What I am reading.

I stumbled upon this blog and this was a recommended book.

I'm just a little into it (between time with E and how sleepy I get I'm lucky to get a chapter a day in!)

So far I am enjoying the tale of two teachers who took a chance on blueberries!

Weekend stuff

A post full of 'Stuff'

Another week is almost down.  Here's what's been going on with us.  Yesterday, Emma used the potty.  I sat her on it with a book and went to fix her breakfast, when I came back, I screamed with joy and scared her!  We called her Mamaw and Aunt Tracy to let them know! A video was also sent to her honorary aunties!! ( a video of her talking about it...not showing it!)

Today was the last day of work for a co-worker.  She has been such a help over the years, and while I'm happy she is off to a new teaching gig closer to her folks I'm still sad to not have someone to take up for me and talk me down from my bad moods...  Good Luck Lisa! (on the right)

After Lisa's reception Emma and I played with chalk and bubbles. Se had so much fun that she wanted to wash the pavement, but the good thing about bubbles washing pavement is that Emma was clean after the fact.  Haaa!

Inspired by the other Emma moms I let Emma "help" with dinner tonight.  This photo was totally staged but she did mix the soup and rice and spread in the dish.  It was a pretty delicious throw together meal.  Here's the recipe! Forgotten Chicken

What's cooking?

This is one of my new favorite recipes!  I'm not a cook, but this has quickly become a quick and tasty one!
Taco Bake

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
* water as called for on back of seasoning packet
3 large flour tortillas (8-inch size)
1/2 cup Salsa Con Queso
1 1/2-2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

Directions:
Brown and crumble ground beef. Drain excess grease.
Add in taco seasoning and water (following directions on back of seasoning packet).

Once the taco meat is ready, turn off heat and add in 1/2 cup salsa con queso.
Give it a good stir until thoroughly combined.

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
Spray an 8-inch round baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Layer the bottom of the pan with a flour tortilla.

Now add about 1/3 of the ground beef taco filling on the the first layer.

Then add 1/3 of the shredded cheese.

Continue until you are done with all the layers: another tortilla, more taco mixture, more cheese.
Bake at 350F degrees for about 15-20 minutes.
Until cheese is melted and edges are slightly golden brown.

Allow to cool for a couple of minutes.
Then slice and serve.

The blog I use with picture how to!

Survival of the fittest!

The first week back is always crazy.  This has been the best start of the school year in a long time and then my co-worker is offered a job on the other side of the state! I'm happy for her, but now I'm scared of what's going to happen. Who will fill the spot?  Will I be stuck with a ton of paperwork and no support or help!?  There is a lot of anxiety right now.  I talked to my principal and told him that the most important thing was for me to have that support and help with the paperwork and I'm pretty sure he understands that and will try to get me as much help as possible!

Emma and I are having a girls weekend.  Tonight we are already in our pjs reading books (or playing on our computers)

Happy Weekend!

My tenth first day as a teacher

Today was the first day of the 2012-2013 school year!  This is also my tenth first day as a teacher! My first year I was hired after the school year started, but that first day was a whirlwind and not so typical!  I wanted to get a picture with Emma before I left this morning but it was crazy town so I stopped by Mom's after and had her take one.  I love my dress, I bought it at Belk on sale plus had a coupon a few weeks ago and saved it for today!  It is a Sophie Max and I was pretty proud to be in a size small again!  (I have lost 20 pounds since January!)

Mumford photos

Look at this awesome picture, taken from the roof of the television station while Mumford and Sons played.  17,000 people!!! Do you see me?!?! Ha

Mumford Day!

 Gentlemen of the Road

My whole day will consist of watching "noodle dancers" and people enjoy many bands, right on the state line in my town!  I'm pretty excited!

Monthday 22

We obviously survived the week!!!  When I picked Emma up this afternoon she was playing with a little boy.  The teacher told me she would rub his head and say "My boy!' 
Oh dear!

One Week...almost

We have almost survived our first week of daycare.  I won't say it has gotten easier, or better. I can say there is a light somewhere down the tunnel!  Emma cries when J drops her off, but she seems content when I pick her up. 

Here are some smiles amidst tears!

Isn't this the cutest picture?  I took some pictures for my friend last night and this one is my FAVORITE.  I wish I knew something about my camera.  Maybe a photography class one day...

Daycare

What a day! Back to work and Emma to daycare for the first time ever.  It was a trying morning for me.  I cried while Justin put her in the car (I'm a wuss and coudln't take her)
He reported that he took her in and got her to play with her "cousin" and he made a quick exit.
The first check in was that she was doing alright, hadn't cried too much.  Second check was that she had eaten lunch and took a short nap.
When I got there to pick her up she was hugged up to the teacher whining and crying. Saw me and I didn't think she would ever let go of my neck.  I found out she hadn't eaten breakfast or lunch and just ate a little of the graham cracker snack they served.  We got home and she downed a ton of milk and juice and wanted a snack.  I had to take our trash to the dump and before we got home she threw up all over herself and car-seat.  So it has been a crazy day that's for sure.
Also, when I was parking to pick up E my mom called.  She had a weirdness in her eye a few months ago and the doctor she saw (they worked her in) said it was nothing and told her to just wait until her regular appointment.  Anyway that appointment was today, and as I was getting ready to get E she called and they were sending her to a specialist. Something in her eye was torn!  She ended up having laser surgery to fix it and is out of commission for three days.  Can I say it again, What A Day!

9 years

Today is our anniversary.  We celebrated by getting the 2 for $25 deal at Olive Garden (haahaa), plus I puppy dog eyed the waitress enough to get the lemon cake (that usually isn't offered with the deal!)