Church Lunch

Today after church we stayed for lunch. Curt and Jay cooked burgers for us and each family brought a side dish. The kids had a great time running around and playing together! It was a great Sunday!

Chef's Curt and Jay!


Trinity and Kiersten hanging out in the strollers!


Chloe and Kayleigh!


Wesley and Weston!


The babies were sleepy after all of the fun!

CooKiEs!

Today, Britt and Wes invited Chloe and I over to make sugar cookies! This is only Chloe's favorite thing to do! She loves to be in the kitchen making cakes and cookies! Hopefully, she will be a better cook than her mommy! After I got home from work, I made Chloe very happy by fixing her hair just like she wanted it...flipped up with a small ponytail, bangs pulled back and a bow. Wow, she is picky! We headed over to Britt's house for some cooking decorating fun!

Last Day.

Today was the last day of the school year for me. I have officially taught school for 7 years now. Hard to believe that my first year of teaching was 7 years ago. The kids I taught my first year are now seniors. Wow!
Today was filled with several emotions. I was excited to know that I will have a break. Time to rest and spend time with my Chloe and Trinity. Time to move into the house. Teachers need time away from the job, it could easily burn a person out! I was also sad to know that I am done being those kids teacher. I will miss my sweet girls who love to help and be at school. I will miss the crazy boys who compete for the funniest joke. I will miss the hugs, smiles, laughs, and even the times where I just want to scream! The students I taught this year were pretty cool! I am excited that I will get to meet a new group of kids next year and come to know them and enjoy them. I look forward to that.
The day ended with a major headache which was remedied with a little aleve and a pedicure! Mom and I always get a pedicure together as a celebration of the last day of school. Its a tradition!
Now, it is summertime! Time to play with Chloe and Trinity, take trips, sleep, barbecue, swim everyday, sleep, and stay up late( I am a night owl)!
Did I mention sleeping?

Oh! And Chloe and I are going to attempt making this really cute cake!



And This!

School's Out!

Today was Chloe's last day of school. She woke up very happy and ready for a fun day! I didn't get to attend the festivities, but heard all about it when I got home. She told me that she had to hold an egg on a spoon and walk "very careful". The egg fell "only once"! She also said that they had balloon races, bean-bag toss, ran, and rode tricycles. Her favorite part of the day was the picnic. Chloe got to pack a lunch and have a picnic outside with her friends. Needless to say, she took a 45 minute nap when she got to Susan's house! When I picked her up, Susan told me about how sweet Chloe was today and how much she enjoys keeping Chloe! Soooo, I rewarded her with a sonic ice cream cone! It was a great day for her. Next year she will attend pre-school 5 days a week in order to prep her for Kindergarten! Wow, my little girl is growing up so fast!


Tomorrow is the last day of school for me! We are looking forward to this summer. I can't wait to be home with the girly-girls and move into our new home!

Birthday Party!

Yesterday we attended Kaleigh's 2nd birthday party. It was fun to be with our friends. Really though, they feel more like family! Here are some fun pics from the party! Britt and I had fun with our cameras. I came home to upload my photos and had 198 pictures from the party...like I said, we had fun! But I came away with some really cute pics! Enjoy!

Dear Germs,

It was fine that you resided in me for a few days...nothing a little Mucinex can't handle! But, now you have crossed the line. Please leave Trinity alone. She is too little to blow her nose or understand why she can't breathe well. She is miserable. Therefore, we are all miserable. Please go away, it's rude.
P.S - Stay away from Chloe, Mimi, Opa, and Curt too! Oh, and all of my students - they have a fun week ahead of them!
Kristi

RaiN!

Well, it was this morning! It has now cleared up and has turned out to be a beautiful day!

Has it been TWO years?

Britt,
I can't believe she is already TWO! Oh, and I outlined it in purple just for you!

"Stick" figure!

Tonight Chloe ate a popsicle...a usual nightly routine for Chloe. Only tonight, she did something that is not completely out of character for Chloe. Let's just say, this is a time when I was glad that I had my camera readily available!

When Chloe finished, she gave the bowl to Curt. Curt asked her where the stick was. At first, she claimed that she did not know, then we found her doing this:




Yes, friends! She hid it under the couch. We don't know why she did this! When I asked her how the stick ended up under the couch this is what she said:





This is what Trinity was doing at the time!

It's a Brick....House!

We went to visit the new McKnight establishment tonight! I finally remembered to take some pictures!


Our House!



Chloe's Room (Trinity's room is the same color!)



Master Closet



The best part! My Kitchen!



Standing in the kitchen and looking into the living room. The door you see is the master bedroom.

Peachalicious

Trinity had fruit for the first time last night! Peaches! She absolutely loved them and finished the entire jar. Here is a little video of just how happy she was to have yummy food! She thought they were peachaliciously (is that a word?) delicious!

Teacher Conference

On Tuesday I had a meeting with Chloe's teacher, Mrs. Aguirre. She gave Chloe a "skills" test that is appropriate for her age. She told me that Chloe is a joy to have in class! She said that Chloe put herself in charge of making sure everyone else in class is doing what they are supposed to be doing. I can see that. When she first started dance class, I watched her show all of the little girls where their spot was. She just may have a little bit of her mommy's teacher instinct in her! Here are the things that Chloe can do!

• recognize all shapes
• recognize all colors
• recognize her last name (this one is an improvement!-see below story)
• recognize all lower case letter s and write them
• recognize all uppercase letters and write them
• write her name!

Here are some things that we, at home, have noticed:

• she can re-tell a story
• make up a song
• memorize any song - especially Taylor Swift!
• dance, dance, dance
• be an amazing big siser to Trinity
• jump in the pool and swim across
  
• she is a PRO at using my iphone!
• color in the lines
• memorize bible verses
  
• and she doesn't forget a thing....(this one can be both good and bad!)

We are so proud of little Chloe! I am excited to watch her continue to grow and learn!



*side note*
At my first teacher conference at the beginning of this year, her teacher told me that she was concerned because Chloe didn't know her last name. This confused me. When I came home, I asked her what her name was. She said, "Chloe Marie McKnight". I said, "Chloe, why didn't you tell your teacher?", and she replied "Her didn't need to know that!".
Yep...that's Chloe!

GeT Her SoMe ToYs!

Trinity has started to hold things in her hands. Of course, as soon as she grasps something it goes straight into her mouth! We really need to get her some better toys....


PS: I did not let her eat my toes...and yes, she has toys!

FiVe MonTh FeEt!

Swimsuit Season Has Arrived!

WHAT I am

I feel so blessed to know WHO I am. I am Kristi. I am the daughter of Bill and Rita and the sister to Les. I am a grand-daughter of Christine and AC and Jim and Joann. I am sister-in-law to Amanda. I am the wife of Curtis. I am the mommy of Chloe Marie and Trinity Grace. That is me, that is who I am.

I am also blessed to know WHAT I am. I am a teacher. I decided to be a teacher kind of on a whim. Midland College was having a career day and Tech had a table set up for the education department. I talked to them and something clicked. I went home that day and told my parents that I wanted to teach. My dad and I went on a walk that evening, and he asked me why. I told him that I knew that someday I would be a mommy and that teachers had the best hours for moms! Although, that is still very true and a great perk, I became a teacher for so many more reasons, that I was unaware of at the time.

I went through college and loved and excelled in all of my classes. Still, had no clue what I was getting myself into. I was soon to figure out.

I am about to end my 7th year of teaching school. I love my job. I have realized over the years that teaching is not a job you take for the hours (or the pay!), but its a job you take with your heart. Your heart has got to be in that building with you every day. My heart IS.

I am not only a teacher of science and language arts, I am so much more. For some students, I am a safe place, a shelter from the storm. For some students I am the reason they love coming to school. For some kids, I am the reason they have decided to try at school. For some kids I am a comedian. I get to give kids experiences. I get to give them joy. I get to give them success. Me. I get to do those things on a daily basis. It is awesome.

Teaching is two way street. I may be all of those things to my students, but they are so much to me too. My students make me confident. My students make me laugh. My students give me strength. My students make this job completely worth every minute.

I am sitting here, on a Saturday morning counting down the days to the last day of school. But not the same way most teachers count down the days to the end of school. I am thinking, "9 days, 9 days, thats all I have left with these kids". I only have 9 days with these kids left, 9 days to spend with some of the most incredible people. It is sad. It is really hard to say goodbye to kids that I have gotten to know so well.

So, that is WHAT I am. A teacher. I am so thankful to God for giving me this gift. The gift of teaching, the gift of taking what could be boring information and making it fun, the gift of making hard things understandable, the gift of loving someone elses child, the gift of compassion, the gift.

I love the summer time. I love having time with my kids at home. I love the time off to rejuvenate! I am thankful for the time that my job allows me with the family.

Teacher: Its WHAT I am.

**update**
About an hour after I wrote this post, Chloe and I went swimsuit shopping at the mall (for her!). While breaking through a crowd at the mall, I hear "There is Mrs. McKnight!" I turned around and saw a big group of kids from Murry Fly Elementary. It was so cool to see these kids. They are soon to be Freshman! It was pretty awesome to hear that they are doing great.

Trinity,
Today you discovered something very precious. It may not sound like a big deal, but I assure you it is. Today you discovered your hands! I know, I know, who cares...Well, I do! Here is why!
Sweet girl the hands you discovered today will be the hands that hold your first crayon.
Those hands will hold my hands as I walk you down the hall to your first day of school.
Those hands will brush your long hair behind your ears.
Those hands will help you write your first story.
Those hands will hold hands with a boy for the first time.
Those hands will sweat and tremble as you are nervous about a performance.
Those hands will get many manicures on mommy daughter days!
Those hands will hold your steering wheel for the first time as a sixteen year old.
Those hands will shake hands with your principal and hold your high school diploma.
Those hands will hold the hand of your preacher as you are being baptized.
Those hands will hold Daddy's hands as he walk you down the isle.
Those hands will rub your belly when you are expecting your own baby.
Those hands will hold your precious baby for the first time.
Those hands will rub my shoulders and hold my hands when i am an old lady.
Those hands will forever be your precious tools...so yes, baby girl, you discovered something very precious today. The hands God gave you.
I love you!

Please don't change...

Chloe,
Please don't change. Please don't lose your innocence. Please stay the little girl who dances in the pool and sings. It makes me smile! I just want to capture this time and hold on to it forever! Since I can't do that, I videotaped you without you knowing so I can always have this memory.
love,
Mommy


P.S. Where did you get those moves?

Rabbit Food!

Dear Mommy and Daddy,
Please leave the carrot eating to the rabbits and not me! I would like to have green beans, peas, sweet potatoes, and squash! Thank you.
Love, Trinity Grace

Sleepy Girl!

This is Trinity's new favorite way to fall asleep!

Mothers Day 2009

This morning I woke up to Chloe Marie and Trinity Grace. Chloe wanted to watch cartoons and Trinity wanted to eat (how dare her!). I turned on the toons for Choe and made Trin-trin a bottle. All three of us were all cozy in my bed. I loved every minute of it. I am so thankful that God has blessed me with these precious little girls. I am completley, head over heels, crazy about them. I am also thankful to my husband, Curt. He is such a wonderful daddy and husband. Without him, I would not have my babies. He gives me the strength and courage to be the mom I am to my girlies, the teacher I am to my students, and the wife I am to him. He is a gift from God. It is truly a blessing to my life to know that I get to raise two strong girls to know Christ with Curt. We may not have it all together, but together we have it all!


I am also incredibly grateful to God that I was able to spend Mothers day with my mom this year. She has been very sick and there were times that I did not think she would be with us much longer. By God's grace, she is still here and doing great. I have several friends who had to spend this mothers day missing thier moms. It makes me sad to see friends go through that pain. Mom, I love you and am so thankful for you. You are a caring, loving, helpful, thoughtful, God fearing mom, and one awesome Mimi! I love you. Happy Mothers Day!

The Wishing Well

Every time we take Chloe to Alldredge Gardens to look at plants, she has to throw money in the fountain. Tonight I gave her some pennies and listened to her wishes...
1. I wish for a baby brother
2. I wish for a princess hairbrush
3. I wish for a princes hairbrush again
4. I wish for real money like momma has
5. I wish for lots of curls in my hair
6. I wish for three boys and three girls...(i hope she doesn't think I'm poppin' em out!)
7. I wish for one more thing

At this point she ran out of pennies...thank goodness, I was afraid she was going to wish i was octomom!!

Dance Recital~

Saturday was the big day! Chloe had her dance recital. She has been very excited about the big event. The event theme was the circus. For her tap dance she is dressed as a monkey and for her ballet dance she wears a beautiful purple and white tutu. She makes such a cute monkey and beautiful ballerina. We decided as a class to make a day of it! At 1:30 we met at the Mona Lisa Salon. Mona is the mom of sweet Abby. Mona did all of the girls' hair in curls and the moms did the make-up! Chloe loves getting all dolled up! After the salon experience, we headed to the MHS auditorium. I am a room mom, so had to work backstage. That was crazy! It is hard to keep 13 four year olds occupied for 2.5 hours! They wanted to eat, teetee, color, teetee, eat, and teetee! It was busy! There is a reason that I am a fifth grade teacher and not pre-k! Chloe did so good on her dances. We are so proud of her.

Princess Hair

Chloe was born with...lets just say....not the best hair! Her hair is kind of curly, kind of straight, frizzy, shiny, and crazy in the mornings! Crazy may be an understatement. The only way for hair to look good is for us to blow dry it with a round brush or scrunch it to make it curly. I love her hair, but I know that if it stays this way, there are going to be many tears when she hits junior high! About two years ago she started taking vitamins everyday hoping that they would make her hair "long like a princess". Chloe's hair does not grow fast at all. Last year, her summer camp teacher would lay next to her during nap time and play with her hair because Chloe refused to go to sleep. Chloe would tell Ms. Claudia all about how her vitamins will make her hair long like a princess. On the last day of summer camp, Ms. Claudia gave her a big hug and said "I will miss you Chloe and I bet that the next time I see you, your hair will be long like a princess!" Chloe got a huge grin on her face and said "Reeealy?"! As I dried her hair yesterday it seemed so long! She was so excited to see her hair is growing and shiny and pretty. It made her day! So, of course, I took pictures!

Hanging out at home!

This is what I saw when I walked into my room on Saturday morning! I love to be at home and see both of my girls hanging out together! They were holding hands and watching Noggin!