Eli + Maddie

Maddie and her Mommy spent some time in Alabama last week, and we certainly enjoyed the time with them!

Maddie was being silly here...sticking her stinky diaper in big cuz's face!  : )

Cousin love!

The cousins also loved playing in the curtains!

"Hey Mannnneee!"

Pretty Maddie-cakes!

This picture cracks me up...if that's not my kid....

Tia and the babies!

Nothing like a game of peek-a-boo to end the weekend!

We sure do enjoy our play time with little cuz.  We're excited to see her, her mommy, AND her daddy this weekend for big cuz's birthday party!

My SIXTH Classroom

I say this every year, but wow, six years?  In some ways, I still consider myself a new teacher-so much to learn!  I think that's one thing I love about teaching.  I'm constantly striving to improve myself.  I love that every year (and class, student) is different.  Let me just say, pinterest has revolutionized my classroom.  There are so many great ideas for lessons and decorating out there!

Welcome to my third grade classroom!

AR board (I've gone with an owl theme this year)

Jobs board-student pictures will be placed beside their job assignment, and cubbies

The view from my desk (probably the most wasted space in the whole room, I never sit there!)

I angled my small group table into the corner to give a little more room when you walk in the door.

It's a little glaring, but the math focus wall.

I have a new treasure chest this year.  My kids always sat on my old one, and it was a bit wonky and the lid always collapsed.  So, Wesley built me a new one, that gives me room for a treasure chest and extra storage inside.  I sewed new curtains and seat cushions for the box.  I have got to finish the pillows this weekend (that match the top floral panel).

My classroom door - the class of 2022 - seems crazy!!

Where student work will be displayed outside!

Back to School

It's been quiet here on the blog, and for good reason - we've gone back to work!

I've been in my classroom, workshops, and meetings for weeks now.  However, Eli started back to school on Monday.  He's in a new classroom, but one of his teachers is the same and there are several of the same kids in there.  I think he's glad to be back with his friends and everyone there was happy to see him!  His friend Lilly ran up to him as soon as we got there on Monday and screamed, "heyyy Le-li!"  : )

Per Petty family tradition, first day of school pictures on the front porch!  : )

Eli looks terrified here, haha!

Still not so sure....

Beginning to be his usual self...

This one cracks me up.  I think Nana and Puddin' will appreciate it most, and he did this on his own!  My sister and I always insisted on having pictures taken of the back of our outfits as well!  : )

Showing off his shoes...fancy!

Silly Eli!  Headed to the 2 year old class!

Hey...who's the cute baby that snuck in for a picture?!!

 It's Maddie-kins!!!!  More on her later!  : )

23 Months Old

As usual, I'm late posting this, but we've been busy around here!  I can't believe we are just weeks away from turning 2.  I have REALLY enjoyed my summer home with my boy.  He's changing, growing, and developing so many ideas and has such personality!  Mommy and Daddy love you soo, soo much squirmy bug!

News headlines: the Supreme Court upholds Obama's Healthcare, Nora Ephron, Sherman Hemsley (George Jefferson), and Phil Neel (creator of Aubie) all pass away, Aurora, CO, theater tragedy at Batman midnight movie premier

Milestones:  You communicate regularly and easily with speech, you know to kick when you swim, you recognize letters O and E, you can sing parts of the alphabet song (and know/sing phrases in other songs at the appropriate time), you are very familiar with the iphone-you love to post pictures to Instagram!  : )

Measurements:  Size 4 diapers, size 24 mths/2T clothes (some 18 mths in shorts), size 6 shoes, at least 32/33"+ tall

Favorite toys/games:  You LOVE to laugh and be silly, the iPad and the iPhone are still high on your list, and you love to play chase or hide and seek.  You also love just being outside.  Of course anything Elmo or Buzz are favorites!  You also LOVE to read books!

Words:  You will attempt anything.  Last night you said a new word, "opposites" - and it was clear as a bell, and then proceeded to say tall/short, outside/inside (those with a little prompting)!  We thought that was pretty good for someone who's not even 2 yet!

Challenges: Not too many. Those pesky 2 year molars are coming in and giving us some problems.  From time to time you like to test your limits and explore your boundaries.  Time-out is nothing new to you.

Our Days:  Our days are VERY laid back; summer is fantastic!  You go to bed around 10 (yikes, I know), but sleep until 9:30 or 10:00 the next morning-always sleeping through the night (this time last year that never happened).  We all wake up about the same time around here.  We eat a small breakfast and run errands or play.  We try to do the pool or splash pad several times a week.  You take a 2ish hour nap around 2:30 or 3.  We love all being home together!  You and Mommy are getting very spoiled, it's going to be difficult on both of us going back to school!

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy AND Daddy's Favorite:  Watching you play and interact with your cousin, Madelyn!

Upcoming Events: a few visits with Ginny, Nana/Puddin, Tia and Maddie, back to school, and of course turning TWO!

It was hard to choose a picture for this month, they all turned out good!  : )

Weekly Eats and Catching Up

I've been kind of in a blogging funk here lately.  I don't have a whole lot to say.  We haven't been doing too much, just clinging to our last few days of summer.  Actually, I'm at a workshop this week (bleh, at least it's in Auburn though - War Eagle!), so my summer has ended.

I have been trying to cook more this summer though, and thought I'd share our weekly menu.

Monday - homemade BBQ pizza (lunch), and OMG Chicken with green beans and biscuits (dinner)

Tuesday - taco night

Wednesday - chicken pot pie, white rice, and salad

Thursday - *Bible Study* (we eat there)

Friday - It's All-American night, we're having hot dogs and french fries and having our own little Olympics party while watching the Opening Ceremonies

Saturday - sausage/pancake bites (breakfast),  hamburger steak, potato medallions, peas, and corn (dinner)

Sunday - No Peek Chicken with brown rice, green beans, crescent rolls

Monday - spaghetti night

 *My husband has a very strong sweet tooth, and would prefer having dessert often, but I have weak will-power, ha!  So I try to limit our sweets and save it just for special occasions.

It's not gourmet, but it's not Chick fil A either (my favorite and highly frequented go-to meal).  Here's to hoping I can keep things up once school really gets going!  What's a good recipe I need to try?

Happy Birthday Maddie!!!

Last Sunday was our niece Madelyn's first birthday!  She had a sunshine party!

Big cuz and little cuz prior to the party!

It's not easy getting two kids to look and smile in the same direction at the same time!

My sister and her sweet family!

Maddie had birthday cupcakes.  She loved everyone singing too her, and loved the cupcake too!

Maddie's daddy built her a sandbox mansion for her birthday.  Maddie and Eli enjoyed playing in it all week!

The family

...including my cousin, Justin, his wife Rachel, and their two girls Megan and Jenna---they also live in Texas, and we hadn't seen them since Maddie was born last year!

We played a few rounds of Bananagrams a couple of nights.  I had never played before, but it's a lot of fun!  It's kind of like playing Scrabble with yourself.

Happy 1st Birthday Maddie-cakes!  We love you so, so much and are looking forward to seeing you again soon!

Ft. Worth Zoo

Hello from Texas!!!

We're in the Dallas area visiting with my sister and her family.  In fact, our whole family is here - it's the first time we've all been together since Christmas!

Before everyone got here, my sister, husband, and I took the kids to the zoo in Ft. Worth!

Maddie and Eli, formerly known as big cuz and little cuz, now they're about the same size!  : )

I love this one....

I may or may not have sung, When I was a young warthog...

Eli loved watching "momma and baby!"

This happened to be the only picture we got of Wesley and I this day.  Happy 3 year anniversary to us!

We didn't make it to the penguins (I know...penguins in Texas?).  The babies were in need of naps, so we called it a day!  We sure do love getting to play all day with Maddie-cakes!