I'm 30

I don't really want to talk about it. I feel old. In good news I got to spend a fun and relaxing weekend in Vegas with my hubby and some friends! It was a much needed break! And of course I got my favorite thing for a gift again this year- a homemade movie of my kids. This year was a fairy tale of sorts. I love it. They make me cry Every. Year. Click Here and enjoy!

When toddlers steal my phone: school edition

Swiped off my desk by a sneaky boy. Again, those feet shots always give him away. ;) Some of these are actually pretty good!

Book Review: Daring Greatly

I am always excited when I get to review another book for Blogher! Hello, free books! This one I was particularly interested in because Daring Greatly by Brene Brown is more of a personal and reflective read. In a nutshell, she encourages us all individually and as a society to let ourselves be seen and heard in an authentic way. Based on her years of research she explains the how and why to make that possible, what she calls "wholehearted living." The beginning of the book was slow going and dry to me, felt a little rough sludging through her research, but I grew to appreciate her message. I think one of my favorite parts was when she talked about how we react to seeing other be real and vulnerable in life. We always commend their strength and the 'guts it took' to put themseleves out there in whatever the situation, but when it comes to ourselves we are shamed and embarassed at being vulnerable. It was a little bit of an Oprah "a ha moment" for me. I LOVE LOVE when people are authentic with me and every good relationship I have cultivated has been because of shared or witnessed vulnerability. Why should I beat myself up for showing areas of weakness or hurt then? It may be what others will truly see and appreciate about me. As a teacher I am always "on" and trying to appear like I have it all together. This book was a great reminder for me on the value of being vulnerable and even further, in how to cultivate that in my children. Check it out here on Blogher!

First Sick Day

My poor girl. Even though she's a big pre-k kid now, she still looks like my baby when she's sick.

Not Helpful

It's really not helpful to my self-esteem to have my first graderrs draw me. I may need to re-think this for next year. Or wear less horizontal stripes.

1st Day Pictures

The first day of school went well and after the first week they are loving everything about school. It's fun for me to see them around, too! Tate will always smile and wave at me or blow kisses, but Gracie avoid eye contact. I guess I'm embarassing already.

They wait in my classroom with me before school and then they are done during my lunch break so I can run them to daycare. I get maybe 10 minutes to stuff my face with lunch before picking up my first graders, but I guess we will just hang in there for a year. They ADORE their teachers and are having so much fun, I can't wait to see how they grow over the next 9 months!

ACK!

1ST DAY of school tomorrow for and AND the twins! FREAKING OUT! Today was meet the teacher day and put away school supplies. If it's any indication of how things will go, Gracie walked up the principal (aka MY BOSS) and said "What's your name again?" in a sassy voice. The principal replied and G said " Oh! Aghhhh!" I get the feeling school for us is going to be more about how they can embrarass me than me embarassing them...