back to school...

It's that time of year again. School starts tomorrow. I love this time of year. I've been busy working in my classroom and planning lessons. I always have so many new ideas and plans for each school year. I met most of my second graders at our "Meet Your Teacher" night and I can just tell it's going to be a fun year. So many little personalities and so much potential.

Of course it means spending four days a week away from my own little ones. This year has been harder than last year for some reason. I think it's because my emma girl has been really fussy and just wants her momma. She's been arching her back, crying, taking short naps and having tummy problems. The doctor gave us some medicine for reflux, which is helping a bit, but she is still really gassy and having an upset tummy. I'm cutting out all dairy to see if we can make her a little more comfortable.

I've been really blessed to have spent so much time at home after emma was born. We had an amazing summer playing together, and Ryan's schedule allowed him to be home a lot too. So much family time...I was spoiled. But now it's time to switch gears. I told Ryan the other day that this was as clean as our house was going to be for the next 9 months. We just laughed and chatted about balancing family, work, finishing house projects, playing with the kids, etc. I love that we can make it work (most days!).

I have the best husband ever. He is so understanding and encouraging. I can share with him my struggles with balancing teacher and mommy. He reminds me that I'm good at both and that means the world to me.

In other random notes, a few things that Mason has said that make us laugh:

~Mason and I were walking out to feed the chickens. I was carrying him since he was barefoot. On the way he said, "Mommy has shoes on, I have my feet on."

~Mason is really into BIG things (a BIG scoop of yogurt, the BIG grilled cheese sandwich...ok I guess it's mostly BIG food. haha.) So we were singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star one night with the cousins and he stopped and said, "No....BIG star!"

~A few nights ago we asked Mason to pick up his blocks for bed. He did and then we brushed his teeth and read a book. Ryan told him to go give me a hug because now it was time for bed. He replied, "how about I pick up ALL my toys." Such a smart little procrastinator. I mean really, how do you say no to that?

~Mason and Ryan went camping with some friends over the weekend. Mason was playing with his friend (who's two also). The little boy took Mason's water bottle and ran away with it. Mason said "water bottle please" a couple of times, but he just kept running. Then he turned to Ryan and said, "daddy, please not working."

~Just last night Emma was "talking," more like squaking actually. Mason turned to her and said, "Emma, what you squeaking about?"

Love my little kiddos!