What day is it?

Ok, as a teacher we all have that moment in the summer where we forget what day it is.  This has happened almost every day.  It happened just now.  This annoys my husband tremendously, but he's just jealous ;) Hey, we put up with a lot and work 150% during the school year.  I could go on and on defending our summers off, but I'm going to stay up watching Netflix instead…because I have the summer off ;) ;)

Here's what we have been up to:

Ellie took swim lessons at Mckinney High School.  Not only is that my alma mater, but I lifeguarded at that pool, took my lifeguard test there, took theatre dance in the room upstairs from the pool, (who remembers jazz pants??) and taught many swim lessons there.  I felt so old until someone asked if I was Ellie's big sister.  Ouch.  I know, I know, I'll love it when I am 50.  Ellie is doing awesome and will be doing another week with her teacher next week.

Jack has had summer school- it's only 4 days a week for 3 hours.  It's for the special needs students in McKinney- he works on behavior and social skills so that he doesn't regress.  He has worked so hard and done so well this year.  I have too :) I feel like I finally understand the ABA training and how to respond to his behavior.  He generally likes going and seeing friends and teachers, but would rather be playing on the iPad or splashing in the blow up pool.  He's always happy to see me when it's pick up time and it's so wonderful being able to take him and pick him up from school.  Being a teacher, I never get to do that and rely on parents.

While Jack had school, I ran errands and hung out with Ellie.  It's hard to divide attention, but I really try to do that everyday.  It's nice having some time where I don't have to work on dividing attention, and Ellie doesn't have to fight for it.

We might have had a birthday party for our cat.  Ridiculous, I know.  It was an excuse for chocolate cake and grandparents to come over.  Ellie and I both love a good party.  She decided to dress fancy and did her own hair.  She said, "I might have to take it easy on cake, because you know I'm going to dance."  She cracks me up.  Jack loves the Happy Birthday song and has discovered a new found love for chocolate.  The cat tried to bite me when I went to pick her up but I'm sure she enjoyed her birthday as well.


I already forgot again what day it is……….

Favorite Things

These are a few of my current favorite things!

This is from an ETSY shop- NutMegJewleryDesigns- I bought it for myself for Mother's Day :) I still need to put pictures in them, but I wear it all the time!

These cute, comfy pants are from Altar'd State.  They are the best! 

This little beauty is from PAIZLEE.  Which is my favorite online boutique.  It's so fun for the summer!

I had to use these when I closed my fingers in the truck door on Father's Day.  I may have screamed and cried like a 2 year old.  It hurt REALLY BAD.  I am pretty sure Jon loved playing DR though ;)

This bag is from ETSY as well.  It was a birthday gift from my mom.  I love it and use it for work and holding all my mom things like little trucks and Frozen books and lollipops.  

I love these sandals from Target.  Cute, inexpensive, and they last awhile!

Daddy's Day

Happy Father's Day to my daddy.  I love you.  Always have, always will.  I was always a daddy's girl. Loved going to the store or running errands with you.  Loved listening to the oldies with you.  Loved dancing with you.  Loved when you told us stories at bedtime.  Loved eating blue bell ice cream with you.  Loved wrestling with you.  Loved when you drove through Waco while I was college and took me to lunch.  Loved when you said silly, embarrassing things in front of my friends and they thought you were hilarious.  Loved going to NYC with you.  Loved being in Africa with you.  Loved that you took me in when I was pregnant and helped me raise Jack every step of the way.  Loved that you introduced me to Ellie and reintroduced me to Jon.  Loved that you came to my classrooms and loved on my 'school kids' and made them laugh and smile.  Loved that you supported me no matter what and listened to me when I came crying at any age.  Thank you for setting an example of a wonderful, Godly man, husband, and father.  You created a beautiful, safe home with mom and I am so thankful to have had that.  You love on our kids fiercely and tell me everyday that I am loved and beautiful.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Dad and Jack

 Dad making Jack smile!

Watching a movie

Dad and Ellie at our wedding

In Kenya :)

I was so nervous about falling or tripping so he kept making me laugh :)

Happy Father's Day to this guy too!  You are a great dad/stepdad :)  

 

In summmmmmmmmmmmer!

Summer started off early for me.  I wasn't feeling great last Wednesday and tossed and turned all night that night with a fever.  I woke up and got ready for school but had to keep laying down and telling Jon I was dying.  I drove Jack to my parents but decided I wasn't going to make it.  I was pretty bummed because it was the last day of school, but my fever was at 102 and my throat was killing me.  My mom drove me to the DR and it was STREP.  Some of my students had strep last week so I'm assuming this gift is from them.  After 3 days of almost seeing the light, I started to feel better.  I might be dramatic when I am sick, but this was a rough one.  It felt like the flu as well.  If I had enemies I wouldn't wish this on them.  

Monday, Jack had surgery bright and early.  He got tubes in both ears because he has had 1309419385 ear infections.  Hopefully we are saying goodbye to those and his hearing will improve thus helping speech to improve!  He did so great and their office was surprised since I had prepared them for The Hulk.  I've been with him while at the ER getting stitches so I didn't think it would go well, but he did so great.  He slept for an hour when we got home then woke up happy and ready to play.  

I was going to make a structured, organized schedule for our summer and put lots of fun ideas on there- but it was overwhelming, so I kept it simple.  Each day we will do one fun thing and I will write it on the chalk board for the kids to see when they wake up.  Today, Ellie came running like it was Christmas.  

I made a list of things on my phone in the 'notes' section with things ranging from super simple and free to a little more effort or $.

library

bubbles

go to Gigi's for lunch

go to Noni's for lunch

splash pad

jump place

play date

write letters

play doh

pool

movie picnic

make a tent

snow cones

water guns

dollar store

make a dessert

paint rocks

museum

I got this idea from Shay Shull and tweaked it for our family.  Jack starts summer school next week (to continue to work on social skills and behavior) so Ellie and I will be able to do some things that we can't do with Jack.  It will be nice to have focused time with her since next year will be a little different :)

So far, I am enjoying summer.  The laundry is done, the house is clean and getting organized, the kids are played with and loved on, and my stress level is 0.  I can do these things without a full day of work happening before them.  Haters gonna hate, but teachers need their summers to decide to be a teacher again.  ;)

Rainy Day Fun

It rained quite a bit last week and one day while I was getting the mail it was sprinkling, but no thunder or lightning.  I told the kids to come out and bring umbrellas.  It was super exciting! #yesmom