I am so excited for...

tomorrow morning! Tomorrow I am loading up the car with my parents and Uncle Danny and heading to southern Indiana to French Lick Springs Resort/Casino. Now, to many of you this may not seem like a big deal, but for us this is pretty exciting. See, we went there SO MANY TIMES when I was little and I have so many wonderful memories. About ten years ago, we quit going. They renovated, put in a casino, and we have decided to go back. My dad's cousins and spouses are going too and it will be really really fun. Rick is not going because he is boring. Just kidding! He wanted to stay home this weekend with Lexie. It should be a great weekend and I will post when I get back. Happy Labor Day weekend everyone!

Cupcakes!

If you know me, you know I love them. Cupcakes, that is! This weekend I practiced making "pretty cupcakes" using made from scratch icing, and a pastry bag. It was REALLY fun and I was pretty proud of the end result. I only made 6 because they were the big ones, but I will be making more. I even made one for breast cancer. I know the actual "month" is October, but who cares??

All of my pretty creations!
Chocolate cake and pink frosting! I think it looks like a flower.
Breast cancer ribbon.
White and chocolate icing, white and dark chocolate shavings.
Chocolate icing with coconut.

Looking forward to...

a SPA DAY tomorrow! My wonderful husband gave me a gift card for a massage at a NICE spa in Plaza Frontenac quite some time ago. Last night, after open house, I was dead on my feet and he told me that he was "making" me use the gift card Saturday because I needed it. So, I listened, called today, and will be enjoying a 50 minute aromatherapy massage tomorrow at noon! I can't WAIT! Here is the rundown of why this is oh-so-needed:

1. It was the first week of school...SO tiring!
2. I wore really cute shoes all week...that were HORRIBLY uncomfortable! 2 blisters, 3 cuts, and a painful heel problem later...well, you get it.
3. I had a few bad incidents with kids...already.
4. I was at school until 8:30 on Wednesday night.
5. I was at school until 8:30 on Thursday night.
6. I was at school, then at the football jamboree with the girls until 7:30 Friday night.

Yes, I think I will take my spa day! Whew! One week down...the first week is the hardest, so cheers to it being OVER!

Happy weekend!

1 down...

Oh. My. Gosh. I think that no matter how many years I teach, I will never fully remember how TIRED I am after the first day. Scratch that...how absolutely exhausted I am. It is insane how you get used to a summer routine then that first day smacks you in the face. Whew!

Overall it was pretty good. I actually found myself "looking back" and thinking of my "first year self" and thinking about how differently I handled things then than I do now...things just don't bother you as much. It's nice.

My kids are ok. I am worried about a few, but hopefully it will all be ok. The traveling thing is NOT bad...it is pretty easy. I am lucky.

I brought NOTHING home to work on tonight. Yes, after two years, I learned that I won't do any work after the first day, so why even carry the bag home. I am going to try to tape my eyelids open and watch The Hills. Who knows if I will make it that far.

Have a great week!

Dance Team BBQ

We had a BBQ today for my girls on my dance team and their parents/families. I was pretty nervous, but it went really well! We provided drinks, hamburgers/hotdogs, dessert, and Pasta House salad. Everyone else brought a side dish to share. It was really fun and I think the parents/girls enjoyed themselves. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day! :-)

I made really cute "Panther Pride" Rice Krispie treats. For some reason the pictures are sideways...sorry.


Our backyard all ready for the party!

Classroom!

Well, school starts on Monday and, for the most part, I am ready to go. I am sharing my room this year with another teacher, so I also have a cart. Now, for those of you who teach, this is disastrous news. I mean, going from having a whole classroom all day to having a classroom for three hours and a cart for the other three???!!! Really though, I am not upset. I have my cart VERY organized and am pretty much self contained. So, it's all good! Here are some photos.

My "main" classroom
My desk area in my "main" classroom
My cart! :-)

Summer...where did you go?

I am sad...summer is over! Why does summer always go so fast????

This weekend (tonight actually!) we are headed to the lake with friends for one last fun summer weekend. I will be desperately holding on to it! Then Monday starts meetings/workdays/etc.

I will update after the weekend.

OH! For those of you who are wondering about Lexie...her allergy is better. We had to get more medicine for her on Tuesday, but it seems to be working!

New Baby

Well folks, I actually own one...a REAL Louis Vuitton purse. I can't even type it...I am too excited! For those of you who are not materialistic, this will mean nothing, but I have wanted a real Louis for SO long...

My parents and sister went on a cruise to the Mediterranean and we could not go :-(. So my family brought me this back as a gift. It is so beautiful and I love it. :-)