A Day at the Zoo

We decided to spend the wonderful day outdoors on Saturday and headed to the Houston Zoo. Though a few of the animals were already getting settled into their new homes in the upcoming African exhibit, we still had a great time! Most of the animals were taking advantage of the wonderful weather and could be spotted taking a snooze in the sun! It was a great day and we can't wait for the new exhibit to open in December! We are ready to see the white Rhinos that were recently brought over from Africa!!!

Pumpkin Patch 2010

This past Saturday was the annual Theta Delta Pumpkin Patch in El Campo. I am proud to say that both boys cooperated for me quite well! No fussing over taking pictures or getting mad about having to take a picture with each other. It was very pleasant needless to say! We didn't stay long, though, because we had family pictures scheduled in Rosenberg. But, we were there long enough for me to snap lots of pictures and for the boys to pick out their favorite pumpkins!

Such handsome lil' men!  Gotta love when they get along together!!!!

Happy harvesting!

30 Day Shred - Day 2

Ok! So I was going to take off on the weekends and work out Monday-Friday. Things were extremely crazy yesterday so my buddy and I did the 30 day shred today. (Her first day, my second day) Anyways...I must say that I am not feeling as sore this evening as I did the first go around on Saturday! Also, at the end, I was panting and gasping for air. Not bad, I must admit! I will say, though, that I headed straight to the shower because I felt like a slick pig! That workout is HARD! My legs felt like jello by the end of the 20 minutes, but hey! that is a good thing, right?! I think I am going to incorporate walking into my workout routine so I can get more cardio in. We shall see how that goes! I am sure I will be sore tomorrow but I know that is a good thing....right?

Well...until tomorrow...or Thursday....Have a GREAT day!

30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels

Day 1

Well, I have taken the "30 Day Shred" challenge with Jillian Michaels. I just did Level 1 and am ready to pass out. My back is hurting, my legs are jello. (Guess I should have waited to do this when my pulled back muscles were better but who knows when that will happen.) For those of you not familiar with it, it is a 20 minute workout that starts with a 2 minute warm-up, three circuits of 3 minutes strength, 2 minutes cardio and 1 minute abs, and then a 2 minute cool down. After the first circuit, I was ready to quit. But, I endured the burn and kept going. After the 2nd circuit, I was ready to pass out. Forget the burn, I was ready to stop. However, I kept going. In the end, I hurt all over but I know it is a good hurt and burning because in 30 days, I will see results. Well, actually, I hope to start seeing results before 30 days. But....I need YOUR help! After today, I really don't know if I can do it again tomorrow and the next 29 days for that matter. Anyone out there want to take the challenge with me? I could really use an accountability partner on this!

Until tomorrow....have a great Saturday.

What to do? what to do?

So...Steve's birthday is tomorrow and I have NO CLUE as to what to get him. When I asked him, he said "gift cards to the Apple Store. I want to get an iPad." Well...I am NOT getting him a gift card; his family can do that! I want to get him something special. I need ideas! We went to the Astros game this past Sunday, which is something he wanted for his birthday. But...I hate for that to be his only birthday present. MAN! What do you get a husband for his 32nd birthday?! HELP!!!!

Powered-Parachuting

Steve's 32nd birthday is coming up towards the end of September and LAST year, he received a gift certificate for a powered-parachute ride at the Wharton Airport. Since the weather has been nice for the majority of this week, he made an appointment to redeem his certificate. We couldn't have asked for nicer weather! Though, I will say, it got pretty HOT pretty quick! Steve had a wonderful ride and said he would do it again!

Magnetic Memo Boards

Well...this summer I decided to try and get crafty! I started making magnetic memo boards. At first, it was just to pass time and make something new to put in my classroom. Then, Steve commented that I should try selling them. So...I am going to take a stab at it and see how it goes. Right now, all boards are $10. As I continue to make more, I will post more pictures. I am also going to work on some "boy-themed" boards as well (i.e. sports, animals, etc.) I can make a board to your liking and make it to fit any color scheme.

Personalized


Teacher gifts! (School days with busy bee magnets)


Ladybugs all Around!


More boards to come soon!
Enjoy! and if you would like to order one, email me at thelyfords@wirehand.net

Summer time fun!

This summer was filled with wonderful moments that we will never forget! We had some many treasure moments this summer!

June: Steve's family from Virgina came to visit us. While here, we took them to Galveston to Stewart Beach. It was so nice being able to park on the beach and have an area that was not very crowded. The boys were able run and play in the water and i knew they were going to be safe. Then, we took them to San Antonio. Josh, their oldest son, is a history buff and wanted to see The Alamo. We also took them on the Riverwalk to experience the atmosphere. It was a fun-filled few days and we were sad to see them go!



July: We was filled with many days of swimming and playing in the summer heat. We also had VBS at our church. The boys always like VBS and this year was "Saddle Ridge Ranch". They both loved being cowboys for a week! We also took the boys to the zoo and decided to become members so that we can enjoy all the wonderful animals all year long!!! I also nursed Cortney, our church's intern, back to health. It started off with her getting into a wreck with an 18-wheeler. Thankfully, the only thing hurt was the car...BIG time! Then, a week later, she had knee surgery to clean up scar tissue, etc. So...we had a pretty relaxing mid-summer month!!!



August: The boys got to meet Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomato!!!! They were so excited. They also got to ride a horse at their Uncle Pooh's house and they got to see miniature horses for the first time, up close and personal! I have never seen two happier little boys!

We are now getting ready for school to start! School supplies have been bought and are all labeled. Though I hate to admit it, I am ready for school to start. For one reason, we will have a routine in our house again!!! Seems that as soon as summer started, our routine went out the window! We slept late in the mornings and we to be late at night! I still can't believe my baby will be in kindergarten this year! Owen is super excited about 1st grade and I think Eli is equally excited about Kindergarten!

Where did the summer go?

We had a very busy summer this year! We had family come in from Virginia in June and had a blast. While they were here, we took them to Galveston and of course King's Candy on the strand! Then, we were off to San Antonio for a few days so they could see the Alamo and experience the Riverwalk atmosphere. It was fun having them here and we can't wait to see them again next summer when we meet up in Branson, Missouri!



We also had a fun-filled summer with Cortney, who interned at our church in the youth department. It was so much fun having her here with us for the summer! I had someone to talk to during the day, besides to little boys! It was a blessing in disguise because she also helped me out with the boys when she wasn't working up at the church! We were torn when she had to leave us this past Saturday to head back to Beaumont. But...thank goodness for webcams; we get to see her via video whenever we get the chance! Luckily, the distance between us isn't too far and we can visit her periodically as well!




Now begins the countdown to school starting and I truthfully am not looking forward to the summer ending. Though at times the boys tested their limits with me, I have really enjoyed the summer at home with them! This was the first summer to have them at home because they have gone to daycare every summer before to hold their spots! But...with a soon to be 1st grader and kindergartner on my hands, they both were at home this summer! Like they say, a teacher's favorite months are June, July and August!!!!

Summer is here!!!

Summer is here!!! Can't believe Owen will be a 1st grader and Elijah will be a kindergartner next school year! Where has the time gone?! Got LOTS of plans for the family this summer! Steve's cousin and family are driving down from Virgina in 14 days. Sherrill has lived in Texas but her family has NEVER been to Texas! This should be interesting. We went there last summer and the kids complained that 87-90 degree weather was hot. Wait til they get here. They haven't experienced HOT yet! Taking them to Galveston and San Antonio while here!!! Trying to come up with a "daily schedule" for the boys also! I am NOT going to let them sit in front of the tv all summer! Figured morning cartoons while eating breakfast is ok! Then...sight words, math, etc for a while and "rest" time after lunch!!! We shall see how it goes!!!!

Hope all have a great summer!!!