The Finishing Touches

Today while Makayla napped and while Seth was at the Tech vs. UVA football game, mom helped me add some finishing touches to my craft room. I still have some boxes to unpack and supplies to put away, but it's looking great! I love it! Thanks, Seth!!!!! Check out the cool polka dots. They're rub-on transfers.

My little helper.

The Christmas Spirit

I am really getting into the Christmas mood. I've been listening to Christmas music, dressing Makayla in Christmas clothes, shopping for gifts, and decorating. I wanted to get all of my decorations out today, but I realized it was too difficult to get them down from the attic myself...maybe tomorrow when Tech football doesn't interfere. ;)

Serious Shopping

I love BLACK FRIDAY! Mom picked me up at 3:45 am. We got an early start. You know what they say, "The early bird gets the worm." This is true for bargains too. The early "loony" birds catch the good deals.

After Thanksgiving dinner, mom and I always sit down to sort through the sale flyers and make our plan of action for the next morning. Our agenda looked somewhat like this.

3:45 leave Dana's house
4:05 hit Kohl's right after the mad rush
4:00ish JC Penney's
5:00 Wal-Mart (the worst I've ever seen it, by the way)
5:00ish Old Navy...the line was too long to shop...will return later
6:00 Target...never seen such a line, but I was very successful at marking gifts off of my Christmas list.
6:00 somethingish back to Old Navy
The times get a little fuzzy after this. Next stops included:
Big Lots
Lowe's
KMart
Home Depot
Michael's
Staples
Tuesday Morning and last, but not least...
Costco (they even gave me a free cookbook...Yippee!

We were home by 10:00 am...just in time to enjoy some breakfast casserole and some pineapple. Mission accomplished!

Here is a picture of me with all of my loot.

Thanksgiving

What a day! I love having a day set aside to be thankful. We all have so much to be thankful for. As I was talking with my students on Wednesday, I tried to express to them that it didn't matter what their neighbor or anyone else possessed. I told them that they should be thankful for what they had, no matter how big or small it was. We had a great discussion about this. Six-year-olds are more insightful than one might think. So, I am thankful for the big and the small this year. I am thankful for...
amazing parents, siblings, and family
a wonderful husband
a beautiful daughter
a fun pup
a place to call home
clothes to wear
food to eat
friends to confide in
a church to attend
the fact that the election is over and we watch things on TV other than political "stuff"
frozen toasted marshmallow and mocha coffee from Sheetz
Black Friday bargains
cozy blankets
my camera to capture "Makayla moments"
did I mention food to eat?
trees to decorate...I still only have one up...hopefully my count will rise tomorrow
turkey cupcakes decorated by my sister-in-law, nephew, and niece

time spent with my grandma. Her health has not allowed her to attend Thanksgiving dinner for the past couple years. She was able to come this year, which made my Thanksgiving complete.

I am thankful for so much more...would take me all night to list!

I hope that everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving and was able to take some time to reflect on what they are thankful for.

One tree up...

...two, three, or maybe four more to go?! Who knows! I LOVE Christmas and I love to decorate. Makayla and I put her tree up on Friday. She adores her "kiss tree." Too cute! We (mostly me :) ) usually put up a few 3' artificial trees and one 6' live tree. The small trees are usually themed...student ornaments...snowmen...etc. The live tree is the last to go up and the most fun to decorate. Seth always helps with this one. I can't wait to involve Makayla this year.

Pictures of the precious lady and her tree.



Here's just a cute picture my father-in-law took a few weeks back before the weather turned cold.

Time home with Makayla

Well, I got what I wished for...time home with Makayla. Too bad it wasn't because of snow! I took her to the doctor yesterday to be treated for her third ear infection since July. We'll be home again today to let her rest up. Seth is watching her this morning, and I'll watch her this afternoon. The teacher in me is already starting to worry that all of these infections will hinder her development...speech, hearing, READING! Ahh!!!! Sometimes I think I read too much. The doctor said that she's not a "frequent flyer" yet, but they want to watch her this winter. My mom said I had a lot of ear infections as a baby. Right before they were going to put tubes in my ears I stopped having the infections. Once again...Makayla may look like her daddy, but she sure takes after me!

I am SO glad it's FRIDAY!!!

Signs of Snow and Author Signings

I was THRILLED to wake up Tuesday morning to find snow covering the ground and driveway. I spent a half hour watching the weather reports on TV and checking the school website for closings and delays. We didn't have any...we didn't need any. Always a hard concept for me to swallow. I just love the first snow of the year and am looking forward to many more this winter. I want to spend some time home with Makayla.

Tuesday evening my friend Diane and I traveled to Charlottesville to meet author/illustrator Emily Gravett. I have only recently been introduced to her work even though she's been published for many years. She signed Wolves, Monkey and Me, and Orange Pear Apple Bear for me...a few more gifts off of my Christmas shopping list.

School stuff...

I don't usually post about school, but I think this is "blog worthy." :)

Today, author/illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka visited our school. My teammate and I hosted a dinner theater where our students performed skits based off of his books. We had a meal catered and invited Mr. Krosoczka, teachers, friends, and even the superintendent. The students made signs, tablecloths, props, and even a sash and crown for the author. The students performed their little hearts out today. I was so proud. It's moments like these that the children will never forget and that I feel honored to be their teacher.

The Makayla blurb...of course I ordered books for Makayla. I got her Baghead and Punk Farm...signed by the author, of course! If you haven't read these books, you really should...along with the other seven books he's published.

"You might not believe this...

...but your daughter is really tall."

This is what we heard yesterday at Makayla's 15 month check-up...well, and have heard at every check-up. She weighed a little over 25 lbs. (75th percentile) and measured 32 1/2 inches (95th percentile). She's growing like a weed!

She played her drama card yesterday. She started crying before the needles were even brought out. She's on to these people!!!

Fifteen Months and Fall Foliage

What a beautiful day! We got up early, went out to breakfast, and headed to the Drive to see some fall foliage...and to celebrate 15 months with our amazing little girl.

What she's up to:
She loves to hum and sing.
She desperately uses the "eat" sign when she's hungry...she's like clockwork.
She says "hi" to everyone she sees.
She loves to ride in the basket at the grocery store and help put groceries on the conveyor.
She clears out the kitchen cabinets and helps herself to snacks in the pantry.
She pretends to feed her stuffed animals and babies.
She asks to go "side" (outside).
She loves to give hugs and blow kisses...if you are the lucky one that day.

She is growing up! We go to the doctor tomorrow for her 15 month check-up. I'll post growth updates later. I swear she's grown taller just this week!

The Drive was so quiet this morning. Perfect for some family time. We did a short hike to an overlook. Makayla wanted to walk on her own. She did a great job...every now and then, she'd get distracted and play in the leaves...reminds me of ME! I love family time! Here are a few pictures from the day.












Thanksgiving is coming...so much to be thankful for! Not that I'm counting, but there are 46 days until Christmas! Woo-hoo! I love this time of year! Hope everyone is doing great!!!

Let's hit PAUSE

Life has just been moving too fast lately. Seth and I have been on opposite schedules. It seems like one of us has had something going on each night. Makayla just takes it all in stride. She is growing and changing so much...Sunday she'll be 15 months! Wow!

Well, Makayla is sleeping and Seth is at the Tech vs. Maryland game, so I've committed to catching up on blogging. Were do I start?!

Halloween, perhaps. Makayla was the most confident and CUTEST bee I've ever seen...I'm certainly not biased or a proud mama! I just had to squeeze her!

Playing bean bag toss


Daddy took this picture...not really sure what was going on here?!


With her friend

I had my first official work session in my lovely craft room. I can't wait to spend more time in there. I promise to post more pics...I just have to take some first. :)


Seth loves to brainwash Makayla...at least about the Hokies. She pats the Hokie Bird for good luck. She's even been known to give it hugs and kisses...who taught her that?


I have to say that it is fun to dress her up in orange and maroon. Here are a few pictures from today...she had to support her team.

Caught ya! Up to no good!!!

Oh, I'm ready for the weekend...spending time with friends, spending time with Seth and Makayla, and hopefully sleeping in just a bit. Work wears me out...six year olds!