Day 217: Anywhere

Chris and I have just returned from a date night where we met up with some friends and were able to celebrate my birthday. We had so much fun! While we were out though, I couldn't help but think about the kids and wonder if they were able to settle down and fall asleep at our neighbor's house where they were being taken care of. My worry was irrelevant. After nearly a year of traveling between two cities, my kids can sleep anywhere and everywhere. They are champs. :) We arrived home to find both kiddies asleep and happy. Sofia is finishing out the evening in slumber party fashion at Hayley's and Nico is comfortably in "high hiney" position in his crib.

It's nice to be able to have an adult evening and not worry about our kids. And for this, I am thankful.

Day 216: A Listening Ear

I've never really known what signal beams out from my forehead that notifies people that I will listen and help them. Maybe it's because I'm a mother. Maybe it's not. This week, however, this signal was in full beacon mode as I felt more like a counselor than a teacher, wife, sister, friend or mother. It was simply wild and by the time the kids went to bed tonight, I was pretty well spent. It wasn't but a few moments later that it hit me how lucky I am that people trust me to listen and help with challenges they are facing. It really is an honor and one that I will always be grateful for.

Day 215: They Say It's My Birthday

Today I am 31. Geesh, that feels old! I was especially reminded of my wiser years when I explained in detail to Sofia this morning why we would be driving the extra block down the street to make our turn at the light because it was safer at that time of day. Yes. I really did that. What has happened to me?

Aside from my old geezer moment, today has honestly been one of the best birthdays to date. The kids woke up cheery and even though Sofia was very concerned that we did not have balloons and cake in the house, she was eventually convinced that my birthday could still proceed. My students "surprised" me in two class periods by hiding under the science tables and turning off the lights as I stood outside the door pretending I had no clue what they were doing. It was priceless. They were so proud of themselves for pulling one off on their teacher. My husband began and ended my day with coffee: my morning cup and my very own Keurig as a gift this evening! I've been dreaming of one for years, so I was sooooooooo excited about it. :) And, I hadn't even asked for it...definite points on the "Good Listening Husband Card".

Friends stopped by my classroom, I talked to family, I was overwhelmed by kind thoughts on Facebook and had a quiet (and second) dinner with Chris once the kids went to bed. I am 31 years old today. If this year is anything like the moments that were strung together today, I can already tell it's going to be a great year.

And for this, I am thankful.

Day 214: Exactly

I've mentioned several times before that I hoped this blog would touch the lives of the people who needed it most. Recently, I've received some incredible feedback about Adventures Out West and I couldn't be more thrilled. It only took me six years, but I think I've finally found my niche.

It feels good to be thankful. And for this, I am thankful!

Day 213: So Apparently I'm Not Perfect

At some point, something is destined to slip through the cracks...

Let's review:

A few months ago when I enrolled Sofia at her new school, it was up in the air as to whether or not she would continue in preschool full time or move into kindergarten. You see, Sofia is in the special group of kiddos that will forever be difficult to place in grade levels because of her birth date. Long story short, last I knew, preschool it was!

Until today.

Today was the first day of school and as I held down the lump in my throat and kept a smile on my face, I overheard the teacher introduce Sofia to her classmates as "their new friend in the kindergarten class". Say what?!? Sofia was now scheduled to spend her mornings in preschool and afternoons in kindergarten.  We hadn't event talked the slightest bit about kindergarten with her! How did I miss this detail? I seriously felt like such a schmuck.

The first day of school, real school, is supposed to be a milestone marked by skips to the front door of the building, chats about what the day would hold and a big, cheesy grin just before entry. Yes, we had our talks and Sofia was excited to go, but when it came time to mark the occasion, this is what I got instead: a "No thank you!" in response to my asking to take a photo of her first day. Perfect.

Needless to say, the first day of school went off without a hitch. My little master chameleon fit right in with her new classmates and routines. She was all smiles when I picked her up and ready to go back again tomorrow. In the end, this is all I can hope for!

And for this, I am thankful.

Day 212: Weekend Grading

No. I am not thankful for having to grade over the weekends. But, I am thankful that I can grade in the evenings on the couch with my husband sitting next to me. Occasionally he'll offer to help with reading off scores as I enter them into my online grade book which typically ends with us in hysterics as he mispronounces one thing after another (While C is a brilliant mathematician, names and science are not his strength. :) ). Needless to say, I love that we can spend some quiet time in the evenings on couch with an occasional giggle. It is a great way to end a weekend and begin the week.

An evening of laughter while working. For this, I am thankful.

Day 211: Salon de Daniel

Before we moved out to Colorado, my hairstylist cousin showed me how to cut Chris's hair so that we could save a few bucks in our new city. Six years later, I'm still cutting Chris's hair....and Sofia's, Nico's and 3 of our neighbors.

Tonight, Sofia sat on the island stool watching Shrek as I gave her her back to school cut. She looked adorable. It's always a fun, bonding time for her and I when we're playing salon. And that's worth way more than the money I save by doing it myself. :)

And for this, I am thankful.

Day 210: Round 2 Is Always Nice

Today I got to go to Ikea not once, but twice!

It seemed that no amount of prepared snacks, drinks, toys or pleas could prevent our children from melting down in the Swedish mecca. Thus, after about 15 minutes inside the store, we made a quick decision to exit as quickly as possible. I was so sad. Having waited a month to go and as well as having saved money aside to perk up our bedroom, I was seriously bummed to have to leave.

Long story short, Chris suggested that I call a friend and go back to do my shopping as a girls' afternoon sans kids. Ding ding! Off I went and I had a fabulous time too!

I really appreciate that my husband is flexible with our time together and also knows when something (that might seem stupid to others) means a lot to me. I love looking at home design stuff and dreaming up ways to make it all work in our home. Today, I got to let my imagination play and have a little girl time too!

And for this, I am thankful.

Day 209: The Couch Bed

I love my couch. I love my couch so much that I can often be found on a Friday evening sleeping sitting up. Whether that sleep takes place early or late in the evening is up to you to guess. (I'm not aging myself that badly!) Regardless, it's nice to have a place that I can cozy up, relax and completely rid my mind of stress from the week.

I love my couch. And for this, I am thankful.


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Day 208: BTSN

Back To School Night is done.

There's a lot of pressure that surrounds this night. There is a simple fact that if parents do not feel inspired by the teachers, there will be no way on God's Green Earth that they will believe that their children will learn a single thing while at school.

My job was to inspire. And I think I did.

For this, I am thankful.