Back to work!

After a nice 3.5 years off from working, I'm going back. This is nothing full-time, but I'll be substitute teaching once a week in the Federal Way schools. I know its lame, and it hasn't even been that long, but I am scared to death. I'm probably more nervous about leaving my kids though. I've just never had to do it for an extended amount of time and long-term at that. One thing nice will be the extra financial cusion since that market has gone to crap and groceries and gas are still soooo expensive (I filled up for $4.19 last week). I guess it might be nice to have a little vacation day too from the kids. It will give me the chance to miss them. Hopefully it all works out and the kids don't play mean tricks on me (these kids will be middle and high schoolers by the way). School starts September 2nd, its coming way too soon!

Ding Dong, the crib is gone! (almost)

Okay, I know, so the title doesn't exactly rhyme, but I was trying to be cute! Anyways, today I was on the phone with Erin during lunch time. During the conversation I put Luke in my room in his port-a-crib for his nap, and two seconds later I heard these little feet scampering down the hallway. "What!?" was my first thought! Then I thought I was crazy, thinking, maybe I didn't put him in his crib and with the distraction of being on the phone I just brought him into my room, but never put him in the crib. "Yes, I did!" was the second thought, followed by the very quick "Oh no!" last thought. Luke knows how to climb out of his crib! Easton was 2 when he learned and had already been sleeping in a big boy bed for about 6 months and only using the port-a-crib on vacations, so it really wasn't a big deal. But with only 2 bedrooms, and both of my boys take a nap at the same time, this isn't working out so well. So the decided solution is: #1 obviously we can't have Luke sleeping in port-a-crib in our room anymore for naps, so that means he has to use his real crib in his room (which he hasn't climbed out of yet, knock on wood), so #2 where does that leave Easton? Well, I think it might be time to say goodbye to the nap. I tried to get him to rest on my bed for his nap, which I knew wouldn't work, so then I put in a movie and let him hang on the couch thinking at least he'll be quiet so Luke can nap. Twenty minutes into the movie he was dead asleep (awesome!) So I've made a quick adjustment and maybe some days Easton will nap, and somedays he won't. I've been dreading this day for about a year. Don't get me wrong, I love my boys, but my 3 hour alone time everyday was priceless, and most days very much needed. I still haven't come to terms in my mind yet, though, about the fact that soon they will both be in "big boy beds" in the same room. That should make bedtime very interesting!

Time for a new haircut!

I get very bored with my hair, especially when its long and it seems that everyday it ends up in a ponytail. So on Friday night I went and got a new haircut. I debated for a while to just get a trim, but in the end I decided to just chop it off and once and for all get rid of those dreadful bangs of mine that were almost chin length. I love this haircut because it takes me about 15 min. total time to do (blow dry and style). And Scott especially loves it with a headband. Its been almost 4 years since I've gone this short, but a change is always good.

Pingel Family Reunion

We just got back from a nice week in Utah for the 1st Pingel Family Reunion. It was great! We rode horses, ate good food, watched fireworks, saw some good friends, played in the water, watched the parade, and ran in the 5k. The 5k was fun! It was the first race that Scott or I had ever done and we felt so accomplished when it was all over. I've got to find some new motivation to keep running though because it isn't the easiest thing in the world for me, but we're both in the best shape we've been in since we got married almost 6 years ago.

We were so sad to say goodbye to everyone because we know it might be a while before we see them again. (We're still the furthest ones away.) Its always fun to be with the Pingels!