Funny How Things Change

Growing up, I never really enjoyed singing.  I wasn't good at it at all and I just didn't do it.  But lately, I've been finding myself singing at random times; while cooking, singing along with the radio, at work (teaching and at the club), while cleaning, etc.  I'm still not very good, but I'm not horrible (when I'm not trying to be horrible =))  It's funny how something that wasn't enjoyable at one time, does become enjoyable later on in life.

Thanksgivings

I meant to do this post this weekend but never did get to it.  One of our Thanksgiving traditions before we eat is to tell each other what we are thankful for.  Here is what each of the Boyds is thankful for:

Stephanie: Peter, Natalie, Alexis, Mom, Tom, Kathi, Kathy, Bill and the rest of our wonderful family!  Jobs that pay the bills.  A roof over our heads.  Family that actually cares enough about each other to go a little crazy (we all do it!).

Peter: Family!!  A job that picked me, but one that I love and is treating me well!  Family!!

Natalie: My skating teachers!  My family that loves me!  The troops that fight in the wars.  Good food!!

Alexis: Mom and dad because they helped me feel better when I was sick.  My Grandmas and Papa because they love me lots! Sister because she helps me too much.  And Skruffy and Ginger because they're our pets!

So that is what the Boyd Family is thankful for this year!  Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!!

Happy Veterans Day

First of all I'd like to send out a huge thank you to the veterans (and their families) for all the sacrifices they've made so that I and my family can enjoy the freedoms we have today!

Yesterday, well this whole week actually, I've been subbing at Central Elementary School in 5th grade. Yesterday they had their Veterans Day celebrations.  They had the general assembly, where the Veteran family members of the students came and we honored them and all the other Veterans. We sang patriotic songs, had a patriotic book and poems read to us and talked about what today meant.  What was really cool, and such a wonderful experience for me, was they also put on a parade around downtown Sedro-Woolley.  There was a fire truck at the start, the high school marching band came all in uniform, and then the students all lines up by grade level; each with an American Flag in their hand. Here I should also mention that Mary Purcell Elementary School, the school just next door, was also there.  The Veterans that were there all joined their student and we all marched a good two miles around down town Sedro-Woolley,  There were Veterans who were on the side lines watching, the business owners and their patrons came out to honor the Veterans.  It was so cool to see the students, mostly the older ones who understood what today means, approach the Veterans on the side lines and thank them for their service.  It was an AWESOME experience and one that I was proud to have been able to be a part of this year!

I Have Two Smart, Caring Children!

I love that my children are loving, caring and SMART!

This week we had Alexis's four year check-up. (Yes, I realize we're only 5 months late in doing this, but I totally forgot about it when her birthday rolled around and we were so busy the months after that, I never did remember.... oops....) Anyway, the doctor was asking her questions like what color was Winnie-the-Pooh's shirt, or to sing the ABCs, etc. When she pointed to the stickers of honey pots on the right side of the room and asked Alexis how many there were over there, Alexis looked at them, then looked at the stickers of the honey pots on the left side of the room and then replied, "There are four pots on that wall, but if you count those and the ones on that wall, there are seven pots!" The doctor was just amazed. She was even more amazed when later, during the physical part of the appointment (where the doctor checks her motor skills) and Alexis is facing the back wall, Alexis says, "Oh I didn't see those pots earlier..." (thinks for a few seconds) "...now there's nine pots!" Totally blew her (and me for that matter) away!

So that was the SMART part of this blog. Now to move on the the loving and caring part.

This year, Natalie has become much more aware of the people and their behavior around her, especially at school. Earlier in the year, she was concerned because there was a fourth grader teaching a first grader how to "bully" his friends. Natalie asked us what she should do because she knew it wasn't right. So we told her the steps of what she should do; that she should try to friend that first grader and show him that the fourth grader wasn't right, and talk to a grown-up at her school that she trusted and felt comfortable talking to about her concerns. She decided to go talk to the teacher that she had last year and when I asked about it a week or so later, Natalie said that the school counselor had come around to all the classes and talked about bullying and how we should treat our friends and fellow classmates, and how hurtful bullying could be. And when I asked if that situation had gotten better, Natalie said it had. I was very proud to know that my daughter was an instrumental part in getting that problem resolved quickly and easily. I know that not every situation will be that easy, but she's learning how to stick up for herself and others which is one of the things I hope for her the most! Anyway, more recently, she said in the car that she felt sad for the kids that get teased at school. She was telling me how there was one of the girls in a different class that gets teased because of the clothes she wears, and how one day Natalie had told her that she liked the shirt she was wearing and that the girl was really happy that day. "Mom, the world would be a happier place if people would just be nice to everyone!"

Out of the mouths of babes! I love my girls! Moments like those make me proud of the people they're starting to grow up to be! LOVE MY GIRLS!!!!

Halloween 2011 Pictures