Summer!

So Summer unoffically starts today, but really for me I feel like it started Friday.

Friday was my last day working with these amazing people. This is the majority of the staff at Girard Elementary School. Many people don't understand that this school staff is more than just a group of people who work together, but we really are family. We have all not only taught and touched many little lives, but we have also lived life together. I truely count many of them as some very close friends and I can't wait until our early out days next year so we can eat lunch at R&M together! And if I may brag for just a a minute...4th grade had 100% of our students meet or exceed standards on ISAT's last year! WOWZER!

So since school is out and I have NO CLASSES to take this summer (since I graduated this month too!), I have a list of things to accomplish this summer. Here is the list:

1. Potty Train the princess. No more diapers in this house (after 4 years!)! This is proving to be more of a challenge than I anticipated because the princess isn't very good at sitting still. The chocolate is coming out tomorrow! Plus look at her...doesn't she just look like she wants to do things her own way!


2. Convince this dog that it is ok to socialize with the children and adults. He is like a bull in a china shop. He did very well today, but he just doesn't understand that he weighs 100+ pounds and slobbers all over everything!

3. Deep clean and organize this house. 9 months worth of not doing so is starting to show. And yes Nanny, I have cleaned my house in the last 9 months (I did after all have a housekeeper for 5 months), I have just let the organization slide. This needs to happen so things like this don't happen....

4. Have a great big yard sale June 4-5! See number 3 for the reason why!

5. Travel to Nanny and Poppy's house in Lenoir City, TN, the family reunion in Pineville, KY, the Riviera Maya, Mexico with the husband, and Myrtle Beach...and to think I complained to the husband that I felt like I hadn't traveled in forever!

6. Teach Bubby how to write his first name and the numbers 1-10. Anything beyond that would be an added bonus! Bubby is also getting a new big boy bed and "sports" room this month (maybe this week!). So to accompany that, I would REALLY like to get Bubby to go to bed like a big boy. Preferably without reading several books, scratching his back, discussing tomorrow's plans, and then watching the IPOD. Just going to bed is the new plan!

7. READ, READ, READ, READ...scrapbook, READ! I have a stack waiting for me!

8. But mostly, I am looking forward to those moments that this blog was started for. The laughter and joy that these two beautiful children bring me. The giggles on our "camp-outs," listening to them play together, and just being with them. I know that many Mommy's don't get this chance. One of the best perks of being a teacher is getting to have my summer's with my babies! SAY CHEESE!

Just like him

I have never had the experience or benefit of being the younger sibling. I was the oldest child and oldest grandchild on all sides, so I didn't really have anyone that I wanted to "be" like. My sister was 8 years younger than me and we were never really at the same point in life that I remember her wanting to be like me.

My kids are so close in age though that they pick up on things from each other. Bubby has picked up some attitude from the Princess at times and the Princess has learned to use her imagination from her Bubby. But I have noticed that she really does want to be just like him. She tells us she needs to go the potty when he needs to go; she tries to dress or undress herself as he does; she talks endlessly and uses phrases just like him. Yesterday, he was tromping around our yard and our neighbors yard hunting bears. He had a pop gun stuck down in the elastic waist of his shorts (presumably held in place by his tightie whities!) and was describing to her what he was "seeing." We only had one gun, so the Princess picked up a stick, stuck it in her shorts, and tromped off as well. She yelled back to me, "Shh, Mommy, hunting bears." Just like him.

A few days ago, we asked Charlie if he might want another brother or sister (it was a random and crazy thought!). His exact words were "I only want Kiki!" I love watching their relationship develop and blossom.