party rockin'

My baby boy turns four Tuesday-- a whole weepy post of it's own- and we celebrated yesterday with a small family party.

My handsome husband came through in a clutch, helping me wrap gifts and decorate a "race car" cake. Seriously, Lofton's talents know no end.  He could wrap gifts professionally, no question.

The cake was a source of much stress and anxiety.  Reese requested the race car and the colors.  He seemed delighted with what we came up with, which I guess is all that matters.  I also made cupcakes that were supposed to have race car toppers.  Supposed to being the key words there.  I accidentally threw them in the trash during my mad cleaning spree Thursday night.  

Our sweet Augusta family made the trek, as well. Even with a five month old, Cassie was my decorator extraordinaire.  Hugh was a welcome addition.  He usually has important doctor things to do and is unable to come.  By far, he is Reese's favorite playmate.  Lofton was thrilled to have him here, too, as they spent eight hours putting together the massive play set.  {no pictures, it's raining} Penelope was my weekend snuggle buddy.  Reese even got in on some holding action.  I think he's in love.

We are beyond blessed by these three.  {side note-- I do have a left arm, contrary to how it appears in this photo}

Reese was spoiled rotten by toys galore, new clothes, and the massive play set.  Lofton and I gave him the batman house he's been coveting since July, some new shirts, and a coat.  We also have a present hiding in the basement for his actual birthday, Tuesday.  

All I wanted was for Reese to have a day of being celebrated by the people who love him the most.  It was the perfect day.  

grateful for this day

Work of late has been difficult.

It's hard to explain my feelings about it {although my mama and husband have listened to the brunt}, but let's just say I'm overwhelmed and frustrated.  And not by the parts that are related to my students. Which is even more frustrating.

I've also had what can only be described as 'the crud' for the last two weeks.  Part cold, part allergies, part general yuckiness.  For a working mama who gets up at five and goes full speed until bed, feeling yucky just won't do.

I headed to urgent care yesterday afternoon because Mimi had scooped up Reese from school for a date.  After explaining to my non-English speaking doctor that I realize everyone says they don't have time to be sick, but I REALLY don't have time... I got a steroid shot and a an antibiotic shot.  Awesome.

Upon arrival home, I found my baby lying on the couch.  I could tell by looking at him he didn't feel well.  As soon as Mimi left I grabbed the thermometer, a toasty 102.7.  Off to the pediatric clinic we went.  Poor buddy wouldn't even pick his head up.  On the car ride there he didn't once complain about the bumpy road {don't even ask} and he said in his most pitiful voice, "mama i'm sorry but i don't want to sing with the radio today."  Bless him.

Lots of tests run, but a diagnosis of virus.  I've been pumping fluids like a mad woman.

He slept in our bed last night, so I could easily tell when he needed more medicine... and maybe just because I love a good snuggle.  His fever is still running high.  

Today we are still in bed.  I've got laundry going and I've picked up a little, but my little buddy is firmly camped in my bed watching cartoons and drinking his water with mio.

And I'm grateful for this time.  Even though he's puny, I needed this day.  To catch my breath a little. To snuggle.  To drink an extra cup of coffee.  To take care of just Reese.  And to be honest, I haven't really worried about my class.  I'm thankful to have an intern who is fairly capable of keeping things together.  And really, as important as I think I am, one day without me won't kill them.

{sidenote: I have a post about soccer coming, but truthfully, Tuesday night was a bit of disaster.  Looking back, I'm pretty sure buddy wasn't feeling so hot even then. Coach Beasley is going to head to practice without us tonight.}

boss lady

We have a bit of an ongoing debate around here about who's in charge.  Reese spends about 90% of his life thinking it's him.  Not in a toddler drama spoiled brat way.  Just in a only child who is really smart and adorable way.

Last week, though, mama boss lady stepped in.

As everyone knows, I usually reserve my teacher persona for school.  I try to stay far away from injecting my thoughts and opinions into Reese's schooling.  I, for the most part, trust his teachers.

But, then sassy pants started coming home from school with artwork and papers signed with the name Erese, or Eesre, or sometimes Rseee.  Seriously?  The kid knows how to spell his name!  One night last week I questioned him on it.  The convo went a little something like this:

Me {holding the aforementioned papers}: Buddy, what is going on here? You're spelling your name wrong...
Reese:  Uh huh.  I know.  I spell my name R-E-E-S-E.  
Me: Then why are you putting the letters on the paper incorrectly?
Reese {complete with hands on hips}: It not matter Mama. All the letters are there!

Oh okay, because all the letters are there you've decided to take some creative freedom with the arrangement.  How clever of you, almost four year old.

So I had to step in.  And call his teacher.  And make her lay down my law.  He is to re-write his name if he spells it incorrectly.  Every time, no matter what.

When I picked him up from school Thursday he did not bound across the playground into my arms.  Instead he stomped toward me, hands again on hips.  He evidently had to miss some outside fun time to re-write his name a few times.  And he knew it was because I called his teacher.

But he's now spelling his name correctly.

Stinker.

my husband is really great

Yesterday, Lofton coached Reese's very first soccer practice.  It was an adorable moment.  I took pictures, my heart swelled, I almost got teary.

But for all his amazingness as a dad, that isn't actually what this post is about.

The air is broken in my classroom.  In a nutshell, the unit on the roof needs to be completely taken apart.  However, due to our building being ancient, it can't be taken apart until our ENTIRE school transfers from AC to heat.  You know, in November sometime.

To say it's been hot is an understatement.  Twenty kids, two adults, and a confined space are not a fabulous match.

After two weeks of battling this I called Lofton today in tears.  My intern was attempting to teach science, my children were dripping in sweat, I have three kids with health problems severe enough that the nurse and I are basically BFF {and their asthma is being exacerbated by the muggy heat}, and it was HOT.

I was at my breaking point.

And my husband left work and went and bought us a fan.

Because he's amazing.

pink eye and other happenings

What a beautiful day it is!  Finally, we can walk outside without immediately needing to bathe.

This weather comes just in time... Soccer starts Tuesday night.  Our team name is, "The Rugrats." Lofton is charged with coaching five three year old's {six including his own}.  It should be worth watching.  Reese has already made it clear that he needs no coaching.  Awesomeness ahead. I'm sure my husband would appreciate your prayers.

In other highlights, Lofton has spent the week with pink eye.  Cringe, it's okay, I did.  It's been gross for this germaphob.  Not to mention challenging to be kind.  I can do about two days of husband sickness before my niceness wears off.  Monday and Tuesday were pretty nerve wracking, what with his eye swollen completely shut. Once the third doctor assured Lofton it was in fact pink eye, I was ready to move on.  Take your drops, use your ointment, pop some ibuprofen, but also go back to work and get off the couch.  That was my pep up speech Wednesday afternoon.

We are gearing up for a pretty big birthday at the beasley house. I get a little weepy just thinking about my baby boy turning four.  We decided on not doing a big party this year. Just grandparents and a few close friends.  Reese is fine with no party, and instead I'm going to take cupcakes to school.  Emo and Mimi have plans to surprise Reese with a pretty big gift.  One that requires fourteen hours to assemble.  Stay tuned for that adventure...

On a totally unrelated note, school is settling in.  I'm still exhausted, but grateful for an intern who is eager to help.  She's been a saving grace to a school year that has started at rocket speed.  Wednesday, I was working at the computer while she sat on the other side of the room.  The kids were at PE.  Evidently I was talking to myself because she got the giggles.  When I looked up to see what she was laughing about I realized it was me.  She said that she used to listen really intently, thinking I was going to tell her something important, but then she realized that I was just talking to myself.  And answering my own questions.  Surely I'm not the only one who does that?

And with that, it's the middle of September.

I'll be back with a soccer report later in the week.  Stay tuned...