2012/Baby Gray/Christmas

Pre-Game Warm Up

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Tomorrow is the big day–Christmas! 

I have loved watching Baby Gray live and learn this season. 

We’ve been rush, rush, rushing around the last few days. 

We kicked off the weekend with

some crafts (use the white side of unwanted–or recycled–wrapping paper for a great craft space),

Crafts


and then did a little cooking and baking for our party Friday evening (thanks for coming).

Dip

Spread

Saturday, off we went to Tinsley Christmas with the whole family! It was great to see everyone (and, of course the photos are on my camera, so they’ll have to wait). 

Sunday morning took us to Revolution for a Rockin’ Christmas Eve’s Eve–wow!

Kicks

Now here we are: basking in the glow (they’re all wrapped!) until it’s time to get moving again. 

Tree



2012/Baby Gray/Christmas/Santa

Jolly Ol’ Saint Nicholas

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Once we made it through all the illness and played a little catch up, it was time for a visit to the North Pole. 

Baby Gray has not been a fan of Santa in the past. I feared this visit would not be any different. I had a meeting that morning, and Baby Gray stayed with a friend. She gave him a candy “came” to take to Santa (pretty sure this turned out to be the game changer). 

When we arrived at North Star, all Baby Gray could talk about was taking the candy “came” to the jolly ol’ guy. We walked into the mall, but Santa wasn’t in his usual wing. We followed the signs, and Mr. Claus was there waiting on us. Baby Gray walked right up. I couldn’t believe it. 


He sat on Santa’s lap, took a picture or four and delivered the candy “came” as he planned. It was great! 

Santa 2012


I told him he could get a cookie if he took a photo (I might have wanted one for myself), and he told all the people working that we were off to get a cookie. They joked with him about bringing them one, so we did. He loved taking the cookies back to them and giving them away! 

Words can’t even describe how much fun the whole experience was. He was so proud, so brave. I loved his confident walk. I love the generous little boy he is growing into.


Baby Gray/books/Christmas/reading

That’s a Wrap!

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We love to read! Baby Gray goes to his book baskets on his own to read, and one of his favorite parts of any Chick-fil-A trip is seeing what book is in his bag. 

I started seeing ideas for wrapping books to lead up to Christmas, and since I have plenty of Christmas books from my classroom, I decided to try it out. I wrapped each book (generously, in wrapping paper I am ready to be rid of), numbered them (I wanted certain ones on certain days), and waited until December 1st to share. 

Books


He has been loving it! When he stayed at Pops and Nonna’s, we sent his book. He’ll be at Annie’s this weekend, and we’ll send a book. It’s been fabulous. We’ll end with Twas the Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve. Perfect! 


classroom/students/teaching

To Teach

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When I hear about school shootings and the like, I always wonder what I would do. I wonder how I would react. In my five years teaching, thankfully, I was never put in a situation where I had to find out.

I wiped noses and tears; I tied shoes and provided clothes; I brought snacks and gave extra where I knew they were needed. I taught reading, writing, and so much more. I missed my kids in the summer, and I still get big hugs when I run into any of them in town (this town or otherwise). Many of them I have kept in touch with; I know how they are and what they’re up to.

Bus in Trees


Being a teacher is a bit of a strange thing. They’re not your children, but it doesn’t take long for them to become yours. I still talk about my twins, and my husband knows just who they are. “My little” with a name following it, and Mr. Gray usually remembers at least which school I’m talking about (which is saying a lot). That’s how much these kids become part of your life when you’re their teacher. 

I am so grateful I was never put in that situation. I pray for peace for all families who have been touched by such tragedy.

Baby Gray/Mr. Gray/Ranch/sick

Up, Up, and Away!

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I remember when I was in college, I always wanted Granddaddy to get a helicopter so I didn’t have to drive the long drive each Thursday and Sunday (sometimes early Monday morning) between Mr. Gray and I (2.5 hours when he was still in high school; 5 hours when he was playing baseball at Alvin). Granted, it was more of a fantasy than anything; I don’t think I ever even told Granddaddy about it. It would have been nice, though. Also noteworthy: I’ve never been in a helicopter, much less driven one. I just knew it would be efficient, though.

Yesterday, as I laid in bed recovering from Baby Gray and Mr. Gray’s stomach bug, that apparently no amount of Lysol could fend off I got a text from T-Paw: 

photo(109)


I told him I was sick and I’d call Monday. He called to tell me they had a helicopter scheduled to come to The Ranch. Mr. Gray and Baby Gray had just walked out the door, so I called them to let them know. They came back, changed clothes, and headed that way. 

All Set


Baby Gray rode in a seat all by himself with his own headset and everything. I am so proud of him!

Helicopter


He’s usually pretty cautious, but he went right up in that helicopter! He came home and told me all about it.



Baby Gray/Mr. Gray/NFR/sick

Who’s Your Daddy?

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This week’s installment of Fashion Friday is interrupted by a special feature: Fabulous Father. I don’t know where to begin. The beginning, I suppose. 

Fab Father

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to go to the National Finals Rodeo. Annie and I had the chance to go this year–you know, right in the middle of finals and end of the year business. Mr. Gray didn’t miss a beat. He just made it work. On top of just making it work, he went above and beyond to make sure my car got dropped off and picked up to be fixed (that’s another story for another day).

THEN… Monday night, Baby Gray got sick. He was at Pops and Nonna’s. Forty minutes away. At midnight. Mr. Gray grabbed his work clothes and some extras for Baby Gray and went on his way (at midnight). Mind you, I knew nothing of this. He didn’t want to worry me or ruin my trip. 

Mr. Gray and Nonna took fabulous care of Baby Gray, and he was on the mend when we got home late Wednesday night more like early Thursday morning. Unfortunately, Mr. Gray didn’t make it out unscathed (I found out later that Nonna didn’t either). He got the bug, too, so he spent his Wednesday taking care of the boy, trying to prepare for a final presentation for class, and trying to get well. 

I love this man. 


Uncategorized

Honey, I’m Home

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Annie and I had a great time in Vegas! 


We made it home safe and sound, but I’ve got an on-the-mend boy and a still-yuck husband that have me disinfecting non-stop. Luckily, the boy is slowed down enough for me to be able to keep up. 


Not exactly what I’d hoped to come home to, but I’m so happy to be here nonetheless. I sure miss these guys when I’m gone!

2012/Baby Gray/Christmas/friends/fun

The Sights! The Sounds!

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The Christmas season is officially underway with our trek to Sights & Sounds (look how much the kids have grown!). Our group dwindled a little again this year, but the kids enjoyed it. And, of course, there were biscuits. Sort of. Once we found them. They did some rearranging on us!

Biscuits

The boy had a blast with Shooby on the carousel. It was super fast, but Bean was able to capture some fun shots since she was on with them. 

Horses


We played in the snow for a while; the lights were gorgeous, too. Baby Gray is going to have no idea what actual snow is due to all these central Texas fakes. 

Lights


Our tiny group took our annual Sights & Sounds group photo, but, unfortunately my autofocus was turned off on my lens. I had no idea, and the guy who took the photo for us certainly didn’t know. Oh well. Live and learn. You can tell we were there.

Group


We have driven by the grounds several times since, and Baby Gray shouts, “Sights & Sounds!” I think he liked it.