Teaching Stuff

I can't believe I have not worked in over a year! My last day of work before I had Ellie was November 19, 2010 (one week before little miss arrived!). I have had the MOST AMAZING stay at home mom experience. But, it's almost time to head back to work and I have to start thinking like a first grade teacher again! I have all these random ideas in my head so I wanted to keep them all in one place, and I figured this would be a great place to keep it all. Anyway, I will be heading back to work March 19th. I wanted to come up with some fun crafts and ideas that would get me through until the end of the year! Please forgive me because this is just a jumble of ideas I have, and I probably won't sort it all out until the beginning of March.

(I obviously watch way too much sprout)

*I thought this was a cute idea to do with the kids for Mother's Day. I usually help them make a bouquet of paper flowers, but this could definitely go with the flowers as a Mother's Day gift.

*This is a great spring activity for whenever we have a nice day!

*Instead for a road trip, I thought this would be good for summertime! I would have them fill out all the things they want to do/see in the summer. They can use it at home!

*If my maternity leave hasn't done a unit on sea creatures, I can do this craft with them during the unit.

*Easy Peasy, we are definitely doing this!

*I love crafts like this, where the kids don't have to be super good at coloring to make it look nice!

*A Weather Chart would be Perfect for spring weather!

*Summer sponge art -- A trip to the dollar store for some sponges!

*Super easy steering wheel for a summer road trip!

*Silly animal headband just for fun!

*Father's Day Pencil Holder

*Who doesn't love Opposite World?

*More ideas for Mother's Day

*I don't know if they would be able to do this mixed up pet picture

*Helping Hands Wreath

That's it for now! I'll keep updating as ideas come to me :)

Working

I have an amazing job, and I know how lucky I am to have a job these days. My boss is great, I have really helpful co-workers, and I get to hang with really cool 6 year olds all day. Oh did I mention that I get all holidays and a whole summer off? Who wouldn't love my job. Not only are the above mentioned enough to have a job that rocks but I was able to stop working in November to have a baby and I am not going back until September and I still have my job...best job ever, I know. So then, I ask you, why don't I want to go back? Well look at this face and tell me you would want to be away for most of the day...

I want to be the one around to see her first steps, first words, etc. I want to rock her before her naps and be able to hug her when she cries. I guess what I'm saying is that I want to 'mother' her. I am lucky enough to have a mother who doesn't work and will watch her so we won't have to pay for daycare. I just can't imagine not being with her all of the time. I guess I better get used to the idea...my paycheck and benefits are more than we could give up. Plus, TONS of mothers do it and everything works out fine. Julian and I have talked about it a lot lately and we decided that as long as things are still going well for him at work and money-wise, than I will work up until I have our next baby and then I will stop altogether. Great plan, but it makes me want to have that next baby sooner rather than later. Don't get me wrong, it won't be too soon, but I was thinking 3-4 years apart and now I am thinking 2 years apart doesn't sound so bad. I guess we will see what the future holds.

30 weeks pregnant!!

What a wonderful time of year! October starts at the end of this week & I am 30 weeks pregnant. My favorite candle scent is back in stores and fall is FINALLY starting to arrive!

--Julian has spent the last couple of days in California. His dad had a business trip there with a free beach house. So, Julian and Jordan went down from Thurs-Mon and joined him for a little mini vacation! Julian will be home tomorrow night and I cannot wait to see him! I have missed him so much. I always get nervous when planes are involved, but I pray for his safe arrival home and I know that when he gets here I can take a big sigh of relief.

--I have gained a total of 23 lbs so far. A little more than what I wanted for this stage of my pregnancy but definitely in the range of what is acceptable. I feel like it is all belly which is a good thing. I am hoping I can lose most of that by just giving birth and breastfeeding. Then, by March I am going to start P90x and get back to my ideal weight (115lbs). Even though pregnancy has really agreed with me and it has been really easy so far, it is still hard to give up your body. It is so neat to watch everything change and grow and know that my little girl is growing inside of me. But, at the same time, I don't feel like it is my body. I probably won't feel like it is my body again for a while. I know that it is all worth it though :)

--Julian isn't currently working. All the housing jobs are done pretty much and he has calls to answer every now and then but mostly he has been a stay at home dad the last week or so. We are banking on the fact that we should be getting a profit check soon (hopefully)!! So, I keep praying for the profit check to hurry up and make its way into our hands and for Highview Homes to find a new job fast. If we didn't get the profit check this month it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world because we could live off of savings. But, not for much longer than a month. Julian also starts his real estate class soon, so that will at least keep him busy! But, with Christmas creeping up, I don't want to have to start to worry about money. I like living comfortably.

--We are currently trying to find a church. After the whole debacle with Bayside Chapel (that will be a whole other post when I have to time and energy for it), we haven't really been actively attending church. But, I really want to find one we like before Eloise comes. I think having your children get in the habit of going to church is a good thing. Let's hope we can find something that works for us.

--Kelly and Jeff moved to NJ on Labor Day. It has been really fun having a whole new set of faces to see when we all go out. I am excited to see how our whole dynamic of friendship changes and becomes better. It is also nice to see what life is like with a child. Blake is a really good baby. It is nice that there are going to be babies around for Eloise to be friends with.

--Work is going really well. I LOVE my new students and their parents seem really awesome. I do feel bad that I am leaving so soon (Nov. 19th is my last day) but at least it will leave a good taste in my mouth and I'll be ready to go back in September.

--my baby shower is quickly approaching and I can't wait!! Actually, I really can't wait until Eloise is here. When I think about the actual delivery party, I get anxious. So, I decided from now on I am not thinking about it. The day will come when Eloise has to come out of me. I will do what has to be done, no need worrying about it! The baby shower is going to be so nice! Julian's mom and sister are coming and I am just so excited to celebrate and get the rest of the stuff we need for our little girl.