Fumes

And I'm officially on summer vacation well... For two weeks and then I have a training for a week but I'll take my two week break. This year switching to a new school has been challenging and exhausting. My part time job felt a lot more like full time job plus my full time job of being Mom but it was an amazing year. It's exciting to be apart of this brand new concept of a concept of teaching and schooling. We were building the plane as we were flying it but we managed a smooth flight this first year. I'm not going to lie more than once this year I was running on fumes. At the end of the year I was a zombie and I may or may not have let my own kids eat a cafeteria lunch more than once in a week (which they were stoked about and they survived). I also may or may not have left my van doors both completely wide open for several hours while I helped in the kids class. Thank goodness I park by a church - not a single thing was taken. Not like there was much to take but a bunch of booster seats. I'm hoping that year two with About F.A.C.E. will be as great as this year and a little more organized and less "building as we fly". I'm excite for a fun year of focusing on the Middle Ages. 

They are off to 2nd grade

It's official I now have two 2nd graders! Caden kind of protested and decided if he didn't go to the last day of school and skipped it that he would still be in first grade and not have to leave school. I had to break it to him that his teacher doesn't love there and she wouldn't be there on Monday. His teacher was sweet enough to put a big packet of work together for him to do over the summer. His big worry was that he wouldn't have homework over the summer. Problem solved! I think he was the only 1st grader excited about getting a big packet of work. 

These kiddos were blessed with an amazing teacher who loved them so much. She continued to foster their love for learning and more importantly believed in them and their strengths. I'll admit my first meeting with her I was scared for them and me, but it was a magical year! 

Lunch Date

Today I was able to have lunch with these two cuties and my sister in law. 

It was such a fun treat for them to walk down and meet me after my field trip for lunch. They were so cute and the garden we ate in was beautiful! The Egyptian museum was amazing with so many great artifacts. I can't wait for my kiddos to be a little older for them to go check out the the amazing pieces of history. My mind is blown about the pieces of history they have their. While the kids all loved the mummies which was really cool I was in awe of some beautiful blown glass cosmetic containers.  It is hard to imagine that even thousands of years ago they were discovering different ways to  create containers for their make up. 

May the fourth be with you

Oh goodness these boys were so excited for this day. Jeffrey's mom text me because the boys wanted to coordinate wearing matching shirts. I'm so sad I wasn't at pick up or drop off to snap pics. I managed to crop a photo another parent took. Just ignore the ultimate Star Wars fan in the bottom of the pic. Mr. Burton was having a blast today with the kids. 

Fly the W

Cubs win! Cubs win! And now begins my seven year olds first lesson in sports superstition. Apparently I now have to keep score every game (which I rocked and was on the money with my scoring and pitch count), sweet Tory now has to come to all games, we don't wash the uniform, and Coach Trini has to come to every game. 

It was such a fun game and the boys were so excited to finally have a after game talk with a game ball given out. And after being 0 and a lot... It called for ice cream from Coach before dinner and on a school night. I think it might have been a perfect night for these kids. 

Track Star

I don't think I have ever seen her shine at school as I did today. She loves school but it's not as easy for her as her brother. Today was her day.  The doors opens when the bell rang and she couldn't wait to tell me about her Olympic event. Apparently the school is counting down to the Olympics and they are having events to get ready. She was asked to run the long distance race. She took first place and even beat the boys which she was so excited to mention. I was so proud of her and then as we waked everyone was giving her high 5's and telling her good job. I assumed she beat the first graders and then we saw the Prinicpal and other older kids and they said she beat EVERYONE! She was so proud of herself. Everyone also mentioned she smoked them all and almost lapped them. I guess a boy took off and was running fast and lost his juice. This was a great lesson we were trying to drill into her that slow and steady wins the race. So proud of her. I have a feeling that we will be at a lot of track events in the future. 

Surprise!

I'm a big sucker for surprise parties and I was all over it since it was a surprise birthday and retirement part for my Aunt Jody. Weekends are crazy around here with swim and baseball but I was determined we would get there. We arrived a little too close to the arrival time and was able to walk in just behind her. It was a fantastic evening for an amazing aunt. I always thought she was amazing and the mist kind person I know. Turns out I wasn't alone. It was so neat to hear so many great stories about her. The cousins had a blast playing together and us adults had a great time digging through old photos. I found this article from years ago when my aunt won teacher of the year. Of course she never bragged about it, but I have to say reading this article I was in awe of her responses. She is so humble and inspiring. I only wish she would have been my teacher too! Happy birthday and happy retirement to my amazing aunt.