A Couple of Classic Kaylea Moments

First, Kaylea has been suffering from the normal fall allergy symptoms. Snot, runny nose, snot, cough, snot, stuffy head and most of all SNOT. You get the picture ;0)

To treat her allergies we started with children's Zyrtec, but that didn't do anything to relieve her symptoms. So I returned to the pharmacy in search of a better remedy. I decided to try the Children's Dimetapp which came in a combo package with a bottle of nighttime medicine and a bottle of non-drowsy daytime medicine. I have to say, it has been working pretty good. Until last night, that is.

I had gone out with friends and Bub and Kaylea were home alone. It was time for bed and Bub gave Kaylea her medicine. Then this morning she when she woke up she was complaining that the medicine didn't work last night. She began examining the bottles and quipped at her father, "Well, Dad, no wonder my medicine didn't work last night. You didn't give me the nighttime medicine!"

Bless her heart ;0)


Second, in an effort to show her BIG ORANGE spirit Kaylea emerged from her bathroom decked out in her UT shirt, her UT hairbow, and power Ts on each cheek. When we asked her what she used to make the power Ts, she replied, "marker!" It took some scrubbing, but we finally got it off. I guess I should be glad she didn't use a Sharpie.

Kaylea? Rude? I Think NOT!!!!!

Yesterday, I surprised Kaylea by joining her at school for lunch and staying to volunteer in her classroom. As I was leaving the cafeteria a little boy that was in Kaylea's class last year approached me. He looked at me with his beautiful blue eyes sparkling and his gorgeous smile and said, "Kaylea was rude to me today!" I wasn't really shocked, because she can be a little "spunky" at times. I asked him what she did that was so rude. Well, he proceeds to tell me that he called her over to his locker to show her his new hat -- it says, "I'm Irish Want To Get Lucky?" then...........................she kicked him!

My only reply was, "and who was it that was being rude?"


You GO baby girl! Don't take anything off of those little boys!

Everything Is Golden

Our little girl has mastered the Martial Arts. OK, so Mastery might be a little bit of an exageration. But she has mastered all of the skills necessary to be promoted from a white belt to a gold belt. The promotion was a surprise for her and I will say, she was beaming with pride.

I am so grateful that she wanted to take Karate. It teaches and reinforces so much more than just the physical action of the sport. But, the physical activity is a plus for sure.

Once again, we are so proud of Kaylea. Wow, twice in one week. You might start thinking that we are gushing a little bit.

Kaylea at the KMA

Kaylea's Mini Monet

Kaylea's Still Life on canvas

Kaylea's Wire Sculpture ~ Girl Dancing

We are SO proud of our girl!

Check Her Out......

...as you all know, Kaylea is our little budding artist. I have mentioned before that she takes art classes after school during the school year. Then over the summer she attended two art camps that her instructor offered. Well, here is the really cool part. Some of Kaylea's art work (and other kids from the class and camp) is being exhibited at the Knoxville Museum of Art. You really need to go and check it out. The kids have done some phenomenal pieces.

The art work will be on display the entire month of August and the museum's hours are as follows:

Tuesday-Thursday: 10am- 5pm
Friday: 10am-8pm
Saturday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: 1pm- 5pm
Monday: CLOSED

Also, if you live in the South Knoxville, Sevierville, Kodak or surrounding areas and you are interested in signing your child up for Art Classes, contact Jackie Wright @ j4wright@charter.net . I can speak from experience that Jackie is wonderful with the kids and she introduced Kaylea to talents she didn't know she had. Thank you Jackie, your the best!!!!!

P.S. I will be adding photos to Kaylea's online Art Gallery in the next few days, so keep an eye on it. Very pretty stuff to come.

Why Oh Why...

...is it that the one child in the entire 4th grade that I didn't want in Kaylea's class is listed on the class roster?

We will say a little prayer and keep our fingers crossed! --Think positive! Think positive!

The New Class List Is Here, The New Class List Is Here!

Kaylea is all sorts of excited. As of today, the new class lists have been hung outside the school. She jumped out of bed this morning and that was the first thing out of her mouth. We already know who her teacher is, which was the important thing for me to find out. But, now she gets to find out if any of her friends will be in her class, which is the important thing for her to find out. Since I know most of the kids through subbing and volunteering, I will have a pretty good idea of how the year will go as soon as I see the list. Hopefully, we will win the sweet children lottery for classmates this year. Last year was pretty good, but we did have a few problems here and there - and of course Kaylea was right in the middle of them, as usual.

Kaylea tends to want to be friends with everyone and have everyone be friends with her and each other. Unfortunately though, some kids just don't get along (personalities don't jive, which is ok; more than one "queen bee" in class; etc.) Kaylea tries to play the role of NATO but ends up just being stuck in the middle being pulled both ways. I guess you could say that Kaylea is the Canada of the 4th grade. (Why can't we all just get along?) Oh, don't think that I am under the misperception that my daughter is not playing some role in all of the drama. After all, she is a girl and she is 9. To use a Dr. Phil(ism) I am trying to figure out what her "payoff" is for being in the middle. She definitely has one, otherwise she wouldn't continually put herself there. Maybe this will be the year that all of this changes - I sure hope so. I don't think I can take another year of girl drama. There are so many sweet little girls at Kaylea's school that I know would be a true "best friend" for her. She just needs to find that little girl and stick by her, no matter what!