Whole brain teaching conference and us trying!

Whityn McKay

My little 2 year old doesn't always seem so little. A week or so ago...we started a "I MADE a GOOD CHOICE" sticker chart...it's really not that cute...it's a piece of recycled paper hanging on his chalkboard...but he thinks it's cool...and when he does something like:

pick up trash and throw it away OR cleans up without being asked OR puts his clothes in the hamper OR clears his plates into the sink...you get the point...well, then he earns himself a sticker for his chart...and once he gets five stickers...he gets a little "matchbox car"...which are his favorite! You will rarely find him without holding onto a car in each hand...so I'd say it's worth it...and it's fun and it's promoting positive behavior!

Saturday we headed over to Jackson...will tell you more about why in a minute...but while we were over there we saw that the annual pumpkin sale was happening on the town square...we of course were too late to buy any which was fine...cause we have 4 of our own! However, it was beautiful out...and Whitty was wearing his Lightening McQueen costume...so we made an appearance.

Then we walked on over to the Jackson Elementary playground where Whit did a series of new things stating "I can do it myself" and when he would do it...we would shout "Wahoo, I did it!" Too cute!
And then we were starving...and someone GOT REALLY cranky fast...so thru the WENDY's drive thru we went...and chicken sammies for everyone..and a frosty too...and if you want to know what happened next...just keep scrolling!
We drove all the way back home...Whitty and I took a nap...ahhh! It was well deserved for me too as I stayed out way too late Friday night at the Stagecoach in Wilson. They had a FREEDOM rider's benefit for the bikers, trail makers and people who love to bike...so I went on over in a FULL mini van of friends....so needless to say...MY SATURDAY NAP was JUST WHAT I NEEDED!

When we woke up...I asked if Whityn wanted to make the FALL festival party at our local nursery...and he said yes...however he wouldn't wear his costume...made a 3 minute transition about an hour and a half long...so needless to say...it was over when we made it there...so we just looked around and I snapped a few pics of a smiley toddler...NOW!
BAck home again to find Jordy eyeball deep in staining one side of our house...we have been talking a lot about our house lately...and the upkeep of it...and what projects we want to do and what we want to spend money on...etc! This house talk is all based on where Whityn will go to school...because we have always thought that we will figure out a way for him to attend Wyoming schools..because that is where we teach and we are invested in it...we know it...we believe in it...however we just didn't know how we could make that happen because you have to live in Wyoming to attend Wyoming. Anyhow...we have gone back and forth about this even before Whit was born...and just now in the last few weeks have we felt like we settled on something...and here it is...

We have decided to stay right where we are...cause it's comfortable...it's awesome and we love where we live.

We are going to enroll little Whitty into Kindergarten right in Victor. I know what you are thinking...

"He's only 2"..."you might change your mind"..."Why are you worried about it"...

BECAUSE THIS IS HIS EDUCATION...and it's a huge deal to us...

But, because we are both teachers...and we believe in ourselves...and PUBLIC education..we are doing this along with a bunch of friends..neighbors...people we know...and a bunch of people we don't know...because it is what it is...he will end up going to Idaho schools anyway in the 7th grade...might as well start in Kindergarten..right? Well...I am sure to add more later...but for now know that Whitty will be a Teton Valley kid! Go Whit!

On another note: The reason for that long story is Jordy is got the HONEY "DO LIST" going...and staining was one...check!
OH...and back to the reason we went to Jackson...well, because while I was away in Cali...Jordy went out and bought me NEW front-loaders...hmmmm! What did I do to deserve that? :)
Whityn had a honey-do list too and it included sticking a screwdriver inside, on, around everything he could!!!
Sunday Whitty woke up on the WRONG side of the bed...Jordy woke up STILL sick...and that meant that we didn't do WAFFLE SUNDAY...so sad...so no one was happy...I took off to go to school right before Whitty took a nap...I logged about 3 hours...and headed back home...I called Whitty to see if he wanted to go for a hike with me...he said yes and seemed very excited..however once I got home it took about 2 hours to convince him to go outside with me...he played happily with his fire guys...making up little conversations...and drawing a picture of what he said was McQueen and Mator and a tree...too cute...

FINALLY I got him out to be a part of THIS....

Ruezy and Wynnie went too...they loved their little outing...as they lately seem few and far between!

Everything was so vibrant in color...I felt alive and part of something much larger than myself...and loved sharing that with Whitties...it was one of the best afternoons I have ever had with him!

Seriously.

Not to mention that this little 2 year old walked from the van...down this trail...into those mountains...and back BY.HIMSELF!

I kept asking him if he was tired...and he would say "yes"...but he kept telling me that he wanted to make it to the trees...and that he was strong.

I don't blame him for wanting to make it to the trees...they were magnificent!

And for the walk back...he got a pwecial tweet!

WHOLE BRAIN!

Yes...I am behind..I do realize this! Last weekend my great teacher friend Rachel and I jet-setted to California for a long weekend.

Last year I had this great idea to write a GRANT for a WHOLE BRAIN TEACHING CONFERENCE...and we (Rachel and I) got it...so we booked ourselves out to California (Long Beach and Palm Springs) for some sun, some fun and some whole brain learning. We had a blast. Below we are pictured with Chris Biffle (the founder of WBT)...we are such dorks!

If you knew just how much I hated flying now...you would be so proud of be for soaring on over to CAlifornia...it wasn't as easy as I thought!

Hotel Maya...first night...great view...perfect weather...even better company...and fun night out to the Pier to eat and then to the Irish pub!

Some sunning in October!

When in Palm Springs...do as they do...when we arrived to Hotel California...they asked if we wanted a shuttle into town..and we of course inquire as to how much it cost...and they say it's free...and it's a limo! Yep! It was awesome!

My team-mate from college is living in L.A and was passing through Long Beach with her boyfriend...and we met up with them...ATE and took a quick picture...so fun to see my 6'3 buddy!

All and all it was a great experience...and full of adventures...can't wait to show you my WHOLE BRAIN TEACHING VIDEO soon...stay tuned!

Uncle Dave...

My Uncle Dave died Saturday afternoon holding onto his wife (Diane) and my grandma Joyce's hands. I got the message from my dad. My heart aches for all who loved him. I can't help but think about my cousins Kriscinda, Megan and little Dave. My Uncle Dave was just shy of 50. It doesn't seem right for someone that young to die. Cancer is an awful and ugly thing. I have watched it take too many loved ones. I have watched loved ones fight it and win. I am happy that my Uncle is not fighting anymore. I am happy that he went peacefully. I am happy that he waited for Grandma Joyce to be there holding his hand. That makes my heart hurt less. I am sad that he left his wife...his children...his grandchildren...his siblings (one being my dad)...and his parents...there are no words.

I have very fond memories when I was a wee one of Uncle Dave and his crew crashing our house for days...weeks even...they would take over my room...bags...clothes..shoes..cousins everywhere....on the floor...even in the closet you could find one of us sleeping...he was always the one having a good time...laughing...or playing or teasing us...I remember when I lived in Fox HOllow...he came down once to crash /install a sprinkler system...every morning I would make coffee with mom and keep running out cup after cup to his smiling face...

I remember when I was in college and I drove down to visit my boyfriend during spring training...I called up Uncle Dave and he took me around on the town...and out for lunch and cocktails...he was always good to me even if I saw him only once a year. Thank you for being a great Uncle. I love you. Rest in peace.

Uncle Dave....

this picture was taken at Grandma Joyce's b-day..and I had flown in to surprise her...snapped a good one of the siblings...everyone but Steve.

I don't remember Uncle Dave like this at all...but my Aunt Cindy and Uncle Tim were just down visiting him in Florida. They snapped this picture while they were there.

Another one at G. Joyce's b-day!

All gussied up.

just a few days ago.

Diane and Uncle Dave

Uncle Dave and Grandma Joyce

Uncle Timbo and Uncle Dave

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.



T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.



Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.



The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.

Whitties.

I love talking to Whit lately. It's crazy really how much he is understanding, comprehending and saying. He will tell you about certain parts of his day...good or bad. Like today for example...

Momma:...Whitties, how was your day?

Whit:..I played outside with my friends....

so cute...smiling...

Whit:I hit ____ in the face

Me: you did?!!! why?

Whit: She hit Whitty in the face.

Me: What? Are you sure? WEll...we don't hit whitty...we don't friends, or mommies..or daddies...or animals....and I went on and on and on...until I adjusted my rearview mirror to find him..and busted him whacking himself in the face....

Me: Whitty, we don't hit Whitty in the face either...

Whitty: I hit mommy in the face?!?

Me: deep breath....hey whitty...what should we eat when we get home?

*Sometimes you just have to move on. right?
Mr. Monkey man....is a HANDFUL..some days easy and mellow and smooth sailing..and others can be HARD...aggressive...bossy...non-compliant...but each day I learn more about myself as a mom..a person...a teacher...and as a piece to a very cool puzzle.
He loves his letters right now.... I bought the letters below for Hayden (Whit's cousin) when he was just a little guy and now he passed them back to us so that we could use them...Whit loves to dump them out and pick them up and say D for daddy...P for Poppa...E for elephant...those are his favorites anyhow. It's pretty cute.
We went to a wedding on Saturday...the boys got all gussied up in their wranglers...and about 2 minutes after pulling out of the driveway...whitty was asleep...hmmm. WE arrived...he slept the entire way there...and through the ceremony...and post wedding.....totaling 2.5 hours in the car....while we enjoyed the wedding just us....and a few cocktails..thanks whit.

Shawn and his little man Eli taking a break from the ceremony...

And WHA-bam...just like that...they are husband and wife.

The sky parted just for them...about 2 hours..and then in came the storm.

oh..and look who woke up to join in on some RIVER fun.

And a family picture.

What Whitty loves more than anything....new cars....the little matchbox ones...he's obsessed.