So excited!

So Christmas is finally here, the day almost over. I am so excited that I got a new laptop for Christmas. I used my Christmas money to pay for it and my mom paid for some of it for my Christmas present. I hope that means that I will be able to blog more often!! But more important than that, Peyton seemed to enjoy the day and the gifts that she received. It seems like we could just have gotten her this one dog that Santa brought that barks when you push a button, because she is most interested in that dog. But she got everything from books to building blocks , stuffed animals to dvds, pajamas and clothes, an art easel with a magic pen that makes pretend art with no actual paint and an aquadoodle pad that you draw on the floor and it doesn't write on anything else and even money. It is so exciting to see her react to each thing but then it will take months for her to play with it all. She also got a Barbie Hot Wheels 4 wheeler to ride on. I think it goes 2-3 miles per hour. Jamie says just one more thing she will try to run over us with. Either way, we are truly blessed to have such wonderful family and to be able to give gifts to each other that will make everyone happy. That is why I love Christmas so much and will always teach Peyton to be appreciative and thankful and to remember why we celebrate this time of year.
Meanwhile, we packed up half of our entire house on Tuesday/Wednesday into 4 vehicles. There are things we couldn't bring because there wasn't enough room. But hopefully we got the important things- Peyton's toys, Peyton's clothes, all of Peyton's furniture, our clothes, some dishes (except silverware,) and some other furniture and cleaning supplies. Hopefully this will get us through to the next time we can visit the house. It is very stressful moving at Christmas because we feel unsettled, but hopefully once we get moved in, unpacked, and adjusted to a small apartment, we will be doing okay.
After we move in, we are very much looking forward to Ethan Cassidy's first birthday party. Amanda knows how to do a party right and I for one can't wait. Plus it will be the kick off event for our living closer to everyone future!!!
I can't post any pictures from today because I don't have my card reader accessible and who even knows what box it is in, but I will post some soon!!
Merry Christmas!

Top 8- Tagged by Amanda Cassidy

8 Favorite TV Shows:
1. Private Practice
2. Survivor
3. Prison Break
4. Lipstick Jungle (even though it might be canceled)
5. Desperate Housewives
6. One Tree Hill
7. Dancing with the Stars
8. Brothers and Sisters

8 Favorite Restaurants
1. Olive Garden
2. Macaroni Grill
3. Stevie B's pizza (they make potato skin pizza that is amazing)
4. Taco Bell
5. Outback
6. Chili's
7. McDonald's
8. Nagoya Japanese Steakhouse

8 Things that happened today
1. Peyton got such bad diaper rash from the over-wiping at daycare that she cried and screamed when I just took her pants off (I didn't even touch the diaper)
2. I found out there is no one to replace me.
3. I took 11 kids with 10 car seats on a field trip in the rain, to practice for a Christmas program that is tomorrow night and I am hoping my kids behave and stand still during the show
4. I ate a fish stick and I didn't like it.
5. Peyton walked all around the house, ate her first pop-tart, and we think she said something to the effect of "where you going?"
6. We kept Peyton up til 7 tonight to try and extend her bedtime since lately she has been fighting the earlier bedtime more than usual. It seemed to work. I guess we'll see in the morning.
7. I got 3 months free of XM satellite radio for Jamie because I tried to cancel it and they didn't want to let us go.
8. I paid bills online.

8 Things I am looking forward to:
1. My Christmas program with the kids tomorrow.
2. This weekend in Spartanburg (hopefully some relax time while Peyton sleeps upstairs)
3. Eating out because we will be in a hotel and have no choice
4. Not having to see the mean people from East
5. Moving
6. Christmas Day!!!!!!!
7. Watching Peyton open presents and care more about the paper than the gift
8. unpacking and settling in soon

8 Things on my wish list:
1. Certainty and planning that goes as it should
2. A nice and fun replacement
3. Stevie B's pizza tomorrow
4. A safe trip this weekend
5. A healthy, cough-free, rash-free, teething-free happy baby
6. That people who are nice and have good intentions would be rewarded
7. a healthy family
8. That other's wishes will come true, especially at the holidays

I only know one other blogger so I will tag her:
1. Libby Bridges

Christmas and sales people

So I haven't done the majority of my Christmas shopping yet, but today we took Peyton to get her pictures made in her fancy Christmas dress. I went in (just to the Walmart Picture Me) because I had a $4.99 coupon for the package where you get plenty of pictures- all the same pose. I knew what I liked, what I wanted. After taking several cute shots and poses, the sales guy and I sat down at the computer to look and decide on what I would purchase. Jamie took Peyton around Walmart because she was bored so it was up to me. I knew I could just tell him what I wanted and didn't. Which is exactly what I tried to do. I don't want your $199 package. I don't want the $149 package. I don't want your $119 picture cd so I can go print my own. I don't like white vignettes around my pictures. When my child is wearing a black and ivory dress, don't put her on ugly brown shag carpet. Don't put a Santa Claus that is just as big as her in the picture- it's too much. 25-30 minutes we sat there. White vignettes on every picture (didn't I already tell him I didn't like those?) Obviously the enhancements is where they make the money- $10 just to click a button and make the photo black and white or sepia. Or to put a soft focus on the photo. He really annoyed me and I kept telling him, "My baby needs to eat so I need to be going." So $65 later, I got to leave the Walmart Picture Me Studio. I mean, I should have left my wallet at home and just gone in with the $6 I wanted to spend. Who isn't going to be wooed by beautiful pictures of their first child in a pretty dress at the holidays? I mean, its the worst kind of sales trickery I have ever seen.

But then later today, Peyton was in a good mood so we took some photos at home for free in a more casual winter outfit...enjoy!

So exciting!


After she dropped the bell ornament on the floor, she tried to tell us she didn't do it...

Laughing it up

Posing like the pretty girl she is

Something worth blogging about!!!

Hallelujah!

Finally something worth blogging about- Peyton took steps on her own today! They are the first on record (although she has done it before at daycare.) This video shows her giving it a few good tries before she actually makes it all the way.

You never think you would be so excited for 3 or 4 wobbly steps, but as you can see in the video, Jamie and I were because we have been waiting a while!

We are so proud and happy tonight!

Happy Halloween!

I just wanted to share some photos of my class at our "Fall Festival" party that we had Friday. Since we don't technically celebrate Halloween at school, I kept slipping up and calling it a Halloween party so then I had to go back and explain that it wasn't a Halloween party. And that ghosts and witches and spells are not real- only pretend for TV!!!

Anyway, they sure did look cute!

We love fall too!

Over the weekend, we went to two local Fall Festivals in Conyers so Peyton could experience seeing all the people and kids and the beautiful weather. She seemed to really enjoy it. There is a beautiful park in downtown Conyers where we took some pictures as well.

On Sunday, the festival was in the parking lot of our church and it had games, trunk or treat, jumpy things, rides for kids, laser tag, pictures, cotton candy, and it was free!!! (Well, the cotton candy was $1 but Peyton wanted some so of course I obliged. She wore her Supergirl costume proudly and had a great time! I did learn that Jamie has never had a funnel cake!!! Can you believe that?

Here are some photos!

At the park

Peyton and I in the parking lot at church (look at the beautiful background too!)

Waiting (not so patiently) to go get candy...

Posing in front of our house- ready to go Trick or Treating- Mommy wants some skittles

First time with cotton candy

I think I'm getting the hang of it...

I was thinking just now-I really think I am getting the hang of teaching 4 year olds. Today I had to deliver the bad news that our Harvest Festival that was supposed to be tomorrow night has been postponed for 2 weeks. I waiting to tell them because I was afraid of the reaction. After building this thing up for several weeks and convincing them all that they should come and tell their parents, I was nervous about their reaction. So I told them that because it was going to rain tomorrow all day (90% chance,) the festival had been moved to another day and they just said, "Oh man!" And then one asked why was it going to rain. So I said because God wanted it to. They accepted it and explained to me that God needed it to rain so the trees and flowers could grow bigger. I was like, "EXACTLY!"
Of course, I'm sure tomorrow something will happen that will make me question everything I just said about getting the hang of it.
And I thought of one more funny thing- every day during rest time, all of the kids who don't go directly to sleep lift their heads off the mat and say, "Mrs. Stewart, all that noise is waking me up." or "Mrs. Stewart, so and so is waking me up." How do you explain to them that if you haven't gone to sleep yet, you cannot be awoken? And that if you keep yelling across the room that so-and-so's talking is waking you up, that you are waking someone else up too? Who knows?
Happy Thursday night TV watching!

Few and far between

So I guess you may have noticed my blogs are few and far between, but I am so tired at the end of the day that I can't even remember the funny things I intend to write. But here are a few good ones...

1. I have a student that I really love having in class, but everyday he says "Mrs. Stewart, you look pretty," or "Mrs. Stewart, I like your shirt (or hairbow, or shoes, or watch.)" I think he must be a sly one who thinks that complimenting the teacher will get him somewhere or make me forget when he breaks the rules! He could be right.

2. You would think life for a 4 year old is not complicated. I mean, they don't cook, clean, pay bills, work, drive, or anything else that may stress adults out. However, all day every day they obsess over who is or isn't their friend, who is or isn't coming to their house, and who can or can't play with them. They talk about their birthday parties as leverage for being friends. "If you don't play with me, you're not coming to my birthday party." Nevermind that their birthday is 10 months away. I mean, I spend half my day telling them that we are all friends in school and I don't want to hear otherwise.

3. Today we baked cookies in class to go along with the book, "If you give a mouse a cookie..." It really was fun and the kids enjoyed the 20 seconds they got to stir the bowl and the one scoop they got to put on the pan to make "their" cookie. I was worried that they would go crazy and I would have cookie batter everywhere or someone would sneeze in it and we would have to start over. But that didn't happen. I guess I should have more faith.

4. Peyton has discovered the windows at school and at home. She is fascinated with them. At school she can sometimes see me from her window when my class is on the playground. It is so cute how happy she is and she just keeps on waving at me! She could stand there pointing and talking to the window and showing us what is outside for hours if we let her. I guess the hundreds of dollars we have spent turning our house into a mini Toys R Us was a waste.

5. As a random side note, if old lady doesn't get voted off DWTS, I am really going to stop watching. She must have every senior citizen in America voting for her. Probably by internet and text message.

6. Speaking of TV, what has happened to 90210 and why hasn't it been on? Anyone know?

7. And just thinking of disappointing things I watched on TV lately, how about that pitiful Clemson game and even more disturbing Colts/Packers game? I mean, can any of my teams actually pull off a winning season this year? It might be a long shot, but come on. Quit disappointing me!

In other events, Peyton's first birthday went well and we all had a great time at her party. Since everyone who reads my blog was pretty much there, I'll save the details except to say thank you again to all the people who helped make it special for her and for us. Here are a few pictures.

That's about it. I will definitely try to write sooner the next time.

And I guess since Cloris didn't get voted off, I will have more time on Mondays and Tuesdays since I can't watch DWTS anymore...

A birthday that means so much

As Peyton's first birthday comes tomorrow, I can't help but be so grateful and thankful and sappy feeling. I am more excited about her birthday and spending the day with her and her party than anything in a long time! I hope her party will be enjoyable for her and everyone else, but most of all I hope she feels loved and special and can feel how happy she has made us. I guess she will always be our princess, but Saturday everyone else will get to see!

Here are Jamie's comments that he wanted me to post tonight...

Well, Peyton is officially 1 year old tomorrow. She has come a long way in the last 12 months and is gearing up for her first birthday party this weekend.
She of course will be a princess for the party, with a princess dress and crown, to help her feel even more the part. We are going to Orangeburg to have the party there as most of Amanda’s family lives in that area. I am sure it will be an interesting event to say the least.
Peyton has done so much changing in the past year. These past couples of months she has moved onto saying “Mama” more and has really mastered the sippy cup. She seems almost ready to take her first steps on her own and is getting braver every day. Most of the time I just let her hold my fingers down by her sides and she walks pretty much on her own. She still requires that little bit of help in the balance department but she is getting there. Her daycare teacher informed us a couple of weeks ago that she held onto the wall of the nursery and walked across the room. She is also doing the same thing with the cribs in the room and I think she realizes it is a faster way to get around.
She now has eight teeth and is getting more hair (Amanda will be happy when there is enough to put bows in). She likes books a lot and pretends to read them to me and herself. She basically opens the books up and then begins to “talk” as if she is reading. It is really cute.
She has also mastered getting around on her zebra toy. This is basically a zebra on wheels that she can ride on and move around by pushing with her legs (A great consignment store buy). She especially likes riding this in the kitchen because she can go so much faster, resulting in her crashing into things harder. The harder she hits them, the more she likes it.

It has been a rollercoaster of a year, but I wouldn’t trade this past year for any other time in my life. Out of everything I have done in my life, having Peyton has been the most rewarding. Just one look from her with her nose crinkled and that grin can brighten even the worst day. She is such a big part of my life and I couldn’t imagine not having her here this past year. I look forward to the years and milestones ahead.

A few crazy things

Yesterday one of my students came to me on the playground and said, "Ms. Stewart, umm, him and him, umm, they were trying to jack me up."
The other teacher and I started laughing. I told him not to play with those boys anymore.

Is it wrong to tell a 4 year old that you are going to tell their mom to bring some tape tomorrow and that if he doesn't stop talking you might tape his mouth shut? Is that wrong? Because if it is, I would never say that.

Or is it wrong to tell another 4 year old that if they don't stop clapping in class for no reason that you might tie their hands behind their back? If not, then I'm going to try it.
The same one also walked into class this morning and said, "Ms. Stewart, I brought myself a treat in my bookbag. Can I go ahead and have it since I have been good?" I literally laughed out loud and told her the day hadn't even started.


I am really looking forward to going to Clemson for Peyton's first tailgate experience, but why is it stressing me out so much? I mean, what to take, what not to take... you would think we have gone away enough that I should be used to this.

I'll be too busy stressing and packing tomorrow night so Go Tigers! See you after the weekend, bloggers.

Why Everyone Should Buy an iPhone According to Jamie

So, since I have had a child, my technology fascination has taken a nosedive. I haven’t been buying the latest gadgets or really getting excited about anything that has been developed lately. That all changed a couple of weeks ago – I bought the new iPhone.
I really had been debating whether I should buy it or not since it came out in July. I got money last year for Christmas and my birthday (I really didn’t want anything in particular at the time) and I saved it. What I couldn’t get past was the data plan you have to buy with the new iPhone. I mean, I have internet at work, which they do filter, and I have it at home. Why do I need it on my phone?
Well, Amanda went to the AT&T store while I was at work one day and got me the iPhone (I think she knew I wanted it more than I did). I got home later that day and played with it a little, but didn’t really get a chance to explore it thoroughly. As the next few days passed, I spent more and more time doing things with it and I have to say, it is an extremely handy gadget.
As most of you probably already know, the iPhone is a phone with an iPod built into it. But by no means is this where features of the device end. It also has a GPS chip built in and although I haven’t used this feature a lot, it seems pretty cool.
The internet is also nice to have on the phone, especially since the phone is capable of not only using AT&T’s 3G network, but also any free Wi-Fi connections. This especially comes in handy at work since my company filters a lot of sites (like this blog and other like it, not to mention some key sports sites). I can also get my email on the phone and it is nice being able to check this anytime, anywhere.
With the applications that come on the phone, I can access weather, YouTube, text messaging, stocks, and the iTunes store in seconds.
I have also downloaded a free application called Sportacular that can give me updates about any game in any conference with the click of an icon. It can update me on conference and overall standings, as well as player stats. You can customize it to exactly what you want to see and I just can’t say how cool this application is in words.
And not only can you use the phone as another iPod, but you can also download another free application called Pandora. Pandora is an internet radio service that basically allows you to have your own radio station customized to your preferences. You just tell it what you like to hear and it tailors the station to you. And since it is internet radio, it is free and doesn’t take up space on your hard drive with songs. Plus you can hear new stuff from your favorite artists and buy it later if you want.
I have to be honest. I was really skeptical about getting this phone in the beginning. I really just didn’t think I would use all of its features enough to justify the extra cost. Since having Peyton, I just think about how much I want her to have and really don’t want things for myself as much.
But I have come to the realization that you need to splurge on yourself every once in a while. So join me in purchasing an iPhone for yourself. You won’t be sorry you made the choice and you’ll have me to thank. I mean, how can you go wrong with this much technology right at your fingertips?

Have you ever been spanked?

So today while we were having snack, one of my students brought up something about getting a spanking at home when they were bad. Since this topic is of debate for a lot of parents as to whether or not to spank or to find other sources of discipline, I decided to take a poll of my class to see how many of them had been spanked before. Out of 11 students that were there, 9 of them said they had. Interesting...I then asked them what did they do to get a spanking. They all started telling me things but the funniest one was, "I got a spankin when I peed myself."
I had to turn around and laugh. It isn't funny, but the way this child said it sure was.

And then as we were sitting at the dinner table tonight and Jamie was feeding Peyton chocolate chip cookie (which she shouldn't be having so I rolled my eyes), I told him that I guess I was going to have to be the disciplinarian in our family because he gives in to every thing she wants. To which he replied, "Well I guess that would make me the more liked parent." Oh great!
At least maybe she will respect me in 20 years when she learns to appreciate the structured life that she has had!

Good night!

I'm so glad...

Well, it isn't Thanksgiving yet but I thought I would just let you know what I am so glad about today:
1. I'm so glad to have a great family to help and support and love me all of the time. It really makes life worthwhile.
2. I'm so glad to have the ability to travel and go places with Jamie and Peyton. Whether it be on a vacation or to visit family and friends, it is really nice to make those things a priority, even with the high gas prices!
3. I'm so glad the Internet was invented. I remember when it didn't exist, but now I can't imagine communication without it. I would hate to be so far away and not get to see my friends' pictures and blogs and facebooks and myspaces. And also being able to see scores and weather online whenever you want is nice too. Oh and shopping online is so convenient. And downloading music whenever you want. The list goes on and on.
4. I'm so glad that the Colts won today, no matter how ugly it looked. I know one day soon we will return to the team I am used to watching.
5. I'm so glad the fall is here which means jeans and sweatshirts and football and all of the good holidays are coming soon! (Peyton is going to be Supergirl for Halloween- can't wait!)
6. I'm so glad that someone at Apple invented the iPhone so Jamie could have something else to be so excited about in his life! The highlight of his day Friday was the firmware update that was supposed to improve performance.
7. I'm so glad Peyton's first birthday is almost here. I can't believe it but I hope her 1st year was as great for her as it was for us and I hope she loves her princess party! :)

Thanks for reading!
Good night and Go Colts!

Well at least...

Well at least my teams won yesterday. I would have hated for Clemson to lose to the Citadel. I didn't get to watch it because we live in the sucky state of Georgia but at least we won. And Ohio State pulled it out but can you please start playing better than that?

Well at least Peyton Manning can start the game for the Colts tonight but unfortunately the center Jeff Saturday cannot. I really hope we win and play well tonight. I will be putting on my lucky Colts rubber bracelet today and not taking it off all season. I hope it still has some luck left in it.

Well at least Jamie and I have the weekend to spend time with Peyton. It is so hard during the week because we only get to spend time with her for about 1-1.5 hours a day. She gets tired now and wants to go to bed at 6:30-7. I feel so lucky to have the weekends to catch up on my cuddling and playing. And yesterday she was hamming it up with these crinkled nose smiles and walking back and forth to Jamie and from the couch to the ottoman.

Well at least Peyton can scoot around on her bottom everywhere. She might not can crawl but believe me she can get where she wants to go. Yesterday she ended up under the kitchen chair and then couldn't get back out without help!

Well at least Peyton is getting a little bit of hair on the top of her head. I bought a bow yesterday because she needs one and people still think she is a boy!

And at least I have this blog to keep up with my friends' lives and tell them what I am thinking.

Have a good day!

Homework and other tidbits

Homework is called "homework" for a reason. It means do it at home. When your child is 4 years old, they don't know how to do it themselves. You have to help them. Oh well. If you weren't committed to helping your 4 year old learn, then why put them in private school???

I actually had a day today in which no one was in time out. Hallelujah! Today was a great day!

I can't wait for football to start this weekend. I can't wait for my fall shows to start, as early as next week. Although the Hills already started and it is everything a drama queen could ask for.
Monday is Prison Break and One Tree Hill. Both had huge cliffhangers and I can't wait to see what will happen. When will Michael find out that Sara is still alive? Will Lucas choose Peyton, Brooke, or Lindsay to go to Vegas and get married? We will all stay tuned to find out...

Things I Have Learned in the First Year of Being a Dad

Since Amanda is always blogging, I decided to take a page from her book and write one myself. Today Peyton is 11 months old and it got me to thinking about all the things I have learned the past year about being a dad.

1. I really enjoyed the first few months and holding a small baby. Not to say I don't love holding her now, but she doesn't let me cradle her like she did when she was smaller. She is more independent and I really wish I had cherished that little thing more.
2. No matter how many people tell me that "Da da" is easier to say than "Ma ma", it doesn't take away the specialness of her saying it first. I read and talked to her every night before she was born and I really think that had a lot to do with it being her first word. It might not have been but it really disappoints me when people try to trivialize such a special moment for me. It in no way affects the way it made me feel when she said my name the first time, but why people look to take that away from me or any parent will always astonish me.
3. I try to never let anything else come before spending time with my child. She grows and changes so fast that I can miss big events just by being a work. So I make the time, as much as I can possibly spare, to spend with her. I will just lie down on the floor and let her talk to me or tell her about my day. As I look back now I can't believe it has almost been a year and I can't tell you where the time went.
4. When they are playing by themselves, I like to just sit and watch her. It is amazing to look at all her expressions and how she studies things. She learns things quickly and sometimes it is almost like I witness that little light bulb going off when she makes a discovery.
5. I occasionally take lazy afternoons and just let my daughter sleep on my chest or beside me on the couch for a few hours. Believe me, their is no better way to spend my time and I feel so close to her at those moments.
6. No matter how bad my day is or how frustrated I may be, seeing my child takes it all away. She smiles or hugs me and all the things that make the world a bad place seem to disappear at that moment. That is the power of a child's love.
7. Trips and vacations will never be the same and I am really glad about that. I do miss going to the beach or pool and staying all day, but seeing my daughter discover the sand and ocean for the first time more than outweighs these things.
8. The night my daughter was born will be etched into my memory forever. I can tell you every detail of that night without a moments pause. It is one of those life changing moments that I will never forget and I am thankful for that.
9. I have read a lot of books on parenting and listened to a lot of other parents but when it comes right down to it, no one knows what's best for my child better than me and my wife. So now I just have learned to listen to the advice and take it all with a grain of salt. If I feel it is right, I may follow it. But if I don't and my child is healthy and not developmentally challenged because of me, then I think I am doing a pretty good job as a parent.
10. The last thing is a big one for me. I have come to realize that a daughter is really what I was meant to have for a first child. I think every man envisions having a son but I think my daughter has taught me so much more. I have become less selfish and more loving and I feel that the fact that she is a girl has helped me to get to that point. She is more delicate and more affectionate and I think I needed a little extra of that in my life. And I will always be thankful to her for helping me get there. In the end, I realize I should be grateful to God for just having a healthy child and I thank him every day for that.

Well, the 10 things I wrote above that I have learned these past 11 months are definitely not all the knowledge I have gained. But to me, they are the most important.

Although being able to change even the worst dirty diaper with one wipe is a handy skill to have also.

School is a germy place

You would think a hospital is a germy place, but a school- let me tell you. All day I watch my kids put their pencils and crayons in their mouths, nose, behind their ears- wherever they can. All day I say "Do not put your pencils in your mouth or nose." but do they listen? No. They are 4 years old.
Then as they wipe their nose on their hands and then dig their hands into the crayon bucket I think to myself,"is there any way to sanitize crayons?"
And they get up to wash their hands pretty often during the day (with one squirt of soap and one paper towel) but right after they wash their hands they say, "I have to go potty." It is a useless cycle.
Peyton has gotten sick. Not saying it came from school but it did. She threw up twice today and doesn't want to eat and is very tired and had a fever at one point. I feel so helpless when she is sick and I just want to cry because I can't stop it.
Tomorrow is my first semi-field trip. The police, firemen, and ambulance services are coming to school for our lesson on Community Helpers. It should be very exciting. And stressful.
Well, more on that later. Here is a link to my school if anyone wants to see my classroom pictures.
Just go to www.peachtreeacademy.com, click on teacher pages. Go to the last page and click on Private Pre-K Newsletter. You should see it there.

5 Things I have learned in the last week

1. No matter how many times you tell a 4 year old to not make a mess while eating, they still make a mess on their hands, mouths, noses, eyes, hair, shirts, tables, chairs, and floor around them.
2. Being a teacher of any kind is a lot harder than people think and a lot more time goes into the preparation that anyone thinks. I mean, you have to get the summers off just to make up for all the time you spend at home during the school year making flashcards and checking homework and planning lessons.
3. It is really hard to tell a parent that their child has been bad that day even though all day you told that child that you were going to tell their mommy and daddy about their bad behavior.
4. I miss my Peyton every second of the day. I am so thankful and glad I got the 10 months at home with her that I did but I miss her so much. I don't even mind too much when she cries at night because it means I get to hold her close.
5. I also miss my hubby and my friends and getting to talk normally to adults and being able to say "Darn" or "shut up" if I want to.

Bonus: Preseason NFL football really means nothing to me because the star and best players either do not play or do not play to their fullest potential so when the season starts, we'll see about my Colts losing to anyone's inferior teams... :)

Classroom pictures!

This is the main work area for arts and crafts, writing, and drawing.

My desk and Birthday board

So this may be short but I can share the pictures I took of my classroom. They were taken at rest time- my favorite part of the day! Other than that, I'm beat so I will blog more tomorrow!

Here are the activity centers and the cubbies for their naptime blankets!

Here are their bookbags and the not-so-good apple tree I made!

Today the class was AMAZED by a magnifying glass and some things we looked at with it. If I had known that, I would have gotten it out Monday morning!

New job, new life

Hello! Sorry it has been so long. I'm sure the 2 people who read this were wondering where I've been! I got a new job! And it is an actual career stepping stone! I am now a Pre-kindergarten teacher! I have 10 students (6 boys and 4 girls) and we have been through 2 days of school so far. The second day was much better than the first. The first day they used words like "butts" and "penis" but today was much calmer. Thank goodness! I was really nervous yesterday but it seems to get better the more control I feel like I have over them!
One student who just showed up today didn't actually say any words to me until about 12:00pm today. I would ask her questions and she would just stare at me. No nods, no shakes, no words. I was a little worried about it. Finally she started talking during our math flash card game. I guess she gets excited by numbers! Tomorrow I hope she actually forms a complete sentence in conversation with me. The funny part is, she is the only student who can already read, and her parents say she can write as well. So she could at least write me a note telling me "yes, more milk please" or "no, I'm done." :)
In the meantime, Jamie and Peyton are adjusting to me going back to work. Lucky for me (I think) Peyton is in the same school as me, right next door. We literally share a wall of our classrooms. When I was setting up, I could hear her crying and it broke my heart. And I have to duck when I walk by her room so she doesn't see me because when she does, she starts crying. Her teacher says she is getting better every day and the afternoons are better than the mornings. They must be because they made handprints today with paint. What a task to take on!
So I feel very lucky to have a teaching position now and I hope it is the beginning of a great career. I still have to go back to school eventually and also get a temporary certification until I get a degree. So that will be fun. I'm not sure when I will start. We'll have to see how the year goes!
Tomorrow I will try to take some pictures of my class and classroom! It is so cute I think! And as long as I take a picture in the morning before lunch they won't have food and milk on their faces.

Tired after vacation?

Well, we are back from the beach and I think we are all more tired than we were before. I now have about 4 loads of laundry to do, get my car washed, get groceries because we have none, go to the bank, pick up my mail. Why is there so much to do? And I am already tired. Although I think Peyton was as glad to get back in her bed as we were- she slept all night!

But we had the best time and Peyton especially loved it. We decided that with a baby, vacation is not really vacation because you are doing the same things you do at home, but just doing it somewhere different.

Peyton loved the beach and the water! Jamie would take her down to the surf and lift her everytime the waves were coming. He said she would yell at the waves when they were coming and then once they had passed, she would clap! She had the biggest smiles on her face!


Also, we discovered that instead of loading your arms up with chairs and sun tents and other unnecessary beach items, you will have a lot more fun with just a towel and an umbrella. And a bucket of fresh water to cool everyone off isn't a bad idea either.


It is a good thing we have a digital camera because we took 562 pictures while we were gone. A little overboard maybe, but hopefully a few great ones are in there. Here are a few I like:

Also, check out Amanda Cassidy's blog for more details on our trip. She says she will outline it all, day by day! http://www.thecassidycrew.blogspot.com/.

In the end, we are back home. I am doing more laundry than normal and still have no groceries because I spent half of my afternoon in Toys R Us and Babies R Us looking for a jumperoo. Although I didn't find the jumperoo that I was looking for, I did find another great deal- Gerber 2packs were 10 for $10 and then I also got 10% off. And Peyton got more balls for her ball pit. I bought a bag of 250 balls that somehow only had 222 balls in it. I am debating whether or not to go back and complain. We'll see I guess.

Great food and great deals

Peyton at the table with a Gerber star- she paused for a photo op.

Today was a day I had been looking forward to all week because I was going to eat lunch at my favorite Japanese steakhouse with my friends and Peyton (who dined on Cheerios and Gerber star puffs.) It was everything I hoped it would be. The food was delicious and I so much enjoyed getting to talk to people for a whole hour! I enjoy staying home as much as anyone could but there sure isn't alot of two-way communication going on with Peyton during the day. Well, I take that back. There is a lot of mumbles, yells, lots of "na!" when her food isn't coming fast enough. But there are also lots of laughs, smiles, and kisses going around so it makes up for the lack of intelligent conversation.

I also got a great deal on our 2nd convertible car seat (Sorry Amanda) because I asked the Toys R Us people to use both a 15% and a $20 off coupon and they did! I was shocked because it said you couldn't but maybe with the economy the way it is, they decided they wanted to make the sale and make me happy so I would come back and browse all the clearance items! So it was a good deal and good deals make my day!

Speaking of good deals, Jamie told me about a contest at his work that ends tomorrow where they are raffling off a Wii and a laptop. The tickets are $1 each so I am going to go through my piggy banks and see how many tickets I can buy. I really want them both. I wonder if you can win two items...wish me luck on at least one.

That's it for today- still have lots of packing to do. Tomorrow you will see why it has taken me a week to pack.

Day 1 of blogging

A cute picture I decided had to be shared...

So all day I have been thinking of something creative I could blog about that would be entertaining to read and still true. I didn't come up with anything, but you can read my story anyway.
I have been thinking more today about Peyton's first birthday party and what we can do to make it special. She won't really remember it so I guess it needs to be special and fun for those we invite! I think I will have it in Orangeburg where many of my family lives, and then Jamie's family will make a short drive to be there too. The questions are: what time do you have it, where, what food do you serve, if there are kids there, do you need games or activities for a 1-year old's birthday party, if you have it at a restaurant, do people pay their own way? It is crazy to think that this has me thinking about all of this but I want it to be fun. (Although I will hold off on those huge inflatable bouncing things until Peyton can at least stand up or walk by herself.)
Speaking of that, don't you think Peyton would love a Nintendo Wii for her 1st birthday?

Also, when is it too early to start thinking of Halloween? Babies R Us thinks never since they already have their costumes out. And when you take a 1year old trick or treating, knowing you won't let them eat the candy, is that just a way to make up your money for the costume by getting candy from other people? I think so. Darn smart if you ask me. I hope people spring for Snickers and Sweet tarts. Those are Peyton's favorites. :)

Lastly, I want to say that I went to Chic-fil-A today with Jamie and Peyton and they are some of the nicest people you could meet in any fast food place. Their high chairs have disinfecting wipes on them for you to use, their employees say "my pleasure" when you say thank you, and the Polynesian sauce speaks for itself. Don't you think?

All my friends are doing it...

So, after reading these awesome blogs from friends of mine that are dedicated, I feel like I am more involved in their lives and know what's going on. It makes me feel closer to them so I decided that everyone could also share in our everyday lives and keep in touch. So thanks Amanda and Libby- you have inspired me.
Today I continued to pack for our first week-long vacation since Peyton came along. I started packing last Friday and we don't leave til this Saturday. But whatever-I want to be prepared. I am getting excited and it will be good to see family and friends on our trip! The most exciting thing so far is that I realized I can fit the super-cool wagon and the good stroller in my car, along with the millions of toys, food, and clothes we will need for the week. This is one less stress for me to be worrying about the rest of the week! Yay!
Peyton has learned in the last few weeks how to clap on her own, wave (when she wants to,) and give kisses to Jamie and I when we ask or when her face comes close to ours and she wants a kiss. It is truly the cutest thing that has ever happened to me and I love it so much!
She has also somehow taken over our living room with her toys and I am trying to think of ones I can move or put away but she still plays with them all right now. So until people come over, I guess it can just stay that way.
I will try as my friends have to be a dedicated blogger for those of you who care enough to read every now and then.
Have a great day!