fishermen

Today the boys headed out with Grandpa for Bridger's first try at fishing.

By what the pictures revealed it looks like they had a great time. Of course it's Sunday so I was busy doing grad work.

Daddy said that right away they casted Bridger's pole out and it got a bite but when they tried reeling it back in the fish broke the line.

However that didn't seem to stop them. Being with Grandpa Bridger has now learned that the master angler is none other then his very own Grandpa Parsons.

Grandpa knows the ins and outs of all the lakes, he can bait a hook with his eyes closed and will always out fish any of us. Although Grandma is about to retire so there maybe some competition heading his way!

After catching the first fish Daddy said that Bridge was sort of confused. He kept calling the fish "Nemo" "Nemo." I'm sure for a two year old it probably is quite confusing considering he has never reel a fish in before, only seen it in our books we read.

Regardless, they had a great time. It was cold but that sure didn't stop our three fishermen.

Such great memories!

Spring Break 2014

We are enjoying our break this year. Between spending time with Papa and Me Maw we have been busy trying out new restaurants and getting in plenty of shopping and basketball. Bridger is absolutely exhausted when we reach nap time at 1pm each day and we all go to sleep fast by the nights end.

Porterhouse-great atmosphere and great local beer
Sandbar- charming, romantic, casual, small town feel and excellent vegetable soup
Willow creek- awesome lunch specials
Brick29- one of our Nampa gems, bistro chicken is to die for
Flatbread-(Bowen) daddy's favorite lunch outing

The weather has been beautiful the last few days although today is much cooler and looking as though it might rain. Bridger and I have even managed our daily walks through the local neighborhoods nearby. He is doing so much better in the stroller than before. We've enjoyed our afternoon conversations while strolling and looking for birds and puppy dogs!

yesterday was quite exciting as we were walking it started to lightening and thunder. I tried turning around and high tailing it back, unfortunately we were still a mile away from the house when it started to hail and rain.  I was laughing, the boy was screaming and the farmer down the road came to our aid and ask us if we wanted a lift back home. However, me being slightly paranoid I declined and rain my a**off to get back to the house! Of course much to my thrill I noticed as I got big man out of the stroller that he was not only cover in hail and soaking wet but he had a huge blowout! O the joys of motherhood.

Bridger had his two year check up on Wednesday. Here are the stats:

Height: 2' 10''
Weight: 29.2lbs

Doc says everything looks good. Bridger managed to poop wednesday in his toilet which was very exciting. But we still aren't consistent.

Tonight we are off to another fish fry at grandma and grandpa parsons. It's been great seeing everyone on Fridays and catching up. As our Spring Break winds down the thought of summer comes  into play. If only I could convince daddy to take more days off? However we do have our train tickets  booked and we are super excited. I'm not sure who is more excited, Bridger or daddy.

Off to make a broccoli salad, enjoy the rainy day!

why do I teach?

This is a question that comes up more often than you would think. From friends, to family, to co-workers, parents, doctors, dentist....you name it.

Today was one of those days that I can't help but share with the blogging world (and of course my husband at dinner tonight) my answer. But first I should give some background knowledge. So here it is.

For lent this year I didn't "give up" anything, rather I am making a conscious effort of recognizing the workings of God in my everyday fast pace life that I live. We have really stepped back and tried to find him through our daily grind and often times I lay in bed at night and realize that a whole day has gone by and not once did I recognize God's wonderful workings.

So with that my journey has begun and for that I am ever so grateful. I have so much to learn and I am not ashamed to admit that, instead I am recognizing those flaws and trying to make a conscious effort. It's hard. Plain and simple. But I'm trying.

Back to the original question. Why do I teach? There are so many reasons and sooo many "proper" responses that I could say, but today the answer is this: I teach because I know I make a difference. My kids are my second family. I spend more hours of the day with them then I do my own extended family. I am invested, I care and today I saw it. When all the cylinders work together for a child it continues and forever will, blow me away. I believe that school is like a triangle for a child; at the point of the triangle is the child and on the other two ends are the teacher and parent working together hand-in-hand. God embraces us all.

I am a first grade teacher and proud to say that. It's a tough grade no doubt, developmentally it is in my opinion one of the biggest years in a child's school life. The state goes from testing first graders in the Fall on letter sounds to Spring having children read 53 words per minute. To some who don't have children that might not seem like a big deal but..... it is! My year is surrounded by these benchmark test and I drive my instruction by the data I gather daily, weekly, monthly through many forms of assessments, but there is one thing that holds true. If parents, student and teachers work together I can guarantee that they will find success in the classroom.

Today was one of those days where we celebrated, we clapped, we cheered and we smiled (with some tears of happiness in my eyes) because the success that is happening in my classroom right now is indescribable. There are no words, no examples, and no blog that can describe the feeling that I get   this time each year. It is something that I am so lucky to be a part of. Today I felt his closeness and for that I am grateful.

One very proud student today!

at the lake

This is our life!

Nothing like taking your 2 year old to the lake and 10 minutes in we have a full blown tantrum because we want to go "fishing" and mommy didn't bring a fishing pole. 

We both learned lessons today. 

 Life sure is fun when you are least expecting it.

 And forever these days will be sunkissed by this little guy.

For the love of basketball

Monday night we were invited to attend a special basketball event put on by Upward Basketball Program. Bridger's daycare director and her husband have headed up this program the last few years and we felt very honored to be invited to such a special event for all the kids who worked so hard this year. I will post a separate post on the actual event but today I want to share some pictures I took today after getting home from a long day of work.

These afternoons are so special to me.

He loves everything basketball and to watch him grow every day is so exciting.

Enjoy!

Friday Video

Bubbles of Fun

Although our days are apart most days during the school year there are days like today that reminds me how much it means to be home with my little guy.

We spent the afternoon outside enjoying the beautiful weather and lots of bubbles. Two years ago I was  getting ready for our first fish fry with a week old baby! I'm sure my days were consumed with rocking, lullying and a lot less chasing after this little boy. Time is fly and we are enjoying every bit of it.

We are down to 10 weeks of school till summer break!

Have great weekend!

Hot Spring for the Birthday Boy

Hot Springs for the birthday boy!

We headed up to Idaho City for Bridger's birthday day! It was so relaxing and just what we needed after a fantastic party on Saturday night. We arrived at the Springs around 11ish and left close to 2pm. It wasn't more then a quick stop to Ellie's and meet the roster (Leonard & Skinard) and Bridger and I were asleep the entire car ride home.

We all took much needed naps and listen to the rain fall all day long. It was a well deserved nap!

Gaga left today (Monday), which is always sad but we are determined to have her out again before we head to McCook for Grandma's 100th Birthday celebration!

Happy 2nd Birthday Bridger!

(Typed yesterday 3/2/14)Today is the day our boy turns 2!

(These pictures were taken Saturday morning when he woke up! He was mesmerized by the decorations and so excited for his party)

Between the memories of last night and the fun had by all, we are blessed to call you all are support system.

I laid in bed this morning holding my sweet baby boy and reflecting on the year he had and all that he has done. We are blessed to be his parents. At 12:54am 2 years ago today I was laying in the hospital bed with him (a little) bit smaller wondering what would be in store. Boy were we in for a fun, wild ride. A ride that I can't wait to continue taking with our little guy.

He is smart, he is kind and he is beautiful!

The vocabulary that he posses amazes me everyday. We have conversation full of sentences and he seems to discover something new everyday. The light in his eyes is something that I wake up for each and everyday.

Ben and I are excited to see what the next year has in store for him, and one can only imagine that it might be full of basketballs, baseballs, soccer balls, balls flying from the second level of the house over the walkway (this is happening as I speak).

We love you big boy and we are proud to be your parents.
Happy 2nd Birthday Bridger
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Typed(today 3/3/14)

Paint Party!!!!

The weather man said 80% chance of rain, and it did. But by 4pm the sky's cleared and the sun came out, just in time to shine some light on our big boy turning two!

Guest game in droves armed with their paint clothes on (good job uncle bill, and grandpa you guys went all out!)

Bridger greeted his guest (a bit shy at first, but came out of his shell once his cousins showed up).

We had such a great time on Saturday with all of our friends and family. I didn't take a head count but I think there were just a few friends who didn't RSVP who weren't able to make it, the rest were there ready to paint.

My mom told me I was crazy, friends thought I was nuts, but I had a plan and I knew that the "Paint Party" would be absolutely perfect for our boy Bridger! and it WAS!

No spills, no messes just a whole lot of fun!

We had all ages painting and Bridger loved every bit of it.

Babies, kids, tweens and adults all were excited to paint their canvases. We talked about color blending (far over their heads, duh Lanna you teach first grade I should've known) but it sure made for some laughs at the end of the night, reminiscing about the party.

Bridger's favorite part of the party I'm sure was the balls. Our PE teacher at school told me I could borrow anything I wanted and Aunt Addie was sweet enough to bring over 35+ Rhino Skinned colorful balls to match the color scheme! Such a hit.

Between all the Pinterest ideas and DIY projects I planned,  I enjoyed every detail and hours spent planning and prepping!

It's hard to believe that he is 2. I have told everyone that this year seemed so fast.

Dinner was up to daddy and he was right, pizza from Messengers (a local favorite) hit the spot for many families who have never tried their pizza.

The party was caped off with a six layer cake baked and decorated by yours truly! Super easy and so much fun. Combine confetti cake and lots of sprinkles with sparkler candles and you've got yourself one happy boy who blew out candles (with a little help from mom and dad!).

Bridger had a great time opening his presents with a little assistance from all of his friends. He did great giving lots of "Loves" to all his guest. Such good manners.

We are lucky to have so many great friends and family in town.

 We will cherish the memories made from this party for a long time.

Happy Birthday Bridger Boy!
xoxo,
Mommy, Daddy!