second chances

I'm giving facebook a second chance (actually technically this is more like its sixth chance). Mostly this is because I want to have Pinterest (you can follow me here, but don't get too excited, it's all teaching stuff).

I don't really know how I come across to people on facebook. I always wonder what my facebook stalkers think when they see things about me on it. But here's what I think when I look at it:

I love my life.

how i keep my sanity

Working a sixty hour week is no joke (hence the recent lack of posts). But, I love my job because I laugh everyday. For example...

Dominic: Uhh, Miss Hatcher?

Me: Not right now Dominic, we're doing a reading group. Go to your seat and raise your hand.

Dominic: But I have a question.

Me: Then go to your seat and raise your hand.

Dominic: But it's about reading.

Me: Then you need to wait.

Dominic: But... do you have my reading envelope?

Me: No.

Dominic: Dang it. I'm grounded.

a magical night

Somehow, the Fleet Foxes ethereal sound takes my mind to the most peaceful yet wildly exciting place. Contradictory? Perhaps. But it was by far the best concert I have ever been to, and the geometric patterns in the background took it to another level.

same here

I read this today and completely identified with it...

Gosh, some things really just are better with my girlfriends (usually most things). Add champagne (or wine!) and there's probably nowhere else I'd rather be.

getaways

One of my favorite things about life is going out of town for a break from it. It makes me feel alive all over again.

Palm Springs: Where you can really only read and sip on a drink for about 10 minutes before you have to jump in the pool due to extreme heat.

Eating In-N-Out on the ground outside the movie theatre in Long Beach, because when you're with Kirsten, everything is spur-of-the-moment and awesome.

Out on the lake in Minnesota. And yes, I took a turn in the driver's seat. (Is that what it's called in a boat?)

San Francisco: Dinner...

dancing (with whistles - best idea ever)

...and brunch in the morning. 

Next up: School, starting Wednesday. But I'm taking my summer mindset as far into the fall as I possibly can.

my moh speech

... in case you want to know how it's done by a pro.

"I put off writing this little toast up until the last minute; I think because I knew that once I did, this would all feel real to me. Not that that's a bad thing; it just makes me a little teary. I guess I've always felt like Kim belonged to me  - like she was mine. Maybe that's what happens when your parents bring home a little baby from the hospital. I must have felt like, 'Hey, I just got a little baby!' Sisters are a pretty big deal in our family, and Kim was my first experience with that. She was my sister before she was anyone else's...

surreality

Maybe it's not a word, but it perfectly describes things lately.

Summer is perfect - the best feeling in the world - and here's why...

quadruple take

I decided to sleep in and relax this morning (first time in a long time!) and I came across this photo as I was meandering around the blogosphere...

For a minute or two I thought someone had taken a creeper picture of me on this camping trip last year:

It really weirded me out for a second, but I talked some sense into myself and have determined (for the most part) that the girl in the picture is not me. There's lots of other tiny brunettes in the world who lay out on the beach under rainbow-colored umbrellas. Right?

the american dream

On the 4th of July, it involves lots of sun, a BBQ (preferably by the pool so you can wear a swimsuit all day), then a drive out to the coast for a fireworks show. Plus lots of classic rock, and then watching Independence Day with Will Smith. I really do like being American; I can't deny it. Especially on days like today.

Source: Did you know Life has a Tumblr?

muchas gracias

I can't get over how cute these thank you notes are! I'm sending them to the parents of my graduated second graders. Hopefully the cuteness will keep me from tearing up as I write.

phone étiquette

Sometimes I really dislike my phone. When I was little, I had a severe case of phone anxiety (self-diagnosed), and although I have made major strides in overcoming my issues, there are times when I just can't bring myself to use my phone. When I dropped it in the pool the other day, I felt so relieved! No guilt about returning calls or texts! Turns out my phone is indestructible though, and it's working just fine again. So just know that if you feel like I'm ignoring you, it's only because I hate my phone - not you! And I'll call you soon :)

home sweet home

When I lived in Santa Barbara for the last few summers, I whined everyday because I wanted some warm weather. My wish has finally come true back home in San Jose - ninety degrees today, guys! I'm in heaven; you have no idea. After all these years it finally feels like summer! Time to make a summer to-do list...

apparently i can't stop posting about school

After reading a story about a fence between the homes of a white family and a black family...

Amber: I thought the black girl was gonna go over the fence and turn white and the white girl was gonna go over and turn black.

Me: Well, that might be cool, but people's skin doesnt really change color like that.

Danny: Actually, skin color can change, because remember Michael Jackson? He was black then he changed to white.

Me: Oh, yeah, I guess he did, Danny, you're right.

Jeremiah: How did that happen?

Me: No one really knows, it's a mystery

Jeremiah: Actually, I know!

Me: You do? You solved the mystery? Let's hear it then.

Jeremiah: Somebody put something on him that made him turn a different color. I heard from my sisters friend. I think they know from a magazine, because someimes they have that stuff in a magazine.

Robert: I think I really know what happened. You know how when you're a kid and you grow up and get old and your skin gets wrinkled? Well it was like that, but there was something in his skin and when he kept on growing up, it made his skin change a different color. His skin turned when his age got bigger.

Diego: It's like a baby. You know when a baby is a different color, and it turns brown or white. That's what happening to my sister; she's turning tan.

bittersweet

Friday was our last day of the school year... a sad but happy day. I can't even begin to describe how proud I am of my kids and how much I am going to miss them. It's crazy to think how much they grew up and how much they learned, and that I got to be a huge part of it! I never ever want to stop being a teacher.

The first week of school!

John! Secretly my favorite.

See? I'm not lying about how much fun it was.

On twin day, Lilly and Diego dressed up as old people... so cool!

Danny reading Henry and Beezus... at the beginning of the year, he couldn't even read! I cried when he told me his mom took him to Borders so he could buy this book.

When I would stay late to work, John would come and hang out with me. Look at his shirt! Such a boy.

Every time I said, "Get your whiteboards out," they cheered. Every time. It never got old to them.

They look so old now! And yes, Jeremiah (in the middle) has a hardcore mohawk. Bah, now that I think about it, they are all my favorites. I had the time of my life! The funny thing is I don't think they have any idea how much I loved this chapter of my life. It's gonna be hard to top this. Ok, time to stop before I start crying again.

lingerie festivities

No, dad, this is not a party where people come dressed in lingerie. This is a party where we celebrate the bride and shower her with gifts, all of which are lingerie. See the difference? Although, viewers, don't expect to see any glimpses of the lingerie here; it all has to wait til the wedding night.

The lovely guest of honor in the foreground; fantastic decorations by me in the background! 

Setting the scene...

...and here we go!

Rachel made an awesome DVD with a very clever title that showed clips of Josh answering questions we asked him about Kim... 

Kim had to guess what Josh's answers were before we played the clips, and when she got them wrong, she had to chew a piece of gum... (I recommend this game to any MOH's busy planning parties for their brides as a definite crowd pleaser.)

She got pretty tired of the gum.

 Don't the guests look happy? 

Because we were!

(special thanks to erin, the photographer pictured below. good job! you have talent.) 

And thank you Molls! I couldn't have dreamed up a better co-host.

we are family

Last weekend, my family went down to Santa Barbara for Josh's graduation from Westmont.

Basically, the Hatchers and Pritchetts played together all weekend long. Chase practiced his photobombing skills while we searched for cookies at the graduation reception, amazing tri-tip sandwiches were thoroughly enjoyed at Cold Springs Tavern, and we sat around and drank wine (always a fave).

This weekend, I threw Kim's first bridal shower of the lingerie variety... more on that (and the decorations pictured below) later.

apparently robert makes me laugh the most

Robert: Miss Hatcher! Did you see how fast I ran! I thought I wouldn't be fast because I'm not wearing sneakers, but I guess these tap shoes are fast too!

(in reference to the shoes below...)

i love my mommy

Robert, in a letter to his mom on Mother's Day:

Dear Mom,
You are the best mom a kid could ask for. When you're mad you calm down and you treat me like you should.
Love, Robert

My mom is the same! And better. No offense.

lessons in style

Miss Hatcher: Amanda, I like your scarf!

Amanda: Thanks, have you seen me wearing it all different ways today?

Miss Hatcher: Yes, I have; I like it!

Amanda: You know where I learned to wear my scarf like this around my waist?

Miss Hatcher: No, where?

Amanda: Steven Tyler, on American Idol.