Banana is 9yrs old!

Hannah Banana turned 9yrs old yesterday! I cannot believe how fast these past 9yrs have gone by. When I hold Mariah & look into her little face, I can't help but to remember when Banana was that small. Her & Mariah are similar in some ways already...they both LOVE to nurse!

So, last night we enjoyed a "buffet" of Chinese, cake, & ice cream with the McCoy family at home. Hannah just could not decide on a restaurant. So, take out it was! She was blessed with some great gifts. Seems the Webkinz was the winner this year...she got three of them! She has really gotten into stuffed animals that become virtual pets on-line.

This past year has been quite full for Ms Hannah. She is still attending Imagine (a charter public school), but has already decided to stay home again next Fall! Dance continues to be her favorite after-school activity...Ballet II & Jazz II this year. She joined the school's chorus in the Fall and is still enjoying it. I'm looking forward to their Spring concert. Hopefully before the season is over, I can take her to a FSU women's basketball game. Want her to experience something new & perhaps she may want to play ;) She is already 5ft tall & growing!

Hannah's First Chorus Performance

That's right.....Hannah Banana is in the school's choir! She eagerly joined back in September. They have after school rehearsal once a week and we finally got to witness all her hard work. The school had its first performance of the year this week. Hannah complained about having to stand in the back. I tried to explain to her that it was because she is soooo tall & the tall kids are always in the back. She wasn't feelin being pinned between all the boys and it showed all over face. She refused to smile the entire performance. However, they did quite well. The McCoy family and Ms Tina came out to support her. She was very happy to see Ms Tina. Unfortunately, they haven't been able to spend much time together with our new hectic schedule. Of course in Banana fashion, she wouldn't allow me to get a "good" picture. Leonard & I are very happy to see her thriving at her new school. She brings up homeschool about once a week, but overall doing well.

And the Winner is..........

...STUDENT OF THE WEEK
"Congratulations to Hannah Huff, our Student of the Week! Hannah is currently in Level II classes and was nominated by her teachers because of her polite manners, her willingness to learn and improve and her initiative and drive. We've loved watching you grow, Hannah. Congratulations - we're so proud of you!" - The Performing Arts Center of Tallahassee www.pactdance.com

Hannah is currently in her 5th season at PACT.
She is taking Ballet II & Jazz II.
Leonard & I are very proud of her and are very excited about her achievement.

This is her at the last annual performance with her teachers,
Ms Carly & Ms Robyn.
This year she has two new teachers and
really getting into the valuable techniques of dance.

1st week down....

The first week of school....done! This past week took the TLH Huffs by storm. We were no way ready to be getting up at 0545 every single day. Hannah & Amari jumped out of bed the first day, but each day following became a chore.....for me of course. So, we are up at 0545 and out the house by 0620 to catch the bus by 0640. "Lord, send help" as my dear friend Tina would say. We are truly NOT morning people, but we shall press on.

Sarah cried ALL day Monday and ran around the house looking for her sister & brother. I was soooo tired after working all night that I just could not fester enough energy to entertain her. However, each day got better as we kept busy. She was truly excited to try on her very first pair of ballet slippers and tap shoes! I took her all by herself to Head Over Heals off Lake Ella. We are frequent patrons there as Hannah needs new dance shoes at least 2-3 times a season. However, this time was Sarah's turn! She is taking pre-primary ballet & tap on Wednesdays. The studio was over crowded with 3 & 4 yr olds, but we found our way to studio #2. She clutched to my leg as we stood in line to enter the class. We were both very pleased to find out her teacher would be Ms Robyn (she also taught Hannah & we know her well). Sarah then realized that she had to go in all by herself....no more "Mommy & Me." She broke down into tears & begged me to come with her, but Ms Robyn to the rescue. I stayed & watcher her on the tv. She did well & came out very excited!



Hannah's week was also very full. She started a new school & a her 5th season of dance at PACT. She is only taking Ballet II & Jazz II this season. Going to take it easy with all the new adjustments going on.



Amari survived his first week of school as a TLH Huff. No after school activities for him just yet. He hasn't decided what or if he wants to do anything. He's slowly easing from his shell daily & spending alot more time outside with Hannah and the other neighborhood kids. He loves his new roller skates that Grandma Florene sent him. We did hit a speed bump Thursday night when he refused to do his reading with his dad. I let Leonard handle it. I pray that he continues to adjust and thrives.

Summer Ending...and New Beginnings!

The Summer is coming to an end and the Tallahassee Huffs are embarking on a new journey. So many new things to report...I don't know where to start. So, I'm going to start with the MOST exciting news.....The TLH Huffs will be welcoming a new edition this winter! I am 19wks pregnant and due January 13, 2010. The girls are overjoyed and amazed with my ever changing body. They have been very inquisitive and of course Mommy has encouraged them. Our Midwife loaned Sarah a great book about a baby being born. She now knows all about placentas, amniotic fluid, and umbilical cords. It's too funny to hear her and Hannah discussing the impending birth. Hannah has already proclaimed that she will be delivering the baby and Sarah wants to cut "the cord." We are all very excited. I have my 20wk ultrasound this week. Leonard would like to find out the sex, but I'm not sure if I want to. Stay tuned to find out! ;)

Baby Huff will the be our 2nd newest edition. A few weeks ago Leonard's son, Amari, came to live with us from Detroit. He calls Tallahassee "the country." I guess it is compared to the Big "D"! He is a little shy, but coming more out of his shell daily The girls have enjoyed him being here. Sarah is literally attached to his hip most of the day. Yes, you have counted correctly....The TLH Huffs will be a family of SIX this winter!


Unfortunately with all these changes and new beginnings, we have had to say goodbye to homeschooling for now. :( Both Hannah & I are very sad to see her go back to school. Yet, we had a great time last year with tons of pics to prove it! The first day of school is today. She will be attending a new charter school here called Imagine @ Evening Rose. The majority of the student there were previously home schooled. So, hopefully she will embrace this opportunity and enjoy it. However, I did tell her if she gave it her honest best and didn't like it, she didn't have to continue. Please say a prayer for us....I think this is going to be a pretty rough week.

So, it will just be Sarah & I at home...until Baby Huff's arrival. I'm sure she will be keep me busy with Story time at the library, pre-school gymnastics, dance, and play dates.

Tanashia

Music, Magic, & Make Believe

In June, Hannah preformed in her 4th annual end of season dance recital. This year was her first time being in the "big show" on Friday night! The show was amazing. All of the dancers did a great job. Leonard & I were very proud of Hannah & all her hard work this dance season.

She had three performances.....Hip-Hop Jrs, Ballet II, and Jazz II. She was very excited to be in the "big show," but missed being with her friend Kennedy. Unfortunately, Kennedy wont be in the "big show" for another season. So, the TLH Huffs are preparing for another season of dance that starts next month. Yet, this time Ms Sarah will be hitting the stage too! That's right...she is 3 yrs old and old enought to dance! She will be taking pre-primary ballet and tap. Do they make tap shoes that small?!?!?

Hannah's HomeSchool Update

I cannot believe that it is April already! Where has the time gone? The girls have been staying busy with all their activities....especially Hannah Banana! Her annual end of the year dance recital is approaching. We got a sneak peak at the costumes last week...very interesting. I am in love with her ballet one. She is in love with her jazz one. And we both are questioning the hip-hop one. Stay tuned for pics!

She has decided that she definitely wants to audition for the Company. Auditions are on the 19th! I think this audition will either "make or break" her dream of being a dancer. She is loosing interest. Leonard is willing to let her just stop. I was thinking, "what if Alicia Keys' mom just let her stop when she just got a little discouraged at 8yrs of age?" I only wish my mom was firm with me and didn't let me give up playing the piano or clarinet...I was actually pretty good...not to toot my own horn! ;)

She has actually become quite interested in science and health. Hmmmm....wonder where she gets that from? The Jr Museum has an exhibit on the history of health care in Florida. We both learned ALOT! I was quite pleased with all the information that they had about African-American midwives in Florida....a little passion of my own! Hannah has already began planning her own home births. She asked me why didn't I have my babies at home?!? For a moment I thought I was rearing a midwife, but she quickly shattered that for me. She has declared that she is going to Engineering School! She sooo didn't get that from me! :)

HomeSchooling has been pretty amazing and we are still enjoying it. We have been blessed to have friends that are enjoying the same journey. In February, Adrienne and I took the girls to FAMU's campus to visit the Black Archives. It was an amazing experience. I broke the rules and pulled out the camera. In all honesty, I didn't know that I couldn't take pictures. Yet, I got a few in before Adrienne pointed out the sign.

We are looking forward to the Spring's warm weather and new adventures! Shot out to Melody...thanks for the on-line resources!

Alvin Ailey

Thursday night, Feb 19th, Hannah and I stepped out into the bright lights of downtown Atlanta. The weather was frigid & us Florida girls were not prepared. Yet, the anticipation of being a part of Alvin Ailey's 50th celebration kept us warm! That's right...Hannah & I enjoyed 2 1/2 hrs of the world's best dancers in Atlanta's infamous Fox Theater! Great orchestra seats and the company of Grandma Florene and we were two happy campers. We were all amazed! Hannah leaned over and whispered into my ear half way thru the show, "Mommy, I want to dance like that." Jack pot! Mission accomplished!

Meals on Wheels

On January 20, 2009, the girls & I watched in amazement as Barack Obama was inaugurated the first black President of the United States of America. He called for ALL Americans to help him usher in a new a day in America...a "change." Hannah asked me, "what can we do to help?" I told her that we could do ANYthing she wanted to do.

During the past couple of years she has come to enjoy the American Doll collection. The collection includes many historical dolls from different eras in America's history. Each doll has its own series of books...to encourage reading! Hannah's first doll, Addy, is a young slave girl who escapes to freedom with her mother. Hannah learns how Addy and her Momma struggle with their new freedom because they don't have any money. However, God blesses them with friends who help them. Another story that Hannah enjoys is that of Kitt. Kitt is coming of age during the Great Depression. Her wealthy family looses almost everything, her dad has to leave town to find work, and her mom takes in boarders to help out. Kitt & her classmates volunteer in a "soup kitchen" to help. Where is all this going? Well, that's what Hannah wants to do. She wants to be a friend to someone in need and provide food for the less fortunate.

With that said, I promptly "googled" volunteer work in the Big Bend. Hannah continued to remind me exactly what she wanted to do. FYI...there are several great volunteer opportunities in our area. As I scrolled thru pages and pages of organizations, I came across Elder Care Service. http://www.ecsbigbend.org/ I remembered doing a couple of Meals on Wheels routes in Nursing School. Jack Pot! We filled out the application on-line and within hours received a phone call. That was it! The TLH Huffs had adopted a Meals on Wheels route. Every Tuesday morning the girls & I pick up meals from the Elder Care Service and deliver them to 11 elderly people. The women enjoy seeing the girls & the girls are starting to warm up to them...Sarah more so than Hannah, but she working on it. Even after her birthday sleepover, her gal pals accompanied us...they all enjoyed it as well.

http://www.mowaa.org/Page.aspx?pid=183

Banana is 8 yrs old!

Florida's Endagered Animals...by Hannah

Yesterday we went to the Jr Museum. We learned about endangered animals in Florida. We saw a gopher tortoise and an Indigo snake. The tortoise is endangered because people are destroying their habitats. A habitat is its home. The Gopher tortoise burrows into soft sand. Its burrow provides shelter for other animals like the Indigo snakes. People are shooting animals and running them over with their cars & bikes. My friends, Trinity & Kennedy, and I are doing projects on endangered animals in Florida. I am doing mine on the Whooping Crane. Trinity is doing the Manatee and Kennedy is doing the Florida Panther. Love, Hannah

December HomeSchool Update

The Fall of 2008 has come and gone. We are four months into our HomeSchool adventure now. The girls continue to thrive and enjoy being home. We all have learned alot through this great experience. Most importantly, the girls have a desire to learn! The primary focus these past few months has been reading and math. With the new year approaching and cooler days, I think that we will be spending more time outside and incorporating more Science. There are so many resources here in North Florida. One is the St Marks Wildlife Refuge. It is a favorite of Leonard's. He tries to get out there every chance he gets. He loves bird watching and fishing. Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to venture out with him in years! Well, I was blessed with another Friday night off this week. So, on Saturday morning we all drove down to St Marks for one of their Families in Nature educational programs. The focus this month was on the Whooping Cranes. The girls learned about their migration here in an attempt to save them. Leonard says that there are only 70 left in the wild. Hannah made a "pizza" with all the toppings that a Whooping Crane would enjoy. Leonard was able to pull out his new binoculars that he received for Christmas and the weather was awesome (mid 70s)! The volunteers at the Refuge are awesome. They shared alot of educational material with me. I also learned that they offer free environmental education programs for children! We have been inspired to venture out into nature with the new year. Stay tuned,

Hannah & Fall Dance

This week was Hannah's fall parent observation day at dance. This is her fourth season. She is taking Ballet II, Jazz II, and Hip-Hop. That's three hours every week and three different pairs of dance shoes to keep up with! She continues to look more and more like a dancer every season.

Unfortunately, she did not make the cast for Alice in Wonderland. However, she is not broken. "Mommy, not everyone can be in the show," she said. Her instructor and dance director did recommend that she audition for the company. Being a part of the company would allow her more practice and attention to grow. Also, she would have more opportunity to perform on stage.

She enjoys sharing what she learns with Sarah after class. Some days she's not so excited about going to class. So, I have to keep on her and remind her that you just can't just give up...you have to work hard...hard work pays off every time! To keep her motivated, I am planning on taking her & Sarah to Atlanta in February for Hannah's birthday. The Alvin Ailey Company will be performing at the Fox Theater. I pray that seeing others like her dancing well will inspire her.

Living or Nonliving

Nonliving....bike


Living...Tiger (animal)

Living...Sarah (person)

Living....grass

Nonliving....chalk

Nonliving....shadow

The difference between living and nonliving things...living things need water, air, sun light, and nutrients to grow. Living things can also make other things like themselves. Yesterday, I used my Mom's camera to take pictures of nonliving and living things outside. Hannah

Hannah's Homeschool Update!

I went to the museum on Monday and we learned about skunks, owls, and bats. Skunks spray people for protection. Owls can turn their head "around and around." Bats come out in the night time.

Homeschool is fun! It's just like school and I have to do hard work. I enjoy being home with my family and we get to go to fun places.

Hannah

The Native Americans

Today I learned about Native Americans. And I saw how they dressed and killed animals. They killed rabbits for their fur to make clothing. I played with a bow and arrow and shot a wasp. They used the bows and arrows to hunt for animals. We played dress up in Native American clothing. I wore a skirt made of fur and played with dolls. They killed animals to eat their meat and make clothing from their fur. The used the animals' bones as tools too. People from other places came to their country and decided to stay and live there. Native Americans made their homes out of straw grass and weeds, but then learned from the new people how to make them out of wood. The women spent alot of time making baskets. They weaved baskets and then took the fur off coconuts and placed it around the baskets. They used baskets to collect fruit and berries. I had a really good day. And today was my first day of Hip Hop dance. I had a good time and enjoyed my class. :) Hannah

Hannah's Spring

Hannah has lost two more teeth...and another one is loose! Mommy has taken the role as the "tooth fairy" this time...no more $20 bills! She just finished her science fair project for the first grade..."To Salt or Not To Salt" - What effect does salt have on plant growth? Hoping for another first place prize this year! Now that her science fair project is complete, she can concentrate on getting her moves down for her annual dance recital this June. No tap this year...she is doing ballet, jazz, and acro. Looking forward to seeing how much she has learned this season. She continues to grow and amazes me and Leonard daily.

Hannah's Missing Teeth!

"So, You want to be on top?" - ANTM

Hannah loves her new dress...."Thanks, Grandma Florene!"

Hannah & Sarah striking a pose before jetting to the Palmer's for V-day dinner