The Harper Family

One week down already!

2010-06-18T22:01:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe one week of summer vacation has already flown by! Jeff went down to Pebble Beach to watch the US Open. I spent the day with the kids trying to stay awake. For some reason this whole getting up several times a night is finally getting to me! However, this did not stop me from enjoying a little karoake with the faculty and staff from my school! Well, my life is not all that exciting right now but I really want to try to be more regular with my Blog. I am hoping that over time this silly blog will get more interesting!! I guess that all depends on how interestingly I live my life...more to come!!

Living at the speed of light!!

2010-06-17T10:31:00.000-07:00

Where does the time go. I realize my second to last post was from the end of the last school year...wow! Time really does fly, contrary to what they say, whether you are having fun or not!!

Well another school year has ended, Colin is now 5, Jeff just turned 3-0(!) and we have welcomed little Noelle into our lives. She truly is a ray of sunshine! Colin will be starting Kindergarten in the fall, crazy. I feel much to young to be the parent of a kindergardener! Speaking of said grade, I will be teaching the wee ones in the fall. I have been asked to leave my post at first grade to be in kindergarten. I am excited/nervous! But I keep reading things about how changes cause growth and I think I could use a little growth in my life. I think moving to California 10 years ago was such a huge change in my life that I have been taking it pretty easy since then, so I need to stop trying to be comfortable and focus on growing, even though that means stepping outside of my comfort zone. Ahh!

Another week...

2010-02-01T09:14:00.000-08:00

So begins another week. I am counting down the days until my maternity leave. My belly is getting bigger while my patience is getting smaller. My poor students are so sweet considering I am becoming a fire breathing dragon!! I am looking now at 8 weeks of class time and wondering if I can actually make it that long! I guess only time will tell!

Some people have asked my for updated pix of the ever expanding belly. I do have them, however, I cannot seem to locate a cable to hook up my camera! As soon as I do you can all experience the "basketball"! Someone actually asked me if I could stand in as the basketball at their practice!

Better late than never...

2010-01-22T12:07:00.000-08:00

So one of my friends reminded me today that I have been badly neglecting my Blog. I thought I would be a great blogger because I love my computer, sharing pics, and writing. However, I never seem to find anything interesting to Blog about! But I am home today with a "sick" little boy (I am sure he has not figured out how to fake being sick, but he seems pretty healthy to me!) Oh well, I get the day off nonetheless!

Well, the Harperworld is dull and yet oh so exciting right now. We spend a lot of time just chilling, I think you may call this the calm before the storm. Last July we purchased our first home which is such a blessing (and a curse at the same time). We are realizing how much blood, sweat, and tears...not to mention $$$...goes into home ownership. But overall I think our little family all agrees, it is SO worth it. We love hanging out on our couch playing video games and watching our favorite videos of Scooby Doo, Batman, and Ghostbusters!!

Luckily our new house has a good sized second bedroom for Colin and our incoming addition, a little girl. I could not be more excited about this, I have been having visions of pink and tutus dancing in my head since we found out the news! "Baby girl" is due March 31 (ETA April Fool's :) and unnamed this point. Any good ones?

Jeff is in his 5th year teaching Jr. High at St. Veronica's Catholic School. He is loving it! Meanwhile he is also pursuing a baseball coaching job at a local private high school (Tom Brady's HS alma mater to be exact!). He is also dying to get out surfing!! Any takers?!

Colin is finishing up his pre-school days, he loves his school minus nap time!! I cannot believe he will be starting kindergarten in the fall! A I even old enough to have a kindergartener?! And tomorrow will be his first soccer practice which we are all so excited about! He is also looking forward to his new job as BIG brother which requires him to be kind!

Besides getting BIGGER everyday I am looking forward to a little "break" come springtime! I realize parenting a newborn is not exactly the most relaxing break but I will take whatever I can! I am in my second year teaching first grade and I have one of the most amazing class of students. They are so kind hearted and the parents are great as well!

Okay, was that a bit much? I think that updates us since my last post in June!

SUMMER TIME!!!!

2009-06-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it has finally arrived! And to start off our celebration we just found out that we will be closing on our condo next week! Things are moving slowly but we are very excited! We hope to be moving in July. We cannot wait to invite everyone over to see our new place and to BBQ it up! I hope everyone enjoys their summer and we look forward to getting in touch over our break! I will try to be better at updating!

Time Flies!!!

2009-05-27T22:15:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it, just 12 more [school] days and I will officially be able to say I survived my first year teaching! What an amazing ride! One in which I am enthused to know that I never have to ride blind again! Although I strongly believe that teaching will never be "easy" but I will, from this year on, have a better understanding of what's to come. I will never have to experience my first day of school or back to school night like I did this year, with complete and utter fear! I have loved this class dearly and will be so sad to see them move on. Just today I was at one of my students, well, actually two because they are twins and I had one this year and the other last year! They will be moving on and I will be moving back to the beginning of first grade. I have learned so much and yet I feel as though I have SOOOO much to learn.

Fall

2008-11-13T20:47:00.000-08:00

So I'm not too good at keeping up with this site :( There are so many things I want to be doing right now. I love putting my creativity, however, when life gets crazy, there's no room/time for creative juices to flow. I guess I will have to wait until New Years to make this a resolution. Right now the most I can do is work on my Christmas cards. No envelopes this year, too stressful!!

On another note, here's a pic of Colin's latest endeavor. He was eating an apple the other day and when he found a seed inside he decided to plant an apple tree. He is eager for it's arrival. I had to tell him he might have to wait awhile!! (I'll keep youupdated on the progress!!

Back to school

2008-08-23T20:54:00.000-07:00

This is my first year teaching! I am so excited/nervous about the challenges ahead of me. I cannot wait to get know each one of my students, and hopefully make some sort of impact on their lives. I will be teaching first grade at Sunnybrae Elementary. I love working there and am so excited because I just found out I have been moved up in my status toward a permanent teaching position in the district....woohoo!!

Summer's coming to an end...

2008-08-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

I slept in until 11 am today. I think my body is rebelling against the idea of going back to work next week! I'm not sure I've slept that ate since I was in college! We've had an awesome summer though. Having Jeff and I both teach makes summer's extra special for the three of us! Here's some shots of our summer adventures!

June Already

2008-06-01T13:06:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it is already JUNE!! We are so booked up this month, but I am SO excited. Hopefully I will be able to update my blog with pix of Liz's graduation from Seattle Pacific, Claire's wedding in Texas and my brother's wedding in CT/MA! But here's the most recent pic of my little man!

Happy Birthday Bear!

2008-03-21T22:12:00.000-07:00

So Colin turned 3 today! I cannot believe how time flies. I can remember so much of the last three years and nine months so vividly, it's unreal. I cannot say it has all been easy thus far, but there is nothing more rewarding in life mommyhood!

My parents and my oldest brother Brandon are here from the east coast to help celebrate Colin's third year with us. Tonight we went to Colin's Auntie Nanny's house for a party. It was so much fun, and there were so many presents for our little bear. Perhaps a bit overwhelming :) He had a blast, I will have to post some pics tomorrow when I am not so tired!

I survived my first week of kindergarten!

2008-03-07T20:34:00.000-08:00

So I have officially completed one week of teaching kindergarten. My kids are really cute, but the prep work is gonna kill me! Before I started this job I swore I would never teach kindergarten. After week one I love it and can see myself doing it for awhile! Isn't life funny?!

So I must document my "funny Colin incident of the week!" The other day I ordered pizza for dinner and when the pizza delivery man knocked on the door Colin's ear perked up and he says, "The PIZZA MAN!!!" and when I opened the door he says, "I love you!" The pizza man didn't know what to do but laugh :)

My little kindergartener...

2008-02-29T14:11:00.000-08:00

So Colin is really into reading books when he gets home, about 5 at a time, which as teachers, mommy and daddy love! He is making it clear to us though, that just because he is reading books, he does not want to go to bed! We always read books before he goes to bed so this idea of reading any other time throws him off. He just wants me to know that it is not bedtime yet!

In kindergarten, one of the CA state standards is that children can recognize the front and back covers and the author and illustrator. I know he will not be testing for kindergarten for another two years, but I just like to keep him sharp, you know?! So I always tell him, "Colin, the author of this book is [insert author's name], that means he/she wrote the book." So yesterday while I was reading him I Promise I'll Find You (one of my new faves!!) I said this is the author, and he replied nonchalantly, "that means they wrote the book." What a proud mommy moment!!

Counting down the days!

2008-02-26T16:16:00.000-08:00

As of next week I will be taking on a long term substituting position in a kindergarten class. I am very excited but twice as nervous! I think this will be a great experience not to mention a big foot in the door of education! Do you remember your kindergarten days? They are some pretty wild times :)

How come my team always loses?!

2008-02-22T12:25:00.000-08:00

Okay, first you have the undefeated Patriots going to the Superbowl, no big surprise. The surprise only comes when they lose to the underdog! Next I go the Warriors to see them get slaughtered by the Celtics, once again I am disappointed. For someone who has never truly cared about professional sports, I am starting to get really bummed about my winningest teams losing, but only when I'm actually watching (what does that say to you!!??) Oh well, there's still a better chance of the Celtics going to the playoffs than the Warriors!

Tut tut...looks like rain!

2008-02-19T14:47:00.000-08:00

So much for our beautiful blue skies, grey is the color of the day. At least the gloom waited until the long weekend was over! Colin is back at daycare this week and I am subbing these next two weeks until I start my long term sub position in kindergarten! I am very excited, but a little more nervous than anything! Well, I'm off to pick up Colin! Rain rain go away, come back another day!!!

Another beautiful day!

2008-02-17T13:38:00.000-08:00

One might think spring has come early here in the bay area, but I am not fooled, I know we are not out off the cold just yet! But I will enjoy it as long as it's here! Today Colin & I went to the park with our friend Molli and her mommy Lisa (I was Molli's Gymboree teacher!). We had a great time, such a great time that the play date continued on to our house for lunch. We really enjoy our outings with Molli and Lisa and we can't wait until the sun stays out longer so we can go to the park on Wednesday nights again!

Just another day in the bay!

2008-02-16T17:40:00.000-08:00

Today we went on an "adventure!" Jeff has been known to take his little family on weekend excursions, and we like to tell Colin that we are going on an adventure. Our travels took us into Golden Gate Park. We finally made it into the conservatory to see the beautiful flowers. It was really awesome. Afterwards we explored the park which took us to an art fair, a huge children's park, and Pluto's, one of our favorite restaurants. Colin barely made it home awake but when we got home he refused to sleep! Finally, after about an hour of pleading he finally succumbed to slumber!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

2008-02-14T09:20:00.000-08:00

Colin was excited to open his Valentines gifts from Grandma Colusa! He didn't even throw the clothes this time. Each article he opened he held up and said, "Oh, cute!" He even held up his socks, "Oh, SOCKS!" In case you cannot read it, his shirts says: I enjoy ice cream, insightful cartoons and long walks in the playground.

Oh how I have missed scrapbooking!!

2008-01-12T16:08:00.000-08:00

So I finally got back to scrapbooking today.

Daddy took Colin to play outside at his

cousins house for awhile, giving me time to

indulge in my favorite hobby! Unfortunately

I made a HUGE mess and it took me almost three

hours to complete!!

Here comes the sun!!

2008-01-11T15:36:00.000-08:00

Finally the sun has returned. Colin and I made it out of the house before noon today, quite the accomplishment! Today we went to see the new Veggie Tales movie. It was super cute but Colin said it was too scary! Believe it or not, he loves pirates. Afterwards we grabbed a bite to eat and came home. Once home I recommended that Colin take a nap (which he rarely does for me!) but after a story and snuggling he fell asleep, snoring and all!

Rainy Day # 6...

2008-01-10T20:50:00.001-08:00

...and that's just since we got back on Saturday! Not to mention last week! Colin and I made the best of it with train building, hiding under the covers, and watching cartoons. I have decided that I need to enjoy these days because they are few and far between, but most of all, so precious! Sometimes I just get so overwhelmed at how much I love my son. We play a game where I yell, "I love you!" and he yells it back and then we say, "I love you more," which he replies, even louder, "No, I love YOU more!!" My other favorite thing he said today, I said, "Your my best boy," and told me, "your my best girl." Those are the moments that melt your heart and remind you that there's no better job in the world than being a mommy.

Getting rid of the rainy day blues

2008-01-09T14:49:00.000-08:00

Colin and I have been going a little crazy the past three days, feeling couped up in the rain. As a grown up I can enjoy a day inside, drinking hot cocoa, and curling up with a good book or watching a movie, but not COLIN! He needs the thrill of adventure, not easily found in our little apartment.
Today I finally decided to face the rainy day blues with a trip to our local indoor play place, SafariRun. This is a great place to go for indoor fun (and he's actually taking a nap today after playing there!!) especially when the bigger kids are still in school.
After a good hard work of me chasing Colin around the entire play structure, up ladders, down slides, and through narrow openings we decided to feed our hunger with an ever so nutritious lunch from McDonalds! So much for the calories burned!

My First BLOG

2008-01-08T09:15:00.000-08:00

Okay, so first of all I know nothing about blogging!! But I just thought this looked like fun and I would like to be able to post pictures of the craziness that is our life! This way I don't feel nearly as responsible for sending out mass loads of Colin pictures around the country! So here goes! Happy reading!

PS Colin doesn't actually have three chins!