Snow Day

Yesterday, we were under a winter storm watch! I thought for sure we wouldn't go to school. I waited and waited for my phone call, but it never came. I woke up to torrential rain and still wondered if I might get the phone call...nope. I drove (swam) to school. The roads were flooded. I knew it was going to be a crazy day! Around 8:30 it started snowing...huge cotton ball size snowflakes. My students were all going crazy! I let them bundle up and play outside for about 5 - 10 minutes (it was COLD). The whole time I was so sad I did not get to spend this moment with Manze. You see, last year it snowed too...the day after her birthday on her birthday party day! We were running aroudn trying to get ready for her party and get there, we didn't get to play in the snow. I thought de-ja-vu...I'm missing another snow day with her! We ended up dismissing school at 11:30 (total craziness calling all the parents and getting the kids home in the sleet) and when I got to my car I had to get all the snow off before I could get in. I picked Manze up and we headed home. By that time it was sleeting bad and we could not play in the snow. Later Mrs. Beth (Manze's babysitter) e-mailed me these pictures. She took them outside and all the kids LOVED the snow and couldn't get enough of it. I hate I didn't get to play with Manze in it, but I'm glad she was able to get out in it! These pictures do not do it justice. When I got to my house it looked like a winter wonderland...too bad I didn't get a picture...I need to get on the ball!

Manze and Wes in awe of the snow

Manze, Claire, and Wes watching the snowflakes fall

What I've been up to....

I've been busy monogramming, appliqueing, and more! You can tell Christmas is right around the corner! I have literally come home from school, turned my machine on, and monogrammed until about midnight every night! I am so excited and having a blast! I appreciate all the orders I've gotten! Check out my website at: http://ballpointdesigns.blogspot.com/ to see more! Let me know if ever need a monogram, applique, or more! I have other items like sports bottles and linen hand towels too!

The Advent Calendar

When I was growing up, my dad always brought an Advent Calendar back from overseas to me. I loved celebrating Advent and opening the doors each day to get a piece of chocolate. If you dont know, Advent is a season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus...or the period immediately before Christmas. I decided to start this Christmas tradition with Manze this year. Her cousin Loo Loo (a.k.a. Alexa) gave Manze an Advent Calendar and we started it on December 1st! It was hard to explain to Manze that she could only open ONE door and eat only ONE piece of candy. Once she got over that fact, she had a blast! Here she is with her calendar!

opening the door

Here's my candy!!

YUMMY!!

Thanksgiving 2008

This Thanksgiving we went to the country (Shubuta to be exact) and I'm not kidding about the name! My dad's side of the family is from Laurel and Jackson and his dad grew up in Shubuta! Before we could travel to the country, my wonderful photographer (Melanie Thaw) took a family photo of everyone (me, Tommy, Manze, my parents, my sister, my niece, and my brother and sister-in-law) for my mom. We were ALL in town for once and that was the only time we could take it. Melanie is awesome! Not too many people would get out on Thanksgiving Day and do that! After the picture, we all headed to Shubuta for some family time and great food! Manze had a blast hanging out with all her cousins (especially Macon who is 18 months old). Macon's mom Michele and I are the same age. When we came for Thanksgiving one year, we sat at a small white table eating our lunch. The table is still there, so we had Manze and Macon sit at it so we could get pictures! It was so cute! Manze is in love with my brother and follows him everywhere...she does not let him out of her sight! The whole time she said, "Where is my Bucky...I want my Bucky...that is MY Bucky!" She loves her Uncle Bucky and Aunt Amy and we are so glad they were able to come for Thanksgiving!

Manze and her Uncle Bucky

Manze at the little table

Manze and Macon

Twilight

My niece (Alexa) and me at the movie (for the 2nd time) wearing our TEAM EDWARD shirts!

Twilight = if you haven't started reading the series, start NOW!!!! It is incredible! If you are not sure you will like the vampire thing, trust me...you will! It's not what you think and I have not been able to put the books down! I'm almost done with the third one and will immediately have to go buy the fourth! My friend Poppy got me into the series. I could not put Twilight down and when we would get to school, Poppy and I would talk about it all day long!! I made my friend Lori read it and she was reading at her desk during her breaks. Now, I got my friend Teresa reading it too! It's that good! Well, the movie opened Friday and I, of course, went to see it! I went with a couple of other teachers and we met other people there too! Lori and I rode with Poppy and we couldn't get there fast enough! We decided to go to Malco since they have the biggest screens. We were the first ones in the theater (I don't think I've ever been that early to a movie before). We actually go kicked out while they cleaned the theater real quick! We all LOVED the movie! The book was better (but what book isn't better than the movie) and they did leave stuff out for time purposes, but how could you get upset when you could look at Rob Pattinson the whole time (I think the whole theater erupted in squeals when he came on the screen the first time)! Ahhhhhh! After reading about the movie...it was a low budget film produced by a low budget company. They had no idea it was going to become the hit it has. I think that will make the other 3 longer and keep more with the book knowing all the rabib Twilight fans out there! When we got back in the car, Poppy's daughters said that me, Lori, and Poppy were acting like a couple of teenagers over the movie! Hysterical! Well, I loved it so much that I'm going AGAIN, TONIGHT!

Robert Pattinson a.k.a Edward Cullen

Edward & Bella

The cast

Ballpoint Designs

I have started my monogramming business, Ballpoint Designs! I would love to mogram for you! Check out my website by clicking on the picture or the name above! Leave me comment, e-mail me, or call me if you would like something done! Remember, Christmas is right around the corner!

Halloween with "Super Manze"

Trick-or-treating this year was the night before Halloween in our county. They changed it because of all the High School football games on Friday night (Friday Night Lights)...that's what happens when you live in a "football consumes our lives" part of the country! LOL! So, Manze was able to trick-or-treat in Flowood on Thursday night AND Ridgeland on Friday night (they kept trick-or-treating on Halloween)! TWO nights of trick-or-treating...you can't beat that when your two-and-a-half! Manze was "Super Manze!" She looked so cute in her costume! Thanks to Brittany who found a toddler size Superman cape at Six Flags and brought it back to me for Manze's costume! How sweet was that!!!! It MADE the outfit! I got to work on my monogram machine and monogrammed "Super Manze" on the back of her cape and monogrammed M's on wrist bands that I made and a red jacket! She was a stylin Superhero! She had superhero boots and all! She was running all over the place and HAD to ring the doorbell at every house! The big kids that were with us got to the door and waited for her to come so she could ring the doorbell! How sweet!!!! She had a BLAST!

Happy Halloween

Carving a pumokin with Daddy!

"Super Manze" striking the superhero pose! (Don't know what was wrong with my camera)

The next night of trick-or-treating, striking the pose! She had been jumping in the space jump so her hair was a mess!

If you look real close you can see the monogram...every pic there was a glare from the shiny fabric of the cape!

running all over the place

Carrying all her loot home!

Halloween at School

For Halloween this year, the 2nd grade teachers dressed up as punk rock stars! We all went to Walmart together the night before and got our outfits and accessories! The kids LOVED it and thought we were so cool!! We have way too much fun together! Pictured (L to R): Lori Murrah, Jennifer Gordon, and me!

Miss Nelson is Missing

Every year we read the book Miss Nelson is Missing! It is one of my favorite books! Basically the story is about a teacher who is fed up with her kids not following the rules so she dresses up as Miss Viola Swamp and comes to the classroom and whips the kids back in shape! Every year the 2nd grade teachers dress up as "The Swamp" and pretend we are missing. We let the kids come into the room in the morning and get started on their morning work, then we all go bursting in the room! The kids LOVE it and when I come back as myself they tell me all about what Miiss Witchington (that's my swamp name) did! It's hilarious! Here is the picture from this year!

FOR SALE!!

Santa brought Manze this Lifestyle Grand Walk-In Kitchen for Christmas. We thought it would be great for Manze and she has LOVED it, but it takes up too much space. If we had a playroom, it would be perfect in there, but we don't! It's not a year old yet and in great condition. Listed below are all its features. It retails for $259.99+tax. We would like to sell it for around $130.00...that is over $130.00 off! If you are interested in buying it, let me know!

Attached dining area includes 11" stool
3 electronic features: microwave, stove top, and phone
"Oak hardwood" foam flooring provides realism and comfort
Over six feet of "granite" counter tops provide space for cooking and dining
Large sink with swivel faucet and push button
"Stainless steel" appliances enhance play and provide extra storage space
Acessory set
Durable poly construction wipes clean easily and lasts for years
'Inside' Dimensions: 23" x 25"
Requires 4 AA and 2 AAA batteries (included)
Adult Assembly NOT Required (it's already set up)
Made in USA of US and imported parts (some accessories, phone, silver doors and faucet made in China; foam floor made in Taiwan)

More Monogramming

I've been doing a lot more monogramming and practicing! I'm having fun (except for when I mess up, LOL) and the next thing I'm going try are appliques! Here is some stuff:

Mt little model modeling her new shirt! The bows in her hair are were made by my friend Jennifer of Bowhead Hairbows!

posing and saying "cheese!"

These shirts were done for Richard to wear to his Daddy's High School Reunion!

fleece blanket

Big girl mattress...bed...

Manze is growing up right beofre our eyes...it's sad and exciting at the same time! Last Friday, Tommy called me and said he was taking the crib down...it was time for Manze to have her big girl bed! I was working late and thinking...this is not the best time, but okay! I was too tired to stop by Walmart and get a rail for the bed, so we decided to let her sleep on her mattress and she how she liked it! Tommy said when he was taking her crib down, Manze was so excited and kept saying she couldn't wait for her beautiful bed! Well, she slept great in it that first night (never tried to get out and come to us) but nap time the next day was a little harder. I had to lay down with her and when she finally went to sleep I snuck out! That night she slept in it great again but Sunday nap time was a whole other story. Manze did NOT want to take a nap. Tommy and I were not too excited about having to lay down with her and after a while told her she needed to go to sleep like a big girl! She sleeps on a mat at Mrs. Beth's house, so this should be easy right?? NO! I swear she turned into Linda Blair from the Exorcist...she was screaming and crying uncontrollably and the worst was when she started throwing herself on the floor and against the wall to get us to come back int he room! OH MY GOSH! I almost fainted! What had come over her???? Tommy and I were beside ourselves. After going through this for over an hour, I finally laid down with her. She went to sleep only to awake to the ice maker. I just put her in our bed at that point...I was spent! That night we decided to move her nig bed in her room to see if that would make a difference! She's doing better, but must have one of us lay down with her to go to sleep (nap and nighttime). If anyone has any suggestions on how to handle this, I'm open!!!!

her mattress bed

she was pretending to be asleep

her big girl bed (we still have to hang her stuff up correctly)

posing on her bed!

First Major Haircut

On Thursday, Manze got her first major haircut! She's gotten her bangs trimmed a lot and the split ends just trimmed off the back, but it was time for a haircut! Once we got our beach pictures done, I was okay with getting it cut! We went to Michelle and she cut off 2 1/2 inches! Manze was so excited! I almost fainted when she made the first cut (it seemed like so much)! I never thought I would be one of those moms who got upset over a haircut, but I guess I did! I know it will grow back and I'm even thinking of going shorter next time! Manze did a great job and was so excited! Here are some before and after pictures!:

Manze Before

Before

Getting her hair cut by Shell (Michelle)

After

After

It might not look too different, but she did get a lot cut off and it looks so healthy!

"Super Manze"

A couple of weeks ago Manze was playing and ran to me and said, "Mommy, I not Manze...I Super Manze...blast off!!" I laughed so hard and wondered where she came up with that! Now, she wants us to call her "Super Manze"! Here is a conversation from the other night:

Me: "Manze, let's go brush your teeth!"

Manze: "Mommy, I not Manze...I Super Manze!"

Me: "Okay Super Manze, let's go brush your teeth!"

Manze: "Okay Super Mommy!"

Since she is obsessed with her new alter ego, I decided that she will be "Super Manze" for Halloween! When I asked her about it she got so excited and has been telling everyone! I have some really cute ideas for her costume that is going to be a group effort to make...thanks in advance Mom (a.k.a Mimi) and Aunt Tyler!

I've been Monogramming!!

Yes, that's right...I've been monoramming!! Right before school started, I bought this awesome monogramming machine from Renee Guest at Baby Face Designs! She had to get rid of her machine to focus more on her paper business, so I jumped on the opportunity to buy her machine! My friend, Cathy, came over one day and turned my machine on and helped me get started (she has a machine exactly like mine). I've been taking classes on Saturdays and have had a blast learning how to use my machine and monogram some cute things! I keep expanding my inventory and keep learning new things on my computer program! My goal is to start a small buisness monogramming! I'm almost there!!!! Here are some cute shirts I've been playing around with!

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Manze came up to me last night, carrying this shirt, and asked me if I would make something for her! :o) So, I did! There is a small spot on it...I have no idea where she found the shirt or what she got on it!

Here she is modeling her new shirt!

I took this picture of Manze with her bow! My friend, Jennifer, is making bows! It is called Bowheads Hairbows! Right now, she just has a family blog...but go to her blog and get her contact information if you want any bows! She has made me tons of cute bows to match outfits for Manze!