Little Buddy

 

After summer school this last summer, we had hit up Target for the special treat of an Icee and popcorn, we came home to find a little buddy on our door.  Luke was so excited about the praying mantis, though he didn’t know quite what to make of him. 

We examined.

We observed.

Super exciting.

He moves?!?

“This is a bug, Mommy. Right here.”

“He’s on our DOOR!?!”

That’s cool.

Whoops. Our little buddy fell.

Eventually, Luke was irritated that we weren’t going inside.  (I didn’t want to scare the mantis) After falling, the mantis took off behind the potted plant on the front step.

Pretzels!

 

Todd has got some serious skills when it comes to pretzel making.  So much so, that I feel the need to keep posting about them.  Anyways, more delicious pretzels, along with pretzel-dogs, which are most epic.

So, drool away, everyone.

Please notice, adorable mini-pretzel for Luke. Best Dad Ever.

Linda and Jack’s Wedding

No, not that Linda.  Linda B2. Or maybe Linda B1. I can’t keep all those Linda’s straight! Anyways, my MIL came up to help Linda B2 throw a fun wedding in the middle of September at their beautiful home.  My Linda asked if I would be interested in helping out with the organization and running of the event.  As I am always up for a good time with my MIL, away we went. 

I was called upon to help with the pre-wedding photography, which I am clearly under- qualified to help with.  But I did it anyways.

This is the backyard from the view of the bride and groom’s balcony off their master bedroom.  It is a gorgeous home with a beautiful backyard, perfect for their wedding.

 

I was also called upon to do the flowers for the wedding.  Did you know that I used to work for a florist/party planner back in high school? Yeah, I’ve had an assortment of jobs.  So I put together the bouquets and the boutonnieres for the wedding party.

This is the bridal bouquet (right) and the maid of honor bouquet (left).

I attempted “classy” pre-wedding photo ops. That being said, I was borrowing a camera that I didn’t know how to work.  I might have done a little better with my camera. Oh, and we also steamed the bride’s gown.  I’ve never used a steamer before. That was frightening.

The table décor and favors

My partner in crime.  I would never do this kind of stuff with anyone else.  I know that no matter what, we’ll have a fabulous time together.  When it comes to parties, she is the Go-To Woman!

The bride, Linda B 2, made her own German chocolate and coconut cream cupcakes which were to die for.  And boy, did I snarf on those!

You’ll notice the enormous bar of Ghirardelli chocolate up front. I snarfed on that, too.  Because when you break apart the chocolate, the calories can escape. So, it’s pretty much diet food at that point.

Linda K (yes, there are three Lindas, making them THE Lindas) and myself toasting to the bride and groom through interpretive dance.  I’m fairly certain that at every party I have to hit some sort of dramatic dancer pose.

My fabulous MIL, Linda B1, the bride, Linda B2, the groom, Jack and me. Along for the good food and fun. 

Halloween Snippet

So I haven't had much time for anything other than grading and grading and grading and prepping and grading. (Poor Luke and Todd) Which means that I'm only posting a Halloween snippet because the classroom parents emailed me a couple of photos. So I'll post a few of me, then I'll post Luke Halloween photos later.

Fans of Luke, you'll just have to wait.

A few years ago, one of my super-enthusiastic (but full-time working) mom's made everyone their OWN personalized fake pumpkins. Seriously. Like, 20 pumpkins, with everyone's eye and hair color to match. Crazy time. I kept mine and pull it out every Halloween. I have about 5 decorations, so it stands out.

Currently, the only picture I have in my Snow White garb. I never took a picture of myself with a real camera (I think I have a phone photo floating around somewhere) so this is all I have right now. Mostly, I really like my hair. And that is my hair. My first year teaching, I wore a wig and I hated hated hated it. So I swore after that that I would never wear a wig on Halloween again. (That sounds really dramatic, doesn't it?) So I've worn headbands and hats, but no wigs.



More Halloween later. Certainly, more of Luke's Halloween. But you're stuck with me for now.

*The grading period ended today. I bet you can't wait to see my STACK of grading. *

Grateful - Day 4

So we have decided to try the "Elf on the Shelf" to give us a few months of the THREAT OF SANTA.

Luke loves the story and loves our elf, "Jimbo."

Last night, when he was picking a story, he asked me to read "Jimbo on the Bench."

I'm grateful for Luke's sense of humor - he makes me laugh every single day.

Grateful

So technically, it is the 3rd of November, so I’ve missed a few days.  But the good news is that the first thing I am grateful for is worth a few days, so we’ll say this counts as Grateful: Days 1 –3.

Last year, Luke began school in November, missing his picture day by about a month.  I was curious (dreadfully apprehensive) about Luke taking pictures this year.  Some might call him “full of personality,” others might call him “willful” or “active.” He is all of these things . . . and more.  I just didn’t know if he would smile or not. Or stay still. (Have I posted his 1 year pictures? They are a piece of work . . .)

Hearing stories from the photographer, I was so relieved.  Luke laughed and got all the other kids laughing, which was important as he was the first student to have his picture taken.  Apparently, preschoolers cry a lot at school pictures.  (I saw the class photo – there were definitely a few!)

The bonus about being a teacher at the school your child goes to? You can get pictures with your kid! Woo hoo! Unfortunately, his picture day was before mine, so by the time it was my turn, he was wearing his regular old school clothes. Oh well. 

His favorite picture?

Guess : )

So I’m so grateful for this happy smiley little face.  He frustrates me, he pushes buttons I didn’t even know I had, but man, he is one happy kid.  Luke has a belly laugh that fills my soul with joy I had never imagined was possible. He is smart and clever and pretty slick (wait till my Halloween post . . .) but he is a sweet, kind-hearted kid who has really good manners. I love good manners.  I love that Luke is Luke . . . the happiest kid I have ever known.

It's November

Last year I spent the month of November reflecting on all the things I was grateful for. I think that, even though I'm a few days late and already into November, I'm going to attempt to do the same thing.

So I'll start off with saying that I am grateful that October is over.

Okay, that's a total cop out.

I am truly grateful for all of my friends and family for their support and love and kindness and understanding. October was exceptionally difficult for so many reasons and I'm so thankful and blessed to have the people in my life that I do. Especially my Todd and my Luke. They are such amazing people and keep my smiling every single day . . . no matter how tough the day has been.

Example:

Tuesday was crap.

So, Todd moved the coffee table, set up our air mattress and as a family we cuddled and enjoyed a movie. On a Tuesday. For no other reason than it was really fun and it made me happy.

Love that man.

So thanks everyone for being there. Happy November.