Thursday, June 23, 2011

Making veils

One of my great friends is getting married in July (can't wait to wear our dresses - they are fabulous!) and her bachelorette party is this weekend. I can't make it in because it is too hard to fly into Delaware being that the closest airport is an hour and a half away and I can't do a quick trip when combined with beach traffic. So, I opted to make her the fun bachelorette party wedding veil. It was SO easy, and turned out so cute that I actually ended up making 2 more for the little girls, Nora and Lindsay, that I nanny for and they love them!



Started with a hair clip, rhinestones (for bedazzling later), thread, needle, tulle, and a hot glue gun

Picked a random length of tulle (didn't care if it is was straight because it doesn't lay flat). Pulled the thread through one end and knotted the end to the other side (it will bunch). Then went over under skipping about 1-2 inches in between. When I got to the end I bunched it and knotted the end to the beginning.

I made 2 more, each one a little shorter than the previous

Stitched them all 3 togther

Hot glue on the hair clip

Bedazzled a bit :) That was the hardest part!

Completed! Took 10 minutes start to finish (yes including glue cooling time).
For the little girls ones I made 2 of the exact same length pieces and hot glued them to a white headband. Then I bedazzled across the top of the headband. Sooooo cute and so easy - what a great, fun little gift:) (And cheap - I bought a yard of tulle and made 3 veils!)

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Paninis

Derrick got a panini maker for Christmas and yes, it is June and we just used it for the first time. But in our defense it just got moved here when he moved his stuff and we have been wanting to make them. These will definitely be our weekly go to meal for something quick, simple, and UH-MAZE-ING!

We didn't have a recipe book but I looked up panini recipes and found a great page of the top 50 recipes. The first one it suggested was a very simple Caprese - sliced italian bread, fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced tomatoes, and fresh basil. We each made 2 sandwiches and they were fantastic. So gooey with the cheese and fresh (we grow the basil here so even better!) and healthy! Derrick added mushrooms, squash, and zuchinni. Yummy! My advice - if you don't own a panini press you should go out and buy! They come super small (ours is about the size of a piece of paper) and heat up quickly, everything can be made to order, and its awesome. Here are 2 pics of our before and after.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

To the dad...

To the dad who....

  • never missed a game, match, performance, or anything else that his kids were involved in. Ever.
  • coached us in every possible sport he could - and was darn good at it too
  • loved to wash and wax our cars. My friends would intentionally leave their cars at our house on Friday night for them to get washed on Saturday morning.
  • loved clothes. He had more clothes than any man I know. And he never knew what color any of them were (he was colorblind)
  • loved roaming and wandering the aisles of Wal Mart... buying what? Nothing ... just enjoyed roaming.
  • had the coolest truck there ever was... and drove it with pride
  • Successfully quit smoking after many failed attempts and years of smoking
  • loved to nap
  • never cared about anyone's race, religion, or what they were worth -- it was all about the person
  • spoke his mind
  • shook his leg obsessively
  • was loved by so many people it was unreal
  • touched so many young lives through coaching
and of course... died too young. He never got to physically see us graduate, begin our careers, get married, have babies, or anything else in our adult lives but I know he is watching us and smiling. He was and still is so proud of all of his kids. I love and miss you Dad.

Friday, June 17, 2011

I can't help it

I'm sure you're getting sick of seeing pictures of these adorable children I nanny (okay actually... if you are sick of it then we don't get along --- who doesn't love cute pictures especially of cute kiddos!?!).

Yesterday I picked up Lulu (Lindsay) from camp. She was sooo excited to see me (even though she just saw me 3 hours earlier) and jumped into my arms. I suggested ice cream and she kissed me on the cheek and said, I love you. Melt. Heart melting. She got even more excited when she saw she was riding in my car! Whoa excitement!

Off we drove, with the windows down in 100 degree weather and Celine Dion Beauty and the Beast blasting out the window (she wanted girl music... as in a girl who sings.... perfect - Celine is always in my car!). At that moment I was living my dream --- enjoying a summer with an adorable little girl in the back seat singing loudly and proudly (and yes... I had my baby mirror in full use so I could watch her dance while at stop lights). I took her to The Yogurt Spot which if you haven't heard of one of these they are phenomenal. There are around 15-20 different types of frozen yogurt (everything from pistachio to cookies and cream and of course your classic vanilla). You get how much you want then toppings galore. Pick and pour what you want and you pay by weight. Because Lulu was sooo darn cute he gave us hers for free (she totally was batting her eyes and vogueing for him).

We enjoyed our ice cream, with her in my sunglasses because don't you know she needed to wear them inside of course, and then headed home. UH-DOOR-UH-BULL!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Some more cuteness

Yesterdat was spent at the pool from 10-2:30 with Brendan and Lindsay while Nora and Megan went to a Doctor's appointment. We hung out with/had a playdate with Katie (lady I'm doing the summer camp with) and her 2 kids Greta (in my 10-11 K class) and Hank ( 2 1/2). Hank and Lindsay have had some interactions before but today I was definitely playing matchmaker (ah c'mon... every girl can dream about their wedding why not let her start at age 3!?!). The 2 of them played everywhere together. The creek, the park, the playground, the pool.... I managed to snap some shots of their adorableness.

Started off just hanging out by one another

someone (fingers pointing at me) suggested some hand holding:)
How sweet are these loveies? I heart them soo much. Lindsay is the sweetest and girliest little girl ever! Today, as I sat feeding baby Meg she said "I dream of butterflies"... just out of the blue. I just laughed and said "you are sooo cute Lulu" and she said "I know... people tell me that a lot". hahahaha gosh how this girl has won me over big time!!!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Summer is slipping away

I feel like summertime is already going by way too fast and it makes me sad! I think the more I look ahead (which I can't take things one day at a time... I'm always looking ahead) the more I feel like summer is moving and grooving.

I already finished my first week of nannying and tutoring and am half way through the second week. Only 2 1/2 more weeks and June is over!!

We are planning on heading to Savannah July 1-4 to visit friends and visit with their sweet baby.

Then July 5-7 I'll do 3 of the 4 days of our first week of camp. We are meeting this week to finalize all of our daily plans (ie library visit, main craft of the day, weekly craft, etc).

July 7-11- DE for my wonderful childhood friend Lindsay's wedding which I'm lucky to be in:)

Also the 11th -- my birthday:):) Big 2-7 eeekk

12-13 - overnight babysitting for a family in my class this past year

18-29 - camp M-F

30-31 - hopefully making it into OH for a sorority sister's wedding

Aug 1-15 - enjoying a couple days of tutoring with a vacation to ????

Ahhhh summer SLOW DOWN! (I know, I know, we aren't even half way through June yet but I am already wanting to back up a week and start over just to get in 1 extra week!)


I know there are a couple things I DEFINITELY want to do this summer. Visit Sea World and the zoo in San Antonio (I guess this could also wait till the Fall since it stays so hot here). Schlitterbahn - an awesome water park here. That's it -- that's not too much to ask!!!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

New purchases!

I've enjoyed some random purchases this past week and love to share:)!!

A group of girls and I bought "Broadway Across America" tickets for the 11-12 year. I had never heard of this but I am soo exited to have tickets! For $128 we will go to 5 Thursday night shows over the next year (first one is this fall) in Austin. The 5 shows we have tickets for a Rain (a Beatles tribute), South Pacific, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins( my #1!!!), and Les Miserables. We also can get discount tickets to Wicked. I'm still debating on that one! I am sooo excited!!!!

I bought a wine rack/bar rack last week and it should be here sometime later this week. I'm so excited. It hold 18 bottles of wine and has 2 shelves for liquor and 3 racks for wine glasses. Finally clearing up some space and adding some furniture to the dining room.

We went the mall for some random things for Derrick and I ended up walking out with 2 pairs of new shoes, which in my defense I have been wanting/needing. I got a new pair of rainbow flip flops which was a great deal - normally $40 for $14!?!?! We don't know how this happened but I was pumped (I actually high fived Derrick hahaha). Then I bought these awesome Sperry's. I have been wanting a pair of boat shoes and these are the classic with a cool spin on them. They have a bright pink and green paisley print. Aren't they cool!?!

Monday, June 13, 2011

A work of art

Derrick and I are both big lovers of tattoos. We enjoy hearing the stories of why and how someone came up with their tattoos and really believe it is a piece of art on the body. I have 2 and Derrick has a recent addition to his body taking him up to 2.

He is a big fan of Japanese art and sought out a woman here who specializes in Japanese art and tattooing. He wanted a coy fish because they are known for their good luck and strong successful life and he wanted it swimming up stream... always heading up. He told her his ideas, she drew it up for him and began on it last Monday. For 5 hours he laid on his side while she worked again. He couldn't take it anymore so he goes back tomorrow for it to be finished up, about another 2-3 hours (eek!). It really is amazing to see and she did such a fantastic job. There won't be any color, just gray, black and white, but she has some more details and shading to add. Here are the pics from last Tuesday -- it was and still is healing so once it's all done and healed I'll take a final shot.




Sunday, June 12, 2011

Nikki's visit

On Thursday night, after many delays and a closed down airport Nikki flew into Austin for the weekend. It worked out perfectly because I didn't have anything going on all weekend and the weather was well... HOT HOT HOT and sunny. What more could a girl ask for than to enjoy some good ol' rays and get a tan. We didn't have much planned but knew where we were planning on eating!!

On Friday morning we woke up and went for a nice run before it got too hot. Then went and got pedicures (I got blue... like Robin's egg blue - loved it - picture below!) and then headed to Mt. Bonnell - the highest point in Austin with a beautiful view. Then back for lunch and 2 hours outside by the pool (or in it for that matter). Showers and downtown for dinner at an awesome place called Chuy's (they have a 'queso car' which is free chips, salsa, and queso). Then some window shopping, wine stop, movie stop, and the best place of all... Gourdough's. A made to order donut trailer that is beyond fabulous. I got a peach filled donut with cream cheese icing and dry cake mix on top, Nikki got a donut with cream cheese icing and fresh strawberries. Yes that rights... fried right there, served warm, gooey, delicious, and 100% unhealthy goodness. We rented black swan and enjoyed a night in.

Saturday morning we headed to the Comal River to float. Luckily we got there early enough to beat the crazy mayhem to arrives after lunch. We headed back, went to the pool again, showered, and headed to The Melting Pot - one of my favorites - for some fondue. We opted to just do cheese and chocolate fondue which I have learned is plenty for filling you up. Then off to pick up Derrick from the airport and came back for some games - Life and Taboo --- fun night:)

It's awesome having visitors in the summer when I can finally fully enjoy them. Not worrying about taking off of work or finding someone to cover to my shift. I loved it. Enjoy the pics:)

Mt. Bonnell view

Again, city view


The river ... not too busy yet

Nikki enjoying a nice hot day

Me:) with a 24 oz:)

The "chute" that shoots you out right at the beginning

My awesome blue toes

Thursday, June 9, 2011

My first week

My first week of nannying was amazing. My sister comes in tonight so I'm not going tomorrow so my first of 4 weeks is complete. The kids are adorable, sweet, funny, kind, lovable, snuggly, and just down right fabulous. I keep forgetting my camera so I only had 2 pictures (which aren't even the best quality or best pictures) but they are so cute.

My days this week went as follows:
9:00 - arrive, they are all dressed, cute, and so excited when I ring the doorbell (so I excited that they jump up and down when they see me, every morning) Megan, the baby, is sleeping when I arrive.
9:00-9:30 - chit chat, get Lindsey (3 year old) ready for camp, Mom drives Lindsey, get Brendan (9) and Nora (6) ready for swim team.
10:00 - Mom takes Brendan and Nora to swim team, I stay home
10:00-11:15 - Clean up, fold laundry, Megan wakes up, feed, play, sing (she loves Old MacDonald)
11:15-1:00 - Brendan and Nora home, lunch, play, read, sing, enjoy the day, Megan back down for nap
1:00 - Lindsey back from camp
1:30-3:00 hang out, play, or Mom takes Brendan and Nora to do something fun just the 3 of them. Megan never wakes up before I leave

I have so much fun with them. Today I took Lindsey and Nora and a friend swimming for 2 hours at their neighborhood pool. It was beautiful and so fun to swim with little ones. Here is a silly pic of the 3 girls:)
Lindsey is on the left, Nora in the middle, and Nora's playdate on the right. Their eyes are shut because of the sun, gorgeous day!

And, just because she is so sweet, precious Megan:

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

And I passed!!

I was miserable after taking completing my Special Education test on Saturday. I thought 100% for sure I failed. I actually contemplated just canceling my scores so no one would ever see the humiliation of a score I got.

Because it was a computer based test the scores take 3-5 days. Last night I got the email to check my scores. Eek. Ugh. I PASSED! Holy cow how did that happen!?!? Who cares -- I passed!!

What this means is many things:

1) I now do not have to pay for the test. The test and to add it to your certificate costs $200 per test... because I got RIF'd (Reduction in Force) the district allowed each person 2 tests and addition to your certificate that they would pay for if you passed. I opted to take ESL because it is pretty standard in TX and Special Ed. Now they owe me money:)

2) If and when cuts take place again I will have 1 more certificate to my name and also will have more options for finding a job. There are 12 elementary Spec. Ed. position currently available.

3) No, I will not be changing anything this year. I will still be teaching Kindergarten just like every year prior. This just allows more options.

WHOO HOO - HAPPY SUMMERTIME!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Fishing away


On Saturday I took my Special Education test to add another certification to my teaching license. This will be uber beneficial to me next year when cuts come around again (always looking to the future over here ya know). So I took the test in San Antonio because I registered way too late so our plans were to head to Sea World after my test and enjoy a wonderful day with dolphins and killer whales:) But... of course but... we opted to not go. We figured A) it would be so crazy busy the first weekend after school is out (especially since we could go a weekday sometime this summer) and B) I worried that Mia was showing signs of another bladder infection, not as severe, but still concerned and didn't want to leave her for an extended period of time. So what did we go do!?! WENT FISHING!!

On Friday I surprised Derrick with his dream fishing bag from Cabella's that he has had his eyes on for awhile. I got home from my test around 11:30 and he had our picnic lunch packed, fishing poles set up, and off we went to get our licenses and bait. It was about a 1/2 hour drive out to where we went, Reimer's Ranch, which is like a waterhole that feeds into the lake. It was a beautiful day and we walked about a mile away from the people swimming and set up shop on a little rock:) It was such an awesome day. I caught the first fish (on my 2nd cast!) and Derrick caught a huge catfish. We then headed home and went out to The Melting Pot (a #1 favorite of mine) using a Groupon I bought - $20 for $40 which equates to a cheese, 2 salads, and a chocolate fondue for only a couple extra dollars over the Groupon. LOVED OUR NIGHT:) Enjoy the pictures!









Friday, June 3, 2011

Some slight obsessions

Today was my first full day off of school. Yesterday we didn't have to teach but I did have to report for closing up my room and then I actually tutored a child who is only going to be here the month of June so his mom wants him to be as brushed up as possible before they leave. So today consisted of:

Enjoying getting up and taking Mia for a nice walk in the cooler, 70 degree air (at 7:30AM).
Then I went for my morning run which I am thoroughly enjoying. I love how much cooler it is vs. my usual 95-100 degree run around 4:00PM. I'm definitely looking forward to more of these:)
Then our visit to the vet for 3 shots for Mia. Don't let her eyes fool you... she is fine - just milking it for sure.
Then out to lunch with some girls from school (already meeting up and it's only the 2nd day of summer vacation hahaha) and we have planned a Monday weekly routine of watching The Bachelorette (too bad scum of the earth Bentley will be leaving on Monday... he makes for great boy bashing comments).

Then I headed to Cabela's to surprise Derrick with a fishing bag he has had his eye on for awhile.
And then... came my realization to my slight obsessions. I was cleaning out some bins that Derrick needs for his closet and I started organizing my bathroom. One thing lead to another and I found all of these. Yes, that's right, those are all headbands.

Blair Waldorf would be so proud wouldn't she? They are broken down into skinny stretchy, thick stretchy, thin bands, and thick bands. The problem is... I have a really small head and very thin hair - many of the headbands actually jut out on the sides of my head and you can see right through them since my hair doesn't fill in the space. When I tease my hair it looks better though.

Then I was cleaning up the closet and realized this too might be an obsession... yep those are all bathing suits.
Now that may not seem like a lot but let me just throw this in... they are all within the past 2 years of purchase except 1. And, i have about 5 more circled in the sale catalog of VS! Don't worry... after seeing this I threw the catalog away.

Tomorrow I will finally take the Special Education test in San Antonio (I have been dreading it for weeks so I'm glad to get it over with and then really enjoy my summer off). Then we decided to stay in San Antonio for the day and go to SEA WORLD!! I am beyond excited (Derrick... meh ... not so much). I have a free season pass for teachers so this makes it EVEN BETTER! Can't wait!

Lakehouse slumber party

3 weekends ago one of the 1st grade teachers invited all of the 1st grade and Kindergarten team to a sleepover at a house on the lake. It was a family friend of hers and she was gracious enough to allow us to use it for Friday night and Saturday morning. We finished up school on Friday and headed on up/over to the lake. It was about a 45 minute drive and once we got there, it was pure heaven. Beautiful evening. A group of 12 women all there for 1 thing - to relax and enjoy each others company. We brought our own drinks and things to munch on (I brought the infamous taco dip that is a staple at every family function I feel... cream cheese, taco seasoning, lettuce, tomato, etc). The host made chicken enchiladas which were awesome. We were up until 2am hanging out then everyone retreated their beds and awoke around 8am to coffee, muffins (made by yours trule - good ol' cinnamon streusel Krusteaz brand... the best there is) and fresh fruit. We hung out till about 10:30 and then headed home. It was such a great ending to our school year. The house was beyond BEAUTIFUL. I was in shock the entire time. 3 full kitchens, beautiful huge bedrooms, everything you could possibly need and decorated to perfection. I forgot my camera so these are photos from my phone but you get the hint of how gorgeous it was.
The entry way/porch. It was recently decorated for the owners son's wedding.

The outside kitchen/bar/living room/bathroom area. That is where we spent our entire night - the lake is right behind it.

The kitchen is behind me, then dining room in front with living room to the left.

Downstairs living room, kitchen, and bedrooms to the left

Another view of the living room on the main level with the dining room to the left and the huge wrap around porch through the glass doors with the lake right there.

All in all -- pictures do not do it justice. It was perfection.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

The school year is over

Wow. I don't even know where these last 175 days went that I spent with my students. When did they grow up? When did they all learn to read? When did they learn to appreciate one another and use their friendly skills without me reminding them? Wow.

As I sit sipping some wonderful wine I am reflecting back on this school year. I have never enjoyed a school year more than this year. I finally was able to do everything I wanted to do in a Kindergarten classroom. We cooked, we played (and even said the word play which was forbidden at my old school), we did art, we made friends, we laughed, we told jokes, we did show and tell - all of this while teaching and learning. I also think of the days where I was too impatient, too demanding, too snappy, too... much. Instead of just enjoying my amazing class and group of students that adored me. But, I think we all have those days that we do not get enough sleep or something sets us off and mean ol' us... we sometimes don't have the patience for 5 and 6 year olds. But, I kept to my number 1 goal this year -- to tell each child I was proud of them every.single.day. It is amazing how much those words can mean to even the little ones.

My class was a dream. They told me daily how much they loved me. They begged to stay in Kindergarten. They told me I was pretty multiple times a day. They wrote me letters all the time with beautiful pictures of me as a princess. They listened. They learned. They were excited. They loved school. I couldn't be happier. So to my Monkeys of 2010-2011.... I will miss you so much and cannot believe you will be big "graders" (that's what my class calls the older kids in ... grades)... big 1st graders at that! I am so proud of you!