Guess What Day It Is?

IT'S HUMP DAY!!

 Oh yes, I know you guys love that commercial, right?  How can you not laugh when you watch it? Every Wednesday when I get out of bed I want to shout, "UH-OH!  UH-OH!" In this house we look forward to Hump Day like no other.  Colin can't wait because that means Friday is that much closer and he gets to bring something for show-and-tell, Cade can't wait because it means he finally gets to play the Xbox, and I can't wait because it means I get to clean and do laundry and my favorite thing EVER...Sleep in past 5am!

Here are a couple of things that have made me giggle this week or put a smile on my face!  

Cade has a spelling test each week and they have dictation sentences that they complete on the back.  He made a 100 on the spelling and received a SUPER sticker on the front.  I flipped over to the back and saw this... I laughed and laughed!  I can't wait to copy this idea in my own classroom because I will! 

 

 I couldn't resist putting up ONE fall decoration and breaking out a pumpkin candle. 

 How many more days until I can break out ALL the decor??

Packing lunches each night saves my life!  It's still time consuming, I still wonder to what to pack, BUT I am not spending my mornings wasting time on lunches.  Why I was too lazy to do this before is beyond me!

I found some of my favorite TV people on Instagram and Twitter.  I am a huge dork, but I was more than excited to follow them!  Love a little CTR in my life, Alisha Dunlap, and Madame President! 

Just because if you read my blog you know how much I love "selfies"!  I haven't done them in a while (ok so last week - Haha) and decided to take one this morning.  Totally not impressed with my hair or my skin!  

 

I am confused about my skin in the worst way.  I am breaking out like a teenager, but mostly on the left side of my face and on the jaw line.  Isn't that strange?  Any suggestions?  I don't touch my face and I wash my face with Cetaphil each morning and night.  What gives?

Made It Through Monday!

My morning started off something like this...

Who does this cat think she is?  I mean really who pulls all the toilet paper off the roll and then destroys it?  Yes, my friends my cat does that!  Thank you, Nina for starting Monday off with a bang! 

Then, I decided I needed to have Larry take a picture of me of this morning before I went to work.  One because I wanted to see what I looked like and two because I need to go on a diet and I want to be able to compare before and after photos. 

I need encouragement in the worst way!  I have gained so much weight in the past couple of months and nothing fits right nor do I feel comfortable.  YUCK!!  I guess it is time to throw in a little exercise but really, AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT!  Okay, okay, okay!  Maybe I am going to have to make time but I can't imagine getting up thirty minutes earlier (4:30am) or doing it in the evening because by the time I could run it would be 8:00pm. I am going to have to figure out a better time management system for sure!  

And just because when I was looking through pictures on my phone, I saw this one from the weekend and it made me smile, so of course I must share.  Cade at the beach this weekend.  He had so much fun playing in the sand and jumping waves!  

I sure will be sad when beach weather is gone until next year but I am looking forward to cooler temperatures and cute fall clothes. 

Grandparent's Day

Tonight we went to my mom's for dinner and Colin took his gift for her that he made at school.  He was so proud of this little award that he made for his Grammy!  He couldn't wait to give it to her.

Do you have any idea how hard it was to keep this precious thing on the refrigerator all weekend?  Haha!  It was torture, seriously!  

When we got to Grammy's I couldn't get him out of the car fast enough!  He RAN to the door to give her the award.  He must have hugged her for 10 minutes and I missed getting it all on camera.  I did however get this picture of the two of them together and I love it! 

And while this has nothing to do with Grandparent's Day, I totally couldn't resist this picture of Colin.  Look at that precious face!  I could just eat him up! 

Just what we needed...

A LONG WEEKEND! 

Thank goodness the long weekend made it, because I was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed.  It was like I was running on fumes and needed a re-fuel.  Anyone else ever feel that way?  I am sure it just can't be me who feels that way! This week was like the icing on the cake for that overwhelmed, running on fumes feeling.  Larry had to be at work every morning by 6:15am which meant he was leaving as I was getting the boys up and around.  He wasn't getting home until about 6:30pm either which meant I was coming home with the boys, getting homework finished and started, cooking dinner, packing lunches for the next day, cleaning/picking up, and all those other fun things we do each evening/night. Not mention the boys had dentist appointments this week on top of Cade's speech, my meetings at work, as well getting things ready for the next day at work! 

Colin enjoys the dentist WAY more than I do!  He sat in the chair as still as could be while she cleaned his teeth.  He even attempted to do the xrays as well as doing the fluoride treatment.  Of course he knew the Treasure Tower was waiting for him!  He already had his treasure all picked out before even going back. 

 He has held onto this ball ALL week!  I hope they have Show and Tell for the Letter B soon so he can share his treasured ball. 

 Colin also had his first school project - All About Me!  They sent him a little sheet where we had to write his favorite color, food, toy, etc.  They also had to complete this person.  I am embarrassed to say that Cade's was by far better.  I mean I spent hours and hours and hours on that little person.  Colin's person was lucky to get a printed picture.  However, Colin didn't care!  He loved his Super Colin.  Yes, I included a quick construction paper cape. 

 We decided the pool was much needed this weekend as well!  We pretty much had it all to ourselves as well so the boys were able to splash and jump and swim. 

 Larry was able to catch up on some reading and I was able to catch some rays!

 Just two brothers having fun by the pool.  This just makes my heart smile so big!

 We also did a little furniture shopping today.  I don't know if you remember but this girl does not have resolutions but GOALS for the new year.  I try to at least be able to check off a few.  This one goal has been on my list for TWO years!  Finally, today we will put a large check mark beside it! 

NEW FURNITURE!  WHOOOP WHOOOP!! 

We had to try about 500 different couches and recliners.  This specific recliner was in the running and I just couldn't resist the cutie so I took a picture!

This was not in the running but Cade was tired of looking at furniture and tired of walking around so he decided he would just sit down for a bit and wait while we decided. 

This is the furniture we chose to get.  I am going to be honest and tell you when I walked by it the first time I was NOT and I mean NOT at all impressed with this furniture.  I think it was because of the other things I was looking at in the store.  When I walked by the next couple of times it just spoke to me..it spoke to me so much so that it will be in my living room on Friday!  Larry is in love with that recliner - IN LOVE!

I love the couch and the love seat.  I can't wait to find the PERFECT throw pillows to match!  And of course Colin was so excited he couldn't stand it. 

 

Now, I am only hoping and praying that our new sweet cat, Nina doesn't decide the furniture would be more beautiful with her claws scratching it.  I am super worried about this.  We have had her about a week and I haven't noticed her scratching anything until TONIGHT!  It was my carpet by the bathroom door.  EEK!!  Any suggestions on how to keep her away from the furniture?  Or should I say suggestions on how to keep her from scratching my new furniture?

One last thing!  I downloaded a new app on my phone.  It's called Camera +  if you don't have it and use your phone ALL the time to take pictures - YOU NEED IT!  I took pictures using it today (so from pool to furniture shopping and I LOVE IT!! Looks so much better than Instagram.  It's like having a DSLR in your phone!

Sunday Funday

It was such a fun family day today!  We decided to take the boys bowling.  They LOVE bowling and everyone gets to be involved.  I might even get a little competitive with the whole thing, but let's not tell anyone. 

When we told the boys we were going bowling Colin was so excited he could hardly get his shoes on fast enough.  I just couldn't resist a quick picture with him.

Here we all are getting ready to bowl!  I won this time! 

My mom also went with us.  It's so nice living so close to her because she always is able to join us for these fun family days.  I am not sure what Cade is doing in the picture, but it was the best one so I have to use it! Getting Cade to take a picture these days is SUPER, DUPER hard!  Is that normal for almost 8 year old boys?

Finally, I have a couple of action shots of them bowling.  They had so much fun and are so tired.  I know they are going to fall right to sleep tonight!

And with that we are ready to kick off our Monday! 

Goodbye Patsy!

We finally did it!  We said goodbye to patsy, Colin's pacifier.  We talked to him about it all evening on Friday.  He told us what he wanted the Patsy Fairy to bring him so Saturday we talked it up again.  Saturday evening we grabbed a ziploc baggie and box to the patsies in for the Fairy.  

Then he put the baggie with the patsies in the box.  

We sat down and wrote a note to the Patsy Fairy.  Colin signed his name to the bottom.  

Just a side note to brag- haha - but Colin has been in Pre-K for nine days.  Before starting he could/would sometimes just write a C, but look at this!!  He almost write his first name! 

We folded the note and sealed it with a Colin kiss.

Finally, he dropped the note in the box and told them goodbye.  I got really teary eyed at this point.  My baby was telling his patsy goodbye forever! 

Last night was not as hard as I thought it would be for him.  He complained and said he wanted the Patsy Fairy to go to jail because she was going to take his patsy.  We just kept reminding him that she would bring him a special toy.  When we put him in bed, he didn't cry or complain at all just went right to sleep.  I guess he really is a big boy now.  Be still my heart, be still! 

This morning Colin woke up to a special toy from the Patsy Fairy.  He wrote in the letter that this what he wanted her to bring so she did! 

Our New Addition!

We added a new family member!  

Meet Nina!  Our brand new kitty!  The boys love her and have waited a kitty for a long time.  She fits in perfectly!

First Day! Hip, Hip Hooray!

I didn't do a really awesome job of getting pictures on the first day of school this year.  Colin was a mess once we got to school, which upset me!  The only pictures we have are from home and then I have some of Cade at school.  

Cade leaving for 2nd Grade!  

 

I can't even believe my tiny 1lb 8.1 oz baby is in 2nd grade!  How did that happen so fast?  

Colin ready for Pre-K!  

 This just makes me tear up!  I can't believe it... my baby is in Pre-K.  

Cade and I before he leaves for 2nd Grade.  Love him so much!

 Cade and his amazing 2nd grade teacher.  This makes my heart smile so big!

Dump It ALL on Friday!

Yes, I know almost a month!  When school started it didn't stop and I haven't stopped either.  It's busy, busy, busy ALL. THE. TIME!  Since I haven't had time to blog I am going to do a big dump, hence the title of this post.  

I love anchor charts!  Seriously, I love those things so much and at the beginning of the school year I am making so many! This year I enlisted Larry to help me.  Thank goodness he loves to draw because he made me a super cute David for our first week of school. 

Then, of course, we had Open House with the best First Grade Team, EVER! 

My friend, Brianna, brought Cade to meet his teacher with his BFF, Addison. 

These two have been together since Baby School and are still going strong in 2nd grade.  They were so excited to be together again!  AND sit across from each other (that changed really fast)! 

Cade LOVES his 2nd grade teacher!  

We had one more sleepover before school started.  These two played XBOX all night and played all day.  I love seeing them have so much fun together! 

I packed up backpacks the night before school started and had them ready to go for the next morning!  I just can't believe I sent one to 2nd grade and one to Pre-K.  *tears*

I will do another post on the first day because I am obviously an awful parent and only put one child's pictures of the first day on facebook instead of both.  Ack!  Poor 2nd child! 

What are you doing Wednesday?

I can't believe it, but tomorrow is August 1st!  What does that mean BACK TO SCHOOL!  I don't officially have to return to work until the 7th of August but I am heading back in tomorrow to at least get a head start on my classroom.  

Today I spent a lot of time printing and cutting!  

And printing and cutting some more! 

I still have quite a bit of printing and cutting to finish up tonight.  Oh my, who am I kidding!  I am probably going to have lots of printing and cutting to do the next week or so!

Confessions of a Clothing Addict

As I walk around the house cleaning and getting things in order for back to school.  I am met with this beautiful table. 

 

Yes, those are clothes.  There are three bins stuffed in the closest.  They will hardly close because they are packed full!  I mean really, let me be honest and tell you that one of them will NOT close.  I have things sitting on top of it so the lid won't pop off. 

 Those clothes, well, they don't have a bin.  AND they won't ever have one!  They are going to some other little boy so he can love them. 

I don't know when it actually started or how it started, but it started!  I started buying a few pieces of Gymboree for Cade.  It was just so cute!  I remember my very first order online, and I bought every single piece from one line.  I loved it!  Then I found Janie & Jack - oh my!  It was bad!  If you are a Janie & Jack shopper you can probably spot a couple of their outfits in my pictures.  I remember calling Janie & Jack's in other states looking for pieces.  I knew which stores I should call to find cold weather clothing, warm weather clothing.  I knew which ones had the nicest employees.  I mean, I even had SA's calling me to tell me about sales and ask me if they should pull anything for me.

One day I found another brand to love - Mini Boden!  OH MY!  It was love at first sight!  I couldn't resist the clothing, and honestly I still can't.  I love Mini Boden and would dress the boys in in daily, okay let's be real again, I do dress the boys in it most days.  Sometimes I mix it up with a little Hanna Andersson.  Haha!  

Anyway, my whole point was, I don't know when this actually started or how it started taking me over but it has and it does.  Last night as I was cleaning and I saw the piles I decided I was DONE!  I am not selling all this stuff, I just don't have time.  Sure, I could make some extra money, but what would I spend it on?  DING, DING, DING...MORE CLOTHES!  So those bins they are finding a new home this week and I am vowing not to overbuy.  Please someone help a clothing addict out and make me stick to this.  First step admitting you have a problem! There you go, I did it!