Bye Bye Binky!

It is with extreme excitement that I(we) bid farewell to Carly's binky. We took Connor's binky away shortly before his third birthday, and I planned to do the same with Carly. November would be the time. But last night, as we were laying in her bed together talking, reading stories, and singing songs I asked her if she thought she could sleep without her binky. She thought about it for a minute. I bribed her with some Barbie-like dolls she has been collecting and playing with. She could earn "grandma" and "brother" who have been sitting on top of the refrigerator for some time waiting for her to earn 5 stickers. I knew she desperately wanted them because she reminded me each day that they were on top of the fridge. She took the binky out of her mouth and handed it to me. I had originally thought that I would give her the dolls in the morning, if she went all night without the binky. But when she suggested that I give them to her before going to sleep, I thought that was actually a good, immediate idea. When I gave her the two dolls, she smiled from ear to ear. I reminded her that she needed to sleep all night without the binky in order to keep grandma and brother. And she did!
Bye Bye Binky!
She still has her taggie blankie...and still favors that one rainbow colored tag on it. That doesn't bother me, although I can't ever get it clean.

Proud Momma

This story touched my heart, so I had to share...

On Saturday morning, while I was in Cape Charles, Matt took Connor and Carly to the Glen Allen Day Parade (along with dear friend Doug and his two children, and our neighbors and their two children). During the parade, as candy was being thrown to spectators, all the children raced to pick up whatever they could find. After getting permission from Matt, Connor ran to get some, too, and returned with only two Rolos. Shortly after he did that, Carly and our neighbor's daughter started complaining (a.k.a whining) that they didn't have any candy. Connor thought for a moment and quietly said "It's alright girls. Here you go, you can have these..." He proceeded to give each girl a Rolo, leaving himself with nothing. He never complained or mentioned it again.

Maybe our daily discussions about sharing are going somewhere. Thank you, God, for answering a prayer!

My sweet boy...I love you.

Cape Charles

The Third Grade Girls spent some time together in Cape Charles this weekend. I first met this group of very special women in 2001. We all taught third grade together at Mechanicsville Elementary School. It was my third year in third grade, Nancy's second, and Becky, Donna, and Sally were new to the grade level. It was their first year of teaching...they didn't know what they were getting into! We all bonded very quickly and our relationship together evolved into a beautiful friendship. Although only one of us is still teaching, our friendship continues to grow and we try to get together, at least for dinner, once a month. We have been through weddings, babies, babies, and more babies, and most recently, retirement.

Nancy and her husband have a beautiful home in Cape Charles, and the rest of us decided it would be fun to get together there for a weekend. We left our families behind Friday evening and headed for the Eastern Shore. We had a wonderful time chatting and laughing all the way there. We met Nancy and Butch at Stingray's, just outside of Cape Charles. We were told it is often referred to as Chez Exxon, because it is a barn attached to an Exxon Gas Station, and is a favorite among the locals. Boy were they right! Many of us had the broiled crabcakes along with some homecooked sides like macaroni and cheese, garlic mashed potatoes and green beans. The food was unbelievable. I can still taste those crabcakes...the best I've ever had.

After settling in at the house, we sat around Nancy's livingroom (with strawberry daquiries and peanut butter balls) and talked for hours. We finally retired to bed around 12:30am.

The next day, we awoke to the scent of breakfast that Butch was preparing for us...eggs, hash browns, bacon, cantaloupe, homemade biscuits...mmmmm! During breakfast we planned our day. The church was having an auction, so we started there. While we were browsing around (there was furniture, holiday decorations, dishes, paintings, you name it...they had something for everyone), the auctioneer began the bidding. When we witnessed a large piece of furniture sell for $2, we got excited and decided we ought to bid on something. Some of us found some items of interest. Butch was going to stay at the auction and bid on our behalf, while we tried to find some yard sales. So we had to tell him the item of interest and the amount we were willing to pay. The poor man had to memorize all of this. Sally and I are the yard salers, so we found lots of good bargains at the few yard sales we stopped at. We got Christmas decorations, clothes, a wireless router (for my mom), and so much more. They we headed up the road to Tracinda's Country Treasures. Nancy knew about this shop, which a woman opened in her parents' home, and thought I'd enjoy it. As we drove up to the small ranch, quite a ways into the country, we all questioned it. The moment we walked in, our mouths dropped to the floor. It had my name written all over it! It was a house FULL of country home furnishings and decorations. I could've spent all day, and lots of money, in there! We all had a great time, and each found something to take home. Check it out...http://www.tracindascountrytreasures.com/ For lunch, we drove into the historic waterfront community of Onancock, which was coincidentally hosting it's Harbor Fest that day, and had a delicious lunch at Bizzotto's Gallery and Cafe. After lunch, we headed back to Cape Charles.

Butch was waiting for us on the steps when we pulled up. He shared the auction happenings and purchases. Sally, Nancy, and I each won at least one thing we wanted! I came home with a tall metal bucket, which I have since filled with branches of fall colored berries. It looks beautiful next to the fireplace. Thanks, Butch, for that $2 bargain! We spent some time chatting some more, and ate some of Nancy's delicious chicken salad, before packing up and getting ready to head back to our families in Richmond. Becky took on the role as "packer" and attempted to arrange all of our purchases into the trunk. We wondered whether we'd be able to fit it all...along with us and our luggage. Becky and Donna had to sit on either side of the cooler with bags surrounding their legs and I had no room for my feet to rest on the floor, but we made it - bargains and all!

I am so grateful that this special group of ladies came into my life. I have learned so much from each of them and truly cherish all of the memories we've made.

Love you, drive safe, GO HUSKERS!

The "shack"

Butch cooking breakfast for us

Breakfast

Tracinda's

The trunk

The Third Grade Girls

Thankful Thursday

So much to be thankful for this week...

...the opportunity to serve in the Nursery at church. I always enjoy the time I get to spend in there cuddling and playing with babies. Of course, my favorites are those who are crying. I love crying babies - I love the challenge of trying to calm and comfort them. This week it was sweet Hannah. She cried and cried for her mommy and nothing soothed her. I was not going to give up. After a good 15-20 minutes of "near hysteria", I did it! She stopped crying and was pleasant the rest of the morning! Ahhh...success!

...the new message series at RCC

The first message, Creativity in Marriage, was great! Have a listen for yourself...

http://www.highimpactliving.net/highimpactliving/wordpress/2008/09/15/creativity-in-marriage/

...being afforded the opportunity to work a few days outside of the home. Some days I just need to get away! The financial advisors I work with downtown are fantastic, and are very receptive to my (very) flexible schedule. Some weeks I don't work at all, some weeks I work 3 days (but never more than 3 days). My hours (11:00am - 4:30pm) allow me to continue my typical morning routine with C&C and avoid morning and evening rush hour.

...my mother! I can only hope that I am even part of the grandmother she is to C&C when it's my turn to become a grandmother. She is consistently offering to watch C&C, asking them to spend the night, etc... My kids love her. Adore her. They lovingly refer to her as Nonnie, and always ask when they can go see her. While they're there, she entertains them and always has fun ideas/activities in store for them whether it's baking cookies, drawing, coloring, working on writing their names, reading books together, building, playing card games...there is always something fun at Nonnie's house.

...that my annual complete body scan at the dermatoloist's office was uneventful. Last year, when I went for a scan (initiated by me, because of a mole I wanted checked), I had a mole on my back that she wanted to remove and biopsy. She did it right there in the office. As she was pricking me with novicane (sp?) and scraping the skin, I was gritting my teeth and talking, and trying to do anything but think about what she was doing. The procedure was very quick and painless. I did great! I was so proud of myself (I'm not a needle person!). I got dressed and went into the waiting room to checkout. As I was getting ready to schedule my follow up appointment, I felt queasy and mentioned to the receptionist that I needed to sit. The next thing I knew, I was on the floor, looking up at five or six women looking down at me. I had passed out. They suggested that I go to the hospital to be checked because I had fallen straight back onto the concrete floor. The fire rescue team arrived in their rescue truck (ambulance). They took me to the hospital by ambulance...WOW...and it was determined that I had suffered a concussion. My head hurt for at least 3 weeks. Needless to say, I was happy that I didn't need anything removed this time!

...Nail Boutique! I have gotten my nails and toes done since 1992 and I love it! I have been going to the same nail salon since I moved here in 1999. This week I went for OPI's, "Oh...to be 25 again"

...this upcoming weekend away with the girls! The ladies I taught third grade with (We call ourselves the "Third Grade Girls") have remained close and try to get together at least once a month. This weekend is our second annual (mmm...I hope it will continue to be an annual thing) trip to Cape Charles. One of the ladies, who just retired this year, has a beautiful house (Ughuum...shack - inside joke!) in Cape Charles and has invited us to spend tonight and tomorrow with her. I can't wait to spend some quality time with the girls!

2 1/2 Years in the Making...

As the title of this post suggests, I have been working for 2 1/2 years to complete this project. It is with a great sense of pride and accomplishment that I announce that I have completed Carly's First Year Scrapbook! (Connor's First Year still has yet to be completed, but it's almost there!) Scrapbooking is a passion of mine, so I have enjoyed every single second of it. It is a labor of love that I hope, one day, she will look back on and appreciate. My gift to you, sweet girl. I thought I would give you a glimpse through the album at some of my favorite pages...

Expecting You/The Miracle of You

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, How We Wonder What You Are

Anticipation/Your Birth

Getting Ready to Come Home

Welcome Home/The Nursery

Family

Family Tree

Birth Announcement

"Hoppy" Easter

3 Months

Fall/Thanksgiving

Christmas/Santa

Santa Was Here...

Where Has the Time Gone? (1 Year)

Now I guess it's time to start on her Toddler album...

Thankful Thursday

Well, it seems that I've caught the "Thankful Thursday" bug. Each time I visit a blog; friend or unknown, they always include a Thankful Thursday post. It's time...I have so much to be thankful for! So here goes...
This week...

• I am thankful that I married a man who willingly walks in the door in the evenings and takes/entertains the children. He misses them all day and can't wait to spend time with them. He knows that being home with them all day can be challenging, and comes home wanting to help in any way he can. He is such a devoted father...and that I am eternally thankful for.
• I am thankful that Matt is so supportive of EVERYTHING, well almost everything, I do or want to do. I am involved in many "extracurricular" activities that lead me out of the house in the evenings. He never questions me, and encourages me to go.
• I am thankful that my mother lives so close by. Rarely a day goes by that I don't see or talk with her. She is always so insightful and thoughtful and consistently calls to ask if she can help me with the children. I am thankful that she gives them so much attention and special time and always has fun plans for them.
• I am thankful for the wonderful preschool Connor is attending. We couldn't ask for a more supportive, encouraging, and nurturing environment.
• I am thankful for the special group of ladies I serve on the MOPS Steering Team with. They are such a fun, caring, uplifting, refreshing, and supportive group of women. I always look forward to getting together with them.
• I am thankful for the "chat" I had with a dear friend this week. It was so nice to catch up and reminisce about our times together in high school.
• I am thankful that Matt is feeling better!
• I am thankful for all the special moments I have with Connor and Carly. They never cease to surprise me with the sweet things they say to me, and each other, and the funny things they come up with. I can't imagine my life without their bright, smiling faces, endless energy, and contagious laughter.

Resources...

Here are some of the sites I added to my Favorites...many of them contain printables that I will be using...fun, fun!

Kidzone: These are color related sites with printables geared toward color recognition and coloring
Worksheets for each color http://www.kidzone.ws/prek_wrksht/colors/single-worksheets.htm
Itsy Bitsy coloring books for each color http://www.kidzone.ws/prek_wrksht/colors/single-books.htm

DLTK: This site is alphabet related, and includes crafts and activites to go along with each letter of the alphabet
http://www.dltk-teach.com/alphabuddies/index.html

Brightly Beaming: This site has a wealth of "letter of the week" ideas and printables
http://www.letteroftheweek.com/preschool_age_3.html

Pratt's Resources: This site includes snacks, recipes, and ideas to go along with each letter of the alphabet
http://www.fastq.com/%7Ejbpratt/education/theme/alphabet/abcsnacking.html

Mrs. Alphabet: Although I sometimes have difficulty accessing this site, this particular page offers ideas for letter-related items to glue onto each letter of the alphabet
http://mrsalphabet.com/glueabc.html

As I find more good stuff, I'll add to my list... Until then, I hope you find something fun to use...

OK, so maybe I do miss teaching...

...a little...only a little. Today, in Connor's totebag, I found a note from the four year old teachers at North Run. In it, they explained that this week they were learning about their classroom, the rules, meeting their classmates, etc... and the Pledge of Allegience. Each week following, they would be learning a letter, along with a color and a shape. Next week's topics will be the letter"R", the color red, and the circle. So...
I was so excited, I could hardly wait to get on the computer and find some activities related to these themes. As soon as the kids finished their lunch and went down for their naps, I jumped on the computer. I had so much fun searching around for some neat things to do at home to reinforce what he is learning at school. I found neat coloring pages, craft ideas, letter and color themed books to print and color, etc... I also put about 15 books on hold at the library about rockets, reptiles, rocks, Little Red Riding Hood, etc...
OK, so maybe I'm a bit over the top...I guess it's the teacher in me!

Preschool Begins!

We have all been anxiously awaiting the start of preschool. The day has finally come...today!

The morning went as usual and Connor appeared to be excited to go. He got himself dressed and came into my room and announced that he'd like frozen, yes FROZEN, cold, french toast sticks and pancakes for breakfast. He's been really into eating these recently. Of course I don't argue, becuase it's much easier for me. I don't have to cook/prepare anything! Anyway, after breakfast, we headed to school. As we were waiting in the car line (we have the privilege of driving up and dropping off!), Connor decided he'd like to come and sit with me in the front, which I allowed him to do since we weren't driving anywhere. We talked about what he might do today, I shared our expectations, and reminded him that his frog was yellow (each student in the class has a different colored frog...the teacher really likes frogs). He understood, and assured me that he was going to have a good day. When our turn had come, I opened up the door and out he went! There was an adult waiting to walk him to his room.

Carly and I left and went to Story Hour at the library and then got groceries before heading back to pick up Connor at noon. As I sat in the car line I couldn't help but wonder how he had done, if he behaved himself, and followed directions. Gosh I hoped so! As soon as I pulled up to the door, he skipped out as happy as could be, and got into the car. He gave me a kiss and told me that he was a good boy in school. I was happy to hear it, but I needed to check the Communication Folder first to be sure there wasn't a note in there from Mrs. Hurt. NO NOTE! I can only assume that he was right and had a good day.

As he buckled himself into his seat, and we started to pull away, he announced, "I want to go back to school!" YEAH!!! That's a good sign!

Labor Day Fun

We decided Thursday morning that we'd head up to Long Island for the holiday weekend. We hadn't been up there since July 4th, and Matt was yearning for some beach time before the craziness of school, and all that comes with it. The kids and I picked Matt up from school around 2:00 on Friday afternoon and began our trek north. It was a rough trip, taking a little over 9 hours, but we made it there safe and sound.
The weather was overcast on Saturday, but Sunday was the PERFECT beach day. Kris and Melissa joined us, so it was a very nice family gathering. The Sound was a little dirty, but quite warm. Connor and Carly didn't mind a bit, and went in each time they could talk someone into taking them in. We enjoyed sandwiches from Ronnie's Deli, which is always a treat, snacked, chatted, swam, snacked some more, and enjoyed every second of it! Connor made friends with a boy named John who was there with his family. His father created a kite flying contraption using a fishing pole. Connor was quite impressed and enjoyed "flying" the kite with John. Who ever knew a fishing pole could be used to fly a kite! We are definitely going to have to try that!
Of course, Monday morning came too quickly, and it was time to head back home. Our visits with Matt's family are aalways too short, but we treasure every minute of our time together.
The last beach day of the season has come and gone...until next year!