trampoline.

We had been debating this summer about whether or not we should replace our trampoline.   

Remember our spring tree?

Last month we decided to go for it. Wal-Mart had them on sale and we used our Discover Card cashback bonus money. (and then the next day we saw an article on Yahoo about how many trampoline related injuries there are every year.) 

I know they can be dangerous. I know kids break their arms on them all the time. I know some parents don't like them. 

But they can be  so. much. fun! (Plus I think it's really good exercise. And I like being able to send crazy wild kids out to jump around and burn some energy.)

happy sunday.

Such a good reminder... 

Thank you, Julie, for sharing! 

first ice cream cone.

Someone else was pretty excited about the treasure hunt prize, too... 

treasure hunt.

One of the things Lawson wanted to put on our summer list was a treasure hunt. I have no idea where he got the idea from, but I'm so glad he suggested it! It was so simple, so cheap and the kids had so. much. fun! 

We only had a few rules: 1) Sophie had to read the clues out loud, not just in her head. 2) They had to decide together where the next clue was. You couldn't just run off by yourself. 3) They had to have good attitudes and be kind. (We had planned on doing it the night before, but some bad attitudes got in the way and it got postponed. And as mad as they were... I'm glad I waited. It was so much more fun for me to do this with happy, grateful children!) 

 Our clues and one of the prizes... 

Reading the first clue... 

I made it a point to have them go from one end of the house to the other, inside and outside, upstairs and downstairs. Lots of running around! 

The locations were simple: Gretchen's swing, the porch swing, jar of dog treats, trampoline, Gretchen's jumper, the fire pit, Lego table, Gretchen's crib, the mailbox and under Marley's pillow. 

They were thrilled with the Twizzlers, but I also taped a note to the back that said "Look in the freezer for another yummy treat!" 

The kids loved it. They were asking to do another one the next day!
It was so easy.
I had thought of the locations a few days before and figured out an order that had them running back and forth. It took me probably 15 minutes to write out the clues.
I never would have thought to do it if Lawson hadn't suggested it.
I'm so glad he did.  :)

sleep.

When I get overtired and really stressed, I start having strange dreams or talking in my sleep.
Last night it was a dream.
I can't remember it all now, but it was very involved.
And somewhere in my dream, there was a baby crying.
Seriously listened to that crying baby for several minutes.
And then finally realized that the crying baby was actually my own.

Hoping for a productive weekend that will relieve some of the stress.
And I should probably try to get to bed a little earlier, too.
You know... since I have to start getting up about 2 hours earlier starting on Monday.

I really wish I liked coffee.

classroom.

Moving to a new classroom stinks. 

I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed at this point. 

I was trying to figure out today why I feel so behind. Then I realized that I've spent hours doing things that for the past 10 years I haven't had to do... hanging up my alphabet line, my number line, my number words, colors, team numbers...  Plus, having to do crazy things like change my 100 word wall words from velcro (to stick on my felt word wall) to magnetic (to now stick on my chalkboard). And my entire calendar board (which is a lot of stuff) can no longer be on a bulletin board, so it needed to be made magnetic, too. 

Not to mention trying to figure out how to arrange things in this new (smaller) room. Several people have commented that they didn't realize how much smaller these rooms are... until they saw it full of all the furniture that used to fit in my old room. 

But at least today I was able to encourage some of my fellow teachers. A few of them walked into my room at various times and then commented that they didn't feel so bad about their own rooms after seeing mine. I ended up staying a little later than I planned... I was getting a little freaked out by the people who would walk in my room and get a look of worry/panic as they looked around.

5 days until I have students. 

2 of those days are meetings. 

It's gonna be a busy weekend. 

meg & dallas.

I've know Meagan forever. She's my favorite birthday buddy. I met Dallas my freshman year of college. I fixed the two of them up during my sophomore year of college... and was in their wedding a few years later. They're two of my favorite people. The kind of people that you can go years without seeing, yet pick up right where you left off. 

The kids had so much fun playing together! (There's a big soccer ball just at the edge of this picture...)

White picket fence and rocking chairs on the front porch. How's that for small town America? 

Miss Magdalena was pretty proud of herself in the big swing... 

Corey and Dallas lived together the year before we got married. They always have lots of fun together! (Which way to the gun show, Dallas?)   :)

This was only the second time the kids have seen Maren, but you would think they were the best of friends! She's right between Sophie and Lawson in age and they all played great together! 

These next pictures make me smile. It may seem silly, but what I loved about them is here is Corey pushing Magda...

and Dallas swinging Gretchen. There's nothing quite like friends who love on your kids. It's the best. 

Gretchen was very sleepy... 

We put in a movie for the kids and the 4 of us (plus Gretchen) sat at the table talking and laughing. (And occasionally getting "shushed" by the children. "Could the grown-ups be a little quieter, please?!") They were all half asleep by the time we left. Magdalena was even asking if she could go to bed. 

It was so much fun to hang out with guys again, Meagan! We have to do this again soon! (Especially since Lawson thinks you have the funnest house ever and wants to come live with you!) We love you guys!