Another Yellow Tip to the White Belt...Next Stop Yellow Belt!

Gunnar had his test to move up in belts last night, unfortunately I did not take very good pictures, but I will post a few anyway. He did a great job! At the end he got to break a board. I attempted to get a picture of this and it did not turn out.
The name of the studio is Christian Karate Academy, so before they begin their test there is a prayer.
Here is Gunnar doing a what I think is a front punch. They kids are in another room, but parents and family members can watch behind glass. That is what the glare is from, I forgot to turn off my flash.
Toward the end the kids get to do a little sparing before they go up to break the board. After the testing was over Gunnar decided he wanted to spend is $2 that he received from the Tooth Fairy on a smoothie from Sonic. Gunnar had a tooth growing in behind his two bottom front teeth, which were already loose, so the dentist went ahead and pulled both of them. Gunnar thought that the tooth fairy was pretty sneaky, since she manage to fit two dollars bills into the tiny treasure chest he had put his teeth in under his pillow.

Wylie's First Hair Cut!

At least a trim anyway. With her being 4 years old and all Josh and I thought it was about time to take her to the beauty shop. Josh took her to Tulsa today. They had a father-daughter outing together and just happened to run into Santa Clause. She wasn't sure at first, but Josh told her now would be a good time to tell Santa what you want for Christmas. After she was done telling him about the Baby Alive Doll she wanted, she came back to tell Santa what her brother was also wanting for Christmas, which was very thoughtful of her. Wylie recently had parents night at dance class where I caught a few clips on my camera. I am going to try and post them on the blog once I get to my laptop at school. She really did a good job and her dance instructor picked her to be the leader that night.

Are We Still in Kansas?

Well, I managed to get a picture of Wylie...Gunnar on the other hand insisted that I not take his picture, unfortunatly. We had a good time trick-or-treating, Josh had to work at the fire station, but we picked him up so that he could take the kids down Main Street.

Fall is in the Air!

Fall is my favorite time of the year, and there is no better way to ring in the new season than by making jack-o-lanterns while drinking hot apple cider (hot chocolate for the kids) on a cool rainy evening.

Check out my Slide Show!

I republished the slide show, this time without the music.

Go Wildcats!

Last Saturday went to Manhattan to take the kids to their very first college football game. K-State beat Missouri State 61-10. Although, it was not the most exciting game we had a great time none the less. Our seats were 30 rows back from the field, but the kids just had to go up to the top as you can see by the picture above of Gunnar.

Happy 4th Birthday Wylie Jade!

Wylie took cupcakes to pre-school yesterday and woke up to pink streamers and balloons at the bottom of the stairs this morning, opened presents after we all got home from school, and then this evening we went to the football game where she got to cheer all 2nd quarter and dance during half-time with the high school cheerleader. Here is some footage (I promise during the dance I had nothing to drink...you will see what I mean).

Extra Curricular Activities

Gunnar has been taking Karate class for the last month and Wylie has been to dance class twice now. They both really seem to be enjoying it. It sure is fun to watch!

Three Decades!

Well, I turned 30 years old last week, which it seems like yesterday that I was in elementary school wondering what I was going to be when I go up. I have to say… I couldn’t have asked for anything more than what I have now. When I look back at my youth as a struggling student with divorced parents, I am very thankful that my dad’s level-head has been passed on to me. I have always thought of myself as an optimistic person who looks at every experience (good or bad) as an opportunity to learn. One of my students (who’s life story so far is not so perfect either) told me, “You have the perfect life Mrs. DeWeese, with your kids (boy then girl), nice house, nice cars, an education, and a good job”, the response I had for her was, “I have to admit, I’m blessed, plus I have made good choices in my life.” I explained to her that bad things happen to a lot of people and you can either do bad things because of it, or learn from it. So, as far as me turning 30, it’s kind of a bummer that another decade has passed me by, but as far as where I am at this point in my life, it’s amazing and rewarding.

Trip to the Wichita Zoo

We met my Dad at the zoo this weekend and had a great time. I knew that we had better get together with them before school starts up again. I can't believe that in 8 days work starts up again. It's been a great summer and should be an interesting and busy year. This 1st semester should be challenging! I have all knew math textbooks, new 7 period schedule, two classes for masters degree along with practicum project and log hours, plus I have decided to start coaching again. I am going to be the head junior high volleyball coach his year and I am looking forward to it. Coaching makes you a little more active, more involved with the students, and not to mention the paycheck is nice. I kind of figured that once the kids were a little older I would get back into it and the opportunity turned out to be the right one. I will be sure and post my teams progress. Anyway, here are some pictures from the zoo trip.

Here is a good picture of my dad with Josh, Wylie, and Gunnar enjoying a snow cone on what was probably the hottest day of the year.

You don't get to see a lion up close often. This lion was laying right next to the glass. He would set up every once in awhile so we could get a really good look at him.

We had quite crew at the zoo. From left to right Jesse (my brother), Jeff (my youngest brother), Tim (my sister's friend), Abbie (my sister's friend), Jake (my sister's boy friend), Chris (my sister), and Josh with Wylie on his shoulders. Not the mention myself, my dad, Gunnar, and Cindy were also at the zoo. I must say that the kids did a wonderful job walking around the zoo. Man...they were sure tired when they got back into the car.

I thought that this was a good picture of Gunnar with this Uncle Jeff and Jesse. I can hardly believe how much they have grown. Josh and I had our first date 12 years ago at the zoo. We took all three of my siblings. Jeff would have been 2 years old. I remember Jeff on top of Josh's shoulders drinking a Mountain Dew so fast that it was dripping onto Josh's head. Josh said that he didn't care, he knew that Jeff was thirsty.