Happenings....

This week has been a bit more keyed down than last week. Meghan started back up with her clarinet lessons (we do them privately as well as at school). Her tutor is also her band teacher and she says Meghan is doing great....she is ahead of the other clarinets and can even play the high note, most of the time (which is very hard!). Meghan also auditioned for a local children's choir and starts up with that on Tuesday. I am looking forward to seeing/hearing her performances.

Lily is having a great time in first grade! She has made many new friends and tries to call them at least once every other day. Needless to say, she is our social butterfly. Lily has also decided to try Girl Scouts and is excited b/c one of her new friends has signed up as well. She is excited to start in a brownie troop....I hope to hear something soon about it. So keep us in mind come cookie time....

Trey is adjusting better to daycare. I had written a letter to the director over some things I had seen when I had come to pick him up. She called me that day and we talked about it. She had gotten some new staff and hadn't done a training with them, but has said that my letter gave her a clearer picture of what she needed to make sure they had training on. I really love Ms. Katie and her devotion to all the children and making sure they get quality care and learning. It makes it easier to be apart from him knowing that. Trey's language is still unintelligible at times, but he does have some words quite clearly. I have emailed a local SLP (speech language pathologist) to discuss with her whether Trey might have a delay or it is just a two year old thing. I know I am probably being overly cautious, but this is something I don't want to wait until he is in kindergarten for.

Daniel and I are (I think) finally getting down a routine in the morning. I won't know what to think when we have three in school. My classroom keeps growing....I have 20 kids in the morning and only 12 in the afternoon. I am sure I will be getting more IEP kiddos in the PM as the year goes on. I really love my kids and have enjoyed getting to know each and every one of them. My assistant and I have finally gotten a routine down that we like for the AM and PM....hopefully by adding more kids, that won't change! Little ones don't like straying off course very much!

I know we are all looking forward to sleeping in for three mornings in a row!!!! :)

End of Summer Days!

Sorry for all the pictures....I couldn't get slide show to work for me today.

Last night, our church had a fun carnival, concert, and drive-in movie all set up...for FREE! It was called End of Summer Days and it was an outreach night for the community and was so much fun. It reminded me of the Fish Fry days the church used to have once upon a time, but better! The kids all played in the inflatables and Meghan and her friend, Meghan worked in the craft tent for a little while. We had a cheap meal (food was at cost) and I got to watch Lily dunk Pastor Chris, Uncle Roo (pic above), and Ms. Brenda! She did great! Trey sat and watched Uncle Roo get dunked many times! Our praise band did an awesome job performing and the stage looked very professional! I know they put in a lot of long hours/practice in preparation. After the concert, we had a "drive-in" movie set up to watch. Trey fell asleep about three quarters through the movie and I think both Lily and Meghan were asleep before we even got out of the church parking lot! It was a great night and lots of fun....and I think we had a great turn out from the community! I can't wait to do it again next year!

They Have Arrived!

Yesterday was my first day with kids at school. I have been doing home visits this past week (which I completed ALL of them!). I only had half my morning class show up, which turned out to be a good thing, b/c I would have probably pulled my hair out! My entire PM class came, but they were definitely more mature and did great! I had no cryers (that includes parents...believe me, it happens!)...well I did have one cry when it was time to leave...she didn't want to go home! I took that as a compliment! Overall, it was a good, but exhausting day. I will be glad when they know the routine!

Birthdays x 2!

Today was Pop Pop/Poppy/Dan's birthday (my FIL). We had him, Andy, Alyssa, the boys, Uncle Uncle Bill, and Uncle Jimmy over after church for a cookout birthday party. We also celebrated Jimmy's birthday which was Friday. It was fun to just hang out, especially since we aren't all together very often. Alyssa made a super yummy hash brown casserole and a chocolate mousse pie...I am still full (I didn't even eat supper tonight, I ate so much!). Daniel grilled out hot dogs, steak, and burgers. We had gone to the farmers market yesterday morning and got corn, but completely forgot to cook it!!! Oh well, we will just have to have everyone over again soon so we can eat it! We bought a dozen ears and I don't think my family alone can eat it all, even though the girls would try! Happy Birthday to Pop Pop/Poppy and Uncle Jimmy!

Bedtime Blues

For the past couple of weeks, Trey has been a real stinker about bedtime. He gets up multiple times after being put down for bed. I decided to ignore him last night as I sat watching the Olympics and folding laundry. He sat in the hallway with his motorcycle, his Blue Dog, and his tractor blanket. He just sat there, quietly playing. After a few minutes, I peeked around the couch and he was looking just like the picture above. Isn't he cute! I couldn't resist the taking his picture. You can't see Blue Dog very well b/c he is using it as a pillow!

Runaway Nose

This week has gone pretty well, minus daycare. Since I now have to be at work by 7:15, Daniel takes Trey to daycare. He also has to drop Lily off at the bus stop and take Meghan to a neighbor's house to wait for her bus (Super DAD!). Trey has now started to cry as soon as Daniel pulls into the parking lot! He is happy to see me when I pick him up and they say he has had a good day, it is just not pleasant when he is dropped off. And to top it all off....he has only been back 4 days....FOUR DAYS....and has a runny nose! Seriously! I can't believe he already has one and it hasn't even been a full week! ***SIGH** This does not bode well for the rest of the year!

A New School Year.....Day 1

As far as first days go, this one went really well. The girls got up easily (Lily only had to be told twice), got dressed, ate breakfast, and were ready to go! Trey was a little on edge...he didn't have any idea why the girls were so excited or where they were going. I had to leave before Lily got on the bus, but Daddy and Trey took her, so she did well (she didn't want to be taken to school on the first day). She had a great day and was so excited to have homework! Meghan loves her school as well. She said it was a long day, but she got to see who was in all her classes and I think she will like changing classes. I had a LOOONNNGG day. No students until next Wednesday, but I sat in a meeting from 8:30 until 4pm. Yuck! Now I have to go in tomorrow and finish getting stuff ready and plan home visits (of which I am required two a year). These are my least favorite part of the job. I am anxious to meet my class though!

Summer Over....Check

Outfits laid out....check

Lunch boxes ready to be filled.....check

Backpacks packed...check

Kids in bed...asleep....check

Ready to face the first day....with tears and my camara...check

I am really going to miss my summer days...**sigh**

12 Years and Counting....

Today is our 12 year anniversary. It is hard to believe Daniel and I have been married for 12 years. We were really hoping to go out to eat or to a movie, but I didn't try to get a babysitter soon enough and ended up not finding one. The girls did surprise us today with a little pampering. They decorated the downstairs and put out lemonade in our wine glasses (with straws!), peach fruit chillers, and vanilla wafers to eat while we got foot spa treatment in the comfort of our home. They made a card and even had candles (not lit b/c they are not allowed to use matches) and music playing. It was very sweet and helped me not to be too disappointed Daniel and I couldn't go out. We are very blessed to have two wonderful, caring daughters (and of course, Trey, who napped thru the whole thing!).

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today is my dad's birthday! Unfortunately, we are not close enough to help him celebrate (8 hours apart to be exact), but we are all with him in spirit! Happy Birthday, Dad/Grandpa!

My Room

This past week has been spent on doing school related activities. I had new teacher orientation on Monday and Tuesday, which was ok....but nothing I would have volunteered for. Mainly for 1st year teachers, but I managed 12 hours of PD from it (not that I needed more!). Wednesday I used as my optional work day. It was nice to be in my room (which is still a mess) w/o the kids. I got lots done, but still have LOTS to do! Just to give you an idea....here is what my room looked like with all the boxes from the other elementary school (and that does not include over to the left **sigh**).....

Can you believe all that? Finally on Wednesday morning....WEDNESDAY mind you...the custodians managed to come get the furniture that did not belong in my room. Then I had all day (7:30-3:45) to go thru boxes and arrange my room. My room is arranged (I think) the way I want it, but I still need to do all my bulletin boards and labeling all the shelves. I am hopeful this week to complete at least the bulletin boards, but I am not sure that will happen as I have to take the kids with me. I am hopeful our staff meeting on Tuesday is short! I have lots of work to do!

Look Out Leaves!

Here is Trey, hard at work to blow all those "leaves" in our living room. He loves his cowboy boots that his Aunt Amy and Uncle Scott got him for his birthday. His leafblower or "bubbles" as he calls it (due to the little white balls inside that blow around when on) is such a fun toy and he loves to wear his "Daddy Ears" while he works! I couldn't resist taking his picture!

Ballet in the Park

For the past two nights (with a few more to go), Meghan has been doing ballet at the park. They have a preshow with local dancers and then a professional show with "real" ballerinas that perform. We have had lots of fun and had quite a few people show up to watch Meghan, which she was excited about! (Meghan and Savannah are flowers and Katie is Papa Bear.)