a crafty itch

I saw this idea

printing instagram pictures 

modpodging them to a canvas 

PicMonkey has collages now

makes for a great preview of this project

Jesse keeps asking where we will hang these ideas
Silly Man, there is always wall space

A four part series

Showcasing moments from our trip

And Michaels is having a sale on canvases
Woot Woot

Looking forward to

So excited about picnics in the park!  

      and music and movies and my fav blanket

      This weekend kicks off with a concert, then a movie, then a musical

      Love having so many possibilities, can I just live there?

And the festivals:  ohhhh the festivals!!!

And the recipes:  Going to work through my pins
     and someone just gave me the Jeni's Cookbook!
     I see lots of homemade ice cream in our future

The Epic Saga of the Dusty Miller
     began with an annual planted 3 years ago
     strongest plant ever, keeps growing back bigger and better
     must have made the neighbors jealous

     We received a threatening letter from the condo association
     to which we've compiled an equally snarky response
     trying to get an actual answer as to why they want it removed
     current answer of "it doesn't match the landscaping" is not good enough

     just more inspiration to buy a house

Running the vacuum at 7:00 am

Jesse is still PTing it twice a week
his PT had the nerve to schedule a vacation
which means Jesse had to be there at 7am today
     seriously???  


I rarely can sleep through his alarm and wake up routine
     especially when he asks me questions
So I'm up, brewing coffee and settling into my book
     when all of the sudden

Yep, thats 32 ounces of water and coffee grounds
all over the table, flooding onto the floor
at least I saved the electronics this time

the culprit?  that awesome red blanket
with the awesome fringed edges
which when wrapping around my shivering shoulders
caught the top of the French Press

a good excuse to clean off that table
put the piles of papers away
fill the vase with flowers
and run the vacuum

at least my house smells yummy

I make a much better cheer-er than runner

Throughout the year we compile slogans
focusing on clever, witty phrases
we like to make people think
we like to watch as they get it and laugh

Then we decorate
benefit of teaching toddlers?
access to paint glue and glitter
lots of glitter

We wake bright and early
dress in our boldest and brightest
stop for coffee, lots of coffee
and stake out our territory

homemade tutu: best Aunt ever!!!

Race organizers changed the route this year
did not consult with us first
no more grassy park for lounging
but the fences and benches helped us defend our territory

We cheer and clap and ring bells
     or wooden clackers borrowed from the toddlers
We shake our posters
and cheer extra hard for the pink shirted survivors

The guy in the tux?  Getting married today

We plot and take notes for next year
adding feather boas to tulle skirts
spray painted hair
a new slogan:  jogging for jugs

Happy Friday

It's been an interesting week
that's how I described a certain someones behavior
What I really wanted to say?
     Um, what did you feed your child?
     What happened to the sweet, cuddly toddler
     When did he turn into a big (manipulative) 3 year old


This same 3 year old
     Who has been putting his socks and shoes on by himself for 6 months
Managed to charm a friend's grandma into doing it for him
Halfway through she muttered- I bet you tricked me

Working late twice this week
Not the fun part of my job

Once for paperwork
     for the project that will be the end of me
     trying to fill a 4 in binder with proof I run a good classroom
     can't you just come watch me instead?
Once to clean our playground
     I mind this much less
     An hour spent outside throwing away broken toys
     this feels actually productive

excited for this weekend...
Wearing a pink tutu and waving my glitter poster
Gifting some pretty cool items
         can't wait to watch their reactions
a lazy Sunday which shall begin with Mimosas and end with wine

Goodbye Weekend

and your family traditions
10 of us
planting Mamas summer flowers
catching up with cousins
watching the youngest generation take charge of the flower pots

and your time for sleeping
it was so great to catch up
stealing back my side of the bed- brilliant

and your push to act as a grownup
30 minutes of scrubbing
thank you magic eraser
one very painful shoulder
and a sparkling clean bathtub- woot woot

and your kitchen creativity
chorizo & sweet potato hash
habanero mac & cheese
baked black bean dip
      I heart Mexican flavors

and your surprises
celebrating a long awaited announcement
dear friends adding another to their family
plotting vacations to snuggle babies

Hello  Monday
Hello  annual tradition playing with paint and glitter
Hello  pulling together an AMAZING race day outfit
Hello  sifting through online listings
                 anyone just want to pick out a house for me?
Hello   finally gifting birthday presents: only 2 months late
Hello   spending sunshiney afternoons in the sandbox
                 
linking with Lisa
loving this tradition
       

this time of the year

Over half my class has turned 3
Usually we kick them out on their 3rd birthday
they move on to bigger and better things
     (mostly a bigger playground and older classmates)

You see, I'm a toddler teacher
I heart 2 year olds
and their cute, cuddly, tantrum throwing selves
I can deal with tantrums

I cannot deal with manipulation
with "you can not come to my birthday!"
with out right refusal to listen to what I say
with the pinching, poking and then claiming "I don't know why she's crying"

They get away with it when their little
I tell myself they're still learning
They don't know how to make friends
     that's why they pinch and poke and pull hair

But now, they're 3
and it's time to step up
Cause we have 6 more weeks till you move on
It can be a lllooonnnggg 6 weeks if you want to play this way

at least they tell funny stories...

Amy is getting married.
She gets to wear a dress.
Mommy says I can't wear a dress.
I have to wear a swimsuit
     He is going to be sorely disappointed when its not a swimsuit he gets to wear


There was a bat in my house
Daddy was working
Mommy chased it with my net
She didn't catch it
     would have loved to witness that


In 2 weeks my mom is going to have a baby in her belly.
I'll make tea for it
     Can't wait to see if this prediction comes true


I'm a bride!
I need bridal music!
    luckily big band era music sufficed
    where is your groom?
I don't have a groom!
I a bride!!!