this is a bragging post

I got it again!  I got it again!  Twice in a year I've been chosen as "Terrific Teacher of the Week" on our local radio station.  I'm so proud!  I really am! 

The way it works:  students can nominate their teachers online and then the radio host calls you (during your planning period) and surprises you and tells you all the wonderful accolades your students have written about you.  Then you blush, but it's awkward because there's no one in your classroom except you, but you know that shortly your voice will be heard by hundreds of people tuning into the radio. 

Really though, I am so honored.  There is nothing more rewarding to me than hearing the words "Mrs. Rowland makes science so fun!" and "She lets us listen to the radio while we work!"  They're so sweet.  So, so sweet. 

And so is this little guy...





sunday funday

 

 

 

 

Have you tried the Camera + app?  I love it!  The shutter speed is so much faster than the regular camera - now we can really catch the stupid faces.

Side note for those who think we're actually having fun: "Funday" really doesn't accurately describe our weekend; it's just that "teething two-foot tall monster that whines and cries for twelve hours straight" doesn't rhyme with Sunday. 

Side note for moms with older kids that never told me about molars coming through:  Thanks for the warning.

Side note for moms with babies:  be proactive and stock up on Hyland's teething tablets NOW.

my feeble attempts to make V-Day special

Garland makes it special.

+I busted out the scissors and hot glue gun for this one, guys.  I actually hand cut each and every circle and heart - totally should've spent the $19 on the circle punch, my hand was killing me.  It was a pinspiration, but doesn't look nearly as good.  Isn't that the way it always works out?  I still love it though!

Good food makes it special.

+We don't typically go out for Valentine's Day...it's so crowded (not like it's any different than any other weekend in town though).  Whenever Jeff and I try to go out to eat, it's like every single family in Erie County has made their way to the same place, and they've (unfortunately) brought their four offspring with them.  It's like Gee, thanks for letting me have a night out.  Now I get to watch your child dump salt on the table for an hour.  So instead, we like to cook a romantic meal and sit in the peace and quiet of our home.

In the past, I've made Jeff's favorite comfort foods, like asparagus & mushroom farfalle or spaghetti & meatballs.  This year I'm going with seafood:  seared scallops with white beans and bacon.

+And for dessert, the classic chocolate covered strawberries.  You just can't go wrong with these.  They're delicious, healthy (ha!) and sexaaaaaayy.  I'm going all out with the white choc drizzle, too.



+And for drinks, obviously WINE.




 Good music makes it special.

+I've been searching for the perfect songs to put on a mix CD for Jeffrey.  Here's what I've got so far:

1. Sure Be Cool If You Did by Blake Shelton (currently repeating on my playlist)
2. This Ain't No Love Song by Trace Adkins
3. I'd Love to Lay You Down by Conway Twitty
4. I Want to Know What Love Is by Foreigner
5. It's Your Love by Tim McGraw (our wedding song!)
6. You Were Always On My Mind by Willie Nelson
7. You're Still the One by Shania Twain
8. I'll Be by Edwin McCain
9. Nothing Compares to You by Sinead O'Connor
10.  Turning Page by Sleeping at Last
11. Pretty Fly (For a White Guy) by The Offspring (kidding)


Good company makes it special.

circa 2010

I'm going to start working on mine and Jeff's love story to post on Valentine's Day...complete with some old diary entry quotes and beer-holding/drunk pictures (see above).








winery couples + old navy buys

There's a beautiful winery about ten minutes from my sister's house.  It sits way up on a hill, overlooking the vineyards and nearby farms.  My mom, sister and I went over there for a couple bottles of vino to warm us up on a freeeeezing night. 

We caught up on the important stuff:  biology, blood-typing, the miracle of twins (and babies in general), wedding rings, and hott guys we work with that get us through the day.

We also snarfed on rosemary bread & oil and a panini.

I was thankful that the typical winery crowd wasn't out last night.  Ya know, men and women in their 40's and 50's going on their first dates after the divorce?  So awkward.

There was one couple that acted as though they were out for the first time.  The woman's posture was impeccable and she was all leaning into the man.  And the poor thing, the man's body language showed no interest at all.  She was all dolled up and he was in an OSU sweatshirt.  Like, total opposites.  (Because I can totally tell the details of someone's life by looking at them for a split second?  What is wrong with me?)

Anyways, then they kissed.  It was a kiss of complete comfort and ease.  Like, an obvious husband and wife of twenty-plus-years kiss.  And I was all awwwww!  Date night!

~~

Before we went out, Patrick and I hit up Old Navy to check out what was new.  I had bought him a couple t-shirts in 18-24 months, got home and realized they wouldn't fit anything but a squirrel, so we exchanged those for a 2T and bought Mama a new plaid.



2-in-1 plaid shirt

roll-up poplin pants in rolled oats



pirate tee

caboose tee



plaid flannel