Let It Snow!!!

It really happened! I can't believe it, I am actually in awe! It snowed in SWLA (Southwest Louisiana)!!! Well this phenomenon of snow is not something new to the natives; I was informed that it snowed quite regularly in their childhoods and they would sled using things like trashcan lids, cardboard boxes, and anything else with a smooth surface that could go down a hill! It reminded me of winters at home in MD and doing the same things in the snow. But as I have been here for a little over 3 years, I have yet to experience this event...until today!

It snowed last night and in preparation for their wintery event, schools were informed that they would be closed on Friday; so Thursday afternoon as the announcement was made, cheers rang out school-wide and made me laugh to myself in my empty classroom. The pure joys of childhood does get me at times :). I, on the other hand, sneered at the thought of the entire parish shutting down for what would be considered flurries up North and thought everyone was seriously overreacting. But I guess the thought of something occuring that hasnt in 3 yrs at minimum could do that to a town.

So we all waited and last night as the temps dropped and the sleet mixture started, I saw no accumulation of snow. However, my friends to the North in Leesville had already begun experiencing their "snowstorm" and posting FB pics! I was now convinced that it was all just another overblown weather forecast. But when I awoke, to my surprise there was a blanket pf snow covering the town! I actually snowed...

My snow accumulation the evening before!

I'm sure it was only 1/4" at maximum, but it was snow. And I took advantage of it by taking out the boys (Rah of whom doesn't remember being in significant snow even though he has) and having some family winter fun!

Rah standing with the neighborhood snowman

Rah makes his first snow angel!

 

Ski pants, boots, and mittens w/ strings!

Rah and mommy

Add caption

My snow angel!

Rah's 1st attempt at a snowball

Add caption

Garr finally decided to come out and play!

My boys!

Garr's snowball...

Rah after getting hit by Garr's snowballs! HA

All smiles!

Me & my babies

It's the End of the Year

It's the end of the year and I must say it has been quite an eventful one. And as such, this year we have decided to remain in LA for the holidays (even though up until now I'm considering options for a getaway). I can't seem to stay still for long.

I was offered a full-time staff position in my dream classroom, both Garr and Rah enjoyed an organized sport and we're quite the athletes, we got to experience a wonderful Bahamian vacation, and Daddy Swann is embarking on his new career goals and was recently offered the career opportunity he'd been waiting on all year!

I have no doubt that 2014 is going to be even more of a whirlwind; a stress-filled, love-laden, bunch of experiences that when in the moment appear totally overwhelming and all-consuming, but in hind-sight, nothing more than ...life.

Here's to 2014 and all of the obstacles and achievements it has to offer. I'm prepared...

The Child, The Teen, & The Parents

Not quite 2 months since my last my last blog but these kids have been keeping me quite busy. Football season has officially come to an end for both boys and sadly enough no playoffs in sight for either the DJHS Dragons or the Swamp Dragons (well I guess I'm not too sad 'cause I actually get to sleep in at least THIS Saturday). Both Garr and Rah also made honor roll with straight A's and B's and are doing well academically, as for behaviorally....well they are my sons and well I guess genetically inclined to be impulsive (and that's not generally good for overall classroom management). Hopefully, Rah will mellow out as he ages as Garr has done but needless to say it doesn't end with the addition of the teenage factor.

Go, Garrett!!!

Yay, Robert!!!

In between all of the weekly practices and weekend games there was a Masquerade Ball, Fair Day Festivities, Fall School Festivals & Halloween (all of which we simply enjoyed in full Swann Style)!

So now, all caught up until the holidays...

Masquerade Collage

I like the hubby in his tux!

 

Fair Day Parade

Fair Day Animals

Fair Day Rides

Tired Parents

My Church Boys

Mr. & Mrs. Swann

Mamma and her babies

Fall Festival Games

Halloween Horrors

Goulish Garr

Rah went as an ethnic modernized Chucky Doll!

 

Happy Halloween 2013

From Swamp Dragons to Just Plain Ole' Dragons

Garrett is on the field now and in his element! Both of my boys are playing football and both are cornerbacks (hilarious). But as Rah is playing for the community based DeRidder Youth Football League, Garrett is playing for the school and as all the city of DeRidder schools carry the same mascot he is a Dragon, of course. In elementary they are "Baby Dragons" and in Junior High School the Dragon changes a bit to look more "adolescent like" and the full-blown Dragons are represented by the one and only  DeRidder HS.

Garrett plays for DeRidder Junior High School and is #8. He told me he wanted to play on Friday, so I got him a sports physical on Monday, and he started in his first game that Tuesday.

They ended up losing that first one and he was a bit disappointed but he made up for it in the next game which was a win! Check out the videos below. But it was short lived as the loss their next game, sadly of which he made two bad plays that could have helped the team squeeze out a win (according to him) I didn't make that game as it was in Alexandria and over an hr away. But he has two games scheduled for this week and I'll surely be at both!!

 

So wish him luck and a phenomenal season along with continued success with his grades as he made all A's and B's on his Progress Report!!!

Way to Go, Garrett!!!

 

Go, Swamp Dragons!

2013 DeRidder Swamp Dragons

Robert is finally at the age to join little league and as we have decided to make DeRidder, LA our home for at least he next three years it is time to get him involved in community based sports just as Garrett played little league football, basketball, and baseball when we were in Upper Marlboro, MD (boy time surely flies). Darryl is simply elated at the fact that his boy is playing and is an active team dad helping out with all of the practices. Robert has practice Mon,Tue, and Thurs from 5:30-6:30 and his first game is slated for Sept 28th.

Cooling down after laps

Practicing hand-offs with daddy

Rah doing bear crawls

End of practice huddle

As Garr and Dae threw the ball around, Darryl and I couldn't help but reminisce about the years we spent together at Garret's practices when he was Robert's age and the comparisons are hilarious. Garrett was always doing something at practice - kicking dirt with his new cleats, picking weeds/flowers for mommy, and tackling on instinct (even though its flag) - Robert does exactly the same things, lol

Garr is having his sports physical tomorrow and hopefully he'll be back on the DeRidder Junior High School team, then I will have two athletes in the house and a whole bunch of carpooling and coordinating to do PLUS one super proud dad (even though he's first and foremost a Redskins fan)!!!!

We made this for Darryl for his b-day last yr; it now hangs on our door/balcony every football season

 

Sports Mom!!!

Check out these videos: