36 pounds.

36 pounds. Yes, that's how much One is weighing in at these days. This is the title because I have a lack of creative thinking this evening and Colin just had to move puppy from crying and trying to get in my lap while I tried to type. I was reminded by his struggle that One is extremely large. And getting larger. Just in this last week he has figured out how to get into the bathtub all by himself. So we frequently hear the water turning on all by itself and head into the bathroom to discover our ghost. Goober.

This little ghost moves around the house attempting to make a meal out of our pink chair or laundry hamper. The only two things he enjoys chewing (thank you, Lord!). Thankfully, this pretty pink chair and its shabby chic design camouflages his puppy teeth marks well...



Puppy love. One aspires to to be a hockey player one day. They don't have one of those Air Bud Hockey movies, correct?





We were fortunate enough to have a special person (and her precious puppy, of course) come and visit us last weekend. That's right. My bestest best friend in the whole entire world and her baby, Lucy. I guess that makes One and Lucy cousins. Although Lucy is small, she is packing. She is all muscle and held her own against One. It was such a blessing to spend the day with her and getting to have some sweet time before we go our separate, busy ways.



Last puppy update. Puppy Kindergarten. We attended our first class and received many tips as well as a treat holder with a belt loop hook. This treat holder has the same "coolness factor" as that of the fannie pack, so I guess it does validate Colin's strict adherence to NOT wearing it in public despite its super practicable nature. Perhaps that is why my hot pink Tweety Astroworld fannie pack went out of style.

Okay, school time. Promise broken: no pictures yet. I've actually changed things around a bit, but the pictures will be up this week! I love it. I think my kids love it. Speaking of kids, I have 19 of them. 19 wonderful, exciting, inventive, curious third graders. They are all so different - 19 different personalities, but all so sweetly unique. It has been a great week and the end of the week was really sweet because we are finally understanding how each other work. They know my high expectations and how much I love and respect them, and they will work for me because of that. They love our fun facts every morning:

Did you know that your teeth start growing 6 months before you were born?
Did you know that humans and pigs are the only living creatures that can get sunburnt?
Did you know that pink was the first color of bubblegum because the man making it ran out of other colors?
Did you know that a hummingbird weighs less than a penny?

Now you know!

Oh, and our Girls Bathroom pass was dropped in the toilet the second day of school. The really cute, handmade one I made using a large paint stick and wooden jungle animal. Which brings me to the most memorable quotes from the week....

Girl: "Mrs. D., I'm just wondering something..."
Me: "Yes, sweet girl?"
Girl: "I'm just wondering why all of my teachers are white."

[After the girl who dropped the bathroom pass in the toilet brought it BACK into the classroom [STILL WET] and laid it on the next girl's desk needing to "use it"].....

Bathroom Girl: "Ummmm here you go..."
Girl (appropriately responds): "Girrrlllll, why is this wet?! Whatcha lay this on MY desk for?! (chunks it across the room) SHOOT."
Me: "Just put it in the trash."

Not only did I take away sweet moments, funny stories, and lots of laughs and hard knocks this week as a teacher, I also brought home a yucky cold. I knew it was coming, but I just tried tried tried to keep it away. Failure. As a result, I am now accepting donations in the form of hand sanitizer. Me children are "germ juiced" pretty much every time before they breathe. One of my classroom jobs for the students is being our "Doctor" - making sure everyone is sanitized before making a move. I hope this pays off.

Side note. Colin and I made this quick and easy side dish with our "leftover" produce for the week to go with our BBQ chicken tonight and I have to share the recipe.



Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Add green beans and cook for 4 minutes. Immediately remove and drain under cold water (this helps them crisp). In the meantime, back in the pot used for boiling, melt a little bit of butter (1 minute) and add sliced almonds, mushrooms, sliced red onions, salt, and pepper. Add olive oil as needed to keep from burning. Add green beans in 2 minutes before serving and Voila! Delish. So easy. Not wasteful.

Anyways, I am 1 hour and 43 minutes past my 9pm bedtime and the invasion of the college students back to A&M (IMAGINE!!) is making me anxious getting around town, so I need all of the preventative rest I can get.

Love.

P.S. Seriously, everyone put a grill pan on their registry. Any registry. Wedding, birthday, Christmas, baby, housewarming, ANYTHING. Just get one of these.
P.P.S. I never mentioned my better half. He spent so much time this week loving on me behind the scenes: making my lunch to bring to school (killer salads), doing the dishes, taking care of One, picking up dry cleaning, and writing love notes. Too wonderful.