Welcome Eliza!

On Sunday I went into labor and at 11:20 at night Eliza was born.

At 7lbs 4 oz and 18 inches long she was definitely a chunky thing compared to what her brother was! He really enjoyed meeting her; he was also very interested in looking out the window as well :/ gotta love the attention span of 3 year olds.

When he came with my dad to pick us up from the hospital, he started to cry and tell my dad "No Gru, we can't leave Liza!" He did not realize they were just going to get the car for us. When we got home he just wanted to watch her sleep and give her kisses.

He also made sure to show her all of his toy and even shared several with her (even though it was just laying them down on her feet).

Jack-o-lanterns - Art Craft

I read the "Pumpkin Patch Parable" by Liz Curtis Higgs to the kids. Afterwards, they made their own pumpkins and added in the faces.

Link to photo source: Amazon

We took a plain paper plate and the kids drew faces on them. Afterwards they helped me to staple a brown rectangle and a green leaf to the top. Once again, they were more than happy to show their parents what they made.

The pumpkins they made.

Witcty Witches - Art Craft

To get ready for Halloween, we read a book at work. The K4 students loved "Room on the Broom"  by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler. After we read, we made ours witches.

Link to photo source: Amazon

I handed out paper plates on which they drew witch faces. Once they finished that, they told me what color hair they wanted. They received 4 strips of that, a black triangle, and a black thin rectangle. This made the witch's hair and hat.

The kids thoroughly enjoyed doing this project. 

A visit to the fire station

It was recently Fire Prevention Week. To celebrate a local volunteer fire station was throwing an open house. My son, being the typical little boy, loves any vehicle that moves, so we took him to this event.

He had a blast. There was a bounce house, an obstacle course, a variety of large vehicles, a hay ride, and there was a helicopter that landed during the event. I think the helicopter was his favorite part. When it was coming down he was so excited, and when it landed he looked at my mom and said, "woah! Gigi, it came from the sky!"

My beautiful mother and son in a truck.

My son sitting in the back of the ambulance.

My mother and son by the sheriff's air boat.

Me, my mom, and Nicky investigating the fire engine.

My mother helping Nick through the obstacle course.

Nicholas wearing his prize for completing the course.

Me, my mom, and Nick looking at the helicopter.

Me, my mom, and Nick by another fire engine.

Although it was a little warm, we all had a blast.

Welcoming Fall - Art Craft

At work the kids and I made sure to welcome the fantastic fall weather we were having. In order to do so, we did an art craft.

These are our leaves.

With jumbo craft sticks, paper, leaves, and crayons we made this project.
It is just a pressure rubbing of a leaf with colored craft sticks glued to the paper to make a frame.
The kids loved this and that they got to put it all together. I just had to make sure to remind them not to push down too hard on the crayons.

Our Dots - Art Craft

International Dot Day for Peter Reynold's "The Dot" was September 15.
The children at work and I made sure to celebrate this day. I started off by reading the book to them, then we made our dots. Being that they are in K4, I handed out paper plates to make their dots. From there I set up stations: a stamping station, a cutting (or "punching" out shapes) and gluing station, and a color station.
The kids loved this craft!

Most of our finished dots for International Dot Day.

One Proud Mama

Today I did not have to go to work, so I took advantage of that and picked my son, Nicky, up from daycare early. There were a few errands that needed to be done before we could go home and have fun (none of these errands would be considered fun for a 2 year old).

We had to get him a haircut, which he sat completely still for (besides when he was twitching and giggling because the razor on his neck tickled him). Then it was time for his flu shot.....yikes! He did awesome! He sat there talking to the nurse the whole time and only just flinched when he was poked with that needle. Did not even cry.

My handsome man's new haircut.

Both the hair dresser and the nurse told me that they do not have children years older than him behave as well as he did.

After that it was off to walmart for a birthday present for my mother. I also promised him a new toy for being such a big boy at the previous two stops. He got a new Hiro the Train toy. We had to stop by the bank afterwards, and of course he had to bring in his new toy. From there he preceded to inform everyone he had a train and it would be opened at home. He definitely entertained everyone in that line.

Nick playing with his new train.

We even made great strides in the zone of potty training number 2 today. 
The evening was ending with a bath, a little stargazing (his new favorite activity since he realized the existence of those glowing little fire balls), and reading his new favorite book "Room on the Broom."

By the end of the evening I was puffed up to be one proud mama hen.

About Me

I am a single mother to the most amazing thing to ever happen to me, my son Nicholas. He will be 3 in November and he makes me proud to be his mama each and every day. I was a horrible child growing up and consider myself lucky to have gotten a kid as great at my Nicky.

I am also 33 weeks pregnant with my daughter Eliza. So far, Nick is not understanding the idea that there is a baby in my tummy and he will be a big brother. There was a week that he ran around with his hand cupped and told everyone that his baby was in there. I am figuring that once she is here in November he will fully understand what it means to have a baby in the house.

This is the photo announcement that I used when I told my friends I was expecting.

I am also in college pursuing my degree in elementary education. I will graduate December 2016 and have the goal to go to graduate school afterwards. I have a lot going on in my life and it can become very hectic, but I would not change any of it for a moment. I know finishing school and starting a career as a single mother of two will not be an easy endeavor, but I am determined to make it happen for a better life for my children and myself.