Don't Pass Out...

I know, I'm actually posting! It's amazing really...I have a few friends who have either begun to blog again or who have been blogging and they, quite honestly, have inspired me...so here goes.
Things have changed around my house. Everyone knows it. The girls and I have adjusted to our little life and love our routine. That being said, our little home is in need of some more TLC.
We planted flowers and plants. The girls helped. No really, they did. They did an excellent job and they flowers are precious.
I've been mowing the lawn. I do a great job of mowing, but edging and weed-eating, not so much. I'm working on it and will get better eventually.
I've also been planning on a little remodeling in the house. Last summer I completely re-did the girls' bathroom...completely=pulled down wallpaper, textured walls, painted walls, installed new light fixture and new mirror, laid tile, new shower curtain (that my mom sewed for me) sanded and painted cabinets, reinstalled toilet, installed new baseboards...whew! That being said, I'm ready for more.
Here is a list of what I'm about to tear apart, I mean, redo and make amazing!
*paint kitchen walls
*sand and paint kitchen cabinets (after that, the kitchen will basically be done!! Wait, I want to put a new top on my kitchen table...ok, that may have to wait for a bit)
*pull down wallpaper in my bathroom & texture walls
*paint bathroom walls
*paint bathroom cabinets
*tile bathroom floor
*new light fixtures & mirror in bathroom
*sand bedroom furniture & stain
*make bed linens
*paint bedroom walls

Then there is always cleaning the garage out and getting rid of all that crap...so, if you need anything, let me know, I might have it!
Oh, and I will be posting before, during and after pictures of the remodel process so stay tuned!

A New Year

Yes, I know it's the end of August and know technically, it's not the NEW YEAR, but for me, as a teacher, it is...this is almost the end of a long first week back. Gwen, my 5 year old, began kindergarten...she had a fabulous 1st day and has had even more fabulous subsequent days. She loves school and loves her teacher. She has even made fast friends with the girls who sit at her table with her during the day. I'm so proud of her and knew she would love school.
I have begun the year chaos-full. Kids weren't where they were supposed to be, kids were missing, kids were everywhere! At one point, I had 58 kiddos in my room...you have to laugh at that because if you didn't you'd cry! It was all adjusted and life will continue but it got me thinking...now that I have a kid IN SCHOOL, I see these faces differently. School can be hard, new schools and bigger schools can be an adjustment...kids are confused and scared and worried...kids are energetic and funny and talkative. I'm all those things. I am still nervous as they file in my room each day. I'm still confused, alot and often don't know what to do next.
I feel empathy, sympathy. I understand where they are coming from. And as if that weren't enough, I have 2 kids in my class with whom I went to high school with their moms!!!! Am I old enough to have a 10/11 year old? Yep! Yikes! But they are sweet and wonderful.
Ask me how sweet and wonderful these kids are in 2 months, I might tell you differently...but for now, my students this year are excited and ready to learn and create...and so am I.

Summer, summer, summertime!

It's FINALLY summer! I'm done with school and ready to enjoy the time home with my girls...the school year ended hugely successful and I have some great ideas for next year. I will not be worrying about that now though. The girls will start gymnastics next week, I will teach swim and we have already planned many trips to the zoo, art classes with MawMaw (their great grandma), craft classes with our friends Letanya and Tori and swimming at Manny's (their grandma) pool! Whew! I'm already tired! Welcome Summer 2010, we are glad you are here!!

Huge Volcanic Ash and Naked in the Airport

OK, so I've been looking at pictures online of the volcanic ash that is covering Iceland and Europe...I hear it's moving towards Canada...anyway, as I was looking through the images online, here's what struck me:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36645958?gt1=43001
This image is amazing...it's called a dirty thunderstorm...truly beautiful. But here's something NOT so beautiful:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36553710
So, this poor couple is stranded in Gatwick Airport in southern London...sucks but they appear to be making the most of it...look closer...did you notice? The guy has no shirt on!!! Seriously? You are in a HUGE airport, SLEEPING no less!!! I guess he thought as long as he was there, he might as well get comfy:)

Crayon Roll

OK, so I have a friend up here at work who crafts alot...and she's good at it...I have dreams of crafting alot but it just never happens...maybe someday. ANYWAY, I was looking around at some crafty blogs and found these crayon rolls...this just might be my new favorite thing...I plan on making one for the girls and then, of course, for all my friends' kids...you just might have to wait for their birthdays though:)

Easter!

Here are some pics from Easter...Gwen and Graelyn hunted eggs, ate and played all afternoon...they had so much fun and even got to skip their naps:). My dad came over to my aunt's house and brought his dog, Gus...as you can see, Gwen LOVES Gus:)

Stinky Season

So I commented on my facebook page that my room smelled like feet the other day...to clarify, I meant my CLASSROOM at school. Let's get a few things straight...I was being nice. It smelled more like a boys' locker room that hadn't been cleaned in 2 months during the summer. See, I teach 5th and 6th graders...I love them, they are funny and sweet and stinky all at the same time...but right now, they are REALLY stinky. It's getting warmer, they're getting hormonal and naturally, they sweat, A LOT.
Sooo, to all you parents of pre-teens, heck, to all you parents out there of anyone 7 years of age or older...invest in some GOOD deoderant for your kid, NOW. Make them wear it and make them reapply often. There's nothing wrong with smelling good...believe me, in a few years they're going to WANT to smell good anyway so might as well make a habit of it now. I have HUGE sense memory (specifically smell) and let's just say my room does not make me want to come back anytime soon.
Happy hunting...let me know if you find a coupon for deoderant and I'll pass it along to all my fans:)