Weekend in Review...Camping time...

Friday...Jeff took Norah to school for me so she didn't have to go as early...well...she was getting out of his truck and somehow lost her balance/foot got caught and ended up face planting on concrete! Not good! Blood was everywhere....we couldn't tell if she broke her nose or her teeth...ended up taking her to dentist (a big thanks to Dr. Grabeman for seeing her before he opened!)..teeth were good. She had cut the inside of her mouth pretty bad, busted her lip and scratched up her chin and nose. After we got her some medicine, bag of ice, and cleaned up....she went to class and was such a trooper! Here is a pic once we got home...poor thing!

Friday afternoon came and Norah and I picked up the last items needed for the camping trip and packed up everything. Jeff and Norah left for our first camping trip and I went to a school event party. We were so appreciative to be asked to go camping with the Georgetown Presbyterian Church group. It was one price and included the camp site and food. So now the camping trip...
This was the first time we have camped as a family and the first time Norah and I have camped at all! I hate that I didn't go on Friday because...I LOVED CAMPING! Who knew?! Seriously...it was the most fun and I cannot wait to go again! Here are the details...we stayed at Huntington State Park which was great because it was so close to us (We stayed in "Primitive Area" on the left of the map which was for tents only.)

We were in spot "4" and had Boy Scout Troops staying in the other areas so there was a lot of tents out there! We were in walking distance to a bathroom and beach. Jeff and Norah got there Friday with the rest of the families, set up camp, explored, had dinner (grilled chicken, sausages, onions and potatoes) and hung out. Jeff said the kids were running around having a blast. They found a pelican skull which they thought was cool. :)

We used a tent that my mom had bought years ago but never had used! It was the Cadillac of tents and it worked awesome! It had a "screen porch" section that helped keep all the bugs out and the room part was super tall and spacious. (That is our tent on the right!)

Saturday morning I got up...took care of dogs, showered and did a quick clean and load of laundry and got out to Huntington about 10:00 am...I met Norah at the Nature Center where she was making a shirt with paint and these rubber sea animals. It is cute! Jeff and Keith had taken Alec and headed to the beach to set up some fishing poles. Norah and I headed over with another family and met them on the beach. We stayed on the beach from 11:00 til 4:00 leaving once to make some sandwiches at camp for lunch. The weather was perfect!

Jeff fishing and Norah playing in the water...I was reading my book! A perfect day for me!

The salt water really helped heal her cuts on her face and in her mouth! The beach cures all!

Jeff headed back twice to let the dogs out, etc. which worked out great. After one time, he went and explored the marsh lands with a fishing rod...(That is Hoppe!!)

We then cleaned up at an outside shower that was super cold! Then hung out around the campfire before dinner. They grilled some venison sausages to snack on and then made tacos! The food was handled by a couple of families and was awesome! Here is a pic of Norah and Ellie hanging by the fire...

We got an entire group shot (one of the boy scouts took it for us) so I hope they e-mail me a copy and I will update the blog with it! I do wish I had taken more pics but it was nice to not have my phone attached to me. No TV or anything...it was pretty great. I honestly can say that camping was the most fun and I cannot wait to do it again! I loved everything about it and the company was great! When we got up Sunday...they made pancakes, eggs and sausages (they had this Saturday morning too) and then we packed up! We headed home to take the dogs out and then Norah and I cleaned up and went to a dance recital. We got to see cute Ellie perform and one of my students was in it too! It was so cute and I am glad we went. To end the night...I took Norah out to eat where she got spaghetti...it was so nice to go out to eat together so we could chat about everything. She loved camping too (when asked what her favorite thing about camping was...she stated "I liked all of it"!)

Well it was hard for the weekend to end and we are already trying to plan our next camping trip...I am ready to go for a longer period of time. Taking my Kindle was great because I read "Anne of Green Gables" to Norah at night before bed and was able to read my book too. We used a lot of bug spray and there was a lot of spiders (I hate bugs!) but it still goes down as one of my favorite things we have done. :)

Three (point) Three Things Thursday...

1.
Books I have read lately...

Just a quick "fun fluff" read as you know I love "Pride and Prejudice"...plus it was like  $2.99 for the Kindle book

This was for our book club (I actually finished it after we met for it...oops!) and the writing was good but really...I so dislike both Charles and Anne Lindbergh as they were portrayed after reading it so it is hard to recommend to others. Both characters drove me crazy and I did not like reading about the kidnapping/death of their child. However, it was interesting to learn about them..being real people. I did actually hear that people like Anne Lindbergh's book "Gift from the Sea"...so maybe I will read that one day.

This is our book we picked for our book club in June and I am already half way through it...so far I really like it! I'm very anxious to see how they make it end, etc. 

2. 
I got my hair all cut off today. It needed it! I had issues with having a lot of new growth but the ends of my hair up about 3-4 inches was very fine. She asked if I have had thyroid problems or been under extreme stress in the last year...I laughed! I think we will go with option 2...anyway...after lots of inches gone...it feels much better. Now if I could just find my money tree so I can get it highlighted... :) Haircut is a little like the one I got HERE but slightly longer...

Would love highlights like this! (And look at that make-up...perfection!) I LOVE Adele!

3. 
This weekend is going to be a busy one. The Hoppe Family is going Camping! Yes, in a tent! Norah is so excited! I will share pics and details soon. I also already have another commitment on Friday night...so I will be heading off to a Martini Party that benefits our school (it should be a great time!)...and meet the family on Saturday for the rest of the camp trip. Sunday...after we get home from camping...I will be heading to see one of my students in a dance performance...should be great (Thank you to the parent of this student who bought me a ticket to it!) Still wondering if we can get to Church on Sunday as it is a big event and picnic but not sure if we will make it...

3.1 
I got the most amazing note today and a gift card to Starbucks with it! This note came from a student at our school (and I don't even teach this student!)...when you get something like this...it is the reason you teach. This student is such a good kid! It made my week to get it! 

3.2 
TV...So Season Finales are all on TV and I watched "NCIS LA" in full yesterday (DVR) and loved that he kissed her! But the end was painful to watch...now I want to know what happens next!

And tonight is the "Big Bang Theory"...I hope it is good!

3.3
Oh yeah...gotta tell you about my deal I got. I need new running shoes...I have gotten a blister the last couple times I have gone running and/or walking so knew it was way past time to get new ones. I wear the same ones as they are the ones I got fitted for a long time ago and they are awesome! (I so recommend you get fitted for running shoes at a running store...it makes a world of difference.) Well I have been watching the shoes since the beginning of the year on three different sites for the price to go down (They were $109.00 pretty much everywhere) (Why are running shoes so expensive? MB-I know you feel this pain.) Anyway, last night they were only $75 on this WEBSITE (they usually have the best prices) and then I "Goggled" for a coupon and low and behold...found one...the shoes ended up being $63 total (that is shipped and all!) I was so happy!

So I might have picked another color...but you can't be picky when you save over $40!

Well I'm off to get ready for TGIF tomorrow! :)

Great Weekend...

It has been a great weekend but need to back up a little...Norah had Muffins for Moms on Friday at school and she was so cute! She made me the best cards and vase of "flowers" for me...I just love her so much! My mom got to come with us so she ended up taking Norah home after the program and they ended up hitting the beach.

Poor Darcy had been acting strange all week and I thought maybe he had an allergic reaction to something that was used on him for his wash and haircut...but I ended up taking him the the vet on Friday. I am so glad I did because he has a bacteria infection in both ears and all over his skin! So lots of medicine later, he is slowly getting better. Poor thing!

So after taking Darcy home from the vet, Norah and I went and got our nails done for my Mother's Day! When I asked her what her favorite part was...she said she liked when they rubbed her feet and the chair "bumped" her! She is awesome!

Jeff fished on Friday so we had a fish fry with the Wilcox family and it was a great night!We always have such a great time with them! (They fried some shrimp too...it was all so yummy!)

Saturday came and we went to breakfast together. Jeff and I got some papers to read...still aren't big fans of reading the local papers here yet...so we got these...

Saturday was low key and needed! Norah and I went to visit Nini and Pops and then went on the beach for a little while. The weather is pretty awesome right now!

Sunday we ate brunch with Pops and Nini for Mother's Day...then Pops had to head home. I ended up going for a run (which was so needed!) Jeff went to the gym while Norah and I went to the grocery store for the week's supplies. Then I took my mom to the movies and dinner for Mother's Day and Jeff took Norah to the beach! Today was absolutely beautiful weather wise too! My mom and I saw "The Great Gatsby" and both really liked it! The clothes were amazing and the details were grand. (Seriously I loved the clothes!!) It was a little strange to hear such modern music during it but I thought the acting was perfect! We then got a great dinner at Salt Creek Cafe...it was a great day! Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there...especially my mom and Jeff's mom! Being a mom to Norah is my favorite thing in the entire world!!

Now it is back to reality and time to gear up for the week...how horrible is it that I'm already ready for next weekend! :)

Whew!

It is one of those days that I have so much to do but so little time! I got home about 5 pm today from school and we immediately packed the dogs and Norah in the car and had Family Night at the beach! Norah even got in the water....what!? She says it wasn't cold but I don't believe her!

After making dinner and then doing some work for school...I am doing this quick blog post....knowing that there is so much to do around the house! How is it already 9 pm!? I've decided that you cannot have it all...at the same time...so household chores will have to wait till tomorrow. It drives me a little crazy to know there is laundry to be folded and dishes to be done...but I guess you gotta prioritize. I also must finish my Book Club book tonight as we meet tomorrow! So I'm off to get my read on (I'm half way done!)...but first will leave you with a little "funny" regarding the election today in SC (I cannot believe he won!)  :)

Tuesday Things...

Today was a fun day! The Lower School Director (Hey Ginny!) and I went to an iPad class as we look to the future of our school moving to a 1-to-1 environment. The class was great and very informative and it was great to get to talk to Ginny about lots of fun things at our school! I also got to see someone that I knew way back when...my "Big Sister" from ADPi's real little sister (Hey Michelle! And I LOVE your hair!)...that was fun too!

I missed seeing my students today but left them with a project regarding using 21st Century Skills. It is kind of like a culmination of the year and the higher level thinking I want them to be able to accomplish. The project is set up to see them handle a task, as a group, where I ask them a lot of questions and give them some guidance but let them really take all the control. I really want to see what they can do with the information and what process they use to "figure" it out. The actual "task" is not that difficult but the to get to the end result...they must use all the skills listed below. Then they have to take what they learn and present it to the rising 6th grade class by teaching them to do a similar project. Should be interesting!

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week (and Nurses' Week too!) so I picked up some doughnuts this morning to take to the Lower School with a note on them from Norah...so she could show her teachers how much she loves them! And she (and me too) appreciate all they do for her and the school! Thank you teachers! Also I was remembering this post from last year's teacher appreciation week that you can read HERE (that note still cracks me up!)

Well I am off to chill with the Hubby and get geared up for Wednesday! And to leave you with a little thought of the day...

Movie...

Jeff and I watched "Silver Linings Playbook" this weekend and it was fantastic! Not only do I want Jeff and I to make up our own dance routine now but I love Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper together (Jeff decided that Jennifer Lawrence is his new celebrity girlfriend and I have added Bradley Cooper to my list!) :)
Seriously, the movie will make you smile, laugh and even cry.

I hear that Jennifer L. and Bradley C. will be starring together again in a movie coming out based on the book "Serena." I will probably want to see it just based on them being in it!

Next movie up is "The Great Gatsby"...I think it will be good! I hope to see it this coming weekend.

Tuesday Things...

Amazing...the weather today turned out fabulous! Norah and I went to check out our school's first ever home baseball game for a little bit which was held at Retreat Park. Between Staples Park (tennis and soccer) and this park (baseball)...they are soooooo nice. I feel spoiled having these parks just minutes from our home! I was proud of the students as they were playing a great game and it was fun to see everyone out cheering for them!
The sky was bright blue, the sun was shining and the temperature was perfect this afternoon...loved it! All this great weather has me itching to be outside more (especially after these yucky rainy days.) This past weekend we were able to be outside and get some flowers planted, yard work (still more needed!) and we have been eating on our back porch (I love having a screened porch.) Jeff actually took Norah to the beach this past weekend too and needless to say, she had a blast! Love that girl! She loves the water!

Did anyone see "How I Met Your Mother" last night on TV? I don't always watch that show anymore but the episode last night was hilarious! Classic. You can watch the last scene HERE...it requires you to understand that Barney believes that Ralph Macchio is not the real Karate Kid (I loved that movie!) You also may need to remember that Barney once dressed liked this before...

I saw some peeps on Facebook post a picture of these...

Those look like a fun thing to have living at the beach and would make a cute gift! Well tomorrow is the half way point of the week and the dogs are getting a much needed haircut! Cannot wait for the weekend!