Love

Not a whole lot going on here, by in case you need a little boost in your day...with love, from Aubrey.

And a really. Really colorful palm tree.




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Uh.

Well, the thing is, I don't have a whole lot of sunshiny things to tell you because I am quite angry about the executive order and well...it makes my brain hurt. And I mean, that's some serious privilege right there, because hi, other people's lives are at risk. I can't even fathom what is happening. "Priority given to Christian refugees" is for some reason literally killing me - I think because I make a huge deal about how people came on the Mayflower for religious freedom (among other things) to my students and now that priority feels like a slap in the face.

My very first BFF ever words for the International Rescue Committee. They are an incredible organization for refugees, so awesome work, and are very highly rated as a non-profit. I urge you to join me in donating there if you just feel like you keep going in circles. And call your representative, especially if they are ridiculous like mine and haven't even made a statement (perhaps the worst part of all of this for me has been that we're like .5 miles out of the district of a representative I think it pretty awesome. So I'm bitter).

Until then, this beautiful boy says hi...at 10 pm last night when he wandered down...



And then there's this throw back...




It appears I created her love of big headbands. Gah, those faces! They literally make me all Googly-eyed at their adorableness!



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Fashionista

Here's the thing. I love Gymboree. It hasn't always been Gymboree, I'm not a huge fan of their infant clothes. But wow, I'm obsessed. And when there on sale I buy the whole outfits. The leggings, top, skirt, hair clips, necklace, even the shoes. LOVE.

I also love this girl to pieces.





Please note this is not a put together Gymboree outfit. I said I buy them that way, I didn't say she actually wears them.

Aubrey loooooves clothes. She loves being fancy. Let's face it, 4 year olds don't have a lot of control in their lives. So when this little girl goes in to pick out her outfits everyday and comes out with some interesting picks, but is so darn excited...I tell her it's beautiful and I can't wait to see her wear it. Because of course it is.

Let them be little. I repeat that to myself constantly with my own kids and in my classroom. Choose your own clothes, layer it up, add all the accessories. Be you. Let them be little.

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Toothless

Facebook repeat, sorry! But years from now it will be on here, so there ya go.

Look at this guy!



That's SIX teeth gone! Those 3 holes you see, plus those middle bottom two already came in, plus one big one on the top already (which makes me super sad because it looks sooo BIG!).

But then he leaves me cute notes like this on my computer. In initials, because, of course.



Love having him with me before and after school - and right across the hall all day! It's a special year, for sure!

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Weekend Randoms

Two three day weekends in a row is just fabulous. I don't actually know how I'm going to handle just having 2 days off next weekend!

Friday morning we decided to kick off the day with a trip to the dentist!



Apparently 6 year old molars are notorious for coming in with cavaties. Like already in them. Um, great! Logan was panicked. That's why you shouldn't tel your kid for years..."we have to brush really well so we don't get cavities, and you don't want that because then you have to have a shot in your mouth." Because, you know, they hear the word cavity and flip out. Oops!

But he got laughing gas! And he did great. I was quite impressed!

Then we spend lots of time about talking about being KIND. To each other. To everyone.



Then Saturday we got really excited about watching friends march. Girl power, be the change, all of that. We have now officially written 3 letters to senators and congressmen. Onward!


Saturday afternoon we got to celebrate a new 2 year old! Littlest Bestie turned 2 and we were so excited to party!

Hey look, a pilot! Of course my children found the newest dress up clothes at Bestie's!






Look at this cute family. Seriously, we love them all, but those 2 little ones, wow...they are some awesome kids!


I mean, these ladies, I got to hang with them too! Does it get any better? There's some girl power right there!


Today we went swimming! We had fun at the new county aquatics center. Well, new to me, my parents have taken the kids several times. No pictures, but there is an awesome swimsuit drying machine. Like every locker room should have it, so very cool. Nice slide too - but, ya know, a swimsuit drying machine wins me over! Ha!

Ready (or not!) for the week! Here we go!
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Wordless Wednesday: Dancing

She asked him to dance "like in Cinderella." He agreed but was clearly not thrilled. They learn it early I guess!




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Buzz, Buzz, Buzz

Today we ventured to a new play space and fell in love! Billy Beez in Manassas Mall is brand new and it is so awesome. It's pricey, but you get unlimited play for what I'd pay for all 3 of us for an hour at the trampoline place, so not that bad! And I personally think it was way more fun. And it is HUGE! Plus they also have a whole little town where you can play (think play grocery store/post office/bank) totally separate from the climbing area.

And a workout! One of my favorite things was how parent friendly all the climbing stuff was. Aubrey wanted me with her and it wasn't a problem at all.

See how fun?

















Too much fun makes for blurry pictures.








We can't wait to go again! I mean, it isn't an every weekend kind of place, but definitely a few times during the summer and some rainy days!

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Randoms!

How about I just unload a bunch of stuff since I have to let it accumulate to get a decent post?

Hello 70 degrees on Thursday! We had great fun being outside with neighbors again and trampolining it up!



Then on Friday we went to REI to find Peter a coat for us trip to the Arctic (for real). The children found a giant tent and would like to go camping. They are hilarious!


We had a laser tag birthday party on Saturday and they had a blast. Aubrey's face is pretty much the best ever. Peter also quite enjoyed it since he got to play with (ahem, for) Aubrey.


Then Saturday night they took a computer apart. I did laundry. I'm not kidding, my mid thirties are a little different than I expected. But I wouldn't have them any other way!


Today it was warm in the sun! Logan did some awesome bike riding, and Aubrey, well, she played with her buckets, because she likes to explore and collect things.





I mean, add in the library and grocery store, and we had quite the Sunday! One more day tomorrow, more fun to be had!

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Cue Tears

I am all in tears over Obama's speech and amazingness and Michelle and Joe and I love them, yes we can.

I am soooo sad. My very smart husband said, "I really think he was a once in a lifetime president."

But um, my kid is awesome and such a reader and I ADORE that he just offered to read this book to her when they were playing together, we were cleaning the kitchen after dinner and didn't even notice at first.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hw4uV9UuWg&sns=em
I actually don't know if that movie is even going to work but just in case look at cute kids in case you are teary too.




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Let it Snow!

I'll admit it. I'm not happy about this snow. Saturday morning snow is the worst. The worst! Had this been a weekday it would have been a two dayer for sure. Booooo!

But, there were a few happy people! Look at those big flakes!



Determined to make a snowball.


And determined to throw it! At me!


Though it was, at most, 2 inches, we busted out the snowblower for a trial run. It was awesome, and Peter did a great job of helping the neighbors too! Much easier on his back and will keep me from having flashbacks to the blizzard last year! Shoveling nightmare.


Today we had lots of weekly prep of course, and Logan and Aubrey went to swim with my parents (yep. Swim. Like for fun.). I got this yummy ice cream everybody had been talking about lately. SO good. Like really, really good. And I only ate half and it was totally filling - for 140 calories. Wowzers.


I've given up hope for anything school wise tomorrow. Full day ahead. Sixty degree weather coming. Grrr. Bring me a snow day!


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Um...

So I got this great new app and it turns out without holidays we are just not that exciting!

I have a story though, not about my own children.

Yesterday, when we got back from Christmas break, one of my students handed me this book and said "Merry Christmas, I got this for you."




Students often want to bring something after they see others give gifts. But look at the back of this book:




1. It appears at one time it was a library book (Bloomington Public Library!!! Indiana???)
2. It appears that after it was a library book someone then gave it as a gift. With an unfinished sentence. And the child who gave it to me is a boy, not a girl (see tag).

Let us all think about what we gave our child's teachers for Christmas. I know you people. We gave nothing at all like this. But, perspective. He soooo badly wanted to give me SOMETHING. Not the parent, the child. So he gave me this, which was honestly one of probably very few books on his shelf.

Oh my, it makes so many things look so very unimportant.

Perspective. I forget about it often, but it's the word that has been the most life changing for me over the years. I've had to learn that it doesn't mean you can't complain. Because we all need to be able to do that. But it means complaining and still acknowledging that we are so very lucky.

All right, let's just pick a random picture of my children, because this just got soooo heavy...

Flashback! Gah! (2015)






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Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!



We had a quiet night at home, complete with "kid wine." Aubrey was quite concerned at first when I told her we were buying it at the grocery store. Then she got excited. Then she got really, really excited! When I reminded her that it wasn't real wine she told me, "don't worry mommy, I won't drink real wine until I'm a teenager."

Y'all. I have no doubt her teenage years are going to be the death of me. Send reinforcement. And wine.

But! 2017! What in the world does it have in store for us? We had a fun evening with 4 swim team families tonight. The kind where the guys go out and build a swing set, the moms hang out around the table, and the kids are in the backyard, basement, and all over the place, but they are together and yelling and having fun so you are happy. And they are old enough that that's all okay.

Here to 2017 being all okay. We'll take all okay.

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