Day One of Summer Vaca

Today was officially Day One of Summer Vacation.  And it was one hell of one!
There are so many weeks (pretty much each and every week) I feel like I'm constantly behind on house things and don't spend nearly the time I want to with my children.  Never mind actually spending time with Mark.  Some weeks I'd give just about anything for a half day just to catch up on things or time to read longer with each of the kids.

Finally.  Finally, summer is here and I have time.  I am busy still, but not working full time on top of doing everything I do each week is bliss.

Since V starts Summer Academy next week I let her choose our activities this week.  Chuck E Cheese was at the top of her list.  (Which is a little odd because she was just there on Friday night for a birthday party.)

This morning Mark went off to work and the big kids and I cuddled in bed watching some cartoons.  Then we got Brecken up.  I got everyone fed and dressed and out the door at 8:45.  We were at Chuck E. Cheese at 9:03 then called Papa and he was up there in 15 minutes to follow Brecken around.  Everyone had fun.  I love when we're the only ones there and Brecken can run free…or as free as I allow him to be.

Then we came home for Brecken's morning nap.  I finished up the 5th out of 6 loads of laundry.  Then I got the grand idea of mowing the lawn.  I heard Mark mention to Christian that he would mow it tonight if he got home early enough.  Christian got it out of the garage for me and we got that sucker started.  I have never mowed a lawn in my life.  Not once.  Not ever.  I have pushed one before, but never mowed a lawn.  I cranked up my iPod, B was sleeping, and the big kids were watching me from the deck.  It was quite relaxing.  After the backyard I checked on the still sleeping baby and headed to the front yard.  Christian followed me all around the yard.  Then we ran out of gas.  C informed me where Daddy kept the gas.  Since I have never even mowed I certainly didn't know how to put gas in it.  I had to ask our 70 year old neighbor for help.  He did help and I was back mowing before he knew it.  I quote our neighbor, "I never thought I'd see the day!"  I couldn't wait for Mark to get home to see our freshly mowed lawn.  Even when I went to get the mail I loved walking by it.

We had lunch and then headed up to school to turn in my old room key to get my new room key.  We played at the park for a bit.  Then we stopped to clean out the car at the gas station and then stopped at our neighborhood park on the way home.  Even though Brecken took a long great morning nap he was fading fast at 3:15.  I hesitated putting him down that late but figured he'd by in be for the night at 5 if I didn't.  So he slept.  I kept on picking up and doing laundry and dinner and such.  He slept and slept and slept.  We all ate dinner and he was still sleeping at after 6!  Mark and I went to wake him up.  He was so out of it he was disoriented.  He ate his dinner.  Mark noticed the gigantic blue goose egg on his forehead - V was pushing the empty baby swing and it nailed him - hard.  :(

At 6:30 we decided to head to Teddy Bear Park.  Since our kids typically go to bed very early, this was very exciting for all of us.  We got down there just after 7.  We played then got some ice cream at Leo's then walked by the extremely high St. Croix River.  We were just down the less than two weeks ago and it at least 8 feet higher.  A baby duck was hanging with a gaggle of geese and Brecken pointed and loved watching the birds.

We finally headed home and got everyone bathed and in bed.

It was the most perfect day of productivity and fun.

I love summer so much.  I love spending time with my kids so much.

Day One was a success.

Weekend Selfies

Random weekend selfies

Soon she'll be too cool to kiss me...

So I'm gonna soak this in….

Not Just a Quote

I have loved quotes for as long as I can remember.  Years ago Liv had a notebook she covered in quotes she loved and I've always wanted to do that.  I keep them everywhere.  I love quotes.

My most favorite quote is: People will not remember what you said.  People will not remember what you did.  People will remember how you made them feel.

Those are words I live by.  In my work.  In my family.  In my life.  I think it is powerful.  I think if you take those words to heart, they can be life changing.  I think of that just about every day of my life.  I believe the deep connections I make with my students and their families are because of the way I make them feel.  Whether the student did something wrong or something to celebrate, whether I'm delivering not so good or great news, I think about how this person is going to feel.

Those words were said/written by Maya Angelou.  She is known for some amazing quotes.  I know of her because she was often on Oprah.  I know of her because she said some profound things in her life.

Today she passed away.   But her words will live on in my heart and many others.

The Joy of Fundraising

I haven't been blogging because I am taking a class (Dealing with Difficult Parents) and I feel guilty blogging instead of doing my homework.  I'm waaaayyy behind.  However, I want to share this story....

Our school carnival was last Friday.  It was a success.  The kids loved it.  We tried some new ideas.  It was fun.  For the fundraiser portion, we do a Silent Auction and Raffle.  The teachers can put in something to do with the kids that the parents can bid on.  This year I did Donuts and a Manicure for 2 before school.  So one of my super faves won it.  (Funny, one of my faves win each year.  Maybe only my faves bid on me...)  She was so excited to tell me she won before the end of the carnival.  I spoke with her parents about which morning would work for all of us.   She just had to decide which friend to bring and work that out with that friend's parents.  At first she turned to her mom and asked her to come.  Her mom and I both cracked up.  She would go in late to 3M in order to eat donuts at our back table and have me paint her nails.  Funny.

She came in this morning all smiles and said, "I decided who I want to ask to my manicure date."  "Oh good!  Who?" I asked.  "Your daughter, Victoria."  My hurt bursted.  V and this little girl were good friends last year and it kind of faded this year being in different classes.  I was happy for V.  I was happy for her.  I am happy that I get to hang out with both of them (with a little side of Christian - daycare is closed for the third day!!).  

Coolest fundraiser ever!

#1 Fan Getting Some Action

If you know me at all you know I take being a mother and being a New Kids on the Block fan very seriously.  Most days it's all about being a mommy.  Today was all about being the #1 NKOTB fan.  Last night in twitter Jordan informed me he was going to make an exciting announcement today in Good Morning America.  I DVRed it.  I didn't realize I would be in the car during the announcement.  I made several calls to see if someone could facetime me so I could actually watch the announcement.  Needless to say, it didn't work out.

My highschool friend fb'd me minutes later with the link announcing NKOTB got a reality show.
That's pretty close to perfection in my book.  NKOTB+RealityTV= Happiness

Minutes later she let me know Jordan and Nick Carter were going to be on Watch What Happens Live TONIGHT!! (Currently on right now!!)

That still didn't answer what Nick Carter and Jordan were going to announce on GMA.  I didn't think too much of it as I headed into Brecken's asthma appointment.  However, as soon as we got back into the car I was alerted that Nick and Jordan recorded an album together!!!

Let me tell you.....When NKOTBSB toured I was blown away by Nick Carter.  I have literally, never saw a better dancer.  He floats across the stage and oozes sexiness.  Seriously, even more impressive than Jordan.

All this good news so early in the morning made my stress melt away.

Hours later I learned Jordan and Nick are going on tour in the fall.......

In Minnesota.............

September 24th in Minneapolis...........

I cannot believe my luck.........

I have my girls ready to go.............

Now we just need to score these balcony tickets on Friday..........

G.N.O. @ MOA

Right after Christian was born, I started taking Victoria on Girls Night Outs.

When she was really little GNO would count as visiting Jeanne's tortoises up at school.

We've done small things like running errands with a fun spin to them.

One night we went to Underwater World for an hour right before they closed and we were pretty much the only ones there.  That was a really good night.

In the second and third trimester with Brecken GNOs were pretty much the last thing on my mind.

It was even worse after I had the baby.

We have had a couple GNOs in the last year.

Finally, last week we had a really really good GNO.  

Victoria received an amazing report card.

Victoria is a fantastic big sister.

She is just a really good little girl.

I wanted to create a special night for her.

We started it off at Build A Bear at Mall of America.

She chose Puggie.

On the way home she whispered to him, "You are the one I am going to take with me to college."

Love at first sight!

We went straight across the hall to Barnes and Noble.

She and I could have wandered around all night long.

We bought a Mommy/Daughter journal to share.

We have both written in it.

I think every Mommy and Daughter should have one.

After that excitement we went on an adult roller coaster neither of us had ever been on.

She had her arms up and everything.

It was a blast.

Finally reaching 47 inches sure has its perks!

We watched the tryouts for the Vikings cheerleaders.

We walked around the mall for a bit.

I pulled out my phone and said, "Well, it's almost 7:30."  I was going to say we should stop somewhere for dessert.  But she quickly said, "Whoa it's getting late.  We better get home!" 

It was a school night but still!!  She's so responsible.  I love that about her!

We headed out to the car.  

When I was tucking her in and saying prayersm her extra was for GNOs.

Made my heart tingle! 

Every Last Drop of Milk

I can guarantee you, I have spent more time pumping than anyone you know. 

Guarantee it.

Mark and I figured I have pumped nearly 1,800 hours in my life.

It was a huge sacrifice.

Pumping in the night while my infant slept.

Pumping after nursing.

Pumping at school during my lunch break.

Pumping in between running errands.

Pumping in the car on road trips. (What a mess!)

I have worn out a pump motor, borrow a pump for school and got a new one for Brecken.

That is a lot of pumping.

I had over 1,000 ounces frozen and stored when I went back to work after I had Victoria.

An ENTIRE deep freezer filled to the top of just frozen breast milk.

All good things must come to an end.

Here it is.

The very last bag of frozen milk ever.

Brecken enjoyed every last bit of it.

Even though I have HATED my pump many times.

Even though I have dreaded pumping many times.

Even though I have cried about pumping at school too many times. . .

It was bittersweet seeing that last bottle of milk consumed.

I am proud of myself for sticking with it for the health of my children, even though it was so difficult.

That is the end of my breastfeeding/pumping/freezing milk saga.

However, I am always available to talk about breastfeeding/pumping/freezing milk tips or tricks.

It is one of my favorite topics.