Hero Day

It's Read Across America Week!

This year was special because I basically know how fast this girl will grow and these little fun themes go away all too soon (sniff.  sniff).  

I still remember my sweet, little Cat in the Hat. (sniff. sniff.)  Isn't he so adorable?

We had a great week of getting excited about reading.

My girl enjoyed the activities a bit more.....  (like most girls do).

I even had the opportunity to be a 'reader' for Carlee's class.  

(Check out the AWESOME Hair!) 

We also celebrated Mustache Day, Rainbow Day, Silly Sock Day, Hat Day, 

and best of all.....

 

Career Day (dress what you want to be when you grow up)!!!

Having a boy, I've already been through the 'Career Costumes' of solider, pilot, snake catcher, wrestler, etc.

Imagine my joy when Carlee said she wanted to be a TEACHER (like her mom)!!!

We got to work right away at planning but it didn't take long before I realized who Carlee's real hero was.........

Carlee:  I need to wear glasses like Mrs. H.

Me:  Not all teachers wear glasses, I don't always wear glasses.

Carlee:  Well, Mrs. H. do [sic]

 

Me:  Let's wear this dress, it looks like a teacher dress.

Carlee:  Mrs. H. wears pants, I want to wear pants.  

Me:  What!?!  I love dresses!!  We could put your hair in a bun.

Carlee: Mrs. H. puts her hair in a low ponytail.

*****

Do you see where we are going with this? 

Do you see how my daughter has studied her teacher's every detail?

I found her a little pair of plastic rims, clipboard, and this cute tag holder.  

I even made her a little teacher tag (using my old one) 

She was so creative to later add her "class key" aka. her Cinderella key.  

....pearl earrings of course

After, 300, 000, 001 hours.  We finally decided on a "Mrs. H. outfit".

Mrs. H. and Mrs. J.  are an awesome teaching team.

When we came in, both her teacher and principal were away at training but she still got to take a picture with her Reading Specialist.  She has gotten so close to Mrs. T.  and adores her.

She definitely loves this picture (I'm thinking I need to have this one printed).

Are they not precious?

Mrs. T exclaimed 'you will make a great teacher one day'.

That is what teachers do!

These teachers give the very best of their day to other people's children.  These teachers are tired, underappreciated, and definitely underpaid but they stop at nothing to encourage, love and grow the hardest learner.  

I am not my daughter's Superhero, her teachers are to her. 

I think that is pretty Seusstastic! 

What's New

It's been awhile since I've checked in....  life keeps going.  
Here is what's been going on in my our life!!

First Middle School Dance

💗

Darren was so sweet, taking a lot of time to assist with making Connor's tie perfect! 

Handsome (but HATES dressing up, this was the best we could do).

Since I work at the Middle School with Connor, I attended the dance as a chaperone. 

In a nutshell:  there is no dance but a lot of flirting and/or chasing balloons (my son was in the 'chasing balloons' category).

The girl in me ADORED the formal attire.  

Everyone looked great! 

 

 

Even I had a little 'sugar' for Valentines Day.

Do you see the sweet little paper cup holder a student made for my Reese cup?

Darren brought the family the best chocolate covered strawberries (and so pretty)! 

My little Valentine is still making her own way in this world.

-another creation-

Carlee Style

At some point Carlee got it in her head that she wanted a coconut, so her dad brought her home one.  

She kept it in her room like an egg, having her dad check it each day for it's 'readiness'. 

 

The wait was NOT worth it.  

She hated it but I can't help feeling like there is a children's book in this story somewhere. 

At some point in these months, we had one of the wildest retirement parties I have ever attended.  

I still wonder if I dreamed it.

I was a little sad because I think my boys have outgrown the local wrestling entertainment.  I watched the other (younger) kids screaming with a wistful heart.  I remembered how excited these two would get.

It was a funny night. #candyman

Connor was heartbroken to not play for his school, but he moved on and did a fantastic job for the local rec. league.

These boys played with heart! 

I don't care how old you are... 

#kisses  #hugs

Today we had 'The Last Supper'

I loved these fancy plate designs.

 

 

Also, I am thinking of adding to my hobbies with Middle School Minutes Vlog......(trust me, it's a thing).  

It might also aid me with communication goals/ National Board goals.

First one HERE.

My favorite teaching vlogs:

A Pocketful of Primary

A Cozy Classroom

The Lettered Classroom

Too Cool for Middle School

That's What Is New! 

My Sweetheart

Today we had our heart check.  The first one since Connor was about 8 years old. 

When Connor was 5 years old, Dr. T. heard a funny little 'swish' in C's heart and he sent us to a specialist.  
I was so unconcerned that Darren went with Connor alone.  Little did we know that Connor had a real heart condition that typically goes undetected.  If it was not for Dr. T's thoroughness, we would have never known. 
He currently has a tiny heart murmur with Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease and Regurgitation.  

I love this Tin Man in the office. 

We followed up every year until Connor turned 8 and we were told we could wait a few years, but if things did worsen we were looking at surgery.  

Due to a change in billing, we were also charged with a two thousand dollar bill for one appointment.  😡  That is another story for another time but this year he was long overdue.

We were a bit nervous about this appointment because we remember the doctor telling us that it would be time for surgery prior to being a teenager (if the heart had worsened).  What we discovered is that there was zero change in his heart- it had not worsened and has not improved, therefore no action is needed

...see you next year. 

We were hoping for the problem to have healed but honestly, the doctor said he had no restrictions with the exception of intense weight lifting/ weightlifting associated with football, 

no biggie.   

He also does not require a daily medication for his heart.  

We celebrated with the favorite- Lobster Tail.

I shared with him the many, many prayers that people had posted on social media.  I talked to him about the blessing God has given us in the form of family and friends, and how much he is loved.   

We ended our evening by going to Target.  Connor bought his sister a LOL ball with his own money.  

What can I say, I'm thankful to God that this sweet HeArT is still working as it should!

#glorytoGod