Weekend Update

We had a fun weekend in Charleston visiting one of Andrew's college buddies. It was his birthday and his wife threw him a super hero themed party. Good times. (forgot to take pictures, though)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Saturday we met Andrew's brother, Peter, for lunch and he showed us all his high-tech gadgets.

Andrew is a super hero.

Sunday morning we went to downtown Charleston for bagels...

and to celebrate our almost one-year anniversary!

We should've stayed there forever because when we came home we found a few ants in our kitchen and when I went to look under our bed for something, I found mold growing under our bed (from the Great Flood of 2012). That will explain why I have been feeling quite sick for a few weeks now. Bleh. Who knows if we'll have to move or if they can get rid of it.

Here's to another week! :)

Things to remember

A lot of what this blog feels like is a personal journal {for all of you to read} of happenings, recipes to make again, and things I don't want to forget. Like the following.

Here are some important things to remember for when I have a 2nd grader.

1. Time. Be sure to have analog clocks up in your home. I've recently thought it'd be so good to put one in the kid's rooms just so they're exposed to it. {You don't know how many times I pull kids to work on telling time.}

2a. Money. Introduce them to pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and bills. Have them pay for things and become familiar with coins.

2b. Counting. Have them count by 5's, 10's and 25's. Also, count by 10's starting at 15. {so, 15, 25, 35...} This will help when they think about counting money.

3. Main Idea/Comprehension. Have kids read and then tell you what they read or about the main idea. It's one thing to read, and another to understand it.

4. Timed tests. A lot of my kids have 50 math problems they have to answer in 2.5 minutes. It's good to practice adding/subtracting.

5. Read. Have I mentioned reading enough? I can really tell a difference with the kids whose parents sit down and read to them. It's also so good to check your kid's homework before they turn it in. Sometimes that counts as a grade. Plus, reading is so fun!

Life lately

You just can't get enough pictures...

together.

Quick drive through Hamilton Lakes, my old stomping ground.

Sunday night birthday party for my friend Jessica.

Beau & Jess!

Andrew surprised me by buying Fruity Pebbles. A once a year treat! ;)

Speaking of treats... thanks Ginnawin!

Happy Birthday, Paparoni!!

I never want to forget the fact that I used to live too far away to come home for simple celebrations. This weekend we had a little party for me and my Dad. It was so fun to have a family dinner where we said things like, "don't sleep on the apples" or "of all things!" repeatedly which would cause us to erupt in laughter. I think Andrew is getting used to the fact that when we're all together, it can get pretty loud.

So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, birthday buddy! And check out the amazingly delicious birthday cake that Ginna girl made for us:

Oh, and not sure what's in my hair? I like to think it's some kind of pixy/fairy dust.

Dr. Seuss week

Ok, wow. Having never worked at an elementary school before, I never knew how huge Dr. Seuss' birthday week was, nor the 100th day of school. It's been quite a week. Monday: twin day; Tuesday: crazy hair day; Wednesday: crazy sock day; Thursday: wearable word day; Friday: red, white and black day with Dr. Seuss hats

My wearable word on Thursday was 'colorful'. We went to get sushi later that night and I felt a little silly in all this color. But I know Perryn would be so proud. :)

I really wanted to make green eggs and ham for breakfast on Friday morning (Dr. Seuss' birthday). But that didn't happen. Andrew had the great idea to make a broccoli and bacon quiche for dinner Friday night when our new neighbors, Charlie & Megann, came over. It was much more enjoyable than actual green eggs.
I'm still on my children's book buying rampage and got these two this past week. I had Andrew sit on the couch with me and read them. What a trooper.

Leap!

Hello there! I was so bummed this morning when I realized that I hadn't Googled to find ways to celebrate leap year (I've been otherwise occupied with Dr. Seuss week at school... more on that Friday). But Andrew and I had our weekly breakfast date at Brueggers this morning, so maybe that can count.

Anyway, a couple weeks ago we found mold growing on my desk. I was desk-less for about two long weeks. Searched on Craigslist ( which = emailing many, many people re: desks which usually went: "would you accept $50 less for what you're selling it for"), then went Goodwill and thrift store shopping for two weeks. Last Saturday I was feeling pretty bummed because I just hadn't found the one. I decided to go to Sleepy Poet, where I had been the week before, just to see if they had anything new. (Live in Charlotte? Go to Sleepy Poet! So wonderful!) I was so discouraged and felt like I was on this wild goose chase until I walked up and found it. I just knew I had to have this desk. Check the price... $80!! I can do that. Called Andrew for transportation help and within 25 minutes I was setting up the desk. I decided that the best fit for it wasn't in the living room, but the guest bedroom where it went perfectly. So thankful!!

Sunday night we went to an Oscars party. I quickly learned how boring I am because by 9pm all I could think about was a full week of school ahead and wanting sleep. :) It was a good time, though!!

I also framed one of our niece's artwork and put on Andrew's bedside table. It makes me so happy to see all those colors!

Tonight we had a life group social where we each brought a meal entree from our favorite Charlotte restaurant... kinda like a big taste of Charlotte. It was wonderful to have a sample of different foods from round town. I made this for dessert. Yeah Queen City!

The last thing I'll say is something that's been on my heart today. I had my on-the-way-to-work chat with my Mama this morning and we were talking about my grandmother, Gigi, and how she's in the final days/weeks/maybe months of her life. My Mom and her sisters have been thinking through funeral arrangements and what all of that will look like. We're going to visit her this weekend and one of the things that came to mind of what I want to say to her is, "Gigi, you're getting so close to seeing Jesus!" Can you imagine?! Of course, we're not sure the number of any of our days, but we've been told that hers are drawing quickly to a close. It truly boggled my mind that really, my grandmother who has loved the Lord will soon be with Him. Oh the joy!! Until then, I will treasure every moment with her.

"Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" -1 Corinthians 15:54b-55

Men

Not only is it fun to shop in general, but it's even better when I get to shop for my man! I ordered this print off Etsy and will have to find a frame for it. Speaking of bowties, I spend some of my day yesterday trying to make a bowtie. It is so hard to sew it then pull the fabric inside out. I need to work on my sewing patience. We could save money in our clothing budget if I can learn to do this.

Also, I was working on a photo collage of bridesmaids pictures to hang on the wall, when I came across this one from Michelle's wedding day. Oh good golly peaches. If it wasn't her soon-to-be husband and all of his men standing on a small waterfall. Can you imagine if they had fallen in right before the wedding?! No one did. Such a rad picture.

Speaking of men, here's our nephew. I desperately wanted to Skype with sweet baby Charlie so we arranged for a five minute date with our new, favorite lil guy.