I know, I know

it has been a while. can you tell I am back at work? No time to blog! My days are so busy that by the time I have time to blog, I am too tired to blog.
Quick update:
Miss M turned 9 months...she is waving bye-bye, raising her arms to "SO BIG" and doing Pat-a- Cake. She is being baptized in October so we are preparing for that event.
J turned 6 and had a bowling party. He got so many nice gifts but even more so, he had a ball bowling and dancing with his friends!
He is doing well in school, although, we are working on his being less "chit-chatty". That is what he says, so I am sure his teacher uses that phrase! She is wonderful and I am so happy that he is in her class!
We had a yard sale this weekend and sold many baby things, including several of J's outfits. I sold a whole boat-load of things to a sweet couple who had just found out they were expecting. For $20, she got 11 sleepers, 5 hats, 6 onesies and a bouncy seat. She was so excited and I was happy to get rid! I sold one of my swings, a car seat and almost sold my breast pump before a lady told me how much I could get for it on Craig's List. So i think I may do that!

I am so busy with school. Did I mention that I have a student teacher? That is a whole other post... ;P

To the Best 6 year old in the world

Happy Birthday to my precious boy! You are so special to daddy and me.

We love you so much and are so proud of all you do and all you are! Thanks for being the sweetest and most loving big brother!

I hope you have a great birthday!

Wordless Wednesday Bow edition

Advice for baby shopping

I have spent a lot of my free hours the past few weeks sorting through clothing, mostly Miss M's baby stuff and I was Shocked at how many things still had tags or had never been worn. I decided to make a list of how to shop for a baby gift. People are NOT practical when they buy baby things and practical is what we need so here it goes....
1. Do not buy dresses for ages 0-6 months. Chances are, the baby will never wear the dress.
2. Please buy sleepers.
3. When you buy sleepers, make sure they have feet in them.
4. When you buy sleepers, make sure they have NO COLLAR. Collars get in the way, collect spit up and drool.
5. When you buy sleepers, make sure they have easy snaps or better yet, a zipper. No buttons.
6. Do not buy shoes for a baby. I have four pairs of shoes that were given to me because the original owner never used them, and Miss M only wore one pair, for her Easter outfit. They stayed on for the 3 minutes it took to take a picture.
7. There should be no need to buy socks for a baby 0-6 months if you abide by #3.
8. No matter how cute, adorable, beautiful and angelic an outfit is, if it had more than two pieces, refer to rule #2. IF it is too hard to put on a baby, chances are it will never get worn.
9. IF you are shopping for a shower, try to buy clothing items in bigger sizes. People tend to get a lot of 0-3 and 3-6 month clothing but then they baby hits 7 months and has no clothing.
10. Don't buy bottles, pacifiers, etc. Chances are the baby will hate all of the the ones that mom has for her and spend a small fortune finding the right one. (I know this from experience.)
11.Blankets are a nice gift but chances are, they won't all get used. I'd stick with a hoodie towel instead!
12. Baby wash is always good. Especially the ones that smell so nice. (But don't they all?)
13. ALWAYS provide the gift slip for any gift you buy.
14. When all else fails, gift cards are heaven sent. My coworkers gave me a gift card for Miss M and it bought diapers for a month!

Of course, we are always appreciative for gift that people give to our little ones, but being practical saves everyone a return trip!
Now, I am going to go back in M's room and continue sorting clothing that is brand new!

First Day!

My Baby Boy started Kindergarten today. He goes to my school so you think it would be easier for me to let him go all day into the hands of another person, but no!
So I let him off at the classroom door ( a privilege of teaching there) and he went off into the classroom! I saw him at an assembly and he was so excited and waved to me!
At the end of the day, he came up to my room and he was so tired.
and hungry. very hungry.
He wants to go back tomorrow. That is a good thing since he is going anyhow!

J at his locker.

J and his teacher and his best bud!

Right back into the swing of it...

I have officially been a working mom again for two weeks. The kids came back this week and so the past week was tiring. I am happy to have the long weekend to recoup.
I realize how spoiled I was this summer. I could go pick up groceries on any day, do laundry any time, hit Target 3x a week if I wanted, played with the kiddos w/o feeling like I would fall asleep any minute. This week, I have fallen into bed before 9 several times. My feet hurt,like they do every first few weeks of school. I have returned to the rat race of coming home, getting dinner together, packing lunches, preparing bottles, putting out clothes/ironing, etc. yuk.
But working is my reality and it isn't all so bad. It was great to see my friends. The kids are pretty good. I am blessed to have a good job.
So it may take a few weeks, but I am getting back into the swing of it!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

J and his new skateboard. (Much to my dismay)
Miss M after a Biter Biscuit and before a bath.