Home Away From Home

As promised, here are pictures of where I spend the majority of my time. Yes, it's a bright and cheery place although maybe on the too busy side. I went with a polka dot theme this year which incorporated the Very Hungry Caterpillar and decorations from Gavin's first birthday. I love being able to reuse things.






All that is missing are 18 pint sized children running around!

What a Teacher Looks Like

The other day, someone asked me what I do and I replied that I was a kindergarten teacher. The response I received was one that I have heard more than once- "You look like a teacher."

Now let me pause to say, "What in the world does that mean?" I looked down to survey my wardrobe. No denim jumper. Check. No apples or school houses appliqued to my outfit. Check.

Do these people realize that I had a career in the corporate world that latest longer than the four years I have been a teacher? Would the suits and high heels give away the fact that I wasn't a teacher then or did I still have that teacherish quality when I had meetings in the board room?

Some days I begin to believe I am a teacher but others I wonder if I am playing a part. Being the student that I am, did I just study and learn how to be a teacher through books and observation or is it really in me? Time may only tell.

Check back tomorrow to see pictures of where I now conduct my meetings. The scenery is a little different from the board room.

Happy Grandparent's Day

D. and I are blessed to each still have a set of grandparents that we lovingly adore. And Gavin gets to not only have them in his life but our parents as his grandparents.

Happy Grandparents' Day to:

Poppy and Nee

Me Me and Grandaddy

Thanks for all of the hugs, snacks, play time and trips in my car/wagon.
~Love, Gavin

Laboring Day

Our photography downloading capacity had been severely hampered, but things seem to be back up and running now with the exception that my camera card ate some of my pictures. To say that this Labor Day weekend was a much needed reprieve from laboring is an understatement. Sunday was the first day in about three or four weeks that D was home with us for a full day. My right hand man who I count on for so much has been working looonnggg hours. Since he had to be back to work on Monday (yep- a national holiday), we took Sunday to soak in all of our time together.

Because of the Mother's Day finger painting debacle of 2009, we haven't made, I mean given, Gavin the chance to finger paint until this weekend. Remember this picture?

Well, it pretty much scared us from attempts for more than a year. He's had plenty of other art experiences though. However, we decided it was time to role up the sleeves and try it again. This time, to our delight, he thoroughly enjoyed finger painting and we never once had to tell him not to put his fingers in his mouth.

After enjoying painting in the outdoors (baking in the sun), it was time to hit the pool. We most certainly cooled off in the low 80 degree water temps. Gavin didn't seem to mind and was his usually little fishy self.

Nothing like a cool treat poolside, but suddenly our two year old looks thirty. Don't worry- it's a fudge pop, not dirt this time.
The other exciting news of this weekend is that Gavin has upgraded from a high chair to a booster seat. He literally danced around when I was setting it up. I think he feels so big. He's decided, on his own, that it's his duty to make sure each one of us has a napkin at dinner.

Here's to a short work week!

This is for You Nana

My grandmother quite sweetly told me tonight that she knows how busy I am because my blog posts are few and far between. Interpreted, get to posting Abbey! Okay, so Nana even though tonight I filled you in on what's going on, this one's for you.

I know it's not good to wish time away but I feel that since tomorrow starts off September it has to mean fall is here (in 90 degree temps) then Christmas and thus half the school year is just right around the corner. Blame my poor attitude on fatigue. I know it will get better. It's just right now, there's not enough hours in the day to get things done, so I'm a little sleep deprived.

Now that the miniature violin has played a melodious tune for my whining, I'll move on. Gavin is saying more words every day. Lately he's added the following words: eat, read, more, banana, nim for vitamin, hide and shark. While he's his own person, I see so much of me in the ways things have to be just right. If I'm not closing the kitchen cabinets, he's one step behind me letting me know the "door" needs to be closed. He is also a creature of habit. The way we get him up in the morning has to follow the routine and instead of wanting a glass of water like a regular kid, he has to have vasoline rubbed on his nose and the dry skin on his knee before he goes to bed. When I blow dry his hair after a bath, he has to brush my hair with not just one but two brushes. If you give that kid a ride in his car or fly him around the room, he'll remember it and that will be your role every time he sees you.

I also see a lot of his daddy in him from his smile to his playful nature. Gavin will sweetly tease and "chase" is his game of choice. He also has his daddy's charm and astonishing good looks. Speaking of D, he has been working hard for his money. We are cherishing all of the time we get right now.

As we head into fall (fingers crossed) I'm really hoping a more calm season of life will ensue. Nana - thanks for keeping me on my toes. Love ya'.

Lest I Should Forget

Today, God granted me a second glimpse at my baby. We have a full-fledged toddler running around the house, so sometimes it's hard to remember those infancy days. Gavin has never been much of a snuggler. Sure, I could hold him up until about the time he turned one when he took his last bottle, but he could pretty much care less that I ever rock him to sleep. The fact that he's so willing to just go right down in his crib and stay there for 12 plus hours is a blessing. However, I miss those snuggle times.

This afternoon, he was overly tired and it wasn't even quite his nap time. I think like his daddy and I, Gavin is feeling the effects of getting in the groove of school starting. I laid him down and he started crying hysterically. I thought it was because Eyore was in his bed (he has a small circle of animals that are allowed in), so I took the sad, gray animal out. That made matters worse. It seemed like no matter what we did, he wouldn't calm down. I ended up holding him and singing.

He almost instantly stopped crying (it's not because of my singing voice), but he still had those little cry hiccups that you get from crying so hard. As I sang a small repertoire of songs I used to sing to him, he gently stroked the hairs that had escaped from my pony tale and would rub the top of my arm with his hand. I noticed that his hand is slowly changing from a chubby baby hand into a slender little boy's. I sang to him until he drifted off with only the occasional hiccup. As I did, I thanked God for one more glimpse at those days that went all too fast.

Truthful Tuesday

1. I have a class full of 17 wonderful and energetic five year olds.

2. I am too tired to do a full blog post. See item number 1.

3. I fell asleep on the couch working on things for the past two nights only to finally go to bed early in the morning. Again, see item number 1.

3. School supplies are fantastic- especially a brand new pack of crayons.

4. I love it when Gavin wants me to hold him like he's a baby after he gets a bath even if he just thinks it's a fun game.

5. While we appreciate the overtime, I am so glad my hunny is getting home at a decent time this week.

6. I am having a hard time keeping the flowers watered since by the time everyone is fed and taken care of, it's dark. Watering in the dark is not easy.

7. I feel guilty when I don't water. See item number 6.

8. We are so blessed that Gavin has people who love him and take such great care of him while I'm at work.

9. My husband speaks my love language when he makes me coffee in the morning without me even asking.