InstaFriday - Lovin' Summer!

Hey y'all, haapy Friday!!! 

Summer is flying by and we are keeping busy as ever!

 Last week, at D'Backs Baseball Camp, Kyan came in 4th place in the skills challenge for the week!  He was the youngest in his age division to win!  Friday evening we got an unexpected phone call from our friend, Brooks, asking if we wanted tickets to see Cirque?  Ummmmm, yeah!  It was premiere night to top it off, so popcorn and soda were free, along with champagne and cupcakes at intermission!  We only had to pay for parking, it was awesome!  The girls who were over at my house crafting away said that they would stay to watch the kids if I went to buy them stuff to make cake pops!  Ok, sold!  It was an awesome evening!

 Saturday we woke up and went to our friend's son baseball game.  Lola was sporting her headband that the babysitting girls made her the night before and is always wanting to take pictures!  After the game we went to a new Indian Frybread place (Chad's favorite, not so much mine) and both the kids found one they liked and then really enjoyed the dessert, especially Kyan, he is always happiest eating dessert!  Saturday evening, after my walk, I sat down and planned our Summer Supper Club Menu.  Our turn to host and the menu we came up with sounds delicious if I don't say so myself!

 Sunday was a lazy day, I woke up early and read for four hours in bed.  If you haven't read Fifty Shades of Grey yet, read it!  So good!  It will suck you in and make you forget that you are supposed to be cleaning the house or doing laundry!  I did manage to get my behind out of bed to do a little bit of shopping and purchased the Oh, Lola! perfume, by Marc Jacobs.  Can you guess why?

 Monday I was without my walking partner, so I talked Kyan into going for a bike ride with me.  We took the route that I usually walk (3.9 miles) and he made it the whole way without complaining!  Since then, he has asked to go again and I plan on taking him soon!

 Tuesday was a picture heavy day (I don't really realize this until I go back and do these posts)!  We were jam packed full of fun!  First stop was the dentist!  I haven't been in years (ashamed to say it, but true) and I will be paying the price for the next couple of weeks!  I also found out that I grind my teeth and will need to be fitted with for a mouth guard when I sleep at night.  Oh boy, that should be comfortable...NOT!  But, I would like to keep my teeth looking nice and neat from now on, so I already booked my 6 month check-up!  We went to Joann's for a few quick craft supplies and the kids found those cute little hats to wear around.  They wanted them so bad, but after walking around for about 10 minutes in them, they lost they appeal and they went for a treat at the checkout lane!  We had a crafty day when we got home, Lola chose to paint (her favorite) and Kyan wanted to learn how to make friendship bracelets (I wanted to pluck out my eyeballs trying to teach him...so hard)!  I made a few new slipcovers for pillows in the playroom!  I went for my nightly walk and reached 21.1 miles for my June goal - to run/job/walk/crawl 40 miles by months end!  Safe to say I think I am going to make it (Currently I am at exactly 25, only 15 more to go and over half the month left)!  I feel good and now just need to figure out a way to keep my water cold - walking in 106 degree weather is tricky!

Wednesday was Kyan's turn at the dentist.  He got his expander in and lemme tell you it is NO FUN.  Not because it is hurting him, but because the poor kid is struggling to eat.  His favorite things he gets stuck between the expander and the roof of his mouth and it is a weird feeling that is going to have to take some getting used to.  Joyfolie finally has a woman's line and I couldn't resist these babies!  Worth every penny!

Thursday woke up and made Auntie Heidi's Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies (have never tried a better recipe than hers and she shared her secret with me and I shared it here!).  Went with some friends to check out Uptown Alley!  Kyan's first time playing Laser Tag and he loved it!  We will be back!  Before we left, he tried winning his sister a prize!  Had a photo shoot at sunset, who knew that the park closed then?!  Whoopsie!  Got locked in and scolded by the park ranger!  After apologizing a million times about not reading the sign with all the rules on it, he let us out!  Which made me late meeting up with Camille and Candis for a few drinks, but I made it!  So nice getting in a little bit of girl time with the two of them!

Hope everyone had a great week!  

Linking up with Jeannett once again over at Life Rearranged!  You should too, 'cause life in phone pictures is rad!

InstaFriday - Summertime Funtime!!!

Even though it is summertime, Friday is still my favorite day of the week.  The day this blog gets brushed off and a post is...well, POSTED!  My poor blog.  I have tons to add to it, but have been soaking up the sun and having a blast with the kids, that I don't want to be near a computer!  But, I still love Fridays {of course for the obvious InstaFriday update, as Instagram is my favorite thing of all time - jenni_roseland is how you can find me if you aren't already), as I get to reflect on everything we do for the week.  Can't believe it sometimes, how do we fit it all in?

Friday I spent working, only it didn't feel like work at all!  It was so much fun {and that is how work should be right?}!!!  Spent the day working in my new classroom and getting it set up as much as I could before I turned in my keys and then went home and worked on a photo shoot that I did the day before so that their pictures could be ready for a retirement party the following day!  This was one of my favorite pictures of the family from the day!

 Saturday morning I went with my parents to Sun City to shop estate sales!  First one we went to we found the best deal and got two very old wooden rocking chairs that I planned to take to my new classroom after I spruced them up, but my kids have fallen in love with them and I don't think they will be going there any time soon!  We headed to my parents place later that evening and I rode in the back so Kyan could ride shotgun.  Never again.  Too hot!  My car might be small, but the air circulation is horrible {probably had something to do with the fact that we were in triple digits too}!  Once we got there, Lola napped.  Girlfriend can seriously sleep anywhere!  And she looks so sweet doing so I might add!  After she woke up, the kids found one of the best $5 Walgreens toys my dad could have ever found, this rocket shooter.  Kids step on an end and it sends a foaming rocket into the air!  They were mesmorized.  Lots and lots of giggles came from playing with it.  And I learned one of the reasons why my kids are always wanting to stay at their grandparents and never come home with me: looks like my mama can give one heck of a good leg rub!  I am glad that they love staying there with them!  They have their own rooms and everything!  Each always goes to their own space, although Lola has been know to crawl into bed with everyone at the house!

 Sunday I went with my mama to get my nails and toes done.  So nice.  When I got home, there was Lola, sleeping again!  This time on daddy!  When she woke up, we headed out to the pool, the only way to beat this Arizona heat I tell ya!  I started reading Fifty Shades of Grey, knowing full well what I was getting myself into!  Oh man!  Finished it and already onto book two!  It sucks you in.  We sad goodbye to grandpa and grandma later that evening.  We are always sad to see them go, but Lola always wants to see them off.  As soon as we started to drive away, Justing Beiber blasting on the radio, trying to distract her, I hear her crying.  When I asked her what was wrong {I already knew the answer}, she told me her heart was breaking.  She cried her self to sleep poor girl.  We miss you Grandparents Nebraska!!!

 Monday was spent at the Diamondbacks Baseball Camp, {M-F, 8-11}!  We signed up last second and so glad we did, Kyan has been going all week and been learning a ton!  We will definitely be back next year!  As soon as camp gets over each day, we head to the pool!  It is hot out there!  Lola has not only learned to swim without her floaties, but has now mastered jumping off the waterfall!  She is brave!  After swimming, my kids jumped on their quad that just got its wheel fixed!  They were riding around, no big deal, and then, all of a sudden, like in slow motion, I am watching them roll it over {Kyan was driving, Lola was riding on the back} onto the hot rocks.  They got pretty banged up, Kyan getting the worst of it, but Lola was waaaaaaaay more dramatic about it!  The only way I could get her to breathe and settle down was to bandage her up and as you can see, she had plenty!  After the incident, the kids settled down for popcorn and a movie on the couch!

 Tuesday I got smart and packed some of Lola's toys, so she could play while we watched Kyan at camp.  Pay close attention to where she put the stick on her pony?  Bwahahahahaha!  Cooked a meal for the first time ever in a crock pot.  I was so nervous.  But, wouldn't you know, the pulled pork turned out amazing.  I pinned a super easy recipe and it was delicious!  Only four ingredients total.  You must try it {click here}.  The only thing that I did differntly is I used pork tenderlion instead of pork butt because the grocery store I went to was out.  Still delicious as ever.  I topped it with a mango salsa.  Who knew?!  Mango salsa on a pulled pork sandwhich, yummmmmm.  And no, can't say that I came up with that on my own, I got it from pinterest as well.  This time only needs three ingredients {click here to see how to make it, again, just used the mango salso recipe from the post, not the pork recipe - although it looks delicious as well}.  And I finally got around to buying some fresh flowers to place in my crates I purchased from the Junk in the Trunk market!  I put the mason jars from Thanksgiving inside to hold the flowers.  Love.

 Wednesday was very rare.  I decided that I should make my bed!?  Doesn't happen every day folks, so I made sure to capture it.  Man, do I love my room when the bed is made!  We had some new friends over to swim {yes, I admit it, this may have had something to do with a made bed, even if they never stepped foot upstairs} so I tried out a new recipe {Pinterest inspired of course}!  Another success!!!  This time around, Black Bean Salad with Corn, Red Peppers, Avocado & Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette.  Oh my, YUM!  You know you wanna try it {click here}.

 Love that girl!  She will always pose for a picture!  Her headband makes that one extra cute!  Went to H&M, havint been in forerever, it is so far from my house, but worth the drive and I found the kids so many cute tank tops!  Oh, and undies!  I love their undies/chonies!  Kyan was so excited for the pink pair that when I asked him if he wanted to put on shorts, he happily replied no thanks!  Walked about 4 miles with my girlfriend Meghan.  Makes walking so much easier and entertaining when you have a partner to do it with.  Beats working out on the treadmill for sure {and no mama, you may not have that back yet, I am still using it too}!

I'd say we had an awesome week!  Looking forward to seeing what next week brings!

Linking up with Jeannett! 

 Life in phone pictures is awesome {especially when they have such cool filters/apps to play with your pictures in -- my favorite, hands down is picfx}!  

InstaFriday - Hello Summer!

 Last week, we ended the school year on a very different note.  I walked with the kids to school and that NEVER happens, but it is going to be happening every single day next year!  Oh yeah!  I am going to be teaching 2nd grade next year and a walking we will go {or bike riding}!  Lola brought her teachers one last gift that day too, Starbucks gift cards on a cute printable from the girls over at eighteen25!  Sunday we had a BBQ and welcomed summer!  It was so much fun!  On Sunday, after church, Chad watched the kids so I could spend the day with my parents!  Aren't they so cute?  We went to the outlet mall in Anthem and then headed to Cave Creek for a late lunch!  When we got home, the boys headed to the golf course, and so did the girls actually...but when my mom and Linda discovered that the bar was closed, we headed back to the house and enjoyed a glass of wine by the pool.  Oh, and dancing.  Lots of dancing.  They were adorable and could really shake it!  Monday we headed to my parents place out at Estrella for their annual swim party and BBQ!  The Big Dipper was a hit, along with the slides as usual!

 And this is my happy little family!  Typically one worries about what the kids faces look like in pictures, but not me!  I have to worry about what my husband is up to at all times!  Despite how annoyed his look is, there is something about this picture that I love!  Pretty much sums us up!

 But you know who LOVES taking pictures?!  My Lola girl!  She would take a million with me!  We were practicing making the same faces!  Not bad huh?!  She really is my mini me!

 When we went shopping at the outlet mall, my mom got a new Coach purse, which meant that I got her old one {which isn't really that old}!  Crazy 8's and War - Kyan is obsessed with playing them after grandpa taught him how Monday night!  What is funny is I remember playing both of these games with my grandma when I was little and I LOVED it!  Went to the ortho this week and had to have spacers put in, got away with having to only to one!  Back again next week to get a mold of his teeth!  Lola, love how she can just fall asleep anywhere, including on a booster seat on the wood floors!  Got back on the treadmill this week.  It has been waaaaaaaaay to long.  Feels good.  Went to my classroom this week to start decorating.  Turquoise is my new favorite color currently!  The kids loved helping!  Had a going away party for one of my coworkers who is heading to China to teach and enjoyed a blue hawaiian {or two}.  This is one drink from our supper club menus that has been remade several times over!  Always a hit!  Kyan is his father and loves his computer gaming!  He beat a new level tonight and it was hilarious when he was talking to himself while doing so!  Had the honor of shooting a USAF pilot's final flight.  Incredible experience.

First week of summer fun, check!  Many more to come!

Linking up with Jeannett!

Talent Show Success!!!

They planned.

No really, they did.  See that picture on he left?  That was their drawing of positions/moves and where they were supposed to rotate to during the dance.  It was adorable and made me smile the second I saw it.  Easton, a little brother of one of the boys (Jax) held up their plans for them while they danced so that they could remember what they were supposed to do.  After watching the dance several times, we figured out their order and wrote it down so we wouldn't forget when it came time to practice again!

 They practiced, and practiced, and practiced!!!

 When it came time to try out, one of the boys got so sick, like sick for he whole week, so by the last day of tryouts Jax and Kyan decided they were going to just go for it and tryout without him, hoping they would make it to the show, where Lucas could perform with them!  And wouldn't you know...they made it into the show!

They performed!

So proud of all three of them!  Takes a lot of guts to get on the stage as first graders and get up there and do what they did!

Dyno Dancers

 Jax, Lucas, Kyan

InstaFriday - Is it really the end?

This week is a little {ok, more like a LOT} bittersweet.  It is always exciting to reach the end of the school year {hello summer vacation and stay at home mommy status}, but this year was different.  This wasn't just going to be my last week teaching "those" kids, it was my last week at the Creek.  The last of a lot of things that I do as an 8th grade teacher and let me tell you it was hard.  It finally hit me in the car, as I drove home yesterday from school.  Tears, lots of them and while I cried almost every day this week, I finally just let it all out.

 I rocked my team day shirt {an oldie but a goodie} to school last Friday, my last school spirit day.  I packed up my room and just before I went home, I sat in my classroom one last time, taking it all in and I finally had the courage to open up the book my friend Holly made me. It was beautiful and she sure knows me so well {and how to make me cry}. 

 Saturday morning Kyan pulled out a very wiggly tooth, before he went on to play in his final game of the season!  He did such an awesome job and we are so proud of #22!  We are taking a break for the summer with sports, but have plans to start up again in the fall!  After the game we packed up my classroom into the back of our truck, until it was ready to be moved to the new classroom.  Then we headed to a birthday party for one of our friends!  The kids rocked their new hats to the party and I even got my hubby to pose in a picture with me {and he wasn't making a funny face...shocker}!  Was a long day and the kids crashed as soon as we got home!

 Just one picture from Sunday, but Lola girl learned to swim with no floaties!  She joined her brother and has officially become a little fish in the water!  We spent all afternoon and into the evening outside, in the water!

 Started off Monday morning killing a scorpion on our way out the door to school!  That little bugger was outside the garage and pretty small, but I somehow noticed it out of the corner of my eye and was able to smash it {but not before I took a quick, and so blurry pic.  I didn't want to get too close, it squared up on me and I thought it might try to sting me}!  While I was off on our 8th grade field trip that lasts well into the evening {we didn't get home until 7pm}, Lola graduated from preschool!  Well...kind of.  She graduated to become one of the leaders of next years class, she is just 4 and will be going again next year!  Grandma Donna was able to sneak away from work to attend and that was so special for Lola, although she told her teachers and myself that she was didn't want to play graduation that day!  HA!  She ended up participating wonderfully!  Thank you to Mrs. Ashby for sending me those pictures!  Kyan also had his end of the season baseball party, daddy was on duty {I was still on the field trip, playing laser tag!}  Meghan snapped that cute one of my three favorite peeps ever for me!  I was able to make it to about 30 minutes of the party to wish everyone a good season!

 Tuesday.  Hmmmm, not sure where I want to start this one.  First off, my boy performed in the talent show {hoping to get my hands on that video soon} and did a great job!  I wasn't there, as it was a busy day at school, but I heard they were a hit!  So my day?  Finished up my compliment cards to students {something we did as a homeroom, each kid writes something to everyone in the homeroom; words of encouragement, favorite memory with them, etc.}.  I am a quote girl and that one is one of my favorite.  I printed off 4x6's of it and then wrote a message to each one on the back.  The best part, and most surprising part of my day came during our awards ceremony, where one student read her hero speech to me.  Hero speeches {part of our end of the year activities too} weren't scheduled until Wednesday?!  Who?!  What?!  Me?!  A hero?!  No one has ever written something about me like she did.  It was so beautiful and special and just wow.  You really don't ever know the impact you have on someone's life.  You don't know who is watching and listening and paying attention.  Tuesday I found out and I have to say it felt pretty incredible to know that I have made that much of a difference in her life.

 Wednesday was a special day for my kids!  Water Day!!!!  They had so much fun!  Also, Grandpa Jerry arrived in town for the next two weeks so he came to hang out at the house for a little bit before he whisked them away for a sleepover!  They were so happy to see him and he was so much more fun to be with, not only have I been pretty quite {my hubby just called me emo} all week, but I got sick Tuesday too.  Ugh, so quiet/sick mama or super cool/fun grandpa?!  Hmmmm...not a tough choice at all.

8A.  I can't say that I have every worked on a team more incredible than them.  Ever.  Don't get me wrong, I am excited for the changes that lie ahead, but I can't help but look at this picture and think of what I am walking away from.  I love you Butler, Rooksie, Casillas, Thorne, and Hagen.

Linking up with Jeannett, you should too!  Life in phone pictures is RAD!

 

InstaFriday - Hello. Goodbye.

Totally winding down the year at school, so just stopping in quick to say hello {hey!} and recap our week, with a quickness!  If you aren't following already, would love to have you follow along on instagram!

Our weekend.

1. Mother's Day Note from my Lola.  It made us all laugh. "Bad mommy shows" was a classic.

2.  Shopping for a promotion dress.  LOVE this one, and bought it, but it turns out it is a little too short to wear to an 8th grade ceremony.  Think I'll save it for our next supper club!

3.  New make up from my mama, Jane Iredale!  Love it and the coverage it gives, while it is still light for the summer.

4.  Enjoying my boy's baseball game, eating sunflower seeds of course.  Can't be a baseball without being able to eat them!

5.  Kyan slides when he has to.  Saturday, he had to, twice!  Safe both times too!  He had a great game and even made a double play after he caught a pop fly and then threw a runner out at 2nd!

6.  Daddy vs. Kyan in a noodle fight over at Grandma and Grandpa Moffitt's house!  The family got together to celebrate mother's day and Michael's birthday! 

7.  Proud to be the mama of those two sweet kids.

8.  Lola asked for popcorn for a snack.  I ended up eating most of it, while she licked the bag.  She loves butter!

9.  Gave Lola and I a manicure Sunday night and snuggled before bed!  I have been trying to try those sticker nails by Sally Hansen - Kitty, Kitty.  They are fun and a lot of people comment on them and want to touch my fingernails!

 

My favorite picture from the weekend.

 Everyone cooperated and NO ONE complained when I asked if we could take this.  They must have been being good to me for mother's day weekend!  I'll take it whenever I can get it!  I LOVE my family and I am lucky to have them!

Our Week.

 1.  Monday the boys played at the Reds Stadium.  Such a cool experience for the little guys.

2.  After baseball I enjoyed a glass of Stella Rosa, while watching the newest season of the bachelorette and editing "real" pictures form the nights game.  A post about his baseball season coming up....soon?

3.  Joyfolie finally created a woman's line.  Can you say IN LOVE with those wedges {and the other ones she has for sale}.  I splurged and can't wait to get them in!

4.  To relax after a long day is to read.  Currently on the iPad:  Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult.

5.  Wednesday at extended day they have show and tell.  Kyan asked if he could bring our wedding album.  He loves stories and pictures and is so sentimental.  My sweet boy for sure.

6.  Packing up my classroom is hard.  I have two bookshelves full of books and after packing up 3 boxes of books I that I couldn't let go of, I had a book sale.  Watching them go off my shelf one by one was like putting a knife in my heart.  Books are powerful and books/words can change lives.  I thought a lot about the different students who have read them.  Ugh.  Ready for change, but it sure don't come easy.  I can't tell you how many times I have been on the verge of tears this week.

7.  My girl Lola and her stunna shades!  I used a filter from picfx.  

8.  Promotion Dress.  $20 at TJ Maxx {oh yes, I am a maxxinista}!  Best part is my Steve Madden shoes match perfect and I don't have to buy a new pair to match!  Booyah!  

9.  Lola is crafty too and made that flower pot!  When I got home from, not only did I see it on the table, but the house was nice and sparkling clean!  Mama likes a clean house!

Whew.  Not exactly a quick recap, but I don't think I have the ability to be quick!  We have a very busy weekend and week planned {last week of school next week, this one will be a bittersweet one}!

Enjoy yours!

Linking up with Jeannett!  You should too!  Taking pictures with your phone is RAD!

Mama, I Love You

My Dearest Mother,

I know, I know...I didn't send you a card for Mother's Day {I know how much those cards mean to you, I am a loser} so I am hoping that a post all about you will make up for it...

 

The thing is, how do I find the right words to post for someone as amazing as you are?

You really are my best friend and even when we talk about nothing in the mornings {you know you are the first - and sometimes only - phone call I make on the way to school?}, to be able to hear your voice gives me the strength that I sometimes need to make it through the day.  If I can't have you here with me every day {still wishing BIG for that to happen one day} hearing you, sometimes 2-3 times a day, makes it okay.  

I live for your visits and sometimes your quick trips here are my favorite!  No one I know has energy quite like you!  I mean, you require hardly any sleep and you are a cleaning machine {Lord knows I did not inherit that gene}!  You are spontaneous and always on the go, go, go!  What I love the most about your quick little trips out here is that you stay at the house.  You are mine 24/7!  Call me selfish, but I need you.  Always.  I am counting down the days until your next visit!

Thank you for being such a positive role model to me while I was growing up.  I know we didn't always see eye to eye, but I will forever be grateful for how you raised me.  If it wasn't for you {and of course dad} I don't think I would be who I am today.  You are my rock.  You are strong and beautiful and ooze love out of each and every pore.

I am the luckiest daughter in the world to be able to call you mom.  

I love you more than you will ever know.   Happy Mother's Day.

 

PS -ummmmmm, we don't have any pictures of us together, so be ready for lots of picture taking the next time you are in town!  Not kidding, you are going to be annoyed at me, but we need some!