Another Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!

Day 5 of beautiful "summery" weather (actually it's been warmer the last 4 days than it usually is in the summer months in Northern Michigan). 81 degrees is on the agenda for today, with a splash of sunscreen, and a touch of happiness. There is nothing more beautiful than laying in bed with your eyes closed as your first waking up to hear the chirping birds loving God's glory too! Even though the sun still isn't shining at 6:30 a.m. (because it's only March... not June)... that first big breath in of fresh air blowing in the windows just feels so refreshing! There's nothing more perfect than listening to the birds and hearing the sweet little yawns of the Sassy's waking up and feeling the stretching of my husband laying next to me. Let me freeze this moment right now (yes I took a picture with my heart for future reference) and live in it forever. The Lord has been so good to us and this weather feels like a "special-little-something" for being so patient through the winter. Tomorrow is the first day of Spring and I cannot wait for the blessings of tomorrow... but I will relish in the love of today. Off to sit on the deck in shorts (YES SHORTS in March) and a t-shirt to let the sun kiss my cheeks as I sip a glass of lemonade with my sunglasses on. (Hard to believe 2 weeks ago we had 13" of snow!)

The Lord's Blessings

March 18th and flowers are blooming! 

I hope this is a summer-tease because if it snows or frosts again it's going to kill all the buds on the trees and the beautiful flowers! 

Fire Fighter of the Year

... goes to Jonathan Spalding this year! And because mommy was sick with the flu we missed it. Apparently Chief Al had lots of good things to say about daddy but we missed it. :( So proud of daddy though! xo

An Irish Jig

The Leprechaun came to the house last night and took the adorable little notes and pictures the Sassy's made for him. In place of the letters & pictures there were 2 books and 4 quarters! How nice of that little leprechaun to come to our house! Not only did he come leave some cool books, he also tipped over all the chairs! And according to Grace made a mess of the toys in the playroom.... daddy & I recall asking 2 little Sassy's to clean that playroom yesterday.... how interesting that the leprechaun is to blame for the mess today.

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The Sassy's are spending the night at Grandma Deb & Grandpa Lou's tonight. While the Sassy's were away mommy & daddy were supposed to go to the Fireman's Awards Banquet... but instead mommy has the stomach flu and we're staying home and just resting.

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Yes it was 82 degrees on March 17th, 2012! Record breaking highs today! 

All week is going to be unseasonably warm! LOVE THE WARMTH!!

The Sassy's are soaking it in and loving every minute of it!

Grandma Deb & Grandpa Lou took the Sassy's & cousins down to the wooden park in Boyne and they played or a couple hours. So much fun!

"Haber-man Lincoln"

Yesterday, at school in a display case are different dolls that were made to look like different significant people in history. There is one that looks like Abraham Lincoln, Gracie said while we were for Kailee at the end of the day, "look mom there's Haber-man Lincoln." I said, "oh my you're right, what is he famous for?" "He's not famous mom, he was a "pres-a-tent" who wored big hats and he was very tall like a giant." 

xo Atta girl! xo
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Today was not a school day! It was a teacher inservice day so the Sassy's allowed this sick mommy to rest all day. They played nicely together and helped one another, I was so proud. It is mommy's turn with the flu and I'm not a fan of it. Thank you for taking good care of me my girlies... I love you both! xoxo

Funtastic Spring Day!

 We played outside after school today for a while, it was sunny but not as warm (only 63), but still felt GOOD!

They love, love, love that it was a super sunny Spring Day!

73 Degrees of loveliness!

Today it was 73 degrees, Grace went to play at Lia's house after school. 

Kailee and I went to Burger King and had an icecream treat.

Then we decided to do some gardening.... (The crocus have bloomed!)

While moving rocks, I suffered a severe ouch... pinched my finger between two big rocks - OUCH!

Spring is coming!

This is hope!!

And the Sassy's are so happy!!!

The Liberty Bell

Grace was schooling us in what the Liberty Bell is: a bell with a giant crack in it because people rang it too many times. It is called the Liberty Bell because it was made by the Liberty. Of course!

Ballerina Grace

Food

Discussing thankfulness Jon asked Kailee, "What are you thankful for?" Gracie chimes in and says, "Good food. Not rotten food. Cause rotten food is gross and people can get real sick from eating rotten food too." Oh... she's our Gracie Monster... she'll eat almost anything - except rotten food of course. xoxo

PHO107: Group Portraits

This one I chose to submit.

 For this assignment I needed 3 people in the photograph to consider them a group. So I used Angela, Abby and Mom (because they were kind enough to come and brave this germ infested house) and Jon and the Sassy's. Kailee wasn't thrilled about photographs because she still is not feeling well. Note: the reason for the red eyes. Poor sweet pea endured for mommy though. xoxo

This is the one I chose to submit

 

I liked this one best but they all had to be looking in the same direction... Jon wasn't.

GERMS!

The Sassy House of Spalding has temporarily closed it doors and locked us all inside because we have been infiltrated by the Rotavirus. This is a nasty bug that makes people puke, poop or both! Oh it's terrible - terrible I say! Instead of dwelling upon the week of horrific smells, bleach burnt hands and puke stained carpeting, I will focus on the happy children, the healthy appetites and the smiling faces! Smiles that a mommy has missed more than anything in the entire world! I know every mommy loves the smiling faces of their children... but after a long week of...no sleep but fantastic snuggles... sleeping on the floor but hearing the sweet slumber whispers of my dears makes it all better. As I watch them play, eat and play some more it makes me smile. We have honestly had a week full of television watching. *Yes I know it's terrible! They have probably met their yearly quota just over the last four days. It's terrible thing to admit but it's true, mommy tried reading books but had such a horrible sore throat that I could only suffer through one book. These little Sassy's are troopers. This made me realize just what strong, brave and loving children I have. Even at their worst they still manage to find onto their 'thank yous', 'I love yous', and 'you're the best's'. My life though the entire week was a school flop, it was a fill this mommy's heart kind of week too. Tomorrow is a new day and it will be a beautiful day at that!

Grown Up Things

Our New Table! It was a hard choice but great buy that we decided upon!

Besties... Then & Now

 Besties.. Then... May 2010

 

(Minus Ashlynn and Kailee in this picture of course)

Besties.. Now! March 2012

Informance Day!

This is Grace and Besties! (Lia, Alynna and Sweet G)

You're probably thinking, what's an informance? Well, the Music Teacher, Mrs. Asiala-Gross invited parents to come and see what the children are learning in Music class! It's more than just banging instruments and singing "Down By The Bay!" These children are beginner learners of music notes... what it takes to find the singing voice... and the difference between talking and singing. Mrs. Asiala-Gross has this down to a fine science! She has flash-cards showing what the children should be doing during certain times, thinking, talking, and singing. 

 The first informance of the day for Mrs. Rogier's Kindergarten Class was at 12:30 p.m.

 They also learn how to use musical instruments appropriately as well!

 There's my girl with perfect "bicycle arms".

The next informance for Mrs. Whitfield's 2nd grade was 2:20 p.m. 

 The children came in and knew just what they were suppose to do!

 Kailee and Alston are taking their turn! They are an adorable team!

 The children learn so much during each school year! Music is such an important part of learning!!

Sabbath

Since Grace was sick yesterday we felt it best for her to stay home with mommy, so Kailee and daddy went to church without us.

So this is what the sicky little Sassy and I have done all morning. Just chillin like villains. It's best to chill in a bean bag (according to Grace) because it allows you to snuggle in and be cozy. She only stays in that position for so long then she comes and curls up in mommy's lap. She loves having her back rubbed while being snuggled... I'll take it for as long as she'll let me. xoxo

PHO 107 - Portraits!

 Week 7 of the photography class was to apply the rule of thirds (head in upper third of picture) and use natural light to photograph! The instructor wanted these to be outside pictures but unfortunately with the icky sickness that has infiltrated our house yet again, we had to make due with some blankets as back drops! I think they turned out just fine! I don't know if they are A work but, for a sick filled week - I think we did pretty good.

 This little punk is so sicky! She was vomiting last night until the wee hours of this morning.

This guy didn't want to cooperate but finally he gave in!

Routine

This morning went (surprising) well! There was a brief moment at 6:15 a.m. when I thought, oh it's going to be a rough day but (happily) I was surprised by the cooperation and smiles of going back to school today! Today Gracie has "Beach Day" in her classroom. She thought she could just wear her bathing suit to school... so mommy had to put the kabosh on that, her acceptance of the torching news was (amazingly) pleasant! I think we're turning a corner with "Sassiness" in the Sassy House of Spalding! I may have to change the title of the blog to the "NOT SO Sassy House of Spalding!" :) So, Gracie ended up wearing a pair stretch pants and a hoodie (minus the hood) to school OVER TOP the bathing suit.

I love these kids and their school spirit!

I just found out that Kailee's class raised $391.00 for "Have a Heart for Alyssa". A girl who has brain cancer and her family is going to use the money for medical bills. The entire school raised $2000! That's just amazing!! Since being on Student Council Kailee has been more responsible and thoughtful about things. I think the "responsibility" of Student Council is teaching her the importance of caring for others. (I mean I have tried to teach her that but apparently when someone else says it other than mom, it means more?)

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As a special treat for the Sassy's we went to see "The Lorax" at the movie theater!! It is always fun to do these special little tid-bits every so often! The Sassy's were on the "edge of their seat" the entire movie. It was so sweet and the movie has SUCH A GREAT MESSAGE!!! I wish I could have taken pictures of them; their little faces were so sweet especially at the end when the Lorax came back... it brought tears to my eyes watching the precious looks on their little faces. xoxo

And March Maddness Begins!

Today is the beginning of a long count down to SPRING BREAK! The March Maddness I speak of is not Basketball related... it is all dependent on surviving the long haul to April. Chances are it won't feel as long as it is really is... though 30 days is a long time. What to accomplish in 30 days: Well, the Sassy's want to reorganize the playroom... some of which was done a while ago but cannot really tell anymore because of all the fancy playing that goes on in this ever so magical space. In 30 days Mommy hopes to nearly have all of her classes completed! (What I wouldn't give to be done with my classes before Spring Break... that would feel SO GOOD!) Mommy has been subbing a lot lately for Char-Em and Head Start so the busy-ness of it all is keeping me from accomplishing much school work related.
We are all home again today not because of a snow day (as we wished) but because it seems our home has been infiltrated by the Rotavirus. This truly is the beginning of the Maddness! Oh... these germs have to leave us alone! We have missed too much school already... Kailee is now on her 7th day for the school year (which isn't as bad as it was when she was in Kindergarten but still that's too much!) and Grace is on her 8th day missed. Puking, fevers, strep throat, all have contributed to these missed days at least twice!! The bleaching *yes bleaching* began again yesterday... everything we touch has been bleached... everything the girls play with has been bleached (except baby clothing... we're in debates on how to handle those delicates.)
We're going to spend this **Sick Day** resting away the day so we can all get back to routine tomorrow!! Pray for us! xoxo