birthday bed!

 For his third birthday, Ben got a totally awesome bed from Cousin Joe. McQueen! He loves it and sleeps through the nights much better now.

Spending the night with Auntie Corinne

 Bree is a lucky girl! Over fall break she got to spend the night at Auntie Corinne's house! My best friend Corinne owns a yoga studio and Bree was able to join in on the class. Then it appears the two of them watched a movie and had some silly slumber party time together! I am so thankful that Corinne is a close part of our lives, and I'm sure Bree would agree.

Ben and Miss Nicole

How lucky are we? Our children have the most wonderful third parent and daycare provider. Nicole is the wife of my co-worker and friend, Brian, and she has done an amazing job of caring for Bree while Dan and I are working. We are so grateful for the love, care and structure she provides for Bree, not to mention the advice she gives to us! It is comforting knowing that when I go back to work at the end of July she will also be there for Baby Ben.


While Dan and Bree were away on their trip, Nicole offered to watch Ben for a few hours so that I could go see a movie. It was a lovely night out for mommy, and it looks like Ben had fun, too! Although, he may not be too excited about the princess towel once he gets a bit older...

blah - and gratitude

Feeling a bit frustrated and unhappy today... Blah.
My remedy is gratitude.

Today I am grateful because...

Navigating the snow and ice this morning was a success, I made it to work with no issues.

My new student, #27, doesn't appear to be a behavior problem.

Baby boy is healthy and moving.

My daughter's face yesterday was priceless when she showed us her new Snow White outfit.

We, and particularly my pack-rat husband, are making progress on cleaning out the basement to get it ready for the office so that our son will have a nursery. Slow progress, but better than nothing.

brrr

Some real snow this morning. The bummer was that April and I had playground duty. No fun.
However, I did manage some grateful feelings. I was grateful for the new coat my husband bought me for my birthday and the new hat, scarf and gloves from my mom and brother. Thank you for keeping me warm, guys!

thankful at the zoo

We took advantage of the nice weather and spent some family time at the zoo today!
I'm grateful because:
1. It was nice spending time with my family.
2. The animals were active and the zoo wasn't busy. We ran into some old friends. (Emma - she shot our wedding.) The grizzly bear was playful and entertaining!
3. Dan and I pulled together and worked as a team to handle Bree's meltdown. She left the zoo screaming (again) but we handled it well! We even laughed about it a bit and didn't worry about all of the looks we were getting from people as we left.

election day

Well, not today exactly.

Two things I'm grateful for:

#1 - I have the right to vote and I didn't have to fight for it.

#2 - I voted by mail and did not have to stand in a really, really long line like the one at my school today.

today I'm grateful because...

We had Bree's 18 month well-baby check and she is healthy, healthy, healthy! Never an ear infection, in fact she has only had a couple of colds and a bout of stomach virus in her whole life.
I can't even begin to explain how wonderful that is. We are so lucky.

gratitude

This being November, it is perfect timing for me to reflect on being grateful. I have been meaning to start a gratitude journal - I've heard there is a book out there about them and would like to check it out if anyone knows the title. Basically I just feel the need to focus more on the good things that surround me rather than feed my feelings of dissatisfaction with life. Gratitude seems much more productive.

One thing I am grateful for today: my girlfriends.

Brunch with my long-time friends Mindi and Corinne today was a treat. It is always nice to see them and the best part is, no matter how long it has been since we've been together it doesn't take us much time to fall back into feeling comfortable to chat about anything and everything. Mindi mentioned today that we are the sisters she never had - and that is certainly true! I love these girls and know that whatever is happening in my life, they will be there for me just as I will be there for them.

I am grateful for you girls!