Author: Ashley
•6:35 PM
I am getting so bad about posting. It doesn't help that our schedule has been all over the place. Plus we have gotten into such a routine with school that I don't have to sit with her as much anymore (which is when most of my blogging took place). Either way... things are still ticking along. Little Bit has really done amazing! She can read most any Level 1 book and does really well on Level 2. I am continually amazed! She has also done fantastic in Math. I think it is still her favorite. I understand that, though. She doesn't like to be wrong and Math typically has a black and white answer with no opinions or guessing. She still struggles with just trying to get finished and not trying her best but I'm 28 and still do that, soooo...

Little Monster is enjoying preschool. He hasn't surprised us a bit with his ability to fall over his own feet. It is really a miracle the boy hasn't been more seriously injured. He fell last weekend and hit the toy box and ended up with a black eye. A kid hit him on the nose with an ice pack a month or so ago and he has 2 probably permanent scars down his nose. And that's not to mention all the bumps and bruises we endure daily. He handles it pretty well, though. I think I am going to start working with him on reading after the first of the year. I am not going to push him or anything but he's trying. He is continually looking at words and sounding out the letters. I know he is only 3 and it isn't "time" for him to learn to read but I'm going to have to teach him eventually anyway. I guess I might as well work on it while he is interested.

Christmas is DONE...well, the shopping part anyway. And it doesn't appear that anyone is coming over so there's not much cooking to be done. I know I have to do a few desserts and there's still one that I am waiting to find out but I'm happy that the bulk of the "work" is behind me.

I got a new computer (this has also been an excuse not to blog). My old computer decided that every time I turn it on it needs to give me a blue screen and "dump" my physical memory. So I broke down and bought an iMac. So far I love it. It is taking some getting used to and Photoshop is going to be the hardest part but I will eventually get it. Thankfully, the old computer didn't call it quits until I had almost all of my Christmas photo shoots finished. I can't imagine being in a huge time crunch and having to learn this computer at the same time. I hope to get to post some new pictures on here soon but that requires a little more time than I have right now. I will get to it, soon, though.

For now and until next time, Merry CHRISTmas!
Author: Ashley
•6:39 PM
*This week has flown by. Actually this whole year has flown by! I was so excited about having a week off from school and it went so fast I couldn't enjoy it. I did enjoy thanksgiving though.  Little Monster had his t'giving program the tuesday before t'giving which was great. He does such a good job "performing". Other kids were crying and getting down but he just sang and did his hand motions with no problem. They wanted him to be the pumpkin in one song but he wanted nothing to do with that.

*Little Bit and I got a lot of pictures edited and food cooked. We made some yummy pioneer woman mac and cheese (although I've ruined my poor children with kraft mac and cheese so they wouldn't eat it) and some SUPER yummy Jacques torres chocolate chip cookies. They did eat those :)

*Our friends from Ohio came down to visit family this week so we got to hang out with them one night. The funny part about our friendship is my husband and her husband grew up together but her and I are closer than they are. I know women are generally closer than guys anyway but the only common ground we had to start with were those 2 who only talk about once a quarter. Her and I have a standing phone date every weekend to discuss the past week's events. I don't know what I would do without her sometimes.

*B had his last rickshaw gig for the year. I am very thankful for that job but equally thankful when it is over. I hate it when he is  gone on the weekends.

*My photo shoots are still holding steady. I have had several clients move over the last year so I am a little slower than normal but I guess I could go out and try to drum up some business. I am so busy, though, that I am happy with what I have.
*I went black Friday shopping Thanksgiving night. I was gone and back home exactly 15 minutes. I saw the line and turned around. I enjoy a good deal but I enjoy my sanity more. I am basically finished Christmas shopping. That makes me happy.

*My mom, my husband, me, and Little Bit got sick this week. I don't know who has had it worse. Little Bit's was almost just a bump in the road. The rest of us didn't fare so well. B seems to have felt the worse. My voice has been gone for 3 days now. The weirdest part is that the virus was basically just a fever and achy yucky feeling for about 24 hours. The after effects have been the worst!! I have to say, I love my Zumba classes, though (and TurboKick). I whispered to them all that I had lost my voice and they told me not to worry about it, they could just follow me...and follow me they did!! And not only did they follow me, they were even calling for me. My front row divas (who I love) would randomly yell out "Keep your arms up" or "Don't stop moving". It was awesome and makes me smile inside and out.

*Last but not least...I ordered an iMac. It has been on my list for a few years but the prices have always put me off. Well, I have seen the "dumping physical memory" blue screen on my PC more times than I can count this week and I broke down and ordered it. It should be here Wednesday. Thankfully, all of my stuff is backed up. I finished editing my last shoot today (which was a slow process b/c the computer kept blue-screening me) so now I just have to wait...and then learn b/c I have NEVER owned a Mac. The only apple product I have is an ipod that is probably 5 years old and only cost me $10.

A few kid funnies:
*Little Bit told me she is getting Papaw grocery money for Christmas b/c everytime they go spend the night he asks if she brought some.
*Little Monster had the following shopping list today: A noodle for Mrs. Jean, Super Mario Bros for the gym, and a Christmas tree for Skylar's birthday. Little Bit asked him "Who is going to play with a Christmas tree??" his response..."Skylar"
*You all will be happy to know that Bowser was at Kroger today and ripped it down but "the people" fixed it (their pretend world is so funny to listen to)
*In the car the other day Little Bit was saying something with a sad voice and Little Monster responded by saying (with a big sigh) "Yeah, no one ever picks a pepper." Not sure how Peter Piper fit into that story but I love the randomness of it.
I know I am missing one but I will have to think on it and post it later. Until next time...