Around the World Shower

One of my very good friends is getting married in just 3 weeks! And per tradition we all wanted to throw her a wedding shower.

One problem, she lives in LA. Our solution: a virtual shower! You see my friends and I are expert shower throwers. Here is just a sampling of our greatness.
(APOLOGY IN ADVANCE: Sometimes we were all being too fabulous to stop and have a proper picture taken.)

                                                                     Leah Beth's sweet pea baby shower

Alexis's Italian romance wedding shower

My French themed "Little Lamb" baby shower

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beka's Lovebug Baby shower

 

 

 

 

 

In all, the 6 of us have hosted 5 wedding showers and 3 baby showers together. Not to mention the annual Christmas brunch and undocumented bacherlorette parties! We love a good theme, tiny food and a chance to make a table runner.

So no, Lauren being across the country was not going to stop us! Since Lauren couldn't come to us, we decided we would all be coming to Lauren. via Google + hangout.

Our theme was "around the world." It was perfect, we would be "hosting" the shower from several locations AND one of L's favorite things is travel. She has served on mission trips in several countries, studied abroad and is even considering a move to a foriegn country as we speak.

Each "site" was responsible for a country.

In Memphis we did Spain, that is where Lauren studied for a semester in college and she is fluent in the language.

 We had appetizers of cerviche, and a dip of feta with tomatoes and oil. Our main dish was chicken and yellow rice. We had sides of grilled zucchini and grapes (tapas) and our dessert was baked Sopapilla Cheesecake. You can see Wes sneaking from the table, she had just stolen some bread. But Melanie, Beka and I forgot to get a picture together.

Nashville took Italy. Here is Alexis's fancy coffee, chocolate and biscotti bar

Jackson (Lexington) was in charge of Ireland, but didn't need to host a site there because Beka came to the Memphis shower. She sent Lauren an amazing box of mead and soda bread and other goodies!  Another friend also sent a Japanese themed gift because Lauren's fiance does a lot of traveling to Japan.

Here is a shameless picture of Wesley (In Princess Tiana costume) and Macie (Beka's) playing before our shower. Wesley is explaining to Macie who all the princesses are, even though Melanie kept claiming Belle's name was really "Mel."

 So everyone gathered, ate, drink and chatted via internet. It was amazing. We could all see each other in Nashville, Memphis and LA. It proved to me nothing is impossible when B8 (Apartment number from college) puts their minds to it!

I love these ladies with my whole heart. We live in different cities, have varied family situations and job commitments, but our loyalty and support for each other has never wavered. I am so thankful they are in my life!

Happy wedding Lauren! You will be a most amazing bride, but more importantly a loving, devoted and God-loving wife. Your marriage will be blessed!

Worried Wednesday

My name is Mary, and I am raising a bully.

There it's out. I didn't mean to raise one. I don't know why it is happening. But for reals, she is the class bully.

Let's back up. August 1st-August 5th was the first full five day week Wesley had to go to daycare since May. She went all summer but only 2 or 3 days a week to keep up routine and allow me some errand/free time. All week, the first week back, I asked how her day was she informed me that she had to sit in her cubby. Which means time out. When I asked why she always told me the truth "I hit Micah." "Why!" "He's a baby." Everyday. By Friday, since none of her teachers had informed me that this was really happening, I had myself convinced that this probably only happened once and she was just retelling me everyday because it was now routine.

Monday August 8

Me: "Wesley, How was your day?"
Her: "I sat in my cubby."
Me: "Why?"
Her: "I hit Micah."

Yikes. So Tuesday I decided I needed to talk to her teachers and clear this up. Surely she wasn't hitting and getting a time out EVERYDAY.

Tuesday August 9

Me: "Is Wesley having a hitting problem?"
Sandra (with a laugh) "Yeah"
Me (appalled) "Uh, like everyday?"
Sandra (with another laugh) "Yeah"
Me: "Were you going to tell me?"
Sandra: "Eventually, but I got it, she's 2! She's just getting back to the routine I'm not worried."
Me: "I am!"
Sandra: " Nah, she's just the oldest (in her class) and she has learned she can take stuff from the younger ones and when they cry, she hits them."
Me: 'Oh, so it's not a hitting problem, she's a bully."
Sandra: more laughing

That afternoon Wesley and I discussed how it was not okay to take things from others, and how we do not hit. I told her if her teacher told me she hit tomorrow she could not play any dress up or have any of her princesses that night. She agreed and said she understood.

August 10-15th NO HITTING!!!!! WHOOOO HOOOOOOO

I am an awesome parent. I nipped it in the bud. My child will behave at school or else. Pat. On. Back.

August 16th

Me: "Hey Wes!"
Miss. Lauren: "Ohhhhh Wesley are you going to tell Mom what you did......"
CRAP
Wesley: shake of head
Me: "Did you hit?"
Miss Lauren: "Oh no, she didn't hit. She grabbed ZZ by the cheek and pulled her around the room"
Double CRAP
Me:"Go give ZZ a hug and tell her you are sorry"
ZZ: runs away saying no!
Oh man.....

So no princesses, tv, or dress up at all that night. And she seemed to know why because she kept exclaiming "I said sorry!" But I was making a point.

I am headed to get her in an hour. I haven't had any phone calls today so at least I know she hasn't shanked a kid. But seriously, what am I suppose to do here. I can't believe my sweet angel baby, that feeds her fake princesses apple slices is the class bully!

Witty Wednesday

Here are a few funny things I have heard at school already this year.

Day 3, during class, Kindergartener "Mrs. Washburn, you look like you smell good!" (from across the room, no less)

Day 7, carline dismissal (numbered spots to stand on to get into the correct car), me to Kindergartener that is wandering the sidewalk "Do you know your number?" blank stare. "Are you #1?" K-" No I'm five!" (as in yrs old)

Day 8, carline arrival, First grader "I can't get out and go to school, I'm not allowed in the rain!"

Back to School

Part of the fun of going back to school is decorating my classroom.

Every May, we have to take down everything and pack it up, so it truly feels like a fresh start every August. As some of you know, I was in a portable last year and did not enjoy it. So decorating was not as fun. I did the best I could for a trailer.

Needless to say, this year I was especially excited to plan my big bright shiny room in the building.

I didn't want to put up my same tired posters and rules. I mean they are 9 years old now. NINE YEARS OLD. I have been teaching long enough to go to college and graduate TWICE, and switch my major once or twice.

Around the same time I was planning my room, I was also developing an unhealthy obsession with Pinterest. Which is chocked full of ideas for decorating and such! And a slew of inspiring quotes. Which I decided would be my theme this year. Because what more do you need in music class then inspiration.

One kink in my decorating fervor is that our school got painted this summer. You would think that was great because all the walls look shiny and new. But alas, what it means for teachers is-- no tape on the walls. Or glue or stick tac. Nothing. So you have to be super creative about putting things on display. We do have bulletin boards that we can staple into, but only two.

My solution was to have my amazing graphic designer, a.k.a. my husband, design great posters to go with my uplifting quotes. Then I would have them blown up large enough that I could hang them from the ceiling with clips. Well Matt did his part--above and beyond. Seriously people, he is amazing. Then I jumped online to Kinko's to send the files over for printing. That's when I discovered color posters are 39.99 EACH. Dude. Unacceptable. Long story short, after some shopping and a handy dandy teacher badge we got them printed at Office Depot for about the cost of one at Kinko's!

So here you go. My new class. My theme is:: inspiration in turquoise, spring green and yellow, with black accents.

Sorry for the glare, darn fluorescent lights....

Happy school year!!

Princess Update

So maybe the princess influence is not going to be as bad as I thought.

Sunday afternoon, I gave Wesley her lunch, and then I went to fix mine. When I came back this is what I found.

 

Bless her.