This Minivan Life

I had a professor in college that was… well tough. Let’s put it that way, she was tough. She had high expectations and you had to work hard to meet them. I spent most of my time in her classes struggling to keep up, struggling to meet some if any of her expectations. And the reality is that in another class I wouldn't have had to work that hard, but I wouldn't have learned as much. Since graduation I have appreciated her high standards in a myriad of circumstances. I have thought to myself “Oh my she was right, I can push harder and do more”. But I didn't really appreciate her until I started teaching this semester. I decided I was going to take what I nicknamed “the Rosemary approach”. I set the standards and enforced them throughout the semester. There were some students who decided not to work hard, slack off, avoid work, and they haven’t done as well. And then there have been some that pushed hard all semester and their work has reflected that effort. So once again I

Our sweet sweet Zachary is turning 1 this week and I have to say I am a little bit sad about his upcoming birthday. He has been such a wonderful baby, I’m almost sad to see him grow up, I have my doubts that I will ever meet a baby as sweet as this one. But he gets more fun and even sweeter with every passing day, so while I might miss my sweet chubby munchkin he is still a dream. Brian and I constantly comment on how Zach is a dream child, and he really is. I’m sure something around his 3rd birthday I will scratch my head and wonder what the heck happened, but for now, he is sweet Zach.  So on the eve of his first birthday here’s my letter.  To My Dear Sweet Sweet Zach,  You, my friend have had an exciting year. I remember anxiously (and let me just tell you I was antsy and anxious) waiting for your arrival last year. I wondered if you would be anything like your big brother, if I could handle a second child, if you would get along with your brother, and how you would fit

I sorta hate work related holiday parties. Well let's back up and clarify, I really dislike any event that I have to dress up for. Church doesn't count because I go with my delightful children and their snacks and then spend the remainder of the time working in the nursery, so dressing up while not optional isn't as dressed up as one might think. See the thing is people that go to these things know how to dress, their wardrobes consist of more than worn out moccasins, clearance t shirts, and jeans in varying states of shabbiness. These people know how to do their hair and makeup, and while I can do make up for a Tuesday (that lasts until about noon on a good day), the dramatic party makeup not my thing. I don't know what to do with the random brushes and products. I know what mascara is... but beyond that my friends we may have a slight issue. And the hair, oh goodness. To illustrate my problem let me just tell you I have been wearing my hair in french braid pigtails la

We put the tree up on Thanksgiving. Michael did a wonderful job.   The tree with all the special annual ornaments. Look how many there are. Look how fun!  another view.  Setting up the polar express. Grandpa Suker bought Michael a Polar Express train last year and he LOVES it. I think it is his latest obsession.  Watching the train.

Michael loves donuts so occasionally we go to the donut shop and get fresh donuts, but it turns out that Zachary may love donuts even more than Michael does. He will try and leap across the table to get to them... you think I'm exaggerating, but he will. We think we will get 2 dozen donuts and have a donut party to celebrate his first birthday (Muggle, Em, Colin, Grammy, and Poppy will all be here to celebrate after christmas).   So here is Zach with a donut, he inhales them.  Mikey politely ate his... and then ate 2 kolaches.  See, he was shoving it in.  True love.  The view of the donut making operation  I also got a donut, and I have a scary face.