Teacher Appreciation Week Ideas

Did I mention how much we LOVE LOVE LOVE Dannika's Kindergarten teacher?!?!?!?!

Oh, and Dannika thinks she's pretty much the coolest thing since the Frozen sing along (and that is saying A LOT).

People are actually jealous of how awesome our Kindergarten teacher is (true story).

So for "Teacher Appreciation Week" last week, we wanted to make sure that she felt extra special and super appreciated.

Dannika's school had a "theme" for each day of the week.

Munchie Monday: Bring your favorite munchie for your teacher.

I sent a bag of healthy popcorn to school with Dannika to give to her teacher with a note on it that read:

"Because of you, I am 'bursting' with knowledge" (get it?!?! popcorn kernels....bursting....)

Tool Tuesday: Bring school supplies for your teacher.

I bought a pack of colorful sharpies and put them in a cute cup with a note taped to it that read:

"Thank you for keeping me so 'sharp'!" (get it?! SHARPIES...SHARP...HAHAHA!)

 Wednesday: We were asked to send a gift card to a restaurant, or our favorite recipe.

I happen to make this epic chicken salsa dip that people are ALWAYS complimenting, so I sent a jar of salsa with my famous recipe attached to it (with good ole fashioned Marine Corps 550 cord), and ANOTHER note that read:

"You're such a 'dipendable' teacher!"

Thursday: We were asked to write a kind note to our teachers.

Dannika wrote her own letter, and I wrote my own letting her teacher know how awesome we thought she was.

FRIDAY!! It was our free day to do what ever we wanted!

I found some cute ideas on Pinterest for an "orange" themed basket.

In this basket, I found a plastic stemless wine glass with the word "relax" on it, orange tazo tea, citrusy candle, orange trident gum, Lindt chocolate caramel brownie, and a Visa gift card.

 Dannika's sweet card.

 We are so thankful for our teachers and all the time they put into our kids so that they become productive members of society.

I especially appreciate our Kindergarten teachers because they are the starting point for our children's education!

They deserve SO much more than a week to appreciate them!

We love you!

Random photo of Dannika on "Mismatch Day" at school.

Blue Eye Shadow and Mother's Day

You're probably wondering what blue eye shadow has to do with Mother's Day.

Allow me to show you...

No...

I did not do my own make-up.

No...

This was not intentional.

This beautiful face was done by my favorite make-up artist...Dannika Jane.

The Kindergarteners hosted all the mom's for a "mommy spa day" at the school.

We were treated to massages, manicures, hair styling, and make-up by our very own Kindergarteners.

Just an afternoon of pampering.

Gettin' my hair did....

My Mother's Day gift from Dannika...

She drew a picture of me and wrote various descriptions about me...

"My Nice Mom: listening ears, nice hair, beautiful legs, kind heart, helpful hands...and of course my favorite...FAST FEET!!!"

Since we were heading to my parent's house on Sunday to celebrate Mother's Day with my mom, Nick decided to pamper me on Saturday.

The day started off with Dannika's dress rehearsal for dance...

 Side story...

I noticed during dress rehearsal that Dannika wasn't trying as hard as she normally does at dance.

The auditorium was FREEZING, but while all the other little girls seemed to forget how cold it was once they were on stage, Dannika seemed to just stand there during her dances making little effort.

Me...being the typical "Asian mom" and overachiever that I am was SO disappointed in her.

I told her in between dances how disappointed I was in her that she wasn't making an effort, and she responded that she had a headache.

My daughter has a tendency to come up with mysterious illnesses when she is in trouble sometimes, so I took it as that, and told her we were going to have a long talk when we got home.

On our way home from the rehearsal, I gave her a long talk about always trying your best at everything and about team work.

We got home, and Nick also took her to her room to have a long talk with her.

After our talk, we told her how much we loved her and hugged her.

That was when I realized that she felt warm.

Low and behold...baby girl had a fever...

I felt like the worst mom ever.

I had been reprimanding her for the past hour thinking she had been faking her illness to get out being in trouble.

I did apologize to her....

But it doesn't hurt to get some motherly advice about team work and trying your hardest, right???!!!

Once I got home from dress rehearsal, Nick treated me to mimosas and relaxing. 

All I really ask for on Mother's Day is time to watch my recorded shows uninterrupted by kids, and dinner cooked by someone else but me.

Nick delivered all of those...

Mattis enjoyed Nick's dinner too.

Although I didn't ask for a gift, Nick got me this Ninja blender I've been eyeballing for a few months now.

It blends, food processes, and even kneads dough!!!!

I guess it means I'm officially maturing into an adult when I was beyond excited to see this sitting on my counter when I got home!

Sunday, we went down to my parent's house and met up with my sister and niece (who came all the way down from Nashville to surprise us!)

Me, my niece, and D.

My bro in law had to work, so he couldn't make up, but we made sure the include him in some FaceTime.

Nick is actually Lyla's favorite Uncle.

We visited my grandma's grave site.

Afterwards, we all went out to dinner as a family.

As tiring as it was with all the driving around every where, I was happy that I got to spend Mother's Day with my mom.

This was the first Mother's Day in 12 years that I got to be home for Mother's Day!

I hope everyone's Mother's Day was fabulous.

I hope you were pampered and showered with love and affection!

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Yesterday was Military Spouse Appreciation Day!

With all the hoopla with Mother's Day at my daughter's school, I didn't get a chance to post about it yesterday. 

(More on Mother's day shenanigans at my daughter's school later)

Since 1984, our nation has taken this day to recognize military spouses. 

 "It was created by President Ronald Reagan, who wanted to raise awareness about just how much spousal commitment helps military personnel get through the worst of times, as well as celebrate the immense love these husbands and wives have for each other that makes this commitment possible."source

I've had the unique opportunity to have been an active duty spouse myself to an active duty Marine!

And at one time...there were TWO SSgt Romers in the Marine Corps!!!

This pic was taken 3 months before Nick got promoted to Gunny.

My husband and I will have been married 7 years this month, and the better part of our marriage (so far) has been as a dual active duty couple.

Since getting out of the Marine Corps in November of 2012, I've taken a backseat and been a military wife.

It's definitely different, and at times challenging to take that "back seat", but we've learned and grown so much as a couple!  

I am a day late, but I wanted to link up to this fun "Military Spouse Link Up" with some fellow milspo bloggers Jen & Amanda and answer some questions about myself!

  //Tell us about yourself and your blog.

I am a PROUD 31 year old Marine Corps veteran of 10 faithful years! 

I was an aviation ordnance technician on F-18 fighter jets and Cobra attack helicopters in the Marines (IYAOYAS!)

My husband and I met on the rifle range during our annual Marine Corps rifle qualification (romantice, right?!)

I have two beautiful kids...5 year old Dannika Jane and 19 month old Mattis (named after the General).

I LOVE and am obsessed with working out and health....but I also love Pinot Grigio and Tito's Vodka.

I started my blog when I was pregnant with my daughter to chronicle my pregnancy, but once I started getting noticed by the military spouse blogging community...it turned into what it is now.

I write about life as a veteran, life as a military family, life as a mom, life as a wife, life as a Christian, life as a 31 year old college student...you name it...it's on here.

//What branch of military are you affiliated with?

The U.S. Marine Corps...of course! 

I couldn't imagine life in any other branch!

//What is one thing you enjoy about the military lifestyle?

Seeing different parts of the world.

As a former Marine, I've had the unique opportunity to deploy to Japan and explore the Western Pacific, and the hot desert sands of Iraq...all of these experiences has made me appreciate America so much more.

I've had the opportunity to live up and down Southern California from San Diego to Orange County.

We even had a little 2 year stint in Boston!

And here we are today, back in my home town of College Station...AKA...Aggieland!

//What advice would you give other spouses who are new?

I never listen to people's advice.

I appreciate advice, but let's face it....9 times out of 10, it goes in one ear and straight out the other.

I'm a "figure it out as you go" kinda girl, and "learn from your mistakes" kinda girl. 

I think that's what makes military life interesting....

There's always a million curve balls headed your way.

Maybe that's my advice:

"Be prepared for anything and everything!" 

Semester Down

My semester is officially over!!!

And not to brag......

Ok...totally bragging...

I finished this semester with a 4.0!!

This puts me on the Dean's list!!!!

Two kids...a husband...18 credit hours...many creative ways to study and read....

I am SO glad this semester is over!!

I have just a few weeks to unwind before the summer sesh starts, but "praise Jesus" that I am only taking two classes over the summer. 

Oh, and THANK YOU GI BILL!!!

No student loans! Can I get a Hallelujah!?!

But seriously...this semester has been crazy, and I can't believe Nick and I survived with two very active kids...

I had my first civilian doctor's appointment this week.

I realized I hadn't had a physical since my Marine Corps exit physical, so I decided it was time.

For those who don't know, I was medically discharged (honorably) from the Marine Corps for a service connected degenerative knee disease.

*Service connected does not mean combat injury. Combat injuries rate purple hearts. I do not have a purple heart. My injury was from just the daily vigors of being a Marine.*

The doctor couldn't believe how messed up my knee was.

Apparently he doesn't see too many military patients.

He was such a good boy at mommy's doctor's appointment.

Captain America makes everything better...

Mean muggin' me...

I am an official "gymnastics mom".

Dannika goes to gymnastics twice a week and now does private lessons once a week....on top of dance.

She loves it, and she's so flexible...

She's got so much potential to be amazing...

Maybe I'm just being an overachieving "asian mom"....

Anyway...

HOORAY FOR SURVIVING THIS SEMESTER!!!!!!

Being a Dance Mom

My sister and I were dancers growing up.

We danced at the "it" dance studio of Bryan/College Station during that time.

I took ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and pointe throughout my "dance career", and even managed to dance in a few competitions and dance camps. 

I have nothing but fond memories of it, and it was probably one of my most favorite extra curricular activity that my super Asian parents made me participate it (piano, violin, & Kumon).

When I found out I was pregnant with a sweet baby girl, I had dreams of being a "dance mom", and I couldn't wait to put her in dance.

As soon as she turned four, I signed her up immediately.

I'm pretty sure I was more excited than she was, and Nick probably thought I was a little crazy. 

It was so much fun taking her to the Capezio store to buy her leotards, tights, and dance shoes. 

I couldn't wait for her to get started!

I remember her first dance class, and how hard I worked on her bun.

I remember sitting in the viewing room and watching her twirl around awkwardly to the Frozen soundtrack...

I had the biggest smile on my face because SHE looked so happy.

The came recital time, and I realized being a "dance mom" is stressful.....

AND MY CHILD WAS ONLY 4 AT THE TIME!!

Putting her make up on....

Have you tried putting mascara on a 4 year old?!?!

Yeah...it ain't easy!

We fought...I yelled at her trying to put on stage make up on my 4 year old...

"STOP BLINKING!"

"PUCKER YOUR LIPS! NOOOO NOT A DUCK FACE...A NATURAL PUCKER!"

I swore that we were going to quit dance, and just stick to gymnastics...

But that didn't happen...

When we moved to Texas, I signed her up for dance again (because I probably forgot the hassle it was to be a "dance mom").

ANNND....

I signed her up for gymnastics twice a week.

Just shoot me now, right?

Again, I swore up and down that this was our last year in dance....

Then came recital picture time...

Ok...maybe ONE more year...

Then we're DONE!

yeah right....

I know darn well that Dannika Jane will be in dance AND gymnastics until she's in high school.

She's already decided that she wants to be a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader when she grows up....