3 Christmas', 2 Long Drives, and a Happy Little Girl

Christmas time is an exciting time of year...not only am I out of school for a few weeks...but I get to see and spend time with most of my family. Kelsey was very much spoiled this year having 3 Christmas' to attend. Her first was on Christmas Eve at her Grandma Janice and Papa Keith's house. She played with her cousin Josh and was eager to open all the presents under the tree. She knew exactly how to unwrap each one and was so happy to have new toys to play with.

Then the next morning, Christmas Day, she had gifts that Santa left her under the tree...and I guess she was really good this year ;) because there was way too many!

We packed all day and drove to Florida that evening to see my family. Poor Jon, I don't know how he does it, drove all through the night for 10 and 1/2 hours. I was extremely elated to see my family. You think after all these years I would be used to the long distance relationship we have, but I don't think I'll ever "get used to it."

Grandpa Gordon loved passing out presents to Kelsey, and she quickly learned that after she opened one, all she had to do is walk back to him to get another ;) It was soooo funny! It was nice spending quality time with my parents and siblings.

Kelsey quickly and easily bonded with Grandma Cheryle. She wanted to be Grandma's little helper the whole time.

Jon, Shane, Megan and I played Taboo everyday (must be our competitiveness) and we unfortunately played ALL the cards (front and back), so now I guess we'll have to put that one on the shelf until we forget what's in it...or until we find more cards to add to the collection.

On the day before we left, Mom and Dad took us out to the beach. It was terribly windy and much colder than we thought it would be, but we were able to take a few pictures before we ran into the restaurant nearby. The sand is vibrant white...almost like standing in snow! Kelsey loved the water and wanted to run into it...which makes me super excited for summer this year....its been almost 2 years since we've been to the beach (Jon and I used to go twice a month BK...before Kelsey). So we can't WAIT!

It was sad to go...and it always is. The love of family is life's greatest blessing.

After our trek back home (again...Jon driving the whole way) we were left with one happy little girl and a room full of toys. Merry Christmas everyone!

Everlasting Friendships!

Winter break has begun...and the rest is much needed!!! I can't believe that in one more month, I will be half way through this school year. Time is just flying by...seriously!!! On the last day of school, I gave my class a multiplication sundae party. They have been studying since the beginning of September to know all their facts...and believe it or not, over half the class knows them all!!! I am such a proud teacher these days!!! Here is a picture of my class enjoying the 8 minutes of snowfall that got us out of school an hour early!!!

My school recently had a Christmas Dinner at McCormick and Schmicks. I had so much fun getting to hang out with all my buddies from school. We laughed the entire night....I'm not kidding, my stomach hurt the next day ;) I appreciate all of them and everything they do to keep me sane in my little world at school. I know a lot of people who just aren't happy with their job or where they work, but I've found a place where I don't even conceive the notions. It truly depends on the group of kids I get each year...and I'm extremely thankful for the motivated group I have this year! So many blessings in my career!

Recently Jon and I got to have game night with a few of our close friends. We of course played lots of Cranium, our new favorite game. I'm not sure when it all began, but Jon and I have always enjoyed playing board and card games. We have a whole closet full. The next game the was recommended to us and that I've heard is so terribly fun is the game Quelf...anyone ever played it?!?!? Would love to know if its worth the money. Here's a picture of Sarah drawing a picture with her eyes closed as Jon tries to interpret it:

Christina is in town this week to spend Christmas with her family. Kelsey and I snagged her for a few hours to catch up over lunch. We talked the whole time and were rudely interrupted by Creepy McCreeperson almost 5 times during our lunch. Creepy McCreeperson is the lady who kept stopping to talk to Kelsey. Kelsey is such a little magnet...and the worst part is she actually will go to them if I let her. She is fearless and loves everything and everyone. A trait I'm sure that will change over the next year. Here's Kelsey and Christina and Kelsey's new baby (Minnie) that her auntie got her:

A good friend is hard to find, hard to loose and impossible to forget. The best friend I have, is my husband. Through the ups, the downs, there's no one who I trust more to stand by my side than Jon. He is such a patient husband and a remarkable father. Forever my soul mate.

Cheese!

Why it is so stressful being a teacher today!!!

This video says it all!

Click here.

Long Time Gone...

I feel like its been 4-EVER since I've written. We have been jam packed busy the past few weeks. We traveled all during Thanksgiving to Rockingham and back, and then to Virginia and back. Sounds short and sweet, but being stuck in a car with a mini me is not as easy as you may think. Kelsey actually did surprisingly well on our long excrusions. I sat in the back with her and tried my best to keep her entertained. I guess this was in preparation for our LONG trip to Florida in December ;)

Kind of random...but have to brag...yes, this is what time I was in the car on my way to Old Navy the morning after Thanksgiving. I love bargain shopping and pretty much have always loved competition, so this "holiday" was meant for me!!!

It was so nice getting to see all the family this week. I am so blessed to have relatives that are so caring and loving. The food was yumm-o as predicted, from a traditional Thanksgiving to an Italian Thanksgiving! The worst part was thinking about my classroom weigh in this week...yes, my class is weighing me once a week now to see if my weight can "decrease." Looks like they might have to wait until after Christmas...there's no way I can say "NO!" to good food. Kelsey was quite the entertainer. She has grown up so quickly and in such a short amount of time. I never realized how fast babies grow. She can now do all the following:
1. Pull up her shirt to show off her belly.
2. Throw her own diapers away (aaaa-le-lu-ia!)
3. Say "nigh-nigh" (with a kiss afterwards), "la-lu" (love you), "hi-yah" (like the karate kid), "naa-nue" (thank you), "all da" (all done), "hel-ah" (hello)...
4. Twirl in circles on demand.
5. Point to her tongue, nose, toes, ears, and we're working on eyes now.
6. Shake her head.
7. Knock on doors.
8. Bounce.
9. Run.

10. Climb on the couch.
11. Brush her own teeth (of course after we do it first).
12. Brush her hair.
13. Throw a ball.
14. Give others hugs and kisses.
15. Take care of her babies ;)
16. Pretends to eat invisible food off her pretend plates.
17. Eats everything except macaroni...she hates it and we don't know why!?!?!
18. Talk on her pretend cell phone.
19. Carry a purse.
20. Take off her shoes.
21. Clean up by putting her toys away.

22. Climb the stairs.
23. Do the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Patty Cake"

Wow...I'm sure there's more that I can't even think of right at this moment. She's learning so quickly! Almost time to start working on letters ;)

Jon and I are so in love with her. She makes us laugh everyday!!! Even though I'm an overworked and underpaid teacher, I am blessed to have the love of my husband and daughter to come home to everyday! I couldn't ask for anything better!
Mom...here's a little present for you today on your birthday! Kelsey loves her Grandma!!! Can't wait to see you after Christmas!!! Wish you were here...we "love you heart" ;)

Black Friday Deals!!!

These are mostly deals I was looking for...there are many more...ugh! Thank goodness for Dunkin Donuts Coffee!!!

Target (opens at 5am)
CHEFMATE:
*Crockpot 1.5 qt. ($3)
*Coffee Maker ($3)
*Sandwich Maker ($3)
*Toaster ($3)
*50% off sweaters (around $9)
*3 piece pajama sets ($10)

WalMart (opens at 5am)
*Hot Wheels 10 pk. ($5)
*Crayola Explosion Glow Board ($8)
*Kid pajamas ($3 per set)
*DVD movies ($2)

Belks (opens at 4am)
First 250 customers at each store get a gift card between $5-$1000!!!

JCPenney (opens at 4am)
Free Mickey Mouse ornament while supplies life (includes $10 off coupon for Sat)
*50% off wallets, gloves, hats, and purses
*Towels ($3)
*Pillows ($4)
*Stafford Shirts Men ($13)
*Dockers Pants Men ($25)
*Ookie Dokie Kids clothes ($3.88)

Kohls (opens at 4am)
*Holiday socks ($2)
*Bras ($14)
*Black socks ($5)
*60% off kids clothes

New York and Company
50% off EVERYTHING!!!

Old Navy (opens at 3am)
*$15 sweaters, kid jackets and adult jeans
*Free Legos with $20 purchase
*Print these coupons too!!!

Thanksgiving recipes you HAVE to try!!!

Mom's Pecan Pie.
Turtle Pumpkin Pie
Cranberry Relish
Cajun Turkey Marinade...a must!!!
Sweet Potato Casserole
Roasted Red Potatoes with Bacon and Cheese
Corn Pudding
Fresh Green Bean and Basil
Sausage Stuffing
Lots to buy...and tons to eat!!! Happy Turkey Hunting!

My Dear Aunt Cindy...

Cindy has been fighting and suffering with cancer for almost 7 years and this morning my Aunt passed away. It has been hard watching someone so wonderful have a disease that slowly has taken over her body. I just wanted to take some time to reflect on everything I loved and looked up to about her (there are an abundance of reasons, but here are a few that stand out in my mind):

This is a picture of Cindy (left) and my Mom (right) in 2007.

1. She had an endless amount of love in her heart, for her children, her husband, her family, her friends, for everyone.

Angie and Cindy

2. She always fought for her goals and dreams and made us fight for our own too. I remember, in college sophomore year, giving up on school. My grades suffered, I had stopped going to my classes regularly, and I was about to go on academic probation. Cindy and Grandma both found out about my grades, drove right on up to ECU and somehow made me reexamine why I was there in the first place and why I couldn't give up. Let's just say I graduated and then went on to Grad School.

3. She was so creative...she painted, sewed, stitched, quilted, drew, etc. and always made a huge effort to let us express our creativity through crafts. My favorite times were sitting with Cindy and my cousins at the big dinner table scrapbooking and painting for hours.

4. She was selfless and wanted everyone to have what they needed. She even adopted 3 children after already raising her 5 children because she couldn't watch them suffer once their father had passed. She had never given up on them through the transition from one household to another.

5. Cindy always wanted our family to be close together. I remember her driving with my Grandma and cousins, all the way to Mexico just to see us (when we lived there in 1988). She would drop everything just to be with us.

6. She gave the best lectures. I hated getting in trouble with anyone, but it was so different with Cindy. She would call me into her room, shut the door, and give me a long lecture on what I had done. I remember hating these lectures at the time, but as I look back, I needed the them and think of them often. It's funny because as a teacher, I find myself gathering my class into the classroom, shutting the door, and doing the exact same thing! I learned more about myself during those times than I did any other.

7. Cindy loved the church, Heavenly Father, and Jesus. She made sure religion and the teachings of the Gospel were practiced by all of us. It is comforting knowing that she is no longer in pain and is in a place where she can walk with loved ones. Her spirit is forever with us!

8. Cindy loved family gatherings. Every year for Easter, Cindy would make sure all of us were together. We would have large cookouts, and all of us (even us oldies in and out of college) would participate in the Easter egg/candy bar hunts!!! We loved competing with one another and she loved watching us spend time together. So in 2006, we had an Easter celebration in honor of her. Here is a video Jon and I made when she returned from her extended visit to Oklahoma for chemo and radiation treatments. I cry every time I see it...a song that will always be hers:

Cindy did not like having her picture taken, so I will be asking my cousins and other family members to send me pictures of her. The ones I have I need to scan in. She was such an amazing person and will always have a special place in our hearts. We love you Cindy and we can't wait to see you again someday!

Obituary:
Mrs. Cynthia English Blue, 51, 1867 E. US Hwy. 74, Hamlet, died Sunday, November 15, 2009, at her residence.Mrs. Blue was born in Providence, RI, December 14, 1957, daughter of Harry D. English, Sr. and Barbara Storrs English.

Cynthia was a member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and worked as an I.T. Technician for 25 yrs. at UCO. Visitation will be held at Harrington Funeral Home, Tuesday, November 17, 2009 from 7-9 p.m.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 at 1 p.m. at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with Branch President Westley Newberry officiating. Burial will follow at Marks Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Mrs. Blue was preceded in death by her father, the late Harry D. English, Sr.Survivors include her husband, Jimmy Lee Blue of the home; mother, Barbara Storrs English of Hamlet; daughters, Carmen Comeau and husband Dennis, Whitsett, NC, Heather Carlisle and husband Emerson Hamlet, Angela Bault, Atlanta, GA., and Angela Juett and husband Josh , Asheville, NC; son, Jarrod Bault, Hamlet, NC, Foster Children, Berry Leviner, Salt Lake City, Utah, Harvey Lee Leviner, Hamlet, NC, and Barbara “Joy” Leviner, Fort Hood, Texas; brothers, Harry D. English, Jr. , Salt Lake City, Utah and Warren Neal English, Columbia, SC; sister, Cheryle Kay Fabry, Saudi Arabia; Foster brother, Joey Fennell, Huntsville, Alabama; and six grandchildren.

Memorials may be made in Cynthia’s memory to:

American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,73123-1718

Harrington Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Blue.

Online condolences may be made @ www.harringtonfuneralhome.com

The Tink-Tink Reunion!!!

We just finished Trick-or-treating and truly only made it down the block, around, and back home. Kelsey was quite excited to see all the kids out with their costumes. She gave hugs to almost anything her size...this included another Tink, the boy across the street (born same week as K), the dog that knocked her over (no wounds), and last but not least another little boy dressed as a monkey.

Ready to go!!!
Huggin'
Huggin'

The Tink Reunion...we will try to stop saying "ahhhh!!" all the time...oh dear!

She knew exactly what to do when we went to get candy...go up with her Halloween bag, snatch the candy out of the persons hand and shove it in her bag!!! I think its from all the "carrying a purse" practice at home. Soooo funny! Can't wait to see everyone elses costumes!

Eating her candy...well trying to!

Helping Dad pass out candy!

Warming up with Mom!

Happy Halloween!

The State Fair

We went to the NC State Fair last weekend. We couldn't make it to the pumpkin patch because of the rain...so the following day we made plans to visit the overcrowded fairgrounds. It was rather chilly outside, but we had a good time. Kelsey wanted to walk EVERYWHERE (without holding our hands of course), so we unfortunately had to carry her a lot. She loved the animals the most, especially the cows and baby chicks. She probably could have spent the entire day staring at them. We made sure to eat an elephant ear before we left...I mean isnt' that what the fair is for anyways?!?! The food!?!?! Here are some pics from that afternoon:

Kelsey and Jon upon arrival

Starring at the chicks

and the cows...taking a break...

pretending to be Blackbeard!

Playing in the ball pool...

About to pass out on the way home!
My sweet little cutie pie!

I'm at it again...

I created a website (blog) for my class and they LOVE it (or maybe just seeing themselves on the internet)! Thought I would share. Click BuchananStars!!!

Flu Vacation

It has been awhile since I've written only because that little pesky thing called the FLU has taken over our household the past few weeks. Kelsey had it first about 2 weeks ago, then I had it this week...and JON...well he's on flu meds so he won't get it ;) I have never missed this many school days in a row for being sick...I used to save them for mental health days. I guess once you have a kid you don't get those anymore?!?!

Last weekend, Kelsey and I went down to Rockingham to see Grandma and Cindy...and everyone else of course. It was Jacob's 2nd birthday...lots of cake, presents and hyper children..a teacher's worst nightmare ;)

Kelsey slept throught all the singing, screaming, and laughing. How she did it...I'll never know. Here's a picture of Kelsey giving Uncle Warren big BEAR hugs.

Kelsey is trying her best to talk. She loves to point at things and say "this" or "that"...mostly our fault because we often say, "Do you want this?" or "Look at that!" So now we are practicing calling things by their names...which we should have done all along I guess...beginners luck! Here is K eating breakfast:

Another thing she likes to do now is bob her head when she hears music...evidence is below:

On the way to Grandma's, Kelsey was rather antsy and was pretty tired of sitting still after an hour, so I started tell her to "Go to sleep" and to my surprise this is what she did....smart as a whip I tell ya! Please ignore the annoying Halloween music in the background ;)

Her 15 month check up was on October 5th...I know...too long ago. But here are her new updated measurements:

Length: 29.75 (35%)

Weight: 19 lbs. and 10.5 oz. (10%) AHHHHH!

Head Circumference: 45.25 (35%)

I don't know how we're going to put some weight on this little one?!?! She's a picky eater that's for sure.

We were hoping to go to the fair this week, but between all the sicknesses, not sure if we're going to make it this year. Tomorrow, Jon, Kelsey and I are going to go to the pumpkin patch! Can't wait...Kelsey's first! Yay! Pictures coming...