This is my 618th post.
I started this blog as a way to promote my shop, and as a creative outlet for myself. But for the past several months, it has just felt like one more obligation and responsibility. I've tried to scale back and not post every day, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was somehow obligated to. Somewhere along the line, it stopped being as fun!
In this new season of life, trying to juggle between being a good teacher and being a good mom, I find that my priorities have shifted away from my shop and this blog.
So.... it is with bitter-sweet feelings that I'm ending this blog.
Not to worry though! You can still follow me on Twitter! And I have another blog that my husband and I update sporadically to keep in touch with our friends and family. If you'd like the URL, just shoot me a quick email (sarah at yesteachercrafts dot com)
I've really enjoyed this blogging journey with you all! I will continue to cherish the connections and community that I've made here. Thank you to my faithful supporters/commenters (you know who you are!) for your friendship!
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
In Bed
One good thing about working part time is that I enjoy my time at home with William SO much more! This morning, we were lazy and decided to hang out in bed.
No morning rush.
No traffic.
No students to teach.
Just this cutie pie!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Tickle Me Tuesday, 79th edition
Welcome to the latest edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!
If you'd like to participate (and you know you do!!), here are the rules:
1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)
2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)
3. Come back here and link up your blog post!
Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy lately?
Back to School Party
Today marks day one of a new school year. Big yellow buses and a trail of cars will be dropping off the children at the doorstep. And all of the teachers thinking: "Ready or not, here they come!"
One of these years, I'd love to host a back-to-school party - it would sure get everyone excited about the big day! There's tons of inspiration online, but here are a few of my favorite party ideas:
One of these years, I'd love to host a back-to-school party - it would sure get everyone excited about the big day! There's tons of inspiration online, but here are a few of my favorite party ideas:
How cute are these place settings?
These would be awesome party favors!
Apple cupcakes and school bus cookies? Yes please!
Don't forget the drinks!
A pretty display couldn't hurt!
What about you? Have you ever been to or thrown a back to school party?
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Dear William - Two Months
Dear William,
Today, you are two months old.
If I had to sum up this past month in one word, it would be:
Poop.
You are either pooping, trying to poop, thinking about trying to poop, or just plain gassy. Poop is the bane of your existence, your nemesis. It makes you so fussy and angry! We all had a rough couple of weeks until your father thought to harness the power of the internet. Now we know better ways to feed you so that you can digest easier. Victory! You're a much happier poop-er now.
This month marks the first time we've been on our own, without the help of our families. It's nice to be just the three of us and figure out a routine. On the other hand, there are a lot fewer helping hands around here. The house is messier. The kitchen isn't always clean when we go to bed. I've taken fewer showers. The living room is more cluttered.
Really, it's all your fault: your needs trump anything and everything else. The floors need to be swept? The dog needs to go out? Gotta pee? Too bad! You come first! But I can't resent you, my beautiful, beautiful trump card.
You're a bit more particular about your sleep these days. You especially love to be bounced and swayed to be put to sleep. BUT! It must be while I'm standing up. If I try to bounce you to sleep while I'm sitting on the couch, you become quite incensed. I can almost hear you say: "YOU'RE NOT DOING IT RIGHT, MOM!" One notable exception to this pattern was that one night when your dad put you to sleep by playing classic rock on the guitar and belting out the tunes. That was pretty awesome.
Oh, and this month you've started squealing..... spontaneous, loud, delightful little squeals that are usually paired with a smile! They come at the most random times, and I'm not sure what you're trying to say, but we take it to mean that you love us back.
Today, you are two months old.
If I had to sum up this past month in one word, it would be:
Poop.
You are either pooping, trying to poop, thinking about trying to poop, or just plain gassy. Poop is the bane of your existence, your nemesis. It makes you so fussy and angry! We all had a rough couple of weeks until your father thought to harness the power of the internet. Now we know better ways to feed you so that you can digest easier. Victory! You're a much happier poop-er now.
This month marks the first time we've been on our own, without the help of our families. It's nice to be just the three of us and figure out a routine. On the other hand, there are a lot fewer helping hands around here. The house is messier. The kitchen isn't always clean when we go to bed. I've taken fewer showers. The living room is more cluttered.
Really, it's all your fault: your needs trump anything and everything else. The floors need to be swept? The dog needs to go out? Gotta pee? Too bad! You come first! But I can't resent you, my beautiful, beautiful trump card.
You're a bit more particular about your sleep these days. You especially love to be bounced and swayed to be put to sleep. BUT! It must be while I'm standing up. If I try to bounce you to sleep while I'm sitting on the couch, you become quite incensed. I can almost hear you say: "YOU'RE NOT DOING IT RIGHT, MOM!" One notable exception to this pattern was that one night when your dad put you to sleep by playing classic rock on the guitar and belting out the tunes. That was pretty awesome.
Oh, and this month you've started squealing..... spontaneous, loud, delightful little squeals that are usually paired with a smile! They come at the most random times, and I'm not sure what you're trying to say, but we take it to mean that you love us back.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Maternity Leave
We've been extremely blessed to have had William in June: both my husband and I have been off all summer since I'm a teacher and he's a grad student! But now with back-to-school looming (I start Friday and the kids start Monday!), I have a few thoughts on going back to work.
First, this:
Shocking, isn't it? I mean, c'mon... Pakistan?!?
My school district doesn't give any paid maternity leave. If you want to stay home with your baby, you'd better have a lot of sick days and personal days stored up. So I'm grateful that I had 2 months to stay at home, worry free.
That said, my husband and I want to avoid daycare at all cost (and we have no family around to watch the baby). Max can work from home three days a week, and I'll be taking an "intermittent maternity leave" the other two days a week. I have some sick/personal days in my bank, but not enough to cover the whole year. But I think the pay cut will be worth it, though!
You know how some mamas are really excited to go back to work? I think I understand that. But I don't feel that way.... maybe if my job involved actual adult interaction instead of managing a class of second graders. Right now it just seems ridiculous to me to leave my baby to go take care of some other people's babies!
So in a way, I'm blessed that I'll only have to go in three days a week (I'll be planning for a long term sub for the other two days). I have some worries - mainly about pumping and messing with my milk supply - but I hope everything will work out!
Do any of you working mamas have tips about pumping? I'd be grateful to hear your advice!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Tickle Me Tuesday, 78th edition
Welcome to the latest edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!
If you'd like to participate (and you know you do!!), here are the rules:
1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)
2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)
3. Come back here and link up your blog post!
Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy lately?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)