Saturday, September 2, 2017

Back to School!

Little Man is a 5th Grader this year!  Waaaahhhh!  Where did my LM go?  He insisted on riding his bike to school by himself and I was lucky to get this one picture.  Sigh.  Needless to say, I was a little tearful for the rest of the day.

First Day of 5th Grade


First Day of 4th Grade


First Day of 3rd Grade



First Day of 2nd Grade


First Day of 1st Grade


First Day of Kindergarten


And guess what?!  I've gone back to school myself!  I earned my Assoc. in Arts Degree (Psychology) WAY back in the day but never finished my B.S.  Life got busy...and it got away from me.  Now that Little Man isn't so little and according to him, "very independent", I figured it was time to do something for me.

I put in my application, got accepted, transferred A TON of credits from Oklahoma and enrolled in 3 online classes and 1 on campus class.  12 credit hours!

Its been an adjustment.  EVERYTHING is done online.  I have a school email account, turn in my papers online and check grades and other "To Do" items online.  Even the notes from the Professor of one of my classes is online because he doesn't use a textbook.  CRAZY!  I'm old school and personally prefer holding a book in my hands and being face to face with my professor but these classes are what worked with my "still have to parent my kid" schedule.

The UTD campus is awesome!  Not much has changed as far as college goes.  Student Unions are still a thing but much more updated and it has a food court and a Starbucks on campus.  Oh yeh!  Students are different...more culturally diverse but the Professors still seem to be the same.  Although I do have a young newlywed couple in my Educational Psychology class that is WORKING MY LAST NERVE.  

I have found in my advanced age that I am easily distracted by all sorts of things!  Anything going on in my line of sight to the Professor.  The guy picking his nose, the girl clicking her pen, another girl picking out movies on Netflix on her laptop...and The Newlyweds.  Don't get me wrong, they're "darling" but when they sit  this.close.to.each.other and write little notes to each other on their spirals and give each other "looks" and hes playing with her hair, has to have his hand on her leg and is all up in her face with his kissy-face.  Its a little hard to pay attention in class. SO, I moved WAY DOWN to the end of the row.  I can still see them in my periphery but its a little less annoying.  I feel bad for the two guys that sit directly behind them.  Sigh.  Just gotta power through it dudes.

Little Man was excited about me going back to school! He gave me the same advice that I gave him when he first started Kinder.  "Just make one friend and it will be easy from there."  I tried to explain that I wasn't there to make friends but he's determined that I will.  I did chat it up with a girl and her therapy dog!  LM said, "it figures that you would find the one person with a dog". :D Oh, and did talk to the "Goth Girl" from class on the elevator.  She's really nice!

LM told one of his friends that I went back to school and that friend told his parents that, "J's mom went back to school and shes going to be REALLY smart!"  Well I hope so!  Feeling a little like I'm a  juggling clown right now...trying to make sure I don't drop any balls!  We'll see if I can maintain this new College Student / Housewife / Mom life balance thing.

Transfer Student Orientation Day at UTD!  
Free Breakfast, Lunch and UTD Swag!


Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Random Summer Pics!

Spent most of July in Oklahoma visiting family!  With a quick side trip to Kansas City.

On the drive up to OK, someone (The Hubs) thought it would be great to let Little Man try Twinkies for the first time.  I know, I'm a mean Mom not to let the boy eat whatever he wants. (eye roll).

So excited!











Yummy!


Once in T-Town, we met up with family at The Dilly Deli for dinner.  So good!
The chicken fried steak was bigger than my Dad's face!  Woah!



 Saw this character at an Led Zeppelin cover band show.
LM was like, "hey mom!  Look at his shirt!" while snickering because of the "bad word".

4th of July was spent at the River Spirit Casino - Jimmy Buffet Resort.  You would be surprised at how many kids were there!  The weather was great!  The pool was packed but the buffet was great!

Why yes, I do like Pina Coladas!


Chillin'


The Hubs showing off his strength.



Waiting for nightfall to see the fireworks show over the river.




Meowrica!



LM and cousin J


My Hubs family used to own and operate the Circle Cinema theater which was celebrating its 89th Birthday while we were there.  Attended a special showing of "Wait Until Dark" with its famous scene which scared the crap out of everyone!



LM and cousins with the original projector.



 Uncle Eric stopped by for some RC car fun!



Splash pad with the cousins.


Once the Houston cousins made it to Tulsa, we moved to the indoor activity pool at their hotel..much cooler for the parents to hang out while the kids played.




We've taken his picture on this slide before.
10 years old




2 years old.





I was lucky enough to have lunch with 2 of my friends from 
Elem / Jr. High!
They haven't changed a bit!


Carmen, Me and Ann-Marie!


The group visiting GiGi (front and center)
4 generations


 Pickle Boy!  This kid loves pickles!


LM developed Swimmers Ear after 3 days of non-stop swimming.   Ouch!  Not fun! But ear drops and alternating kids Tylenol and Motrin seemed to do the trick. 



Someone was not happy that Wonder Woman was the toy in a surprise pack.



LM with Mitsy - Grandpa Jim and Grandma Marty's dog. 


Last day with the cousins! 



New Orleans!

The Hubs was scheduled to speak at a conference in New Orleans the week after camp so Little Man and I tagged along!  I was worried that it would be crazy humid but it wasn't bad.


Buying a day pass for the trolley/train is the best way to get around.


Can't visit New Orleans with trying the Beignets!



 Reminded me of Indian fry bread with lots of powdered sugar!


 Rickshas outside the French Market


Took a picture of this and sent it to my mom.
She once told me how she went squirrel hunting with her Dad.
Yuk! hahaha


 Local Art


 Pics below are from around Jackson Square








 LM with Praline the mule

Praline's owner was more than happy to educate us on how mules were much more suited to working in the southern heat than horses. And that you have to cross a female horse with a male donkey to produce a mule.  And that you can't make another mule by breeding 2 mules because the male mules "shoot blanks".
I'm sure LM appreciated the education. hahaha

Souvenir shops! 

LM would not get any closer to the gator. hahaha



 Graveyard - LM did not want to go.


 Bourdon Street


We visited the WWII Museum on our last day.  Wow!  Just Wow!
They covered every little detail. 


















I'll admit, I teared up quite a few times while walking through and taking it all in.  Its a must visit if you're ever in New Orleans.


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