Where did summer go?!

I can't believe it's already September. The pool days are over. No more weekend trips to the lake. It really did fly by!!

Even though we started back to school 4 weeks ago, I still loved having the weekends to lay around the pool, or go out to dinner and sit on the patio. But I'm ready to say goodbye to the 90 degree weather, and nights where it's so hot you can barely enjoy whatever you doing! 

HELLO FALL and cooler temperatures!

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Lexington had a glimpse of cooler weather today with highs in the 60's. 

It was a little shocking when I walked outside this morning, but needless to say, it was a nice break from the near 100 degree weather we had last week! 

Labor day weekend flew by. Of course. 

Saturday morning, we headed down to Glasgow to spend the day on the lake. It was hot out!!! But the lake wasn't too crowded and it was a perfect little getaway. 

We drove back to Lexington Sunday, and this little pup was worn out! He loves going down to Ben's parents house because he can run and run in the yard. 

Today, we got back in the car and headed up north for some shopping. The Cincinnati outlets are an hour an a half away and a great little day trip. 

I love going when they switch over to seasons because there are LOTS of sales!!! We both found some great deals on clothes/shoes/etc. 

I can't wait for cooler weather to wear scarves, sweaters and boots!!! 

And tomorrow morning, I'm waking up early and heading to Starbucks for the first PSL of the season :)

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Have a great week!!!

Goodbye Summer...

Summer is officially over.... 

I am so sad to say that summer has ended. This past week, I had lots of meetings and tried to put the finishing touches on my classroom. I am so happy with how everything turned out! I am so excited to finally have my OWN room and not have to share a room with another teacher.

Before:

After:

 

Front door for our sports theme this year!

I must say, I have the BEST instructional aides in my room. They helped me so much yesterday, and it was nice to have 4 extra pairs of hands in the room again! (For new readers: I teach elementary special education for students with moderate to severe disabilities - mostly kids with Autism or Functional Mental Disabilities! I love it!!) Miss Tracy was also a HUGE help with my room- Thanks Trac!

I didn't get everything on my Summer Bucket List completed, but I am happy with how my summer was. It really did fly by!

I must say, I am ready to have some structure back in my life. Unless I had to babysit or had a PD training, I really didn't have a lot of structure to my day/week this summer. I am more productive and can actually get things done with some structure to my day!

Today, a friend and I had to run errands with to get some decorations for an engagement party we are having next Saturday. I can't wait!!!

I am hoping to spend all day tomorrow at the pool. Please let it be nice weather tomorrow....

Enjoy your weekend!

Summer So Far...

My first week of Summer has flown by, and I have enjoyed every minute of it!

First day of Summer (last Thursday) I went to a water park and enjoyed the lazy river all day. 

Best way to spend a day in the hot sun! I was at the water park until 6:30pm!!!

Friday, I ventured to Target. Of course, the only thing I went there to buy were some Storage Bins... 

and ended up spending almost $100 on who knows what. You cannot walk out of that store with the only thing you went there to buy! That's the beauty of Tar-jay though :)

Monday, I spent the whole day searching for this fabric:

Apparently, every store is sold out of this fabric. Not Happy. I am trying to get things made for my new bedroom based on this bedding from Pottery Barn (who is also completely sold out of this bedding!)

So FRUSTRATING! 

On Tuesday, I had to wake up early and head to a Professional Development on Technology. It was probably the most interactive PD I have been to and I loved it! At the end, you had a chance to win an iPad 2, SmartBoard for your classroom, Document Cameras, etc. Of course, I didn't win anything :( But it was still a great PD day!

Today, I was hoping to hit up the pool and lazy river again after a meeting this morning. But unfortunately, it was dark and rainy all day. UGH! I guess it's a good break from all the heat we have had lately though...

I am loving all the down time I have with Summer Break. I love being able to get out of bed whenever I want and spend the morning watching the Today Show. I don't mind having commitments a few days of the week because it keeps me on a routine, and I'm all about routine and schedules!

And since I don't have to be in bed by a certain time, I'm off to go watch RHONJ on DVR. Did you all see the OC reunion?

 

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Whoa, craziness. I could barely even following along with everything because of all the screaming going on, shew.

Hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

HELLLLLO SUMMER BREAK!

As of today at 2pm, I am officially on Summer Break for the next (almost) 2 months!! So excited!

Tomorrow, you can find me here:

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And maybe even an ORANGE LEAF date with Ms. Tracy to celebrate our first official Summer as a teacher :)

Orange Leaf gift card from a student

Hopefully now that I have more time, I will be able to blog more. It's only the first night of summer, and I already texted my teacher friend saying I was bored, ha! I'm sure I will regret saying that come August. The sad thing is, I really only have 2 full weeks where I don't have ANY work related things. I have Professional Development trainings a few times this summer, and I'm working a camp for Students with Autism for 3 weeks. I'm sure I will be busy busy! But I am so thankful to be able to have time to relax and get lots of things finished this summer. 

**Thank you all for the sweet comments and emails about Perry. He is doing MUCH better and I am very thankful!!!

Charleston Recap!!

{Brace yourselves.... Picture overload ahead....}

We had a GREAT time in Charleston last week. Great weather, great food, great shopping!! I couldn't have asked for a better week to go. I love having a later spring break now, because that means warmer weather!

We decided to drive down so that little Perry could meet my mom and go to the beach for the first time. 

He did so well in the car! 

He hung out in the backseat (notice his new puppy bed!)...

He nestled his little head on Ben's shoulder just watching the road... 

For an 8 hour car ride with a 4 month old puppy, it was pretty non-adventurous. Besides the sudden hail storm in Tennessee on our way back.... Ugh

On Thursday, we went downtown for some shopping and lunch. 

Found a new boutique, Willy Jay's, with some cute dresses!

Went to lunch at the Market Pavilion. It was on the rooftop of the hotel and had amazing views of Charleston! 

Mom ordered the pizza, it was soooo good!

I love spending the day downtown just shopping and enjoying the atmosphere down there. 

We went to dinner Thursday night at The Boathouse on Isle of Palms. AMAZING. I ordered the Spicy Shrimp and Grits. If you ever go here, you MUST order this. I didn't get a chance to take a picture because I was ready to try it as soon as it came out!! It was soooo sooo good! 

Pictures at the beach after dinner... 

Friday was much more relaxing. We went out to the beach early and took Perry!!

He loved playing in the sand, but was not so sure about the water and waves coming up on the beach. He would back up really fast to avoid the water. I was shocked because he loves jumping in the puddles when it rains!!

The rest of the day was filled with laying by the pool, and some more shopping in Mount Pleasant. 

We went to a local favorite for dinner -- Crave. It never disappoints. Perry got to come along for this dinner outing as well. 

We enjoyed a few of these... 

and these...

Saturday was another relaxful day spent at the pool and just enjoying the weather!!

I am still catching up on laundry, my early bedtime during the week, and getting back to a routine. It was a short little trip, but a much needed one!! I love that you can hop in the car and drive 8 hours and end up at the beach. I can't wait to go back again sometime this summer. 

I hope everyone is having a great week so far!!!