A Bitty Babymoon

Brian and I had planned to take a mini-vacation this past weekend, but the end-of-the-school-year craziness got to us and we found ourselves with nothing planned. 

In a last ditch attempt to do something special, we decided to just spend the weekend together doing relaxing, fun things. On Saturday we enjoyed eating out at some favorite places, seeing a movie, and enjoying the warm weather... but both of us were secretly mourning the loss of our last weekend away together as just "us". 

Luckily for me, my husband is spontaneous and convincing...despite my many doubts and hesitations, we booked a room up north for the next night and packed our bags for a quick baby-moon to North Conway, New Hampshire, where we...

Sea Kettle Studios - Rain...

After last week's fun, painting "en plein aire",  we had every intention of spending our last watercolor session together painting outside again.  Well, mother nature had other plans.  Due to a healthy spring downpour, we ended up creating a still life inside to paint from, instead.  Luckily for us, we all think painting is pretty fun, no matter what or where you are painting!

The Great Minds Award

Sometimes I swell with pride when I hear of some of the things my husband does as an 8th grade English teacher. He really works hard to be engaging and creative and from what I hear, he does it really well. This past week, I stumbled upon him creating something really fun and meaningful for the end of the year...


Each year, he gives out an 8th Grade English award to one of his students at graduation. All of Brian's students know that he loves his Altoids (hence the scores of empty boxes he apparently keeps in his desk, which I recently found quite helpful!) This year, Brian decided to give his award out as the "Altoid Curiously Strong Minds Award" playing off of the tin that usually reads "Altoids Curiously Strong Mints".  He filled an altoid box with all sorts of little trinkets that represented bits of reading and writing wisdom.  I thought this was such a creative idea and I'm sure the young recipient will remember it for years to come. 

Not bad, Mr. James. :)

 Is it weird that I wish that he could have been my English teacher?

(On second thought, I'd much rather be married to him!)

As always...

As always, so much to be thankful for...


- yet another baby shower; hosted by my students and their moms!

- a bittersweet last day of work..and my co-workers, who I'll miss dearly.

- a surprise shower for Brian and tons of wonderful books (among other things!) for Baby James from Brian's co-workers (to any Parker Middle School blog readers: THANK YOU!!!)

- a beautiful hand knit sweater made by my friend and co-worker, Megan.

- my baby's continual crazy antics

- summer plans and un-plans

- a last minute stay-cation and a last minute night away

- worshipping at highrock, and a BBQ to boot.

35/35! (35 Weeks and 35 days until due date!)

This Moment - "Milestonopoly"

In honor of my last day teaching at Milestones Day School...

We're playing "Milestonopoly" a version of Monopoly based on our school, handmade by one of my students. Gosh, I'm gonna miss them. :(

{this moment} - A Friday ritual

Joining with SouleMama

Sea Kettle Studios - Watercoloring "en plein aire"

We've been enjoying some lovely spring weather lately and I thought it would be a perfect time to bring my watercolor students outside for some paintings "en plein aire" (French for "in the open air").  The patio had lots of interesting subjects to choose from...pots of pansies, climbing roses, lily of the valley; a blissful afternoon indeed!

Father's Day Magnets

After making our sweet little nest necklaces for Mother's day, we couldn't forget our Dads! In similar fashion to my other decorative magnets, I had my students make their own custom magnets for this year's Father's Day project. We brainstormed and printed out pictures of things that they thought each of their Dads would like (ie. sports teams, cars, cameras, computers..)and they were also encouraged to write a little note on one of them to personalize the set.  Brian always saves his Altoid mint boxes (you never know what they could come in handy...), so he allowed us to use some of his stash to create a cute little gift boxes. They fit between 3-5 magnets perfectly.

Check 'em out! 

Advice

Last Thursday I was totally surprised by a baby shower hosted by my co-workers.  I, for one, can't believe it stayed a secret, since apparently the kids knew, too. While I was showered with many lovely gifts(to quote Nana's yearly exclamation at Christmas "too much"!), I thought that it was especially important to share the book of parenting advice I received from the kids. 

 Here are some favorites:

Rejoicing

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. - Epictetus

Rejoicing for that which I have...

- my co-workers who planned a surprise baby shower for me and the babe (and thoughtful gifts; a carseat, lots of little clothes, a diaper cake, a bear, a child's art journal and so much more!)
- a book of mothering advice from the kids at school

- afternoons, painting in the sunshine

- early morning pecks

- adventurous friends and rooster feathers

- grace sightings

- new knitting patterns, busy hands

- quiet

- health
- the fathers in my life
-therapeutic showers

34 Weeks