Pet Turtles

Noah and Ally got pet turtles this past weekend. ...I'm already wishing they hadn't. I am really hoping that these don't turn out like our pets in the past. The poor kids can't keep a pet! :) We have bought 3 dogs since Ally was born and they were either sold or given away because we realized that none of us gave them the attention that they needed. The kids promised to, in the beginning, and then the dogs either jumped on them and scratched them, which they couldn't handle, or they just lost interest. Anyway, I was talked into getting Noah some sort of pet because he keeps trying to make bugs and worms a part of our family. We started out thinking that we would get them each a tiny turtle, a little aquarium and setup for about $20 a piece. Wrong! We found out that it's illegal to sell turtles smaller than 4" in Alabama. The 4" ones were $20 each, just for the turtle, but no one had any left. We finally found one place that had 3, but they were $30 each! So, two 4-5" turtles, and an aquarium. Then we went to buy rocks and things for the aquarium, and found out that turtles must have complete water for swimming and complete dry land for basking. We finally found a way to slope the rocks to make both. After talking with a pet store employee, we also found out that they need a heat lamp andUVB lighting! Ugh! Oh, and the original aquarium that we bought did not have a pump, so we returned it and got one that does. I forgot to mentioned that after we bought them, we found out why it's illegal to sell them smaller than 4". Turtles can carry and transmit salmonella! Yay! :( ...and my biggest concern was somehow killing the turtle!!? Well, the aquarium has been set up, a swimming pool and tanning salon added, and we've found that the pump does not reach the water! By the way, "Charlie" and "Trixie Ann" were purchased by Ally and Noah with their own money and the help of their Grammi (who also bought the aquarium kit). So, it's a little harder to give up on these pets! I will keep you updated on their survival in the Gentry home. Just please pray with me that Charlie and Trixie Ann don't ever become parents!

I will post a picture of them later.

Ally and I went out this past weekend to look for some new locations to take pictures. She is my little model. :) I don't have to tell her much. In fact, she kept pointing out spots and poses, and I pretty much just followed her around while she went from pose to pose. :) I have a feeling that someday, she and I will be shooting together. Maybe Noah will model for us. LOL!

New job

Some of you may know this.  Some of you may not.  I recently traded being a bank teller (which I have been on and off for about 7 years now) for being a teacher!  I love it!  I will be teaching pre-k 4-year-olds this fall at a christian school very close to my home.  Noah will be attending the school there, and possibly even Ally.  For now, I am teaching the arts/crafts for the summer daycare there.  Love that too! :)

Although I am working everyday now, instead of just 2 days a week, I am off by noon!  The kids are there, and I even get to see them most of the morning.  This job is such an answer to prayer!

My sweet Noah

I want to make sure that all friends and family know that our little Noah is safe and sound! Sadly, there was a young boy, also named Noah Gentry, who died in a drowning accident yesterday in Decatur. My heart goes out to the parents and family of this boy. He had just graduated from kindergarten, like Ally. His family and friends are in my prayers.

I am so thankful for my sweet Noah!!

Two years ago, my little four-year-old begged to have her long, beautiful hair cut short.  I really hated to do it, but her daddy and I finally gave in.  She instantly looked much older!  Although it was very cute, I felt like I had lost my little girl with just a hair cut.  It grew to be quite long again, as you can see in the graduation pictures posted earlier.  Well, my little Ally Grace has

 been begging again to cut it short.  I remembered what this did to me two years ago, and told her no.  Somehow she was able to talk us into this yet again, and since I wasn't about to let her chop it off before her kindergarten graduation, we took her two days later and here are the results.

Ally's graduation

Ally has graduated!  :(    Now, she has one more day to make up from the whole swine flu thing, and she will be done with kindergarten!  Where did the year go?  I am so glad that I was able to have lunch with Ally and her class occassionally and also help in the classroom a few times.  Mrs. Powell was great!  Ally loved her, (well, still does!) :)  and I don't think that her first year could have gone any better!  Thank you so much, Mrs. Powell!!!

Mrs. Powell's kindergarten class 

getting her diploma

the class clowns :)

Ally stayed up until after midnight finishing the book that she wrote and illustrated for Mrs. Powell.  "Oh Beary!"  It was a pretty good story!

Ally also gave her a Willow Tree 'Angel of Learning'.

Here is Ally & Mrs. Powell reading "My Tooth Ith Loothe!"

I have a feeling that Noah's clip will spend a lot of time on the red sign when he starts school!

One more day

Tomorrow is the big day! Ally graduates in the morning and I am still not ready for it! I guess I will just have to take lots of pictures and video.