Makes what I do worth it, even the crazy days

its 5 o'clock somewhere and instead of pouring a cocktail; I pull out the small watermelon that was gifted to our room to explore.  

We don't just cut up fruit and eat it.  We explore.  What is this?  can I pick it up?  how do we open it?  what color is it inside?  will it be messy?

I hold the bottom of the fruit as the kiddos each take a turn using their strong arms to lift it- most can, even our smallest

I pause for a moment waiting for inspiration.  What shall we do with this fruit.

a game
a rolling game
where take turns rolling it and catching it
on the table top
with paint!!!

Best idea ever.
a dob of red paint for the watermelon to roll through as it travels across the table.

As we rolled it back and forth we noticed the watermelon was making roads
When we added blue paint, we noticed the roads mixed to form a new color
We realized that we had to make sure a friend was ready before we rolled it to them
We sharpened our reflexes to catch the watermelon at the edge of the table
     most of the time


Some kids played for a few moments then left
Some stayed the whole time
Some declared it "messy!" and somehow managed to play without touching paint
Some bothered by the mess, but wanting to play washed their hands after each turn

For 30 minutes this game continued
until finally we had to stop and clean up
as we're collectively scrubbing the table a little one announced
Carri, you're my bestest teacher


And that is why I teach 
    and wear play clothes and use washable paint

Bad News/Good News

I had to teach by myself today (a coworker was stuck de-licing her home)

     I don't have an itchy scalp (just phantom itchyness)

I had to work the early shift (showing up at work a good 3 hours earlier than usual)

     I got to leave 3 hours early- yay for wine at 4 pm!  and the cat nap that followed

I got hug-rejected from a kiddo today

     Her mom gave me an awesome plant (now I just need to figure out what it is)

I spent an evening home alone

     I avoided getting dragged to see Prometheus

I stopped in to Trader Joes for the 3rd time this week

    Yes I am a stalker, but my wine finally came in- wahoo!

A Friday evening spent with wine, my favorite snacks and a new book
A great way to start the weekend!

Goodbye Weekend

Goodbye starting my day with my favorite coffee mug

     can you tell this is my drinking coffee spot?  this table is looking forward to getting refinished

Goodbye Farmers Market mornings oh how I love you

     catching up with dear friends

     conversations jumping all over the map

     and the strawberries, yum, yum!  

 

Goodbye remnants of a fun night

Love evenings that start with dinner and a cocktail

then progress to liquor and shoe removal

with a final dose of late night snacks and game shenanigans

the winning card was a tough choice:

Sexy is...a refrigerator or Garth Brooks

 Goodbye ingenuity and taking advantage of the heat wave

stupid dryer broke again (3 weeks ago)

replacement part is in the mail

love having a man who is handy

PS:  not so easy to grill chicken while navigating the clothing maze

 Goodbye Sunday night picnic

my favorite way to end a busy weekend

 love laying under the big trees,

listening to music,

wondering what the week will bring

New Clothes, New Clothes!

I got a new shirt for my birthday!  

 Aren't you adorable?

Oh no!  What happened?

Weird bunching and pulling

This shirt is looking very cropped toppy

Hmmm can I get through a workday without lifting my arms?
Ummm have you met my toddlers?
     although at the moment its my eldest 3 year old giving me the most grief
     multiple conversations, daily
     you are the oldest Koala!  That comes with responsibility
     do NOT climb on the furniture, do NOT wrestle with your friends
     do NOT pour water from our sink on your friend just cause he was standing there
     seriously?!?!  

One sleeve gone and its already much better

and now I have a plan

Hacking off sleeves

taking in extra gappy spots

and weird puckered places

tada!  It's like a brand new shirt!!

and I love it!!!

it survived a whole day of toddlers wahoo!

Thankful for

a good friend coming home 

and sunglasses to disguise the tears

a group effort

Right out of high school dear friends of mine joined the army
     well technically not the army
this meant training, a decent job, steady income
plans and possibilities for the future

I hated that they couldn't make it home for long weekends and holidays
I hated that trying to reach them on the phone involved very complicated time zone math
but this was pre 9/11 so really what was the concern?

And then everything changed
I love our soldiers, I hate what they have to do
     what they see, what they hear, what stays with them

I hated holding my breath,
     waiting for the phone call
          what time is it there?  Oh me too!
So, so, so glad they made it home

5 years ago my company hosted a homecoming ceremony
Standing with families as they waited and watched and cheered as the buses came into view
Grateful spouses, shy kids and proud parents welcoming home their soldiers

Tears streaming down my face as I realized what I missed
So appreciative of all the others who welcomed my soldiers home because I was too far away

Uber excited that I'm close enough to welcome this one home
Directions scouted out?  check!
Alarm set?  check!
Waterproof Mascara?  check!

And what would a celebration be without a glitter poster

whats that in the corner?

Trying to keep the poster family friendly

but still a nod to humor, and a tattoo