Uncle Scott's Birthday!

Wednesday was Uncle Scott's birthday so after daycare Landon and I headed to the store to buy him a card.  When we were walking into the store Landon said we had to buy him a birthday cake so we headed to pick one out.  Landon originally wanted to buy him a huge basketball cake but we decided to settle on a smaller one.  Landon then picked out a Car's Happy Birthday Grandson card.  We changed the Grandson to Grand Uncle!  That evening when they were in town they came over to play and eat cake.

Milk and chocolate cake!

Happy 27th Birthday Uncle Scotty!  

We're Growing!

Thirty One

I finally gave in and became a Thirty One consultant.  I am completely addicted to their products and as much as I have bought personally my consultant said I should just start selling it.  I was a little hesitant to jump in because I'm not one to push people to have parties or buy things but who doesn't love purses and bags. I'm already off to a great start and it will be great "ME" time!  I figured if it doesn't work out at least I gave it a try.

I was so excited to see my pink box on the doorstep! 

My personal website is:

https://www.mythirtyone.com/398213/

It's still running...

Kurtis and Drew headed to Holdredge for their second derby competition.  They ended up in 4th place winning $700!!  This is what the car looked like after that night! 

 Even though the car looked like crap it still ran so they decided to try it again in Broken Bow.  Landon and I headed that direction with Drew's girlfriend for another night of smashing.  This time Kurtis decided to drive it and we'll just say he was a human target it or a giant punching bag.  After a snapped axel the first round and then getting hit pretty hard in the front the second round Kurtis was done.  

Landon really did have a great time, but this picture was taken around 10:30 at night and he was exhausted.  Kurtis' cousin Cody also came to join the fun.  

The trucks were really loud so Landon clogged his ears.  So adorable!  

Supporting #51! Go Daddy!  

First Week of School!

It is so hard to believe I am starting my seventh year of teaching. I can't believe how fast this summer went; however, it has been nice to get back in a routine.  Maybe...I'm just a little excited to teach for eight weeks and then have a new little baby and stay home for six weeks.  The first week went well but we'll just say that I was EXTREMELY tired each and everyday.  Going an extra hour the next week might be a challenge.  

My 2013-2014 class!  Only 18 students this year!

I didn't get a picture taken on my first day as Kurtis was already at work when I woke up that morning and by the time I got home I looked drained :)  

Anniversary and Birthday!

Kurtis and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary this year!  It was pretty uneventful because we both had to work that day and came home EXTREMELY exhausted.  Landon was with my parents that day and of course he didn't take a nap so going out that evening was out of the picture.  I guess we never did plan anything big/special because it was back to school time.  However, the next day we celebrated enjoying a great day as a family.  We went shopping all morning, then went to the Planes movie with Landon, (which he was dying to see) went out for supper and then went out for ice cream.  Definitely a fun day filled with things we love and don't always have a chance to do.

:(  Kurtis and I didn't even get a picture taken on our 5 year anniversary.

We were worried about Landon's first movie experience because #1 he hates the dark and #2 he doesn't like when the TV or music is loud.  However, he did fabulous.  He was so excited and of course loved the popcorn.  However, we went in the afternoon during his nap time so the poor little guy fell asleep about 40 minutes into the movie.  Oh well...he woke up still talking about the parts he did see. 

Then of course when we went shopping we didn't buy anything for ourselves but everything for Landon.  We hit the jackpot on new shirts he picked out his favorites:  Ninja Turtles, Jake the Pirate, Lightning McQueen, and Mater from Cars.  

Two days after our anniversary we also celebrated Kurtis' 29th birthday.  Landon kept talking about a cake so we had to go get Daddy his favorite; ice cream cake!  Landon also helped Kurtis work on his car so he was a tad dirty!

Wally even got a little piece!  

10 Weeks Left!

I am on the downhill slide with 10 weeks left.  I am sure this last 10 weeks is going to fly by as the school year is set to begin.  I have worked hard this summer to get my maternity plans started and I'm almost done!  It was definitely harder to do them this time around as I had not started school yet so I was basing my lessons on where I was last year; good thing I have an amazing maternity sub lined up.  

I am also heading to the doctor every two weeks which is nice.  After my last ultra sound I did not have a chance to ask the doctor any questions so this appointment I had several questions.  The doctor said the baby is developing as it should and all it's body parts are in proportion; I'm just little. (Only gained 1 pound in  2 weeks)  She said the baby is in the 25th percentile right now so she is thinking I'm just going to have a little baby.  She was saying it will probably be just at 7 pounds.  Landon was almost 8.  When she measured me this time around I was at 30 cm which matched up with where I should be.  She was a little more careful at measuring this time.  

Heartbeat:  140's

NCSM Conference

Earlier in the year I was asked by our district Elementary Director to attend a math conference in Columbus, Ohio on Formative Assessment in Support of Common Core Standards.  I was a little hesitant about going at first as I would be 7 months pregnant, gone three days away from my family and of course it was the week before I had to head back to school.  However, I figured... how often do you get to go on a trip fully paid by your district out of state.  So, I decided to go for it!

Sunday afternoon I met the elementary director, middle/high school math coach, elementary math coach and a high school math teacher at the airport for our journey.  We traveled from Grand Island to Fort Worth/Dallas, then off to Ohio.

Our group stayed at the Embassy Suites in Ohio.  I shared a room with the middle/high school math coach.  I was a little worried as she was the one I didn't know very well; however, I really got to know her.  

Our conference ran Monday-Wednesday.  The first day we were a little disappointed with the organization of the conference along with the material they presented.  It definitely wasn't what we were expecting. A lot of the information presented was regarding formative assessment; however, it was information we already knew and do.  As a group we hoped for the best and for new information to be shared the following days.  Sadly it wasn't.....It made us feel good though that as a district we are on the ball.  There were a few parts we plan to take back to our task force team/district.  Our director felt bad for bringing me to a conference that wasn't as good as they usually are; however, we had a TON of fun together with lots of laughter so it was worth it.  

In the evenings we enjoyed happy hour (Cranberry Juice for this mommy) at the hotel and then AMAZING meals for supper. The first night our shuttle driver recommended Brio-a Tuscan Grille which was in a development called Easton.  The food was so good and of course when they asked if we wanted to see a dessert menu we all said yes.  That was until it was a "real" menu.  I couldn't resist the strawberry cheesecake!  While in Ohio we also ate at Qudoba,The Rusty Bucket, Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream, TGI Fridays (Where I got the Tennessee Whiskey Brownie) and Wolfgang Puck Gourmet. Pretty sure that after being told by my doctor prior to the trip I was small, my appointment next week I am sure she'll be surprised that I gained 5 pounds.  

Day 2 of the conference ETA handed everyone out a free $100 gift card to purchase classroom resources/supplies.  I was extremely EXCITED!!  Irene even won a classroom subscription to an internet resource for her students valuing $800.  It was our lucky day!

Easton was absolutely beautiful!  There were so many different restaurants and places to shop.  I was so bummed we couldn't have spent more time there in the evenings.  There were hundreds of different stores, they had everything from American Girl, Lego, Sketchers, NorthFace, etc. I did end up buying Landon a present at the Lego store while I was there.  He was very excited for my arrival Sunday night to see what I had brought him.  

 While we were waiting for our shuttle Greg said I should go down and check out Hot Mama; he was joking that it was probably a store full of maternity clothes and baby supplies. He gave us all a laugh with continuing jokes, then we decided we should take a picture and send to Kurtis.   

Then of course I had to take a picture of my airplane for Landon.  Prior to leaving I prepped him telling him I was going on a trip in an airplane.  He couldn't stop talking about mommy's airplane.  Overall, I had a wonderful trip and got to know 4 other colleagues very well.  However, I was definitely missing my little boy and tired of sitting all day everyday.  We flew back to GI Wednesday evening and arrived around 10:05 p.m.  By the time I got home it was probably 10:45; however, my little boy was still wide awake ready to see his mommy.  I was so ready to go to bed but needless to say we were up until midnight playing with his new Legos and cuddling.