Life Lately

Hi There!
   It's been a while since I've blogged so I'm here with a giant life lately post for you! It's been a busy few weeks gearing up for school to begin. I meet my students Tuesday and school begins Wednesday. Honestly, I'm ready. There's always more you could do to prep, but there's a point where you've just gotta dive in....I'm at that point!

We spent the last little bit of summer enjoying the pool, splash pad, parks, and just chilling at home. Hank is at such a fun age (21 months!) and he just cracks us up.

Reading with Grandpa

Hank thinks it's hilarious to take the picture out of this frame and put his face in there instead. My little comedian. 

feeding goats!

No shame here, we love ourselves a happy meal lunch. Cheeseburger or nuggs, this kid is here for it. 

My parents have this cute "Hadley angel" statue in their backyard and Hank posed with it. #presh 

We have cucumbers!! Our little veggie patch burst to life this past week. 

That park life

We went to check out the Train Shop 

Hank began childcare two days a week at the beginning of August. He's enjoying it and despite some tears at drop off, I know he loves being social, independent, and going to "school." We listen to the song "High Hopes" by Panic at he Disco on the short car ride over and he loves dancing. We also chant "Toys and Friends, Yeah!" to get him pumped up. Haha. I, on the other hand, sobbed after the first drop off and worry (unnecessarily I know) about leaving him. He can't be with mom and dad 24/7 and it's working well for our family, but man, I miss my little sidekick. My mom will continue to watch him 3 days a week which is so wonderful. Hank looks forward to "Grandma Days."

 My sister, Libby, and I tried out Goat Yoga a few weeks ago! The goats were so cute and it was hilarious having them just jump up, but it's not something I'll be clamoring to do again. I counted it as my workout for the day, and that was a bit of a cheat because I probably only did actual yoga for about two minutes flat during the class. Baby goats are distracting! Speaking of fitness, a friend introduced me to this great podcast called "Balance 365 Life" It's all about fitness, nutrition, and living a balanced life. I need this message! I'm trying to lose some weight (what's new) but do it thoughtfully and in a way that lasts. This podcast is awesome.

Nachos are a love language of mine so we re-did them with sweet potatoes and they were AMAZING! 

AJ and I happened to have two date nights this week for two events we have very much been looking forward to. We saw Mumford and Sons Tuesday evening and I think it was my favorite concert ever. I listen to Mumford A LOT but have been listening non-stop since the show. Amazing. We also saw The Book of Mormon with some friends and enjoyed it!

This year I did a nautical theme in classroom and thanks to Donor's Choose, I got lots of great materials and supplies. I love decorating my classroom every year....but I also forget how exhausting it is! 

a teacher leaving our school gave me this plain stool so all summer long I collected candy wrappers and made it into a "sweet seat" as a fun reward seat for my classroom. 

Can't wait to have kids curl up with a good book here soon

Homework goes better with coffee 

I know it's August, and I know it's 95 degrees out, but my Pumpkin-lovin' heart is gearing up for FALL. I've been adding some pumpkin flavoring to my coffee lately and have been loving all the fall deco out at Hobby Lobby and Kirklands. Give me all the pumpkin paraphernalia. And how much easier will it be getting dressed in the morning when I can bust out my fall uniform of leggings, an oversized sweater, an infinity scarf, and boots?! 

These next couple weeks are sort of crazy with Back to School nights, the return of my math endorsement classes, the start of Hank's music classes with some friends, and plenty of fun thrown in too. August is usually almost always my least favorite month (ever heard August refered to as "One long Sunday Night"? Truth) but this August was pretty darn awesome. No matter how busy our days get, I love coming home to my two dudes. 

Savor Your Sparkle,

Leslie 

Summer's Here!

Summer's here and the livin' is easy! After a busy and fun few weeks this school year officially came to a close. We have some fun plans to visit the Oregon Coast, take plenty of naps, go on lots of hikes and walks, grill dinner often, swim as much as we can, and read good books.

June always brings up some mixed emotions for me because June 2nd 2016 was the day I entered the hospital in pre-term labor and on June 18th, I officially became an angel mommy. Packing up my classroom for the year and field day always brings up memories for me. It helps to visit my Hadley girl and look back on our amazing Baby Bow Bash event last June to celebrate her first birthday. In some ways it seems like decades ago and in other ways it seems like just yesterday I held my baby girl.

I put together a little list of summer goals to keep me on track. But make no mistake, this is the SOH (Summer of Hank) and I am so darn happy about that.

1. Read: I'm not setting a particular book reading goal but I do have some great reads piled up next to my bed and my hold list from the library seems to grow daily. There's nothing quite like extra reading time in the summer (pool, green grass, and icy beverages simply add to the experience)! Check out my 2018 reads so far here

2. Try new recipes: I love experimenting in the kitchen but the end of the school year got busy (Papa Murphy's and frozen TJ's meals, anyone?) so I can't wait to get back into the cooking groove. It's not exactly a recipe, but I saw an image of a Greek yogurt banana split on Pinterest and made one the other day. So yummy. I'd love to go the Farmer's Market and create a whole meal with my finds.

3. Stay Active: I'd like to continue going to Boot Camp classes throughout the summer and stay active by swimming, hiking, and walking. I'm in the mood to move!

4. Introduce Hank to fruits and veggies: We are still just feeding Hank 2 small portions of rice cereal or oatmeal each day but I've got green bean, sweet potato and carrot baby food ready to try this month. I can't believe what a big boy I've got now! It is such a blessing watching him grow and change.

Bibs I can rinse in the sink are a game changer 

5. Clean out our closets and drawers and take it to Savers: I love a good purge session--clean (and organize!) all the things!

major closet envy

6. Get a Massage/Facial/Lash Lift: I need (errr, want) to pamper myself and these items have been on my list for a while! Ready to get blissed out!

7. Take Hank to the Zoo and Aquarium: Hank is such an observant little guy and I think he might like to look around at some cool stuff!

8. Finish a TV series from the beginning: I'm about a dozen or so episodes into the show Younger and I'm really liking it. Not quite sure it'll be my "show of the summer" but it's promising!

9. Celebrate Hadley's Birthday in a meaningful way: I have some ideas about how to celebrate Hadley's 2nd birthday and while it is a hard day, I am looking forward to spending quality time with family that day remembering her and celebrating her.

10. Connect with Friends: Life gets busy and I want to make an intentional effort this summer to connect and spend time with friends.....a walk in the park, a coffee date, or even a phone call, I just want to make friendship time a priority.

11. Browse Teachers Pay Teachers for some new classroom goodies: Around mid-July I start thinking about the next school year---what worked last year, what new things I want to try. It's nice having the summer to reflect and research new ideas.

But most of all....I want to savor every second with my little family.

He held my hand during his nap today and I had to snap a pic of the moment! 

Cheers to sunny days, flip flops, and umbrella drinks!
-Leslie

Life Lately

Hi Everyone,
   I feel like I've been sort of off my writing game lately. But we're in the final countdown of school days until summer, the days are getting longer (and warmer!) and my squishy 4 month old is more fun to play with than writing anyway. Today's post is a bit of random and life lately for you. In fact, I'm even doing it in numbered form.

1. I love teaching this time of year (except when spring fever hits, then it's like is it June yet?) because we are into our butterfly unit (cocoons this week!), the seeds we planted have begun to bloom (literally) and figuratively, the "seeds" we've been planting all year in the form of reading practice, math centers games, developing good student habits, becoming writers of actual stories and (gasp!) even "reports" with facts are really blossoming. I'm just so proud of how far we've come. This time of year things just get clicking and I love it.

Our sunflowers we planted have bloomed! 

On our zoo field trip last week. Such a fun day! 

2. Hank got dedicated at church this weekend! Child dedication basically means we present him to God and promise to raise him as a child of God. He was presented before the church and it was so special to think of where this journey of faith might take him in the future. He'll go to Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, pray with us, learn about God, and ultimately, our greatest desire is to raise a young man of values. But there's no way we can do that alone. We need our families and communities too....and that's basically what Child Dedication is about! We chose his "life verse" as Isaiah 40:31: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."....especially special being a Juan Diego alum!

3. I've been in major spring cleaning mode. I sorted Hank's closet (he's in 6-9 month clothing now) and sometime soon I plan on "space bagging" and packing away his clothes that no longer fit. Our house was feeling super small (baby gear is no joke) so we took out our big ottoman and I am loving all the extra room! We organized our closets and garage and last week my teammates and I even tackled the 1st grade work room. Clean all the things!

4. If you're like me that picture of Kate Middleton after baby number 3 might have had you looking at your post-baby bod with a not so kind lens. I'd like to tell you I had an empowered convo with myself that went something like, "Hey! Not so fast with the body-shaming! You had two babies in two years! You're pre-baby clothes fit, whatevs if they're a bit tight, your stretch marks are battle scars, mama! You are healthy and strong." But in actuality, I got frustrated with myself. I like desserts. And watching TV. And I honestly haven't weighed myself in over a month. I'm pushing myself in Boot Camp classes and am trying to make smarter eating choices....A work in progress! But if you're like me and panicking a little that bathing suit season is around the corner, know this: you are not alone.

5. Books! 2018 reads have been SO good and I've got my May pile all ready to roll (although, let's be real, this time of year is crazy, so any reading I can squeeze in this month is a plus). Check out my 2018 reads so far here.

6. Philosophy Perfumes: I have always loved Philosophy products----dessert scented shower gels with a recipe no less?? I'm in! Amazing Grace has always been one of my go-to scents, but my friend gifted me a Philosophy perfume variety set for my birthday and I love trying all the fresh clean scents. My new fave? Fresh cream. It's less "coffee creamer" (as I imagined it might smell) and more fresh, clean, springy. Love.

7. Family Time: This month my sister is coming for a visit, and AJ's parents are too. We've got Mother's Day to celebrate, my Mother in Law's birthday, and Hank loves his grandparent snuggles. Life is good in the Steele 'hood this spring.

8. The Hamilton Mix Tape: I'm obsessed. The drive to work is far too short to do all the car singing I want to do on the daily.

Have a great week, everyone!

Savor Your Sparkle,
Leslie