My Cup Runneth Over

There are so many reasons to be thankful this year.  Here are just a few examples...

1.  First and foremost, I'm thankful for these two.  They are partners in crime, that's for sure.  They give me a run for my money and I wouldn't trade it for anything!  Mya adores Greg and he adores her.

2.  I am thankful for the sweetness and kindness that can only be found in young children.  Mya genuinely cares for others and feels for others who are in pain.  She tells me the most heartwarming things and is so intuitive.  I can already tell that she cares a great deal for her baby sister.  She talks to her, tells her she loves her and reads her books.  I know that she will protect her little sister and love her to pieces.

3.  Our families are amazing.  Enough said.

4.  I am thankful for the healthy baby that I am cooking.  For a very long time I was nervous.  I was nervous if things would turn out okay.  I am beyond grateful that this pregnancy, thus far, has been perfect.  This little babe is growing and moving and it is just wonderful.

5.  I am thankful for a job that allows me opportunities to grow as a teacher and leader.  Last spring, I was asked to become a model literacy classroom for my district.  I've attended trainings, book studies and other things in order to prepare for it.  A couple weeks ago the woman whose program I am using came into my classroom to do some model lessons with my kids.  Now, whenever teachers (new or old) need to see how to do guided reading, Daily 5 or Tyner, they will come and watch me.  A couple weeks ago I had a group of about 6 new teachers come to watch me.  It is a humbling experience and it makes me feel good knowing that I am helping other teachers.

6.  I am thankful for Mya's love of "the arts."  She loves dance, music and theater.  A few weeks ago, my mom and I took her to Blues Clues the Musical and last weekend we went and saw Aladdin at the State Theater.  The expressions on her face were priceless.  This was something my mom and I enjoy doing together and it is so exciting to add Mya into the mix.  She is already looking forward to Shrek the Musical this summer!

This list could seriously go on and on.  As stressful as life can be sometimes, I really need to reflect more on what it is I am truly thankful for.  And we all have reasons to be thankful!

Roar!

Maybe you are a fan of Katy Perry.  Or maybe not.  Well, Mya loves her song, "Roar."  She's a radio junky and seems to memorize the lyrics to all of the songs she hears in the car.  

She'll also tell you that she's a better singer than her daddy.  

Think Pink!

We found out today that the next addition to our family will be a little girl!!  We are beyond excited!  I couldn't say one way or another what I thought it would be, so it was a surprise!

Mya has been saying all along that she wants a little sister.  We'll see if that holds true this spring!  :)  However, Mya did say that she thought the baby would look like a puppy.  You can judge for yourself in the ultrasound picture...I, personally, don't see any resemblances to a dog!

Baby girl looked great at the ultrasound.  She was super wiggly and was moving all over.  I've been feeling her move for a few weeks now and it was such a relief to "see" her.  I've been nervous for a long time about this.  I just needed to know that this baby was growing well and everything was okay.  And it is!

A Spooktacular Halloween Week

Mya's week started off with a sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa Telisak's house with all of her cousins.  They had a candy hunt and carved pumpkins.  Mya had a great time!

The next day was dance class and the girls could wear a Halloween costume to class.  It was fun to watch them prance around in their costumes and sing Halloween songs!

Mya had a bit of a dilemma.  She couldn't decide if she wanted to be Wonder Woman...

...or Bat Girl.

Well, Bat Girl ended up winning out and the Wonder Woman costume is worn as dress-up!

Mya was so excited about trick-or-treating!  She couldn't wait to get started!  We stayed in our neighborhood and couldn't believe how many people were out and about!

It wasn't a bad night out at all, just a bit chilly.  After a while, the hat and gloves came out, but she refused to put on a jacket.

We were out for a couple of hours, which was longer than I thought she would go!  Toward the end, her little legs got tired from all the walking and Daddy carried her home.

But, then she perked up when we got home and she dumped out her stash.  Now, the funny thing about Mya is that she isn't a fan of candy.  So, maybe there were 5 pieces of candy that she will actually eat!  She was excited about it, nonetheless!  And Mommy and Daddy get her unwanted candy!  :)

Uniquely Mya

Mya is one of a kind.

For example, we wore her out so much one day that she fell asleep while using the Kindle.

She loves helping me bake.  She makes it look even cooler when she wears her tiara.

Mya prefers to go pantless.  Actually, she prefers to wear no clothes, just undies, around the house.  We shrug our shoulders, but don't fight it.

I think she wishes that it would rain every day.  That way she would be able to wear her raincoat and boots on a regular basis.

Mya makes us laugh with everything she says.  She is sweet, cuddly, sassy, stubborn, independent and wonderful.  She is kind to others and loves her family.  We think she is simply unique.

Pumpkin Patch

"Have you tried the pumpkin patch?  The what?"

Just a quote from one of our favorite books, Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin.  It's a good segue into the blog post!

We took advantage of our Wisconsin fall weather this weekend and took a trip to the pumpkin patch.  We went to Pleasant Valley Tree Farms and had such a great time!

My favorite part was watching Mya feed the goats.  She giggled every time they poked their heads out of the gate.  She said they tickled her hands when they ate.  :)

I was very tempted to take the scissors and cut a chunk out of the pony's hair to use as extensions for Mya's hair.  It would probably be frowned upon, though!

We went on a wagon ride through the tree farm.  Mya was very excited about it.  Then she got tired and I thought she might actually fall asleep!  Nope, she just wanted to cuddle.

She rode the inflatable horse around the course.  She didn't make it very far...she had to stop to take breaks!

We went in the corn maze and had fun running around.

Then we, or she, played on some of the equipment.  The sky was cloudy and it was a little breezy, but it was a perfect day!

Meet Mya's Family

We did a little shopping this weekend.  Mya loves Old Navy because she always runs into her "family."  She talks to them and gives them hugs and kisses.  Next time, I think I might leave her at home!

With her sister

With her dog

And of course, her mom.  Can't you see the resemblances??