A day off...

Vivi had her 15 month old check up today and shots so I decided to take a day off to be with her.  Her chubby little baby legs have three bandaids on them from her shots. :(  She actually likes going to the doctor until someone has to touch her.  She says hello to everyone in the waiting room and all the nurses, loves looking at the pictures of babies on the walls, she likes counting the cars as we look out the window, and points out the Utica Square clock every time.  Right after the shots were finished and the nurse left the room, Vivi said "Bye Bye" as a tear rolled down her cheek.  Like she was saying, "Don't worry, nurse, no hard feelings.  I know I have to get my shots to be healthy."  She's such a sweet little girl.

So, now we're home, had some lunch, and Vivi's sleeping soundly.  I should get up and clean my house, do yard work, or something productive.  Instead I'm in my bed with my laptop.  What the heck, right?

I'm thinking about projects to do around the house.  I'm going to go through my Easter stuff and get that all out to decorate.  It is only a little over a month away.  I found an idea on Pinterest that I'm recreating.  Here's their picture....I'll have to show you mine when I actually finish it.  It will be slightly different.

Source: taliaaudenart.blogspot.com via Caryn on Pinterest

I'm also thinking about this house that we decided to stay in for another year.  There are so many things I want to do to this house, but we just don't want to put money into it since it will soon be a rent house.  But my itch for change is getting the best of me.  Paint, after all, is cheap.  The two areas I want to refresh are my hallway and my dining room.  I desperately want a new dining room table but won't buy one until we know what our next dining room and house will look like.  So maybe I'll just change the paint and accessories.  The hallway is a smaller project I'd like to take on during Spring Break.  I have a very small hallway and want to do a gallery wall....much like this....

Source: community.apartmenttherapy.com via Caryn on Pinterest

This picture is great because that is the exact layout of my hallway.  But I also don't just want everything to be black and white...that's what I have now.  Here is another inspiration:

Source: houzz.com via Caryn on Pinterest

Or maybe this....

Source: aestheticoutburst.blogspot.com via Caryn on Pinterest

We have collected over the years a nice variety of prints, photos, posters, etc.  What really stinks is that our house is so small and all of the walls are currently occupied, that most of these treasures are stored away waiting for a bigger house.  I think I can incorporate some of them into a gallery wall though.  We'll see.  Frank thinks I'm crazy....he thinks it already looks fine, why change it?  Good point, however maybe these projects will keep me satisfied for the next year while we stay in this little house.

Happy President's Day!

I don't usually post classroom ideas on this blog, but this one turned out so cute that I thought I would share.  This wasn't my idea...it's borrowed, of course.  Most of my great lessons are borrowed...the beauty of teaching.  I saw the Abe Lincoln faces on Pinterest and then a teacher friend of mine gave me the poem idea.  I just like the graphic way these Abe's look in the hallway.  ;)

Time for a change...

One word to describe how I'm feeling lately....Frumpy.  It's time for a change. There's something about motherhood that make you put yourself last.  You hear people say that and it's so true.  It also has a lot to do with being a working mom.  I know that being a mom is the hardest job in the world, but I honestly think being a working mom is even harder.  Sometimes when I catch a glimpse of myself at school I honestly cringe.  I've gotten in the habit of just grabbing whatever doesn't have to be ironed, throw it on, and I'm out the door.  I have about 35 minutes to get ready before I have to get Vivi up in the mornings, so that usually means I'm out the door with semi wet hair.  Not a good look when it dries.

Our cute friends, Mitch and Amber, came to visit us a couple of weekends ago and they're both so darn cute and hip.  Great style.  Frank and I used to be like that. Now, not so much.  Seeing them made me want to get out of this funk.  (Side note: they don't have kids yet) :)

So, I called my hairdresser a couple weeks ago to make an appointment and she couldn't get me in for a month!  Good for her, bad for me.  So, I'm using this opportunity to try another salon.  I've been with her for 10 years and I do feel like I'm cheating, but I'm secretly excited to see what someone else can do with me.  I'm kind of a blank slate right now...long and straight hair, not much to it.  So, I've been researching on Pinterest some ideas for my hair.

I REALLY like the long layers below....

Source: etsy.com via Caryn on Pinterest

And I really like the color on this picture, although I'm just planning on getting some highlights....I can't have too much of an up-keep....

Source: google.com via Caryn on Pinterest

And the bangs....oh, the bangs....

Source: google.com via Caryn on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Caryn on Pinterest

I love both of their bangs but I also know that wouldn't look the same on me.  I have a ridiculous cowlick (Wow. Is that really how you spell that?)  right in the middle of my extremely large forehead.  It takes a lot of blow-drying to make my bangs go in one direction.  Again, I'm looking forward to a new perspective on my bangs too.

So, stay tuned.  I go in a couple of weeks.  If I meet the miracle worker then I'll put a picture on the blog.  If you don't see any pictures up in a few weeks, then I probably look the same as always...Frumpy...

What A Difference A Year Makes

Valentine's Day 2011 vs. Valentine's Day 2012

Vivi LOVED Valentine's Day today.  You should have heard her squeal when she was opening all of her cards and goodies (none of which she can actually eat) from her friends at school.  I should have known she would love Valentine's day.  After all, she loves when the mail comes everyday.  It's the simple things, isn't it?

V's Valentines

When I picked up Vivi from her babysitter's house last week she gave me the list of kids in her "class" for Valentine's Day.  I laughed out loud.  It never occurred to me that I would need to get Vivi Valentines for her friends. :)  While Vivi is still young and can't get made fun of for giving fruit....fruit it is!  This year we're giving apples - "You're the apple of my eye!"  Next year maybe we'll give bananas - "I'm going bananas over you!"or pairs - "We make a great pear!"

All Bundled up

I just love my little sweet pea SO much!  She's finally letting me put on her hat and it's just too darn cute not to share.  And, those teeth....I just love those little teeth!  It's amazing how much she looks like her daddy when she wears a hat.  Happy Winter!