On the elusive hunt for...

SLEEP!

Sleep? What is that?

Unfortunately, E has gotten into the habit of not wanting to sleep anymore. (Is this really supposed to start at 4??)

I was blessed with a child that went to sleep easily. Whether it was nap or for the night, there was no fighting, no getting up constantly, no calling for us…Lay him down, sing to him, kiss him goodnight…DONE!

Not anymore! At first it was waking up at the crack of dawn early. So I implemented the clock. Genius idea! Use electrical tape over the minutes, and tell them a number. When they see it, they can get up.

Worked beautifully! However, at the end of summer I realized I wasn’t a genius. I cheated myself out of extra time all summer by not setting the clock back! DUH!! Please don’t make the same mistake as me if you implement this! He is also becoming too smart and has realized that the times on other clocks aren't matching (darn having a smart kid!).

Now he doesn’t want to sleep EVER! When he goes down at night we have to play the game of getting up and coming out 10 times, or screaming that he needs us 5 bazillion times. Don't worry we don't entertain him. He comes out, we put him back in- no talking, no anything.We bribe and threaten. Doesn't matter. He.is.persistent.
I thought he was giving up his sacred naps and that was the cause of this nighttime issue. But, his behavior without a nap suggests otherwise. 

All I know is that this momma is over it! I don't know how I got up every couple of hours AND went to work! PLEASE someone bring back my sleep loving boy!

~Jenny~

Fall Wish List Update

Well, it is officially fall here in Florida (yes, I know it's January). Most people think that we don't get seasons here in Florida, but we do. You just have to be patient and more sensitive to the changes occurring. So, while most of you enjoyed your fall a couple of months ago, Floridians are embracing it now. :) 
I do have to be honest, though. We are actually getting a second round of fall. For the first time in 30 (something) years we had an amazing fall at the correct time. Back in November we had beautiful reds, deep purples, and oranges. It was beautiful! Then we warmed right back to the 80's, the trees got confused, started budding again, and well, fall was done. But the cool temps came back again, and so is fall. 
Here is a picture for proof!

So, back to the original reason of this post- to update you on what I actually was able to score from my fall wish list.

source: loft.com

Boots that I have been searching for  for over 2 years!
Scored at Marshalls. Kenneth Cole Reaction

source: Loft
except I purchased it in white

So, not too bad! Of course I didn't just stick to these few items, and more items happened to come home with me. ;)
I do plan on making a Spring Wish List, and I plan on sticking to the key items I place on it- my closet is becoming too full....AND my New Year's Goal is to be more financially responsible. (AND for me that means LESS shopping- withdrawals are going to be bad!)

Here is a possible sneak peek to the Spring List

source: InStyle

Not 100% on it yet, but it looked very tres chic when accessorized in the magazine. 

So do you make fashion wish lists, and if you do what's on yours?

~Jenny~

Joyous December Shenanigans

A December recap through pictures for you :)

We started the month with our annual boat parade.

Then I did the Santa Hustle. Such a fun run! I would highly recommend it if it comes to your area. 

E had his annual school performance. It was so cute to watch him, he was so animated this year! (as opposed to last year when he made hand binoculars to find us and there may have been a wondering finger making its way to his nose. Ha!)

We headed to SeaWorld for their Christmas fun! We were SOO lucky! The park was empty and the weather was PERFECT!

Being eaten byViewing the sharks

Apparently it is normal for a Flamingo parade to pass you

We rode every ride he was able to...definitely have a thrill seeker on our hands!

Making progress- actually wanted to feed and touch the stingrays this time!

Finally telling Santa (yes, the Polar Express Santa) what he wants.

Gavin the Elf was up to no good around here!...Some of his naughty antics.

And E the Elf was up to some silly antics of his own!

Cousins made sugar cookies together.

Best friends watching their creations bake. 

Oops! A few too many sprinkles! But, don't worry he took care of it for us! ;)

And before we knew it, Christmas was here! 

I love these pictures! Every year I take E's picture with this Santa to see how much he has grown!

2012

We left out our treats for Santa and his reindeer...

And everything was ready for E to wake up to...

Santa's loot

Our gifts to E

And as always he was spoiled by loved ones!

Some of the aftermath!

He enjoyed playing Super Heroes...

...But, in true kid fashion- all he wanted was a cardboard box!

I made a trip to the spa for a pedicure :)

And the Mister and I had a date night at the game

To finish off the month, season, and year....

Champagne Cupcakes

The boy that stole my heart

and fireworks!

So as you can see we have stayed busy! I hope to have some posts up on the regular-- perhaps a New Year's Resolution ;)

~Jenny~

MIA...

I'm sure you all have been wondering where I've been (my 2 followers that I'm sure have given up on me). Here is my reason for neglecting this poor blog....

What a crazy beginning of the year I had! My classroom was pretty much done (the best it's ever looked) when the bomb was dropped. Enrollment is down at my school so teachers were going to have to be let go- I had the least number of years in my grade level so that put me on hold. For the first time in 9 years I was faced with not having a class to meet on Meet the Teacher day or a first day of school. For 3 LONG weeks I sat in a half decorated and empty classroom. Not knowing if I should pack or if I would get lucky and be able to stay put. I worked throughout the day ordering items and creating homework packets for the grade level for the year. 
Finally, the day came and news I was not prepared for came....I am now a kindergarten teacher. Something I never thought I would teach, or that I ever thought I would want to teach. I was basically given 2 hours to pack my room. The 2 days that followed were spent with me in the classroom I would take over, with that teacher trying to pack while I tried to unpack and decorate. 
It's been interesting, stressful, and tiring! 10 weeks later I am still not completely packed/unpacked (has to be done on my own time and I don't have access on the weekends). I don't know that I will ever get over feeling like I'm 3-4 weeks behind, but it has definitely grown on me and I'm learning to love kindergarten!

So that, combined with having a family, an active 4 year-old that is playing soccer, and trying to have what little of a life that I have....gives you my reason for my absence. But, I'm back and hopefully for good!

And here are some pictures I took from my old room. (I transferred everything to my new room, but haven't had a chance to take pictures yet)

Buntings I sewed over the summer.
What was going to be the reading corner.
AND my tables- I had all student desks removed so that I could embark on Kagan strategies.

View of the other side and more buntings.
Student tables again.
And the yellow over the windows- this classroom faces the recess field. I like natural light, so I took plastic table cloths and hot glued them to the windows. It still allows light in, but keeps the distraction out. I then hang fishing line across it so I can hang student work for display.

Close-up of my border.
 I decided to try something 'new' and doubled up my borders this year.

Idea from Cara Caroll (maybe??)- took these $1 book covers...

And turned them into seat covers that have a pocket!

~Jenny~

Fall Wish List

September is settling in and so is my fall fever! 

source

Living in Florida this means we still have a ways to go before we have cooler nights and less humidity (and I will just have to dream about those fall leaves!).
However, I am gearing my wardrobe up for fall and have a few items on my wish list...

source

First on my list is a polka dot shirt. I prefer the black with white dot compared to the opposite. I like this one with the added collar detail that gives it a feminine touch. 

source

Next item that I am searching for...a blazer. When we do get those cold mornings here in the south, it is quick to warm up by the afternoon. 

I have been enjoying layering more lately, too.  

With this blazer, I like the simplicity and classic look (the 2 button detail is nice as well.  :)

source

Loving the feminine playful look of the Peter Pan color. Dress it up, or make it more casual- a perfect staple for the fall. 

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Next up is a basic. A basic that has been absent from my closet for WAY too long! Clean, classic, simple. Love!

source

Last, and it will literally probably be the last thing that I can find, are a pair of tall boots. These boots are a thorn in my side! Apparently I have large calves that make these boots nearly impossible! I am going to continue my quest to find a pair that fit, and I am determined to win this battle this year! (by the way, if you have the same problem and know of a pair I would love your help!)

So, those are the staples I would love to add to my fall wardrobe. I am going to try REALLY hard to keep it just to these few items....but I am a shopaholic ;)
(and I'm already thinking of a pair of pants or shirt in that yummy mustard color) 
What's on your fall wish list? I would love to hear!

...And if you wouldn't mind following me, pretty please?! (yes, I am begging on the Internet)

~Jenny~