Apple for the Teacher

We are on day 5 of school, and I have a breather to put a few thoughts down. 

Back to routine ( Hallelujah! ) 

The beginning of a new school year is just another document on how the kids 

are growing up.  Can't believe this is my oldest's last year of elementary.  

This time next year she will be starting Junior High and Lil Miss will be starting kindergarten. 

But let's not get ahead of ourselves... 

To the 2015-2016 school year.  

My kids are ruling the school being 5th, 4th and 3rd graders.  

We love our school.

It was so fun to see all the familiar teachers faces, friends (kid's and mommy's),

and to see new families to welcome into this wonderful community.

Rosie couldn't wait to socialize with her friends. 

As excited as the oldest three were to go back, the little one was 

a little sad.  She just lost her three best friends. 

She has told me "I'm bored" about 100 times this week.  

Mommy apparently isn't as fun as her brother and sisters.

Have no fear though, she is starting preschool next week. 

We unpacked her backpack Wednesday night and she 

is ready to go. 

Oh, and it only took 3 days into 5th grade for me to bring in reinforcements

for Math homework. 

Glad daddy understands it all.  

So welcome back to a new school year. 

I pray that my children's teacher love my kids,

That my kids love their teachers,

That we all try to be patient when learning something new,

That we respect other students opinions an feelings,

That we foster old friendships and make new ones too, 

and that everyone tries to do their best. 

just a kid at heart

I like to doodle.  

I have grocery lists that have become more trees and flowers than 

grocery list.  

I have people's phone numbers on post-its that are indistinguishable from all the chicken scratches I couldn't help draw. 

So I put my skills to good use when I pack my kid's lunch. 

Hopefully this will be something my kid's remember about their mom when they grow up. 

Nothing fancy, but a little something from their momma. 

 Our brown bag art... just call me a kid at heart.

Baseball Momma

It's Baseball Season.

My son is starting his third year of baseball and his FIRST with kid-pitch. 

Kid-pitch brings on a whole new level of anxiety for this mom on the sideline. 

Especially when your little guy is called to pitch.  

 But we love baseball.  

Like we love basketball, football, volleyball, track.... 

Nate and I love to see our kids active. 

We love seeing their enthusiasm to get homework done in record time to 

get ready for practice or better yet a game. 

We try our hardest to be at every game and for them to know we 

are in the stands cheering for them.

We love sports because it teaches them handwork and commitment. 

Especially when something doesn't come naturally easy for them, we encourage 

them to practice, practice, practice.  This holds true for learning a musical instrument, 

studying for a big test, or just LIFE. 

So I put on my proud momma hat and cheer on my boy from the bleachers.  (or lately a nice comfortable collapsible chair wrapped in a blanket and wearing gloves.... brrrrr)

Seriously, the first time I was told he was going to pitch I didn't think 

he could throw from the mound to home plate.  He's a little kid. 

But the first time I saw him out there I was so proud.  AND excited.  AND 

really nervous. 

But that is the case when my kids play in any sport.

Proud Baseball Momma, here. 

Advent Countdown

2 more days until Christmas. 

We have been counting down the days here at our house. 

Last year, I made this Advent calendar with little brown 

envelopes that have special Holiday activities for each day. 

Some days are about reminiscing about Christmases past and

some days are about making new holiday memories. 

Last year we started ringing bells for the Salvation Army. 

It was a day with negative wind chills and snow on the ground. 

This year only 5 days before Christmas, the weather was much more pleasant as we 

rang bells to raise money for those who need it more. 

These beautiful smiles were just to cute to walk by without putting

a little something in the red box.  We also were given suckers, 

free cookies, and free hot cocoa from strangers. 

Ringing bells is always a great reminder to my kids 

on the importance of helping others. 

It's not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving. -- Mother Teresa

 Of course we can't have Christmas pass us by without seeing Santa Claus.

Our Christmas list go to Santa in our stockings on St Nicholas day on December 5th, 

so seeing Santa in person just means we verify that one gift they really want.  

I was so proud of my son, who when I told him to think of something he wanted to ask 

Santa for... instead said that he didn't need anything really, but had a question to ask the big guy. 

His question was "Everyone tells you want they want for Christmas Santa, but what do you want?"

Santa answered, "Hugs!" 

 Popcorn and Movie day is one of my favorite and I have to admit we do this more than once 

over Advent.  This past Saturday was special though, because we went to the Putnam Museum 

to participate in the their Polar Express Pajama Party. 

 They had face painting, a snowman scavenger hunt, and we explored the museum in the 

dark with flashlights.  To end the night we watched Polar Express in 3D. 

It was so fun, and of course like every time I watch the movie... mommy cried. 

It has become a routine for the kids to watch mommy during 

sad parts of movies to see my tears. 

I think it's mean... they think it's funny. 

What can I say, I'm an emotional person! 

 We waited until the kids were on Christmas break this year to tackle the 

Christmas baking.  We made 6 different kinds of cookies, candies, and breads. 

  

 I love our Advent countdown. 

It takes even Bah Humbug daddy and turns him into a 

Holly Jolly Elf. 

We can't forget the true meaning of Christmas though.... 

O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth

Long lay the world in sin and error pinning

Til he appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. 

Fall on your knees,

O hear the angel voices!

O Night Divine,

O night when Christ was born!

The Pumpkin Patch

On Wednesday I had a chance to go on a field trip with Lil Miss. 

I am so excited to go on as many field trips as I can with the kids this year.  

It was a beautiful fall day for the pumpkin patch.

 The preschoolers had fun looking at all the petting zoo animals: the bunnies, ducks, chickens, 

and sheep.  Of course my child always likes to be by the teacher, asks tons of questions, 

and has plenty of stories to share with anyone who will listen. 

It was funny see her interact with the other children. 

She only knows a few names but is not shy at all. 

Her favorite part (after snack time) was the wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch.  

She loved the bumpy ride into the field, but then when we got to the actual pumpkin patch. 

She flipped out.  

My girl would not step foot into the pumpkin plants.  

All the other kids were rushing out to get the perfect pumpkin and my girl was scared of the plants. 

This is not acceptable for this plant loving momma.  

So I carried her out in the patch, sat her down to pick the "perfect" pumpkin (also known as the first pumpkin we saw) and then hurried back to the wagon.  

The first field trip of her little life.  

I was so glad to spend this time with her, and I can't wait to chaperon the 

older kids field trips too.  One of the best parts of Lil Miss starting preschool this year! 

The symphony of our schedule

We are well into the month of September and all our fall activities are in full swing. 

Each season/year comes with its own sports, extracurricular activities, and events to put 

on the schedule.  Now with everything started our routine is a fine tuned machine. 

This isn't without hiccups though, and meetings mommy or daddy needs to attend to 

that throw our routine off  here and there.  

But for the most part we are getting the hang of our new normal. 

Last week, Rosie had her first orchestra session. 

She has chosen to play the violin.  

When she came home with the paper stating that the child has the choice of being in orchestra or not, she immediately said she was all in,even with early morning practices before school once a week!

It's only been a week, but she has been dedicated to practicing and it sounds really good.

I look forward to watching her perform in the concerts this year. 

Brings back lots of memories, since the hubby and I were both in band.   

 Lil Miss has added her own activities to our schedule this year. 

We have a ballerina in our midst. 

She is super ecstatic to be dancing on her tiptoes and learning what a pirouette is with her best-est friend.

 Is there anything cuter than little girls in leotards? 

This is quickly becoming my favorite 30 minutes of my week.  

School is going well for everyone.  

We are knee deep in homework every night and studying for tests as much as we can. 

I feel smarter every time I quiz the kids and I know the answer. 2 +2 =4 YES!!

15 years out of school and I still got it!

This past week, Lil Miss' school celebrated grandparents day and I happily 

took the place of grandma and grandpa at the party. 

I've been dying to go and see her in action. 

She has grown so much from just the few days she has been at school. 

She has learned how to write her name and even though it isn't all in order, all the letters are there.  

She can point our "her letter" on every sign as we drive down the road.  

Doesn't get old at all.  LOL

Even with all the routine, we still manage to throw some fun surprises into our lives. 

This past weekend, we visited the zoo with the hubby's work and had lots of fun.   

 The monkeys.

Carousel rides.

Tinkerbell Sighting. 

Sporting our scarlet and gray on a football Saturday. 

Every night we have something going on, its the nature of having 4 children all 

in activities and venturing more and more into the sports. 

Tonight is no exception, the boys are off at boy scouts and Rosie is getting ready for basketball practice. 

Sometimes it is just necessary for us to divide and conquer to make it all work.