#NAEA16 ...

#NAEA16

my thoughts on the convention and Chicago!

I can and I WILL

Check out my newest blog post! The school year is off to a great start! 

Painting Party Summer 2014

Our First painting of the summer was the Cherry Blossom Tree! 

 

 

 

 Then we painted the Dragonfly and Lotus Flower ...

 Next was our Sunflower Painting ...

 Then the Dream Catcher Painting...

Jellyfish Paintings in July...

 Sunset Paintings....

 

And in August we created Crab Paintings at The Hodle in New Freedom....

It was a blast painting with everyone this summer, 

teaching adults is just as fun as teaching middle school students! ;)

Element is 2

I can't believe its been two years since Element came to be apart of our family! She is lovely! Such great energy and always keeping us smiling! Here are a few pics of her in the past 2 years.

 She loves to read!

 She carries her purse around with her where ever she goes.

Sweet Frog is her favorite ice cream!!

She loves to write with her left hand but does a lot of other things with her right! We keep having her switch hands for tasks so that she gets used to using both all the time.

 She LOVES to cook!! She's great at making eggs!

 And she loves her clothes!!

 She loves getting into things in the bathroom...

And being outside! She likes to hike, and play in the dirt and water.

 

She loves to paint just like her mommy! Except she likes painting herself and her clothes on purpose!

 

My little social butterfly!

Element Tula

Element was born on June 23rd, 2012.  She weighed 8lbs 11 oz, 21 inches long, and was head up! It was pretty intense.  I did not get to have her in the birthing pool like I had thought I would, but I did labor in it, but it was still a great experience. We got to the birthing center at 12am....and she was born at 3:32 am.  I labored in the pool for the majority of the time, but when it came time for her to come out, since she was head up, OP, I got out and did the rest of the pushing on the bed. It was pretty amazing to be able to give birth to her without any pain medication. I have to admit I was TIRED mostly...so when it came time to really push her out, it was tough. But being able to control my body and to feel everything was amazing.

 She is so peaceful. She radiates this amazing loving energy. Everyone who has been in her presence has said the same thing. Definitely a beautiful being.

Her big brother was there. He came in and out of the room while I was in labor. He handled it very well. He's a little timid still when she cries...doesn't like to hold her too long. He'd rather be playing video games or something...boys.

 
I've been breastfeeding my lovely. Its going just as mother nature has planned it. Though I have to say....they are making A LOT of milk!! When the milk came in it hurt really bad, but now its starting to calm down a bit. I've already started pumping for work. Its a bit overwhelming to think about having to pump, having to go back to work...having to actually plan and do things.

This past week if I'm not feeding Element, I'm pumping, eating or watching a movie. Its been relaxing. I really needed it...my muscles were SO crazy sore. I actually have a few things this summer to do for work and those too are stressing me out already. Why do I always like to overbook myself? Keep myself busy!?

I am doing a week long workshop for integrating arts into the curriculum. It should be fun. It seems like a bit of work, and right now I'm just not feeling it...but I'm sure in a week I'll be feeling more up to it.

I also am teaching "private" classes at a studio down from my work.  Right now I only have one kid a week...so its more for experience and getting my name out there than it is to make money.  One student isn't very much...and I have to drive 40 mins there and back for a 2 hour class.

Also I've been asked to do another mural for a friends company.  I'm very excited about this! This is my July/August pay check. Then back to work August 21st.

Where did summer go already?!

Element, where are you!?

So I have been out of school since the last week of May.  The last two weeks of school I was home preparing for my little baby girl, Element, to arrive.  Her room is ready, her clothes are ready....and most of all we are all ready for her.  Yet it is now June 11th, and she is still not here!! I was sure she was going to be here on the 6th, but the 6th passed right by.  I had a false alarm on the 4th, but nothing came of it.

Her due date was all messed up from the beginning because I wasn't sure of my "dates". So based off of her first sonogram they said June 18th. Based off of me remembering my dates it was June 7th, and based off her recent last sonogram it was June 10th. So the doctor said because it wasn't that far off they wouldn't change it. So now it looks like shes from June 11th-18th some where....but this is not very fun news for me!! Especially when I was all excited about the 6th! We took a poll with our friends and 5 of them said tomorrow the 12th. I hope its tomorrow!! I'm so over waiting and anticipating. There is only so much a girl can take!!

So that is whats been on my mind for the past 2 weeks.

I've been trying to keep myself occupied with awesome art teacher links and articles and blogs! I'm ready for a new year to begin. If I have to wait for her to come out when she's ready...at least I have control over what, and when I do things for my classroom!!  Planning for a new year is always fun to me. I love thinking of new ways to organize my supplies, and new ideas for lessons. But it has been difficult to really get into it because being pregnant takes away a lot of your mental energy. Plus my loving little 4 year old son is staying home for the summer now, and he likes to keep me involved in all his play activities.

I've also been in the mood to make art...but when I go to start I don't have the energy for it. I don't have the motivation.  I just wish Element would come out now.

army of gnomes

so the 6th graders are done making their gnomes....now they have to glaze them. we had a couple blow up in the kiln. what fun that was.