Pinterest Girls' Night

So we did it.
It was SOOOO much fun!
My bestie and I got together last Saturday night and tried out just a handful of the hundreds thousands of pins that we have already pinned.

I'll share with you the ones we actually got done(and their original links).  There were SO many more we didn't get to that we are already planning another Pinterest party!!!

First we started out with popping REAL popcorn in a brown paper sack... and it actually worked!!

All you need is 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels, a brown paper bag, and some fairy dust.
Okay... okay... kidding on the fairy dust! But you do need a microwave for about 2 minutes.
It turned out, but you need to remember that this is plain popcorn!  Not that buttery slathered stuff we are all  used to coming out of our microwaves....

Which leads to our next pin... microwave "kettle" corn.
(I forgot to take a picture of this one... and to be honest, it did not look as good as it tasted.)


Now, let me just tell you... I loooove me some kettle corn!!
This, however, is not like the kettle corn you think of... sweet and salty goodness.
This recipe has peanut butter in it... and that is exactly what it tasted like.
Don't get me wrong... I couldn't keep my hands out of the bowl... but it definitely was NOT kettle corn!!

Third, we went with a little Pixie Stick Martini.

Yes, It was as sweet as it sounds! (but it was still delicious!!)
They weren't a true martini, as we made them like the website suggested and we used vodka instead of gin... but they were tasty just the same!

We decided that we couldn't finish all of our drink right then... because we still wanted level eyes and steady hands for our next project.

Fourth, we made Bleach Pen T-shirts.
My bestie, Laura, and I have the uncanny ability to pick out the same clothes from the same store... so it was no surprise that when we went to Target to get t-shirts for this... that we would both walk out with the same color!
Laura and I had different approaches for our designs however... She wanted to stencil and I wanted to freehand.  We did decide on a common theme though...

Bob Ross... and some "Happy Little Trees" LOL

We learned the hard way with Laura's shirt that we most definitely should have gotten the contact paper as suggested instead of just making a poster board cut out.  The bleach spread underneath making her lines not as crisp as we would have liked.  We also learned that where you applied the bleach pen heavily it did not bleach as quickly as it did where you put it on lightly or where it bled to.  Strange, I know... but just FYI if you are planning on doing this yourself.

Next, we sock bun rolled Laura's hair.
Now... let me just tell you... I grew up with pink spongy rollers in my hair every Saturday night!  My mom loved my hair curly! (because it is as straight as a board on its own) So I would have to sit through her rolling my hair (forever) and then I would have to sleep on those uncomfortable things!!
If my momma had only known about Sock Bun Curls...
First we put Laura's hair in a ponytail on the tip top of her head. (Don't pay attention to the stragglers... they don't get seen later anyways...

Then we made the sock bun and rolled Laura's hair down on it.
It was really fast and easy! (way easier than I had thought it would be!)

Honestly, I was a skeptic...so I was simply amazed when the next morning Laura's hair looked like this...

Man... I wish my mom would have know about this!!

So... there you have it. Our first (of many, I'm sure) Pinterest Nights.

Also... if you haven't joined Pinterest yet... and you would like to become obsessed like me, please send me your email... or follow me if you are already addicted.

Taking on Nature ...and I think nature won

The boys and I went out on Sunday to enjoy the wonderful weather... friends of our had told me about a new "biking and running" trail.  The one we currently go on is paved, so this one (in my head) should be as well.

I loaded the boys bikes up into my car and headed there.  I planned to run while the boys rode.

When we arrive, Sam notices that the trail is pea gravel and dirt instead of paved. (Sam still has training wheels.) I reassured him that the trail looked raked and that it would be fine.

...and it was.... until it wasn't.

About a half a mile in, it turned to woodland. Like dirt bike trails. Like rocks and tree stumps and mud puddles.

I was determined that we would be fine.  I kept encouraging Sam to press forward (I, of course, had a death grip on him because he insisted!!)  Colby was eating it up!  He was jumping his bike and splashing through streams.

About a mile in, we stopped to take a break. I was getting more of a workout than I had planned.

Two guys on their mountain bikes came up from where we were headed.  They looked at me all red faced and then at Sam's training wheels. "First time here?"


"Yeah." I laughed. "What's down that way?"


I think they must have thought I was past the point of rational thought.
"Down there?  You don't want to go that way!! It is MUCH harder than what you just came down.  You should probably go back the way you came."


That was all the confirmation I needed.  I glanced back the way we came and noticed that there were two paths not one. "What's that way?" I asked pointing toward the path we hadn't came from.

"Oh that?  We haven't been on that one... but we think it is a short cut."


"Okay... we'll try it out. Thanks!"


Thinking back... at the beginning of the trail there had been 2 options. The "easy" course that we took... and the "advanced" course (aka "the short cut").

Yep, you guess it!
We ended up going through streams and over tree roots and major muddy pits. Of course Sam couldn't ride through this, so I ended up carrying his bike. (Again, another workout I hadn't planned on!)

When we were back at the car, we were all filthy. Colby was not done though.  He convinced me to head to a trail that we hike all the time.  I agreed on one stipulation - no bikes.  :)

I pulled my camera out instead and sent the boys on a scavenger hunt for wild flowers.  They did a wonderful job of finding them off the beaten path.

They also found this:

They decided that they could definitely hear a Who from Whoville on this!

Despite the dysfunction of the beginning of our afternoon, I was quite please with how wore out we all were... the sure sign of a good day... and seeing their smiles was another sure sign. :)

Sometimes...

I randomly came across this blog. (yes, that happens for me a lot) I enjoyed this idea and thought I would play along.

Sometimes...

It's hard for me to accept that I am good at things

I'm reminded of how much I love my job when my students get excited to see me

I feel self-conscious when people compliment me

I am mildly dishonest when I think I might hurt another person's feelings

I can't imagine a world without babies... they are just precious and I love to hold them

I'm surprised that I still wonder if people are sincere.

I get a little too easily wrapped up in other people's drama

I indulge in guilty pleasures like eating a piece of chocolate daily

I wish all things in life were as wonderful as a romance comedy.

Luck of the Irish

The boys and I headed to the St. Patrick's Day parade today.
We sported our green.
Green is my favorite color... so it is only fitting that this would be one of my favorite holidays.

This is a tradition that we started several years ago with my best friend from high school, Erin.
She is also Colby's godmother.
We are the type of friends that can go without seeing each other for years and pick up where we left off without skipping a beat.
I enjoy friendships like that.

While Erin and I caught up, the boys did their fair share of chasing after candy.

We saw normal parade fair...

...and unusual as well. 

Just cause you call him O'possum doesn't make him Irish!!

I even felt like I had my own little shy leprechaun along.

Top o' the mornin' to ya.

Yeah... it was a day well spent!!

(Erin, I promise next time you and I will get a picture together... not sure how that didn't happen :)

Just when you thought he walked on water

I know that since I got my student teacher, I have done nothing but sing his praises.
I thought I needed him... almost more than he needed me.
I know that was incorrect thinking... I mean, I am the experienced one here.
I am the one teaching him the ropes.
But he was just so confident...

Then just as I was about to release my full reigns to him, it happened.
He fell out my good graces.
He started taking short cuts.

Don't get me wrong... there are times I need to take a short cut... but when it comes to my students and my classroom, I take offense to it.

The final straw was him cutting out on Parent/Teacher Conferences.
Trust me... I don't like to stay until 7 pm either!
But I know it is part of it... and if you are planning to become a teacher that is something you are going to have to accept.
The fantasy world of some people's thinking, "Oh, go to work at 8am, get off at 3pm." DOESN'T happen!!!!!


So, I had to contact his professor and she contacted him.
It wasn't fun for me.
In fact, I was literally sick to my stomach.
I knew I hadn't done anything wrong, but I hate confrontation and I knew I would have to address it first thing the next morning.

Thankfully, he started the conversation with an apology.
I accepted and then I restated my expectations.

I don't think he will take anymore shortcuts. (at least I hope not!)
And I need to constantly remind myself that I am the teacher here... to my third graders and to my student teacher.

Not exactly on my bucket list

I don't know how you two do it...
You know the exact moment I am not fully available... whether it be in the bathroom, or on the phone, or (this time) in the middle of mixing cake batter.

Bloodcurdling screams come from you.

I, being your mom, know it's not really serious... so after the scream, I hear the oh-so familiar, "Moooooooooom!"


The "In a minute." response from me is normal...  I am giving you two the time to resolve whatever "pressing" issue you think you can't solve on your own.  I want you to grow...to be problem solvers (like me).

But resolve doesn't come, nor did your calls for me cease.
So, I called you to the kitchen to settle what all the screaming was about.
You round the corner with one eye sealed closed...What is on it?

Gum??
Gum on your eyelashes!!!??


"How in the world do you get gum on your eyelashes???!!"
"What do you mean your brother threw it at you?"


How does that thought process go?  Eh... don't want this gum anymore...  What should I do with it?  Throw it in the trash? Nah. How about at my brother's eye... yeah. yeah. that's the ticket.
I'll give it to you....you two know how to keep a mom on her toes...
I mean, there I was bragging about how I am making you two into these almighty "self-regulated problem solvers" and here I am befuddled.

I mean, how do you get gum off eyelashes??
You think I have that in my bag of tricks? Hmmm... What do I know about getting gum out of things?
Ice?
"How about we rub some ice on your eyelashes?"
"Yes, I know it's cold but what is worse... being a little cold or having gum stuck to your eye?"
okay... that  was worth a shot... a shot that failed miserably, but worth one none the less.

Hmmm... The only other solution I know about is peanut butter...
"Keep your eye closed." 
I snicker as I tell you this because I know without my help you aren't opening that eye any time soon.

"So here I am on a Friday night smearing peanut butter on my son's gum-sealed eye. Yeah... I'm living the life.  I know you all are jealous."
"What? I'm not talking to anyone... I'm commentating."
"Why am I commentating?  Because I already feel like a crazy person"
"Why do I feel like a crazy person... never-mind... I think it is finally coming off."

Yeah... tack this up to another thing I never thought I'd do

Just monkeying around

I helped throw my SIL baby shower this weekend.
I love sock monkeys and just couldn't resist.

Can't wait till Jackson gets here...
Until then, I will definitely get lovin' from this one ;)