Lesson Learned #5

I feel like a year has passed in just a few weeks!  It's been crazy and hectic and chaotic (they all mean the same thing, right?) and I have to make sure to catch my breath every now and then.

I've learned organization is wonderful!  I am definitely not a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type of person.  I want things planned out.  I want to know my schedule ahead of time.  I don't want any surprises or unexpected distractions.  But during all the scheduling with everyone's activities, I make sure there is time for myself as well.

I've learned communication is key in EVERYTHING!!!  I can't stand it when people ask me about something I'm supposed to know, but in fact, don't have a clue what they are talking about.  That is so frustrating!!!  One reason my marriage has been so great is that we've always communicated with each other...the good, the bad, and the ugly.  We don't make any decisions without talking about it first.  That needs to be the same way in every relationship. Talk to people and don't leave them in the dark. If someone should know something that is factual or involves them, tell them.

I've learned nobody really wants to hear your opinions.  As much as it's important to communicate, your opinion is not always one of them, unless you're asked.  Too often has an opinion been stated to only cause anger in others.  So, I'm learning to just not give my opinion.  Better to keep it to myself than cause hurt feelings.

I've learned being a person of your word holds so much value.  It's not fair to those around you if you tell them one thing but then never stick to your word.  Making excuses all the time will lower people's trust in you.  They will no longer rely on you or even believe what you say.  Let your yes be yes and your no be no.

I've learned being unique is the greatest characteristic one can have.  I tell my kids all the time to be their own person, have their own thoughts, and don't always follow the crowd.  I don't ever want them to do things simply because other people are doing them.  I want them to do things because that is something they want to do.  The way they dress, act, things they listen to or watch (age appropriate)...I want them to make their own choices about these things.  And as much as I tell them these things, I need to apply it to myself as well.

My Music Classroom

My classroom got a makeover! I always have the hardest time decorating because of so many cute options. After scouring Pinterest and several sites for ideas, borrowing them, and using some of my own, I finally figured out what I wanted to do.

This is my monthly theme board. I will change it again next month. The sheep and cow are my hand puppets.

Musical notations and a custom made crayon wreath from a former student.

My giant dry erase board with monthly concepts. Can you tell yellow is our first color? The rolling cart is full of instruments and visuals that I take to all of the younger classes.

This is my monthly concept board for the Kindergarten class. Each month they learn about 2 different composers, 2 dynamic words, a character trait, and cultures from different parts of the world. The fun part for me is finding music to go along with all these concepts. The kids love it. Who knew they would enjoy Offenbach so much?

I have always loved using Zoo Pal plates as fun decor.  This year, the Kindergartners will get to use the crate seats that Craig made for me. It's hard to see in the pic but the fabric is covered in music notes.  Plus, the crates can be used to store the dry erase boards the students will use for their compositions.

My favorite part of the room is Imagination Station. This is where students can be creative through dramatic play. They can use different instruments, puppets, felt stories, large magnetic pieces, and lots of props. I am always on the lookout for different ideas to help fuel a child's creativity. 

I am so eager for the new school year to start. I cannot wait to see some old friends and make some new ones.

First Week of School 2014-We Survived!!!

We knew this school year would be different for us.  Preston is starting 3rd grade, Kaitlyn is starting 5th grade at an intermediate school, and I am heading back to college after a 14 yr hiatus.  However, we didn't anticipate how crazy and hectic this first week would be!!!

New backpacks, lunchboxes, and agendas for everyone.

Kaitlyn and Preston's new gear

I got different colored pens for my different classes.  It's easier to stay organized that way. :)

I got up early and made chocolate chip muffies for everyone.

Traditional first day pics.

It was different dropping them off this year.  They seem so much older and couldn't wait for us to leave.  :(

Afterwards, I grabbed some coffee and headed to my first day of class.

Actually, I'm taking 3 classes online through Texas Woman's University.  My degree will be in Music Therapy.  However, I'm not in a hurry to finish.  I have a lot of classes to take but still have to consider my other responsibilities.  I have a great job teaching music to kiddos that I'm just not ready to give up.  Plus, I have my family and always put them first.  I am the Room Mom for Preston's class again and I want to make sure I'm available for Kaitlyn with all of the transitions she will be experiencing this year.

So, while I spent the day trying to navigate my way through my online classes (English II, History, and Government), Craig took the day off to take over my usual first day of school duties.  He made a special after school treat for all of us and bought us each a little gift.  I LOVE him!!!

Juggling pick up procedures at both schools (with new policies that don't seem to be working out well), we were all drained by the time our school day was over.  However, we had a great dinner of grilled steaks and ribs.

And the craziness continued the rest of the week.  We had a lot on our schedule for this back to school week and we had to work hard to get organized.  We were all so glad for Friday to come and were exhausted.  Our bedtimes came earlier as morning did too.  But, I think we're finally get used to our new schedules and this new season in our lives.  Just praying it gets easier the rest of the year.

Fit and Fab: My first 5K

Well, I completed my first 5K race.  Craig asked if it was easier than I thought it would be.  My answer?  NO!!!  It was just like running any other time, except with a bunch of people.  I definitely wasn't running to try get in 1st place, but I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it.

For my 30th bday, I had an awesome 80's party.  For my 32nd bday, I got my first tattoo.  So for my 34th bday, that is coming up, I wanted to do something memorable as well.  When I saw the Hot Hatch Chile Run was not far from my house, I wanted to do it.  And also they served a breakfast loaded with green chiles afterwards.  :)

Before the race, in front of the Hatch Chile Fest sign. 

Craig and the kids were waiting at the Finish Line and took this pic.

 Finished!!!  I didn't even notice they had made signs and were holding them up for me.  So thoughtful!!!

I came in 14th place out of 35 for my age group.  I had a personal record (PR) of 34:43.  It was hot, the hills were tough, and I had to force myself to finish.  I did have to walk a few times, but I didn't care.  I needed to catch my breath! Ha!!!

I only told a few friends and family about this and know they were cheering me on and praying I would get through this.  My awesome trainer and friend ran with me and was so encouraging the whole way.  I really appreciated it!!!

A 5K is now checked off my bucket list.  Next up:  Couch Potato to 10K

Gulf Shores, Alabama

We recently spent a week in Gulf Shores, Alabama.  And it was wonderful!!!!  We rented a condo that was right on the beach.  It was just enough space for us and we loved having the ocean as our daily view.  Click here to see pics of the condo we rented.

We spent most of the time hanging out by the water.  We played in the sand,

played in the water,

played horseshoes,

paddle ball,

threw the football, the frisbee...pretty much your typical beach activities.

At night, you would see lots of lights on the beach.  Families would take their flashlights and walk along the shore to try to find some little crabs.  We did that a couple nights and it was actually a lot of fun.

Hard to see the crab but it's at the top of the sand, between the blue and orange. You can see the legs!

We had a tent and beach blanket set a little further away from the shore in a designated spot.  Closer to the shore we set up our beach chairs, umbrella, and toys.  The best part was that we left everything where it was all week!  Everybody left their stuff out overnight and never had any theft issues.  Much better than lugging everything back and forth each day.

We ate a majority of our meals from the condo...on the balcony...listening to the waves.  Craig and I made some simple meals like omelets, baked chicken wraps, etc.  We did go to a couple local restaurants that were fun, family friendly, and great food.

The Hangout is just an all around cool place located on the beach.  There are stages, seating areas, games, foam machine, and a gift shop located around the outside of the building.  When we went for lunch, there was actually a trick dog show on one of the stages.  And the food was great!!

Lulu's was AWESOME!!!!  It's located on the marina and it's full of activities.  They have a stage, outdoor bar, sand volleyball, huge gift shop, free popcorn and water, and a ropes course.  Craig and Preston couldn't wait to get on the ropes course.  They had a lot of fun on it.  And our food was soooo good!  I definitely recommend the jalapeno hushpuppies.

We spent part of one afternoon touring the USS Alabama battleship located in Mobile about 45 minutes away.  We also checked out a submarine.  The kids really enjoy learning about history and were amazed to see what our fearless military had to endure.  We even came across some soldiers working on some drills on the ship.

We did some souvenir shopping at a couple of cool places.

But, of course, everyone's favorite part was the ocean.  We saw boats, people parasailing, and dolphins every day.  We saw sunrises and sunsets.  We saw a storm roll across the ocean.  I spent one morning running on the beach with such beautiful scenery.  Plus, we left the balcony door to our bedroom open every  night and fell asleep to the sound of the waves.  Much better to hear the real thing instead of my white noise machine I use.

Sunrise 

Sunset 

View on my morning run 

Thunderstorm across the ocean 

Gorgeous

It was a great vacation and were so sad to leave such a beautiful place.  As usual, wonderful memories were made.