Thankful on Thursday

• Um, Aubrey fell AGAIN, seriously kid? And so I’m thankful that once again she only has a little cut on her head. Good grief, I’m going to make that one start wearing a helmet everywhere.
• You guys, my principal. MY PRINCIPAL. I am loving my job right now, and a lot of it is due to her. She is so kid centered and positive, it’s contagious.
• Cheer Perfection is back! I love DVR, I had no idea it was coming back on, then surprise, there it is, since I had a series subscription or whatever.
• My dad, for proofing letters to parents. I mean really, the poor guy thought he was done after I left high school (okay, college…okay, grad school…). And now I still send him newsletters.
• Long weekend! Fun plans!
• We are fish sitting, and they are still alive! This is a complete win. And I seriously worry about it. Whew.

All right, I get to meet my students tomorrow! It is going to be good stuff. I’m ready!

Wordless Wednesday

Sorry guys, I know we're in a blog rut. That time of year. 

Otherwise Engaged

I can't blog because of this:

5 years in a row! How, how is it that I am making this bathroom schedule again?!?! Please observe, this year I got all fancy with a request form. 

If you don't work on an elementary school built 30 years ago, you don't have this problem I hear. But we have to schedule our students bladders. And I do it for the whole school. Because I'm a sucker. The best part is I don't even need a time on the schedule because I have a bathroom in my classroom. Seriously. 

So to all of you that abandoned me (you know who you are) you are missing the fun. And you will miss it when people are pissed at me tomorrow. And I hate when people are mad at me. 

For the record, the new school year is going really, really well. And also? I like to complain about the bathroom schedule but I do it to try to keep the peace. And because I think it's hilarious that it exists. 

Never fear, cute Z children are still fine. And so are their bladders. 

Smartie

Listen very, very closely. I’m pretty sure my child is a genius.

Counting

Did you hear that? Yep. She is genius I tell you.

Or, we count so often to “race” to clean up that she’s picked it up. That’s my bet, but, you know, I’m pretty sure the genius thing is a sure thing too.

Until she licks her shoes. Then I think genius goes out the window.

Best Broken Record

I know I sound like a broken record...but the weather was gorgeous and we had a great weekend. I am just on so confused about this crazy weather. 75 degrees in August? I'm supposed to be sweltering. I mean, isn't it like the opposite if global warming? No complaints. Just odd. 

So Saturday morning we went to the park, of course. I smushed us together and took a picture. Again, of course. 

It was so sunny! I had some super happy kiddos. 

We also jumped on the trampoline A LOT. Our fabulous neighbors let us have a jump when we need it. ;)

It's possible that I got on there too and jumped, and then just laid there and let them jump around me. It was so relaxing.  And um, they were corralled in one place!

Poor Peter had to take care of the lawn a lot this weekend. By, he did get to jump too! 

Good times. Then today there were groceries and laundry and lunches to be made. But we still managed to get in my jumping - and ice cream. 

Meetings all day tomorrow. Back to school just got real!

Thankful on Thursday

• Um, I’m thankful I haven’t itched my skin off yet? Yes, yes, I know mom, I know. I should go to the doctor. They’re going to tell me the same thing they always do: “Hmmm, interesting…bet that’s annoying.” So I have to just not itch. Easier said than done.
• My classroom is coming together! YAY! I am feeling so good about this year.
• Dinner date with Bestie tomorrow!
• I have a new principal this year. So far it is going SO well. And that is all I have to say.
• I’m thankful that when Aubrey was SCREECHING in the library today they didn’t kick us out.  She did not want to leave the turtle…
• Um, also thankful she hasn’t cried AT ALL for drop off this week. Considering how crazy clingy she is, that speaks volumes about the wonderful Mrs. C!
• Logan went to the dentist yesterday and did awesome. I was so, so proud of him!

All right, time to go to bed and hopefully not wake up itching like I did last night. A girl can dream!

Wordless Wednesday: Bath Edition

Hard Headed

I kept Aubrey safe all summer. One little skinned knee, that was it. Then,  yesterday, the last day of summer:

You can see that, right? The GIANT red bump on her head? Yeah, she fell when she was attempting to climb a kitchen chair. In that split second before I got there. And I saw it happen and it was awful. Slow motion, major head slam into hardwood. Bad, bad, bad. I pretty much thought she had broken her neck for 3 seconds.

And Aubrey? She cried and cuddled for 30 seconds, and then wondered what the heck I was making such a fuss about. 

That's the, "Mommy I am big, tough, and FINE" look. Know how I know I've grown as a mom? I rushed her up to Peter, he thought she looked fine, and I called no one for reassurance. Say what?!?! Wow, look at me, I am so big! ;)

Today it's barely a bruise. She's one tough cookie! 

All Good Things…

Must come to an end. Oh summer, you were so fast! 59 days sounded like a lot, then boom – gone.

Here’s a small recap:

We went to TWELVE different parks (Fantasy, AL, our tot lot, bestie’s tot lot, PW Forest, Locust Shade, Veterans, Birchdale, Clemyjontri, Frying Pan, Leesylvania, OB Tot Lot ). We also went to some of those many, many times.

There were rainy mornings at the mall and a trip to the Bouncy House. There was LOTS of playing with Bestie and Baby Bestie. There were SO many trips to the pool! We played with friends and had visits from some far away friends. We hung out with farm animals. We went to the BEACH! Logan has finally, finally stopped telling me everyday, “I miss the beach.” We took care of dogs, cats, and fish for neighbors.

We cried through some naps. We cried in the dressing room at Ann Taylor Loft. We cried A LOT in the car home from the beach. We played with train tables at 2 different stores – and didn’t buy anything. There were pretzels shared, first Slurpees, and birthday cake.

There was an insanely insane case of hives. And a random trip to the ER for me. Skinned knees were everywhere. My children learned to sleep to 6:30 and even 7am. They both still took afternoon naps – at the same time.

This is my favorite picture of the whole summer…from the first day.

I really do love what I do. Honestly. I am even more determined that this year is going to be BIG and we are going to do great things in my classroom. But I am also the saddest I have ever been about going back. I have loved, loved, loved hanging out with these kiddos. I am so lucky to get that chance – and to get to do it again soon.

So here we go…let’s do this new school year!

Randomness #5467

You know, where I can’t think of a title so I just…don’t.

Yesterday we celebrated Pa Pa F’s birthday! white cake mix and we added blue food coloring. Then he said that wasn’t blue enough, so we  blue food coloring in the frosting too. And then decorated it, and then WOAH.

Today there were more parties (seriously, we are tired!) and my neighbor got these cute pics!

And now Logan and Aubrey are having a sleepover at my parents house, to try to grab a little bit of quiet time here before I go back to school on Monday. Oh, and for them to be spoiled rotten.

Hope your having a great weekend!

Thankful on Thursday

• Today is my dad’s birthday! We are so, so thankful for him. He is a great dad, but even more importantly is a wonderful Pa Pa! He will do anything and everything for my kids (even change diapers) and I just could not ask for anything else. And yes, I’ve said on here before that I am certainly a daddy’s girl and that is just fine by me. We love you, dad!
• I’m thankful that we have the kind of neighbors where you can just ring their doorbell and walk in and play. That’s pretty much awesome. And it was a needed mommy sanity break too!
• Bestie is back! She was out of town the same week Peter was gone, and I thought I might just lose my mind. But yay, time to play again tomorrow!
• We went to visit daycare today, to get reacquainted before the kids go back on Monday. And oh, how I love that Mrs. C. But more than I love her, I love that she loves my kids. They are so at ease around her and at her house. Makes my mama heart more at ease at work!
• I am so, so thankful for these 9 weeks that I’ve gotten to enjoy summer break! It is such a special thing for me and the kids and I just adore it. I’m sure there’s a summer recap post coming here soon, but oh, it’s been a good, good time.

Happy almost Friday!

Try, Try, Try Again

I was determined to get a good picture at the park today. I just kept clicking the button. But the outtakes are pretty funny themselves.

As good as it gets...

Today's weather was awesome. Like high of 78 awesome. Two more weekdays are all we have left. 

Breathe. August and September are hard. Breathe. Remember fun pictures like this. Good, good stuff. 

Mommy Brain

It's a documented fact that it exists. I have further proof right here. 

This morning I was getting the kids dressed and had brought all their clothes downstairs. And I put Logan's shorts on Aubrey. Totally just put them on like they were hers. And didn't even realize it until I stood her up and they fell off. 

At which point I laughed so hard I almost peed. Poor, poor second child. 

Swimmy

Do you know the book Swimmy? It’s a Leo Lionni, and it’s so cute!

I love when Dory in Nemo says, “Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!”

And, those are the random things that just popped in my head when I started writing this post. Sorry.

Anyway, it was a swim lesson day! This is a totally boring post for the grandparents, so they can see what our little Swimmy is up to at his lessons.

L Swimming

They’re working on taking breaths. Coach Heather is just barely touching his fingertips, to keep him moving the right way! He’s doing really well going under and coming up. I cannot believe this is the same kid who was totally terrified to touch his face to the water 5 months ago!

I kind of adore Coach Heather. Like, seriously. When he moved up levels we (the head supervisor coach, Coach Heather, and Peter and I) were all like, “the new class has to be with Coach Heather!”. Logan has grown really attached to her and she has a big personality, and is very energetic. She’s been his coach through levels 2, 3, and now 4, and I dread the day he has to change.

Seriously, it is so bizarre to watch him in the water and think wow, that was my itty bitty baby! How in the world do they grow so fast?

Weekend in Review

Oh we were lazy this weekend! We spent some extra time celebrating our anniversary and Peter being home (did I mention he was gone for work ALL last week???).

We spent a lot of time outside…though it was HOT again. I know it’s August and all, but I was enjoying those low 80s.

How cute are his hands in this picture? He’s a natural!

Aubrey wants you to know that she is big NOW. Next purchase, a helmet for her. Not that she’ll wear it, but I guess she better get used to it!

Then we had to come in and cool off, and lounge around…

I decided we should try to take good pictures, since they were wearing similar clothes and I thought it was funny. Ha, they didn’t turn out so well. This was as good as they got!

And, then this little one, though I am a mess!

Today we had a special treat and got to have brunch at the Officers Club at Ft. Belvoir! We were so lucky. I didn’t go crazy taking pictures because it was all fancy like (Logan said, “mommy, which fork do I use?), but we got this quick one of them looking out the window. We had a gorgeous table right by the water, looking out on the Potomac. So pretty!

Then this afternoon there was more playing outside, this time with our neighbors. They have this motorized car thing and Logan has never ridden it. He and J had so much fun! The funniest part is that to ride with 2 people you have to “hug” the person in front of you. They both thought it was so funny. Yes, I am totally going to torture them with this picture in 10 years.

What’s better than a lazy weekend right before the last week of summer? We are so glad to have Peter back, and ready to kick this week off with a bang – grocery shopping tomorrow! Hehe. Fun, fun times.

Hope your weekend was just what you wanted and needed!

5 Years!

Yesterday Peter and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary! Here are my top 5 things in 5 years...

1. Babies!!!

2. Kauai

3. Building our house

4. Holden Trips

5. Laughing

We live on the wild side here, so last night we had takeout Thai...

And ice cream. And we watched a movie! We are just crazy here at the Z house. 

Thanks for dealing with all the ups and downs with me hon! Here's to 85 more! 

We are taking a fun anniversary trip this fall, just so you know we really are going to celebrate 5 years properly. Because it deserves a little more than takeout I think! 

Thankful on Thursday

Short and sweet tonight...

•So, so, so thankful tomorrow is Happy Friday! It has been a long week and we have been looking forward to FRIDAY!

•Thankful we live so close to my parents and they actually enjoy helping us. Or, pretend to anyway. 

•Neighbors who really are such good friends. We are so lucky to be close with 3 families on our street and watch out for each other. 

•My kiddos sleeping LATE a few days. We won't mention what happened today (who else partied at 4am?). 

Happy SO almost Friday!

On the Farm…Again!

Well, okay, not actually the farm again. But we did go to the zoo today! There’s a little petting zoo near us. I wasn’t sure about going because it was in the news last year a few times. But, my neighbor Laura used to teach up there and some of her former students are staff members and were able to tell her how much it’s changed (great news Bestie, really!). We were excited to join our friends and visit the animals! It was a rainy, cloudy day. It stopped raining right when we got there, and turns out the gray drizzle makes for a perfect trip to the zoo!

The baby goats were SO cute!

Logan was really skittish about feeding the animals. It was great to be with Laura because she worked in an animal hospital for a while and knows tons about animals and is totally comfortable around them. She was able to help Logan work through some of his nervousness! That bottle was for the animals…he wasn’t so sure with the goats!

There were kangaroos! And you could WALK right with them. Like literally, just hang out. They weren’t into being petted, but it was so fun to watch them hop around!

There was a wagon ride. It’s a big deal at this zoo, you have to go on the wagon ride to see the bigger animals (ostrich, zebras, camels, llamas) because they’re out in a large area, not small enclosures. Logan and I actually went on it a few years ago, it’s lots of fun, the animals come right up. Well, Aubrey saw it and was like, uh, NO. After last week’s wagon ride disaster, I figured it wasn’t even worth it.

Aubrey when she thought she was going on the ride…

Aubrey when she realized she was staying with me!

So Logan went with Laura, L and C, and had the best time! He was all smiles, of course.

There was one more big thing to see after the ride – a parakeet enclosure. When Laura told me they landed on you, I don’t think I really understood…We had these sticks with seeds on them, and um, yeah. They land on you!

I asked Laura to take this picture as proof that I was actually calmly letting the parakeets hang out on my hand. I told her, “This is true motherhood. I am so not a fan of this – but I’m doing it calmly to make my kids think it is the BEST thing!” Turns out, after about 5 minutes, I was a fan of it! It was really cool actually. Then just sat right on my hand/arm, and ate the food, then left.

Aubrey had mixed feelings about the birds too, but she was fairly interested.

Logan on the other hand…not a fan. He warmed up towards the end, but it wasn’t his favorite spot!

And, this was BIG. By the end? Logan fed a pig the bottle! I was so, so, so proud of him.

What a great day! And, we even made it back on the 45 minute drive with Aubrey only sleeping the last 5 minutes, and still taking an afternoon nap! A huge win.

Summer days…slipping away, but we’re having fun till the end!