GOAL

So we decided this month that we would set ourselves a little running goal.  The first number thrown out was 30 miles, but then I got talked into 50 for the month.  Here I am day one prepping for the month.  Jovan made me pose like this :-)

The month flew by, and we found it harder and harder to get our runs in once school started.  My running partner, Missy, and I are both teachers, so that means our August was a little more challenging, but we made it a priority!  

I was out for a week with a migraine, so that put me behind.  I pushed through, and this was my morning work for my kiddos on Wednesday, haha!

Our last run was this morning, and we had 3 miles to go, so we decided to go for 4.6 instead!  Feels good to be done, but feels even better that we met our goa!!!  I was struggling today and couldn't get my breathing under control, but we finished and earned ourselves a rest day before starting back up again for the month of September!  Haven't set a goal yet, but we're thinking 50 or maybe 51 ;-)

Me and my running partner.  She is awesome and oh so patient.  We've been through plenty in the last few months in our journey, and I am so thankful we're in this together!

First Day of First Grade

When did she grow up so fast?  I know it will seem like only yesterday when I write this about her senior year.  Tears!  Anyways!  Lainey started first grade this week.  She was so ready to go back to school and see all of her friends, and I can't blame her.  I always get excited to go back to see my friends too!  We both started on the same day this year, so I didn't get to take her, but Daddy took care of walking her to school that day.  We both had a great first day, and we're excited for a great year!!

Oh, these girls!  Sweet and sassy!

Getting ready to give her teacher her back to school "happy"!

A little Kindergarten throwback to see what a difference a year makes!

And then there's my first day of school picture with my lovely assistant dressed in whatever Daddy used for pajamas the night before. :). We are holding up the number 10 as I start my 10th year teaching!

Here's to another great year!!

Last Summer Hurrah

I went back to work on July 31st...yes...JULY!!  This is only because I a new employee to my new district, and honestly, I'm just so happy to be there that I kind of got over the back to work in July thing!   I spent a week doing all those first week meetings, and then as we always do, we headed out of town for the "last" weekend of summer.  

Usually we go to my parents' for the weekend, but this year we went to Storm Lake, IA, because my dad's little band he is playing with was playing for a corporate event there.  Storm Lake has a nice little resort on the lake with and indoor and outdoor water park and a killer playground!  We just went for a night, but it was so much fun to get away and let the girls have some lake time!  

We weren't expecting to go out on a boat, but my brother's friend's parents have a lake house with lots of lake toys up there, so we got to benefit!  Thank goodness for Crunkle's who actually get in the lake.  The girls LOVED it!

Lainey's favorite part was jumping off the boat, of course!

Family pic minus Dad...he was having band practices, hehe!

Megan and Jovan were dying to get the jet ski out, so this is their before pic.

My goal is take more family pictures this year.  It's so hard to get all 4 in a picture...and even harder to get all 4 looking at the camera, but we're going to try!!

I got like no pictures at the resort except for this one.  This is Lainey practicing for her future on American Ninja Warrior!  I did it too...but only one time as I didn't want to show off for everyone else there, hahahahaha!

This is on the way home.  We like to call this "success"!

We had a great mini-vacay, and I can't wait until next year!  It was exactly what I needed to start the year!

Classroom Pics

New school...new theme!  I took these pictures after Open House tonight.  Looking forward to a great year with many new beginnings!

Here's my little "command center" with my desk and what not.  

This is my reading center and classroom library.  Kiddos LOVE being able to sit in these chairs.  They are missing red pillows, but I'll have those by Monday!  

Small group area

I'm slightly obsessed with my skyline!  Love how it turned out!

Just keepin' it real with Spidey

View from the door

I have 26 lovely little gems this year, so we'll see what this challenge brings!  Excited for a fresh start!