Today was yearbook signing at school. If you didn't know, I am the yearbook editor where I teach, so today was a BIG day! The day where all of the hard work pays off and I get to watch students look through their books and relive memories from the past year. It is an incredible feeling.
The yearbook wouldn't have been such an amazing book without some very special ladies that worked day and night on that thing. They stuck around and took on more pages, when no one else did. There was never something that they couldn't do and it is the reason that this year's book was the best yet.
Not only are the girls that worked on the book my students, they are like my daughters and it is not just because they spent so much time with me. They are incredible, but I won't be able to mother them like I do now when they move on up to high school, so I made them something to survive without me to carry with them, in case of an emergency!
Thanks to the girls at eighteen25 for the amazing idea of the emergency girl clutch, I just tweaked it to make it into a clutch fit for a high school girl! Head over to their blog to get a full tutorial, the only thing I really changed was that I used a hair tie instead of ribbon to close the potholder (which was a suggestion by them and I went with it)!
So wanna know what I put inside the emergency high school girl kit?
I have also been saving the 2 cup holders from McDonald's when I pick up my Ice Tea's in the morning, I knew they would come in handy someday! They were perfect for transporting their little gifts in!
I spray painted little owls from the dollar bin at Target, as a reminder to always be wise and found a picture of a quote that I liked and resized it to 4x5 and printed it for them (when I printed it as a 4x6 it cut off a bit of the clouds, but it still looks awesome to me) to put in a frame of their choice. Here it is just in case you want it too:
The number of teeth Kyan has lost since I posted about his first loose tooth, way back in November! I really can't believe the mouth that I see today or that he has lost that many teeth since then!?
Two have been on his own, while three have been pulled by the dentist. He has had to have some pretty extensive dental work done lately (in the past month really), including getting two teeth pulled yesterday to make room in his small mouth for that front one to grown in (crooked). The dentist is letting nature take its course with it, but wanted there to be room for it either way (crooked, which is how it is going to come in, or straight). He has already told us that with the very little room that is in Kyan's mouth, braces WILL be in his future!
Kyan has been a trooper at the dentist and breathes in the fruit punch to help him relax while watching a movie on the ceiling, most times not noticing a thing! One more visit to go buddy before we are on regular check ups for awhile!
Ok, so I must warn you before you start reading about our four, fun-filled days of vacation to grandma and grandpa's in Nebraska that you will see picture overload! There was no way around it, I took a ton of pictures each day, so enjoy a recap of our trip with us!
Thursday after school/work, we rushed to the airport to make our flight (probably not good planning on my part, as I was the one totally stressed out, but I didn't want to miss an additional day of work)! The kids were so excited to ride the airplane! Kyan and Lola had been on about three years ago and only Kyan remembered what it was like. Lola was a little scared at first, but after a little encouragement from all of us, by the time the plane loaded she couldn't wait and was saying, "wheeeeeeeeeeeeee!" during take off! We got in late with the two hour time difference, so we headed to bed as soon as we arrived, but not without strict orders to my dad to get to the bakery early for the first of two must eats in Wahoo: applesauce doughnuts! He delivered three dozen (not all for me, my brother's family was staying at my parents too) bright and early in the morning and I think I was drooling before I ever woke up! I have never seen these doughnuts made anywhere else before (probably a good thing, otherwise I would be about 300 lbs) and savored every bite! Little did I know that the kids would love them just as much as me. This trip marked their first time trying them and I am sure with each time they go to visit grandma and grandpa they will make the request for them as well! After breakfast we headed to my mom's work to say hi to everyone! Then it was off to Omaha to do a quick shopping trip for Lola's dress for the wedding (something I searched for here in AZ and just couldn't find)! We ran into the bride-to-be (the reason we went back home in the first place) shopping for some shoes for the rehearsal dinner later that night and then the groom-to-be shopping for a gift for his bride, small world! The kids and my mom ate lunch at Paradise Bakery, but I was holding out for delicacy number two back in Wahoo. Kyan and Ava took a little nap on the way home, while Lola was bright-eyed and bushy tailed!
We headed to the park when we got back into town! The kids played and played and played... ...while Chad and I ate taco pizza! Why on earth the Pizza Hut's here don't make this is beyond me, because it is seriously the best pizza you will ever eat! Chad had the opportunity to eat with my mom and the kids while in Omaha, but he said I told him "he had to eat taco pizza with me", which lets me know he was just as excited to eat it as I was! Heaven in your mouth I tell ya!
After the park, it was time to head home to chillax for a little bit before the rehearsal. Kyan was the ring bearer in the wedding and cousin Ava, the flower girl, so grandma and grandpa volunteered to watch the two little ones for the night, so we could help if/where we needed to! The three of us ready to go!
Practicing and opening his cool gift from the bride and the groom!
Kyan and I at dinner.
Chad and I at dinner, can you tell how much he loves to take pictures? Glad I was able to get cooperation for two out of three!
We had a great time chatting with family and catching up with the girls I used to coach in a basketball program called Wahoops! Three of the four girls in the wedding party (and the bride) were on the team and it was so fun to see them grown up, some even with babies!
On Saturday morning, I was up bright and early with my parents. I took a nice long walk into town with my mom before the kids woke up and wanted to be outside playing. My parents have a great backyard with lots of room to run! Kyan's favorite thing to do back there was play fetch with one of my parent's dogs, Lucy! It was a race between the two of them to see who could get the frisbee first!
Lola was the cheerleader, who also loved her hair blowing in the wind (and it was pretty much windy the entire time we were there)! We enjoyed more doughnuts this morning, played together, and then it was wedding time (which took up the bulk of our day, starting at 11am for pictures, 2:30 ceremony, 5:30 dinner reception)!
The most handsome ring bearer out there! Pictures didn't start on time (do they ever?), so I took the time to snap some of my own of Kyan! He looks so grown up. Two very important girls and Kyan: the bride and the flower girl.
My cousin Carrie made a beautiful bride, from her dress to her hair to her jelly shoes! Congratulations to both Adam and Carrie, we love you!
Meanwhile, back at home, while the wedding party was taking pictures, my brother ironed all of the boys (Chad, my dad, and his own) clothes! Shirts and pants, I was quite impressed and learned a thing or two while a came home for a quick shower in between pictures, like you are supposed to iron your pants inside out! Who knew?! I got ready quickly, dressed Lola and headed back to the church about 30 minutes before the ceremony started so that I could try and get a few pictures of the kids before it started. Lola hamming it up.
Lola and Kyan. I couldn't decide if i liked the picture vertical or horizontal (and a little more zoomed) so I put them both up! Think that the picture sums up their personalities perfectly. Really BIG love them.
Wedding cermony time! Walking down the aisle. Rumor had it there were quite a few people wanting to know if Kyan was "for rent/hire", as he made quite the ring bearer! I was a proud mama.
I had big huge crocodile tears when I watched my little cousin walk down the aisle, I was so proud of her and she is just so grown up. I got quite a few pictures, but my cousin James (which feels weird to say, as he was always Jim or Jimmy growing up) made a beautiful video that I thought I would share instead.
It was a beautiful ceremony.
The reception was so fun! While waiting for the wedding party to arrive, the kids passed time with ring pops (a great idea to have a party where little kids are involved)! More pictures of the family:
Finally, the wedding party arrived and made a grand entrance! Enjoy another video by my cousin James:
The kids got plenty of dancing time in too (but Kyan spent a lot of time outside playing because his ear was killing him, not sure why, maybe the flight, as he has no ear infection)! What a great day/evening to celebrate and be around so many family members that I don't normally get to see! The kids crashed hard in the car and slept in Sunday morning!
Sunday was a great mother's day, church with my parents, breakfast at the Wigwam, then home for a homemade breakfast by Erin (my brother Joel's wife), pedicures with just my mama, then back home to spend our last day as a family! The new bride even came to town to hang with us in the afternoon/evening, as her new hubby was playing in a golf league! We had some extended family over for a grilled meal by my dad, visited, and laughed a lot! It was the best to be surrounded by family all weekend and made me reflect a lot about the good times growing up with all of my cousins, when watching a new set of cousins play together! Lola, Kyan, Brayden, and Ava
After everyone left and it was just the 10 of us left in the house, we went back to playing outside before bed. Of course it was super windy, but a great time to play fetch with Lucy and run one more time before we had to leave. I don't know what made me start filming my mom and I don't know what made me so giggly, but here is a little impromptu video of her on our last night home, it is a little over six minutes and my dad has quite the surprise in there for us that we didn't see coming, so if you get a chance to watch it all the way through, prepare yourself:
The kids crashed hard on Sunday night and fell asleep on the chair and couch in the living room. Our sleeping quarters were tight, as we slept in the office on a blow up mattress, with the kids sleeping on the floor next to us (my brother arrived one day before me so he quickly snagged up the guest bedroom, I need to plan better next time)! Monday was spent packing and getting ready to head to the airport to come home. But we didn't leave before I got a new phone (yes, I am still on my parents family plan, spoiled, I admit it). I am now a member of the Droid family (I got the Milestone X, so did my dad)! I am still learning the ins and outs of it, as it is so different from my Blackberry, but very excited!
The two apps that I have downloaded so far for it are the WhatsApp (it is like BBM, but without the Blackberry, so I can still IM Candis during our Bachelor Mondays), oI love that you don't have to send anyone your pin, if they are in your contacts and they have WhatsApp, they are automatically added to your list! So cool huh? I also downloaded the Better Keyboard, as it is slightly bigger than the one it comes with. I am still getting used to the touch screen and I am sure it will take time!
Just want to say a BIG thank you to my parents for their hospitality and for making our trip so fantastic! We are blessed with great family and were so happy to get to spend our time with you in your home, instead of ours for a change, and we know how important that is to you! The kids keep asking when they get to come back and are counting the days until they get to in June (won't be long)! I am too!
Tonight at the dinner table over a very nutritious meal made by McDonald's and What-A-Burger, Lola said the following that really did almost make me spit out my food!
Me: in my stern/irritated/I just need 5 seconds of peace and quiet voice, "Lola, you are driving me bananas!"
Lola: "Well, you are driving me apples." She was serious as a heartache. I about fell over and died. It took away any stress I had at that simple statement.
Back from a mini getaway with the family, but now I am longing for my summer vacation even more! I feel like I have so much catching up to do, being away from the internet for 4 whole days (for me, that is a long time...sad, but true)! I have blogs to catch up on and I have a bazillion pictures to sift through, when you haven't been home (Nebraska) if almost 3 years there is a lot to take! We were in town for the beautiful wedding of my little cousin Carrie, where Kyan was the ring bearer and will be back in town to pick up the kiddos in June after our Jamaica trip (well, I will be back) and we can't wait!
Pictures and a hilarious video (an interview with my mom) that you won't want to miss, but who knows how long it is going to take to get up! Stay tuned...
Teacher Appreciation Week begins tomorrow and I was so excited to work on a few things for Kyan's teacher this weekend! Being a teacher myself, I know how much those little things matter and wish all teachers this week the best week!
The room mom sent out a letter to all of the parents, giving a theme for each day! Days one and two are made (I will add pictures as we get the others made) but I included all five days ideas, just in case you wanted to do something for your child's teacher each day!
Day One: Snack Day Kyan's teacher happens to LOVE Mountain Dew, (I found a throwback bottle at Target), so we tied the little saying around it, "Thanks for all you "DEW"!
Day Two: On the Mark! Bring in a classroom supply.
We chose a pencils for two reasons. First, I saw what ellie g did over at less cake {more frosting} with her pencil bouquet (she has a great tutorial and printable if you don't want to hand make your own) and I fell in love! Thank you for inspiring me to make one for my son's teacher! Second, Kyan comes home with new pencils from his teacher all the time, so I figured this would be a gift that keeps on giving!
Day Three: That's Amore Donate your favorite Italian themed item (and recipe) for the Teacher Appreciation Luncheon. We snuck in time to make Aunt Jan's secret sauce recipe w/ hot Italian sausage tonight (this is now Monday, not Sunday...remember, I said I would add pictures as I went along and created)! It tastes better after sitting for 24-48 hours anyway to let all of the flavors blend together! You want in on the secret? Click here for deliciousness!!!
Day Four: You're Noteworthy Donate a paper supply (note pads, post-it notes, construction paper, copy paper, etc.) to the classroom. I haven't figured out how to make this "cute", so if anyone has any ideas, please let me know! It will crush me to just hand over some paper without a catchy little saying!
Day Five: Spread Some Sunshine Write a note and draw a picture telling your teacher why they are appreciated!
Thanks to the girls at eighteen25 for the amazing idea of the emergency girl clutch, I just tweaked it to make it into a clutch fit for a high school girl! Head over to their blog to get a full tutorial, the only thing I really changed was that I used a hair tie instead of ribbon to close the potholder (which was a suggestion by them and I went with it)!
So wanna know what I put inside the emergency high school girl kit?
I spray painted little owls from the dollar bin at Target, as a reminder to always be wise and found a picture of a quote that I liked and resized it to 4x5 and printed it for them (when I printed it as a 4x6 it cut off a bit of the clouds, but it still looks awesome to me) to put in a frame of their choice. Here it is just in case you want it too:
