School Days Performance #2

I know, if you are friends with me on FB...I apologize in advance.  These are total repeats for y'all...but some that I need to make sure I document should I ever print this sucker into a book.

I can't say enough about the pre-school that Winn attends.  School Days Learning Center is an answer to a mommy's prayers.  I've told tons of people that this place makes me a better mommy and a better teacher.  Knowing he is taken care of with love and educators that put great effort into creating meaningful learning experiences gives me peace in my heart that isn't easily obtained.  Winn has just completed his second(ish) year with his teacher Ms. Adams (he started extremely early in an urgent situation.. the band-aid effect) The gift she has to communicate, educate, and some days tolerate these children is unique and inspirational.  She has been a part of our family for two years now and I just know she will live in our hearts, in his thoughts, and in our prayers forever.   

Here are a few pictures from the culminating performance that the amazing women put on leaving not one dry eye anywhere in sight.  The front lawn is shoulder to shoulder with family and friends of the children that are lucky enough to be a part of this wonderful family of School Days.

Our enthusiastic singer and dancer...not so much today.

I love these little girls!

Their class, pure sweetness!

Finally smiles after peeing on the flowers outside.  Could a mother BE more proud?? :(

Each child has a wall that displays there artwordk throughout the year.  It will take your breath away.  If not, then the 8x10 black and white photographs they take of your little artist painting in theie smock, determined and proud of their work, certainly will.

I thank God that we had Ms. Adams in our lives and I pray to God that we will have her again soon :)

We are proud of you, little stage-fright sailor man!

BEST day EVER!

**For some reason this was in my "drafts" and since I'm doing a little "blog-keeping" I figured I'd post (though I can't seem to get it in the correct date of draft order??) 

A few weeks ago I got to participate in one of the best days ever. Gigi got us all (Me, Winn, Chap, Aunt Mandi, and herself) tickets to see Elmo!!  Elmo was having a musical...so obviously, guess who was his biggest fan??!!   

Thank you, Gigi!

 I do think that with the exception of Winn, we all deserve a small amount of money back from ticket purchase because pretty sure the only thing we looked at was him.  Laughing, loving, and dancing his Sesame Street friends.  Watching my child enjoy something that much filled me with a deep desire to do this every single day.  Impossible you say??  I suppose.  Till then, I wiill treasure this moment and remember every second of  happiness from this day! 

 And then it got better.   We went across the street to meet Unc Norm for lunch, where a BAND was playing (woot woot)

And a bouncy house inflated, end not being used (at all!)

Day 5 - clippin' with my sizzlers

So my child has been BEGGING me for some "sizzlers" so he can "trims".  While I'm not exactly positive when it's appropriate for children to learn how to use "sizzlers" (I teach fourth grade, not pre-school...) I figured we'd give it a go and PRAY for hair to remain "untrimmed" throughout the learning experience. 

Sidebar:  At school W likes to stand on top of the picnic table, yell "who wants a haircut?", and give them pretend trims with his pretend finger scissors as they line up.  In case you are wondering, yes - Chap is thrilled.  

Trim time...

some serious 'sizzlerin' going on!

He was so proud of himself...he sat here for almost an hour and cut up strips of paper I prepped for him.

In an effort to "create" and "recycle" the tree that lost its life in order for my child to 'sizzle', we used some scraps to make a mailbox for our "treasures". 

Day 4 - visit with Gramps & Gigi

Heading to Greenville so mom can shop with Gigi, and I can hang with Gramps and Unc Norm.

After a hike to the river with two of my favorite supermen :)

Just droppin' off Gramps' Harley for a tune up.

Opening a gift from Auntie Annie!  We had some fans...and a definite jam session immediately following this pic :)

Day 3 - My buddy and me...

An ordinary day of running errands can turn into an extraordinary moment.  After putting up with my million and two errands, our last stop was to pick up a graduation gift at Winthrop.  I finally found a light spot in a dark day for this 2 year old...the fountains.  We ran, played, and basically swam till we laughed so hard we could hardly talk.  And then, we did what every memorable moment ends with; a date to McDonald's. 

I do love him and how hard we laugh together!

The tracks that run through the campus, he stood there and yelled "Thomas come see me please" for at least 5 minutes.

I love how the smallest, unplanned moments can leave the greatest impression on a little guy's world. 

Day 2 - Christmas in June....with a mouse

What might promote me to go up in the attic to drag down the Christmas Tree?  Just some Laura Numeroff's, "If you Take a Mouse to the Movies".  Why we couldn't have chosen to read "The Bernstein Bears go on Vacation" is still plaguing me.  But...who can deny a child that wants to take a story and make it real??  Not his mom, that happens to be a teacher...and a lover of literacy!

So, we bring down the tree, pop some popcorn, string it on the tree, read the story (again)...all so he can eat every peice of popcorn that was threaded using needle and string.  While this wasn't a part of the actual story, it did leave for a humerous ending to our afternoon reading :)

Good job mom! 

Here, let me help a bit...

Just read this one more time...

So I can tend to this popcorn business.

I'll be selecting afternoon stories from here on out.  Thanks Laura!

Summer Savoring, Day 1

It's official. Summer is here. I had an AMAZING year at my new school (was honored to be named Teacher of the Year by my colleagues whom I respect and admire more than they'll ever know) and enjoyed a very special group of children that will forever be a part of my heart.  After a surprise brunch at school with friends and family, a few training sessions at the district office, and one last clean up in my classroom, I am beyond happy to have summer-time here to celebrate a little man that often doesn't get enough of me. 

So....I'm determined to document at least one moment from every day that I am blessed to share with this little guy.  Who knows, this might be our last summer being "just the two of us" and I don't want to look back come September and wonder "where did our summer go??"  I want to remember and smile on every day that we have together...whether it's good or not-so-good because I know these moments won't last forever.

Good-bye class of 2011-2012, you all are the BEST!

My amazing kiddos, the most spirited, enthusiastic and caring group I've ever known.  I love them all dearly!

All the beautiful arrangements given by my friends and family.  They are too good to me!

Helllllooo summa-time!

It's a blurry one, but it's the first official picture of our summer.  After training at the D.O. I picked him up so we could play at Cherry Park.  He's just doing some relaxin' ;)

At some point, I might make it back to re-cap one the many many months that I have been less than efficient in my blogging documentation.  But for now, just pretend like you know where we are in life...

1.  2 (and 6 months)...and not so terrible :)
2.  Potty trained (spring break was a pee break in this house)
3.  Silly, just like his daddy
4.  Loving
5.  Hilarious
6.  Big boy bed (or cage, as he refers to it)
7.  Singing, dancing, and talking up a storm!
8.  Riding his bike
9.  Will jump/jump off anything in sight
10.  Still loves to sing, dance, and will talk your ear off!

Birthday Post - All Aboard!!

A little late, but still in our hearts! We had so much fun preparing for our little guys 2 year birthday train bash! I can't explain how amazed I was with my husband. Chap did an amazing job job converting the lawn mower into a chop chop train!! I think he was worried about my sense of control when it comes to the parties, so he stepped right up and took full advantage of the fact that his little boy is obsessed with trains...and he knows how to make them!!

The kids had a blast riding around the yard yelling "all aboard" in their party favors, conductor hats, whistles, and scarves. We had a great time watching them :)

Inside we had an electronic riding train in one room, train tables in another, and choo choo snacks in another. It was a wonderful day celebrating our sweet boy's two years of laughs, love, and wonder. Thank you to all our friends and family who celebrated this day with us. Your support and love are a huge part of us and our little boy. We are forever grateful and can't wait to see year #3!!

Circus Fun!

Last night we had a GREAT time at the circus!! Winn was so excited to see all his friends, waving hysterically as soon as they came out. He pretended he was the ring master, telling all the elephants, tigers, and clowns what they should be doing. Today e thinks he is the "strong clown" and can lift everything and swing it around his head. This could get messy :)

I had to swallow back tears a couple times because how amazed i was and how lucky I felt to be there. Holding my boys, sitting beside my husband, and enjoying every second.

We had so much fun and can't wait till our next family event. Life gets better every day with a 2 year old!!

(ps... In attempt to keep up with my blog life a little better, I'm trying to post from my phone. If there is an app for not being slack, I'm on it!)