February 2, 2009--Molly's 9th Birthday

Molly chose Red Lobster for her birthday dinner. Darryl and I had a good time celebrating with her. The waiters brought her a piece of key lime pie and sang to her.

Molly got to open a few family gifts in the morning before school.

She loved her LPS sets from Grandpol, Rise, and the kids.

She was super excited about the soccer set for her American Girl dolls from Grandmol.

I made muffins for her breakfast and put a candle in one for her to blow out.

More catch up...Random pictures

For Christmas this year, Grandpol gave Molly a certificate for an afternoon/evening with him going to Build-a-Bear and having dinner out. They got to go the last weekend of January. They had a great time, and Molly enjoyed having her Grandpol to herself and being spoiled by him!

Molly, Darryl, and I had our own little Super Bowl party. Molly picked out the cookie cake and I made a seven layer dip with a bean shaped football complete with sour cream laces. I was very proud of my dip, so we took a picture before digging in.

Molly and I went to a book signing with author Rick Riordan. He wrote the first of a series called "The 39 Clues" that Molly and I are reading. He was a very nice man and it was fun to meet him. The next book of the series, which we are just starting, is by a different author. All ten of the planned books will have a different author and be released over the next few years. There are clue cards that go along with the books as well as an online component in which kids can win actual money prizes--it is a really neat series!

Still catching up...SeaWorld Banquet with Darryl

This year the annual SeaWorld Banquet was in January instead of December. It was the 3rd one I've been to with Darryl. There's always good food, a decent band, and great company.

Some of the divers on Darryl's team: John (and his wife, Stacy), Darryl (and me), Nora, and Dan (and his wife, Patty). All great folks--we have a lot of fun.

Finally catching up...PTA Program January 13th

The MultiAge classes (Molly is in 3rd/4th) performed at the January PTA meeting. They did a health fair. First they did a warm-up routine and line dancing in the gym. Afterwards we toured the classrooms looking at individual projects.

Molly's class researched the heart. She wrote a speech as though she were the heart talking. It turned out really good. She even put in some cute jokes. (If you click on the picture and make it larger, you may be able to read the whole speech--or at least part of it.)

Line dancing in the gym. The MultiAge classes consist of three K/1st/2nd grade classes and two 3rd/4th grade classes. It was so fun to watch them all!

Molly and her friend, Savanah, before the program started.

Molly's Visit With Her Daddy

This weekend Molly's dad came for a visit. Since Rich was in New Mexico with his dad for the holidays, he and Molly got to celebrate a belated Christmas together. Molly liked the idea of having Christmas last just a little bit longer! It was a great visit.

Molly's Grandpa Rick (in Albuquerque) gave her a Wii for Christmas. Rich got Molly a Littlest Pet Shop game for the Wii and set everything up for her. She is catching on quickly and having a lot of fun trying out all the games.

Molly had us all laughing, especially herself, as she created some very odd looking "Mii"s (the characters that you design and use to play the games).

Rich opening his Christmas gifts from Molly. Here he is holding the Dallas Cowboys snowman ornament she found for him. She is always on the lookout for anything Cowboys.

Ringing in the New Year

Happy 2009!

Molly and Darryl humored me and we took a quick picture before we went to a New Year's Eve party at the Easley's.

Abby Easley and Molly met in Sunday School at age 2 and have been best friends for as long as they can remember. We went to the Easley's party early in the night.

I got some English style "poppers" for Molly to do. (She is holding one, but it's hard to see.) They had toys and paper crowns inside them.

Molly shooting off silly string at midnight.

Darryl decided one sparkler at a time wasn't enough and lit like 5 or 6 at once.

Kids: Don't try this at home!

Molly and me welcoming in the new year.

Our New Dog

Last Monday, December 22nd, I ignored the voice inside my head and left the vet with a new dog. She was a stray who was already fixed and house broken. It seemed the thing to do, especially since the ladies who found her were going to have to take her to the pound 3 days before Christmas. Molly was ecstatic to say the least. We have talked about getting a dog for some time, but the little voice inside my head always talks me out of it. I'm glad I didn't listen this time since Lucy is proving herself to be a great dog for us.

Molly is taking a lot of responsibility for Lucy. Lucy even sleeps in Molly's room!

Lucy loves to play fetch and tug-o-war. She also loves to chow down on a good bone.