Puppy Party

I can't believe that our little Izzy is 1 year old.  Her birthday was Feb 6.  Of course we HAD to have a party!!!  I put up streamers, made a cake and the kids got her presents.

The girls used chocolate chips to write Izzy's name on the cake.  It was darling.  Izzy was very dainty while eating her piece and Zoe just swallowed the whole piece instantly.

Happy Birthday IZZY!!!!

Sickness is HERE!

I am home with a sick little Caitlin today...  She has been so healthy this school year so far.   In the past, she has had a HORRIBLE cough for most of the winter.  This winter we have really lucked out, but the cough is here now.  It started right before our trip up north skiing.  On the drive home, Brett called in a script for her and we picked it up before even getting home.  I do love having this little perk in our family!!!!!

She came into my room about 4am this morning.  I decided to go back to her room with her so that Brett could get some sleep.  We both tried to sleep, but the cough was so bad.  At 4:45, we decided to move down to the living room and just watch TV.  She is so sweet when she doesn't feel well.  Lots of cuddle time today and hopefully a nap for both of us!

Blake was home yesterday because his school had no heat or water.  He was so excited to have the day off.  The girls weren't so thrilled that they had to get on the bus, while Blake was inside watching TV...

FINALLY...
Caitlin drives the snowmobile.  She is a little timid about driving things.  It took her a long time to ride her bike, drive the gator and even drive the snowmobile.  This year, she loves it.  We haven't had a ton of opportunity to drive it since we have had such little snow, but she definitely uses it as much as possible.

Crystal Mountain

What an AMAZING three days...  I started skiing at a very young age and then switched over to snowboarding at 18.  I have so many wonderful memories on the slopes as a kid!  Brett and I even went to Steamboat with a group of mutual friends and hung out the whole time there together when we were in college ---  we actually started talking and hanging out more because of that trip!  While dating, we spent many Saturday nights at the HILLS.

We have always wanted to do this as a family.  It seemed that I was always pregnant, nursing or chasing a toddler --- so snowboarding was put on the back burner for about 8 years.  I had a blast this past weekend...

We OFFICIALLY have 3 wonderful ski bunnies.  The kids are adorable on their skis.  Caitlin and Madison are already asking about snowboarding.  I am trying to hold them off to next year.  I just got them all INDEPENDANT on skis.  I want to enjoy it a little longer.    It would be fun to have them snowboard with me though.

We went to Crystal for two nights with two other great families.  We had 10 kids between the ages of 3-9.  All the kids were amazing and we even had "ADULT" time!

The kids had Monday off of school and we took them out for Tuesday and Wednesday.  They loved  missing school as well.

On Tuesday, we went swimming from 8 -9am, skied from 10-4, went to dinner and swam again from 7-8:30pm.  The kids were exhausted - actually Brett and I were as well.

We can't wait to go back again next year.  It is definitely an annual trip for us.

Caitlin is a dare devil...  she loves going over jumps.  She is hard to keep up with!

 Yes, it rained for a bit the first day ---  we didn't let it slow us down.

 Blake

 Caitlin and Kennedy --- PRICELESS

 My three favorite KIDS

 We stayed in a two bedroom condo for two nights.

 The two Madisons...

 The three 5 year olds were in ski school together.  They loved giggling with Andy!

 We met up several times with Caitlin during her lessons.

 Thank goodness for all the electronics...  We loved going out to dinner both nights!!!

 Crystal Mountain 2012...  Can't wait to do it again

Girls Weekend

I escaped a blizzard in Michigan and went to Ft. Lauderdale last weekend.  Kinda funny that we have had very little snow and then it comes the night before we have to leave.  Our flight was at 6am Friday morning, but since the weather was looking so awful, we decided to head to Detroit airport and spend the night.  The drive Thursday night was very slippery!!!  We didn't want to miss our flight.

We arrived in Ft. Lauderdale in the morning.  We definitely make the most of our time away from being a "MOM"...  My bag didn't make it - bummer...  Oh well, guilt free shopping!!!!!  There was a nice mall walking distance from our hotel.

It was a very chilly weekend for Florida, but we did manage to get in our suits for a bit.

The kids ended up with a snow day on Friday.  It was their first one of the year so far.  They had a blast riding the snowmobile and playing in the snow.  I did feel a little sad...  I still love snow days.  Those teacher days haven't left quite yet.  I loved getting that 5am call saying that school was cancelled!!!!!

The kids also had a swim meet that weekend.  Thankfully Brett was texting me with all the results.  Both kids beat their best times on a few races.  I love my little swimmers <3

We got the last flight out of Ft. lauderdale Sunday night, causing me to walk in my house at 4am.  Girls weekends always leave me exhausted...  Well worth it though!

 Heather, Rachael and I had such a great time!!!!

Swamp Wars

Blake's new favorite show is Swamp Wars.  He wants to live in Miami and do this for a living!!!!!  Don't worry, Brett and I both told him that he had to go to college for four years in order to have this job...  This show kinda creeps me out :(

Ironically, both Brett and I will be in the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area the next two weekends.  I am going to Ft. Lauderdale this weekend with two friends and Brett is going to a "work" function the following weekend!  I am so excited to get away in the sun...  We are staying in a gorgeous hotel right on the ocean.  Forecast calls for sunny skies and upper 70's.

Blake keeps warning me about the HUGE snakes that live there.  There are tons of invasive species just roaming the city and neighborhoods he said.  He wants me to take a cell phone with me at all times...  SO CUTE!!!!!  He even told me that he would come visit me in the hospital if I got bitten - I sure hope that doesn't happen.

Teacher TALES

Wow, there was a story on 20/20 about a former student of mine last night.  I actually taught her science for two years.  It is a very sad story and I still feel very conflicted about the whole thing.  Believe me, this family consumed my teaching life for those two years.  These parents were very intense...  I sat through countless meetings, facilitative communication workshops, read various LONG e-mails from them(not usually very "good" ones) and struggled with their daughters OUTBURSTS in my classroom.  Oh yeah, the dad sat in some of my science classes as well - right in the front row!!!!!!

Luckily for me, I played a back seat role with her education when she was on my teaching team.  I was willing to do whatever they wanted and she pretty much was in science for "mainstreaming".   I did start to believe that she was learning something by the end of my time with her.  I also received hugs and endless affection from this little girl.  I felt bad for her and wanted to help her out as much as possible (it was difficult with 30 other students in my classroom)...

The conflicting part is that I actually really liked her facilitative communicator that she had at the middle school.  We had several great laughs, talks, and interesting moments together.  I thought that she did a great job with this student.

It is a horrific tragedy to this whole family - my heart especially goes out to the little brother.  If you have a minute, you can watch the hour long documentary on-line.  It is tough to watch,  or at least it was for me.

My teaching career wasn't very long (7.5 years), but boy it was packed with some CRAZY moments...  The highlights include the crazy, stalker dad my first year teaching; tragedy of teaching partner having a heart attack at school; autisitc program being brought to our building (putting several in my classroom with very little help and training), laptop daily craziness (special program where all students brought laptops back and forth to school everyday - I incorporated laptops almost everyday...  many days the technology aspect was a nightmare with our crashing wireless system, etc.) and all the ESL students my last two years...

With all that being said, I would probably go back to that same teaching position if I had the chance...

Snowman...Snowlady...Snowdog

This winter has been very strange...  I can't believe that we have had such little snow.  Our family loves to ski, snowmobile, sled, build snowmen and just play in the snow.  We have had very limited time with all of these things.  Actually - we haven't even riden the snowmobile yet.  It is parked in the garage, just waiting to ride!!!!

Caitlin and I decided to surprise the BIG kids when they got off the bus with a snowman.  Caitlin was so proud of our snowman.  When the bus arrived at our driveway, she was jumping up and down pointing at the snowman.  Of course Madison loved it and wanted to make more.  They made a snowlady and snow dog.  I hope that we get a chance to make more.  It is 45 degrees today.  I hope that Madison won't be too upset to see that both snowmen fell over today :(

 Our little SNOWDOG!!!!!  She loves being out in the snow.

 Cutest little snow dog...  Not quite sure why the dog is smoking a pipe????

I decided to cut some side bangs and long layers in my hair.  It was that or chopping it ALL off - I have never had bangs before.  I think that I will love them.  Both girls are already asking to get bangs.