Baby Pumpkins, Mums & Flowering Cabbage

Reasons #1,683,997 - 1,684,000 to adore Fall :)

  

The Multi-Faceted Mind

In my MAT program this week we're studying IEP (Individualized Education Programs) and how/when to create one and for whom. 

I'm 110% fascinated by this topic so I took the matter to my 2nd graders and wrote a lesson on the brain and how it works. 

Here's what one of my small friends apparently took away from the day: 

"Prefontal Cortex: The prefrontal cortex helps me to decide if I want ketchup on my hotdog."

LOVE 

How 'bout them apples?

Green City Market, Lincoln Park

Overheard in my 2nd Grade Classroom

Last month I started teaching a 2nd grade class at a private Catholic school in Chicago and it's hard to put into words how much I adore working with these kiddos. Several times a day I have to hide my laughter. Here's an example as to why...

Carter (age 7.5 years young) 

Miss Stacey, when you go home tonight, please don't let your kids play with my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle project. I've been working really hard on it all week and --

Rory (age 7) 

Carter, Miss Stacey doesn't have any kids at home! Remember yesterday she told us she isn't married? Duh.

#religiousclassisworkingwithrory

Sunday Funday. Go Sox!

Zac Brown at Wrigley Field

South Haven...South Heaven

Fall getaway weekends with friends rank high up on the list of 

my favorite things. Especially when they are in Michigan :)

{insert nostalgic longing sigh noise here}

More, please, thank you!

Beautiful

At Zoo Camp this summer our theme was "Whose Skin Is This?" and we taught the kids how humans are mammals. It raised a lot of questions from the children about skin color and many of the moments were truly beautiful to witness. I have not-so-secretly always wanted to work for Sesame Street. And this video is exactly why :)

Belle Plaine Bread

My heart and soul are beaming with pride on behalf of my lifelong bestie, Liz Kearney Kramer, who has opened her very own home baking business :)

The best thing since sliced bread has LITERALLY arrived, people!

BELLE PLAINE BREADS is here 

and ready to deliver to your doorstep. 

Who could ask for anything more?

My personal fave: Cheese & Cracked Pepper

For reals.

Go get your order on. It's worth the dough. 

[Sorry. Had to.]

  

Baby Einstein

I often fear for all future offspring of my family because it's currently incomprehensible how I could ever love anything more than Stella.

How is it even possible to be so stinkin' cute?!?!

  

 

A Happy 33rd Birthday, Indeed!

Full Moon. 

Very full bellies. 

Extremely full heart.

Couldn't imagine a nicer way to experience my first day of 33.

Thank you for making it so special, Max :)

And most importantly...

Thank you for bringing me into the world, Mom!

SO MUCH LOVE

And a special thanks to Stella, as always, 

for making my heart smile :)

Not a day goes by that I don't feel like the luckiest person alive!

Sven's Bachelorette Party

Eileen (aka: The Maid of Honor with the mostess) 

planned a weekend that knocked our socks off!

South Haven, Michigan...

MORE. PLEASE. THANK YOU :)

Love you, Sven!