Everything is happenning so fast!

This will be a double update post.

1. Student teaching

I am halfway done. Yippeeeee! I know the hardest part is ahead of me. I solo teach starting next week. I feel like my classroom management skills are vastly improving. I have gotten a lot stricter. But I truly enjoy it.

Yesterday was Educator Recruitment Day at my school. I had nine (yes, nine!) interviews in one day. IMO, they all went well. I am confident that I'll get a least a couple of offers soon.

2. Wedding stuff!

Counting down the days! I'm so excited!!!! So far, I have arranged my church, reception location, the attire, bridesmaids-MOH is another story for another post, and the cake. Oh, and the invites, too. We just don't have any food LOL! We are working on it.

Lettuce is far more involved than I expected him to be. He selected the colors and is in charge of the food and the reception. Of course, I am monitoring him to make sure everything goes the way I want it to! If you haven't yet, please visit Crate & Barrel and vote for us! And tell your friends! Yay! We're only like 16,000 votes behind the leader!

I fibbed. This is a triple update

3. Family

Side salad is 2 years old! I can't believe it. He has a hilarious vocabulary. His favorite phrase is "I 'on know," something he picked up from the older sibs. Squirrel is sick and hasn't been to school in a couple of days. As you may know, my state is having an issue with a stomach virus. Not fun. Princess, the first grader, is now reading 3 grade level books. Astronaut, the third grader, is reading the Chronicles of Narnia on his own! Love those kids.

As a mama and an almost teacher, I know the importance of literacy. We have a gazillion books at my house and growing. I wanted to let you know about a giveaway at Muse Reviews for the books "Marshmallow."

It's about a bunny, making it perfect for Easter. Drop by and enter, but if you don't win, go buy it. It's $6.99 for paperback at B&N. Stick it a kid-you-know's Easter basket.

Vote for MEEEEE!!!

So, I am getting married :)

Lettuce and I are jumping the broom this May after I graduate. I am very excited, even though it's a bit rushed. We entered this contest on Crate & Barrel and I'm very excited. I know I have a snowball's chance in heck of winning, but what the hey-vote for us!

http://www.ultimateweddingcontest.com/entries?sort=time#29344

Thanks, ya'll!

My slackness is forgiven!

The Inaugural Ball fundraiser for my kids' school was Friday night. We all went. We actually had primo seats so thanks to whoever sat us at the Presidential Cabinet table. The stage was nice and the whole set up classy. Let me fast forward to the actually coronation. Her are the contestants for Little Mr. Inaugural Ball. Astronaut's in the green. Little Mr. is for K-2nd grade. And guess what?
That's right! Astronaut got third runner up! My son placed, even with the paltry funds he took.
Not one, but TWO trophies! He was super proud and so are we. To be fair, he got last place but since there were only 4 boys, all of them were winners. It gave him confidence. He even wants to do it again. Not bad for a shy kid. He was very apprehensive about particiating. He is super shy and was terrified of having to dance. However, he practiced a lot and when the contestants danced the shag-our state dance-he was in the front. Here is my boy, shagging like a true Southern gentleman.

And then we had a catered dinner of baked chicken, rice and gravy, green beans, corn, rolls and sweet tea. Hey, it's SC. We have to have sweet tea. Oh, and there was cake, yummy cake.

Then there was dancing. It was like a mini club in there. We did the Electric Slide-whereupon the children began to chant,"Go, old people! Go, old people!"-and some contemporary dances a la Soulja Bo, DJ Unk, and Vic.

The girls obviously had a great time and we got home late. It was a night to remember.

All I want for Christmas is...[stuff I like]

That's right. I finally decided what I want-a crockpot! I picked up a new crockpot cookbook while shopping for presents. It would make my life so much easier!

That picture I used in one of my favorites. It's Lettuce and I out on the town. With four kids and one income, we don't get out much. That's what made the night so special. Every time I see this pic I smile.

I uploaded this pic to the Sit on Santa's Lap at Ceiva. Isn't this awesome! I thought it was so cool. Then, I did it with each of my kids and they loved it! The pictures uploaded quickly and they loved hearing Santa say their names. What more could I ask for?

I would also love to get a Ceiva digital photo frame. I've never seen anything like this. I could upload all my favorite pictures of my kids and give it to one of their grandmas-it's truly a gift that keeps giving. The Cevia digi photo frame rocks because it is wireless! You plug it into a phone jack. You can even upload pictures from your camera phone. How cool is that? That means I could send pics all the time. Granny could enjoy her grandbabies all the time even though she doesn't live nearby. This is a great gift for anyone who lives far a way.


By the way, don't forget to visit Ceiva yourself and enter got a wish to win $500. One entry is selected randomly every day! Tell Santa that Gina sent you.

Baby Wearing

Yes, my son is spoiled.

His father and I spoiled him.

That is, if you mean my baby doesn't get to cry much and is held a lot. Then by all means, the Side Salad is spoiled ROTTEN.


I am a slightly attached parent and I wear him a lot. I've been AP since before it was cool. I wore the Astronaut in a Snuggli and allowed him to sleep with me. Little T has it even better-he rides around in a cool camo Lucky-Baby sling http://www.lucky-baby.com/p_home.asp . It's a pouch and it's in the Noah pattern. I have an Oliver, too, but I misplaced it. Here he is in the Lucky-Baby. Please disregard the high chair, artwork, and other general clutter.














And a better pic from Lucky-Baby. They are really cute and priced wonderfully!















However, I have been itching to try a mei tai, but mei teis can been really expensive. Mei tais are kind of like really soft and beautiful Snugglis. Enter Cuddling Baby. Here are some truly affordable mei tais! Check her out http://cuddlingbaby.com/default.aspx and http://search.stores.ebay.com/CUDDLING-BABY_cuddling-baby_W0QQfcdZ2QQfrtsZ0QQftsZ1QQsaselZ314840329QQsofpZ0 .

So, what's better than affordable mei tai? Free mei tai, of course! Andrea of Momma in Flip Flops2 is having a giveaway. Visit her blog at http://mommainflipflops2.blogspot.com/2008/09/cuddling-baby-mei-tais-review-giveaway.html for a chance to win! Good luck!