August fun! Pictures, play time, and our playroom.

Our family photographer has become a friend and we met up for Molly Caroline's one year pictures last week. It is still the summer that she turned 1. ;) We chose to take them behind the prettiest little historic church in town. It felt like a secret garden. I was a little worried because the shoot was scheduled for only about an hour before Molly Caroline's usual bedtime but she did great. She laughed and ran around the entire time. We went to Moonspin after with our photographer and her husband. I can't wait to get the cd, but here are some I took. :)

Since we only have a few precious hours with Molly Caroline every evening we try to make the most of our time. We play, play, play after school. Then, We always sit down for supper together. After supper we try to get outside. Last night we knew we wanted to go on a walk but hated for her to just sit in her stroller. So we decides to push her in her cozy coupe around the neighborhood. She loved it! It was a little but more fun than a normal walk. Did I mention she likes baths in the tub again. Praise The Lord!

We've been working on her playroom slowly but surely. It's half painted Revere Pewter. I think our entire house will be painted in BM Historical colors soon...just like my parents! :) 

I'm going to try and sew the curtains this weekend. Possibly pillows too.

We've finished her chalkboard and are about finished with the boards that will hold her artwork. 

I need to order her table and bookshelves. 

I'm hoping my mom can find the prints that I had hanging in my room because they will match perfectly.

The color inspiration for the room is this print.

I also have my red desk in the corner. I want a new bulletin board and some hardware.

We will probably add a window seat and a kitchen (if Santa brings MC one) :) after Christmas.

Work, decorations, and celebrations!

So tomorrow starts the third week of our school year. The weeks have felt long but when I think about starting the third week of the first 9 weeks I feel like it's already flying by! I've been trying to take more pictures of things that I do with my class. 

The first week we focused on getting home each day. We graphed their mode of transportation. We talked about rules, procedures, and expectations. A lot! We also earned sprinkles (compliments) toward an ice cream party. We are currently 1 away. ;) 

The second week we did Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. And letters and letter sounds.....we were assessing to determine differentiation for small groups. I forgot to take a picture of our Chicka tree snack. Oh well! I'm loving counting the number of days of school using ten frames. My class also learned how to control their blurts!! :)

I am definitely just about ready for fall. I think after one last trip to the beach I'll be 100 percent ready! I still have summer decor up. Lemons, limes, and patriotic touches here and there. I think I'll change it out for football next weekend!!

I  am excited about hanging this moss wreath that I just got soon. I need to add some burlap ribbon. Am I the only one obsessed with moss?

I can just see these lanterns filled with pumpkins in the fall!

We had a great weekend! My parents came to visit to celebrate my dad's 66th birthday. So fun and special. Having them here is my favorite thing ever. We shopped Saturday afternoon and then grilled steaks, watched Divergent, and ate peach crisp for dessert. Perfection!

This weekend went by too fast! Praying that it's a great week! 

How I survived my first week of school for the eighth time...

Well technically my ninth if I count student teaching and being a support teacher after I graduated in December.

I wore comfortable shoes. My Jack Rogers jelly flip flops are super comfy. I can stand all day without my feet hurting.

I drank lots of water and a few diet cokes here and there!

I blasted praise and worship music. On replay. This helped tremendously with my 4am wake up calls (the only time I could get what I needed done) and also times that I felt overwhelmed. Last week was BUSY!



I enjoyed duty free lunch with the other kindergarten teachers on my wing. I love it! I haven't had a duty free lunch since I taught second grade.

Surprise visits from the best hubby in the world helped greatly!

Adding in a few new fun things to do with my students to break up all the rules, routines, procedures, and abc talk! ;)

Seeing this precious face around 4pm and scooping her up into my arms!

Those are my secrets!

Getting back in the swing of things...

Tuesday was hard. My baby cried when we left her! I'm pretty sure mama AND daddy did too! Thankfully, Every day she did better and better! Whew! 

I got lots done this week in my classroom. I feel organized, ready, and thankful to have my same support again and to be working with my friend and awesome inclusion teacher again. My class seems great and open house went really well! 

I worked late one night and Molly Caroline had fun shopping for my classroom and running the halls of my school.

We were so tired this week! But made time for lots of stories and ice cream on the back porch. I even did some hand sewing! Haha!

I had a JSL board meeting one night and MC and Blakely had fun outside time with Matty.

Friday night we had a family date night to celebrate getting through our first week back. This was before we left!

Saturday we relaxed all morning long and then had Kollin's birthday party, Molly Caroline's friend from daycare. 

We also had a little meet and greet reception at church for one of our new associate pastors. The neat thing about that is that we love their family and were reunited with them. They are from Valdosta! Chip was Matt's youth minister. In college, Chip and Jeannie were our college teachers for awhile. I also worked under Mrs. Jeannie in the nursery in college. What a small world!

I am hopeful that this will be my best year yet! 

Molly Caroline's favorites!

Well, today is the dreaded day. I'm up getting ready to go back to work. :( I know that Molly Caroline will love seeing all her friends today though! I've just loved playing and teaching her this summer though. I feel like she's grown and learned so much since the end of May. I guess we are ready.

These are some of the things she loved this summer!

Riding her shopping cart/motorcycle as Matt calls it.

Sitting at her table. Eating finger paint!

Her car. Sitting in it backwards especially.

Playing at her water table.

Snuggles and kisses!

Elmo!

Shopping dates!

Going up to the playroom.

Napping.

Eating real food!

I'm probably missing some things! Maybe there will be a part two!