A Day For Pinspiration

It's finally Friday in this week filled with state testing and a sick mommy and baby. Let me be the first to say, it couldn't have come soon enough. There's nothing worse than being sick at work with 25 loud middle schoolers in each class. Scratch that. There truly is. There's nothing worse than being sick at work with 25 middle schoolers taking the STAAR test. i.e. You sit with them in silence from 9:30am-2:30pm. Like I said, Friday couldn't come fast enough. Now my poor baby girl is feeling like complete dog poop.   When I got her up this morning, I was really hoping she was going to feel better, but my hopes were crushed when I was doing her hair. She looked at me through the bathroom mirror with those big blue eyes and literally just lost it. She burst into tears...uncontrollable sobbing. My heart broke. I asked her what was wrong and all she could say was, "I dunno! I jus don't wanna doh. My nose hurts!"  It literally took me several minutes to calm her down. Talk about break a momma's heart!

So, anyways, I did finally make it to school,  but I left my heart at daycare.  :( Which brings me to the topic of my post. I decided to skip my lunch today and focus on getting Pinspired. Chloe's birthday is a mere 53 days away! If you know me, you know I am nothing if not detail oriented.  Being a "more than full time" working mom, means I start the party planning process early. I like every detail to be perfect....especially the invitation, outfit, and the cake!  This year, it's only fitting that Chloe's birthday theme will be Mickey Mouse Clubhouse inspired.  This kid lives and breathes for Mickey Mouse...and Pooyo, Doofy, Minnie, Daisy, and Donald.  Here's a sneak peek at some of the Pinspiration I found.

Party favors?

 



Oh, the ideas!

The gift bags, the water bottles, the personalized sign...oh my!

Because everyone needs some Mouseketools, right?

 



I. AM. IN. LOVE.



More fun gift bag ideas!

 



 Add a fun mouse-eared straw, and the drink is complete!

 

  Every girl knows, you have to have the perfect outfit for the party...

 

 Give me your opinion, the super girly tutu or something like this??

 

I am now totally pumped to put on my mouse ears and get this party planning started! It looks like I have lots of crafting in front of me. Any craftistas out there looking to volunteer countless hours for free???? After Chloe's party, I'll be sure to post pictures of all the fun, and you can see just how Pincrazy I got.  

 

Till next time,

 

Lori

Ladies and gentlemen, let the coundown begin!

It's SPRING! Last week we talked about how, for Chloe, spring means a brand new wardrobe.  Oh to be so lucky.... For teachers, though, spring brings on a whole new meaning. Spring is when the abundance of countdowns begin.

I'm pretty sure you could ask any teacher on my campus and they could tell you exactly how many instructional days we have left in the year. Did I say any teacher? ANY teacher! And, in case you're wondering...

There are 50 day, or 1 month and 20 days, or what sounds even better, 37 actual SCHOOL DAYS left until school lets out for summer.

That's not the only countdown going on right now in the Thompson house, though.  Summer is a busy time of year for us.

There are:
 

5 instructional days left until my students attempt take get tortured by rock the STAAR test.

62 days left until my baby girl turns 3. 

Check out her birthday dress I just got in the mail! Thank you Jordan K Clothing! :)

61 days left until my baby girl says 'bye bye paci.' TBH, this totally scares the crap out of me.

This, in a nutshell, is my kiddo. Bow, "sundasses," and a paci. Every girl's must have accessories.         

 

I took this picture back in January, the first time we tried to say "bye bye paci." I found her climbing on the counter to get to where I keep the treasured pacis. As you can see, it didn't end well. :/

78 days left until the husband finally catches up with me in age. PTL!

81 days until I am laying on the beach in Cabo San Lucas.

Here is where we are staying! I know, we'll be roughing it. ;)

I can't wait to kayak to this little piece of paradise!

And, finally, sigh...131 days left until school begins...again. :/

Not that I'm counting or anything...

Till next time,

Lori

Blogging Blues & New Shoes

You know, they say winter can make a person lazy. I don't know if it's true, but winter sure does make me gain weight and just generally feel rather unmotivated to do much of anything.  I think that's what I'll blame my two month blogging hiatus on. Winter. Sounds like a grand excuse!

Seriously though, I'm really not sure what my problem was. Tons of stuff was happening in my life. I went to San Francisco in early February, turned 33, chaperoned 25 people to New York City and D.C. over spring break, taught every day, lived the life of a toddler mom... There were so many times when I would say, "I should blog about that!" Every time, the thought that followed that one..."Naw...."  L.A.Z.Y. That's what I've been!

Today marks my step back into the world of blogging. Spring is here! It's beautiful outside, so sunny and warm, with tempertures in the high 70s. How can you not feel more perky, more happy, more energized!?!  I certainly do. AND, the big news to celebrate about Spring is, of course, it's WEDGE SEASON!  That's right folks, the wedge is back. Overnight, I went from a 5'3" winter boot wearin' momma, to a 5'8" wedge wearin' momma.  For this shortie, five inches is a dream come true! It's takes these legs from short and stumpy to long and lean err...leaner.

Here are my feet yesterday. Just look at how happy they are!  Thank you justfab.com for another great shoe purchase.  This beauty comes in ivory, mint, and fuchsia. You can find it HERE. They have a(n) great awesome UH-MAZING  selection of wedges right now. In fact, I fully plan on doing a little online shoe shopping tonight!

Spring also means that lucky Miss Chloe gets a whole new wardrobe. How nice would it be get all new clothes and shoes every season! #toddlerluck  I took her shopping this weekend. She got quite the loot from Old Navy and Stride Rite. Quite arguably, these stores are my two favorite places to shop for my little booger.  Here's some of what she got.

I really just can't get over the cardi look this season. It's amazing how a spring cardi can dress up any top. Chloe has this one in ivory, pink, black, and navy. Looking at this picture, I'm thinking she now needs the coral one too! Throw some skinny jeans with it and you're ready to take on the town. :)

This simple tunic looked great with her new navy Cardi and some skinny jean capris at Mamaw's 79th birthday dinner this past weekend.

Ahhh...the jean jacket. Every girl needs a jean jacket. It is truly a spring wardrobe staple.  What do you pair it with? See below!

The toddler maxi dress! Adorable alone, dressed up a bit with a jean jacket. You just can't go wrong!

This is actually the SECOND top like this that I have bought in the last month. I am totally digging the nautical look this season. Not so much the clothes with the anchors all over them, but the color scheme. When I originally bought this shirt, I paired it with a jean mini skirt and the navy cardi (see, the cardi is very versatile!) and LOVED it. Then, Chloe proceeded to spill my Dr. Pepper all over the shirt and ruined it. :( Never fear, Old Navy sales are here! When I saw that this tunic was on sale for $7, I knew I must have it again!

The romper. So so SO stinkin' cute on little toddler bums. Enough said.

 

The jean capri. Love. On sale for $10. M.U.S.T. H.A.V.E.

This is another one of Chloe's wardrobe staples this season. The khaki capri. It looks nicer than jeans, it's super comfy, and washes well with no iron needed. They come in white, navy, and fuchsia. Chloe has all three!

Everyday Steal Alert! Old Navy has their toddler "pip pops" as Chloe calls them on sale 2 for $7!

I can't tell you how many pairs of Stride Rite Butterscotch sandals this child has owned. We usually go through two pairs a season. They're not the cheapest sandal out there, but they are a great shoe. Stride Rite is my "go to" store for shoes that Chloe will wear a lot. I'm okay with a cheap shoe for one outfit kinda wear, but I want her everyday shoes to be great for her growing feet. This shoe has great support, wears well, and looks super cute with all of Chloe's Sweet Honey dresses and with her regular play clothes.

Stride Rite is having one of their BOGO sales right now, so I told Chloe that she could pick out another pair of shoes all on her own . She was really into trying on her own shoes and picking out styles. These Sperrys are what she finally settled on, and aren't they a great choice! They're so full of color, they'll match so much! The best part is, these adorable little shoes are actually Velcro, so she can put them on without any help!

 Simply put, that, folks, is Chloe what you will see Chloe sporting for the spring. :)

And, finally, with spring, also comes the announcement of the next big NKOTB concert....in LAS VEGAS, people! Tommi and I are totally thinking we should take a girl's trip in July to see them. Now, to convince Rusty that I need must go!

 

Oh yes, I really need to go. You can find more proof on why I really MUST go below.

See? I told you I needed must go! If you know my husband, please, put in a good word for me. ;)

Till next time,

Lori

Leggings ARE NOT Pants!

This morning before school I was reading a new blog post over at Pinterest Told Me To and I found myself saying out loud, "Yes, Yes, YEESSSS!" Chloe promptly asked me, "You talkin' to yoself?" What can I say, I totally was. It was totally necessary though. 

Just yesterday, I was walking behind someone (To protect the fashionless, that person shall remain nameless.) who was wearing a short shirt, tight tight TIGHT black leggings, and boots. It felt so hateful, but in my head all I could think was, "Hello?! Did she not look in the mirror this morning?" Leggings ARE NOT PANTS people!  Don't get me wrong. I love me some leggings. They are an absolute staple in my winter wardrobe. That is, underneath a very long and fashionable top.  Never ever should butt or thighs be hanging out in something that stretchy, grab every nook and cranny tight. It's just tacky.  It's even more tacky if you're not pencil thin which I certainly am not.  I can own up to and see what looks bad on me. I look gross until that long top gets nicely put on top. My thunder thighs and big butt don't need to be shown off in a pair of stretch leggings and neither do any of yours.

Back to the reason why I was talking to myself...when I opened up Pinterest Told Me To's blog this morning, what do I see?

Seriously, talk about a woman who can read my mind. I urge you to head on over to Pinterest Told Me To some time today and take a few moments to ponder her legging advice. You will be a better person for it, and the world will thank you.

Till next time,

Lori

Operation Bye Bye Paci

It's 10 o'clock on Sunday night, and I should be going to bed. I'm tired, exhausted really, and I have to go back to school tomorrow. #bummer  Mandi and I are presenting at our professional development first thing in the morning.  You would think being well rested would be top priority. Nope. I wanted to pop in and say hi. We were so busy over our Christmas break. I haven't blogged about Christmas, visiting Santa, or any of the other fun stuff we did yet. I promise this week I'll post some pictures and reminisce over the highlights of Christmas 2013.

What I will say is that on Friday I officially began Operation Bye Bye Paci. It's going to be a slow, or long depending how you look at it, process.  Chloe turned 2 1/2 a few weeks ago and is really getting more and more attached to her paci by the hour.  Seriously, she has begun hiding them EVERYWHERE. I'm not even kidding. I can never find one when she needs it (e.g. bedtime) because they're all hidden in the most remote locations that only she and Spanky, her constant companion, know about. When I take her paci from her, she'll throw her fit, get over it, or so I think, and go about her business. The next thing I know, she has another paci in her mouth. I bet I'll be finding pacis hidden in secret corners of our house for years to come.

At Jakki's house, Chloe doesn't take a paci anymore, not even at nap time. Chloe's words: Pacis are for babies, chocolate 'nilk' is for big girls. She's got a lot more to occupy her over there though. She plays with Jenna and Jade non stop.  At home, it's just her and the dogs. Needless to say, the whole 'pacis are for babies' motto goes straight out the nearest window as soon as she gets home. She is a paci sucking, chocolate 'nilk' drinking baby at the Thompson house.

On Friday, I decided that she wasn't going to have one anymore unless her head was on a pillow.  That would be step one. Honestly, Chloe has done remarkably well...until tonight. She has given me her paci without much of a fuss upon waking up in the morning. Each and every time she has "found" another one, I've been able to get her to give it up too.  Tonight though, tonight was a different story. Tonight, we had a meltdown. A sleepy-eyed, but not yet bedtime, I need my paci meltdown. I felt awful. I mean...look at her!

It probably wasn't very thoughtful of me to take a picture of her mid meltdown, but ya know, sometimes a picture is worth a 1000 words. Eventually I gave in...kind of. I told her that she could have her paci, but only if she was laying down on the couch on her pillow. You see, Chloe rarely hardly ever NEVER sits still. Her sitting on a couch for any amount of time just doesn't happen too often. She laid down, sucked on her paci for all of maybe three minutes and started to get off the couch. I said, "Um, if you get up, you have to give me back your paci." Her response? Oh, I was ready for a total meltdown. But, no! Chloe's response was a mere, "Okay!" as she pulled the paci out of her mouth and handed it over.

There you have it my friends. Apparently my kid is an addict. She just needed a quick fix and all was better! We didn't have another mention of the paci until it was bedtime.

My question to all you moms out there is...what methods and ideas did you use to help your baby transition away from a paci without it being so traumatizing for both of you?

We still have a long road ahead of us, and I'm open to ideas and suggestions...just no scrutiny please! She's my baby, my 2 1/2 year old paci loving baby. :)

Till next time,

Lori

Irony, Coincidences, and White Feathers

Okay, so I realize that I just posted a blog only a few hours ago, but I feel compelled to share again.  A while back I purchased the new Theresa Caputo book, “There More To Life Than This.” I’ve been slowly reading it. Emphasize the word slowly. Let’s just say November and December are not prime months for this mommy to have many spare moments to curl up with a book. 

In the book, Theresa mentions several times that quite often your spirits are communicating with you in ways, but you are unaware.  She encourages you to open your eyes, and your hearts, and that you will notice.  One of the topics she discusses is that often times in life you have those moments where you experience déjà vu and even irony. She says that often comes from your spirit friends.  Recently, since reading that part of her book and deciding I wanted to pay more attention to those types of situations, I have been overcome with those moments. Seriously, overcome. Examples include having conversations with Chloe that I just know I have had before. I literally know what’s going to come out of her mouth before she even takes a breath and the tv or radio saying the same thing I’m thinking, saying, or texting. A prime example is last night. One of my girls text me asking how to spell frappucchino.   Literally, as I was typing a text back to her spelling out the word for her, a commercial on tv says frappucchino like five times. Honestly, that’s truly nothing big. But, since I’ve been open and looking for signs, every time something like this happens, I think in my head, “Is that spirit? Or, is that just coincidence?”  Today, I had some similar experiences and finally I said in my head, “Okay, dad, if this is you trying to make yourself known, you’re going to have to give me something more concrete to work with here.” Then, I went to lunch. 

Before I tell you the next part of my story, I need to rewind a bit.  In Theresa’s book, she mentions that white feathers are also a sign from a spirit trying to make their presence known to you. Yesterday, I found myself completely entangled in reading about this man who lost his wife to a rare form of lung cancer only two years after they married and only one year after they had their daughter. The story centered around him and his daughter having a photo shoot done in their house, also where they had their wedding photos done, using all the same poses, only it was him and his daughter, rather than the wife.  During the photo shoot, the photographer, the late wife’s sister, had the little girl go sit by the window where she often pictured her sister rocking the little girl. When the little girl went over there, she found a white feather lying where the mom used to sit.  These feathers had been showing up in random places frequently for them. The feather ended up being the center of several pictures in that shoot.  Here’s the excerpt from her sister’s blog:

Lately Ali has been IN.OUR.FACE. Like non stop. I usually get a handful of “messages/signs” weekly. But a couple weeks ago I asked her to make herself more present for me. Welp, let’s just say she listened for once . I never share these things but with some super close friends or my family, but I feel like she’s begging me to share with you guys. So I decided I will. Feathers have been a consistent token from her. Fall out of nowhere onto me, all.the.time. Anywho. As you probably figured, I was having anxiety about cleaning out her stuff with my family and then taking pictures in their empty house. When we went upstairs into Olivia’s room to shoot, I directed Olivia to stand by the window. In my mind I imagined Ali rocking her as an infant in that very spot. She went there, then bent down and picked something up…a white feather. Oh hey sis! Glad you could make an appearance in this sesh. That same day I got a couple other blatant signs, another of which was a bigger white feather while outside picking a Christmas tree with my aunt Dale. (Another past time we did together.)

You can read more of the Nunery's story by clicking HERE. You can read the entire blog, including about the white feather, by clicking HERE.

Now that you have some background information, back to my story.  So, I told my dad that if he wanted to make his presence known, I needed him to be a little more concrete than mere coincidences and pieces of irony. I needed something tangible. Something I couldn’t argue or talk myself out of.  Like I said, after this conversation, I went to lunch.

After lunch, I returned to my room, got my kids on task, and sat down at my desk to take attendance. That's when something caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. I looked over to the left side of my desk and sitting there in the middle of my desk was….A WHITE FEATHER! A white feather, people! I kid you not! Here it is!

Seriously, I can't tell you the last time I saw a feather. Much less a white one...ON MY DESK! I took this hugely loud, deep breath which proceeded to interrupt all of my kids. I was shaking slightly, my heart felt like it weighed 100 pounds and was beating marathon fast, and I’m pretty sure I was in a state of utter shock. Alright, dad. I get it. This is tangible. This is concrete. I’ll take it! Thank you!! Never have I ever been so thankful for blogging Thursdays (which we have in every class for 20 minutes on Thursdays and Fridays). I turned to my keyboard, and as my students blogged (I bet 90% of them were blogging about how there’s only one more day until Christmas break, that’s right, I said CHRISTMAS break.) I opened up my little Blogger and proceeded to share my experience with you. #BELIEVE

Till next time,
Lori

Sometimes I Just Can't Ride The Safe, Middle Line

        It’s been such a long time since I’ve blogged. There’s been plenty to write about: our 2013 Iceoliday, Thanksgiving, my Secret Santa woes, all things Chloe related (Did I mention she was moved up from the mommy and me class to the preschool class?!?), the never ending Christmas shopping, those pesky 10 pounds I’ve gained that just won’t budge (thank you, 32!).  Oh how the list goes on and on. There’s no way I could ever catch up. So, I think I’ll just blog with what’s on my mind this morning.

Sometimes I can be super opinionated on issues, but usually I just ride the line straight down the middle, especially when it comes to politics. I tend to be “wishy washy” and easily swayed one way or the other.  Last night, I was half-heartedly watching Barbara Walter’s special on the most fascinating people of 2013. I say half-heartedly because I was also reading a ridiculously long article on Kidd Kraddick (you can find a link to that article by clicking HERE) that had way more of my attention. That’s why when Barbara was interviewing Hillary Clinton, I had no idea, I repeat, NO IDEA, that she was named the #1 most fascinating person of 2013! In fact, her interview is probably the one I paid the least attention to. I find her rather boring mundane stale yawn worthy.  Really, Barbara? Really? On what grounds is she fascinating? What has she done this year to earn this title? I could think of so  many more interesting, fascinating, and deserving people. It’s not that I don’t like Hillary, it’s not that I do like her. I really could care less either way about her. (Once again, I ride the middle a lot.) I just don’t get it. She hasn’t been in the spotlight for any good deed, she hasn’t done something amazing this year; heck, has she done much of anything this year aside trying to avoid the subpoena to testify under oath about her part in the whole Benghazi attack? You know, the security lapse that was her ultimate responsibility and cost four American’s their lives? Let me tell you, I don’t know just how fascinating those four families feel she is. What about Miley Cyrus? Hasn’t she had way more “press making” moments? (Not that I like her. Actually, I kinda detest her and think she’s gross. But still, she’s more interesting than Hillary freaking Clinton!) What about the new Pope who’s the epitome of what a 21^st century, new world Pope should be?  I hate to say it, but Barbara, my dear, you are way off on this one.

Now, on to the next topic that caught my attention this morning. Apparently, Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the Duck Dynasty family, made some comments in GQ magazine that he opposed the gay lifestyle, bestiality, adultery, and several other things.  The conversation began because Phil told the reporter, "Everything is blurred on what's right and what's wrong ... sin becomes fine." He’s totally right! How many times have we all asked ourselves, “What IS wrong with our world today?!” What’s right and what’s wrong have truly become totally blurred. It’s the new, 21^st century lifestyle. Ask for forgiveness later, turn your head the other way, let your kids get away with murder, and condone everything.  The magazine went on to ask him what he considers sinful. "Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there -- bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men," he said.  Once again, isn’t he right? Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with any of my friends or family being homosexual. It truly could matter less to me. Mainly, because it’s not my place to judge. The Bible says it’s wrong, it’s a sin, but until I am free of sin, and I am so far from it, my job is to live my life the best I can and love those around me. I have gay friends who are amazing people.  I would never judge them.  This too is how Phil Robertson lives his life. He ended his discussion about the sins in our world today by telling the reporter, "We never, ever judge someone on who's going to heaven, hell. That's the Almighty's job. We just love 'em, give 'em the good news about Jesus -- whether they're homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort 'em out later, you see what I'm saying?" 

I read this all this morning in an article reporting that he has been suspended by A&E for his comments. It really angered me, the walk the middle line girl. He said he would “never, ever judge someone,” he just disagrees with their choices.  BIG DEAL! I seriously doubt there is anyone in the world that totally agrees with the choices that every other person in their life makes. Isn’t Phil the one being judged by the network and the world for his personal and religious beliefs?  Frankly, I admire him for being committed enough to his beliefs to stand up in front of the world and say so.  These days, we are so concerned with what is politically correct, what might offend someone, blah, blah, blah…Sometimes I feel that as a whole, we are forced to bite our tongue and not embrace our true beliefs except behind closed doors.  Need I go into the whole “Happy Holidays” rather than “Merry Christmas” crap?

            I can also see though how the homosexual community could feel hurt when their lifestyle isn’t accepted by someone. Really though, isn’t that life? Not every decision and choice I have made has been one that everyone would support or agree with. And, it has bothered me when others have disagreed with me. Ultimately though, we are adults living in a free nation with a right to do and say how we please to do and say. Where on one corner there is someone opposing you, on the next is someone who will have your back.  So why does everyone have to be so PC? It’s truly done out of fear. Fear for their job, their friends, and fear of an uproar. The reality of America, the land of the free, has truly taken on a new definition. Welcome to America, the land of the free, the land where political correctness reigns, and the land where we must now only wish our fellow Americans a happy holidays.  But, of course, in God we trust. Ironic much?
            On a lighter note, today is pajama day at Chloe’s dance studio. Since I pretty much bolt in a mad dash straight from Jakki’s house to the studio to get there on time, she got to wear her pajamas to Jakki’s house today. Here she is in our morning picture to send to daddy who is working in Kansas this week. 

I hope you all have a fabulous Thursday and find your way to the weekend safe, happy, and not completely broke from Christmas.

Till next time,

Lori