My 5th grader!

Took a bunch of pictures of Evan the other day as we spent some time together over at the university. I let him use my old rebel camera and he took some great photos! Love the way he is getting into photography! So hard to believe that he is a 5th grader! The little boy who still sleeps with his NaNa (a bear he's had since he was a baby), still cuddles and sits on my lap and who will still hold my hand.....is now in 5th grade where saying good bye to mom is a quick wave and no looking back. A 5th grader who instead of needing crayons and glue sticks for school needs a thumb drive!! When I was in 5th grade I didn't even know about computers let alone a thumb drive! He's in a GATE 5th grade class where he will be learning math skills I didn't learn until about high school......am I ready for this??? I am sure he is....not too sure about me, though.

As for me...today was the first day of no kids at home and no work.....LOVED it! Probably didn't hurt that it was my birthday.....but so far I am not missing work. In fact, had a phone call today regarding an old student....reminded me how I really don't miss having to worry about paperwork and meetings!

The end of summer...

Is it really the middle of August already and time to start school? Where did our time go?

Alex has already been in school for a week...he loves it! Loves his teacher....making new friends....I think it's going to be a great year! His teacher is structured and firm.....things he needs! As I watch him sleep at night it's hard to believe that he is 7!

Then there's Evan....starting 5th grade in a few short days! Not just starting 5th grade but 5th grade GATE (Gifted And Talented Education). What will the year bring him? Will it be overwhelming to him? Will he continue to find academics easy? What kind of projects will he do? He's excited...and right now that's the most important thing!

Photo of the day....

Took this of Alex yesterday........

After looking at those beautiful blue eyes....I can't imagine anything better than being his mom!

Motherhood??

"Is being a mom enough?" "Is it boring?" These were a few questions posed by a friend of mine on The Shaker Box forum. I have thought a lot about this tonight......

If you would have asked me a year ago if I could stay home and be a stay-at-home mom I would have told you you were crazy! I have worked since both my boys were little and up until recently I thought I always would. But, it's all different now....I am staying home (with exception of subbing a little) and have no desire to go back. BUT, will it be enough? My greatest fear is that I will be bored....what will I do all day without kids at home? Clean? Scrap? Sit at the computer? Read? Volunteer in the boys' classrooms? The weeks to come will tell me that....

But what I do know is that I do not regret my choice to teach while my boys were little.....they have grown into outstanding little men ( I was lucky to find the BEST childcare!!). I am lucky to have a man behind me supporting me in whatever I choose...to work or not to work. And I would not trade my boys for ANYTHING!!!! I LOVE being their mom!

As summer ends.....

Wow! Hard to believe that it is August....time to get ready to go back to school. New shoes, paper, pencils, folders, backpacks, lunch boxes.......and even a few new "fun" school things! Usually this time of year I am stocking up.....buying a dozen of everything, some for my kids and some for my classroom. But this year is different....no classroom to buy supplies for, no students to buy things for. Only people to buy for are the boys.....already we have bought new shoes for Alex, a new backpack for Evan and lunchboxes for both! I think I will wait until their teachers let us know what they need so that we don't have tons of extras to store!

As for me......as the boys head back to school and I am not yet on the substitute list, I have lots of time to spend with myself. One of my goals for the month is to start losing some of the weight I gained last year while being so stressed.....I'm back on WW and hoping to lose at least 5 lbs by the end of the month.