Stuff the Bus...

On Saturday I volunteered with some teachers from Holcomb to Stuff the Bus for United Way. It was over 100 degrees out and we were seriously melting, but we had a blast doing it. And, most importantly, it was for a great cause... to ensure that all students have the supplies they need when the school year begins. I'm so lucky to work with such a great group of fun, kind, caring people each day.

Karen didn't quite understand what they meant by "stuff the bus"...

Sonya, Karen, Me, Cara, and Paula

The whole Holcomb group...

Janice, Bekah, Cara, Sonya, Debbie, Karen, Paula,

Me, Alison, Tanika, and Tracy

While I've Been Gone...

Hello, hello!

A lot has been going on in the past few months.

So much in fact, that I have seriously neglected this little blog.

So sorry to the three of you who read this. :)

I took my National Boards exams at the end of May, and feel ok about how things went.

Now I just have the looooooong wait until November when I find out if I passed or not.

Please say a little prayer (or a million) or keep your fingers crossed for me.

Or something.

Any token of good luck will be appreciated.

More big school news.... I'm LOOPING with my kiddos!!!

This means that I'm moving up to 3rd grade with them and get to keep all 25 of my sweet babies for another year.

Woohooo!!!!

I am more excited about this than I can even explain.

I've just been jumping up and down a lot to show my excitement.

And screaming.

People are beginning to think I'm a little strange.

{Luckily, Jenn understands how I feel...}

Now on to the good stuff... the pictures.

So sorry you had to see this awful picture, but I just had to show this since Ryan just did not believe that I actually held a snake.

My. biggest. fear.

I look awful because 1)it was pouring down rain 2)I was trying not to scream and frighten all the children 3)I was trying not to scream and scare the boa constrictor that easily could have choked me to death.

Shudder.

Our littlest angel, Elyse, turned 4 and celebrated with her besties at a spa party where they were all treated to manicures and pedicures.

These kids are living the life!

Payton made the team again at his junior high. Go Payton!

He also joined an elite AAU team out of Little Rock, The Wings.

This group is much more competitive and has players from across the state and even from Tennessee and Louisiana.

They are awesome!

Unfortunately, a week after joining this team he broke his big toe at practice and is now out for 4-6 weeks.

He's hoping it heals in time for Nationals at the end of the month.

Elyse started her dance classes.

She's had a great time learning ballet, tap, and tumbling.

Cutie Patootie!!!

Procrastination...

National Boards is consuming my life. I'm trying everything I can to put it off.

Cleaning the toilets.

Scrubbing the floors.

Organizing closets.

Exercising (which I really need to do more of, by the way).

Anything.

I'm running out of ideas.

Pretty soon, I'm just going to have to buckle down and get these papers written.

Although this is by far the most challenging thing I've ever done - makes getting your masters degree in one year while working and raising a young child on your own look easy - it's definitely worth it.

I have learned so much already and feel like my teaching has improved. I really am thankful for this experience (no matter how much I complain about it.) But... I think if I don't pass in the first year, I may just go insane.

What I'm Loving Right Now...

My sweet Elly Claire and her adventerous self...

My sweet little (well, not really) man and his ballin' self...

My sweet, amazing kids at school and their hilarious selves...

Running, running, running...

My new read...

This Is Why I Teach...

I have a wonderful, sweet, amazing, hilarious, special student in my class. This kid just lights up my day. He is smart, funny and so kind. He is also blind.

The other day while sitting with him he leaned over, gave me a hug, and said, "I love your voice. You have the sweetest voice in the whole world. I wish I could hear it forever."

Awww.... my heart just absolutely melted!

Sound is essential to this child. It helps him figure out where he is, what's around him, who is near him. He has a fascination with sound waves and how they travel. He absolutely HATES the sound of the fire alarm. He can tell which bus is his from a block away. To me, all the buses sound the same, but not to this child. He is amazing. And I am proud that to his ears, my voice is the sweetest in the whole world.

Elyse's First Field Trip...

Elyse got to go on her very first field trip this week. Her class went to the....

FIRE STATION!

They got to see the firemen and what they look like in all their gear...

Look at the fire engine...

She even got to climb inside...


They got to look at an ambulance...

Now she is an official fire girl!

And the best part was getting to spray the fire hose...

Elyse and Ryan had so much fun on the field trip! She was able to tell me all about the fire safety tips she learned.

Another first for our little lady. We are so proud of her!

First Day of Preschool...

Elyse's first day of preschool was a success!

Ready to go...

Walking in... Look at that smile- she was so excited!

Showing me the science center.

We are so thankful that Elyse enjoys her preschool so much. She has a wonderful group of friends to play and learn with, and a teacher who is kind and caring.