kc trip. {royals game}

{Weekend adventures with this crew! Plus a driver, minus the dog. =)}

{108* heat index made for a hot and sweaty trip to the K! Thankful for seats in the shade! #foreverroyal}

 {The little miss on the right was a fan of the concessions and the fireworks. And that's about all. =) #foreverroyal}

first day of school.

Photobomb by Oliver. =)

{This may be my favorite back to school outfit ever. It's impossible to have a bad day when you're wearing a red sparkly tutu! #backtoschool #funneststaffever}

And the sparkles traveled. By the end of the day, even my shoes were sparkly! =) 

Last year, parents comment how easy it was to spot staff members when we were all wearing our BRIGHT tie-dye shirts on the first day of school. We knew superhero shirts wouldn't make us stand out that much. Pretty sure the tutus did the trick, though. =) The kids (and parents!) loved it!

This little girl did super great for her first day! (I'll admit, I was a little nervous!) She talked to people, (not a lot, but she talked!) she played with friends and she winked at me every time she saw me in the hall. =)

This is my crew. Such a tiny little line! (But I'm not really complaining!) See that one girl? Yep. It's me and her.

So blessed to get to work with such an amazing group of people! Looking forward to a year full of FUN! =)

classroom {year 17}.

I am always a last minute girl when it comes to getting my classroom ready. It's just how I roll. 

I do some of my best work at the last minute. (Seriously stressed this staff out when I first came here!) 

This year was probably my worst, though, as far as motivation to work up at school. I just didn't have the desire to go. And I wasn't stressed about it. I knew it would come together and happen. I just wasn't in a hurry to MAKE it happen. 

{So apparently school starts in 9 days...}

Super Readers/Superhero theme at school this year. So. Much. Fun. (Although I pretty much keep the theme contained to the hallway. I don't really change my classroom up much from year to year. It's just easier. And cheaper. And less work. All good things, in my opinion.)

{Writing little names... over, and over, and over...}

{Back to school shopping for 1st grade. Water bottles for them... ibuprofen and chocolate for me.} 

I posted on FB that this may have been my least stressful year of getting ready. And that I had no idea why. I thought maybe year 17 was my magic number. I've finally got this thing figured out. A friend pointed out that in the 3 years I've been here, this is the first year I haven't had to move into a new house or move everything out of my classroom. And I realized... she was exactly right!

Year 1: We moved a house a 13 years worth of classroom a month before school started.
Year 2: We moved to the farm 4 days before school started.
Year 3: I had to empty my entire classroom for new paint and carpet.
Year 4: No major life changes! Yahoo! =)

I would really be okay with this "less stressful" thing continuing throughout the entire year.
Fingers crossed! =)

july random.

{My life has felt hectic and crazy and overwhelming lately. So last night I did this. And now look at my organized little snack shelf makes me feel a little better. #happyorganization #sometimesitsthelittlethings}

{Just made a Barbie swimsuit out of a scrap of material and Scotch tape. #momskills #goodthingshesnotpicky}

{Summer storm}

{After supper stroll with this guy. Farmer style. #farmlife #oneononetime}

{At least it's not something electronic... #messyhousehappykids}

{It's not even plugged in. =) #shemakesmesmile #yesshesinherpajamas}

{Oliver.}

{Yep... That's "Leave it to Beaver" on our TV right now. Maybe I'll wear a cardigan, pearls and high heels when I clean the house today. Just for fun. #ornot #imnojunecleaver} 

{Daily chores are more fun in a cheerleading outfit.}

{It's laundry day for Gretchen's baby. #shemakesmesmile}

{Literally every. single. day. I think there is a giant snake outside my kitchen window. (It's a hose.) #farmlife #ihatesnakes}

{"Inside Out" at the fancy movie theater and popcorn for supper earned me a "Best mom ever!" Which was nice, because that's definitely not what they thought of me this afternoon. #funpolice}

{This kiddo is on his way to the airport to get on his first real airplane! and I can't wait to hear all about it! #cousintime #thanksmom}

{Our weather radio just went off (which always gives me a small heart attack) and said we are currently under Tornado Watch #428. I never knew they were numbered. #kansaslife #notornadosirensinthecountry}

{Sophie found bamboo blinds from our old house and is trying to convince me to hang them somewhere along this wall, because "there's too much light." Me: "That's kind of the point." Sophie: "Why can't we just live in a normal house?!" Me: "What's a normal house?" Sophie: "Classic. Not all these bright colors and light." #howisshemychild #ilovecolor}

{I sometimes feel bad when the kids ask "What are we doing today, Mom?" Um... nothing. We're staying home. (I'm a definite homebody!) But then things like this happen and I'm grateful for the time at home... doing nothing. #farmlife #summer2015}

{While his sisters are getting ready to go swim in the stock tank... Lawson is at Galveston Beach. #cousintime #summer2015}

{Grandpa time}

{Date night on the deck #oneononetime #ichooseus}

Addressing invitations to our 20 year high school reunion! (How are we that old?!) Wine, kittens, grasshoppers and coyotes. Good times with great friends. =) 

{Enjoying the view during #oneononetime tonight. ;) Laying a brick patio in 100* temps isn't my favorite. #ireallywashelping}

Vacation Bible School...

City swim party... 

{I love moments like this.}

 {Good morning, big grumpy bull. Not real happy to see you. #farmlife #thistimeihelped}