-04-30T08:32:00.000-04:00

This is my beautiful (inside and out) niece.

Last night Abbey went to prom. As I walked up to take a few pictures, it hit me. I am definitely NOT a spring chicken anymore!

You see, Abbey wore a size 3T dress in my wedding. She was tiny.

Granted, her waist isn't much bigger than a 3T, but she is not a little girl anymore.

Now she is driving, thinking about college, and (dare I say it) dating.

Abbey's date for the prom was one of her best friends. These two started kindergarten together...and have been friends since then. They were too cute together. They were laughing and playing around the whole time. I know they had a great time!

I was so proud to be there last night. Abbey handled herself with grace. She is amazing. There is no doubt that her parents have done a GREAT job raising her.

I can picture her (at least 10 years from now!) married to a man just like her daddy. She reminds me so much of myself. She is definitely a daddy's girl!

I can't wait to see what the future holds for her.

No matter what she decides to be when she "grows up," she will be successful...and have a great time!

We love you, Abbey!!!

Lorri

Man's Best Friend and...

2011-04-27T19:26:00.001-04:00

...Getting Lucky.

Meet Jake. Jake belongs to my 21 year old nephew (who is too old to be a nephew to me!)

Jake is an awesome dog. He is beautiful.

He is great with little ones! He has the energy of a puppy, but the sweetness of old fogey.

Jake is a fan of the water. He spent several hours jumping in the pool to retrieve his ball.

As for getting lucky? Well, it started with this picture.

This is an ok picture of Jake. I love how the muscles in his legs are showing.

I think this picture is pretty neat, too. As you can see, he is just about to shake off all that water. He did that every single time he got out of the pool.

And here is the one that I love. I only wish I knew how I captured this picture...so I could do it again!

I don't know how I did it, but I do know that I love it!

Thank you, Jake! You made me smile!

Lorri

Buckets of Eggs

2011-04-25T19:34:00.000-04:00

What a beautiful day!

As you can see, the weather was amazing! We had a traditional lunch (ham, green beans, potatoes, deviled eggs, etc.) and grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for dinner. Add Gooey Butter Cake, Brownies, and TONS of candy to that!

I made these adorable Peep Treats (found here). They were easy to make and pretty yummy!

While M, A, and C were filling their baskets with eggs, I was clicking away. This Easter was so perfect that I didn't want to forget a single second of it.

I am so grateful for the many blessings that God has given me.

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer

One day the stone rolled away from the door

Then He arose, over death He had conquered

Now He's ascended, my Lord evermore!

*casting crowns*

4 More Weeks

2011-04-21T20:24:00.000-04:00

The countdown is on! In just 4 ~~long~~ short weeks, I will be doing what I love the most.

I will be waking up to sweet smiles...from well-rested children.

I will have cups of coffee while watching ~~The Today Show~~ Thomas the Train and listening to the sound of chirping birds and sweet giggles.

My "schedule" will consist of swimming lessons, art camp, playing outside, reading, and at least one trip to the beach.

I will (hopefully) accomplish a few projects around the house...and I might even have a few ~~distractions~~ helpers.

No more getting up at 5 am (no one should be up that early).

But staying up a little later will actually be an option. :)

There might even be a few trips to Brusters...Max's favorite place for Cream!

Even though I will miss my sweet students, I am thrilled that summer break will bring more time with my babies and a much more relaxed schedule.

Here's to the lazy days of summer!

Lorri

How Do I Decide???

2011-04-19T20:45:00.001-04:00

I recently won a giveaway over at Savy Southern Style. If you haven't checked out Kim's blog, I highly suggest that you do. She has great taste! Let's just say that I would be one happy girl if she would come decorate my home!

Kim hosted a giveaway a few weeks ago that really caught my eye. Nancy, from Nancy's Daily Dish, was offering a $50 store credit to one of Kim's readers. Nancy's store, English Transferware, is fabulous! You have to visit!

Here are a few of my favorites from Nancy's store.

*Masons Vista Square Teapot*

About six years ago, my sister gave me a few pieces of Masons Vista. I have been adding to my collection since then. This guy is calling my name!

So is this one.

*Masons Vista Covered Butter with Tray*

*Aesthetic Black Transferware Spode Circa*

I love this plate! It's in my shopping cart for later.

*Vintage Black Transferware Coffee Pot*

I have the perfect spot for this teapot.

*Black Paisley Transferware Large Platter*

I can picture cucumber sandwiches on this one. :)

So....here is what I have decided on (I think!). I am in desperate need of bringing some "life" into my livingroom.

*Wedgewood Red Transferware with Double Topiary in English Coffee Pot*

I can't wait to see it in person!

~All of the pictures above (except for the first one-it's my favorite piece of my Masons Vista collection) were taken from Nancy's site.~

Lorri

What is in your shopping cart?

2011-04-17T21:41:00.000-04:00

I could spend days on Etsy!

There are so many talented sellers that share ideas and beautiful pieces. Some items I am confident that I could make..... if I had the time.

Therefore, I window shop. Or in this case, cart-shop. At any given time, there are at least 15 items in my shopping cart. Here are few that I have really been looking at. Under each photo, there is a link to the item. Once you click on the link, the sellers information (and additional items) can be found on the right side of the page.

jl2ceramics

This is, by far, one of my favorite items. I can imagine it in several different places in my home.

sherbieherbie

This blue pedestal would look great in my bathroom. I would love to fill it with the seashells that we have collected from each of our beach trips.

thedoorstop

I would love to have one of these boards right by the laundry room/garage door. I am constantly writing myself reminders of things I need to take to school. Notepads work ok, but this would be both helpful and cute!

edelynn

I NEED two of these pillows for my bedroom. They are exactly what I have been looking for.

nenavon

I want these curtains. Bad.

milkandcookiescanada

And last but NOT least: These beautiful pillows. I love the gray and blue combination.

I have purchased many items off of Etsy. Every single item has been exactly what I wanted. The sellers that I have worked with have been extremely helpful and kind. I haven't purchased any items from the sellers above, but I have communicated with a couple of them. They, too, have been wonderful. If my money tree begins to produce, I plan on purchasing all of these. :)

Am I the only one that places items in my shopping cart so that I can revisit them over and over?

Lorri

*I hope these sellers don't mind me sharing pictures of their work on my blog. :) *

All of This and More!

2011-04-13T20:33:00.000-04:00

Spring is here and we are loving it. After months of cold, rainy weather, we are finally surrounded by trees with bright green leaves that make me smile.

The flowers are beginning to bloom and bringing beautiful colors with them.

We have found ourselves making up reasons to spend extra time outside. If it were up to my children, we would spend from sun-up to sun-down in the fresh air.

Afternoons in the park have proven to be a favorite.

We invested in Edy's Strawberry Fruit Bars. They are the perfect summer treat! 60 calories and only 13 grams of sugar.

But with these...

...and these...

...comes this.

Notice the "green stuff" on C's shoe? Yep, pollen. We walked from the car to the park pavillion (about 20 feet) in the grass. On this particular day, the pollen count was 2,790. That is extremely high! Itchy eyes, runny noses, scratchy throats, and sneezes galore. BUT, we have only been under a handful of tornado watches this spring. I will take the pollen over tornados any day of the year!

I hope the weather is this beautiful where you are. And if you are really lucky...

...you will have some static to go with the sunshine!

Lorri

Too Close For Comfort

2011-04-10T16:36:00.002-04:00

I love having pets. I really believe that they bring happiness into our homes and our hearts.

Even the animals that I find in the yard make me smile.

But...

Sometimes the little ones that should run from us forget to do so.

While on vacation at Disney, we had a few moments of the animals being "too close for comfort."

One of my favorite things to do at Animal Kingdom is the Safari ride. Granted, there is always a chance that you won't get to see many animals, but it is still exciting. This time, we were able to see at least one of each of the animals "in the wild." In fact, we were stuck on the ride for 30 minutes. Here are some of the reasons why.

This giraffe, which I named "shorty" in an effort to pass the time, was very intrigued by all of us on the ride. He walked right up to us and just stood....CLOSE to us. Then, his little friend joined him.

Seriously? They just stood there and looked at us. When we were finally able to move on, we ran into these guys.

Needless to say, we enjoyed the ride. However, I will be perfectly fine with heading to the zoo to see them next time. You know, one with cages!

Lorri

"It all started with a..."

2011-04-08T11:47:00.000-04:00

"...mouse."

Walt Disney

We just returned from a full week at Disney. The weather was perfect! Overall, this trip was wonderful!

Max is the perfect age for Disney. He was super excited for the rides and shows. He rode Space Mountain and loved the Extreme Stunt Show.

Annie is also at a great age for Disney. She wants to be a princess when she grows up. She enjoyed every minute eating with the princesses and meeting the characters.

And then there is Charlie. 3 is not the perfect age for Disney. He enjoyed a few things (Playhouse Disney and the Little Mermaid) but he missed nap after nap after nap. No nap = no fun.

But as you probably know, Disney is a vacation for the kids...not the parents! Even though we are very tired, it was worth every minute.

I will try not to bore you with a million pictures from the trip, but I have to share a few!

Lorri

It's Happening

2011-03-29T19:07:00.000-04:00

Annie

When we brought Annie home from the NICU, she weighed 4 pounds and 8 ounces.

These two pictures were taken when she 6 weeks old. As you can tell by my hand in the picture above, she was TINY.

We celebrated her 5th birthday in January. However, it didn't hit me until today that she is not little anymore. As I walked in to school this morning, I saw the set-up for kindergarten registration. I know people were staring at me when I stopped (frozen) in my tracks. Oh my gosh. I have to register Annie for kindergarten!

How on earth did 5 years go by so fast? I just can't believe it. The days of her saying things like "rockadile (crocodile), pamorrow (tomorrow), and Lylenol (Tylenol)" are almost over.

That just hearts my heart.

I refuse to believe that there will be a time in the future when she doesn't want to cuddle with me, read with me, or tell me her secrets (even though I know that day will come).

This little girl is precious...in so many ways.

She is loving, kind-hearted, silly, confident (yet, shy), and sensitive.

My hope is that she will always be as happy as she is right now.

And it won't hurt my feelings at all if she turns out like her favorite "big girl."

Growing up. It's happening. I have to find out a way to make it stop.

Lorri

Don't Let Them Fool Ya!

2011-03-27T21:38:00.000-04:00

Look at these big brown eyes and those precious lips.

So sweet and innocent. He loves to giggle, hug, cuddle, and give butterfly kisses (which is pretty easy to do with those eyelashes!).

But there is more to him then that. There is another side of him that we have to watch out for.

Oh yes. I know you can see it now. He is a mess! I can't take my eyes off of him for a second! If I do, here is what happens.

"Charlie! What is that?"

"Is that gum?"

"No! Don't eat that!"

I would love to show you pictures of what happened next, but I had to drop the camera and run to take away the sticky gum that someone had spit out in my front yard.

So here is a hint of what he did with the gum as I was running over to take it away.

Poor Murphy!

Spring Is Here

2011-03-26T08:46:00.000-04:00

The weather has been BEAUTIFUL! Bright green buds are on the trees and the flowers are beginning to bloom.

And with this weather comes...outside playtime. A LOT of playtime.

Serious playtime.

The boys have enjoyed rolling in the grass. I'm pretty sure I need to buy stain remover by the gallon.

Hope the weather is beautiful where you are!

Lorri

The Real Truth

2011-03-23T20:50:00.000-04:00

Things are just ~~a tad bit~~ crazy around here.

No matter how hard I try to get it all done, it just doesn't happen. I have considered becoming an octopus. Surely I could get accomplish everything if I had 8 arms. I have also considered adding 4 hours to each weekday (2 hours to clean/work/organize and 2 hours of extra sleep). Since neither of these two things are possible, I am taking suggestions. You see, my only option right now is to get up even earlier...or stay up later. I already start my day before 6 am. It is cruel to wake up and see a 5 staring back at me. I just don't think I could handle seeing a 4. And staying up later? I've tried. It just doesn't happen.

Earlier today I spoke with a good friend for some advice on my current situation. She quickly pointed out that my children and I have only 7 weeks left of school. That is a HUGE plus. Then she told me to "let it go." Ummmm. Let what go? "Let it all go." Well, that is just impossible. BUT, I am going to try and stop stressing over the little stuff. I can assure you that my husband will be happier if I do this...he might be a little bit irritated by my complaining and OCD.

So...

*It is (now) ok to leave a cup or two in the sink over night.

*It is (now) ok to let M, A, and C stay up a few extra minutes so that we can spend more time outside.

*It is (now) ok to get behind on the laundry (well, this has always been the case).

*It is ok that my laundry room is a disaster. In fact, it is going to stay this way for at least 7 more weeks.

*It is (now) ok to say "NO" when we don't need or want to do something.

Because...

these are the most important of all!

Let's Celebrate!

2011-03-20T10:17:00.000-04:00

Charlie is 3!

This sweet boy is ~~obsessed~~ in love with trains. Not just Thomas the Train. Any trains.
Since nothing excites him more, a train party was the perfect choice.

A sweet friend made the cake pops for me. They were seriously cute and really, really yummy. Lemon pound cake dipped in white chocolate.

Charlie loves marshmallows...and chocolate. These made him very happy.

We set up the popcorn maker and served it in the party hats seen above.

I think it is safe to say that he had a blast!

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

Lorri

Praise for Paula Deen

2011-03-17T22:33:00.001-04:00

I love Paula. No, we are not on a first name basis, but I feel like we are.

http://www.pauladeen.com/

This lady can cook. Really cook. I can honestly say that I have been cooking her recipes for 10 years and have not found a single thing that I didn't like. Perhaps it is because she cooks the way my mother used to cook.

My ~~obsession~~ love for her cooking began here:

The Lady & Sons Restaurant

During my 149 days of bed rest (for Charlie), I watched the Food Network a lot.

Paula's life story is very inspiring. She created her businesses from nothing. She is doing what she loves and it is paying of BIG time. See? I told you I feel like we are on a first name basis.

Anyway, I wanted to share my favorite of all her desserts. No, I don't enjoy baking, but this recipe is simple and easy.

Gooey Butter Cake

Have you tried it? If not, you must make it right now. On Sunday, we had lunch at my sister-in-law's house. Since it had been a while since I have had this, I made it.....and topped it with homemade whipped cream. Paula's cake is much prettier than mine (below).

You can get the full recipe at www.Pauladeen.com

*Don't pay attention to the nutritional information! You don't have to count the calories, fat, sugars, etc. if you are eating it with friends. :)

Enjoy!

Boys. And Dirt. And Trains. And a Bug. And a Dog.

2011-03-14T20:06:00.001-04:00

Good combination? Or bad? Depends on how you look at it.

These boys are DIRTY! But.....HAPPY!

I kid you not, these two played in the dirt for hours!

They played with trucks, cars, and trains. We now have a complete road/track for their toys.

"Who needs shovels, mom? We can just use our hands."

They worked so hard on the track...that they had to take a little rest.

And make a plan.

Everything was going well until Charlie found a friend.

"Fred." Better known as "Dead Fred." Ewwww.

Even Murphy needed a bath.

Overall, these two had a fantastic time playing in the dirt. While I loved watching them interact and create something together, I did not enjoy cleaning them (Murphy included) up.

Boys.

My Boys.

Lorri

Have You Been?

2011-03-12T09:53:00.000-05:00

Have you been to the Georgia Aquarium?

For the past five years, the first grade teachers have taken our students to the aquarium. Even though I have been many times, I am still amazed by the beautiful (and not-so-beautiful) fish.

This visit, however, was very special to me. You may recall me talking about one of my students (Pumpkin) back in the fall. Pumpkin is a precious child. Unfortunately, he faces many difficulties. Since I had 8 parents with me on this trip, I decided to divide up my students among them....and keep Pumpkin with me. He was so excited!

Pumpkin had never seen sharks, turtles, etc. In fact, he had never seen a live fish. I wish I could show you a picture of his eyes when we walked in. They were huge!

The penguins were his favorite. He smiled and giggled the entire time we were with them. I stood back and watched him. It was as if I was seeing these animals for the first time...through his eyes. You can imagine his excitement (considering he had never even heard of a sea otter).

I absolutely LOVED seeing the aquarium with Pumpkin. His excitement was contagious. But I must admit, I was exhausted by the end of the day. I felt like I had been run over by an 18 wheeler.

If you have never been to the GA Aquarium, I highly recommend a visit. Especially if you can see it through the eyes of child!

Lorri

Mom of the Year!

2011-03-09T18:05:00.000-05:00

For the last two weeks I have been referring to myself as "Mother of the Year." But NOT in a good way. It seems as if I blink and the week is gone. Work is crazy and my house is a mess. I am flustered and tired. I wish I was one of those girls that know how to let some things go in order to get through busy times. I just can't do it. Well, I can, but it eats at me until I give in an do it all.

As I type this, my children are each eating a piece of bologne. Bologne. Not a banana or an apple.

And they are doing this while playing on my iPad. Guess my screen will need a serious cleaning after they are done.

And they are eating the bologne on my sofa.

With their feet on the sofa.

And Murphy is trying to eat their little snack.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

"Please excuse the mess, the children are making happy memories."

*Sorry for the photo quality.*

Lorri

Spring Shopping Fever (Part 2)

2011-03-07T18:56:00.000-05:00

I am dreaming of 70 degrees and sunshine. For two weeks we enjoyed perfect weather.
It was just enough to spoil us. Even though the last few days have been wet and cold, I still find myself feeling spring.

Window shopping for spring.

I am pretty sure this chair would be perfect in my living room.

Ballard Designs

I have the perfect place for this pitcher in my bedroom.

Pottery Barn

Pillows. I need new pillows. These pillows.

Pottery Barn

I'm sure these coffee cups would make me smile.

Anthropologie

Look at this kitchen towel from Anthropologie. Yep, I love it.

Anthropologie
Window boxes with geraniums:

Martha Stewart

New outdoor furniture and pillows would be nice, too.

Crate and Barrel

A girl can dream!

Spring Shopping Fever (Part One)

2011-03-03T20:33:00.001-05:00

70 degree weather in March equals spring fever. Shopping fever. Especially when you have a little girl.

She is so much fun to shop for. No matter where I go, I always find something for her.

Annie loves dresses, shoes, lip gloss, and purses (I have no idea where she gets that from. Ha!).

Here are a couple of Annie's favorite things from Hannah Andersson.

What can I say? She's got good taste!

Lorri

Snips and Snails...

2011-03-01T21:14:00.000-05:00

And Puppy Dog Tails.

There is something about little boys.

"Little boys come in all shapes and sizes,

Shy and adventurous, full of surprises,

With misshapen halos and mischievous grins,

Small dirty faces, and sweet, sticky chins.

They'll keep you so busy, and yet all the while
Nothing can brighten the world like their smile.
And no greater treasure has brought homes more joy
Than a curious, active, and lovable boy!"
author unknown

And the best part? Little boys love their mommies!

I could eat him up!

Lorri

The First of Many

2011-02-27T20:27:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I shared some pictures of my parent's new house.
This weekend we moved them in. The house is amazing and well worth the wait. My children liked the house a lot, but they loved the land. I have a feeling that this weekend was the first of many more to come.

They were in heaven. And the best part? No one fell in the water...this time.

And just as I expected, the planning began. Camping. If this beautiful weather continues, it will be sooner than later. Today it was 74 degrees...and sunny. Beautiful.

There are plans for a fire pit and a small bridge (Max's idea) in the works. My children will never want to leave.

I can only imagine how much fun they will have here.

I sure hope mom and dad considered that their grandchildren are going to want to visit.. a lot!

Lorri

The 5 W's-I'd Be Rich

2011-02-24T20:24:00.001-05:00

Who? What? When? Where? Why?

And most of the time....How?

If I had a dollar for each question, I would be rich.

"Who decided that the steering wheel goes on the left side of the car?"

"Who tells the President when to go to meetings?"

"Who decides what the speed limit is?"

"Who built our house?"

"Who buys that stuff?"

"What does the remometer (also known as a thermometer) do?"

"What are my eyelashes for?"

"What makes the lawnmower run?"

"When did they invent computers?"

"When are we going to Cracker Barrel?"

"When will it be Christmas?"

"When can I have a cell phone?"

"Where is my book bag?"

"Where are my shoes?"

"Where is the toothpaste?"

"Where is my bow?"

"Where is my head?"

Ok, maybe not the last one.

"Why do fingernails grow?"

"Why do we have to have peas for dinner?"

"Why can't we sleep in your bed?"

"Why does my hair grow so fast?"

"Why does Murphy bite his feet?"

"Why can't I have a cell phone?"

"How do batteries work?"

"How does the red light know when to change to green?"

"How does nail polish stay on my nails?"

"How can we build a tunnel down to the creek?"

Source here

Rich, I tell ya, RICH!

Lorri

Puppy Love

2011-02-22T20:00:00.000-05:00

I have a confession to make. I have fallen in love with Murphy.

He is sweet, fluffy, loving, and funny. But I have to be honest. He isn't the smarted dog on the block. Seriously. We may need to invest in doggy school.

He may not be smart, but he knows how to bring smiles to our faces....except when he "boops" in the house.....which is getting better. How stinking long does it take to potty train a puppy, anyway? Mom, I promise he will be potty trained by the time he comes to stay with you for a week. Promise!

I had no idea that would love him so much. We all do.

Lorri

The Perfect Act of Kindness

2011-02-20T08:28:00.000-05:00

I can't begin to tell you how many times this surprise has made me smile.

My sweet friend, JP, gave me this cute jar...

filled with the perfect words of encouragement and happy thoughts.

Jennifer brings smiles, laughter, and happiness by walking in a room. Every single time. Unfortunately, I don't get to see her as often as I would like. But somehow, she came up with the perfect idea of making me happy when she isn't around. Whenever I am a little down or frustrated, I read one of her sweet notes. Actually, I have read them all so many times that all I have to do is glance at the jar and I begin to smile. I don't know if she really knew what kind of impact that this little prize would have on me.

This act of kindness has not only made me feel good when I needed it most, but it has inspired me to do the same for others. Thank you, JP, for being so wonderful!

Lorri

A Snippet

2011-02-18T20:58:00.000-05:00

The week we have had a snippet of spring weather. Even though this weekend is going to beautiful, my gut tells me that we will still see many more cold days. So in the mean time, we have tried to make the most of these warmer days.

The sun has been shinning! As silly as that sounds, it seems like it has been weeks since we have seen it.

I am ready for warmer weather....which, hopefully means, less sickness around here. We have had our share.

I can't wait for green grass and blooming flowers.

And I really can't wait for this!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Last Minute Treat

2011-02-14T19:39:00.001-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

My intention was to share these Oreo Truffles (Oreo Balls if you live in the South with me) yesterday. But, things were a bit crazy. Even though Valentine's Day is almost over, these treats can be enjoyed any time.

Start with a pack of Oreo cookies, whipped cream cheese, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles.

Throw the Oreos into a food processor. The cookies will end up as very fine crumbs.

Add cream cheese.

Combine until it is a big ball of YUM.

Then roll into small balls and place on wax paper. (Sorry about the picture quality below.)

Put the pan of balls into the freezer for 1-2 hours. Once they are firm, melt the chips in the microwave for 15 seconds at a time. Using a toothpick, dip each ball into the chocolate and place back on wax paper. Quickly sprinkle with sprinkles. :)

I promise you that these are both delicious and addictive.

They are seriously cute. They were the perfect Valentine's Day treats for teachers and friends.

You are going to love them!

Lorri

Lizards and Lollipops

CLICK!

February Love!

Remember This?

You Are My Sunshine

I Guess It's Time, Clark.

Whoo-hoo!!!

Cookies

Naughty or Nice?

The Oldest

I'm Sorry, But...

All in one day? No way.

Breakfast for the Girls

A Butterfly, Skeleton, and Percy

I'm Not Sure Who Had More Fun...

I May Have Missed My Calling

Our Top Ten...

Lazy Days

It's a God thing.

Picture This

The First Week

A New Baby For Me...

Back to School-A Must Read!!!

It is just about impossible...

Sandy Toes

Why I Have Been MIA

For BB and Pop

A Day With Chuckles

Favorites From the 4th

"BIG!!!"

"Is that a good decision?"

Monday Mornings

I am a list maker.

Talk about PAIN!!!

Too Much Heat

I told you so.

Three Things That Made Them Smile

I Can't Believe I Did That....TWICE!!!

Cover Girl Model

Congratulations!

In The Spotlight

They Have My Heart

A Lot of It!

The Cherry on Top

I've Been A Bad...

Big Girl!

Ups and Downs

All Wrapped Up...

Saturday Sunshine

Yep. I'm old.

Man's Best Friend and...

Buckets of Eggs

4 More Weeks

How Do I Decide???

What is in your shopping cart?

All of This and More!

Too Close For Comfort

"It all started with a..."

It's Happening

Don't Let Them Fool Ya!

Spring Is Here

The Real Truth

Let's Celebrate!

Praise for Paula Deen

Boys. And Dirt. And Trains. And a Bug. And a Dog.

Have You Been?

Mom of the Year!

Spring *Shopping* Fever (Part 2)

Spring *Shopping* Fever (Part One)

Snips and Snails...

The First of Many

The 5 W's-I'd Be Rich

Puppy Love

The Perfect Act of Kindness

A Snippet

Last Minute Treat

Spring Shopping Fever (Part 2)

Spring Shopping Fever (Part One)