An enjoyable snow day!

So my phone woke me up around 3-something-am telling me school was out! We had a very relaxing day. We did meet up with Danny, Steph, Daniel and the cousins for Den*ny's free breakfast. It was busy but we didn't get there until a little before 10 I think. Our family all ate for $2.50 + tip! Crazy. It was a huge plate of food. I ate about 1/2 of mine. Tyler's eyes got big when they set the plate in front of him. He should have just share with me like he usually does! It was pretty good. Reminded me of my bandie days when we would go to Den*ny's after football games. Fun times! I did notice that they had remodeled in the 11 years that have passed since my bandie days...time flies!

The big boys went to play with their cousins and Tyler needed a nap so I went to school and got quite a bit done. I brought home more stuff to work on for tomorrow just in case we have another snow day...and we do! I'll be ok as long as we don't have too many more - don't want to go into June.

Tonight I worked on some more school work and did my exercise video. I am really trying to Shred 5 days a week. I met my goal last week. Yea! Maybe tomorrow I'll be motivated to get some stuff done around the house. We're going to make Valentine cookies with my mom and the other cousins tomorrow morning. That will be fun!

The best part of knowing we have a snow day the night before means that I don't have to make my lunch, pick out my clothes, set the coffee maker, check Wilson's backpack, and fill my water bottle! The little things :)

A Couple Updates

Tonight I spent about 15 minutes with Wilson. He read a little decodable reader from school and he did so well! I was so proud of him. He gets easily frustrated with himself and we worked on trying to NOT do that. Don't know where he could possibly get that from! Then we worked on spelling words and sight words. Yea!

I took Ty to the doctor late this afternoon. He's had a cold for a couple weeks. So it has now turned into a sinus infection. Poor thing. He was running a low fever too. I'm glad he is now on antibiotics and will get well soon.

Luke was a little grumpy before bed. Wilson was egging him on about something and Luke said "I'm gignoring you." It was so cute!

Not sure what to call this post.

I've had a lot on my heart and on my mind lately. I just don't know how to share it with others! I think I'm realizing I'm not the world's best communicator. I don't always talk about myself a whole lot unless someone asks specific questions. I tend to shut down when things are bothering me. Well I guess I shut down until I can't hold things in anymore and then they come pouring out - to Andy! Poor thing that he has to deal with THAT! Sorry babe.

I'm having the hardest school year of my 9 years teaching. It is completely draining me every day. I enjoy my job and I enjoy the kids I teach but it's never been this demanding before. Having Wilson with me before and after school and then coming home to my other two boys and I have a day from 6:30am-bedtime with kids. I love kids. I especially love MY kids! But a girl can only take so much! Sometimes I wish for peace and quiet - a chance to hear myself think. But I know without all of the children in my life it would probably be quite boring! Still. I need moments away. (I do get them sometimes! )

I'm sure all moms deal with the pressure. The pressure to be a great mom, to keep the house relatively clean, to keep up with laundry, cooking, the list goes on and on. I can't keep up. But I try to do all the things I am supposed to do. Last week I realized we haven't been practicing reading with Wilson. We practice spelling words and his weekly sight words but that is about it. I talked with Andy about it and we figured out an afternoon schedule so we can get everything done that we need to. I felt like the worst teacher mom ever. I mean hello, a teacher of all people should be practing their child's reading to make sure he's making progress. Don't worry, I just mean 10-15 mintues a day. Not something crazy. But when I realized that we hadn't I was all hard on myself. My expectations are high. I want to be this great mom. But life, stress, and stuff gets in the way.

Three kids, all boys, 6 and under, teaching full time, marriage, housework, laundry, cooking, trying to exercise again, it's no wonder I feel this way! I enjoy life, I'm happy, it's just hard! A lot to juggle. Everyday is like a 15 hour work day.

4 & 6 year old Appointments

Yesterday Wilson and Luke had their annual doctor visit. No concerns for either of them. They are thriving, healthy boys! Wilson is 47" tall (73%ile) and 50lbs (73%ile).

Luke was such a BRAVE boy! He had to get 4 shots plus the H1N1 flu mist. He didn't cry a bit. He didn't make a sound or do anything to avoid the shots. He was such a trooper! He said they hurt but he was so proud of himself and his 4 band-aids! He earned 6 stickers for being so brave! Luke is ~42" tall (76%ile) and 41lbs (86%ile).

My Mountain Man...

Missing: Andy's upper lip.

Last seen about 2 months ago.

Please let me know if you locate said lip.

It IS still winter, right??!!

It is January. It is cold. We have 6 inches of snow on the ground according to the local news. Then why is it nearly impossible to find snow boots and ski pants anywhere? We went to 5+ stores looking for something for Wilson and Luke today. We found plenty of spring clothes and shoes. But yeah, that's not what we need in the middle of a winter weekend!! I looked after the last snow storm we had at Wal*mart and couldn't find anything then. But I hated that the boys came in from playing in the snow wet and cold. They wanted to play outside today so we tried to find something. The only luck I had was at Dick's*Sporting*Goods - a pair of ski bibs for Wilson. I just got done ordering on Lands*End for Luke. I found on clearance snow boots and ski pants. I bought all of these a little big so they will fit next year. I thought I should go ahead and order from LE while they were on clearance. Not going to be unprepared anymore, especially now that the boys are bigger and will always play in the snow when we get it! Plus with 3 boys, we'll be covered for Tyler too!

My new favorite salsa!

Yum. I read a recipe on Pioneer Woman yesterday for homemade salsa. (If you want her step by step picture tutorial click here instead.) It sounded so easy I knew I had to try it. I've always wanted to make homemade salsa but thought it would be difficult. Ha! This was a CINCH! It tastes just the way I like my salsa. For dinner tonight, Luke, Ty and I dipped our chicken quesadillas in the salsa. Really made the meal delicious! Making this salsa is much cheaper than buying the one I like from the deli. That small container I like from Meijer is about 4 dollars. This cost me about $6 bucks to make 6-7 cups of salsa. Bargain!