Friday, March 6, 2015

Friday Favorites: I Want To Sleep "All the days" Edition


Happy Friday, Friends!!!  This week has been C.R.A.Z.Y!!!  Monday and Tuesday were "regular" days... full days of classes and quizzes and scrambling to wrap everything up before we broke into grade levels and left on trips and community service days.

(The week before Spring Break, the 6th graders to to a camp, 7th graders go on a Texas History trip to Austin and San Antonio and the 8th graders to a special program at NASA in Houston.  Our freshman serve at school (this year they put on an international day and science day for the elementary grades, our sophomores go on a college tour and Juniors and Seniors pick a mission trip.... local, national or international.  It's probably my FAVORITE week of the year!  It's amazing to see our student body spread out all over the world and serve)

This year I chaperoned the 8th grade trip to NASA and 5:45 Wednesday morning came EARLY. hahaha  It was rainy and cold and YUCK in Dallas.  But I had no qualms or shame about bringing a pillow, big ol' blanket and a hot tea :)


We always stop at this place called Buc-ee's and it's pretty much a really big (and clean!) truck stop.  The kids EAT IT UP and leave with t-shirts (I have no clue why!) and lots of junk food :)


My FAVORITE thing at Buccees is the popcorn :)  And I started reading what I think may end up being my new FAVORITE book.

We got off the bus at the Kemah Boardwalk and were greeted with sun and 75 degree temperatures!  Yes, please!!!

We sat right by the gulf and enjoyed an awesome lunch while the kiddos ran around, rode rides and scarfed down more junk food :)

I can't pass up a hush puppy!  EVER!!!

After Kemah we went to the Space Center and watched an IMAX movie, listened to a few presentations, ate dinner and then participated in some after hours activities.  We got back to the hotel, unloaded the bus and met for a group devotion time.  During the devotion I started to feel kind of queasy, but it was past 11:00 and I thought that maybe I was just wiped out.  I headed back to the room and got CRAZY sick.  It was AWFUL and super fun for the girls who I was chaperoning. hahaha  I think it had to have been something I ate because I went to sleep and felt fine in the morning.

Thursday morning we did a tour of the galleries where I took lots of pictures and texted them to Dave and the kids trying to convince them I was actually in space :)





We did a 90 minute tram tour (it was about 35 degrees and raining!!!) and got to see historic mission control....

... a huge training, development facility...

and the actual Saturn 5 rocket.  I've been to NASA about 4 times and I'm shocked and in awe every time I walk into this hangar. 


We stopped at a mall and visited the food court for lunch and then got back on the road to head home.  My view was oddly similar to the morning before :)

Dave is my FAVORITE for lots of reasons, one of which is that he totally humors my requests and sends me lots and lots of pictures of the littles while I'm gone.  

Luke's new shoes came in the night before I left and apparently he was REALLY excited to wear them Thursday morning.  And apparently his excitement called for lunges :)


Griffin put on her own bow and I'm not sure I've ever been so proud :)


And then there were the group pics I requested that, obviously, everyone was REALLY excited about :)

 


I was SHOCKED when these were the pictures I was texted on Thursday morning...


SO MUCH SNOW!!!  I was sad I missed out on the fun, but was so glad that Dave took pictures so I didn't feel like I totally missed out...




This is my favorite picture :)  Apparently Mason yelled, "Son of a nutcracker!!!" after he got hit.  :)  Elf is his favorite movie. hahaha







Apparently the snow wore this kid OUT because this was him about 5 minutes after coming inside :)


I saw this on Facebook this week and it quickly became one of my FAVORITE e-cards.  I feel like I have at least that many "tabs" open all the time :)


 Griffin's FAVORITE spot???  Pulling out all the plates in the kitchen.  SASS!!!


And her FAVORITE pastime on my phone?  Taking "kissy" face pictures.  And yes, that's her kissy face :)

 And one of my FAVORITE moments from the week was eating dinner with this little diva on Monday night...



And last, but not least - this Lego table tutorial by Fancy Ashley is on my list of FAVORITE projects right now.  I think we may actually have too many Legos to go under this table, but I'm planning on making a different version of it for the awkward corner in my boys room.

Ikea Hack: DIY Lego Table // Fancy Ashley

Happy Friday, girls!!  I am OFFICIALLY on Spring Break after today and can't wait to hang out with my crew for an entire week!  The weather is supposed to be mild (fingers crossed!!!) and we have lots of fun things planned.  Enjoy your weekends, friends!!!


   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   



58 comments :

  1. The e-card made me laugh this morning. My husband always complains that when he gets on my laptop that I have a ridiculous amount of tabs open in the browser but that's just how I work! Thanks for hosting the link-up and Happy Spring Break!

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  2. Girl, I thought about you all week! I'm so glad you're home now with your babies :). Happy Friday!

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  3. Love griffin in the sunglasses eating dinner. And the snow was so pretty but I am ready for spring. Enjoy spring break

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    1. Thanks, girl!!! Me too!!! But I'm not ready for summer :

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  4. I love Bucees popcorn. My husband is a state trooper and gets deployed down to the border every month, and he always brings a bag of caramel corn home for me! We also have a lovely t-shirt for little EK. :-/

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    1. The caramel is so good too! But the cheesey popcorn is AMAZING! :) Enjoy your weekend!!!

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  5. Love that E-card! I feel like that everyday!

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  6. Yay for Spring Break!!! Mason cracks me up!!

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  7. Andrea,
    I live in upstate NY and ADORE your blog! Just wanted to give you a heads up...even thought I would not have said it like this, I would agree...be careful posting student pics. I have read that your school is way lenient, but you just never know. I am in 25th year of teaching, and you can never be took careful. Not everybody is as lenient or not same wavelength. Here is a clip of what is "floating" out there...
    We give her way too much credit for thinking things through. She just isn't very bright. An intelligent adult would have decided that no event is worth risking the safety of students. She packed her van full of students and then headed out with her giggles and stupidity. What bad judgement.
    To top it off she Instagramed photos of her students. Wrong. You don't do that.

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    1. Hey! So the "clip of what is floating out there" is about me??? This should just go to prove that what "floats around out there" isn't accurate or reflective of me as a teacher....
      1) I didn't decide to go to the event. The school sent us. The snow was unexpected and started AFTER we were there. I was there with other parents and chaperones and we were all in the same situation. I didn't "pack my van full of students".... everyone had a seatbelt and we actually had an extra seat. The "giggles" were from my students - I was super nervous about driving them, but to not incite panic in students I put on a happy face and played it cool. And I did NOT instagram pictures of my students (I was actually the only teacher on our trip to NOT put pictures of the kids on my IG). Any pictures of my students that I share I pull off the school's PUBLIC FACEBOOK. Thanks so much for your concern, and I hope that you understand that what "floats around" out there about me (or anyone else) is based on a lot of things.... but the truth isn't one of them. People like to make assumptions and judgements and they're hurtful and untrue. I would NEVER EVER risk the safety of a student (online or in my car) and strictly follow the direction of my principal and other administration.

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    2. I should have added.... Thank you for your concern, I truly appreciate it. If you have others- please don't hesitate to email me about it (dave-and-andrea@hotmail.com). When you leave an anonymous comment I have no way to reply to you directly - so email is often the best way.

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    3. I have a blog and I way overshare my daughter on social media....but I'm glad you clarified that the pics of students are taken from the school's FB page. I wouldn't be OK with a teacher sharing pics on blog, IG, etc. I don't know why it's ok for ME to share but not a teacher but that's beside the point! You should put that disclaimer in your post next time I guess. :) Glad y'all made it safely!

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    4. Most schools have parents sign a release allowing the school to use pictures of their children on social media sites. Parents who don't want their children pictures posted have to write a letter opting out!

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  8. What a fun week! Glad you are back safe and sound!! Xoxo

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  9. Son of a Nutcracker!! Hysterical!! My, Jagger loves Elf too!! Have a blessed weekend!

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    1. Thanks,girl! He's a mess :) Hope your weekend is awesome! :)

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  10. I always love your Friday Favorites!! I apologize if you've answered this before but where did you get the personalized plate with Griffin's name on it... have a friend with a toddler and I'm thinking that would be a great gift for her birthday!

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  11. Curious minds want to know....what is your favorite book--the link wouldn't open on my computer.

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    1. I would have loved to have you as a teacher!!

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  12. Gone Girk is THE best book! I read it in 2 days over Christmas! The movie wasn't near as good!

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    1. I typically don't like to watch movie adaptations of my favorite books because it ruins the "mental pictures" I have in my head :)

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  13. Little Mason is so funny...Son of a nutcracker made me laugh out loud!

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  14. Love your blog and your positive outlook! This is my second time linking up for Friday Favorites and it is so fun!! Thanks for bringing so many interesting, inspiring and creative women together through this!

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    1. thanks, girl!!! So glad you're enjoying the link ups!

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  15. Hey! Finally able to get on my laptop and comment! I think the Schafer family needs to send the McAnally family some major snow gear if good old Texas is going to become such a snowy state- who would've thought!? lol I absolutely love the snow pics! We are on snow day #13 here- which sounds fun, but now our entire spring break is GONE :( Obsessed with the fact that G puts on her own headbands now- Claire does too and it is hysterical.
    PS-I was reading the above comments- people are going to make assumptions and judge no matter what- don't think a thing of it. I'm nervous about what people say about my blog but in the end I know all that matters is what God thinks! Have a fantastic weekend! :)

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  16. So glad you guys got to have some fun at Nasa! We live right by Nasa in a little big town called Pearland. My hubby was in Dallas this week too so he got to enjoy so of yalls snow!! :)

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    1. It was so much fun!!! Glad your husband got to enjoy our snow :) hahaha

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  17. Visiting NASA sounds awesome! And that picture of Mason getting drilled with the snowball is awesome! What perfect timing on Dave's part! Love all the photos he sent you....the faces they are making in some are just too funny!

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  18. Whoa...for the teaching comment! That is some heavy stuff! I follow you on insta, and you definitely did not post student pics. I mean, I see them ALL over your blog, but I am not sure your school cares AT ALL! In fact, it so much fun to see some familiar faces, and we all know that you were stopped in the snow when you took those selfies. Andrea, your students LOVE you and consider you such a friend and confidant. You give us a peek and their lives, and I think that is great. Your school is lucky to have such a open teacher, keep on keepin' on!!!!!

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    1. I try to be really careful about what I do post - and if a student pic pops up on my IG or blog it's typically a "mom" moment (where my kids are in the picture) or a picture that the school has already posted on social media. It's frustrating that people feel the need to post insulting and untrue things about me (professionally and/or personally) on the internet - but there's nothing I can do about it so I try not to dwell. Hope your weekend is AWESOME and thanks so much for reading :)

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  19. I live near Huntsville, Alabama, and we always go to the Space and Rocket Center since NASA is huge there. So fun!! And I've read all of Gillian Flynn's books and I think Gone Girl is her best!!

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    1. So fun! I'm loving Gone Girl! Hope your weekend is AWESOME!

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  20. Haha, I love that ecard, SO accurate! I showed it to my husband the first time I saw it and I was like, "This, right here." All of the snow pics, so cute! Hope you have a great weekend!

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    1. Thanks, girl! Hope your weekend is fantastic as well! :)

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  21. Oh 75 degree weather sounds like heaven!!! Your kiddos are darling and look like they certainly enjoyed the snow! My little men have been all about it, but I am so over it. ;) Bring on Spring!

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  22. Ok this post made me all kinds of nostalgic! I live in OK now, but I am a born and raised Texas girl and I went to Kemah all the time in high school! Such a fun place! Mason cracks me up! People can be so cruel - don't let what other people say or think get you down - you are awesome! I agree with the person who said your students love you, because it is so obvious that they do! Keep your head up! :)

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    1. Thanks, girl! I love love love my students as well :)

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  23. Glad y'all had a fun week and a safe return back home! :)
    Jen Hatmaker has posted some awesome thoughts on internet comments this week. I think they'd translate well to this thread as well in case you missed her posts with how busy you've been being an AWESOME teacher to your students. :)

    Hope you have an awesome weekend and spring break with your crew! xoxo

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    1. Thanks, girl! I'll have to check it out this weekend. Jen Hatmaker is one of my favorites! Thanks so much for reading :)

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  24. What a fun trip! I am glad your kids got to enjoy so much snow. How fun!!!

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  25. Girl I am so with you! I could never pass up a hush puppy either. Love those snow day pictures!

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  26. I have totally forgotten about hush puppies! I'm going to have to make some this weekend now!! Thanks for the friendly reminder!

    Ellie (21 months) asks for a bow in her hair almost daily, I am so impressed with Griffin getting hers in her hair all by herself - hopefully Ellie will do that soon too!!

    Snow right before Spring Break?? that is crazy!

    Have a wonderful break friend!!

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  27. Andrea,
    I, like everyone else here, loves your blog! You totally have the right to post what you and who is in your pictures is your choice. I do think what the obnoxious poster was referring to was the pictures you posted on your blog. Maybe she is old fashioned and doesn't think you can be friends with your students, which you obviously are, and that is great! My mom is really old fashioned as well. I actually loved the selfie you took of your 7th graders. I mean you were stopped in the snow, and nobody was going anywhere. I got really mad because my mom called the picture inappropriate for a teacher to do! So, so old school! Man, I wish I was in your school...I love that you take selfies you and your students!!! Since MCA posts it on their public media, so can you! I love reading how you interact with your students...lots of fun pics! You must be their best friend. Teachers need to be more like you, friends not authorities.
    Emily S.
    California Girl

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  28. Can't wait to hear what you think of Gone Girl! I read it in December :) Oh hush puppies... I am craving them after seeing this post!

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  29. You have totally inspired me to start my own blog! You are perfection and your kids are adorable! Can't wait to starting linking up with you this coming week! Happy Saturday! :D

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  30. I grew up in Houston, and my parents still live there. When I came to Dallas for college I would stop at buc-ee's every single time I made the trip back and forth! I dont know what it is.... but it's just SO GREAT. :) six years later and I STILL stop there! I even got my fiance' hooked when he makes the trip down with me! :)

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  31. Being from indiana its so foreign to see pictures of GREEN grass covered in snow!! Everything here is as brown as can be ;) with tons of snow of course :) love your blog!!

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