And that's a Wrap!!!

This week was what you probably know as "Field Day" for Delaney at school. Can you guess what the big hit was for the kids? Can you also guess which mom let Delaney go to the funeral home with this huge butterfly on her face?? I worked the cake walk and I"m sure it won't surprise you that by the end of my 3 hour shift, there was no more music and I was just handing out the cake a/k/a Oreo cookies by the dozens! Next year, I'm going for the face painting, it's in the shade :-)

This little girl woke up this morning to her last day of First Grade! 

And yes, I know, he would have never allowed the cold shoulder dress :-) 

(Actually, I don't think her Principal does either)

But a special day called for a new special dress (and shoes, of course)!

 (Besides, I didn't feel like doing the laundry)

 You see, this little girl didn't know it, but she was about to get a BIG award!  

I mean.....Big 

"And the female recipient of the Christian Attitude Award goes to................"

DELANEY NEWSOM

One boy and one girl from each class is chosen by their teacher. This is Delaney's buddy and of course, I didn't get his mom's permission to post his face but trust me, he deserves it!!

I stood there and took this picture thinking someday it's going to be her diploma and then her college degree and I just can't imagine I'll ever be more proud of her than I am standing right here, as she holds this award. Getting good grades is great but doing the right thing even when no one is looking, well, that's more than I can ever ask for. Since March 25, 2010 at 1:39 am. (or was it 1:49 a.m.?? I can never remember) I have never been more proud of Delaney!

We've had a rough week and I usually do something fun for her last day like decorate her bedroom but this was the extent of what she got today.....

 So, a far cry from the mom who decorated her car with a TON of balloons in their school colors!

#aintnobodygottimeforthat

And just like that, I have a 2nd grader!!!

I immediately came home and sent Delaney's teacher an email. Only this one wasn't giving her a head's up that she was going to be getting a letter from Delaney asking her to repeat First Grade so she can have her again :-)

No, this one thanked her for such a great school year. Don't forget to go the extra mile with your teachers! Send in just because notes, emails, texts, gift cards. Ask them what supplies they are low on in class, what's an extra roll of paper towels, pencils, band-aids??? We all know teachers don't teach for the money and that holds especially true for private schools. 

As soon as I pulled out of school, I was thinking my heart was going to burst with joy I was so honored to be Delaney's mom and proud doesn't even begin to cover it. And 30 seconds later, I got an email from the Principal about the school shooting about 45 minutes north of where we live. My bursts of joy were short lived to say the least. Look up the safest school in America!! You'll be shocked where it is.

Dear Delaney,

You kicked First Grade's butt!

I will never forget watching you receive your Christian Attitude Award. I may not ever remember what time you were born but I WILL remember that! I'm also never going to forget all of the parents who congratulated not just you, but me. The texts messages are still coming........

I blinked and 180 (I just had to stop typing and ask Delaney how many actual school days they have---who knew!) days went by. I saw you mature at record speed this year. You have your daddy's loving heart (I also just had to stop typing to confirm ask her who she gets her loving heart from and she said "daddy") and his easy going spirit. It's no surprise to me at all that your teacher also gave you an award for "being a sweet friend". You really are the sweetest thing I have ever laid eyes on. I can't believe I have to get used to saying I have a 2nd grader! 

Always remember to do the right thing Delaney, even when no one is looking..........

Now let's do Summer 2018!

I would also like to say that Delaney just asked me if we can go to a hotel to swim........

8 Years......

I can get over his death, but I'll never get over his life

Or the one he gave me........

You're Invited to a Potty Party!!!

I sent these pictures to aunt Catherine last night so I thought I would share them on the blog. 

And, while the bathroom is clean :-)

Our basement bathroom is done and "open for business". I won't bore you with why I didn't put the shower back in but we are so happy to at least have a half bath downstairs.

When Delaney got home on Sunday she asked me if anyone had to use the bathroom at the Derby party (um....duh) and if I told them she designed it (um...no).

We are on a roll at our house and I have a two page list of "stuff that needs done". You would think we are about to list our house (we aren't).

Actually, I won't have to list it, our next door neighbors want to buy it, now how weird is that?? Who moves next door???

Introducing your "mismatched" tour guide.........................

Our contractor is really good with design/color so for some crazy reason I let him pick out the paint color "Revere Pewter" from Benjamin Moore (my favorite paint). He got it completely painted and then I decided it was "too beige" for the grey tile and then he had to repaint it :-)

Repose grey from Sherwin Williams for the win!!

Cinco De Derby!

I can't think of anything more fun than combining the Derby with Cinco De Mayo!

Well, maybe actually going to the Derby but not when it's a wet muddy mess. 

Rumor is, we're all going next year!

 The food was sooooo good! I ate my weight in chips and salsa and guacamole!
And there was not one but two chocolate bourbon pecan pies...YUM!

 The Derby Hat competition was intense!

Angie ended up our winner (we had "outsiders" vote on the hats)

There can only be one winner and it wasn't me!

#justifyforthewin

 Have I mentioned how some people REALLY bring their "A Game" to our house?

I mean when you picked Justify to win, you gotta "justify" buying a jockey outfit by leaving the party and going downtown to collect your winnings!

What's Up Wednesday

I can't believe it's already May! 

May is like the eve of Summer. And we are all sorts of excited for summer. 

We have lots of fun trips planned. 

This week started off with Delaney losing a tooth. She was eating breakfast and said "my tooth just fell out" and I said "ok well do something fast, we need to go"! As you can imagine, there is no "extra" time in the morning around our house, even for a loose tooth! She couldn't wait to go to school to show her friends and I couldn't wait to get back home and dig in her piggy bank for a dollar:-)

I love the days when she comes home from school and we stay outside for hours. I also love it when she "earns her bath". What better way to kick off May than playing outside for hours. This may not have been my smartest parental decision and I may have sent it to my friend and said "text you from the ER later". I eventually remembered I was her mom and made her stop doing this but not before I got it on video. She told me this was her dirt bike............

 After this, we took the training wheels off. She wanted to leave one on so she could "rely" on it. She's 8! She needs to learn to ride without training wheels.

We are gearing up for a fun weekend celebrating Cinco De Derby! Our downstairs bathroom is finally in and we are ready to Run for the Roses while we sip Mint Juleps margaritas! I can't think of anything I love more than the Derby and Mexican food. This combination has my name all over it. Derby hats are done and ready to be judged (because yes, we are that crazy)!!

Next week is the election and there is no one more excited than me for it to be over. Not because I care, but I have an 8 year old in the house who likes to talk politics! She can tell you the names of all of the candidates and well, frankly, knows more about what's going on than I do! Have I mentioned she's just like her dad??? May 8th can't get here soon enough. 

Four more weeks of school and we are pumped! Speaking of pump, I have caved and we are getting a heater installed on our pool. We are going to live our best summer life out back this year! I told Delaney we needed to be thinking about our Summer Fun List and what needs to go on it this year and she said "horse back riding".........pretty sure that was on last year's too!

So I guess it's learn to ride a bike and horse back riding so far.......

Suggestions?????