Category: Kids

Posted in Kids, Travel

Trip Recap: Arizona

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday!

I will say that this week is flying by…and it’s hard to believe that we’ve almost been home from vacation for a week.

We did our traditional fall break in Florida, but Hayden decided to visit his cousins who live in Flagstaff, Arizona. I don’t have a ton of details because “boys will be boys,” but I’m sharing a few pics today!

Two of our nephews live in Flagstaff…one of them because he runs professionally, and it’s a great place to train, and the other because he followed his brother there once he graduated college and now is a photographer and videographer whose content is amazing!

When Travis realized that one of the nephews was flying back to Louisville at the end of the break, we knew it was great timing for Hayden to visit and have a travel buddy on the way home.

My kids have flown quite a few times, but I never know if they are really paying attention on how to navigate an airport. That being said, when we flew this summer, I did let them lead the way a bit just because at this age, they should know how to make their way through security, find their terminal, download their boarding pass, etc.

That being said, I was a little nervous that Hayden had to connect through Dallas on his way to Flagstaff; I’ve been in that airport a couple of times, and it’s just so big and busy. Hayden’s flight left out of Louisville on the Sunday of our fall break, and Louisville family dropped him off.

He made it to Dallas, and he even navigated riding the tram to a different terminal. Once he was at his gate, I breathed a little easier. His flight to Flagstaff was a bit delayed, but he made it there by 1:00 or so Sunday afternoon.

I did have to text my nephew’s wife to ask what time it was in Flagstaff. In Florida, we were on central time, so I was all thrown off! Flagstaff doesn’t do DST, so sometimes they are two hours behind EST and sometimes three!

Anyway, the weather in Flagstaff was rainy the first couple of days Hayden was there, but that didn’t stop him from having fun with his cousins.

Stetching his legs on a walk after the flight on Sunday…

He became a cat person while in Flagstaff! Don’t tell Homer.

On Monday, despite the rain, Hayden went to Sedona with Josh to hike. I guess we should have packed him a raincoat!

I told Josh that I was glad he sent these pics after they got back to the house. I didn’t really know their plans for the day, so knowing he was climbing on slippery rocks would have had my pulse racing a bit.

He told Josh that this was much better than the beach!

On Tuesday, it was another rainy day, but Josh and Jacob took Hayden to the Grand Canyon (and thankfully they found a raincoat for him)

All smiles…

The last time we’d been to Sedona and the Grand Canyon was 2018 when we planned a trip there after Hayden learned about the Grand Canyon in second grade. Neither Trav nor I had been there either, and it was such a great experience.

It’s a great big world out there…(peep Hayden!)

Hayden sent these pics that he took while they drove around…

This one is so pretty with the trees with the beautiful yellow leaves. I’d shared it on Facebook and a friend asked what the animal was staring Hayden down on the left side of the pic. I hadn’t even noticed it, but that’s my nephew’s dog…maybe he’s part wolf?!

On Wednesday, I think they stayed closer to home; Jacob is training for a marathon, and his wife was working. Hayden went to the gym with Jacob and did some things around the house.

They were to fly out Thursday afternoon, but the flight was canceled due to weather…so they had to regroup. They were able to get the same flight on Friday and they made it to Dallas…but then were delayed. We were driving back from Florida that day, so they had to keep us updated with how the travel was going. After a few delays, their flight arrived in Louisville at midnight rather than 9PM…and Travis picked him up; they didn’t get back to Lex until 2AM. Let’s just say we all slept in on Saturday morning!

I’m proud of Hayden for doing this on his own. He’s never been a big beach person, and we knew this trip would make him happy…and it was good for him to be with his cousins. I hate that they had so many travel issues, but I’m thankful they were on the way back when he had a travel buddy to help him with those hiccups.

Anyway, I’m patting myself on the back for letting go a bit and letting him do something on his own. The kids are at the age where they are ready to figure some of these “close to adulting” things out on their own. I’m also very thankful for life 360 and the American Airline app, so we could help him with whatever he needed. haha

Have a great Thursday!

Posted in Friday Favorites, Kids

Friday Favorites {#316}

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday!

TGIF! The only thing that stands between me and fall break is an all day field trip with 400 freshmen! haha

As always, I’m linking up with Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites.

Do you know what today is? It’s September 25th…now known as 9-2-5 in honor of Dolly Parton!

In her honor and because I’m sure we all need lifted up from time to time, I’m sharing this graphic that I saw to remind us how to Live Like Dolly.

Screenshot

I think as I’ve gotten older, some of these stick out to me more than others like:

  • Regret is unfair to yourself
  • Be unapologetically yourself
  • Cherish your people
  • Only accept opinions from people who really know you
  • Love what you do
  • Celebrate your age

Which idea resonated the most with you?

Other Faves:

We didn’t have a ton of other things going on this week, but we were busy this past weekend.

Saturday was all about Homecoming for Hadley and friends…

…and then Sunday I decorated (inside) for fall which is one of my favorite things to do.

Weekly Recap:

This week, I had a few posts:

Monthly report
Wednesday Hodgepodge
Monthly Musings

I hope you have a great weekend. Even though I have fall break next week, and I definitely need some time to recharge my batteries, I’ll pop in here with a post or two.

Posted in Home Decor, Kids, Weekly Report

Monthly Report

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Monday!

Why oh why do the weekends go by so quickly?! This weekend, I feel like I need one more day to recover from the weekend.

Today I’m sharing this month’s edition of my Monthly Report.

Reading–

I just finished reading and listening to The Calamity Club, and I thought it was so good. When I started reading it, I was a bit overwhelmed by the length, but I got it read in two weeks. I had quite a few people tell me how great the audio book was, so I tried out Audible for the first time. I love that I could sync between the audio and my Kindle, so I was able to listen when I was in my car or on a walk, and then I could read on my Kindle otherwise. The two narrators for Meg and Birdie were great. I tried to listen to the chapters with Meg because her voice was just perfect. Even if I was reading, I could “hear” both voices thanks to the chapters I listened via audio.

Up next…I started reading Writers & Lovers. I had it saved as a TBR on my Goodreads, but I’m not sure who recommended it. I’m about 25% into it, and I’m not sure what I think just yet.

Enjoying –

Even though it was still so hot this weekend, I decided to decorate for fall. Hadley helped me haul the bin up from the basement, and I pulled out some of my favorite pieces. I don’t go overboard for fall, but I really did simplify this year. I’m enjoying the decor, and I think the temps might cooperate this week!

Prioritizing–

I’m definitely prioritizing my time at school in order to stay caught up. My students still have chromebooks, and I use Canvas to post daily agendas and some assignments, but I’ve moved back to mostly assignments on paper. So, whenever I have the chance, I’m grading. I still love my rolling podium, and if I need to be out in the hall, I can roll it out there and grade during hall duty. Also, with assignments on paper, that means I have to make more copies which is one of my least favorite things to do. Anyway, since I spend some of my planning making copies, I usually bring some papers to grade while while doing that task. I just find if I can utilize pockets of time, I can stay pretty caught up. Today, I have to post our six week progress grades which is hard to believe!

Obsessing –

Well, Saturday night was Homecoming, and I’m obsessing over the photos. I took a few of Hadley with her date as well as some with her friends, but one of the dads has a good camera, and I appreciated all the snapshots he got and shared.

I’m so thankful that Hadley has such a wonderful core group of friends.

This dress was stuck in Michigan for a while, and then was deemed lost…but thankfully another one was sent with a few days to spare. Hadley’s shoes are from Amazon, and Hadley gives them two thumbs up.

Too cool for me!

What a great group. They braved the heat for photos, had dinner out, went to the dance, and then hung out for a while afterwards.

One thing about dances these days is you have to factor in Tik Tok transitions into the schedule! Hadley went to a friend’s house at 3:00 to get ready, and then the guys came over around 5:00 followed by photos at 6:00 and dinner at 7:00. Hadley was excited because a Tik Tok the girls made is going viral on TT. Oh, to be a teen!

Recommending-

I’m recommending these little ruffle socks. I haven’t purchased socks in the longest time, but I ordered these, and they are great! I love the ruffle detail.

Teaching and Treating:

As I shared last week, I’m reading The Odyssey with my English 1 classes; we got to the Cyclops part at the end of the week which is always a favorite part.

I’m wrapping up the poetry unit this week with my Advanced classes, and we will start the short story unit after fall break.

I’m treating myself to an apple cider donut from Trader Joe’s. I don’t eat much for breakfast, but I treated myself to one for dessert last night. ‘Tis the season for apple cider and pumpkin things!

I hope you have a great Monday. Just five days stand between me and fall break! It’s going to be a busy week of school, but maybe that will make it fly by!

Posted in Friday Favorites, Kids, School

Friday Favorites {#315}

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday!

TGIF! I feel like the weeks are starting to pick up some steam! That being said, I’m ready for the temps to cool off. It’s been too hot around here for too long.

As always, I’m linking up with Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites.

Here are some favorites from the week:

The kids’ junior year school photos came in. It’s hard to believe that next year, they’ll have their tux and drape school photos.

Even though it’s still so hot outside, I have a couple new pumpkin items out, and have started burning fall scented candles. When Trav and I went to Target a couple of weeks ago, the dollar spot stopped me in my tracks. I picked up two light up pumpkins.

I found a new small business, Doodles by Rebekah out of Bardstown, Kentucky and saw so many cute garden flags on the website. Garden flags are my weakness! I was so pleasantly surprised by the quality of the material. It’s thick and silky, and just perfect.

I also ordered this one for Thanksgiving!

Hadley and friends had fun tailgating last weekend at the UK game. Hayden was running around too, but he doesn’t stop for photos. Hadley sent me this one of her and her bestie. (Hadley has worn the top she bought right before school started so many times; it comes in so many colors!)

I went to Trader Joe’s for a few things, and I usually pick up the seasonal pumpkin body butter. Well, there was also a caramel creme one, and how could I resist buying it too?

I’d never seen these flavored butters, but I thought both looked good. We opened the garlic and herb one on Monday night with some ciabatta bread from Trader Joe’s. The brown sugar butter has been delish on the TJ pumpkin bagels…Hadley’s fave!

Favorite Mom Meme:

Why is this so true?! LOL!

Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday:

The kids went to a sitter’s house until they were four years old. In 2014, the year before kindergarten, we enrolled them in a preschool pre-k program two days a week, and they went to the sitter’s house the other three days.

After the first week, the school emailed us “first day of pre-k” photos, and here’s proof that Hayden has never loved first day of school pics:

Hadley was a bit hesitant too, but she smiled.

Also, this was the first time being “away” from each other. Hayden was very dependent on Hadley through the years…even into elementary school. She was tying his shoes for far too long. haha!

Anyway, they were both hesitant, but excited to have their own teachers, and we never looked back. They didn’t have the same classes again until that randomly happened a couple of times in middle school and then for their freshmen English class.

Weekly Recap:

Here are my posts from the week in case you missed one:

Share Our Lives
Teacher TAlk Tuesday
Throwback Thursday

I hope you have a great weekend! Tonight and tomorrow are all about Homecoming for Hadley. I’m hoping for some downtime in between and on Sunday.

Posted in Kids, Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday: September 2010

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday!

Another month, and I’m sharing another look back to 2010.

So far I’ve shared: January, February, March, April, May , June, July, and August...

Here’s a look back at September.

In August, I commented that I didn’t have many photos but in September I had far more, and it seemed we were out and about a bit.

I do remember that we went to Louisville one night to eat dinner at Mike Linnig’s, a local seafood place, and the kids were getting the hang of sitting in high chairs at restaurants. I think they chewed on a fry or two too.

Trav’s mom had gotten Hadley this bucket hat, and she was oh so cute…and serious. Y’all, I’ve shared before but she was such a serious baby for the first year of her life. Hayden was the smiley and happy go lucky one.

High chairs at home with solids…and look at my two little lefties. They were showing me the left hand tradition continued from an early age. (Fun fact, in my family, my Gma, mom, aunt, and myself are all left-handed…and both H&H are too!)

Who doesn’t love bath time? And…look at those two bottom teeth!

Whatever this little thing was, they loved it. They scooted around the living room and kitchen.

So much fun…and double trouble.

They still liked to hang in the crib together from time to time…and even swap pacis!

I tried to get them to follow along with my love for MIZZOU, but it didn’t last long!

Ten months old and looking oh so cute.

They were crawling everywhere…and would even try and escape.

See, my serious girl…looking so sweet in pink.

…and my smiley boy standing up with support.

Someone got them these cute onsies with their names on them, but I think this was the best picture that I got of them in them. I wonder if I kept those? I have a tub of baby things for keepsakes.

Apparently, September was a fun month…and they were on the move!

Posted in Kids, Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday: August 2010

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday!

Y’all, I “hit” the back to school wall yesterday. The day felt so long, and I was just flat out exhausted by the time I got home. The good news is that I’m really enjoying my classes and starting to learn names. Usually, we have this Friday off as a professional development day, and it’s really messing with me that this is a full five day week with students. What’s a girl to do??!

As you know, I’ve been recapping 2010 with the kids in monthly Throwback Thursday posts, and today we’re taking a look at August.

(January, February, March, April, May , June, July)

When I checked my Shutterfly album for August, I literally had 25 pictures…we must have been soaking in the end of summer and I was probably prepping to go back to school.

Like I recapped in June and July, they spent lots of time in the pool on the back screened in porch.

How cute!

The kids were nine months, and sitting up independently was such a game changer.

I vividly remember these onsies…

We spent lots of time with our friends that summer too. The older two are now headed to college and the other three are juniors in high school!

My brother was around a lot that summer, and he plopped his Boston Red Sox hat on Hayden. haha

It was a really good summer…one that I look back on fondly especially now that I am feeling a little nostalgic now that the kids are older and more independent.

That summer was nice because they kids were on a really good schedule taking two solid naps a day and sleeping ten hours (or more) a night. Since they could sit up, they would play with each other a bit, and they started to crawl around this time too.

I truly remember feeling sad about going back to school because I’d enjoyed my time with them. Summers are a taste of being a stay at home mom which I always appreciate….even now that the kids are older.

Posted in Friday Favorites, Kids, School

Friday Favorites: First Day of School

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday!

Well, we made it through the first few days of school…and I made it through my first full week.

It has been a great start, but to say I’m ready for the weekend is an understatement.

As always, I’m linking up with Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites.

Today’s favorites are the first day of school pics…

We had horrible weather on Wednesday morning. We had torrential rains, thunder, lightning, and flash flooding in some areas. That meant our traditional first day of school photos had to be postponed, but I did get this pic of the kids before I left for school…

…and Hadley suggested a selfie of the three of us to send to Travis. He’d been out of town for a few days, and was flying home that morning.

Hadley is my 1st block peer tutor on our “A” days (since we have block scheduling). Isn’t she cute?! (BTW- her first day of school top and sandals are Amazon. Her top is a new purchase, but she got the sandals in the spring and has worn them quite a few times. She rates both a 10/10!)

I saw this our on school library door…such a sweet sentiment.

The weather was cooperating after school, but our front porch wasn’t, so we moved to the backyard for photos. (We have brick front steps, and some of them were crumbling, so those were getting fixed which means we had yellow caution tape up the couple of days they were being worked on)

First day of kindergarten for comparison!

All smiles to be finished with the first day of school. haha

Per (high school years) tradition, we went to IHop for dinner. Honestly, it was raining really hard, and we were tired, but we rallied to make this happen…plus, I didn’t feel like cooking!

In all the years of first day of school for the kids, I really think that’s the first time we’ve had a rainy first day. Oh well, the pics happened eventually.

Favorite Mom Meme:

It’s cliche, but it’s so true. Where is the time going?!

Weekly Recap:

I had a few posts this week…

Share Our lives
Teacher Talk Tuesday
Let’s Look

What are your weekend plans? For starters, I plan on not setting an alarm…and I hope to finish the book I’m reading! Also, I hope to get caught up on my blog reading and responding to comments on my blog. Please bear with me as I get back into my school routine!

Posted in Kids, Let's look

Let’s Look

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Wednesday!

Well, it’s already mid-week, and I’m ready for the first day of school…or at least as ready as I’ll ever be!

It’s the second Wednesday of the month, so I’m linking up with Shay for Let’s Look.

So far this year we’ve looked at…

  • Things we outsource without regret in January…
  • Ways we’ve turned into our parents in February (I missed out on the February post, but I’m sure I’ve turned into them in the best possible ways.)
  • Favorite family vacations in March
  • Hardest thing we’ve ever done in April (I didn’t have a post, but I’d say the hardest (but most rewarding) thing I’ve ever done is raise these kids of mine!
  • Making couple friends in May
  • What I’m making more time for in June (I missed this post, but in June I was probably making more time for getting my life together after the end of the school year…and rest!)
  • Our summer selves in July

This month we’re looking at….things we miss.

Honestly, the first thing that popped in my mind was that I miss this…

pinchy cheek cute little toddlers.

There’s obviously something to be said for embracing each phase of parenthood. As they grow up, it’s fun seeing them interact with others, find their independence, set goals, learn, pass milestones (like driving) and more. That being said, I’m sure I thought parenting was hard back when the kids wouldn’t sleep through the night, or when I barely had five minutes to take a shower, or when they constantly wanted to be held…but I’d definitely go back to that time even just for a little bit.

As I’ve mentioned, this summer was different in a way I wasn’t expecting. I had a bit more time on my hands, and I guess I miss some of the time in the car with them or even them being at home more. Again, this is an exciting phase as well, but it’s been an unexpected adjustment for me.

Another thing that came to mind when thinking about things I miss…is some of the 90’s summer ideas that others have referenced on social media.

  • running through the lawn sprinkler and Slip N Slide!
  • riding bikes and staying out until dinner time
  • the ice cream truck coming down the street
  • friendship bracelets
  • Blockbuster movies
  • hanging out at the mall
  • rollerblading
  • mixed tapes and burned CD’s

Another thing I loved about the 90’s – TGIF shows!

  • Full House
  • Family Matters
  • Step by Step
  • Perfect Strangers

The only resemblance of waiting for shows to come on each week is if kids (these days!) watch a show on one of the streaming platforms with new episodes “dropping” once a week!

Well, now I’m all in my feels…just in time to send my kids off to their junior year of high school. Where has the time gone?!

Posted in Friday Favorites, Kids, School

Friday Favorites {#309}

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Friday!

Well, I’ve almost made it through my first week of school, and I’m definitely feeling TGIF.

It’s been good to get back in a routine and see my friends and colleagues, but those early alarms have been quite the reality.

As always, I’m linking up with Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites.

Here are some favorites from the week…

I was so busy getting back to school this week that I didn’t realize that Tuesday was my 7th blogiversary for Show Me and Sweet Tea. This is still a fun hobby for me, and I can’t believe I’ve been at it for seven years.

(If you’re somewhat new here or have forgotten, the blog has it’s name due to my Missouri roots in the “Show Me” state and then is there anything more southern than sweet tea which highlights my moving to Kentucky, where Travis was born and raised.)

I don’t know if he misses me, but I already miss my breakfast buddy now that I’m back to school. Homer is my sidekick most of the day in the summer.

Hadley and friends went to the Chris Stapleton concert in Cincinnati on Saturday night. Her outfit is linked in Monday’s Prime Purchases post.

Despite the rain delay, they had a great time.

There was a strong line of storms, so Stapleton’s 9:00 start time was pushed to past 10:00. She sent me this pic, and said he was worth the wait!

Stapleton is from Kentucky, and Trav and I went to his concert at Kroger Field here in Lexington a few years ago, and he was amazing.

My mom was in town, and one of her specialties is making these cookies and icing, and then the kids decorate them. They had a good time doing so, and the cookies were delish.

I’ve mentioned that Hayden has been coaching a 5th grade basketball team this summer. We all made it to the last game of the season. His team has come a long way as have his coaching skills. I think it’s been a fun summer for all.

At dinner on Sunday, I gave him the “You are Special” red plate to celebrate his first season coaching basketball.

Hadley and I went to Walmart for some school supplies, and then we went to Target. Well, this tumbler “found” me, and it’s perfect for my “to go” iced coffee.

A quiet classroom to get work done is always a favorite. Many of my favorite school supplies are linked in my Amazon Storefront.

Speaking of school supplies, the first thing I did on Tuesday was organize the school supplies that I’d purchased. Then, I took some time to put everything away and label the tubs for my supplies.

I have some secret snack storage in my classroom for my teens, and I told Hadley she had a $50 budget to get us restocked. She sent me this pic from Kroger, and proudly told me she spent $44. I’m not sure why she didn’t get a shopping cart. haha

Favorite Mom Meme:

Wow…this one is so true!

Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday:

With school starting next week, you know I always love a trip down memory lane.

Here the kids are on the first day of kindergarten. Now they will be juniors.

Share Our Lives:

Monday is the second Monday of the month, so we have our Share Our Lives link up. This month’s topic is favorite current music. We’d love to have you join us.

Weekly Recap:

Here are my posts from the week in case you missed one:

Prime PUrchases
Currently
Summer Viewing

I hope you have a lovely summer weekend. I have to keep reminding myself just because we’re going back to school doesn’t mean all the summer fun has to end!

Posted in Kids, Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday: July 2010

Posted on by jgalvinwhite

Hello and happy Thursday!

Well, July is certainly moving right along…and these Throwback Thursday posts always make me realize how quickly time is flying by! ugh.

I’ve been recapping 2010 (January, February, March, April, May , June) and July is up next!

Is there anything cuter than babies looking festive for the 4th of July?!

We went to KC around this time, and the kids were decked out in their red, white and blue.

Here they are at my Gma’s house (their great-grandma) wearing their cute bibs. No drooling on the furniture. haha!

Quality time in the pack-n-play. I really think we only packed one for this trip…

Even when they grew out of the swaddles, they still liked to have their legs wrapped up.

Hayden and Travis reading the newspaper at Major’s house. As you can see, we did bring the bouncer/Exersaucer, and Hadley passed the time that way.

Time with all the KC family…GG, Major, Gma, and my aunt.

I love these black and white photos. Play time on the blanket…and toys at Gma’s house.

On the drive home from KC, we stayed the night at a hotel which was a first. Near the restaurant was a Chili’s or Applebees, and I think this was the kids’ first time sitting in restaurant high chairs!

Looking so big sitting up in the hotel bed. Little did they know that we still had over five hours left in our drive home. The drive from Lexington to KC is around nine hours, and when the kids were little, it would sometimes take 12! So, this pit-stop was a good call on our way home.

Back home hanging out in Hayden’s crib.

Post bath time – looking cozy!

Awe!

At the end of July, Trav and I went to Folly Beach/Charleston, SC to celebrate our five year wedding anniversary. The kids stayed home with family, but of course, we missed them.

I’m sure we did more in July including back yard pool time and walks around the neighborhood, but I clearly took less pictures in July!