In the Books!

My summer break 2015 is officially in the books.  I know what I said yesterday about being ready to head back to work, but in all honesty, I'm not ready.  I'm extremely sad about not getting to spend these precious daytime hours with my babies and though I know it will be a-okay in the end (as it was in 2012, and 2013, and 2014), I'm going to miss them so incredibly much.  It's a hard adjustment going from 12 hours of interaction per day to three.  I may or may not have teared up a few times today.  And there may or may not be tears streaming down my cheeks right now.  However, this quote rings true and has been playing on repeat in my mind all day.

There are no words to describe the joy I've felt having spent the last 11 (and a half!) weeks with Brantley and Holden.  As has always been the case, I am so grateful for a job that lets me pretend to be a SAHM for part of the year - every year.  We had so much fun this summer and I will forever cherish the memories made with these two special boys.  They are at such fun ages right now and this has most definitely been my favorite summer to date!  There are quite a few summertime activities that never made it to the blog, so here's a little photo dump instead.  Some of these photos have already been shared; others have not.  But they fit together quite nicely to paint a picture of the most perfect. summer. ever.

Some of my favorite summer time memories include:

Day Date + Segway Tour
Deanna Rose
Strawberry Picking
Blueberry Picking
The Zoo
A family wedding
Brantley's 3rd Birthday 
Lake of the Ozarks
Wichita and Tanganyika
The Farmer's Market
Coffee Dates
Play Dates
Lunch Dates
Park Dates
Ice Cream Dates
Picnics
Pool Parties
Birthday Parties
Neighborhood Gatherings
A Visit to the Firestation
Baseball Games
Baseball Practice
Open Gyms
Kiddie Concerts + Music Classes
Monday Bachelorette Nights
College Roomie Reunion
My DSLR Photo Challenge
Our 5-Year Anniversary Staycation

As you can see, there was a lot that never made the blog!  Mostly because it's impossible to blog about everything, but also because if I blogged about every daily occurrence, I would never get to relish in those moments.  A busy summer it was--and a fabulous one at that!

We went for one final summer treat this evening and these pictures describe perfectly how I want to remember the boys at these ages.

They even cooperated for a selfie.  They must have known Mama was having a hard time with going back.

There's still more I'd like to blog about (that I never got to), but if these next few weeks are anything like the previous years, you'll be lucky to hear from me in September!  Until then, take care!!  And think of me as I'm prepping for and getting to know 100+ new students this year!

Thanksgiving Weekend in Pictures

I didn't take many photos over the Thanksgiving weekend. We were in Wichita and enjoyed our time with family and friends.  Here are a few just to document our holiday weekend...though most were taking at our home in Olathe!

1. Hanging out in the dryer.  Look at that smirk on his face!

2. Fun at the park on the warm Thanksgiving Day.  And proof that dressing a little boy is fun, too!

3. Day 1 of Thanksgiving vacay - an early-morning doughnut run in our pjs!

4. Tried to keep him awake so he'd sleep en route to Wichita.  This was the result.

5. Chiefs Sunday...and December 1st...playing in the yard sans coat!

6. Ordered these bad boys on Black Friday.  They arrived on Saturday.  Mpix.com has the be the best and quickest in the business.

A Week at the Lake

We're back from a week at the lake!  (Well technically, we were back on Saturday, but had a busy weekend!)

My family's been going to the same resort at Lake of the Ozarks every summer since 1997, but crazy enough, Craig and I hadn't been since 2009...long before this blog was even created!  Weddings (ours, my bff Sarah's) and a baby seemed to get in the way!  Despite not going for four years, everything was exactly as I remembered and I could have sworn I was there just one short year ago.

I have so many memories at our resort - Lone Oak Point.  After all, I've been going since before I was in high school!  We've always gone with my dad's brother's family and their three boys.  The youngest, Jesse, who wasn't even born when we first started going is now the age my sister was (12) during our very first trip to the lake.  I can also remember when the middle boy, Nathan, was a year old - the age of both Brantley and Kellen now!  Pure craziness!

My sister and our cousins in 2006.  Then ages 9 (Nathan), 12 (Andrew), and 5 (Jesse).  Now ages 16, 19, and 12!

Anyway, Lone Oak Point is on mile maker 11 on the water, right by Ozark Barbeque.  The address is Sunrise Beach, but closest town is Laurie.  Osage Beach (the big lake city) is about 20 minutes away, across the community toll bridge.  There are over 90 miles of lake, if I remember correctly!  It's pretty crazy, really! 

Our resort is very secluded and family-oriented.  There's an outdoor pool, indoor pool, baby pool, a couple of hot tubs, three swim docks, a boat/fishing dock, some hammocks, a game room, and a park.  You can walk from one end of the resort to the opposite in under 10 minutes.    

Our condo is a 3-bedroom/2-bathroom unit on the water.  We've been in this particular condo for a few years, but have stayed in multiple units at this same resort.

Our days spent at the lake are pretty relaxed and low-key.  They usually look something like this: dad fishes at the butt crack of dawn, the rest of us wake up at a normal time, breakfast, guys play tennis, pool time, lunch, more pool time and/or lake time, shower, grill, eat dinner, play cards/games, bedtime.  Repeat.  For seven days.  Sometimes we rent a boat, sometimes a jet ski, sometimes we go to town to play mini golf and ride go-karts, sometimes we go shopping at the outlet mall, and we always go out for dinner on Friday night.

This trip was a tad different with a baby along (more pool, less lake for instance), but I was excited to introduce Brantley to the place where I have such fond memories.

You'd never guess from the pictures, but Brantley didn't love the pool.  Strange, because he's been quite the water baby this summer at our neighborhood pool.  Kellen, on the other hand, who hasn't always loved it, did!

The hubs loves being competitive with my dad.  So between tennis, cards, and ping pong, I'm pretty sure he loves every minute.

Craig left us early Thursday morning to head back to work.  I demanded a quick photo shoot Wednesday night before he left.  Can you spot my new Walmart shirt??

Annual group shot

On Thursday evening, we headed to Ozark Barbeque to show the boys the big fish.  Carp, I think?

On Friday, we headed to our typical dinner spot, Paradise, for dinner.  It's too good, too convenient, and too picturesque to want to try a new place!

And then headed back to our resort for a few more family photos.  I swear we didn't color-coordinate our outfits on purpose!

What a fun extended family vacation it was!  Now we're home for six full days and then off the Florida - just the hubs, myself, and B-Man!  Can't wait!

And because I didn't already post enough pics, how about a few more!  Here are my Instagrams from our week in the Ozarks!

Row 1: Pool time while baby's napping | Lake-watching | Morning cup 'o joe always tastes better with a view like this

Row 2: Our balcony view | Hammock swinging with my babe | Baby trunks hanging out to dry | Thursday night fish fry | A nice pool refreshment

Row 3: Morning bloody | Watching for boats | Hawaiian chicken kabobs | Last night din din | Mmmmm smores

Row 4: Dessert kabobs | First time in the lake for B | Worn out while shopping | Ozarks sunset | Brantley's fave place in the condo

Happy 4th!

Here's hoping everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July!  Here's a look at ours, so far!

Top: Our little fam at Deanna Rose | Selfie and our festive outfits-of-the-day

Bottom: Festive fingernails | Brantley & Kellen in their red, white, and blue | Festive fruit pizzas

March Photo Dump

Row 1: Finally got a handful of dirt...I've been trying for weeks | Mommy & Brantley | Handsome smile | Bath time is my favorite!

Row 2: Some new baby foods - peaches, blueberries, and asparagus | Headed back to school after a cold and snowy Spring Break | Late night trip to Buy Buy Baby | End of quarter = lots of tests to grade

Row 3: Some favorite students this year | Lunch at Firehouse | Kinnick likes motorcycles, too | Cheering on the Jags at the state touney in Topeka

Row 4: Boulevard's new Coffee Ale | The light aisle at Lowe's | Swinging on Easter | Matchy matchy math teachers

Row 1: Soccer game time | Busted out the sandals #finally | Watching the snow fall | Chubby baby feet

Row 2: Copycat Pasta da Vinci | Naptime for Daddy - Scout as a pillow & burp cloth on his head | Ahhh-mazing! | Chicken sausasge, tomato, basil pizza

Row 3: Handsome man | I broke my toe #hurtlikehell | Ornery boy | Meeting the Easter Bunny!

Row 4: Just me and a glass of wine for the Bachelor finale! | Playing with his oldest cousin, Delanie | March 24...enough said | Mama & sleepy boy

February Photo Dump

I fell off the boat with Friday Photo Dump.  I never found myself in a blogging mood on Fridays and our Saturdays in February were busy.  So how about all my February Instagrams at once (and a few stragglers from January).

Row 1: This kid has his own iPad, thanks to Dad winning not one but two! | Sunday night pasta night: cajun chicken alfredo | Sparkly flats | Lovin' some cheerios

Row 2: Um, Mom, I'm stuck | Superbowl guac | Snow baby | Busted (Why does this kid love dishwashers, pantries, and refrigerators so much?)

Row 3: Kissy kissy | Instead of taking the baby outside, we brought the snow inside! | #bigtoeproblems | Sweet hubs shoveling our neighbor's driveway

Row 4: Snowman jammies on a snowday | My students crack me up | February brought this little trick | My students crack me up...again

Row 1: Out to eat in a big boy high chair | Loves to pull himself up. On anything. | Pre-shovel | Superbowl Party - these three were all born within 8 days of each other

Row 2: Cuddles with my babes | Sleepy boy | Snow days round 1 | Up super early to get myself ready, B-Man ready, dog fed, and to daycare by 7am

Row 3: Such a big boy | Valentine's cheesecake post couples' massage | Before all the snow, we did this! | ZBB with hubs

Row 4: ZBB with friends | Mmmmm... | First snowman | Yep, at one point, it was 76 degrees!

Row 1: Bounce House birthday fun | Boulevard tour between snow storms | Bathtub babe | Best part of the beer tour!

Row 2: Fave spot in the house | Snow days round 2 | Watching him snooze | Mr. Teddy

Row 3: First high school basketball game | Cutie pie | Cutie pie again | New motorcycle toy from Gramma & Papa Fritz

Row 4: The schnauz isn't too fond of the snow | Dinner on the deck (that time it was 76 degrees) | And then there were 10 inches of snow | My Gym fun with Madi

  
 

Photo Dump

I should probably just re-think the whole Friday Photo Dump thing, since it only happens about 25% of the time.  Whatev.

Here they are!

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my mom!!  Brantley says you're the hippest 51-year old he knows.  And I agree! :)

Top: Gettin' good at sittin up | Homemade bbq sauce = throw in everything from the pantry | This makes getting up early on weekends worth it

Middle: 65 degrees calls for an iced drink | Trying to steal the dog bone (he succeeded lots, and chewed on it)

Bottom: MLK Day snuggles | Beauty | New fave place to play - the coffee table

It's a Date Night

So I'm late with my Friday Photo Dump.  But I have good reason.  Last night, the hubs and I celebrated my 30th birthday.  With a date night!  The first since little B-Man was born 6 1/2 months ago.  Dinner and a movie.  Only in reverse order. 

Date night for us meant leaving the babe with a babysitter.  A non-Grandma, high-school-aged-girl* babysitter.  I rushed home from work and made sure to clean our house a bit and organize anything and everything she would possibly need.  But first, a quick stop at the grocery store to grab a few dinner/snack options for her - frozen pizza, Hot Pockets, bananas, goldfish, chips.  I didn't know what on Earth to feed her!  I typed up this cute, little note sheet that I totally stole from Pinterest.  Notes about feeding the babe, putting him to bed, emergency phone numbers, etc.  (Note to self: next time, include our Wifi info.)  I already know I'm a control freak (I mean, c'mon, I'm an uber-organized, type-A, anal high school math teacher), but having to hand over my child to a 17-year old girl for four hours brought out the 'control' even more.  I wanted everything to be perfect and ready for her.

We saw the movie Silver Linings Playbook (totally recommend it--kind of like a love story meets Dancing with the Stars meets someone with bipolar disorder, and not necessarily a chic flick either) and then went out for sushi.  Funny story about that.  We had reservations for a nice sushi place at 135th and Metcalf, but after coming out of the movie (at the theater a mere two minutes from our house), we decided to go to the sushi place across the street.  The one we always order take-out from.  I guess we missed the babe and wanted a quick dinner. 

Our usual** - Dragon rolls, salmon cream cheese jalapeno rolls, New York rolls, and Volcano rolls (not pictured)

We were done by 9:05 and contemplated what to do with our remaining 25 minutes.  We told Miss Courtney we'd be home around 9:30 and didn't want to surprise her too early.  We thought about venturing across the street to Home Goods (I know, we're crazy!) but they close at 9:30.  So, we went to the liquor store and picked up a few 6-packs of beer to re-stock our fridge.  And that is how we spent our first night away from B-Man. 

Brantley and Miss Courtney got along just fine.  We came home to a baby, dressed in his jammas, and sleeping soundly in his crib.  Sound machine and video monitor were both on, just as my instructions stated.  I was one of those people at the movie that kept my phone close by and texted a few times just to make sure things were going okay.  There were, of course.  She said, "He was an angel!"  That's my boy!

So, anyway, here's my weekly photo dump.  Happy {3-day} weekend!

Top: This kid loves to eat | Lovin' the 50 degrees in January! | Birthday cheesecake from the hubs

Middle: Yummo | Painting party before | Painting party after

Bottom: Proof that he's not always an angel | Notes for the babysitter

*A perk of being a high school teacher?  Access to lots of babysitters!
**The hubs has a shellfish allergy, so our sushi options are very limited.  Tuna, salmon, and eel.

Friday Photo Dump

Happy Friday! It's my birthday weekend! I'm so, so excited for girl's night tomorrow! Especially because so many of us have babies.  Even though, for a few of us, this is girl's night #2 in three short days.  No complaining here.

Not a lot of Instagrams this week.  Happy weekend!

Top: Just me, Sean, and a glass of wine {and 26 other women} | Nakie baby booty | Mommy, Daddy, & SIX MONTH old babe

Middle : Future Target employee? | Officially a grad | Wine flights with friends? Yes, please!

 

Friday Photo Dump

Friday.

Chipotle.

Shark Tank.

And photo dump.  Hey hey I'm on time this week!  Have a great weekend!

First: Not a fan of the breathing treatments | Homemade chicken noodle | Readin' books with Daddy | Love my new camera strap!

Second: The makins for baby food | Found the dog bowl #uhoh | Homemade baby food | Fireside chat

Third: NYE dates | Love those eyes | Hangin' with Mom in the kitchen

Forth: Lots 'o baby food | DIY reindeer pillow | Happy 2013! | Gearing up for a big weekend