Day Two

Day two went a little something like this...
Woke up at 5:45am, new it was going to be a LONG day, so threw the hair in a pony tail and got myself dressed. Made Kyan's lunch and then woke up the kids to get them ready for their day.

7am, got in the car and drove to Rennie's to drop off Lola, she lives about 15 minutes away and is usually my second stop, but because I forgot to sign up Kyan for extended day in the mornings and there was a waiting list to get in, she became my first stop today.

Then I get a call from Kyan's school nurse saying that his shots aren't updated, panic set in, Kyan hates shots...then remembered that I just forgot to update my records with the school and later today waited on hold at his pediatrician's office to have them fax them to my school so that I could fax them over to his school. But I couldn't fax them over, because the school fax machine broke right after I got their fax.

Ok, back to this morning. After Rennie's we drove back to our neighborhood to drop Kyan off at school (he can't be there until 7:30). Parked the car and walked him into his playground around 7:40am, where I got in trouble by the aide on duty! I missed the sign (so did many parents) that said only kids were allowed past a certain point...oops! She then told lots of us that she was in charge and they were old enough to learn on their own how to do things! I immediately fell in love, it is hard to deal with that many parents and kids in the mornings, so setting guidelines from day one is awesome. I did get a little choked up knowing that she was helping him to figure things out and not me. I walked back to my car and Kyan was already off playing on the equipment. Now I know why daddy handles first day of school duty, not mommy. I am not going to lie, I got teary eyed. I am so proud of him, but also realized he is getting so big right before my eyes.

Drove to my school and parked my car at 8am. What a morning and technically it didn't even start yet!

Day two went great for the both of us! Kyan made it into my classroom right before my kids were released from school! He LOVED the bus ride and was super excited to tell me about it! He said that he was the last one off of the bus (the bus that brings him, stays at my school to bus the kids that I teach to their homes) but that he wasn't scared at all, just sweaty!

Thank you to everyone who called to check on us, sent us a text, left us an email or a comment! You are so sweet and I told Kyan about each and every one of them (those that were directed at him)!

Day three here I come! It is a year with lots of changes, but so far so good!

I will try to post pictures of my room ASAP! I have them, just haven't had a second to touch them or even look at them twice!


PS - the backyard is coming right along! The final pool inspection is tomorrow and then they should be able to do the pebble sheen finish as soon as they get the OK, so swimming next week I hear! Also, the fireplace and bbq are blocked out and built up and they look beautiful!

Kyan Goes To Kindergarten!

I had NO CLUE that Chad took this picture of Kyan this morning when he woke him up for Kindergarten (I was still home, getting ready to go to my own first day of school), but it melted me a little bit that Chad was so thoughtful when I was uploading the pictures onto my computer tonight! I love that Kyan woke up with the biggest smile on his face, ready for his first day!

With camera in hand, Kyan gave me a BIG hug this morning when he woke up, told me how much he loved me and posed for a quick picture before I rushed off for my own first day (ok, so this is my 8th year teaching, but each first day is special and CrAzY busy)! I love this picture of us and it makes me so happy that he woke up when I was still home to see him (more on that later...)

We live about two blocks from school, so today, since it was the first day and since daddy made sure to have the day off to ship Kyan off, they walked! Oh how I wish I could do this every day with Kyan, but today was special and although I will probably never be apart of the first day of school activities, because I have my own (and believe me I am so emotional over this, can't really talk about it because it makes me sad) I am so grateful that daddy gets to be a part of such a big day and he always makes sure that he has the day off!
Tomorrow Kyan boards the bus (which he is SO EXCITED for) to my school after he gets out! I am nervous and excited for him! He is so little! He will hang with me for about 5-10 minutes before my students get out and kick it in my classroom until it is time to go home!

Outside his Kindergarten classroom on the 1st day!!!
He had an awesome first day!

PS - we had a crazy busy weekend, and I have tons of pictures to prove it! The boys had a blast camping and we got to spend about 36 hours with my mom, as she snuck in for an unexpected visit, but they will have to wait...did I mention how crazy busy the first day/week of school is? Well, if you didn't already catch that - it is! Hoping to stay as caught up as I can on my blog, but if I go missing for a couple of days, don't worry, I am okay, just buried in school work!

Camping and a Winner!

My boys headed out this morning to meet up with Uncle B and the gang for a night of camping at Woods Canyon Lake! We, as a family, wanted to spend the weekend up there, but with me coming down with strep and being buried in school work (I am actually going to be working for several hours this weekend on school stuff and have to spend a little time at school), and Kyan's meet the teacher night last night, one night was all that could get squeezed in - just the boys. And let me tell you Kyan is over the moon excited! They left at about six this morning and that smile you see on Kyan's face was planted the second Chad woke him up to go! When I threw his sword in the truck too, it got even bigger! I am sad that Lola and I won't be joining our boys (and chased them outta the house with my camera in hand in alligator tears in my eyes, I am so excited for them)! Maybe one day a camping weekend will workout for me, but daddy has the camera around his shoulder (did you notice?) and promised to take some pictures for me! I hope they have a blast and I can't wait to hear about their adventures tomorrow!

Now for the winners...
Sarah Root and Alisha! Yay! Please email me (jroseland2@cox.net) with your address so I can send you your scrub!!!

A Fence, Cool Deck, Some Pavers, and Strep

So, pool fences aren't the prettiest things in the world, but we wouldn't be caught dead without one!!! And I must say, that I think ours turned out very pretty! I insisted that it take the shape of our cool deck (the posts are straight, Chad thought I was crazy for asking this at first, but we put a lot of emphasis to make the pool the way we did...I wanted the fence to match) and they did a fantastic job (yes, the hubs thought so too and told me good call later that night!). We were going to paint it a dark brown color, but thought that the tan was the best fit for the way our backyard was shaping up and with all the coloring! It is a good contrast against the darker shade of cool deck that was done yesterday!

The pavers on the back patio (which will extend out into the yard where the fireplace and outdoor bbq will be) were started yesterday also!

I was also diagnosed with Strep Throat yesterday. I woke up with the right side of my throat swollen and my ear felt like it had a ton of water in it. I knew something was wrong, but reported to work to check the schedule to see when I could sneak away to the doc's office. When I did get there, she checked me out and told me that I probably just had a summer cold (and I honestly thought this too, after taking 4 Ibruprofen's I had sort of numbed my pain) but she wanted to do a strep test just in case. Yuck. We joked at how we both didn't think I had it (I was really trying to get out of taking the test) but did the test anyway. Sure enough, she came back and said that I had Strep and gave me a prescription. I went back to work (yes, I know...shame on me) and said that I just had a virus, as there are just too many things that I can't miss. It is not like I am slopping spit with anyone or sharing food/drinks, so hopefully it will be ok. Plus, I am not running a fever (see how I am trying to justify?).
Off to work I go again today (took this picture this morning I have Strep, but I am still smiling), it is a long one too - Meet the Teacher night so I have an eleven hour day (8am-7pm). A bunch of former students have told me that they are coming back to see me, so that is super exciting and I get to meet the new ones coming up! Wish me luck!

An End to Summer...

Just a friendly reminder, if you haven't entered the Sugar Scrub Giveaway, click here! Today is the last day, as my summer vacation officially ends {deep breaths, where did it go?} and I report back to school tomorrow.

We had a very lazy summer filled with pool crashing (and building), splash padding, video game playing, potty training (worst 4 days of my life), pageant shooting, movie watching, and being together! What summer is all about! Although we didn't go on any summer vacations this year, I would say it was one of the best summers we have had together and I wouldn't trade it for anything! Watching the kids with each other over the past two months is so special, they have this unbreakable bond. Kyan is so caring for Lola and would do anything for her. And Lola, as much as she likes things her way, {ahem, just like mommy} tries to do and be just like her brother (she even has me taking out her bad dreams at night now and put in the good ones, she begs for it)! They have an obsession with their stuffed animals and try to bring ALL of them in just about every room they watch TV in, then complain that they are too heavy to carry back to their rooms (yes, Lola is back sleeping in her own room again, for about a week now!). I love them and wish that summer didn't have to be over.

I don't officially have to be back to school until tomorrow, but I went in yesterday and am going in today to get a head start on my classroom, as it is getting a much needed makeover (pictures to come, hopefully I will finish today)! I have become rather crafty and want to apply it to where I spend most of my waking day! I want to WANT to walk in the room and I want the kids to walk in and be like, "Wow, this is cool!" Then, once they find out how cool reading is (they usually hate it going in to 8th grade, but really do leave at least liking it, some even loving it) they won't want to leave my room! I am a teacher and I am going to embrace it and go in with a positive attitude this year! Last year was not my best year, attitude wise, I wanted to stay at home and just do photography. I still do, but it is not in the cards -YET- and until then, I am a teacher, and I am going to LOVE what I do!

And finally, a few new pictures of what has been happening in our backyard:
The form and cement for the cool deck, which is going to be poured on Thursday.
The tile inside the pool, done yesterday!
The fence is supposed to go up today and tomorrow!

Scrub-A-Dub Dub Homemade Sugar Scrub & a Giveaway!

I really think that some of the best gifts are the kind that you can't buy in a store! Something about being homemade and knowing that a little extra love was poured into someone making it just makes it special. You know?

A student of mine this past year made a few of her teachers the most amazing sugar scrub as a Happy New Year present when we came back from Winter Break and let me tell you it was the bomb-diggity, and I feel like I am pretty picky with my scrubs (I am obsessed with Arbonne's, but no longer buy it because this one is so close to how it smells and feels and I could make about 10 of my own to 1 of Arbonne's scrubs! Holla). We loved it so much that we begged for the recipe (we really just wanted her to make us some more) for the scrub and her mom sent it to us over the summer! As soon as I saw it in my email box, off to Sprouts and JoAnn's I went to shop for the goods to get started!

We are getting ready to start school next week {where did my summer go?} and I thought this would make a great gift for my 8A team, a little sugar scrub to help them relax and make their skin feel good on those extra stressful days! I made an extra one for my shower and one for Kyan's Kindergarten teacher {Mrs. Jones!} and two extra to giveaway!!!

But just in case you don't win the giveaway, here is how to make the best sugar scrub in town {it is easy peeeeeeeeeezy lemon squeeeeeezy}:
You will need:
8 oz plastic container* or glass jar
3/4 cup + 2 Tbsp Turbinado Sugar
1/2 Cup Oil (Sunflower, Almond, Canola...)
2 Tsp Vitamin E
1/4 Tsp Grapefuit Seed Extract (you can choose this Antioxidants/Perservatives or you can use 7 drops Rosemary Oleoresin Extract, I found the Grapefruit Seed Extract first!)
40 Drops Essential Oil (I used Sweet Orange)

*Plastic container needs to be thick, like PET plastic. The LOCK-UPS that I found worked perfect and I purchased them from JoAnn's. I am not sure how long the scrub would last if you used a cheaper container?! Just make sure you don't wash those LOCK-UPS, as they shrink to almost half their size!

Put all the ingredients into a bowl and mix!

Everything fits perfectly into an 8oz container, once you mix it, pour it in and seal!
Scrubs lasts for about 3 to 4 months!

I think that this is probably going to become a signature gift of mine! Do you guys have those? I do (I always give the same gift for bridal shower and baby shower)! I made 10 of these in less than an hour and really they aren't inexpensive! I plan on making them for just about any occasion, as you can change up how they smell just by switching out the essential oil! Already thinking about the holidays and how some sort of peppermint vanilla would smell so nice! You can switch the pretty labels at the top of the jar too! I needed something quick for these and they were a stretch for giving them to the girls at work, but I said that I was "tickled pink" to be spending another year in 8th grade with such a wonderful team! They were originally made for birth announcements for my daughters cards that I never sent out (shame on me, I know...but I have put them to great use in other ways)!

Now, for the giveaway...

How to win:
Just leave a comment letting me know WHY you need this scrub? How is it going to help you relax? OR Tell me what you do to relax.

Just so you know, you don't have to have a blog to leave a comment! If you aren't a blogger, just enter a comment and then where it says "comment as" scroll down near the bottom and click on anonymous. However, if you do that, make sure to leave your e-mail address in the comment so that I can contact you if you win!
{hint, hint, like all the ladies at my mama's work!}

Want additional chances to win?
Leave a comment for each one that you choose to do:
1. Follow this blog, if you already are {thank you, big hugs}, just say so!
2. Head on over to Rosie J. Photography and become a follower. Again, if you already are, let me know that too!
3. Blog about this giveaway, come back and let me know you did!

School officially starts for teachers on August 4th, so I say giveaway ends the night before, August 3rd! I will announce the winners {remember, I have two to give away} on the 4th and get them in the mail to you before the students official start up on the 9th!

Good luck! Can't wait to hear your comments about relaxing!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED - WINNER ANNOUNCED SOON!

The Waterfall and a Little Pink Eye

The waterfall was installed yesterday and it looks beautiful! The rocks that they picked out are gorgeous and filled with color! We couldn't be happier!
Today they are forming the cool deck and will pour on Thursday! Tomorrow we are having the backyard wired for sound while it is still all dug out and they are supposed to be starting on the pavers (?!) but our landscaper is on vacation and said he has everything set up, but so far, things have already not happened that were supposed to have happened, so we will see?! On Friday they will be tiling the pool and on Monday the fence goes up and then inspection will take place probably Tuesday or Wednesday. As soon as everything gets approved, they will be able to put in the pebble sheen! Then it is swimming time!!! I am trying to patiently wait, but it is so hard! It does make it easy knowing and seeing them out there working every single day and I know that it won't be long!

Meanwhile, Kyan has a case of pink eye in BOTH eyes! We went to the doctor today and she gave us a new prescription that is supposed to knock it out in a day! She wasn't sure if our insurance would cover it or if it would be too expensive and told us that if it was to call back! Good news, we are covered and don't have to pay a thing! Lucky for us Chad has phenomenal insurance! Hopefully those red eyes will be gone by tomorrow!

PS - I do have a giveaway that I will be putting up either tomorrow evening or Thursday morning! I have to wait to post it, because it is something that I made for my teacher friends for our little get together we are having tomorrow (and most of them have blogs of their own and are followers or at least read this, so I don't want to give it away), but I made extra! Keep your eye out for it!