Enjoying time while it lasts!

Last night, I realized that I haven't been taking my pictures lately!

My sister just blogged about NOT documenting some of my sweet nieces first 'real steps' and just enjoying the moment WITHOUT a camera in her hand! A mommy's hands are much more suited for clapping, squeezing cheeks, and holding little hands...

But in the world of a blogging Mommy, pictures are a must...so, here's what I have from the past few days!

Last weekend rang in LOTS of family time with our most favorite people!

My Aunt Pattie was visiting from Florida, so my parents threw together a fantastic party at their house, complete with home made ice cream!

The next morning, we were back with all of the same people for the annual Richard Reunion!

The only pictures I have from any of these two parties are these 2...of the kids blowing and chasing bubbles...and one of an extremely large spider. Which I won't show you.

....trying desperately to keep up with Josh!


Whether I like to admit it or not, I've been spending quite a bit of time in my classroom lately! This fall will begin my 6th year of teaching and I've always been 'that teacher' who spends lots of summer time in the building preparing for the next group of kids.
Most people would be suprised at the amount of work that needs to be done throughout those summer months! I've heard a million jokes about 'how tough' my job is to have 3 whole months "off" every year.
Off?
For real?
Not quite. Thank you very much.

One person who really does understand is my Mom. Brooke's awesome Nana!
Let me just say, that there is NO WAY I could survive without my parents.
Even though this is my Mom's summer vacation too, they enjoy keeping Brooke anytime I need to get away to get some things done. My mom knows what it's like to need a few days here and there to get a classroom ready, and she's kept Brooke a lot for me this summer so that I can prepare for fall.
I don't know if I say it enough...but THANKS MOM! We love you so much!

Let me also say that there have been a few days where Brooke has made the trip to IVMS room 207 with her Mommy, as well.
When I have small jobs to do, or a short list of things to take care of, there's no reason to take up my Mom's time...so Brooke just comes along.

She's not wild about my school...it's big and dark and kinda creepy in the summer. So, she stays close until we've been there for a little while and she feels brave enough to get down and look around.
We listen to the radio, color pictures with Mommy's art supplies, and even read children's books from my collection!On Monday, Brooke slept in until 11:30 (I think it was Tylenol induced since she spiked a 101.4 fever the night before!) so by the time she got up, she was eating breakfast for lunch!
I packed us a cooler full of other lunch-time goodies and headed for school.

She sat at my desk, typed on my keyboard, looked at pictures, and drew me lots of beautiful colored-pencil masterpieces!
The peanut butter and jelly sandwhich, complete with apple slices and milk, make me want to title these pictures "School Lunch." HeHe!


I could cry.
I have 30 desks in my room. And they never seemed so big.
Or is it Brooke that is so big?
Maybe both, but LOOK at her!
In 10 short years, my baby girl will be sitting behind these desks as a sixth grader.
I'm thinking I'll be able to use this picture someday down the road...
Let's change the subject. Before I cry.

Last night, we FINALLY made it to the Youth Fair as a family of 3!
We had tried to meet up with Stacie and Anna on the first night of the fair, but things were still being set up and organized for the animals, so nothing was really open for guests.

Remember my group of 8th grade girls that I just adore?

The lovely, gorgeous girl laying across my lap in the 'babysitter' picture above, is very involved in our Youth Fair...and I was SO PROUD of her last night!

This was "Spike's" cow, Marvin!

Say HI Marvin!!

Brooke professed that she would like to 'touch Marvin,' but chickened out at every chance!
She stayed right on my hip and just smiled!

My sweet Spike also took us to see the pigs. This one sneezed on my ankle.

Isn't she beautiful!?

She's been working so hard this week, showing animals and taking care of all of the responsibilities that come with farming... She took Brooke to see lots of different cows from her farm, and also to the bunnies and goats!

I could have stayed and visited with Spike for HOURS! I've missed her and the other girls so much! We actually ran into some of the other 8th graders and I saw WAY TOO MANY former students walking around this fair...but I love these kids. And it was really great to see them 'out and about!'

This is what happens...

...when Brooke fights her afternoon naps...

...and when Daddy gets up super early for work...

...they both crash within minutes of each other. In the exact same position.

Life is good.