See ya in the Fall

It's hard to believe that I recently completed my 7th year teaching at PDS. As usual, the last day of school began with graduation, followed by the annual faculty luncheon at the University Club. This luncheon always signifies that Summer has officially begun!

On a sad note, Molly and Graham had to say goodbye to two of their teachers from the PDS nursery. Mrs. Sam and Mrs. Lydia. We will miss them next year, but are excited about their new positions teaching Kindergarten (which means we will still see them a lot!). Here are a few pictures from our last morning before summer break.

Leia, Lee, Molly, and Wesley

Mrs. Sam and Molly (wish I had gotten one with Mrs. Lydia)

Molly playing dress-up with the ballerina skirt.

Tug-proof suits.

Molly and I spent a fun hour or so in the pool on Tuesday afternoon. Swimming lessons start Saturday, and I thought it would be a good idea to get her in the pool before then. We are members at Lifetime Fitness in Collierville, and one of the perks is that I can put Graham in the Nursery and can take Molly swimming, or even grab a snack or an early dinner for her.

However, during our pool time, I was completely preoccupied with my bathing suit. With an almost 2 year old who likes to climb, it is VERY important to have a well fitting, modest bathing suit (for me). So today while Molly was in MDO, I went shopping.

If anyone is looking for a cute, comfortable, and modest bathing suit, you must go to Sears @ Wolfchase. They have a great selection of Lands End bathing suits. I also decided to embrace my 30's. I made a purchase I never thought I'd make at such a young age...one of them even has a skirt (and I think it's really cute)!

But, I figured with 2 little monkeys for kids, comfort and decency is of utmost importance!

Check it out!

June Meal Making Party Details

Are you sick of eating out or tired of not having dinner ready for your family? If so, this party is for you!

We have three opportunities for you to fill your freezer!

**Daytime Option**

Tuesday, June 7th at 10:00

The format will be a little different, but no less easy or fun.

If you don't have a place to drop off your children, you can bring them with you.

-or-

**Traditional Evening Options**

Thursday, June 2nd at 6:30

-or-

or Thursday June 9th at 6:30

You will leave with 8 meals to feed a family of 4. (But if it's just you and one other, simply divide many of the meals before you freeze them)...

Homestyle Baked Ziti

Honey Mustard Breaded Chicken

Simply Simmer Beef Stroganoff

Carolina Grilled Chicken

Slow Cooker Beef BBQ

Lemon Poppyseed Baked or Grilled Chicken

Creamy Crockpot Chicken

KC Sliders

How Much? $125- cash or check payable to Anna Pearson or Rose Kelly

-want the meals, but can't attend? For $145 we will do the work, and you can pick them up the next day.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, May 25th to

cookwithus@gmail.com (but know spaces typically fill quickly)

Invite and bring a friend, and you will leave with a delicious Homemade Gourmet mix of your choice.

What to bring?

a cooler

Toss

I get immense satisfaction when I finish something. A tube of toothpaste, bag of coffee, box of cereal. Not sure why, but tossing the empty box or bag in the recycling bin is a thrill. I've even taught Molly to be my recycling bin filler. She knows where to put a newly flattened box.

So, my goal for Tuesday night's dinner was to rid the fridge and freezer of all of the "almost-empty" bags of things. With that in mind, dinner was created. And I admit, quite delicious. But the best part was tossing 4 empty freezer bags in the trash.

**shrimp, diced grilled chicken, asparagus, and some fresh spinach.

Oh Bubbles!

I have a love/hate relationship with bubbles. I love them because of the huge amount of pleasure they bring Molly, but hate them for the tantrums they produce when it is time to put them away!

Flashback

Each day I'm seeing more and more similarities between Molly and Graham. Tonight when Graham was taking a bath, he really reminded me of Molly at his age. I took a couple of pictures and then found some of Molly. Here are two comparison pictures. I'm loving it!

Molly

Graham

And I Get Paid for This!?

One of my biggest blessings in life right now is the job that I have been given at PDS. Thursday was one of those days that was so much fun and reminded me just how much I love to teach.

Bill (my co-teacher and friend) and I had the opportunity to take a group of our music students to Berclair Elementary to play for their assembly. Our school has partnered with theirs for the last few years, and I always look forward to this field trip each year where each school performs for the other.

Here are a few pictures and videos from the day...

I've been meaning to record the boys playing. I made them play through their songs one time before we left. They were a little unenthusiastic, but it was better than nothing. They had already performed, so there were a few mistakes since they were just ready to load up the cars and get back in time for carpool.

..

Cookies

Few things make me happier than a good craft or project. Recently, I've discovered how much I enjoy decorating cookies. Nothing fancy, just whimsical, yummy sugar cookies. Here is a picture of our Easter cookies. And while I'm on the subject of cookies, I think I'll share my favorite cookie recipe.

Chocolate White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Courtesy of: The Barefoot Contessa

½ pound of butter

1 cup light brown sugar, packed

1 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2 large eggs at room temperature

2/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups of flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 bag of white chocolate chunks

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F’

Cream the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the vanilla, then the eggs, 1 at a time, and mix well. Add the cocoa and mix again. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt and add to the chocolate with the mixer on low speed until just combined. Fold in the chopped white chocolate.

Drop the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, using a 1 3/4-inch ice cream scoop or a rounded tablespoon. Dampen your hands and flatten the dough slightly. Bake for exactly 15 minutes (the cookies will seem underdone). Remove from the oven and let cool slightly on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Playing around Memphis

I have recently come to realize that motherhood is much easier when we all stay busy. I believe much of that is due to the fact that Molly loves activity and gets bored very easy at home. Boredom leads to whining, and whining makes me CRAZY.

So, in order to keep the sanity, we like to GO!

My Big Backyard- Memphis Botanic Garden

We met some of our church friends for a few hours of playing and a picnic. We had a super fun time!

The Children's Museum of Memphis

I am LOVING watching Molly and Owen develop such a sweet little relationship. Many mornings Molly wakes up talking about her "Owie".