First Week of School!

I survived the first week of school! I forget exactly how hard the first week is and how tired you are at the end of the day. I am also amazed at how quickly our brain forgets. It forgets how much training goes into the first week, and how the kids are just really big kindergarten kids and NOT what you just sent off to 2nd grade! But, we had an excellent week. I have 23 beautiful children in my room...Yes...23 six year olds! It is crowded but we are making it work. My team mates and I are full and I am a little nervous that we might have some new kiddos come after Labor Day.
This first week has been one of the smoothest weeks for me. Not the easiest, but the smoothest. I think that after 6 years of teaching I get it! HA! I think I get how to plan for the first week, how to teach children my routines, and how to make them realize that 1st grade is totally different from Kinder. On the first day I read a book called First Grade Jitters that was exactly how we were ALL feeling on the first day. We read a poem called Jitter Juice and we even made this magical drink called Jitter Juice (I got all of these ideas from Babbling Abby).
Here are some funnies from the week!

1. We had to have a LONG discussion on how to use the hand dryer. In the kinder wing they use paper towels, so they only use the hand dryers when they are with their parents. It is something that is very fun to play with and stand under. But, I had one kid who decided he wanted to pour water into the hand dryer to see what happens. I had to have an electricity talk with my class and how it would hurt really bad if the hand dryer shocked them.
2. On Friday my trash can went missing. I finally found it under a child's desk. I asked her why it was under her desk and she explained she was tired of getting up and walking to it!!! The bigger problem was, she was still throwing her trash on the floor.
   
3. Some of my favorite (ha ha) questions that I get on the first week of 1st grade: When is nap time? When do we get to play? Are we ever going to have fun? How much longer until we go home (at 8:45)? Me: Please don't do that anymore. Child: Why not? Me: Because you could die. Child: Oh...
   
4. Child #1: Mrs. Haffner, L doesn't understand or speak english so you can't ask him questions. Me: L, do you understand what I am saying? L: Yes Me: Can you speak english? L: yes Child #1: Wow! He couldn't do that last year!
5. Somethings I can't post about on here...but...I asked a couple of kids what moved them to our town...I really wish I could tell you all the reasons kids think they moved!! Some of them are even true!!! LOL
6. I asked a child to bring their folder to me so I could sign it because they were misbehaving. They quickly replied, "I don't have a folder yet. So, you can't sign it. I think I am going to tell my mom I don't need one this year!" Guess who's buying this child a folder this weekend??

The great news is I am really liking my class. It has some challenges, but I think it will be a great year!!!

This is my awesome team! I have loved teaching with them for the past year and can't wait to see how this year goes!

Cole News

So here's the skinny on Cole's appointment today. We got there at 8:45 and were seen almost immediately! The doctor, was very nice (praise #1) and spent a while with Cole poking, prodding, asking questions, and finding out our concerns (praise #2). He ordered 4 new x-rays and we were taken back once again immediately and the x-rays were done. Cole HATED this! He cried the entire time - more like screamed the entire time, and if you know him you know this is rare because he is always SUPER happy. The nurses were great and very sweet to him (praise #3). After the doctor had viewed the x-rays he consulted with the other doctors at the specialty clinic on Cole's case (praise #4). He came and explained to us that there was nothing wrong with Cole's hip. It looked 100% normal and that it was forming normally. He said that Cole has a curve in his femur. He called it something very specific - it was 4 VERY long words that he turned into an acronym that Michael and I can't remember. He said that this kind of curve usually occurs in the tibia and not the femur and that is why he consulted the other doctors. But, it is presenting itself exactly like it does in the tibia and that was going to be their diagnosis. He took us out to see the x-ray and the curve was very noticeable. He asked us again if Cole had had any trauma when he was born or if he had had a broken leg, and we answered no. (Now, I am asking myself - could he have broken his leg when he was born and us not know he did?) Here is the good news!! In the cases of the tibia's they all correct themselves over time. He really feels that the femur will do the same as the tibia does (praise #5). He did say that there is some length discrepancy, but, that is something we have to monitor and measure over time. The length issue could be from the curved femur - which should fix itself! So, we go back in 6 months. He said that as of right now - Cole is only 13 almost 14 months old and the fact that he is not walking is something they can't be concerned about because it is developmentally appropriate. However, if he is not walking in 6 months then we will explore other avenues.
God is good!! Our biggest prayer was - that if he had something it would heal itself - and it looks like that is exactly what is going to happen. I am praising our Father for hearing our cries and answering our hearts! Thank you so much for everyone who prayed! We are so very thankful. We had a huge peace going into the clinic today and knew that it was because people were praying for us. Thank you again!!!

I forgot to mention that he ruled out diseases and disorders that we didn't even know we were looking for. I am really praising the Lord that we did not know this. I would have been even more freaked out had I known there was a chance of some serious diseases and disorders. But he ruled those out when he saw the x-rays!!

It's finally here

The week I thought would never get here is finally here. No, not back to school (although that is here as well), but we have finally arrived at the week of Cole's doctor appointment. I am not sure how many people read our blog - but I know for sure our family and some friends do - so I am asking anyone reading this to pray for us this week. Here is what you can pray for.

1. Total healing. Our God is big enough to heal Cole 100%! We firmly believe that He could heal him. We would love nothing more to go into our appointment and the doctor say "this is something that will heal its self, just give it time." OR "There is NOTHING wrong!" I would LOVE to give God 100% glory for this!
   
2. If it is not God's will to 100% heal him, we are praying specifically that it would be something to do with his hip. From the little research I have done, and the people we have talked to, a hip problem such as hip dysplasia could be fixed with a brace that is worn at bedtime. We are praying that if there is something wrong that this is what it would be.
3. We are praying that there would be no length discrepancy between his legs. This would be the worse case for us. We know our pedi saw some on the x-ray but we are praying that it is from his leg bowing and that's it.
   
4. We are also praying for a kind doctor. We know nothing about our doctor except that he works for one of the leading children's hospitals. We are praying that he would be kind with words and his actions towards our son.
5. Finally we are praying that if there is something significantly wrong that we would be referred to Scottish Rite and that the process would go quickly and smoothly.

Thank you so much for praying! I can't wait to see what God is going to do through this! We are a little nervous heading into this Wednesday, but know that God is and always has been in control. We also know that Cole is "fearfully and wonderfully made!" by our Lord and that what ever is wrong with him - God knows about it and He created it and in His eyes Cole is perfect.
One last thing that would be a HUGE encouragement to us - would you leave us a comment and let us know you are praying for us? It will be such a blessing to go into Wednesday knowing - these specific people are praying for our family.
Can't wait to share with you on Wednesday afternoon what we found out.
Also - if you have NO CLUE what I am talking about you can click HERE to read that back story.

Cole's first haircut!

A couple of weeks ago Cole had his first haircut. He was getting pretty shaggy, as you can see from the first picture. It was driving my dad nuts that his hair was so long, so they volunteered to take him to Kim to get it cut while Michael and I were out of town. I found a picture of what I wanted it to look like on the internet and text it to my mom. I knew I wanted it to look cute just laying down and cute if we decided to spike it up. It has been a fun haircut because we can make it all messy and spiky or we can make it into a fauxhawk. He is already in need of another haircut - his hair grows super fast!!

Before

After

Spiky!

Whirlwind!

On Monday I started back to school and this week has been insane! I had forgotten how brain numbing it is to sit in countless teacher in services. With the state switching things around to STAAR and EOC testing we have had a ton of data thrown at us. All this to say...I am beat. However, last night I met my kids at meet the teacher and I am finally excited to start the new school year. I am super sad that I will not be spending 24/7 with Claire and Cole but I am excited to see what challenges this year brings!!

Sad Day

Today our family lost someone very near and dear to our hearts. Delmon Eaves, was my mom's best friend's dad. Deliah and my mom are best friends but more like sisters. Delmon and his late wife Joyce were like 2nd parents to my mom and another set of grandparents for my siblings and me. They are our family. 2 weeks ago Delmon decided to stop dialysis and all other medications. He was ready to go "home" to our heavenly father. Today, he did just that. Although we will miss him SO much we are SO thankful that he is no longer in pain and that his body is now made perfect. I am so thankful that both of my kids got to meet him and that he got to meet them. We love you Delmon and will miss you so much.

Thursday and Friday of our vacation week

Thursday was not so fun for me. I had to take a class that day for work, so I spent from 8:30-2:30 listening to a lady talk on a subject that I am a Trainer of Trainers on and could have probably taught better myself. She was also pretty rude and treated us like we were 7 - and I don't do well with people like that. But, I got 6 hours of GT credit for it and that was well worth it. I came home that night and made waffles and bacon and we watched movies and snuggled! Michael rearranged our office and our bedroom, which I had been wanting to do for a while now, and they gave us SO much extra room. Not sure why we hadn't set them up that way sooner. That made up for the boring first part of my day.
Friday!! Michael and I had a date day. We drove to Cleburne to drop off the kids. Half way there my mom called and asked to keep them overnight instead of us picking them up at 6 so it lengthened our day a LOT! After dropping the kids off we headed to Sun dance square to eat at UNO's pizzeria. I had a gift card there from one of my sweet students. We also had a free appetizer coupon so we ate REALLY well for a grand total of $10 including tip! Michael and I haven't eaten like that in a LONG time. We have been being so good lately and we got about half way through the appetizer and the meal and had to stop - ha! We then walked down to the movie theater and saw Captain America. It was SO good! However, did y'all know that matinee prices are only good until 11:54? Random time and when did it change from 6pm? Anyways! The movie was very good and I am glad we saw it. We were also in the theater with only 13 other people so it was nice and roomy! After our movie we headed to Hobby Lobby to look for a coat rack for our laundry room. We found one we loved but it ended up being 4 inches too long and had to be returned. Then we headed to Cold Stone for some ice cream!! I again had a gift card from teacher appreciation week that made our Cold Stone trip FREE!!! We then walked around some stores and Target - where we found a coat crack that was the right length, not as cute but it works. For dinner we headed to Freebirds where they were having a 2 for $10 sale! Now we are home watching a movie and can't wait to sleep in!!! This has been the best date day ever!!!

NRH2O Day!!

On Wednesday we tried to beat the heat by going to the water park. Claire and I have season passes, Cole is free, and we have 4 free tickets so Michael was free as well. We had a GREAT time. When we got to the water park it was very empty. It was nice to be there with out the huge crowds.

Cole loves the fountains! He is also standing on his own for long periods of time!! He can go from sitting to standing with out any aid. On Wednesday night when we got home he even took 2 steps!

Claire is in love with the slides this year. I allow her to do 4 different slides in the splashatory.

Waiting in line for the pink slide. When we are there on our own, I let her walk up to the pink slide on her own. If there is a lifeguard on duty she knows she is to stay in line and listen for her turn. Sometimes, however, there is not a lifeguard at this slide and so she waits for me to give her a thumbs up to say it is safe to go down. Here she is telling me she has to wait one minute b/c it is not safe for her to go down!

Such a cute girl!

Waiting on the giant bucket to dump water on them!

Here comes the water!!!

This guy made it till 1 and passed out in the wave pool. We had several people tell us how cute he was asleep on our shoulder!! He's adorable!

Chuck E. Cheese's where a kid can be a kid!!

Tuesday morning we were supposed to go to the water park but Michael and I both woke up tired and decided we would go to Chuck E Cheese instead. Claire had never been to Chuck E Cheese and had only seen commercials on PBS kids and so she would call it Chuck E Cheese's PBS kids place. I signed up for their email list and got an awesome coupon!!! For $20 we got a large pizza, 4 drinks, and 50 tokens! It was the best 20 dollars we have spent in a long time. We all had a blast! AND they changed their pizza and it wasn't half bad!!

Cole didn't like the little rides if they were moving. He liked just sitting in them...which is free so we were ok with that

Claire picking up kids in a bus!

Claire went up in the play area and was having fun until she realized that she couldn't figure out how to get down. Then she was not so excited. Once we got her down she didn't go back up.

She loved Chuck E!

Cole liked him from a distance

Kiddie Coaster!

Chuck E came down from the stage area and had a sign that said - "follow me for free tickets!" The kids all jumped in line and followed him.

They had to sing and dance to "If Your Happy and You Know It"

At the end they said - Chuck E is so proud of you that he wants to give you some tickets. Then they threw tickets into the air for the kids to grab. Afterwards Claire kept saying "Chuck E is so proud of me mommy. I did a good job for him!" So cute!!

Racing with daddy!! Michael came in 1st and Claire came in 8th...what ever happened to letting your kids win...

Pizza time!

These pictures crack us up. She looks terrified in these but she really did have a good time!