Favorite 4th of July

This 4th of July was nothing really out of the ordinary (okay, maybe some events were) and it ended up being one of my favorites! I really wasn't looking forward to this day and really didn't expect a lot and I think that is what made it so great.

It started with a yummy breakfast with my roommate, taking a trip to Kohl's and finding some bargains, spending a few hours in our garage (the coolest place in our house) and then heading over to some new friend's house for a BBQ. I loved that it was so simple and yet meaningful. It definitely comes with some great memories that we will laugh at in years to come. Melynda and I enjoyed a lot of laughs and conversation. She is such a great friend and I love that we can spend time just being quiet together and also spend time laughing so hard that we cannot breathe.

Melynda and I enjoying some "down home" style lunch in the garage. The only thing we really were missing was a kiddie pool and Melynda figured a foot bath was the next best thing.

Sporting some sexy racquetball goggles that were found in our garage.

Showing our racquetball moves

I do not have pictures to document the BBQ I went to but let me tell you about these people. I met Al and Alyson three weeks ago through a small group at my church. They are some of the most hospitable and sweet people I have ever met. Alyson and I both felt this immediate connection to one another and decided to take advantage of the fact that God crossed our paths. As I sat at coffee for two hours with this dear lady, I couldn't help but be thankful for her and the way we were able to be so real and share what was on our hearts. I totally can be myself and comfortable with that around her and the rest of our small group, it is such a neat thing. I am finding more and more that God shows me His love through people in my life and this is such an indication of that. At the end of our time together, Alyson asked what my plans were for the 4th and I told her nothing (really, at that point I didn't plan on doing a whole lot). She invited me over to her place and I told her I would think about it. Over the next day or so, I knew I wanted to hang out with her and meet her family (she has kids my age and her grandson is my favorite 3 year old that I play with in the nursery at church).

Anyways, with all of that said...I had a really enjoyable time at their house getting to know the family and watching the boys blow up explosives in the middle of the street. I drove home that night thankful for new friends and thankful for such a great 4th of July!

How is summer school you ask? Oh, I am getting used to it but would not categorize it as fun. I am just trying to get through it with decent grades. It is rough spending 4 hours in class and then coming home and spending another 4-5 hours on homework. It pretty much consumes my life but oh well.

Colfax

This past week, I took a trip over to Tif's to help out and just enjoy some auntie and sister time. I had a great time filled with sweet memories. There is nothing sweeter than hearing Sydney ask where I am so early in the morning, it is hard not to get out of bed when I hear, "I want to see her". It was fun to have snuggle and play time with Sydney, snuggle time with Elias, great talks with Tiffany and movie watching time with Tiffany and Nick. It was a great few days and I hope to go back again soon!

I have some great videos that I took of Sydney's dance moves that Daddy was teaching her. Whenever I figure out how to upload those, I will! :)

I think this is my favorite picture of Sydney!

Sweet Elias

End of the School Year

With a field trip to Pioneer Farms and Field Day on the last week of school...things were a bit crazy but I loved every minute of it! Here are some pictures of my cute students on these days.

Andrew, Elliott and Amy enjoying a break. Notice Nicholas and Connor in the background, in trouble and sitting on the bleachers...good times!

Nathan being his silly self.

A wagon ride at Pioneer Farms

My sweet students listening attentively!

Joe practicing his shaving skills on Connor!

The end of the school year is always such a hard transition time for me, I cry every year on this day! It definitely is bittersweet though, I am looking forward to some time off but not liking the idea of letting go of these 17 precious lives that I invested in for ten months. I don't do well with change and this always seems to send me over the edge! My kids were super sweet the last day of school and I had so many encouraging words from parents that day. Wow!

It took me a while to get used to this time that I now have. I would find myself sitting on the couch, not knowing what to do with myself because I am so used to being on the go and constantly having something to do. I have had a great first two weeks of summer, relaxing and going on many coffee dates with dear friends. The sad part is that I start summer school tomorrow and that lasts for the next four weeks, so goodbye to my time off. I will survive though! :) After this four weeks is up, I have Disneyworld and Kirsti's wedding to look forward to.

Elias Waldon

A week ago tomorrow, June 2nd, my sweet sister gave birth to Elias Waldon. It killed me not to be there right when he was born but this weekend was a great time of loving on Elias, trying to help my sister and trying to help with Miss Sydney. :)

I don't have a lot of pictures so I thought I would share some highlights from the weekend with my fam:

1. Sydney calling for "Auntie" every few minutes and following me around...even wanting to go into the bathroom with me.

2. Sydney saying "I have a question for you" as she was in her play store.

3. Seeing Tiffany loving on Elias while also loving on Sydney and having more patience than I can understand for a 2.5 year old!

4. Walking to Taco Time (the food was nasty but the memory is great) with Sydney and Dad.

5. Snuggling with a sleepy Sydney while Tif was at the doctors.

6. Having Sydney look at me and everyone else at the dinner table wide-eyed and saying, "Ha! Her all done" after Tiffany said that I would play with her when I was done eating my dinner.

7. Snuggling with tiny Elias.

8. This should be #1 probably....walking in and seeing Elias for the first time. He was on the couch all snuggled up, I almost didn't even see him!

9. Talking with Tif right before I left.

10. Hearing Sydney say, "Here is my baby brother."

The weekend was great and I am looking forward to going back to help Tif out. Having a newborn and a 2.5 year old can wear you out! Tif, you have my respect and admiration! Love you!

Walkathon

Today was a gorgeous day for our annual walkathon! What a great time of walking around with the kids and my teacher friends. The only silly mistake I made was to have an appointment with my personal trainer the day before the walkathon!!! I was and still am in pain everytime I have to move my arms and legs! Walking did help the pain though, so I guess it was good! Here are some pictures of the day.

Some of my girls followed by my teacher friends!

Two of my boys showing their running ability.

Tori outrunning the boys! :) Tif, she reminds me so much of you!

My kiddos walking back from the park.

My silly class....gotta love them!

My kids were beat once we got back to the class (it was about 11am) so I decided to show parts of Anne of Green Gables (this goes with our Pioneer unit). It was a great way for them to relax and for me to get some work done! :0)

10 and a half more days, but really who is counting?

Picnic Lunch

The weather has been so nice the last couple of days...it is unbelievable! My students earned a marble party and voted on having a picnic lunch which I thought was a grand idea! We headed out the classroom door and sat on the grass right outside our classroom and enjoyed a fun time together.

Day with the teacher

For the auction this year and last, I have offered a day with the teacher for a family to purchase. Two of my teacher friends joined me with students from their classes as well. Four out of the six kids that went with Suzie and Angela were in my class last year, so it was fun hanging out with them!
We had a blast. Our day included lunch at Red Robin, a day of fun at Family Fun Center (mini golf, laser tag, video games and bumper boats) and a stop at 7eleven for slurpees. The two boys that went with me are full of energy and so needless to say, I was exhausted by the end of the day! Good thing I ended it by seeing one of my best friends from college and meeting her fiance. Good times!