Crazy ladies:)

Another wedding on the horizon equals another crazy weekend with the girls. This time we were in celebration of Jen and Dane's wedding coming up in September. We spent all day Saturday at the beach followed by a night out in Grand Haven filled with eating, drinking, dancing and above all, laughter. My cheeks were actually aching at points throughout the night from laughing so hard. All the girls had a great time and we can't wait for our next outing!

Almost time

Yesterday I spent all day in my classroom beginning setup for another year. It was a great day to be at school since they were hosting a fun fair for the kids and parents to welcome them back. I was really excited to see a few of my students from last year roaming around the building. However, they were even more excited to see me. It was so cute how they would say my name and coming running as if I was a celebrity. I couldn't believe how thrilled they were that I was there and I was almost as thrilled about them;) I guess I am going to miss having all of them there with me all day, but it's nice they're all across the hall. Possibly because they were my first class of students, I think I'll always feel different about that group of kids. They're all really special to me and I see now that I must be pretty special to them too. That's good closure:)

As for today, I was just spending some time researching a school in Chicago for Brett. We're hoping that they are able to move out here soon. I'd say Joe and I are successful at recruiting new Chicago dwellers:) haha! Now I need to get in gear and get ready to leave for Grand Rapids. Joe and I are visiting friends for a pre-wedding weekend of fun. The boys are tubing with beer?! Sounds relaxing, while the girls will be visiting an art fair and the beach. Of course, we'll be relaxing with beer-type drinks after this:) Should be fun, hope the traffic is alright:)

Oh yeah, and I think I'm lactose-intolerant. This sucks, I love cereal!

Oh Photographer...

So we still have not received our wedding pictures. I edited a few more today from the collection that we have, here they are. I'm starting to get a little antsy about the pictures, we're going on a month...come on, I can't wait anymore!

Sleepy

For some reason I battled insomnia last night which has left me super tired today. I'm not the napping type, so that's out of the question. But I think my book, blanket and chair sound like the perfect afternoon. I really need to go to the social security office and change my name too though. Decisions, decisions...:)

Biking

This past weekend, Joe and I went on our first mountain biking adventure in Chicago. We've been talking about seriously starting to plan trips and day rides for awhile and with my extra time these past few weeks, I was able to find some great places to ride. I was hoping the trails would be a little more "exciting" than a paved loop and luckily we found something fun and easy going enough to start with. We both had a great time and are already planning our next trip.

Aside from that, life is feeling relaxed while beginning to move into a faster pace for me. Today was my first day back in my new classroom. I went to start cleaning and organizing so I can have things ready for the kids in a couple weeks. Luckily, I really enjoy this easily considered, daunting task. I love the fresh start and creativity it brings. I'm glad I'm going into it this year with a little more wisdom and a lot less students though. I feel like I'm actually going to get to enjoy children again this year and breathe often enough to step back and see some progress. Not that last year wasn't productive, I was just so overly-stressed that I couldn't see it. This year I'm going in with a brand new attitude and honestly excited attitude. You really do learn SO much your first year as a teacher, it's nice to have something to jump off from. I know my new role will have new challenges but I'm embracing that and hoping to enjoy the challenges knowing they are often for a good cause. I feel ready to get back in my classroom and have a great year.

Update

I almost forgot to post the pictures from last weekend. We all had a great time and enjoyed all of the great music that was around us. It was so fun, we may make this a yearly tradition!

Lollapalooza

So Lollapalooza begins today and I'm waiting patiently for others to get out of work so we can go!! What kind of people work in the summer anyways?;) No, I really don't care to see anyone that bad this afternoon, but I'm really looking forward to the rest of the weekend. Tonight we're seeing Radiohead, which none of us can hardly wait for! I saw them once before with friends in college and it was amazing so I'm really happy Joe finally gets to witness it. Thank you to Matt and Gerilynn for making this weekend happen, what a wonderful wedding gift!:) Well I'm off to get around and pack up for a weekend in Grant Park:)