Julia's Art

Julia Louise continues to draw and draw and draw.  She currently loves using a variety of materials to create different masterpieces (anything she can glue down is game).  Here are her observational drawings of flowers from March 2015.  I love the detail work.

Lucas and Ballet

Lucas starting dance at the Indianapolis School of Ballet in January of 2015 at level 1x.  His teachers are Miss Emily and Miss Colleen.  He does 1 1/2 hours of ballet and tap twice a week.  Here are his studio pictures from his May recital titled "May We Dance."

Julia's Story

Julia brought home this little gem today.  I've translated the writing below each picture.  :)

I like my brother.

My brother eats the same ice cream as me.

My brother is my best friend.

My brother snores like me.

My brother likes the same food as me.

My brother reads the same books as me.

I have the best brother!

(Insert sobbing Momma here)

July 2014

Summer is Moving Along

Cousins at the pool

 Lillie's at Meridian Street House

Julia says thumbs up to cookies

Asthmatic on the mend, these things do take time.

There is no better time for naps than summer time.  I just love the hand over the eyes while she's asleep.

 We just adore our Daddyman

Teaching and Parenting

Going from a full time, often over time job outside of the home to full time over time Momma in the summers brings up all sorts of interesting emotions.  I love being with these guys.  They drive me completely insane, but I far prefer morning snuggles to first period freshman.  I have to remember some things though.  

First of all I have to remember to be kind.  I'm a pretty tough teacher when it comes to my personality.  I'm loud and strict but with love.  My students are challenging and come from very different homes.  When I'm Momma I sometimes forget that these guys are okay, we are okay, it's going to be okay, and I don't need to worry about a fist fight breaking out or a cussing match taking over the classroom.

That's not to say they don't fight.  Oh baby do they ever fight.  But it's sibling stuff, and we get through it. The biggest battle right now is Julia trying to find her place as she gets older while Lucas is trying to stay snuggly and sweet but at the same time turn in to a great big old 8 year old boy.

We don't go too crazy in the summer, or at least we try not to.  I keep them close because I miss them during the year.  So we don't over schedule, sometimes at a price, but it's worth it to me to get to be around them no matter how crazy we make each other.

Friendships are ever evolving, especially as the kids and I get older.  I want to be around Moms who parent similarly or it's just too much of  a struggle to communicate, it's as if we don't speak the same language.  I'm working on letting my kids forge their own friendships without too much interference from me.  I don't want to pick friends for them, but I don't want them spending too much time on people who hurt them.

Needless to say it's a challenge.  They are worth it, we are all worth it.  I've always told myself that I'm a better teacher because I'm a mother and I'm a better mother because I'm a teacher.  I think that still holds true.  I'm in no rush to go back to over filled classrooms and drama queens, but I have gained perspective these last 2 weeks home.

That face, couldn't you just die?  He's sick in this picture so he doesn't look quite himself but golly he is still just the best thing ever.  Happy summer babies, I love you!

Not the BEST day ever

This is Carrie posting as Eric because I am too lazy to sign out and sign back in again. Today has not been my prettiest day as a mother so I am just going to post some pictures of my kiddo's. They are awesome.

Balance

Family

Friendship