Happy Feet!

Big news in our house-Carina has started walking!!! Now I guess she is officially a toddler. She seems to get more confident every day, but I think she still prefers her peg leg crawling technique to get her where she wants to go. It's definitely a faster method at this point. Our little pumpkin is growing up so fast! Here is a short clip of Bean showing off her new skills (notice Bailey sadly watching from afar...banned to the backyard again!)

Super Surprise!!!

My hubby is the BEST!!! He kept asking me what I wanted for my birthday, and in typical annoying wife form I just kept saying, "Nothing, I don't need anything, blah blah" (which we all know is code for I still want some kind of a present) Well it was all a ruse because he had already bought us tickets to see Phantom in San Francisco!!! We are going December 12th, and another surprise is that we are staying in a hotel overnight & shopping in Union Square the next day!!! I was so shocked...he knows I have been wanting to see Phantom for years. The first time I saw it I was 10 years old. My parents took me to see it after I memorized every word of the soundtrack. (Hmmm...it would appear that I get what I want when I annoy my loved ones...must keep that in mind) Anyway it was the first musical I ever saw and I was totally mesmerized by the experience. I CAN'T WAIT!!! Thank you so much Mike I LOVE YOU!!!

I also have to mention that my job share partner organized a surprise party in my classroom today. The kids made a banner that said "Happy Birthday Mrs. Ogg!" and hung it in the room. We all shared a birthday treat of doughnut holes and milk. Many of the kids also made me cards and brought in gifts. I was so surprised and touched by all of the little munchkins-2nd grade is so much fun because the kids still like school and their teachers. I have the best job and today was another reminder of that. Overall the big 2-9 was a wonderful day!!!

The smell of Pine Sol makes me smile

We've finally accepted the fact that we don't want our good quality family time to be spent extensively cleaning the house. Between work, Mike's grad school, and a precious little girl who thinks naps are for sissies, we were having a hard time keeping up with the housework. I feel a little pathetic admitting that but it's the truth. Don't get me wrong we are not total slobs, but we needed more than just superficial surface cleaning. So after much cajoling and promises to give up Starbucks (he didn't fall for that) Mike finally succumbed to my pleas for a cleaning lady. She has been here twice so far and let me tell you it is pure heaven. The first time I felt a little weird and even guilty for indulging in such a luxury, but that lasted all of about 9 minutes. Our shower is so clean that I actually feel embarrassed that I thought we had cleaned it well before. My new best friend is probably going to come only once a month, but that is just fine with me. My sanity appreciates it!