Tinkering

He have had a pretty low key day today.  We headed to Hobby Lobby where Emma got fabric to make her own green screen.  Her creativity and use of technology amazes me every day.  Then Kate and Joe came over to play.  Kate and Zach are so much alike.  They spent time playing basketball together.  Emma and Joe put their creativity to good use with her new green screen.  Tonight Emma is sleeping over at Mimi and Papa's with Joe!

Zach tinkering with his bike!

Emma getting the news that she can sleep over!

Down Time

We have returned safely from our amazing trip to Disney World!  I can't even begin to share how much fun we had.  We certainly created some great memories!  We are certainly very tired from our trip.  There isn't much relaxing on a Disney World trip!  Today I caught a rare moment of Zach and Emma getting along and playing LEGOs together.  The LEGOs have been packed away for a few months but I think the trip to LEGOland re-sparked their interest!  I love the creativity and thought that each puts into their LEGO creations!  

Magical Days

Yesterday and today were such magical days!  We went to Epcot yesterday and had a great time.  The kids loved riding Spaceship Earth.  The park was easy to navigate and not very crowded.  We ended the day watching the light show over the lagoon.  It was amazing!  Today we spent about 7 hours at Magic Kingdom.  We rode several rides and all agree that the Winnie Poo ride was one of the best! The feels like temperature was about 105 degrees.  Very hot and humid.  We were back at our condo in time for dinner.  We will be spending another day at this park on Sunday!  

First Family Vacation

We have done several overnight trips as a family but this is our first official big trip!  We woke up early and told the kiddos that today was the day we were leaving.  They were super excited.  We arrived at the airport and everything went really smoothly.  We boarded the plane and the ride was pretty good.  I was super nervous of course, Zach said it was okay and Emma LOVED it!  She is our brave little girl!  When we arrived in Orlando we got our luggage, headed to our rental car and made it to our hotel.  We finally had dinner and went grocery shopping.  We are staying in a three bedroom, three bathroom, full kitchen condo.  It is super nice!  The kids ended their exciting day with a quick swim in the pool!  I am so excited about what great things we will experience together on our first family vacation!

Hello Summer!

Summer has officially begun!  I wish the weather would have been more summer-like.  I did like the humidity though!  The kids have certainly enjoyed the pool despite the rainy weather.  The water is way too cold for me!  So far the kids are still not sure of when we are leaving for Disney.  Zach has predicted Thursday and Emma thinks Wednesday.  I am still hoping to wake them up and surprise them on the day we are leaving.  Enjoy the simple joys of summer!

They Just Need Each Other

It is finally summer!  At least that is what the calendar says.  Unfortunately the weather isn't exactly what I consider 'summery'!  We are getting ready for Disney by doing some last minute shopping and making sure we have all that we will need for our trip.  We are getting very excited.  I am, however, very afraid to fly.  I have only flown twice before and I didn't enjoy it either time.  I have my meds and am hoping that will help get me on the plane.  The moment captured above is very rare it seems these days.  They tend to argue and disagree about everything but there are moments when mom and dad just aren't good enough and they just need each other.   

Did Someone Say 'Disney"?

We are getting ready for our first big vacation as a family.  We are headed to DISNEY!!!  We leave shortly after school gets out and we can't wait.  Emma and Papa were caught reading a Disney book and talking about all the great things we will see and do there!  The kids know that we are going sometime after school gets out, but they don't know what day.  I am hoping to keep it a secret until the morning we are leaving!  (I am doing this to keep Emma's excitement at bay so she doesn't get sick!)  Here's to planning, shopping, organizing, packing, and making dreams come true!

JUST LEAVE MY TAPE ALONE!

I don't ask for much from my family.  Just simple things like always be kind to each other, clean up your messes, don't fight, quit complaining, be quiet sometimes and LEAVE MY TAPE ALONE!!!  Seriously, every time I need tape the one that is kept safely in the drawer is ALWAYS gone!  Usually Emma is to blame.  I am not quite sure what she does with all the tape.  Does she tape her dolls up?  Is she making clothing out of it?  Is she making a tape ladder to escape?  Who knows!  What is the one item that you can never seem to find when you need it?

The End is Near

Painting stepping stones for hopscotch in our classroom garden!

The end of the school year is near.  I can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel.  This time of year always brings mixed emotions.  While I am exhausted and may just loose it if I hear 'Mrs. Lichtie' one more time, I can't believe my time with these 30 kids is nearly over.  While I don't want to correct one more assignment or plan one more lesson, I don't feel like I have had enough time with them.  While I am tired of working through discipline issues with the same kids, I worry that next years teacher won't know what works and how to get 'those' kids to do what you need them to do.  I feel like 'my kids' have come such a long way!  We have laughed, dance, played, learned, and maybe even cried together.  I have been their protector and leader all year.  I am ready to let them fly on their own, but will miss each and every one.  

Living with CVS

Living with CVS sucks.  Our sweet Emma had another episode last night. She knew she was going to get sick.  It is so sad when we are so proud that she made it to the bathroom and even held her own hair back. I never thought I would be so proud of my daughter for that. Her everyday worries are constantly on my mind. I hate that an 8 year old has to worry about when she will be sick again. No one should have to worry about that. Sometimes her syndrome changes our plan for the day. Sometimes we have to pre-plan or be extra aware of how she is feeling. It is exhausting and difficult. She shared with me tonight how she worries all the time. I just wish I could take those worries away for her.  

Remember Caboodles?

I wasn't sure what I would capture today.  It was nearing the end of the day and I still didn't have 'that' moment caught yet.  I heard Emma get out of the shower and after getting her pajamas on she went back into the bathroom to brush her teeth.  I thought maybe I could capture something there.  As I walked in I caught the image above.  She had her caboodle open, her hair wrapped in a towel and a smile on her face.  I got my moment!

Happy Anniversary

Today Justin and I celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary.  I am still in shock that I have found someone who loves me unconditionally and puts up with all my flaws (and I have plenty).  We have weathered many storms over the years and I know that there will be many more ahead of us.  We have also been blessed to enjoy so many simple and amazing moments in life.  I am in awe of the man I call my husband.  He is a hard worker, great father, strong shoulder to lean on, my best friend and so much more.  He makes me a better mom and wife.  I am grateful and excited with what our future may hold!  I love you!

Things that make her mad

Emma eating cotton candy,  listening to music and watching Zach play baseball.

Emma was not happy that we had a night of baseball planned.  She was so upset at me after school, she even turned on the tears.  She really didn't want to go sit and watch Zach play.....again!  And of course the game was over three hours long with extra innings.  (I did leave after about 2 hours and 45 minutes with her.)  As I was driving home I was thinking of some of the things that make my 8 year old mad.  

*Going to baseball

*Cleaning her room

*Doing laundry

*Putting dishes in the dishwasher

*Picking up toys

*Putting away her clothes that have been left out after trying on 6 outfits

*Doing homework (sometimes)

*Going grocery shopping

As I think about this list....all but the first one makes me mad too!

A True Friend

What is a true friend?  I have had the privilege to figure this out over the last few years with my teaching partner.  A true friend is someone who always listens to you.  They offer their shoulder to lean on or cry on.  A true friend can finish your sentences and knows your every thought.  A true friend is excited for you when you have reason to celebrate.  They don't judge you and like you for who you are, not what others want you to be.  A true friend only comes along once in awhile and I feel so blessed to have found mine.  

Why I Teach

I teach because I hope that I am making a difference in a child's life.  I teach because for 10 months out of the year I am a mom, a counselor, a shoulder to lean on, a nurse, a referee, a party planner, a decorator, a secretary, a confidante for all my students.  They are 'my' kids for the school year.  I care about them.  I think about them when I am not with them hoping they have a safe place to rest their heads or a good meal to eat.  I worry that they won't get their homework done or they won't get to bed on time.  A teacher never stops thinking about 'their kids'.  As the years pass I wonder about my former students.  Are they happy, successful, productive?  Are they pursuing their dreams?  So why do I teach?  I teach to make a difference!

I Love My Boys

My boys and their toys.  Zach is watching baseball on my old phone while lounging in his bed.  This is how we find him many nights after school or after playing outside.  He loves his room.  I feel like overnight he went from always being around me playing with toys to closing his door and hanging in his room.  Sometimes I wish I could go back to when he was little.  (Notice I said, sometimes!)  I love all the new things we are experiencing with him but I do miss those simpler times when toys on the living room floor entertained him for hours.  I have fond memories of playing with blocks, puzzles, trains and Star Wars a lot!  Justin is relaxing and watching the Brewer's.  He worked hard in the yard today.  (He planted all three trees!)  I love my boys!