Back to School 2009

We all went "back to school" in Hooks, Texas this year. Dan, as a coach and P.E. teacher at Hooks High School, Tammy as a 5th grade Math teacher at Hooks Junior High (only responsible for one subject for the first time in 12 years of teaching... yahoo!), Bryce-4th grade (how did that happen so fast?), Jayden - Kindergarten (or as we are calling it, "Super Kindergarten" since he was barely old enough last year, we decided to give him an extra year in kindergarten), and Rylan in Pre-K, all at the elementary school. This is a super exciting year for us as it is the very first time that we are ALL going to school in the school district and the first year since Bryce was born over 9 years ago, that we are not paying for childcare. Also, very exciting for the sons of two schoolteachers, they get to ride a schoolbus... they are delivered to me afterschool at my building. Our little family is growing up... we do feel blessed, at peace, and we are loving a much simpler life as we grow accustomed to our "hick town", as my late brother told my grandmother after he visited us last year. Here are a few pictures ... I have been having fun on a new photo editing website try it...

"Soccerball"

Jayden had his first ever "soccerball" practice tonight. He calls it "soccerball", which when you think about it, makes perfect sense. Our other main sports are baseBALL, footBALL, and basketBALL, so why wouldn't soccer be called "soccerball." He was so excited, 5:30 just couldn't get here soon enough.

Football in the Sunset

With it getting dark so early, I hurry home in the evenings with the boys as fast as we can so they can play outside before the sun goes down. One night this week, it was football in the front yard. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the "game!"

Giving Thanks...

It's Mid-November and since it's my first Saturday morning in a long time without pee-wee football, it's time to update the blog. Halloween is behind us, and Thanksgiving is this week and we all know that means Christmas will be here before we know it! I love this time of year, especially with the cold air and excitement from the kids (and their parents!) as we celebrate our blessings on Thanksgiving and the kids start making their Christmas lists. As a matter of fact, Bryce has typed a color-coded Christmas list to Santa, which is three pages long! He does realize that it is just an idea list and he won't be getting everything on it!
Halloween came and went. My sister's email response to my pictures was my favorite. She said, "How many Halloweens do you have there?" The boys LOVE it when I get out the Halloween boxes of former costumes each year. They love to play in the costumes, and with three boys I have lots of hand-me-down costumes. I'm convinced that boys like dress-up just as much as girls! This time of year also means school pictures. I forgot and sent Rylan to school not "dressed for pictures" but I do have his proofs to post... I'm posting Bryce's third grade picture and Jayden's kindergarten picture. We have also received our first sets of report cards. They both seem to be doing well in school, and I try not to overanalyze. since I tend to do that as an elementary school teacher. But, IF I was overanalyzing, I MIGHT think that Bryce needs a little more of a challenge and Jayden is a little too silly! Bryce's football season is over. We had NO idea how big of a deal pee-wee football is around here, but we had a lot of fun, especially because Bryce liked it so much! His team ended up going undefeated against all the other small towns around here, and they even had a Superbowl complete with a cheerleading competition. I think all of Bowie county was there! Marianna and I took a road trip to Allen/McKinney, spent some time with some friends, and picked up "Uncle Mark" at the airport. Last night Rylan said, "Remember when you went on a trip and brought Uncle Mark back for me! We're having a great time hanging out with Mark, but I'm sure a house with three little ones and a teenager is a little different than his typical bachelor life!
The reason we moved to Hooks was for a coaching oppotunity for Dan. Basketball season is now in full swing and he has had his first three real games. He has a tough schedule set before District play next month, playing all 3A and 4A schools, so it's been exciting to go to these first few games. Marianna is doing great and it's fun for me to have a "daughter" on the team, even if it's just for this year!