Future Artists of America

I was so lucky to teach Mrs. Christensen's 3rd graders this week. They are the most fabulous class EVER!! They are so talented . . . just look at some of the wonderful pieces of art they made for me during my time with them:

Teaching is an ego boost for sure.

Two years ago, when Sophie went into the 1st grade, I started substitute teaching. It is a great way to work, and be home with the kids at the same time. It's definitely hard sometimes,

but other times, like today,it can be a real ego boost.

Maybe this happens to all teachers, I'm not sure, but for some reason, children love to draw pictures of me when I teach them. Sometimes the pictures are flattering. Sometimes... not so much.
Today I received two such portraits of myself:

Not too shabby... I've looked much worse! Notice my eyelashes in both though. Maybe I need to lighten it up a little :)

Then, another student handed me this sweet note as we left school today:

As tired as I get sometimes, days like this reaffirm

why I love what I'm doing.

I'll miss teaching this summer...really!

iphone dump

Every so often I clean everything off my iphone. Here's a sampling for you.

String cheese as corn-on-the-cob:

Happy 8th Sophie:
Bells, Emma & Scilla:
Pita @ P712:
Goofy face:
Yummy pizza:

Girls night @ Communal:Grandpa had an accident with our dinner:

Best friends, Sophie & Audrey:

Fashion Show @ Grandma's:

Freakish 2-headed boxer:

Doggie perfection: Annoying movie title of the year award:

(now my kids think it's ok to say)

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Cast...

iphone, you fail miserably at night photography:

Shocker! Joseph is sleeping:

Chuck E. Cheese:

Cool mountain picture:

Silly videos of Emma & Allie at grandma's house:

Happy Birthday Sophie!

Eight years old today. Happy Birthday sweet Sophie!

An animal lover from the very beginning...

I have no idea what's up with this picture.

I just thought it was hilarious that she had a gun in one hand

and the hose in another.

She is definitely our most "dramatic" child.

I love this picture because it epitomizes the personality

of each one of our kids perfectly:

Sophie had a tendency to get into things she wasn't supposed

to and get really messy.

This sink bath happened after she rubbed an entire jar

of vaseline all over her body.

What did I tell ya... drama...

Um, Soph, I think you're supposed to face up, not down...

Sophie, you are our baby and though you might be the smallest, you've always been able to make your presence known. You are so funny and sweet and we love you to pieces!! Happy Birthday Soph!