A conversation with Bailey

This afternoon I was quietly sitting on the couch, minding my own business when...

"Mom? No one likes me."

I don't respond because I have seen her on the playground and in the cafeteria. The girl is NOT lacking in friends.

"Mom. No one likes me but you. You and my whole family. You, my whole family, and some penguins."

This catches my attention.

"Penguins?" I ask

"Yep. I think penguins like me."

"Okay."

"Mom, what if I went to Africa and they told me I was not African?"

"Well Bailey, you are not African."

"What about India? They would tell me I am not Indian?"

"Your not Indian."

"So."

I would love to have seen where this conversation was going. But at this point I am distracted by Avery. When I come back, Bailey is on to something else.

This is a typical day with Bailey.

Just for my sister...

who questioned why I never show my crafts anymore. I headed out to Fort Morgan for a day of fun and crafting and came home with these cuties....

My first haircut

I really didn't want to cut her hair at all, but it is always in her face! She will not wear clips for very long at all, and I don't always remember to put in a pony. So I had to do it.

Here she is...
Before


After

Thank you!

I just wanted to take a minute and thank you all for your kind supportive notes! I really appreciate it!

You guys are awesome!

Happy First Day of School!

For Dillon... now a fourth grader!



For Bailey... now a first grader!



And for me!! now a second grade teacher!!!



I haven't been able to talk about it until now, but I working in the kid's school! Team teaching with Ms. Neuhart, who I covered for during her maternity leave in the spring. The position is only temporary until they are able to interview candidates, but you can bet that my resume' will be in that pile! (which I am hoping isn't much of a pile at all, but don't tell anyone!)

I am so excited and today was wonderful. Natalie and I worked together so well, tag team teaching. The kids actually responded to it without much fuss. Kids are so flexible that way. Next week we actually begin to split up with me taking two days and her the other three. Communication will be key for this to work, but Natalie and I are up to the challenge.

Wish me luck, and cross your fingers for me to get the real job!

soap?

Kevin and I were down 2 kids this week. Kevin is at the beginning of his busy season, and I needed to be available this week to help out at school. Maga and Papa graciously offered to take the kids for several days to help me out, but I think they were wanting to do something like this any ways. So it was a win-win for both of us.

So on Tuesday morning, we pack up and head up to Cheyenne to meet up with Maga and Papa. I allowed the kids to pack their own suitcases as long as I could have final say if something questionable was there. They remembered underwear, toothbrushes, pillows, all the things that they would need for their three days away. We packed up the car and headed out.

Tuesday night, it's 7:15 and Kevin and I are home with just Avery who had just been put to bed. We are on either side of the table just looking at each other. Wow, it has been seven years since we had so much time alone in the evening.

Wednesday night, we go to dinner, just 'cause we can.

Thursday night, an unexpected visitor drops in and stays for several hours.

Friday, it's time to get the kids again. After working all morning in the school, I head out to pick up D and B. They are in the car no more than 30 seconds and are already yelling at each other.

The quiet seems so far away.

Several hours later we get home and I ask the kids if they had taken a bath while at Maga and Papa's. Nope. No one ever asked them too. I guess too much fun was being had. There is a thunderstorm so I can't ask them to jump in now. It will have to wait until morning.

Saturday morning the girls get their bath done, but Dillon is at goalie camp with Kevin. When I see him at lunch, I remind him to take a bath when he gets home. I go to work.

5:30, I ask D if he had taken his bath yet. Nope.

"GET IN THE TUB!"

He does and is there for a while. When he comes down it is almost dinner time. He sits down at the table. Kevin asks him if he feels better. Dillon looks at him like he has lost his mind. "Why?" he asks.

"Don't you feel so much better now that you have washed with soap?"

Stare.

"You washed with soap, right?"

"No."

Round two is in progress right now.

I love a rainy night...

especially after all the heat we have had lately!

Aspirations

As I continue to work on my album for the Shimelle class that I am taking, I have to ruminate on what my aspirations are...




I have the typical kinds of aspirations. I seek to be a good wife, mother and friend. I yearn for smart, happy children that graduate and go on to great universities, studying something that inspires them. I desire to celebrate 50 years of marriage in 2044 with Kevin by my side. I want to graduate next spring and become a teacher. I hope to take my scrapbooking up a notch and become published next spring. But more importantly, I aspire to be a good person, a person that I am proud to be and a good example for my children.


Putting it out there means that I am now accountable to it. Yikes.

It's Hula Monkey's birthday!

Happy Birthday Avery girl! You are two today!