Congratulations!!

Another baby will be in our midst in February!! I would love to say I'm going to be an aunt again, but instead, Carla, my oldest friend in the world, called me this past week to say she is expecting again! Yeah! We had our first babies exactly two weeks apart and now our second children will be very close in age, too. I wish her the best of luck with her pregnancy and pray for safe arrival and healthy delivery. We're so excited for you!!

My Sweet Boy

Despite his spunkiness yesterday and getting out of his toddler bed about 8 times and nearly driving me crazy, my sweet little boy fell asleep with his best friend in the world, Teddy.

My Summer Project

Before

After

Since the new baby will be bunking with big brother, there's no need to redecorate a nursery. So, instead, to fulfill my need to do some painting and fixing up, I changed my bathroom! I just redid it two summers ago when I was pregnant with Bennett (must be a pregnancy itch??). I thought I'd go out on a limb and try something different with colors I wouldn't normally pick. Hmm . . . didn't work out so well. I didn't like it right after I did it, but managed to hang on for two years before making a change. I went all out! I finally got around to changing the old-fashioned looking hardware to some nice silver handles and even got a new toilet seat with silver hinges. It's hard to tell in the picture, but the walls are a pretty mocha brown. My whole house is done in tans and neutrals, but I guess that's what I like! And no, I was not climbing on ladders to complete this project--my mother-in-law came yesterday to finish the parts I couldn't get to. Thanks, Diane! Although, I swear, my balance is fine :-) I'm really liking the new look and hopefully this will stay for at least two years until I get another crazy idea!

Our Night Out

On our night out, Ryan and I headed out for dinner to a great restaurant on the river. The view was beautiful! It was a gorgeous night and everyone had the same idea--sitting on the deck. So, sadly, we were inside, but enjoyed the meal and our time alone! After then, the excitement continued with a trip to the grocery store--I know, you're all jealous :-) When we got home, I got a second coat of clear finish on Bennett's dresser and then headed to the backyard for a fire. Ryan and his dad got our big tree cut down and we have a big stump to get rid of. So, we started a fire on and around it--perfect night to be out by the fire! Ryan's sister, Kristin, who was our babysitter for the evening, stayed to join us. Good conversation, beautiful weather, and a perfect fire--what more could you ask for??

My Saturday

For some reason, I was feeling really ambitious today--it must be the air conditioner that we finally turned on yesterday! This morning, I scrubbed and cleaned my refrigerator, cleaned the house, did a load of Bennett's laundry, washed my comforter, scrubbed Bennett's high chair cover and finally . . .

I sanded and stained Bennett's new dresser! Since we purchased him a new toddler bed, his dresser no longer matches it. So, Bennett will get the new dresser and the baby will get Bennett's current dresser. Two more coats of a clear finish and it will be all done! After all that work today, my husband is taking me out to dinner :-)

Saturday Sand

Before it got too hot today, Bennett and I headed out to play in the sand box. He's getting really good at scooping the sand into his pail. And then, his favorite part is dumping it in his lap! Did I ever tell you he likes to put just about anything on his head???

Cooling Off!

Weather here lately has been beautiful--but very hot and humid! So, Bennett took a dip in his froggie pool to cool off!

Fishing Fun!

Today was the perfect day! We left the house around 8:30 to head out to the river to do some fishing. It was about 74 degrees and sunny, with just a slight breeze. We loaded up the boat, put on Bennett's life jacket, and away we went!

Mommy and Bennett were fishing together. We caught a few right away.

Bennett enjoyed listening to the fish jump and the birds sing. He really seems to love to be outdoors!

Giving a mooch to one of the fish we caught!

To keep himself occupied in the boat, Bennett dumped out all the nightcrawlers and played with them to keep them company :-)

Checking out all the fish we caught as they splashed around in the livewell. We brought 25 blue gills and sunfish home with us--enough for supper and about 3 more meals!

All in all, it was a succusful day out on the river! The weather was beautiful and we had a blast together! I can't wait until we can go again!

I'm Done!

It doesn't quite seem real--the school year is finally over! Know how I spent my first two days of vacation? Working! I am in the process of moving into a different classroom. Yesterday, I spent several hours making trips up and down the hall getting things moved. More importantly, I worked on getting my drawers and cupboards organized. With the momentum from yesterday, I headed back in this morning and got all that I could get done. Now, it's up to the custodians to move furniture and heavy boxes. Then, I'll be back at it! Who says teachers get three months off?

I was a long, emotional week, and I'm glad to see it end. On Tuesday, it all began with a staff meeting where we began to say good bye to the 26 staff members heading mostly to the new school opening this fall--3 of which are my close and personal team members and friends who helped me get my job and supported me through my first two years. One of these people became a very close friend who I will miss terribly and am so sad to see her expertise and knowledge move away. On Wednesday, I had an upsetting meeting with my principal--details of which I won't get into, but let's just say that I am ready for a new team, a new group of kids, a new classroom, and a fresh start next year. On Thursday, we began our day with our end of the year assembly in which we said our formal good byes to our staff and it was incredibly difficult. Afterwards, the kids were all giving me hugs as they noticed I was having a tough time. Their compassion and love only made me cry more! Then, I had several girls begin crying as they realized that they were no longer go to be in the same school next year--emotional for everyone. But, I did not cry as I put my kids on the bus one final time and waved as the buses pulled away. Despite all the turbulent times these past two years, I am amazed at the success my students have achieved! Many of them are reading way beyond grade level, their spelling is great, and their writing has grown by leaps and bounds! Once again, I was a little disappointed by the lack of gratitude on the part of my families. I created a two year long video for the children as their end-of-the-year gifts. I got one thank you from a parent, although one of my students said it made her cry and one little boy said he had watched it 8 times--that is my thank you. I received 3 thank you cards/gifts on the last day--kind of sad for all the work I did, but as my husband reminded me--we don't do this job for the gifts. I know, but it's nice to know people appreciate how much we do. But this year is done. It's time to start looking ahead to next year. I will be working with 2 new people this year, we are implementing a brand new reading curriculum, and we are already looking at class sizes of 20-22 (and summer is just beginning!). We are keeping our fingers crossed that if we get to 25, they will open another section. Oh, did I mention that I will be going on maternity leave during the first six weeks of school and I still don't know who my sub will be?

Tomorrow, I will leave that all behind and head out to the river to fish with my husband and son and enjoy the beautiful weather--and maybe get a few days of rest before the custodians call to say everything is moved and I can continue to unpack :-) Happy summer!

Success!

Today, Grandma R and I needed to put Bennett down for his afternoon nap. When I said "nap" to him, he went right over and pointed to his toddler bed so I thought, "why not?" We laid him down, said good night, and left the room, making sure the door was open just a little so we could watch if he escaped. But, can you believe it! The little turkey never got out once and fell right to sleep in his new big boy bed. When he woke up, he attempted to crawl out, got stuck, and cried for help. I felt so good about our afternoon adventure, I thought I'd push my luck and try again for bedtime. After hearing him get out about five different times and went into his room to find him playing, I decided to be satisfied with the nap and put him back in his crib!

In Need of Practice!

Bennett is certainly being an independent little man. He will no longer let us help him eat his food and always wants to use a fork or spoon by himself. So, to help foster his growth and independence, we allow him to do it by himself. This is what we get!

Aren't I Handsome?

Here are a few pictures of Bennett with his new do as he was getting ready for bed. My parents saw him tonight, and my mom couldn't get over how handsome and old he looked! Granted, he just took a bath and didn't have food smeared on his face or rubbed in his hair, but I think he looks adorable!

So What Am I Up To?

The end is finally in sight! Only 8 days of school left :-) I'm not at all counting down the days when I say good-bye to my sweet first graders--okay, maybe a little because it has been NUTS the last few weeks! So, here's what I've been busy and stressed out doing--

1. End of the year assessments. It's so fun to see the progress, but they are time-consuming.

2. Running records. These measure the student's current reading level. Most of my students surpassed the expected level H. I have kids at K, M, N, Q, and R--success! But the higher level you go, the stories get longer . . . and longer . . . and longer . . . get the picture?

3. Report cards and entering all my data into the database.

4. Taking my things off the walls.

5. Packing up my belongings as I am headed to a new room next year--yahoo! It's much bigger!

6. Making the kids their end of the year gifts--a movie of pictures from last year and this, complete with music and accompanied by hand-written personalized notes for all 17 kids!

7. Homework. I am taking a 3 credit class in which I have to read 2 books and resources and answer questions.

8. Purchasing and wrapping gifts and making cards for our teachers and classroom volunteers.

9. Planning fun theme days for this week.

10. Dealing with the nonstop chatter and talking and goofing and laughing of 7 year olds who are ready to be done!

What are you up to these days?

My First Haircut

This weekend, we noticed that Bennett's hair was getting a little shaggy. So, we took him outside, Daddy plugged in his shaver, and away we went! At first, Bennett giggled a lot because the shaver vibrates and must have felt funny on his head. But by the end of it all, Bennett was a well-shaven, clean cut boy!