Flood Drill

Back in my other life as a fifth grade teacher in the DeSoto Schools http://www.usd232.org/ April 1st brings back some very fond and fun memories!

My first year teaching- April 1st 2002 at Clear Creek Elementary at the very end of our April Fools Day Mrs. Tramp pulled a fast one on about 22 sweet and innocent ten year olds.

I "read" an email (I just ad libbed this part) from our princpal Mr. D that said we had to practice a FLOOD DRILL. I gave the specific directions what they would need to do and then on my prompt they did it. Here were the directions:
* no talking (a strict rule for tornado and fire drills)
* sit on their desks
* pull their kneees up and hold against chest
* hold their nose
* hold their breath
* Sit and wait till the teacher gives the all clear!

I had them up there for awhile and then went to get Mrs. Hopkins next door and told her to come look, when I walked back in there they were- all still sitting up there like good little pupils and then I yelled (pretty sure I jumped up at the same time): APRIL FOOLS!!!!!!
The kids went NUTS and I laughed my head off!
The bell went off and off they went- word spread fast what Mrs. Tramp "made" them do- it was a great day!

Happy April Fools Day!

A for effort

Not sure how she did this but she did!

A Pretty Good Knock- off

One of my favorite fast food restaurants is Chipolte. When I was pregnant with Audrey living in KC I think I probably frequented that place once a week at least! It just ALWAYS sounded good. Now, fast forward two years and here I am in Sabetha with a DK (burgers and ice cream), Pizza Hut, Subway and some diners- NO CHIPOLTE! Gosh, it sometimes is hard on this PG Momma.
My favorite thing to get was a Fajita Buritto - either bowl or wrap. Well, I have found a pretty good knock -off (thanks to another blog) and it's satisfing those cravings fairly well. I made it again last night and thought I should share it for all of you out there who don't live in a city or just don't like to eat out.

Fajita Burrito Bowl

Rice (I used my rice cooker with basmati rice- could use jasmine too but I'm sure minute rice would be fine too)
Fajita meat (you can buy ready to go fajita meat- either chicken or beef --- I use cut up chicken and then saute it in a fajita seasoning packet).
Pepper & Onion strips (cut up and sauted in with the meat until cooked but still crisp)
Black beans (drain- can heat up in microwave)
Shredded lettuce
Canned corn (added in chopped cilantro- the cilantro is a key ingredient- don't forget it! )
Shredded cheese
sliced olives- drained
Salsa
Sour cream
Guacamole
Serve tortillas as an alternative to the rice or if they wanted it burrito wrap style.

*for those of you who don't like fajita veggies- you could substitute refried beans for the veggies

ETSY

Ok, just ANOTHER reason why I love on-line shopping! It's http://www.etsy.com/.
Just check it out- you can find the most unique things on this site. Everything is handmade and who doesn't love the handmade touch? I've only purchased two things from the same seller and they were perfect!! I bought Audrey a special cupcake with a 2 on it for her birthday and then I bought her a BIG SIS shirt to wear when her baby brother arrives. I'm going to wrap it up and have her open it on baby boy's birthday. Both these items were from Olive & Ollie- they make some wicked cute stuff!

Tattoos!

Tattoos are very interesting to me. As a teenager some kids "think" they want tattoos and when they hit 18 go get one just because they can. I never had this desire- I know I had others but getting my body inked was never one of them- I was that much of a fuddy duddy I guess. Recently some girls (who also happen to be mommy's now) and I were talking about tattoos and how they both had tattoos - one of them had one and the other girl had 4. They both have looked into tattoo removal and one had the procedure done although it wasn't a complete job- lots of money later the tat still remains- just slightly blurred now. The other girl has looked into removal and is most likely going to have it done as well. They both look back and think getting those tattoos was pretty stupid. I do think some tattoos are really cool and look "fitting" on the person. But I'm glad I don't have a big tat on my ever stretched belly (or any other body part for that matter) right now- that thing would look so hideous and I'm afraid it would resemble nothing but a blob of ink with absolutely NO form at all. How cool would that be?
I am just hoping that Audrey will ONLY do tattoos that go on with water and are put on by her Daddy. Hopefully this isn't the start of a trend.....
Here's a party favor from her cousin Ashton's birthday party- it's a fire truck.

E.L.F

Eyes Lips Face = ELF

As most of you know- I LOVE to on-line shop! I buy my Bare Minerals powders through Sephora on-line and have found a FUN site (thanks to my Mom) where you can buy LOTS of different kinds of make-up for just a BUCK! Any tube of lipstick, eye shadow etc etc for only ONE DOLLAR! I bought a bag of goodies a few months ago and it just brightens my day and my face to go in there and choose a new color.

So, check it out: http://www.eyeslipsface.com/

A "Women of Faith" Weekend

I'm leaving today for Kansas City- Sprint Center for the infamous Women of Faith conference. http://www.womenoffaith.com/kansascity/
I've attended once before which makes me even more anxious and excited to attend again because I know how good it's going to be! I'm pumped to see Steven Curtis Chapman and hear him speak and sing- what a story he has to tell.
My friend Tiffany and I are going along with a couple other girls.
Audrey can't wait for Nana to come over- she's ready to kick me out the door any minute and will not be sad to see me leave!
Happy Weekend!

Thursday- a day of Progress

Maybe it was "Daddy's luck" b/c it was his day off or whatever it was, Thursday was a good day.
At nap we only put her back in bed 3 times before falling asleep. And at night we only put her in bed 2 times before she fell asleep!
I am holding my breath and am hoping days/nights like these continue! Thanks so much for all of your positive comments- it's so REASSURING knowing there's other mom's out there that have done this exact thing and have had such positive results! I think it's all about being persistant and consistant- and then following through!

Audrey's 2nd Birthday

Audrey's birthday celebration this past Saturday was a big hit and so much fun!
Here are pics throughout her birthday weekend.

Tally Update

Update:
Tuesday night: 49 times- bummer
Wednesday nap: 22 times
Wednesday night: 27 times
--------------------------------------
Sunday night: 62 times
Monday nap: 33 times
Monday night: 30 times
Tuesday nap: 10 times

We'll see what tonight brings.......

The Transition

Oh, there are some definite HIGHS and lows in parenting, isn't there? Easy and so fun times and then transitions. I'm a Mommy with a schedule and when that "schedule" aka- nap time and bed time gets rocked it throws me for a loop.

On Thursday we took off a side to Audrey's crib and put up a mesh "railing". The past few days nap time and bed time have been touch and go. This evening we decided to do as books and people have told us and each time she gets out of bed, put her back in. As a favorite book (Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child) of mine says "be silent and unemotional; appear disinterested or mechanical. No more night entertainment." So, that's what we did last night- we kept a tally like the book says and we had 62 of those little marks on a sticky note before the little toddler gave up and and went to sleep.

I had moments of anger, laughter, feeling confident this is the "right" thing to do, feelings of no, we shouldn't be doing this, and true saddness and tears when she would say between sobs- "lay down Mommy, Audrey's bed". Break my heart, thank goodness Chris knew I couldn't do it anymore because I was going to fold, break, give in and "rescue" my precious baby but thank goodness for a husband who took over in my moment of weakness. If we would give in- she'd win and we'd have to start all over and no one wants that!

The good thing- once she's down- she'd down- didn't wake up till 7:20am this morning. And NO we did not let her sleep in- that's not the deal. I'd much rather her be up at 7:20 like the rest of the world than sleeping in and taking a late nap and then going to bed late- that's not fun to me.

So, that was Sunday night!
Monday nap time update will come later.....

Two!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Audrey Kathleen!
2 years ago- our sweet family of three was formed!


8:52am you were born.

What a SWEET day it was!