Leaving her mark on the world . . .

or at least her Elementary School before she leaves it for Junior High next year.  Yesterday, Jaden, acting as Student Council Representative as well as newly appointed Head of Garden Committee, and two other SC members (Claire and Josselyn), got a couple minutes to speak to the student body during morning assembly. Wearing green shirts in recognition of Earth Day, Jaden was first to speak.  She told the students about her idea to create a school garden.  Her idea came during one of her brother's flag football games at another elementary school nearby. After walking the grounds she came upon the school's garden and thought to herself, "Well, why shouldn't we have a school garden too?"  Taking initiative Jaden began presenting her idea at the Student Council meetings she attends after school on Tuesday's.  Once the idea passed SC she had to get permission from the Principal, who allowed for her committee to purchase and plant flowers at the entrance of the school.  When school lets out they will be moved to a designated garden area in the back of the school to be watered by sprinklers.  (Originally, Jaden offered to water them in these pots all summer long until her mother shot that down.  Unless, of course, she wants to ride her bike to the school once a day.)  I ran these 3 girls after school one day this week to purchase the flowers.  It took us nearly 2 hours.  They all had such great ideas and were so enthusiastic about the project.  The next day I learned that the 3 of them planted every last flower without an adult around.  I guess I was under the impression that classes were to help out from each grade and that it would be supervised by an adult.  Props to these girls!  Jaden's hands were black when I picked her up after school.

Jaden told me that the girls decided to end their speech with this motivating line, "We need to be kind to our Earth so that our Earth will be kind to us!"  And since the kids are out of school for Good Friday we will make our way over to see the new Disney Nature show, African Cats, this afternoon.  We love our Earth.  We do our best to reduce, reuse and recycle around here and hope we can make the world a better, more beautiful place one small step at a time.  We are proud of you, Jaden.  Happy Earth day all you inhabitants of beautiful Earth!



Above:  Before school started we snapped this shot of Claire, Jaden and Josselyn to give you an idea of the before and after.  Claire and Josselyn weren't around for the "after" shots because we took them at about 7:00 p.m. on our way home from dance. Not pictured are 4 other big pots closer to the front doors of the school that they also filled.


I had to take this pic of Jaden fussing over the plants when we stopped by to take the "after" shots.

Ty turns 7!

I am finally getting around to posting Ty's March birthday events.  He, like Reese, requested donuts in bed.  Ty is always first to rise at our house.  Unfortunatley, that didn't serve him well on his birthday. Apparently, he stared at the ceiling for an hour before it became too much.  With a chip on his shoulder and obvious hurt feelings, he entered our sleepy room in tears.  So we sent him back to his bed until Kyle returned from the donut shop (you know, so he could actually have breakfast in bed).  Don't feel sorry for the kid, the ensuing events of the day easily made up for it.  After he gulped down a jelly-filled or two, he was showered with gifts.  And by 10:00 a.m. five of his favorite, athletic friends arrived for his football themed party. It too was a party that will go down in Harris family history.  Kyle was primarily in charge of this party but, of course, Jaden and I couldn't help ourselves.  We threw up a Snack Shack.  It made sense.  Then Kyle, with a can of spray paint, stakes and twine got to work creating the football field and coordinating obstacle course for football drills (not to mention his best attempt at sketching out a longhorn in one of the end zones.) And, well, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.  Honestly, between Ty and Kyle, I don't know who had the better time.  They seemed equally thrilled.

Below: Jaden nominated herself to time the obstacle course, aka two-a-days.

And Kyle nominated himself to demonstrate navigating through the obstacle course.  Except I don't think you can call it a demo. after the 4th or 5th time through.

Below:  Reese and I made cupcakes for Ty's class, which they ate at recess.  Following that he got to leave school a whole hour and a half early.  What a cool mom.

Book Fair Baby

This whiteboard hangs in the library of my kids' Elementary School.  I was there today reading with a couple of little girls when it, once again, caught my attention.  I finally had the thought to snap a picture.  Actually, I got Ty to take it just before we had lunch together on the stage.

Three years ago last month, I was 9 months pregnant with Reese.  I was also volunteering for the school's book fair and I was assigned the after school shift.  About an hour into the shift I started having contractions. As they became stronger I had a willing 5th grade student (whose name I can't remember) time each contraction while I was sitting at a table beneath the whiteboard playing cashier.  Needless to say, she used the whiteboard to record my contractions.  Finally, at about 5:00 o'clock, when my contractions were near 5 minutes apart, the librarian insisted that I go home.  I don't know why I hadn't convinced myself of leaving before that point.  I must have been in labor-denial.  Reese was born at 8:47 p.m.  Fittingly, the Librarian dubbed Reese the "Book Fair Baby."

NCAA Championship game

These boys lucked out getting free tickets to the 2011 Championship game here in Houston.  Thanks for thinking of us thoughtful neighbors: Nicole, Mary and Diane.  The boys were thrilled to go.  Quite a few observers were delighted to see the father/son duo out at the game and made sure to comment.  Actually, Kyle didn't notice many kids at the game.  That may have been for it starting at 8:30 p.m.  That's a late start for any game.  I told Ty to sleep in the next morning after he arrived home, bright eyed and bushy tailed, close to midnight.  He refused to do so.  He wouldn't dream of being tardy.  In fact, he rose so early that next morning that he and Jaden decided to leave early enough to eat breakfast at school.  After school he napped nearly 2 hours.  

Sad to see Butler lose.  Ty was upset about it.  But all in all, what a surprising, memorable experience for a 7 year old!  One who filled out and monitored his brackets with such interest and enthusiasm this year, to his 33 year-old dad's amusement. 

Reese is 3!

Right before our eyes this little ladybug has turned 3.  As Reese and I were conjuring up party ideas I thought I'd expose her to what we did for Jaden's 2nd birthday over 8 years ago. So we cracked open Jaden's scrapbook. (Not to be confused with any of the other scrapbooks  I DO NOT have for my other children.  Blogging will have to suffice for the other two kids.)  From there Reese decided that a ladybug party was just the party for her, as well.  And so we did have a ladybug party.  It was small in the number of friends we invited but large in the good times that were had.  For example, we couldn't believe our good fortune to have, on a whim, texted the mom of two of Reese's closest friends to see if they could make the party by driving 5 hours from Shreveport, LA.  They did come.  Reese talked about them visiting for weeks right up until they arrived.  Thanks for coming Mike and Jen.  We loved having you!

Reese had the best day ever!  All things went her way on her birthday, as they should.  She was awoken with her favorite breakfast: a pink donut with sprinkles and chocolate milk.  Followed by presents in bed.  A couple of hours later she attended her dance class which is just about her favorite thing.  Big brother and sister got to skip school and hang with her.  She took donuts-wholes for her dance friends.  And for dinner that night we dined on finger food, essentially.  Chicken nuggets, edamame, string cheese, grape tomatoes and natural white cheddar cheese puffs, to be specific.  All favorites of hers.  Needless to say, some of us were still hungry afterwards.

Reese, at the finish of your 2 year-old life you:  Love anything pink.  Pants and shorts are lost on you, I'm not sure you even know they exist. You look forward to dance class and Saturday donuts with dad all week long.  You are particular about your hair not being "crazy" as you call it, hence the headband at all times.  You don't believe in wearing socks.  You must be born and raised in Texas because I also have to beg you to wear coats and jackets.  You'd rather sit in your brother's car seat as opposed to your very own adorable pink one.  Dressing yourself is a must.  You observed once that Jaden is "upset" and Ty is "happy."  Which keeps Jaden on her toes to rid herself of that title.  You can't wait to play soccer like big brother and sister.  And after sitting through so many practices and games you might just be the best of the three.  Dinnertime is almost over before it began for you--a quick bite, followed by clearing your spot, followed by PJ-ing yourself.  If we don't put you to bed by 8:00 then you'll ask to be put there.  Your bedtime routine includes your  refusing to be sung any other song than Teach Me to Walk in the Light while having a "scratch back."   You worship your dad, always wondering when he'll be home!  And, lastly, you are a mini me.  Translation: the boss of the house. We love you to pieces, Reese.  

(P.S. Some may have noticed a couple of posts back that I mentioned how anal I am about posting these events on the actual day, right?  Well, just following that post I happened to update my blogger account (apparently it's been 2 years).  That gave me the most recent version of blogger that I've learned does not allow for me to pre-post.  However, it does allow for these larger pictures.  I love that feature.  Anyway, my plan to look entirely on top of blogging has failed. :)

Ty's gift to Reese.  A homemade wand.

Thanks for the lovely dress Grandma Patsy.

Flag football

A few shots of Ty's second season playing flag football.  This season extended from January to March.  And I'd better post these quick as we are already 2 games into the soccer season.  If you can't tell from the pictures below, he takes the game very seriously.  He is quite the competitor which often lead to disappointment this season (as well as last) as they came away with 3 wins in 7 games.  

Again, Kyle helped coach.  He looks forward to practices and games all week.  He'd tell you it is the highlight of his week.