sneak peek #3

Went through the Jonica pics yet again. 
Love this one as well. 

Do you see why it's going to be so hard to pick just one?

39 year old eyes (it's the best i could come up with)

Today has already been busy and it's only 1:55.  I knew it would be a little crazy and had my schedule in hand when I left.  Did I follow it to a "T," kind of, sort of.  First thing was to get my tookus out of bed, that was a big step seeing I stayed up late (came to bed around 12:30) working on progress reports for the kids in my class.  I have two more to do and I am ready to send them home, YAY!  Grace was in our bed by 6:30, playing games on my phone.  Sarah was up around 6:50.  We hurried through breakfast, brushing of teeth, bed making, getting dressed and doing hair.  I'm beginning to dread the morning hair routine, it's getting old trying to hold them down long enough to get something done.  So you friends with all boys, consider yourself lucky in this area.  Moving on we headed to Grace's school.  I realized late last night it was half day when I tried to make her lunch.  I don't like half days, throws everything into a spin.  Got to school dropped Grace off, walked into her classroom, saw her new desk, spoke with her teacher about tomorrows fall party.  Headed back outside to be hit with very cold temps, 43 degrees and a wind that wouldn't quit.  Everyone seemed unprepared for this, this morning.  I saw girls walking in with bare legs, brrrr.....  Jumped in the car, turned the heater on full blast, explained our errands to Sarah.  First was Lowe's to return a can of spray paint we didn't use with decorating a new room (I'll post on that later).  Got the return done, promised Sarah we would walk through the Christmas aisles, amazed at what they already have out.  Went to the paint aisle, called Art to find out which one he needed for our mailbox which came down in the recent wind storm we had.  Purchased, left, headed to my eye appointment.  These 39 year old eyes are starting to show signs of wear.  Went through exam, Sarah was soooo good.  She sat and played, looking up to check out what Mommy was going through.  She loved the princess glasses and wanted me to get them.  Did I mention I need glasses?  Yes, just for reading.  I was glad to hear just for that alone.  The worry went away, I had thought it would be much worse since I haven't had my eyes checked since 1987 (no joke).  Never had issues, no need.  They tried to fill my prescription but I am a big chicken when picking these things out after all this is my first time.  Told them I would bring back the hubby to help.  He is good at this type of thing, been through this many a time.  Headed to St. Louis Bread Company to get a bagel, Sarah was soooo good she deserved, I did too after all those eye drops and blurry vision.  Yes I was safe to drive, just annoying and my eyes hurt even with the overcast sky.  We ate our bagel together in the parking lot of the Dollar Tree.  A fun stop to kill some time before picking up Grace.  We bought some Christmas decor for my classroom as well as some gifts for my kids at school.  I also found some cool plastic planets/solar systems I am going to hang at school and one for home, SCORE!  Sometimes I walk in that store and come out with nothing, other times I spend way too much :-).  11:05, headed to ILS to get Grace.  Got there 20 minutes early so I went in and ordered the girl two long sleeve shirts and two pairs of pants.  The weather prompted me to do this.  I think Fall has finally made it's way to MO.  Waited an extra 10 minutes for big sis, talked to Trudi while waiting, we were twins sporting our matching ILS t-shirts.  She was smart though and had on a long sleeve shirt under hers, me not so much.... Got the girl and headed to McDonalds, had promised a happy meal since "we NEVER go there anymore," at least that's what she has said over and over in Whinese.  They got two toys for a movie they probably won't see until they are ten :-) but they still claim them as treasures.  Off to Target to get winter hats, scarves, gloves - they have the cutest selection of these items in my opinion.  I know it wasn't snowing out but last year we got there too late and couldn't find a good selection.  We're on top of things this year.  We walked through the toy aisles, getting ideas for Santa.  Saw that they were putting up alot of their Christmas stuff.  Found Truman two very cute Christmas squeaky balls.  The girls are ready to give them to him now.  Headed to the car, feeling good about my list.  Well, except for one thing... I was going to go to church and get ready for next week with lesson plans etc...  It didn't happen, we were all ready to come home at that point and so now we are.  Truman is happy we're here, we are too.  Now I'm sitting, posting when my floor needs to be swept and laundry continued.  I guess I needed to sit and type, kind of cleanse myself of the day I've had and what is to come.  I'm wishing we could stay here for the rest of the day but if I know Art, we will head out and get my glasses taken care of.  I think he has sense of urgency about him because he is tired of me complaining about late night headaches.  Maybe I'll scrap today, yeah right!!!  HA, that's a good one.  My intentions are good but I can't seem to deliver. 

Tomorrow's list -Sarah to Mel's house where she will excitedly play with three boys she wishes were her brother, oh yeah, she asks for a brother :-).  I will head to Grace's Fall Party, the first in her class, excited to see her environment first hand and celebrate Fall.  After that I will have to go to church and get things done.  I always regret when I don't, then my weekend is all about school when I really want to be with my family.  So I will get it done and be glad for it.  Tomorrow afternoon, Grace's parent teacher conference with Art.  There is a trunk or treat at her school tomorrow night but not sure if we will go, I think we would rather go to WCC's.  A night home would be good :-).  Maybe a campfire out back without the camp?  Sounds good to me. 

on this date (project 365 2009)

another sneak peek (i just can't help myself!)

[Me and the hunk :)]




Thanks J!  You ROCK!

this week so far (in no particular order)

Thursday

We got the dreaded propane bill.  God is good, we budget throughout the year and he provides, it just stings :).

Tuesday

A new favorite show of ours, afterschool, after homework.

Thursday

Grace brought this home.  It is a cookbook she borrowed from the school library.  She wants to make these this weekend.  They are cute.

Wednesday

Homework.  Grace brings it home nightly, guess who gets jealous?  I pull out her workbooks and she sits down the her big sister.  She loves it.  Grace helps her sometimes in her "teacher" voice.  I love to see them work together and be sisters.

Monday

I have a weakness.  Scholastic book orders!  And now that I am teaching I tend to justify the cost :) because it's not only for my girls but my classroom as well.  Love the spin I have on it.

Thursday

I was home today.  This guy was getting on my nerves.  When I'm home during the week he is my shadow.  One of these days I'm going to hurt myself, he's always by my feet.  Love the dog but please give me my space Truman :).

Thursday

I was home today because this little one is sick.  Tummy bug that has its highs and lows.  She's up and then down with her tummy.  No fever, just threw up once but on those low moments you know she doesn't feel good.  Very decieving, I think she's better and then she takes a 2 hour nap.  This picture was taken at an UP moment.

Wednesday

Okay, I know these pajama bottoms are crazy loud and somewhat obnoxious but at my classes Fall Party we will be dressing up and then the kids will be changing and having a pajama party.  I'm going as a baby, hence the pacifier.  The bottoms will be loved by the kids.  Art's expression to these was classic when I showed him.  I plan on wearing these with a shirt that matches, putting my hair in ponytails with pacifier attached and a teddy bear in hand.  Should be alot of fun.

Monday

I bought the gift size play-doh they put out at Halloween and Christmas for the kids in my class.  A mom who was providing goodies for our goodie bags gave the same thing.  So I changed my game plan, opened them up and shared the pink with my girls.  They love play doh.



one happy girl

I left the house on Saturday morning to run an errand. 

I left the girls to dress themselves.

This is what I found when I got home.

I was on the phone with my Mom and had to share it with her, Grandma could appreciate :-).

These are my valentine socks,

some very worn out shoes,

mismatched shirt and shorts

AND one happy girl.

fall walk

e-mealz recipes

I told you I would share e-mealz recipes.  These are two we have done twice now so you know they are hits with us.

Broccoli and Sausage Pasta
1 lb. sage sausage
1 box penne pasta
1 pkg. broccoli, chopped into florets
1/2 c. olive oil (I used garlic olive oil)
4 cloves diced garlic
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese

In a large skillet, brown sausage, drain.  In the skillet cook the garlic in the olive oil.  Cook pasta.  During the last five minutes of cooking the pasta, add the broccoli.  Drain.  Toss the sausage, garlic in olive oil, pasta and broccoli in a serving dish.  Top with Parmesan cheese.

The girls gobbled this up, we love garlic in our house :-) {Sanderson rating - 9 stars}

Pumpkin Pancakes
2 c. pancake mix
1 c. canned pumpkin
2 T sugar,
1/4 t cinnamon

Mix 1-3/4 cup water with pancake mix.  Stir in pumpkin, sugar and cinnamon. Spray skillet with cooking spray, skillet on medium heat. 

I have made pumpkin pancakes that took alot more work than this.  These turned out really good, we all loved the pumpking flavor in them.  I didn't make my own pancake mix this time, I had purchased the whole grain mix from Traders for this recipe.  They were fluffy and very fallish.  {Sanderson rating - 8 stars}

sneak peek...

We had a photo shoot this morning with Jonica. 

Here's your sneak peek.

Our girls, no touch ups (I'll leave that to Art).

I couldn't help myself, I had to post at least one photo! 

Let me just say that Jonica nailed it big time! 

I am blessed to have such great, talented friends. 

 This was just one out of many I had to choose from. 

Decisions... decisions.

I love how she captured their true smiles.

{It helped that Art and I were giving Ms. Jonica bunny ears :)}

The family shot will have to wait until our Chrismas card, if I can wait that long :).

bottom of the hamper, finding balance, boss's day, family first...

(Long title I know, just bear with me)

For the past few days I've been looking for Grace's navy blue skirt and red shirt (her uniforms for school).  I was getting aggravated, wondering what I could have done with them.  Where were they dag-nab-it?!?!? 

Guess where I found them?  The title gives it away.  At the bottom of the hamper (insert big sigh here).

Finding a balance between work, home, hubby, kids and life has been a challenge lately.  One or the other seems to fall from the pile from time to time.  Last week it was work.  It was a hard week on me mostly because I didn't feel prepared enough.  It makes a big difference when you have 12 to 14 kids waiting for direction and I have found out you need to keep them busy or all havoc breaks loose :).  I pray for balance, that I'm juggling it all well.  I took this position knowing there would be big changes and I was right.  It's been rewarding, challenging and fun.

Today I had a talk with "my boss."  She just loves being called that (NOT!).  We celebrated her today at work.  I wish there was more than one day of celebration for her.  She is phenomenal, she loves the kids and it shows in all she does.  She puts up with alot of things I wouldn't have the patience for and yet she does it with grace.  She said she still struggles with balance in her life too but her motto "family first."  Thank you Lord for putting her in my life!!! 

Tonight I could have sat and worked on lesson plans.  Instead I ate dinner with my girls (Art is at a meeting).  We talked about school, friends, choices of the day.  I bathed them, tickled their sweet bellies, gave many hugs and kisses and read books to them.  They are tucked in bed now, dreaming happy dreams I pray.  Now I wait for my better half.  I've missed him (it's been a busy week for him).  It will be good to sit back and catch up on our day.  Family first tonight.

i opened my big mouth :)

This week is fire safety week at ATA.  The Wentzville Fire Department paid us a visit.  I somehow volunteered myself :-P.  It was all good, the kids in my class thought it was cool and keep talking about it.  Some of them think it should be my Halloween Costume.  I think not.  It was super heavy.  See the fireman behind me, he's there to hold the tank and thus hold me UP!  He kept asking, "do you want me to let go yet?"  He did eventually and I didn't fall.  I couldn't do their job for many reasons but mostly because I don't have the body strength and endurance.  I admit it, I am a wimp!

On my desktop this week...

A year ago {project 365}

long time no blog... catching up

Hello blog world, long time no see.  LIFE is busy and blogging has been put to the side while it moves on.

I've been up to....

Work, preschool.  This is where my energy has been used for the most part.  Kids are great, having fun. 

Been decorating the house in Fall colors.

Been to the apple orchard with the family. We all ate straight off of the tree.  So licious!  Grace eats from the side, another loose tooth, this time on the top.  She's ready for the tooth fairy to make her third appearance.  I made the best pie (with my Dad and brother) that I think I've ever made.  The secret is the apples we picked.  We made it in my Grandma Evea's cobbler pan, that may have helped too.  All things good come from that pan :-).  

Found a vacant bail of hay, took advantage of the moment.

We picked pumpkins.  Played in some corn.  Ate my first chili of the season.  Yum.  Time to pull out my own chilli pot.

Windy day but great Fall weather to be out.

Celebrated this handsome guys birthday.  Happy 73rd Dad!



So I'm caught up, for now.  I'll try to do better :-).