HP Trivia

Today is Harry Potter's birthday so we joined dinner friends for HP trivia at a local bar. Nate and I knew all but 2 questions (out of 30) which made us tied for 2nd place before the tie-breaker. It was fun but super crowded and loud and now it's really late and I'm very tired. 

Speaker Phone

One of my new coworkers listens to her voicemails on speaker while we are working on lesson plans in the same room.

Chain Restaurant Disappointment

On our way home from handing off Korra, we decided to stop for dinner at a Carrabba's since I had a gift card there ($15 from a student). Even with only 2 entrees and a Coke we spent as much as would have at a local place we enjoy much more. Lesson learned. 

Grandparents Visit

Korra is going to my parents' this evening and staying until Wednesday night. She's so excited! 

Renter Woes

Our renter just informed us he'll be paying late, again. And he asked if we can give him his deposit back now so he can use it to find a new place. Ugh. 

Big Bike

Korra graduated from her balance bicycle to her first "pedal bike." No training wheels!  She did really well!  We still have more practice ahead of us but it was a successful first try! 

Discovering Atlanta

Last night we at delicious tacos at Taquiera del Sol. Today we drove into mid-town to pick up an order from an Amazon Treasure Truck (they had music and a bubble machine and Mario cut outs). 

Perceptive

Things Korra had said recently:

"You're being sarcastic, Mommy. That's when you say the opposite of what you mean"

"Are they talking about Donald Trump?  He said covfefe. That's like kookie-lookie (her made up language). But it doesn't even mean anything."

School Buddy

Korra is coming with me to school today. She has her kindergarten evaluation this morning. My day of boring meetings will be infinitely better since my girl will be there. 

States Puzzle

Korra and I just built her US states puzzle. We enjoyed talking about things we remembered from visiting and people who know/love who live in each state.  When we were cleaning up we decided to count the number of states we've been to in the last 3 summers. Korra, Nate, and I have traveled to or through 29 states in just a little over 2 years. 

Thanks, LeVar

My wonderful sister in law recommend a podcast called LeVar Burton Reads. At the beginning of the first episode, LeVar says, "Take a deep breath and put yourself in a receptive mood for a good story." It reminded me of the way my yoga teacher would often begin a practice. "Whatever you are thinking or feeling, whatever you were doing before this or will be doing after, take a deep breath and be here now." I think I'm going to use a combination of these to begin my math classes this year. 

"Whatever you are thinking or feeling, whatever you were doing before this or will be doing after, take a deep breath (pause) and put yourself in a receptive mood for learning."

Snuggles

We both woke up early. Within 5 minutes of snuggling, she was back asleep. Not a great picture of me but so worth having evidence of my almost 5 year old asleep on my chest

Saturation

This morning we had a 3 hour meeting where we went over the teacher handbook. I would never have my students sit still that long and just listen. No interaction, no chance to discuss or process or reflect, no stretch breaks. It was terrible. It was also too much information at once (much of which was very new and confusing). Some of it was frustrating and upsetting (like that teachers aren't allowed to wear jeans or shorts anymore). I used what I've learned about the calming power of nature and took a walk in the woods during our lunch break. I came back to the afternoon session refreshed (at least enough to not cry until AFTER school).  

Collaboration!

Had a very cool professional development course today about integrating agriculture and was able to have some great conversations with the agriculture teacher at our school. We've got some awesome plans for the school year!  Also, I got to see the inside of my classroom (trailer) and although I'll greatly miss my big windows, it's a huge space. 

Still stressing over changes and unknowns but I should have a lot more information/answers tomorrow (even though I have a feeling it won't be what I want to hear).

Stressed

My doctor's appointment was way better than I expected it to be.

My first day back.... not so much.

There are going to be a LOT of changes.  I guess the plus side to this is that I'm so stressed about administrative changes and directives and all the unknowns that come with them, that I don't have ANY bandwidth left to stress about more immediate concerns like the fact that the trailer which will be my classroom doesn't yet have a staircase...

Nervous

I'm really nervous about going back to school today. New principal, new director, nearly 40% new teachers... So much change it almost feels like I'm going to an entirely new school. 

Also I'll be arriving late because of my yearly obgyn appointment (with a new doctor). So all around a really challenging day. 

Bam

8pm and it just hit me- summer is over. I have to go back to work tomorrow. Bummer. 

Wake Up

The cat has been helping me get back into the school schedule by waking me up earlier and earlier each day (meowing loudly for her breakfast). This has been going on since her vet appointment on Monday where we learned that she currently weighs 15 lbs and needs to be on a diet. 

Falafel Waffles

Tonight I tried a new and intriguing recipe- falafel made in the waffle iron. After two attempts, I abandoned the waffle iron (no amount of oil could keep them from sticking!), I added flour and then fried them in blobs on the stove. Eaten with a cucumber dill sauce and fresh diced tomatoes, they were delicious (though extremely time consuming). 

I also made blondies for a lunch date tomorrow, pizza dough for dinner tomorrow night, and cooked the chicken for Tuesday's chicken salad. I might have bit of more than I could chew... 3 hours in the kitchen was too much. 

Brunch

I made buttermilk biscuits and cut up a perfectly ripe watermelon and we're off to enjoy brunch with silver friends from church!

Daniel Tiger

I love that Korra still asks to watch Daniel Tiger. 

Krispy Kreme

Zoo

A wonderful friend from LaGrange and her 2 daughters met us at the zoo this morning. 

Summer To Do List

Things I checked of my list today: grocery shopping, wash the car, laundry, bake a breakfast casserole, paint with Korra, take a nap. 

Sore

Did a couple of hours of yard work at the church (trimming back ivy and bushes) and now I am super sore. 

Shoe Laces

This girl learned how to tie her shoes today!

Rest and Chores

I've spent the past 3 days resting and catching up on chores/errands.  I vacuumed and mopped, took Korra to get her school supplies, mailed off some packages, did some baking/cooking, created and ordered a photobook of our summer trip, and did some fun crafts with Korra.  I also spent an hour and a half on the phone with Verizon today after UPS failed/refused to deliver his new phone last night.  Just a few more days of summer to recover from all my traveling and then it's back to work...

Extra Airport Trip

My cousin was flying in from her year in Germany yesterday and missed her last flight from Atlanta to Denver so we met her in the airport and took her home so she wouldn't have to spend the night there. Korra was super excited to have a teenager sleep in her room. Annie and I took a 6:30 ride to the airport this morning. Glad we could help and it was nice to see yet another cousin!

Bus and plane

On a bus directly from Waukesha to the Chicago airport eating a salami sandwich packed by my grandma and frozen custard picked up with my cousin with my extra slice of Chicago deep dish pizza packed in my purse. 

Grandpa's Funeral

Yesterday was my grandpa's funeral. I was asked to do a scripture reading, there were military honors, my parents and a couple of my aunts and uncles spoke, the room was packed. It was good, as far as funerals go. After there was a lunch at a bar. Then we went to my aunt's house and hung out with the family. Then we went to my cousin's house where a dozen of us (all cousins or their spouses) say around an outdoor fire and talked and laughed and drank beer. It was amazing. I'm still glad we came. Headed home today. 

Chicago Pizza

Todd and I decided to venture out into Chicago a little before heading to Milwaukee. We took the CTA (train) from the airport to the Grayhound station. While on the train we ordered a Chicago deep dish pizza which we picked up on our way to the bus station. It MAY have caused us to miss the earlier bus but the adventure (and pizza) was so worth it. 

Drug Bust

While we were away, the APD busted the house across the street. 20+ cops, drug dogs, the whole deal. Our neighors told us this is the 3rd or 4th raid on this house in the past few years and that it never results in arrests of anyone but a few addicts. Same this time. The detective I've been talking to (did I tell you I left a bunch of tips on their website and they called me for more info in the beginning of June?) called me yesterday to inform me of the bust and to ask that I call or text him once the activity across the street returns to usual (because even he thinks they'll continue to sell). Ugh. 

One Night

We drove back from Virginia today (stopping for lunch with some wonderful friends in Tennessee) and arrived home around 6:30. Enjoying tonight in my own bed because tomorrow afternoon I'm flying to Chicago with my youngest brother. From there we'll take the bus to Milwaukee (it was about $200 cheaper, though definitely less convenient) and spend the night our cousin's house before Grandpa's funeral on Friday morning. 

Night of the Ninjas

Korra finished her first chapter book all by herself.  Magic Treehouse for the win. 

Blueberries and Horses

This morning we went blueberry picking (though not until late morning because Korra slept in until 10!)  Between us we picked 2 gallons of blueberries in about an hour (even with the kids eating nearly everything they picked). In the afternoon, we walked across the street from our rental cabin to see the horses. Korra surprised us by being very enthusiastic about riding, taking 3 turns and even getting the horse to trot. She loved it and was very relaxed and happy the whole time and has already asked for a horse of her own.  

Grandpa

Spent the day just being together as a family as we for the news last night (would Brian was still on the hospital) my grandfather passed away. Thankful that I got to say goodbye to him last month and that we have the time and resources for me to go to the funeral at the end of the week. 

Virginia Creeper Trail

Our bike ride on the Virginia Creeper Trail was very eventful. Similar to tubing down a river, we took a shuttle and then hopped on our bikes for about 18 miles of downhill coasting. The first hour was perfect. Beautiful mountains, a stream, shady trees. We had a picnic lunch at a playground along the trail. Right after lunch, I got a flat tire. With 14 miles to go, I was not looking forward to long walk. Thankfully, 3 different people (2 of them strangers) stopped and between them had all the necessary tools to change my flat. After nearly 30 minutes of hard riding, Todd and I caught up to the rest of the family, just as Brian fell hard. Hard enough that he couldn't ride his bike, they had to call an ambulance, and he went to the emergency room. While Nate was trying to help Brian, our nephew Clark announced he had to pee. When Nate took him out of the bike trailer, Clark peed all over himself and Nate. 30 minutes later, Chris got a flat tire. We finally all arrived back at the bike shop more than 5 hours after we began (it was supposed to be a 3 hour tour).

Before:

After:

Cabins (plural)

We drove up to the cabin on Monday to spend a few days with Nate's whole family.  Despite Korra getting a bunch of chigger bites (all along her underwear line, behind her ears, and in her armpits) and lots of rain (it rained for at least 2 hours every day), we had a nice time.  Lots of playing on the big porch. 

 Today, we drove another 5 hours to a cabin in Lansing, NC (right at the Virginia border) for a few days with my whole family. 

Delia's

When we couldn't stand the heat in the anymore we went out. First shopping and then to dinner at Delia's Chicken Sausage Stand. It was nice hanging out with our friend Chris but really strange to be without Korra who went up to the cabin today with Nate's parents. 

No AC

Our AC is broken.  It's blowing warm air.  Can't get in touch with anyone to fix it.  It is so hot and humid.

Korra's Baptism

We had a pretty big crowd (about 30 people?) from out of town at church for Korra's baptism this morning.  It was a very nice service with Nate's mom helping with the baptism and Nate's brother assisting with communion.

Immediately following the baptism, Nate and I joined the church and then we had communion, where Korra helped to serve.  It was the most beautiful and meaningful moment to watch my little girl serve communion to her aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.  With each person she said, "God loves you so much."  My heart could burst with joy.

After the service we had our picnic lunch in the park across the street.  The kids enjoyed playing on the playground and getting thoroughly sweaty which wasn't hard because it was/is so hot and humid.
A wonderful day of celebrating God's love and goodness with many of the people we love most.

Lunch

Last night my mom and I put 15 lbs of pork shoulder in 2 Crock-Pots (that I got on sale for $1.50 per lb!). This morning I shredded it and we loaded there car with everything else needed to feed 40 people lunch after church today.  Ready to celebrate joining Neighborhood Church and Korra's baptism with our family and friends!

Family Time

My parents, both my brothers, and my sister-in-law came into town today and spent the day with us. Grilled kebobs, played Jackbox games, talked, and didn't take a single picture.