Long Time, No Write

It's been quite awhile since I've written on my blog. I've learned a lot in the past couple of years of blogging and reading blogs and all that. I've learned one very, very important thing along the way.

I need to be myself.

I started reading lots and lots of blogs and I think I found some I really liked and then I started trying to write like those authors. Not on purpose really. But I was definitely doing it. So, I may start again and have a new goal of staying true to myself. :)

A lot has happened this school year, in particular, I moved up to 3rd grade. And let me tell you. I. love. it. A good friend told me a long time ago that, "Kids are kids. It doesn't matter how old they are."

That is so true. I was really nervous at the beginning of the year. I was really afraid they would see through my fear. But it has gone so well.

I do have to tell you something. Something that will make you hate me. I'm sorry.

I have seventeen kids. Yes. I know. Believe me. There was only one other year in my nearly 20 that I had so few kids. I'm here to tell you it makes a huge difference. Anyone that tries to tell us differently is just stupid. I used the s word. I'll blog more about my class another time when you're not so mad at me.

My family is doing so well! I have Cole who is 8 and a big ole 2nd grader now and Taylor and Brayden who are 4. They are going to be in PreK next year. I can't believe it.  Olivia is my step daughter who is 17. I can't believe she is going to graduate next year. Here are those sweeties.

I'm so proud of my sweet family. They bring me joy everyday!!

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog! 

Five for Friday!

Happy Friday night everyone! What a great first week of summer we've had. I have not wanted summer to be over yet even once...........

ok, that's not true. When all three boys were screaming at each other at the top of lungs I thought, I can keep control of this behavior in the classroom. I don't have to deal with this in the classroom. So why do I deal with it at home??????

Anyway!

Sticking with the positive here.... 

We've had a great week and I'm going to link up with Doodlebugs again!  

 Retirement Party!!!!

My sweet friend, Bonnie, is retiring after 34 YEARS as the school secretary!!! That is her with the striped towel around her shoulders. She is one of the most giving people I have ever met. She has stayed at the same school all these years for only one reason....she loves the kids that much. She didn't even want the formal, obligatory retirement event the school district provides so she waited until the very last minute to announce. She only agreed to this little party with us on our friend's dock. We were going to go out on the pontoon but it decide to pour down rain that day!!! We had fun anyway!

As you can see...

 That's me in the center and our crazy friend Kathy is photobombing. She came all the way from St. Louis for our little party. Oh and by the way, don't tell Bonnie you saw this! She HATES social media. Sorry Bonnie! But I love you!!!

 Monday I had dentist appointments for all three boys. It was the twins first time.

O.M.Goodness they loved it!!! They ask me all the time if they can go back to the dentist! Yes!!!!

I am so over the rain! We could have used the umbrellas almost every day this week! I know, I know...in July and August I will be praying for rain, but I'm ready for warm weather and fun at the pool!!!

We are going to do a project this summer that I think I'll blog about. We are going to search and visit several local parks this summer and kind of "grade" them. Or I should say, my seven year old will grade them. He has come up with a 3-2-1 scale, 3 being "excellent," 2 "pretty good," 1 "not good at all."

This first park is the Tyson Rotary Adventure Park. As in, Tyson foods...

This park was definitely given a 3! They all had so much fun!!!

Finally, after playing in the park all morning, we needed to rest and relax. I signed up for a subscription to abcmouse a few months ago, trying to think of something my mom could do with my twins when she's watching them. I will say, it's been great! I don't know that we've used it enough to justify the cost, but anything that gets these boys to do this....

...it's worth it!!!


Hey, thanks for reading!!! Have a great weekend!

June Currently...

I hope your day is winding down nicely. Mine is. I just enjoyed some brownies with ice cream and caramel on top. Not too shabby!!!

And I just finished my June Currently.... If you have a blog, link up with Farley!

Listening....all I can hear is the noise maker in the twins room. yes, they're three and a half and they still need/want the noise maker on. Probably need to break that habit this summer. So happy they're all asleep before nine o'clock. 1 point for mom...

Loving...four more days! I can do it!!!!

Thinking....My son has a lot of baseball to play this weekend, three games for sure, more if he wins. Can you say weekend at the ballpark?!

Wanting...I'm moving up from first grade. As I put it to my principal, I've taught first for 13 years. For half of those years, I had no children and it was great. But now, I have three young boys at home....and I can only answer so many questions in a day.....and I've already answered 200 by 7:30. I just don't have the energy... I'm hoping to move up to third but my principal isn't sure yet. I think/hope she'll let me know by Friday!!!

Needing...Oh, you know the drill...I need to write the comments and insert attendance...then I'm done!!!

Bucket List...1. Legoland-Definite because we're going to visit my brother in Dallas and we'll go while we're there.
2. Use the Whole Pool Pass-We have an awesome new aquatic park but the twins were only two last summer and they didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped so we paid like $40 for a pass we never. even. used.    sickening   But not so sickening that we didn't buy another pass this summer.
3. I have GOT to get in some adult time this summer. I love my boys to pieces but my sanity requires some time with my friends...oh yeah, and some time with my husband might be nice, too.

Ok, go link up...or not. Whatever. :)

Five for Friday!!!

Happy Friday!!!!

Oh my word I am so happy it's Friday, although, today is field day. Sooooo....... I'll be happier around 3:00. Chaos and I are not friends. But I know the kids need this day, so I'll try and bite my tongue as much as possible... :)

I thought I'd link up with Kacey at Doodle Bugs Teaching...

(And I copied her cute numbers!!!)

Well, this happened...

All the boys were outside playing on daddy's trailer. (no it was not moving) Taylor apparently was trying to get off and fell. Of course I was not outside with him at the time. Mother of the year, I know.
Sooooo, after four hours in the ER... he got three staples! Ouch!  Can I tell you...that little stinker didn't even cry.  He got really still and really quiet, but no tears. I think that's just his coping mechanism. Crazy boy!!!
Next day at school we thought we'd be safe while he played on the playground...

Maybe a good idea for all the time!!!

Rainy night baseball! This is my life right now and for the next month!!!

We have had the weirdest spring weather this week! We went home to a sunny day and while the sun was shining it just started raining. Crazy! But it gave the twins a chance to use their umbrellas (a frog and a fish)!

O.M.G.  I got new my new Toms wedge sandals from Nordstrom's sale this week.  Love! I mean, how could you not?

They are so cute!

And finally....

Today was Field Day at school. Everyone had a blast! And......we still have a whole week left of school.......

That's all I have to say about that.

How was your week???

I hope you're done!

New Look!

I am so excited to share with you my new look!!!

I think my blog looks awesome! 

I loved it before, too, but it needed a change to get me motivated to write more. 

Something about me....I really am a teacher who likes change! I get bored easily and I have to mix things up. In my classroom, I am always rearranging the furniture and I actually move the students around every week!  Every Monday, they know they have to put their things away, then go find their new spot. It allows me to quickly see who works well together and who doesn't. I think it's good for them to sit next to and work with everyone. If there are any major personality conflicts or best friends who get in trouble together I remember not to put them together again! :)

Anyway, I want to thank Alicia at dreamlike Magic designs! She had a simple template that was really cute and she installed it fast and free! It was great! If you're looking for a new look for your blog, go look at Alicia's site!

So, how many days do you have left? We have 7!!! Plus a work day! I hope I make it! Next week is going to be loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong!!!!