Thank Heaven for Little Girls

This little girl is the light of my life. I don't really have a choice, she practically forces me to smile no matter what. She is like a personal cheerleader. I love you Emma.

A World of Ice

I have been back in Plano since Saturday and I realized how lucky I am to have the kind of family I do. Everyone gets along, truly enjoys spending time with one another, and shows support and love in any way we can. I am looking forward to the time spent with all of you during this break.

On Saturday as part of Jason's birthday celebration, the family went to this "ice world" at some resort in Grapevine. Everything in the exhibit was made out of ice and they have to give you parkas because it is only 9 degrees! At the end (if you choose), you can actually slide down a slide made of ice. My fingers were numb by the time we finished even with all the layers I was wearing, but it was worth it to see everything. I will add pictures once I put them on my computer so it will be easier to see what I'm talking about!

I know, I know

I know it has been a while since I have last updated. Thanksgiving break was fabulous. There was a lot of delicious food and even better company to go along with it. We went to the aquarium with Emma (hence the penguin picture) and I had a lot of hang-time with my favorite niece. I think she senses that her Aunt Steph is only home for a limited time so she clung to me a lot...no complaints here! :)
During Thanksgiving break I also got a chance to meet Tyler's family. There was a lot of people to meet all at once, but I felt very welcomed by all. I had a chance to spend this last weekend celebrating Christmas with the same crowd and it was a pleasure to be included. What a great bunch of people! **Thank you, Dad, for having such a big family because I don't think anything can overwhelm me now!
I have 3 school days left until the winter break. It is unbelievable. My kids are crazy and I cannot imagine trying to calm them down to get anything done. I am lucky if I get in one valid lesson a day. I am looking forward to Christmas more and more...only 10 more days! Tyler and I decorated a Christmas tree at his place and it is just more jolly with Christmas lights and a tree. Yep, I used the word jolly in a sentence. The holiday season is just so fun. Hope all of you are enjoying it!

How can so much happen in such a short time?

Let's see...
I went trick-or-treating with my niece on Halloween (just focus on the little adorable "pumpkin witch" in the picture). I took a personal day to spend time with my family who I had not seen in a couple months. Little did I know I would soon be spending a whole week with them.
I saw my sisters less than a week later as we packed to travel to Canada for my grandmamma's funeral. I am sad I was not able to see her before she passed, but I am relieved that my mother and uncle were able to stand by her side and hold her when she did. We were in Canada for a week, which was completely where I needed to be especially to support my mom. However, a week and 2 days is a heck of a long time for 3rd graders. They gave me flowers, cards, and pictures on my first day back today, not to mention several large hugs! It is overwhelming to think of the things I have missed and things I have to catch up on. I am trying to focus on one thing at a time so I don't go crazy...
On a happier note, I happen to have a new man in my life. For as much as I have cried over the past couple weeks, he has made me smile and laugh at any other possible moment. I am happier than I have been in a while and having fun in this blossoming relationship. :)

Field trip!

Quick follow-up on the concert... It was awesome! Loved it. He is so freaking talented.

So we have gone on 2 field trips in the past 2 weeks. One was only a couple hours out of the classroom and the other was the whole day. The whole day is the one I have pictures of! The place was beautiful and the kids, parents, and I got to have a bit of a hike looking at the plant life, limestone, natural waterfall, and a cave with stalactites and stalagmites. Field trips really take it out of you though! Ours was on a Monday so it was a hectic start to the week. Then Halloween is on Friday so that will definitely be a hectic end to the week.

My kid quotes for this time are from our field trip. When we were looking at a breathtaking view of trees covering a vast expanse of hillside from an observation deck, one child busts out with "I like to call this a broccoli garden." The guide had no idea what to say to that.
Then we were looking at an old bald cypress tree with its roots intertwined with the creek bed and another kid says "OOO, a frog resort!" and proceeds to ribbit until given the teacher look. Cute, loud, endearing, and annoying all at the same time! :)

School Schmool

It is so easy to forget I have this thing. When I spend most of my time grading, planning, organizing, doing paperwork, sleeping, and having a life when I get chance...it is easy to let this slide! Well my first 9 weeks are done! Report cards went home, conferences are done, and my kids are showing their true colors. They are still sweet, but they already seem to be getting on each other's nerves. We had a field trip this week that was only an hour out of school and now we have another one this Monday for the entire day! Then Halloween is on Friday so if you know I won't be able to get anything productive done that day. I have live crayfish being delivered on Wednesday, but we are still in the middle of soil and plant life.
On a more exciting note, I am going to see Jason Mraz tomorrow in concert! Go ahead and be jealous because it is rare I get to have such grown-up fun!

Conferences and more...

So this weekend was fabulous. Zeb and I did a lot of grading, had some sushi, played some games, and acted like complete lazy nerds. I love you Zeb! I welcome visitors! *hint, hint*
On another note, I started conferences this week. 5 down, 17 to go. They are going well so far (knock on wood) because I have such great kids! I don't really have a quote, but my kids are completely in awe when I sing the 50 states song. Apparently, I'm cool because I can sing the 50 states in alphabetical order. Seriously, they want me to type it out for them. Ain't (Wow, it's hard even typing that word...I wanted to type isn't, but it just doesn't have the same effect) that cute?