Happy Birthday to Me

I've learned to embrace the fact that - based on my last two cities - I will always share my birthday with St. Patrick's day festivities. That my birthday celebration will always include lots of green, shamrocks, parties and parades.  There are much worse things!  The past few years have been fun, for sure! And this one was no exception.

While our original plan was to head to the beach with some friends (one of which also shares a birthday with St. Patrick's week), the coldish weather meant heading northwest (instead of southeast) for a farm weekend.  It meant attending the Dublin St. Patrick's Day parade for the first time in several years and seeing all the fun festivities in Dublin!  

After a fun parade morning, our Richmond Hill friends joined us at the farm for a very fun-filled weekend.  It may not have been sunning on the beach, but hard to beat a Can-Am in your pullover.  The kids got to run and play, the boys got to fish and shoot, and the girls got to do the same thing we always do - enjoy some bubbles and laughs.  

James had a talented musician friend come out with his guitar so we could enjoy live music around the fire.  A perfect evening.

What a way to celebrate 44 years!  What a blessing!  Getting older is truly a gift (and I hope I never forget that.)

And also...these goobers who popped up on the trail cam...

School Days - Early 2026

Lots of fun things going on since returning to school after the Christmas holiday.  Honestly I feel like it will be more of the same (go go go) until we get out in May.  It's crazy how fast the second part of the year goes by!

First, the kiddos celebrated "80 more days of school" with "80s Day". They totally rocked it and looked totally rad.

I got to chaperone Maryn's class field trip to Jekyll Island (and may have enjoyed the museums even more than the kiddos!)  And I always love spending time with my best girl.  

Wesley had a fun field trip, too, to a local marine center (where he saw our former Naturalist!)  He even got to participate in the presentation, which I'm sure he loved. :)

Speaking of our special girl, Maryn was student of the month in both January AND February!  Her teacher awarded it to her in January, and then her art teacher in February.  God has given Maryn a sweet heart and concern for others that makes her a wonderful friend.  We celebrated with snow cones (as students of the month get coupons to help celebrate their success) :)

Lunch week (the one week a month where you can eat with your kiddos) came and went, and I got to spend a lunchtime with this goober.  Love him...

M and W also got to participate in Read Across America with dress up days to show off the diversity of the USA.

We have the rural midwest...

The Southwest (and TEXAS!)

And then Southern Football Pride

Mama happened to work at the school that day (book fair) so I made sure to show off my team colors, too :)

Just another month until Spring Break, and then - once we're back - it will be a full on race to the EOY!