GREAT September day...

We are back to living life in the fast lane.  I have been tutoring 3 days a week for an hour after school and trying to pick up some extra money whenever possible.  All of you teachers out there know how crazy the first 3 weeks of school can be (thank goodness it is beginning to calm down a little).  Therefore, I am missing my Mack time.  Today was AMAZING!  We got home and enjoyed a beautiful Las Vegas afternoon.  Basically, I sat and stared (mouth agape) and followed him around with the camera.  Scott and I agree that baby Mack has officially been replaced with big boy Mack.  His vocabulary and speech is starting to explode!  It happens so suddenly!  He is saying so much, some of it still takes time to decode - but it all is said with such meaning and purpose! 

Grandma & Grandpa Graves sent us a package last week with some new hats.  Mack wants to wear them ALL the time, sometimes all at the SAME time.   :)  


Today is a day I will treasure for a long time to come...

** When we have time at the end of the day I ask my 3rd graders to tell me a high, low, and a wish from their day at school...here are mine:

My high today was having a successful day with students at school AND a great afternoon/evening with my guys at home.

My low today was a difficult parent discussion.

My wish is to recognize and appreciate all the amazing moments life gives me... (and for more of my students to pass their math facts ;)

Pics from today:) 

 

 

 

 Hats:

Like father, like son:

Go HAWKEYES!

Back in the habit...

Well, we survived our first week back to school.  Scott and I both agreed that it is really nice to have this long Labor Day weekend following the 1st week - I think we needed it!  I have a great group of new 3rd graders and am excited to see how the year progresses.  Scott is making a smooth transition to his new school and working hard with the football team.

Mack had a blast joining his friends at Anna's, he was exhausted by the time I picked him up each day and was in bed by 6:30 most nights.  He is learning new things and soaking up EVERYTHING!  He parrots everything we say and has the widest variety of facial expressions you can imagine.  

Some new vocab: 
"ssshhhh" (he says this and puts his finger to his lips when he sees or knows someone is sleeping - including the dogs :), 
"awight" (allright, when he's excited), 
"ummm" (when he's trying to decide something), 
"NO!" (we hear this alot, it is my least favorite), 
"airpane" (he can spot them farther than I can see, he waves and says "bye"), 
"oh man!" (he says this when he drops or spills something - it comes out like an adult would say a four letter word - he hasn't said any of those yet), 
"caca" (when he has a dirty diaper or when the dogs do their business outside, haha)

...and my favorite:

"amen" (he says this when we pray before eating and after our bedtime prayer...his little voice melts our hearts!)

***turn volume up and listen to Mack at the end :)

Just hangin out...

This week was the BEST!  No laundry, no vacuuming, no school work, nothing!  I am so proud of myself for truly relaxing and enjoying time off with my family!  I have read 3 books this week and lounged in our little pool each day while Mack napped. I have enjoyed a few mornings of waking up early and taking the dogs jogging - they were thrilled! We even ran into our old friend Lissa and were so happy to see her!!

 

 Mack and I usually start our day by playing out front.  He is really interested in riding his bikes right now.  We have a stereo in the garage that he insists I turn on first thing.  He takes mini breaks from playing to go dance to a favorite song. :) He also enjoys drawing and coloring.  Mack still takes a 3 hour nap from about 10-1 (this is when I read in the pool ;). Then, we have lunch and head out to play in the pool.  When Scott comes home the guys rough house and play while I get dinner ready.  Mack likes to unwind to a movie before bedtime, he gets all cuddly and likes to snuggle.  I cherish this precious time with him!!

Here is Mack practicing his stunts: 

 

Pool time:

Scott had a very busy week working with the football team, but was still able to make time for fun.  Last Sunday we went to see the movie Inception and LOVED it!  Thursday afternoon we went to Caesars Palace and hung out at the pool.  On Friday, Mack spent the night with the Huggins family - we had dinner and enjoyed a night out.  I really value our time together!  We have so much fun!

 Our day @ the pool:

Date night:

Beach Bums...

 We spent the weekend in Huntington Beach, CA.  We were stereotypical beach bums.  We got up and had breakfast on main street among the surfers.  

The US Surf Open was in full effect - what a fun experience! 

Then we spent all day on the beach.  Mack played right through his nap for 2 days.  He LOVED the sand!  He enjoyed laying in it, digging in it, rolling in it, throwing it, scooping it, tasting it.  

So much fun!!!

                                  1st sand castle

 

                                  look @ those waves!

                                 Yes, we took the dogs
   ... you can see they thoroughly enjoyed their vacation at the beach ;)

                     





                                    bottoms up!

                                       where's Mack?

                

                       snack break

                             silly boy



However, as soon as we strapped him in his car seat at the end of the day it only took about five minutes for him to be o-u-t. 

                                                       passed out!

Saturday evening we ate dinner at Joe's Crab Shack in Newport Beach, on Sunday we enjoyed a very nice Italian dinner in Laguna Beach.  


Monday we drove north along the Pacific Coast Highway and stopped in Redondo Beach. 

 This is where Scott proposed to me. :)  



And then we drove through Venice Beach and stopped in Santa Monica where we walked on the pier.  

                              Venice Beach

                                Santa Monica Pier

 We cruised Santa Monica Blvd and Wilshire Blvd in hopes of a star sighting - no luck, maybe next time.

What a great trip!!  We REALLY enjoy our trips to the beach and can't wait to return.