a lot to love about February

February granted us another snow day on the 2nd, but Punxsutawney Phil promised us spring right around the corner.

Last Friday, I baked for a friend's Lia Sophia party. It was Valentine's Day themed, and while the jewelery was quite nice, I had to refrain.






The next morning, Justin, my mom and dad, and I met for a few more house showings. We started in Hanson, made our way to Whitman, back to Bridgewater and ended in Middleboro. The listing for the second house was one that Mom happened to notice late Friday night. Justin and I loved it.

• great location
• nice town
• good-size front lawn
• fenced-in backyard
  
• attached garage
• redone mudroom
• laminate floors in the kitchen
• updated appliances
• 3 bedrooms
• living room, office area and...
• fireplaced den with cathedral ceilings, skylights and a bay window

The realtor said we had to be aggressive if we were truly interested in the property. And aggressive we were. Saturday night we drew up an offer and eagerly waited Saturday night, Sunday, Sunday night, Monday morning...until at 1:00 on Monday we received a call that our offer had been accepted! We signed a few papers with the realtor that night, Justin scheduled an inspection and has spent many patients minutes and hours on the phone with the bank's mortgage officer, potential home insurance providers, and potential movers.

Thursday I left school a bit early to accompany Justin and the realtor at the home inspection--and it passed!

Throughout all this excitement, I have called family and friends to share the news. Lately, I've been thinking about calling Nana, knowing how absolutely thrilled she would be to hear our news. I hope she hears from above.

Given that this week was our first five-day week at school since before Christmas break, it was one heck of a week!!

Third grade went very well this week. I'm working on a bulletin board in the classroom entitled Reading and Writing Around the World. I have printed out small images of the covers of our Reading Street stories and laminated them. I will map the stories' settings on our US and world maps. I put a spin on a compare/contrast essay about the Oreo cookie and the Ritz Crackers using an idea I got from a writing lesson I observed a few weeks ago. Yesterday we celebrated the 100th day of school with a few fun activities and 100 calorie snacks! :) The kids also decorated bags for their Valentines for Monday's party. It's comforting to see that although some think/act like cool adolescents, they are still kids.

I was approached this week to take an online course through the DOE to become a math coach. I'm curious to find out what comes of it--the responsibility? new title? pay raise? A girl can dream right?

Given all of the exciting house news this week, I did have to call RO and explain to her that given our current financials and the house closing timeline, I would no longer be able to join her and the other girls in Vegas for the bachelorette party in March. She was so understanding, as always, and I have promised to make it up to her in May when she is back east again.

Got a call from Dad Thursday morning that Mom had passed out Wednesday night at dinner and had been unresponsive. She stayed home from work Thursday and went to the doctor and got a good report, but boy, those types of things really put life into perspective. She does so much for everyone else, and carries a burden for so many that I think there are times she forgets to take care of herself.

We're headed to my parents this morning for taxes/brunch. Amid a pile of correcting, I do intend on doing some Valentine's Day baking--perhaps two batches--one for the kids, and one for the staff? I also have an arts &crafts project in the works for Becca--whose birthday is today. I'll be sure to post pictures if it comes out half as nice as what I have envisioned.

a snowy, snowy month

Having received over 50 inches of snow in the last two months, the Boston area sure has seen its sharing of snow! My school has had 3 snow days already, and today was an early-release. Oy!




All the snow has given me opportunities to tackle some long term projects, (book labels, center activities, reading comprehension games) baking, (see below) blogging (on a sister --literally--site at www.whiskandreward.com ) and catching up on DVR.

Early in January, the girls and I went out for dinner at Jacob Wirth's before a drag burlesque in Boston called Jacques--quite entertaining.

one of the "ladies"

The following weekend, I met Sarah in Harvard Square to catch up over dinner. Cambridge 1 was delicious. The next day, after tutoring a girl for the MTELs, Mom and I ventured over to David's Bridal to choose a bridesmaid dress for RO's July wedding. Here's what I chose!



Justin and I began looking at houses and we have seen a few we are interested in. They seem to be going quite quickly. As soon as we see a property we like, we find out from the realtor that it is already "under agreement." So the search continues this weekend.

We also celebrated a good friend's birthday at The Half Door in Quincy in late January. (The birthday girl was also a flower girl of mine at our wedding.)

As an ode to the very snowy month we have endured, I whipped up these for the staff at school.

Last week, the other bridesmaids and I were chatting about bachelorette party plans for RO and a few cities were thrown around--as her bridal party spans the country. Final decision: Vegas in March at the Venetian. It will surely be a pricey weekend but a blast I'm sure.

For Soup Day at school, I experimented with a cupcake idea from Hello Cupcake! --spaghetti and meatballs. I was really impressed with how they came out and am eager to try a new design next time!

ingredients

"meatballs"

finished products

This past weekend, in addition to Justin's work holiday party where I had the opportunity to meet many of his coworkers at a Roaring 20s themed party, we also ventured up to Woburn where he purchased another firearm. Gosh, it makes him so happy. He could talk about them for hours. And I could listen on intently, for hours, wishing I understood, even remotely. :)

Also this month, Leah was offered a position through Teach for America in Memphis--and she accepted! I know it's going to be an incredible opportunity for her, and I look forward to helping her any way I can!

Speaking of teaching, life in the classroom has been going well and we've been having some fun! I have a few great Groundhog Day activities I hope to do with the class this week. The potential for a snow day tomorrow and an early release for professional development scheduled for Thursday don't bode well for all that I hope to do with them. My observed lesson last week went very well I thought. I was able to incorporate the Smartboard in the lesson to add an interactive element to our lesson on animals and their "sixth sense" before a natural disaster occurs.

I have found some other great blogs--mostly written by moms--and some by teachers, and others avid bakers--just like me! I've also been hitting the gym 5x a week switching up workouts between the elliptical and treadmill. Last week paid off on the scale--down 2 (holiday binging--eat whatever is in sight) pounds. Here's to hoping this week is equally successful!

We ordered photo Valentine's Day cards last night and I can't wait to pop them in the mail this week! :)

Back in action

With third grade over and a week off before summer camp commences, I have finallllly found a few minutes to sit (!) and type.

Let's do a quick baking recap from April, May, and June.

Marathon Monday brought chocolate-frosted cupcakes topped with fresh strawberries. (Note to baker:: decorate and allow ample time to harden before rushing on the road to take train to Beacon Street.)





April vacation brought marshmallow daisies to Lahey Clinic.



May brought baby blue cupcakes--no particular event or theme...



June brought sunshine and sunflower cupcakes.




And Field Day brought chocolate cupcakes, vanilla frosting and fresh strawberries.



A June book sale also had "sweet" results--103 books for $51!




The end of third grade went pretty smoothly.

After April vacation, a second grade student joined my class full-time on a trial period. Her writing and reading is quite advanced and there was discussion of having her skip a grade and enter fourth grade in the fall. Unfortunately, after several parent meetings, phone calls and discussions, it was decided that given the changes in her prescribed medication, attentional and behavioral issues, the large chunk of third grade instruction she had missed as well as the changing dynamics at her two homes, it was decided that she will enter the third grade in the fall, having had a jump start with my class with the possibility for an accelerated grade 3/4 curriculum.

The dynamics of the class definitely changed when she joined us. But, all in all, I had a great bunch of students and we had a lot of fun. As always, I look back at the year as a whole and consider what I might have done differently and where I can improve for next year.

In past few weeks, I attended my very first retirement party for a colleague of mine on our third grade team. While I have been very close to her and she has helped me a tremendous amount over the past few years, I feel as though she hoisted me up and has stood alongside me the past few years and has now retired, knowing I'll be all right on my own. :)

There will be many changes in our school and in our grade next fall but I am excited for all that these changes will provide us.

In wedding news...

The bachelorette party invites should arrive today--so excited!



Found, purchased and received my bachelorette party dress....ooo la la!


I am currently working on my lengthy to-do list which includes favors, escort cards, table tents, dancing shoes bins, sweet table, programs, guest book, menu and song list....oy vey!


A few weekends ago, Justin took me to the shooting range, and it was fun! I definitely prefer the inside shooting as opposed to the outside range, with the smaller weaponry and an easier opportunity to gauge how well, or not so well, my accuracy is. I excitedly and appropriately handled a nine millimeter and a revolver in addition to a few other hefty pieces.


This past weekend was a little bit of everything all jumbled into a few days!

Friday night I ventured to beautiful town of Amherst and spent a jam-packed day with Leah and her boytoy Matt. Friday night we hit up the Taste of Amherst which was delicious....followed by Toy Story 3 in 3D--a bit scary if you ask me.

Saturday morning we hit the kitchen and baked very yummy maple chocolate chip muffins. After breakfast we did a bit of shopping, and went to Captain Candy for pink and blue jelly beans for the wedding's sweet table--quite delectable!



Lunch was held at a quaint deli in Hadley followed by a trip to the museum! We enjoyed the Dr. Seuss sculpture garden like any children would.











Then we saw the Brick Artist exhibit! The sculptures were made entirely of Legoes--how creative!








For Father's Day, Justin, Ellie, and I went to Meme's for a very nice family and fun-filled bbq. My contribution: lawnmower cupcakes.






We ventured to Randolph for dessert to finish off Father's Day.

My week off between now and camp is going to be filled with cleaning, organizing, lunch dates, shopping, dinner dates and wedding fun! :)

I promise to update much more often given the third grade hiatus. :)

August already

It's hard to believe August is nearly half over. Summers are usually leisurely and relaxing but boy, have I been busy, busy, busy.

Of course, I wish I had spent more time on school prep, organization and mentally transitioning into third grade mode but its hard when dinner dates, country concerts (Toby Keith, Jason Aldean, and Kenny Chesney), weddings, wedding planning and gym visits get in the way. Speaking of the gym--I've lost 10 pounds. =) Feeling better and eager to keep it up. =)

I will get to school work in the coming days but right now, I am trying desperately to live in the present--enjoy my first night in in awhile and take a deep breath and relax. =)

Last weekend was a college roommate's bachelorette party and it felt really nice to have the six of us together again--on the same continent, in the same country and even in the same house.


There was baking involved--of course. There was a purple and metallic color scheme going on:



I purchased the flower cupcake tray from the Crate and Barrel Outlet a month or so ago and didn't have much luck with it. The small cupcakes with pink decorators sugar are the ones baked in the flower pan. I'll need to experiment again with it.


Leslie did a fine job with the small details all the while alternating jellybeans to form the bride's first initial. =) Kudos.

So happy to have Leslie here with us this weekend. I missed her. Truly. I guess I didn't quite realize how much until this past weekend when we were able to catch up some more, gab, gossip and just get each other. I selfishly want her in Boston. She's comfort, she's therapy, she's a sounding board, she's paparazzi when you need her and she has offered some "first dance" song suggestions I love!


We had such a nice time catching up, celebrating and enjoying each other's company and it left us yearning for our next reunion--this weekend's wedding. Excited to get some wedding ideas myself this weekend. Loved the bachelorette party invite/bar list ::hint: :hint:: :





Another roommate's wedding is a few weeks before ours and I am nervous dates (bridal showers and bachelorette parties) will coincide given that we are limited in weekends with Leah coming home from abroad, July 4th weekend etc. But--its too early to worry about that.

Movie date tomorrow night with J and Steve--"my big brother" and then Country Fest with some good-looking country girls all day Saturday and then wedding Sunday. Exciting weekend!