Just this once...

So, feeling discouraged...going to take this chance to vent to those I love and those that I know love me...and I promise this will be it...for awhile...

Sometimes I feel like I shouldn't have left the house...just stayed in with my boys...
Sometimes I get pissed that people don't listen...
Sometimes I am furious about the situations that people force upon children...
Sometimes we all take up the slack for absent parents...and still, it isn't enough...
Sometimes I feel so sad to hear kids expressing self-doubt and frustration...
Sometimes I feel like I can never be enough to help...


Having a hard time leaving work at work after this week (not really possible for those who understand a teacher's heart)...really want to just cuddle up and cry and then go out and prove to the world that there is beauty and good...I see it in every minute but don't have the worries that so many children do.........

Saturday Morning Music

Dear Santa...

Mama's Wish List

Recess Duty

22 degrees=HEATWAVE...except for head and face...

I can only post this for your enjoyment because you can't see his cute, little face...just cracks me up!

Cuteness...

Thanks to Mark and JoEllen for the super cute, super warm hat! Van loves it and looks adorable in it :)

Karate Skills & Starbucks

Visitor from the North

Elf on the Shelf

I have been seeing all kinds of fun stuff about "Elf on the Shelf" online.  Turns out, Santa sends a helper to make sure we are being nice and not naughty!  Well if you are more prepared than I am, you could have ordered this lovely kit ahead of time. Luckily though, we ended up borrowing one (accidentally) from MorMor and Papa's house.

Here's Van's version of the story so far: Santa knocked on the door and left Elf.  Elf is on the shelf and he's watching me. I'm gonna be a good boy so Elf tells Santa.

Elf is a trickster so keep posted for fun :)

Sit back, relax, and enjoy

Holy Pinterest

Those who live in the creative realm have known about this forever...for...ev...er....

I am a newbie but absolutely love the idea of having different boards on which I can pin other's ideas...kind of an organized wish list/to-do list...

Colleen's Pinterest

Are you wondering what Van is doing right now...while I write all this and admire other people's creativity on Pinterest? Something in the bathroom...not sure what...about to go check...oh, wearing socks on hands, cape, underwear only, and a Spiderman-shaped bucket on his head...time to go and admire my own creation ;)

Welcomed

All families at Van's preschool were asked to create a family quilt-square with  scrapbooking material.  What a great, and stealable ;), idea! We feel like part of the community and know that Van is loved :) I just love the family portrait in the middle...check us out!

UW ECEC