The teachers returned today--tanned and seemingly ready to hit the ground running.
I was super busy in the classroom setting up, debating what posters to hang up and what to store away and discovering more goodies I forgot I owned.
While I have been able to get it all done, I do wish I had had a few more days to do it. But, ready or not, here they come!
A few things to create& print before bedtime!
And pictures to come...
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
winding down
The summer is winding down.
Friday was the last day of camp and its goodbye crafts, trashy tv, summer weddings and hellllo third grade. =)
I am trying to hold on to every last bit of summer I can. And gosh, its hard!
As a bit of a last hoorah of the summer, Justin and I embarked on stop #1 of our aptly named Cupcake Crawl. I say "ours" when really, its my passion for cupcakes and his willingness to go along with me (and his love for canollis) that makes it "ours-"and anyone else who cares to join us on our quest for cute, darling, whimsical cupcake creations!
We drove to Hoboken, NJ (four hours without too much traffic) to check out Carlo's Bake Shop--the site of CAKE BOSS on TLC.
We scouted out the place Sunday and stayed in Newark Sunday night.
After a delectable continental breakfast we formally embarked on the bakery Monday morning. And, much to our surprise, we met Buddy Valastro--THE Cake Boss. I was obviously a fan before meeting him in person but this chance meeting (he normally isn't in the shop on Mondays) put him high above the rest. =)
What a weekend! =)
Wednesday its back in the classroom to unpack and get ready for the kiddies. I am eager to uncover more teacher blogs to get the creative juices flowing again!
Friday was the last day of camp and its goodbye crafts, trashy tv, summer weddings and hellllo third grade. =)
I am trying to hold on to every last bit of summer I can. And gosh, its hard!
As a bit of a last hoorah of the summer, Justin and I embarked on stop #1 of our aptly named Cupcake Crawl. I say "ours" when really, its my passion for cupcakes and his willingness to go along with me (and his love for canollis) that makes it "ours-"and anyone else who cares to join us on our quest for cute, darling, whimsical cupcake creations!
We drove to Hoboken, NJ (four hours without too much traffic) to check out Carlo's Bake Shop--the site of CAKE BOSS on TLC.
We scouted out the place Sunday and stayed in Newark Sunday night.
After a delectable continental breakfast we formally embarked on the bakery Monday morning. And, much to our surprise, we met Buddy Valastro--THE Cake Boss. I was obviously a fan before meeting him in person but this chance meeting (he normally isn't in the shop on Mondays) put him high above the rest. =)
What a weekend! =)
Wednesday its back in the classroom to unpack and get ready for the kiddies. I am eager to uncover more teacher blogs to get the creative juices flowing again!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
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!
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!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Its official!
We signed the contract. Paid the deposit.
8.8.10 on Cohasset Harbor
Has a ring to it, huh? (no pun intended)
Details to follow. . .
8.8.10 on Cohasset Harbor
Has a ring to it, huh? (no pun intended)
Details to follow. . .
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
I won't cry. I won't cry again.
Justin and I visited Atlantica--a restaurant and wedding venue in Cohasset, MA--last weekend and loved it. Its got the feel and look of Newport for a more affordable price. We are "penciled in" but wanted to sit down with my parents to talk details/budget etc. We went for dinner last night and it turned ugly after just a bit of number-crunching. Yes, we may have been engaged for a year and a half but that doesn't mean we know our budget any better or how much a dj costs as opposed to a photographer or a Justice of the Peace.
It involved slamming doors, screaming, storming around and many tears. My mom didn't know how much they might be able to contribute and, my dad wouldn't say/couldn't give a number so it became a stupid game of bickering. The tears started with the bullied comments and fighting over their current finances. When it had cooled down and it looked like we had a safe exit in view, he pulled me aside to talk privately which sparked a whole new ordeal because my mom wanted to sit down with us too. So he stormed off yelling only to return a minute later to explain that he has a lot of stress in his life and he said he wishes they could pay for the whole thing which I tried to stress--through the tears--that we truly don't want. He mentioned the many things he has paid for over the years that have come from that saved portion of money--laptops, cell phone bills, car repairs, their trip to Israel etc. I only wish it didn't all boil down to money and spreadsheets depicting spending over the years. He explained how his life has become different than what he expected. He feels we don't go to him and ask him for advice like we do my mother. He doesn't think he'll be alive much longer and said he has many medical problems that we don't even know about. What I saw was a completely different person than the one screaming at my mom, bickering about Amex bills, Kohls purchases and snide remarks about my mom not getting a second job "like she said she would." He then apologized for what had gone on earlier. But it shouldn't have happened in the first place and I only wish my parents were able to communicate civily because last night reminded me of too many nights when my sisters and I were younger and tried to drown out the slamming doors and screaming matches. Their relationship is so unhealthy.
As we drove home and fell asleep, all I could do was replay the night in my head wondering where it turned horribly wrong and how I could have changed the conversation to avoid the eruptions that occurred. The root of it all- their communication, level of patience with eachother and criticism of eachother. It wasn't about us but we got front-row seats.
I was eager to sleep it all away but found myself awake in the middle of the night, unable to shake it and sleep soundly again. I want that to be the first and only sad memory of my wedding and its planning. It's not fair. It didn't need to happen, and it shouldn't have.
Here's to a better, sunny day. =)
It involved slamming doors, screaming, storming around and many tears. My mom didn't know how much they might be able to contribute and, my dad wouldn't say/couldn't give a number so it became a stupid game of bickering. The tears started with the bullied comments and fighting over their current finances. When it had cooled down and it looked like we had a safe exit in view, he pulled me aside to talk privately which sparked a whole new ordeal because my mom wanted to sit down with us too. So he stormed off yelling only to return a minute later to explain that he has a lot of stress in his life and he said he wishes they could pay for the whole thing which I tried to stress--through the tears--that we truly don't want. He mentioned the many things he has paid for over the years that have come from that saved portion of money--laptops, cell phone bills, car repairs, their trip to Israel etc. I only wish it didn't all boil down to money and spreadsheets depicting spending over the years. He explained how his life has become different than what he expected. He feels we don't go to him and ask him for advice like we do my mother. He doesn't think he'll be alive much longer and said he has many medical problems that we don't even know about. What I saw was a completely different person than the one screaming at my mom, bickering about Amex bills, Kohls purchases and snide remarks about my mom not getting a second job "like she said she would." He then apologized for what had gone on earlier. But it shouldn't have happened in the first place and I only wish my parents were able to communicate civily because last night reminded me of too many nights when my sisters and I were younger and tried to drown out the slamming doors and screaming matches. Their relationship is so unhealthy.
As we drove home and fell asleep, all I could do was replay the night in my head wondering where it turned horribly wrong and how I could have changed the conversation to avoid the eruptions that occurred. The root of it all- their communication, level of patience with eachother and criticism of eachother. It wasn't about us but we got front-row seats.
I was eager to sleep it all away but found myself awake in the middle of the night, unable to shake it and sleep soundly again. I want that to be the first and only sad memory of my wedding and its planning. It's not fair. It didn't need to happen, and it shouldn't have.
Here's to a better, sunny day. =)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
First ever.
My sister first got me interested in blogs. I have enjoyed reading the thoughts, feelings, ideas, admissions, and daily events of people--often living similar lifestyles to my own (read: teacher) and others, unlike me, who are enjoying great milestones in their lives (read: newlyweds, new moms, experienced moms) and allowing us--strangers--a peek into their lives. Maybe that's why I enjoy reality shows about families--Jon and Kate Plus Eight, Table for 12--family soap operas really.
In high school I enjoyed documenting the important feelings, events, ideas and questions that occupied my mind and time in Live Journal and have only recently taken a peek back and really enjoyed reliving those fun-filled weekends, remembering the high school drama and happily leaving it there, and stressful college nights of papers, deadlines, work hours and Late Night dining.
As I plan a wedding, plan a future, continue my career as a third grade teacher, and, as a cheap form of therapy, fulfill my desire to improve the quality of life, one cupcake, at a time, let this be my diary, my journal, my notepad--a chronicle of my life--the way I see it.
In high school I enjoyed documenting the important feelings, events, ideas and questions that occupied my mind and time in Live Journal and have only recently taken a peek back and really enjoyed reliving those fun-filled weekends, remembering the high school drama and happily leaving it there, and stressful college nights of papers, deadlines, work hours and Late Night dining.
As I plan a wedding, plan a future, continue my career as a third grade teacher, and, as a cheap form of therapy, fulfill my desire to improve the quality of life, one cupcake, at a time, let this be my diary, my journal, my notepad--a chronicle of my life--the way I see it.
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