Goodbye, House!

We closed on our current home at the beginning of June, and then wrote a check to lease it back for thirty days, giving us time to close on our new home and then move.  At the moment, we are completely mortgage-less.  It's so freeing!  Steve keeps saying we should sell a car and all of our furniture, take the money we made from the sale of our house, and just hit the road for a while.  He's only half joking, and - OMG - it sounds so tempting.  But obviously that fun and exciting plan is not our reality ...

We'll close on our new house on June 26th.  And this is where things get a little complicated.  Before we ever put our house on the market (or really even thought about it, for that matter), we had booked our flights to MN.  We're leaving on the 27th to make it in time for my mom's big retirement party.  Steve had always planned on returning home on the 30th so he could get back to work, and the girls and I will be staying until July 9th.  We have to be completely out of our current house on July 7th ... so if you're following this craziness at all, you've probably figured out that the girls and I will be relaxing at Lake Ida while our big move is happening!  We'll leave here from one house, and return to a new one.  What a weird feeling.

When I was growing up, we'd always say, "Goodbye, House!" as we pulled out of the driveway to head out on a trip (might have been a day trip, or might have been a longer vacation - either way, we always lovingly said goodbye to our house).  When I was telling my mom about how this whole move will work, she mentioned that it may be less emotional to leave our current house as we're in a frenzy (because we always are) heading to the airport.  I agree ... I'll be so focused on making sure we have suitcases, flight info, and everything we need for the plane that I won't have time to stand outside the house and relive every memory with tears streaming down my face. 

But over the next few days, as we pack the last of our things (except for the paper plates we're now using), I want to spend time thinking about all of the special things that have happened in our home.  Steve and I have done A LOT of growing up here - as individuals and as a couple.  Our babies came home from the hospital to this house.  Lots of laughter, lots of tears, and lots of special memories.  Emma won't remember this house, but Sara will.  Although we're so, so excited about our new house, I have loved many things about the house we're leaving, and it will always be special to us.  Can't wait to be in our new place, but also can't forget to pause and say, "Goodbye, House!" to our first family home.

splish-splash

One nice thing about my summer work schedule is that during June (after the students are done/before I'm officially done) we work ten-hour days Monday through Thursday and have Fridays off.  The girls and I took advantage of the beautiful weather today - on the first official day of summer - and hit the splash park!

 

 

 

 

Happy Summer, friends!

Book Talk

You all know that I'm an avid reader; reading is my hobby, my me time.  But with the craziness of the past couple of months, I haven't read much at all.  In fact, I haven't even kept up with recent book club books, which is so unlike me.  I have, however, found time to read a few books for school.  I promise this isn't as boring as it sounds ... although they're not like my normal recommendations, these are worth your time.

Have you read the FISH! books?  The first one, above, uses an parable to tell about how important it is to keep morale in the workplace high so people want to come to work, even if the work they are performing seems unimportant or mundane.  Seattle's World Famous Pike Place Fish Market is the backdrop.  I've never been, but I've heard it's fantastic.  Regardless of what type of business you're in (in fact, the parable has nothing to do with schools), this is a wonderful, encouraging, inspiring book to read - even if morale at your workplace is already high.  There are just so many little ways we can continue to boost each other at work ... we should, since we spend so much time there. 

I followed FISH! with Schools of FISH!, which is about applying the FISH! philosophy in the school setting.  If you work in a school - whether you are a teacher, a secretary, an administrator, or a cafeteria worker - I highly encourage you to buy this book and read it before you return in August.  The stories included will completely re-energize you, and give you the tools to approach your students in a whole new way.  There are four main principles of FISH!: Be There, Make Their Day, Play, and Choose Your Attitude.  We can do this as adults, and we should include the students.  The stories in this book had me thinking about the amount of learning that could take place when students and teachers are committed to living the FISH! philosophy in their schools.  It's not "one more thing" ... it's the one thing that, started early in the year, can open the door to more learning and student success than you've ever experienced in your classroom.  I urge you, teachers, to read this book!

The Fred Factor will the guiding book for my school's work as a campus this year.  The message is about seizing the opportunity to be extraordinary, and doing so in simple ways with the tools you already have.  This book, although unrelated, is a great follow-up to FISH!, and I'm excited to see what great things come from it this school year.

If you're looking for some inspiration or  just renewed energy and spirit, start reading away!

"Think before you speak. Read before you think.”

Fran Lebowitz

her eyes, her eyes

 brown eyed girl

baby blue

Fader's Day

We had a great Father's Day (or Fader's Day, if you ask for Sara's pronunciation).  We enjoyed breakfast mimosas and surprised Steve with a basketball hoop for the new house.  When I stopped in at Dick's the other day, I hadn't planned on buying one, but I found a really great deal that I couldn't pass up.  I'm guessing it will be one of the first things put together after move-in (anyone with me when I say basketball hoop in the backyard = scenes from "Father of the Bride" flashing through your head?  Ahhh.).  We had lunch at Cindi's, visited the book store, and spent the rest of the day packing, watching golf, and taking care of our usual Sunday chores.  Now we are winding down, preparing for another week.

Apparently Sara has become a little disgruntled with all of the celebrating of her parents that has happened over the past month because today she said, "I wish there was a 'Happy Kids Day'."  I guess it hasn't occurred to her that nearly every day of her life is Happy Kids Day.  Oh, well.  In her defense, though, she's been very giving for both Mother's and Father's Days.  For a good three weeks after Mother's Day, she would say, "Happy Mudder's Day!" to me just out of the blue.  And last night after we tucked her in, she came creeping into the living room with a Fader's Day gift for Steve: two fistfuls of coins from her piggy bank.  Maybe she appreciates us after all!

Not-So-Average Tuesday

As we were driving to the hospital in the dark this morning, I was thinking that we've done this early morning hospital trip four times now: once each for the births of the girls, and once each for ear tubes.  Today was Emma's turn.  She has basically had an ear infection since December, and even when the doctor went in today to insert the tubes, he found yet another infection.  It was definitely time to take this step, even though Emma is young.  Sara was almost two when she got tubes.  I'm hoping Emma starts to feel a lot better now that her head won't be so clogged up all the time.

Pre-op ... she did really well considering she didn't get to eat this morning.  For the most part, she was her usual happy self, clapping and smiling at the nurses.  We could tell that she knew her morning routine was different today.

 She had to wear this tiny hospital gown, which was cute, but I really think they should invest in some pink ones.

No post-op pictures ... Emma was NOT a happy camper.  The doctor warned us that it is normal for kids coming off anesthesia to be inconsolable for a little while, and Emma fit the bill.  Eating helped, and since getting home she has done a lot of sleeping.  What a morning for little Emma!

In the meantime, Sara enjoyed some quality time (and some Sonic) with Papa and Mamas.  I think she looks so grown up in these pictures. 

So we haven't had an average Tuesday.  Back to work and school tomorrow!

P.S. While I'm thinking of it, I have to document our car ride conversation the other day ...

Sara: "When I grow up, I'm going to be a princess."

Me: "Oh, okay.  What are you going to do for a job?  Where are you going to work?"

Sara: "I don't want a job. Mom, princesses don't work. Ugghhh."

Someone is in for a rude awakening.  I hope it's not me.  Either way, this girl keeps my on my toes!

sweet emotion

What a roller coaster of a day.  I said goodbye to my staff and to the first group of 8th graders to have been on our campus for all three years of middle school.  I also said goodbye, at least for now, to middle school.  Although I'll be on my current campus through next week before moving to my new elementary school, it won't be the same without the kids and teachers there on Monday.

Standing in the cafeteria on duty this morning, the 8th grade counselor and I were fighting back tears.  As I told the students before their 8th Grade Walk this afternoon, they came to us as kids, and they are leaving us as kind, funny, talented young adults.  We have loved watching them grow, and of course this will be the only year that our inaugural 6th grade class leaves for high school.  On top of that, this 8th grade class is just a really special group of students ... if you work in a school, you know what I mean by that.  Every once in a while, that really amazing group comes along and leaves a legacy.

At this afternoon's farewell staff meeting, we said goodbye to eighteen teachers who are leaving for a variety of reasons.  Many were there when we opened the building, and have become my biggest supporters - I couldn't ask for a higher compliment.  The staff presented me with a beautiful James Avery bracelet, a book of notes from the 8th grade students, and our annual staff spirit award.  When I accepted, they gave me a standing ovation.  I feel so undeserving of having worked with so many amazing teachers.  They are the hardest working and most caring people I know; they have helped shape me as an administrator, and have left a lasting mark on my career and in my heart.

I had another first - an unfortunate one - today.  A teacher's husband showed up midday and asked me to accompany him as he let her know that her dad had suddenly passed away and that they had to leave immediately.  It's been almost twenty years, but I've gotten that news out of left field, and my heart just broke for her.  A handful of other teachers could also identify, and it made an emotional day that much harder.  But it also reminded me how special the people I work with are - the 8th grade teachers had a plan to cover her classes, finish her grades, etc., within minutes.  They were there for each other when it really mattered, as they have been before, and it was so incredible to see.

We spend so much time with the people we work with, and in a field that requires as much emotional commitment as education, it's so vitally important that those people feel like family.  For the first time, I feel like I'm leaving a job that has felt like home.  I'm excited for my next adventure, but it's going to take a little while for the raw part of my heart to feel right again.

Nine Months

Just like that, we're 3/4 of the way through Emma's first year.  Wow!  When I went into her room Friday morning, she was standing in her bed for the first time.  She had her arms draped casually over the railing, and she was just waiting patiently for someone to come get her.  She's all smiles and squeals when she sees someone she knows.  When we get close now, she'll put her arms in the air to reach for us.

At nine months, Emma is still very comfortable in her six month clothes.  She has worn a couple of her new nine month dresses, but they are big on her.  Emma is in a size three diaper, and my guess is that she is somewhere in the eighteen pound range.  We'll know more tomorrow when we go for her nine-month visit with the doctor. 

Emma's eyes are still very blue, and her new hair and her eyebrows are coming in blond.  She now has four teeth - two bottom and two top.  If you look closely, you can see the tips of her top teeth in the picture below.

She is into EVERYTHING.  When Sara was a baby, we really didn't have to baby proof too much.  She was good about staying away from something when told "no".  Emma, on the other hand, fixates on something and continues to go for it over and over.  It's a good thing we are in the process of packing because there is a lot less temptation for her on our shelves.  She's pretty sneaky, and will wait until she thinks we've looked away to go after an item she's been eye-balling.

Sara started walking right after turning one, and my guess is that Emma will be about the same.  She loves to stand up with help, and will take a step or two, but she's pretty wobbly.  She's really proud of her current accomplishments, though, and loves to clap for herself when she goes from tummy to sitting, or when she crawls her way from one room to the next.  She loves for everyone else to clap for her, too; she's a fan of an audience.

Emma is cuddly, and likes to be held.  She doesn't want to miss anything, and recently has been fighting sleep, especially during the day.  She's a good eater, and has added pancakes and Cheerios to her list of favorites.  As far as food goes, she still loves her fruits and orange veggies, and has also recently enjoyed some of the meat-combo purees.  She had her first float in a pool last weekend, and really enjoyed it.  Emma continues to be a content baby who keeps us laughing with her funny faces and mannerisms.  On one hand, I wish she wasn't growing so quickly.  On the other hand, she just seems to get cuter, sweeter, friendlier, funnier every month!

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*Update after 6/4 doc visit: Emma weighs 17 pounds, 8 ounces, and is 27 inches long.  She's still little, but is growing like she should!  Dr. McDonald said she's ready to start drinking water from a sippy cup and adding any foods we're interested in trying (I have a hard time remembering when we did all this with Sara...).  I should also add - for memory's sake - that Emma is good about letting us know if we've made her mad.  She has this tendency to "yell" at us, while looking us right in the eyes, to let us know we've upset her.  This happens routinely when she has to get dressed.  Her feisty and dramatic little personality keeps us laughing!