Diaper Cakes

Well, I'm writing this at 10:40 on a Wednesday evening. Will I have a hard time rolling out of bed tomorrow morning? Absolutely. But I type away with joy because one of my devoted readers loves me enough to care about my blog. And I love her!

It's been a while! Much has happened since September, but for now I'll share a tidbit from today. My assistant at school (I'm spoiled, I know), wanted to learn how to make a diaper cake for a friend. Which, by the way, I didn't realize were not known in other parts of the country. I have a friend from Indiana who hadn't ever heard of one before coming to Texas! We southerners are strange, making diapers into cakes. Anyway, I went to my coworker's house this evening for Diaper Cakes 101. She graciously offered me a home-cooked meal with her family, and we spent the evening being crafty. Below are pictures of our (almost) finished products. My cake is for my cousin, who is decorating her nursery in a Dr. Seuss theme. Any idea where I can get a small red and blue fish for the top?

Off to bed for now, but I'll attempt to update again soon. :)

Spunky? Me?

Today I found out that one of my students told her mom that I have a "spunky spirit". I have NEVER been called spunky before, and it's not a word I'd use to describe myself. But I have to admit, it's pretty fun to be seen that way!

And then I started thinking back on the last couple of weeks. I'm pretty sure I say and do some quirky things in the classroom. Actually, I KNOW I do. My brother once said "Erin, you say your kids are quirky. Did you ever think that their teacher is making them that way?" Thanks, Brad. ;)

Today was National Skyscraper Day. You might not have known that, but you can thank the internet for that random piece of information. We celebrated today in the classroom. Now...let me clarify the depth of our learning in Miss Cunningham's classroom. In contrast, my coworker across the hall celebrated the holiday by educating his kids on the tallest skyscrapers around the world. Did you know the Burj Dubai is the tallest skyscraper, reaching 2,684 feet? I learned that today from my coworker, who compared it to several other skyscrapers, towers, and mountains. He even pulled down the map to show the kids where Dubai is located.

But us? Oh, no. In Miss Cunningham's class, we celebrated National Skyscraper Day by walking down the hall like skyscrapers. By standing as tall as we could, as straight as we could, and as still as we could (with our hands pointing straight up - for the tip, you know). We got weird glances and questions all the way down the hallway, to which I responded "Happy Skyscraper Day", of course.

So spunky? I don't know. Quirky? Definitely. Sometimes I wonder what in the world comes out of my mouth during a school day. I don't even want to know what the kids tell their parents at home. That I'm spunky, apparently. I think that student was just being kind. :)

Tomorrow is National Newspaper Carrier Day. This one I researched beforehand. Did you know the first newspaper carrier was a 10-year-old boy named Barney Faherty who began his job in 1833? My kids will learn that tomorrow!

It's Like Riding a Bike

So the phrase "It's like riding a bike - you never forget" is actually somewhat true. This weekend I rode a bike for the first time in more than 15 years! I was terrified and thought I might die when I had to practice on the street in front of my brother's house. If you'll notice, there are children - no older than 8 - in the background of my cherished picture below. There were at least 4 of them playing in the street, riding their bikes cheerfully like it was no big deal. I had to take my practice run in front of them, wobbling all over the street with a look of panic on my face. Embarrassing? Yes.

My brother Brad took me on an 11.7 (I will NOT leave out that .7) round trip ride to a Farmers Market in Colorado, and it was a great experience! I loved the mountain view, the brisk air, and the speed that you gain on a bicycle. Within a couple hours, we biked to the market, where we shopped and enjoyed a tasty tamale lunch before biking back home. And I didn't hurt myself OR the bicycle! :) I was amazed...it's incredible how the Lord created our minds and brings even the most long-lost skills to the surface...even after 15 years.

I never knew exercise could be enjoyable! Don't get me wrong, by the last mile or two I was barely making it up hills. It was challenging...but more enjoyable than painful, which is always good, right? Maybe I'll take up biking in Dallas. Although it's probably different biking in the 100 degree heat with the Dallas skyline as the backdrop. Not quite the same.

Boast No More

We sang this song in church this morning, and I love the words. It is a great reminder that I am accepted as a child of God because of Christ alone - because of His work on the cross. Not because of things I do, but because of HIM and His amazing love and mercy. I need a lot of help remembering this!

No more my God, I boast no more
Of all the duties I have done
I quit the hopes I held before,
To trust the merits of Thy Son

Now, for the loss I bear his name,
What was my gain I count my loss
My former pride I call my shame
And nail my glory to His cross

Yes, and I must, I will esteem
All things but loss for Jesus' sake
O may my soul be found in Him
And of His righteousness partake

The best obedience of my hands
Dares not appear before Thy throne
But faith can answer Thy demands
By pleading what my Lord has done

~Caedmon's Call

My Current Pet Peeve

I need to know something. Let me preface this by saying that I love food. And being a single teacher, I tend to find it easier to grab dinner on the way home. Subway and Pei Wei recognize me now, although I'm not sure that's a good thing....

I've been harboring bitterness about something, and I just need to get it out there and confess. When I go to these places to eat, I always ask for water. It's better for me, and I can't justify spending $1.45 on a drink when I'm already spending money on dinner. Very rarely do I order a soda, but when I do, I get a choice of a 12 oz. cup, a 16 oz. cup, or a 20 oz. cup. However, when I order water, I get this:

6 ounces of water. Does anybody else think this is a little unfair? If a customer is ordering water over soda, shouldn't that person be rewarded for choosing a healthier option? Instead of being punished by receiving a tiny cup - that once filled with ice - holds about a teaspoon of water? Occasionally I'll ask for a bigger cup, but on two recent occasions I've been rejected and charged extra.

I apologize for my venting. Maybe someday I'll accept the 6 ounce cup with a smile, but apparently not today. :)

Happy Cow Appreciation Day!

I wonder if Chick-fil-a knew their marketing scheme would work so well. My roommate, Summer, and I just celebrated our 3rd Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-a. Each year, we see more and more people dressed like cows to get free food - it's brilliant! And fun!

This year we recruited cousins to come with us, and we enjoyed a great time of fellowship. We are already looking forward to next year's celebration, and we're thinking of ways to embellish our costumes. Happy Cow Day!

Sit Long. Talk Much. Laugh Often.

This was the slogan of a restaurant I visited while in Seattle last week, and I fell in love with it. David, my brother's friend, took us to a small bistro that he had happened upon a month before while in Seattle on a business trip. He had gotten to know the owner pretty well, so we were all introduced to him when we arrived. Three hours later, we left the restaurant full and relaxed. The owner actually sat down with us to chat, as did the waiter that was serving us. They asked questions, got to know us, and brought us our food slowly in courses, providing plenty of time for conversation.

Why can't more dinners be that way? Isn't dinner meant to be enjoyed with family or friends? Why can't we slowly enjoy the food God has provided and the people He's blessed us with? I rush through dinner often, so when I do have a meal like the one at the bistro, I leave feeling refreshed.

Two of my super cousins came over for dinner tonight. We sat, talked, and laughed, and enjoyed each other's company. I'm so grateful for my family! Thanks, Becca and Deborah, for a fun night!