Long overdue update....

 feel like I have had a lot of fun with Kaitlyn the past few weeks. I was able to go with her and her Kindergarten class on a field trip to May Farm.. the sweetest little place ever. Kaitlyn has been talking about this field trip since the summer. I don't know what she was more excited about, the actual farm - or riding a school bus. She absolutely could not wait. And, it did not disappoint! We had a great morning! She loved the bus ride, and had a blast seeing, feeding and holding lots of animals. We even got to take a hay ride and have a picnic lunch out there.

Kaitlyn and I also took a trip to one of my very favorite places - the HEB retreat. The Highland Family retreat is twice a year. We usually all go, but this time James had to work, so I sent Cora and Claire for a fun weekend in Lubbock with my parents, and Kaitlyn and I headed out. It was so fun, and very relaxing! It's just such a pretty place, especially in the Fall when the leaves are changing. We went canoeing, hiking, wading in the Frio river (BURRRR). This year it fell on Halloween weekend, so all the kids had a costume parade and then got to go Trick or Treating to all of the cabins. I already can't wait to go again in the Spring.

Cora and Claire have been doing great too! Claire is just growing so fast. She is 10 months old already! She has taken a few steps - which I am completely not ready for. She only says a few "words." She says da-da, uh-oh, and Boo! She's finally become a pretty good eater, and she always sleeps good! Cora can get the best smiles and laughs out of her.

Cora is at the most precious stage/age right now. She is talking ALL of the time, and most of the time I can actually understand her. It's crazy that she will be 2 next month! She is still my girly-girl. She loves having her fingernails painted, walk around in my shoes, carry my purses, wear lip gloss, put bows on, etc. I love it!

I have started teaching again at the Mothers Day out at our church. It's the same 2 year old class I taught last year. I am really enjoying it! Cora and Claire love their classes -so that makes it even better.

James is still doing his thing at work.. enjoying it and coming up with new ideas for the ARN. We are so proud of how hard he works to support our family! We got to go on a date on Friday night, and had so much fun!

Well, that's that for my update. Enjoy the pictures - out of order. I've become pretty lazy in blogging. I hope everyone has a great week!

Playing in the leaves... Claire is NOT a big fan.

Silly girls with their empty fruit cups!

HEB Retreat. Seriously one of my favorite places on earth.

Kaitlyn had a blast wading in the Frio River. Not me though. They call it the Frio for a reason!

Digging for treasures with Taylor...

Kaitlyn and I hiked to top.. this is the view.

Big girl! I was so proud of her! It was about a 2 hour hike!

View from half-way up.

I seriously hope she didn't smile like this for picture day at school. She's still cute though... :)

Having a little early morning heart to heart with Preacher Mike.

May Farm field trip... holding the baby chick.

First time on a school bus... she was SO excited!

Thanksgiving is over and I can barely move...

I. ate. so. much. Seriously, I'm starting this week with no cokes (including diet) and no sweets for a month. Who's with me?! Hang on, let me finish my Mint Oreo.... ok - now I'm ready.

We had a very relaxing and fun time in Lubbock over the Thanksgiving break. My brother and his wife were there too - so we had a house full! I bet my parents were ready to get their house back in order! We did lots of fun stuff: ran the 2 mile Turkey Trot, did some shopping, saw TWILIGHT!!!!!, ate, ate, ate, relaxed, had our annual bowling tournament, Cora got her first haircut, went on walks, took trips to the park, watched movies, got to talk to BRENNA on Skype!!!, enjoyed the cool weather, and ate some more! Here are some pics... I hope everyone had a fun holiday! Now it's time to unpack and get out all the Christmas stuff!

family pic...

crazy claire...

me and brenna (who is in Egypt) just hanging out...

kaitlyn and daddy breaking the wishbone. that girl always wins!!

turkey trot. it was freezing!!

neil and brittany... they finished MUCH faster than me and dad!

she was NOT too happy about this. but she looks so much better with out the mullet.

all ready for bed!

kaitlyn was so excited that she saw "The REAL SANTA" enjoying his lunch with Mrs. Clause at McAlisters.

kaitlyn's fancy photography at the bowling alley..

Happy December!!!

First Day of FIRST Grade!!!

Kaitlyn has been so excited for school to start this year. I feel like the summer just FLEW by. We stayed pretty busy, and the first day of school just snuck up on me! I know I will say this every year, but I can not believe she is in First Grade. We got her haircut a few weeks ago, and now she even looks older! I don't think I needed that.

She got a wonderful teacher, Mrs. M. We go to church with them and their daughter is in our Huddle. This is who Kaitlyn wanted and talked about all summer, so she was excited! There are also a handful of Highland kids in her class. I really think she will have a great year - we feel truly blessed!

She is SO excited about having a locker this year. Their usual Elementary school is being renovated, so they are using a Middle School. It's a little annoying to have to drive over there, but she loves it.

Walking in with one of her best friends, Emma.

My SAD attempt at making Mickey Mouse pancakes for breakfast - at her request.

Light the Night Walk

A little over a month ago the three year old daughter of some of our really good friends was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia. Everything happened rather quickly - she was taken to Cooks in Ft. Worth and given about a 2 1/2 year treatment plan. FORTUNATELY, the type of cancer that she has has a VERY good prognosis. Tatum is already considered in remission and will continue to receive chemo treatments to make sure that they zap it all and prevent it from returning. She is back in Abilene now and can receive most of her care here.

On Saturday night there was a Light the Night walk aroundACU to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. Another family from church put together Team Tatum to walk in her honor. There was an overwhelming response in participants and donations. There were over 200 of us out there in our yellow shirts! Tatum is the sweetest, most hilarious girl. I think her and Cora are a lot alike! It was an honor to be a part of this event!

Cora and Tatum back in May...such sweet Friends!

Our new favorite T-shirts!!

They had face painting, but Kaitlyn chose to get a moose painted on her hand. Weird.

This is Kaitlyn with Olivia, Tatum's sister. They are the same age and in the same class this year at school. They had fun kicking a ball around for awhile. Olivia has been so strong during all of this!

They passed out balloons that lit up for everyone to carry during the walk. It was so neat to see all of them when it got dark!

We love you Tater Tot!

Papa

I know I am very behing on blogging. I have lots to write about and many pictures to post, but today my mind is elsewhere.

My Papa (Dad's dad) passed away this morning. We all knew that he was nearing the end, but it doesn't make it any less sad. I think that mostly I am sad for my Dad. It's hard watching a parent lose a parent.

But I am mourning my Papa. I have SO many memories of him. He lived out in "the country" in Granbury with a little bit of land. I think I often took for granted when I was little how fun it was going to visit. There wasn't any other kids to play with out there, and he wasn't the type of Grandfather that would run around and play with you or get on the floor and play games. But he made my brother and I laugh SO much. He sometimes, okay many times, used language in front of us that I'm sure made my parents cringe. But Neil and I laughed so hard, it just fueled the fire. He let us ride on the riding lawn mower with him when we were little and by ourselves when we grew up a little bit. They used to have lots of chickens and even a turkey that we would chase around the yard. He would come visit us in Lubbock with the biggest Cousin Eddy motor home you have ever seen. It was awesome. He loved hearing about our school and the things we were involved in. He loved getting into deep conversations with my parents about religion, and I'm sure if I wouldn't have rolled my eyes and walked away, I would have learned a thing or two.

Here are just SOME of the things I loved and want to remember about my Papa:

* He always called Cora "legs." I have no idea why...she doesn't have really long ones, but maybe he liked how fat they were.

* He always preferred to drink a big glass of milk with every meal.

* He always wore a hat. My favorite were the cowboys hats he wore.

* He was in the Navy, was a firefighter, and worked many years on the railroad. I wish I knew more stories from each of these. I know that he was very hard working and dedicated.

* He had a great laugh that was contagious.

* I love that when I looked into his eyes I could also see my dad and my brother.

* He loved being around family. He lived the last few years of his life in an assisted living facility, and he was always so excited to have visitors.

* He got cold easily.

* He would talk to you forever. He loved telling stories.

* His little bird legs were the cutest thing ever.

* I loved watching Kaitlyn get to know him. I hope she will hold memories of him with her.

I know there are many more stories, and things that he said. Hopefully after being with family this upcoming week I will remember many more and be able to record them. Love you, Papa.

Upcoming Panel on Common Core Standards

Join us tomorrow, December 11 at 11am PST, for our live panel on Common Core Standards. We’ll be speaking with Djuna Dudeck from the Pulaski County Special School District, Arkansas as she shares her experiences and insights around creating and implementing a strategy for the upcoming standards. It’s going to be both a fun and informative event. We hope to see you there.

Upcoming Future of Education Podcast

On Tuesday 18 December at 5pm Pacific, we’ll be participating in a Future of Education podcast with our good friend Steve Hargadon.

After reading our recent How to Succeed in Ed-Tech article, Steve suggested a conversation about education entrepreneurship with us and his brother Andrew who is a Professor of Entrepreneurship at UC Davis.

As with anything Steve does it should be thoughtful and energizing. We’re looking forward to it.

Please join us at 5pm US Pacific time on Tuesday 18 December at http://futureofed.info

Update: The recording is now available.