A Month in Pictures (and a few side notes from me)

I cannot believe we are already in mid-ish October.  Where in the heck is the fall going?!  It has been such a stressful beginning to the school year.  The new evaluation system has morale REALLY low in the schools.  Things just aren't as enjoyable as they used to be.  Plus, it has been a little hard for me to have a new bunch of kiddos after 2 years with my last class.  Anyway, I'm trying to stay positive and get through all the muck that is staring me in the face.  It is hard to be peppy and happy.

Bryan, who is VERY jazzed up about teaching, is staying positive though.  He was never a part of the field of education before now, so I guess he has never know the "other side" of things.  Anyway, in almost 12 years together, I have NEVER, EVER seen my hubby so happy.  I am THRILLED he loves teaching so much.  

Our schedule is pretty crazy these days.  We spend all the time we can with Lucy in the afternoons and evenings, but after she goes to bed, we're both working (although, I do take the occasional evening to watch some trashy show on t.v.-WAHOO for the KARDASHIAN WEDDING!).  We do try to make the most of our weekends, and have had some great times.

Thanks to Mimi for the duck costume.  Lucy has worn it well.  I thought we were going to get away with a FREE Halloween costume, but no luck.  Lu is now making us call her DOROTHY (yes, from that horrific movie "The Wizard of Oz") and we have now (by we I mean my mom) purchased a Dorothy costume.  So actually reading this I realize I am NOT actually out any money-sweet!  Gotta love some Grandparents!

We're of course always dressing Lucy in her appropriate FALL IN TENNESSEE ON A SATURDAY garb.  She now knows how to sing "Rocky Top" and will shout, "GOOOOOO VOLS!" when prompted.  LOVE IT!

We're also helping Lucy tap into her inner cowgirl.  I mean, don't all cowgirls wear pink boots and no pants?  Please note my husband CRACKING up in the background.  We seriously couldn't get her to wear pants this day.  And our new motto around the house is, "Don't Poke the Bear."  So she wore no pants.  No harm, no foul.

A few weekends ago, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies gave TEACHERS and their families FREE ADMISSION!  FREE people!  FREE!  That is like, well, MONEY around here!  So of course, we loaded up and drove to the mountains.   Bryan and I both love aquariums, and had high hopes for Lucy enjoying it too.  She really dug the large pumpkin decorations outside the place.  She actually sort of cooperated for a RARE picture of us together too!

Thanks to my amazing camera, I got some great shots.  

Lucy was quite fond of the penguins (I was too really.  They were CUUUUUTE!), and she made it about 45 minutes before she said her typical, "I'm all done."  Her FAVORITE part of the aquarium though...the person dressed as a pink shark (although she called it a dinosaur for some reason-too much Barney perhaps?).  Good thing this gig was free.  Perhaps in a few years she will appreciate the wildlife a bit more.  Oh well!  Please note that her DAD is with her and the strange person who agreed to dress like an idiot for the day, as I am still terrified of people in large headed costumes.

That same weekend, my roomie from college, Deborah (a.k.a Debster) and her husband Mark came to visit for a few days.  They were on a nice little road trip back to FL after Mark's med school rotations.  We had a BLAST, except I have NO pictures to prove that.  I cannot believe I didn't snap ONE PHOTO!  I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!

And perhaps the biggest news of all around here is that Lucy went on her first field trip this week!  How is this happening?!?!?  She is only 2 and a half!  Her little class at school (the NEW, GOOD class) went to the Pumpkin Patch.  I (being the paranoid person that I am) made my mom go with her (and really there was no arm twisting involved).  I was a bit nervous about my BABY being on a bus (yes, with her carseat) and then out in a pumpkin patch with no parent or grandparent with her.  It was the first time I realized how my own class of kids' parents must feel when we go on a field trip.  Kind of nerve racking!  Anyway, Lucy was so excited about riding on the bus and going on a trip with her little "PS1" class.  See exhibit 1 below:

Mom said Lucy was very well behaved and had a great time.  They went in a corn maze (she seemed a bit unsure of this-exhibit 2 below).

They saw some scarecrows, went on a hay ride, and of course picked a pumpkin!

Last but not least, the princess has been spending some time practicing being terribly cute.  Her moods still swing, her fuse is still short, but what a doll!