This is where I'd like to be right now...

Sisters Bakery... yum!

Garbage Day... ugh!

The alarm rings loudly... I'm still sleepy... just a few more minutes.

Down the stairs start the coffee, unload the dishwasher, start the breakfast sausages and then remember... it's garbage day. Honey is out of town, so it is all me.

Jeep and I head out and I grab a sweater... brrrrrrr

Down the loooooong driveway we go with my bad attitude, but as I pick my head up I notice the crisp, almost fall morning. A few leaves are blowing around, it's pretty quiet, except for a few birds in the trees. The morning smell is fabulous. The sun is shining.

As I head back up the looooooong driveway, I realize that I am smiling. It is a beautiful day... enjoy this day and hope for many more.

Wet

wet, wet, wet, wet!

No two ways about it... we were soaked.

Soccer practice in the rain makes for very happy kids. Something about running and laughing in it is just priceless.

They peeled off their wet clothes, found warm sweats, ate, and retreated to their beds... very sleep kids.

I love rain! (but only every once in awhile... have you seen what a 130lb dog with wet paws can do to hard wood floors... yikes!)

Ewwwww

Don't adjust your screen... what you are seeing is real... Pepe actually let Jeep lick his feet clean... ewwww, gross... and then mama made him wash his feet and told him all 101 reasons why that was not a good idea... boys... dogs... ugh!

First Day, again

This time it was my first day of school. I am a teacher and I am starting my 4th year teaching preK! I love it. I met all of my students quickly on Friday during our class visits, but I am always a tad nervous as I open the door on the first day... will I handle myself well, will I connect with my students, will I connect with my families, will they cry, will I cry?

The day was beautiful... it was a short day and many parents stayed with helps to ease the transition to school... was it just a "honeymoon" period, or are they angels? Only time will tell, but I like to think they are angels.

This year is bitter sweet... I'm in the last year of my masters program and I get to do some research and use my students; which is very exciting. This is also my last year teaching at the preschool; which is hard. It will be time in my life and the life of my family to move forward. My goal... to make this the best preK year EVER.

Today I get my students BY MYSELF! Should prove to be fun, hectic and I predict... rewarding.

Picture Day

It is picture day at school for the boys ... baby girl will have her turn next week.

Monday... and picture day... yikes!

Good thing the school called yesterday with a reminder. It really was a good thing, I had completely forgotten.

So, before bed the boys picked out their picture shirt... "You know it doesn't matter what pants/shorts you wear because you can't see them anyway." Smart boys.

With the price of these pictures they better be fabulous!

Happy Monday... today I start my teaching year with a room full of excited kiddos!

Makes me Smile!

She is 6 years old already and I can't believe it! She is a great kid... independent, creative, energetic, engaging, silly, serious, loving, sweet, stubborn, etc.

We spent some time at the local Children's Museum a few weeks ago and I had so much fun watching her play. We've been coming her since she was a tiny newborn. She has changed so much, but what I really love is that no matter where we go, she can find fun. I love that about her.

My little, tall 6-year-old Kindergartner... what a blessing!

Happy Birthday x2

What could be better than celebrating a birthday?

Celebrating 2 birthdays -- Daddy/Daughter birthday celebration! Joe and Baby Girl's birthdays are back-to-back (Baby Girl missed Daddy's day by 4 hours).

I am so impressed with both of these special people and so grateful that they are both mine!

Happy Birthday Joe! Happy Birthday Baby Girl! I love you both :)