Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Feel as if I need an update
My kids are awesome. I love them so very much, and am so fortunate, thankful, and grateful I have this year with them before I enter the workforce as a teacher. My plan is to sub until I get a job. I'd love to get an actual position, but it is really difficult to get a teaching job in Columbus. Whatever, it will happen - I am not worried about it. I still smile when I think about becoming a teacher, and I think it is because it will challenge me daily.
Anyhoo, about my kids. E gets mad if you say he is only 4, he is "four and a half" with hands on hips and chin jutted out. Peyton is 6 and 1/2 and wants to be tall. She wants me to measure her at least once a week to see how much she's grown. I typically do at the birthday and then at the half birthday, but not every week. heehee.
E loves school, even though recently he says he doesn't care. The stomach virus ran its course through the kids and myself. Luckily, hubby was spared but got a nasty cold/flu thingy that lingers. Because of the protocol of his preschool he has to get his poo tested. They had some virus that went through the school and the health department says that any child with even one bout of diarrhea has to be tested. So, lucky mommy gets to gather the sample. But, during this "gathering," E freaked out and said he no longer wants to go to preschool. He thinks the testing is dumb and unfair. Hmmm...read mommy's mind, but we have to be honest and we have to do the right thing.
Speaking of doing the right thing, I had to miss a whole weekend of holiday parties because of my and P's sickness. I stayed away from the 1st grade party because I was only 2 days out from the stomach thing - there is NOWAY I was going to pass that on, especially with Christmas around the corner. Also, I was still feeling gross and couldn't attend an 80's party I was psyched for, mainly because I wanted to go to my annual Loop Christmas party. I ended up missing that because P got sick that day. Again! Poor little thing. She wanted me to stay with her, so I did. I was bummed, but my main priority is my girl and parties can be missed. There will be others.
Anyhoo, about my kids. E gets mad if you say he is only 4, he is "four and a half" with hands on hips and chin jutted out. Peyton is 6 and 1/2 and wants to be tall. She wants me to measure her at least once a week to see how much she's grown. I typically do at the birthday and then at the half birthday, but not every week. heehee.
E loves school, even though recently he says he doesn't care. The stomach virus ran its course through the kids and myself. Luckily, hubby was spared but got a nasty cold/flu thingy that lingers. Because of the protocol of his preschool he has to get his poo tested. They had some virus that went through the school and the health department says that any child with even one bout of diarrhea has to be tested. So, lucky mommy gets to gather the sample. But, during this "gathering," E freaked out and said he no longer wants to go to preschool. He thinks the testing is dumb and unfair. Hmmm...read mommy's mind, but we have to be honest and we have to do the right thing.
Speaking of doing the right thing, I had to miss a whole weekend of holiday parties because of my and P's sickness. I stayed away from the 1st grade party because I was only 2 days out from the stomach thing - there is NOWAY I was going to pass that on, especially with Christmas around the corner. Also, I was still feeling gross and couldn't attend an 80's party I was psyched for, mainly because I wanted to go to my annual Loop Christmas party. I ended up missing that because P got sick that day. Again! Poor little thing. She wanted me to stay with her, so I did. I was bummed, but my main priority is my girl and parties can be missed. There will be others.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Awesome birthday
For my actual birthday I had a hangover and felt horrible, but that didn't stop me from having a great day. The cleanse I was on cleared my body of toxins, and putting a few drinks in me was not a good idea. I am pondering cutting all drinks - I don't like how it effects me lately (not 21 any more!). Anyhoo...the kids couldn't wait for me to come downstairs and open my gifts. It was a little like Christmas morning, except better because the kids were so excited about the gifts they had gotten me.
bubbies wanted to get me a robot that would help clean the house. It is a little square "robot" that sweeps and mops that he named Jay Jay (after one of the under water robots that discovered the Titanic). He was so excited and I almost cried at how cute he was. Sis got me a beautiful locket that says mom all over it and put a picture of her when she was a little baby in it. Hubby got me a necklace and a Zumba dvd. The kids and I had fun dancing to that.
Then we headed over to mom's for dinner. We had a delish dinner and cake, and then played games with the kids. My children played two games of old school Battleship with me and Grammies. It was a great day!
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Catching up
I really need to catch up on this blog, but I've been so busy lately with life. Just a little catching up:
P is in 1st grade and not loving it. She enjoys her teacher and her friend, and is a really good little student, but she hates school. The first month she cried every morning and I had to talk her into going. It was traumatic all around.
She is doing better but still complains about lunch. She says lunch and recess are too long. I think the comfort she feels in her classroom makes her secure. Being outside of that comfort makes her feel lost. Most of the time she says she misses me - she won't even go on play dates after school much of the time because she says she missed me all day at school. As long as I am on the play date with her, she is fine. That means, we only go on play dates where E and myself are invited to stay. That's fine with me. She is only 6 and will drift away from me soon, so I need to stop worrying and enjoy my time with my little girl.
E, on the other hand, LOVES school. He can't wait to get out of the house. Well, poor little thing, mommy takes the mornings to get stuff done and he gets ignored most of the time. I try to sit and play with him - crafts or trains. He's got an agenda, this kid. He has his opinion about what is fun to him and what he will do. P would do just about anything I suggest, but E will put the brakes on. He's like that with food too.
We have a rule at our table that the kids have to eat one of the vegetables on their plate. P will eat it and then tell me how nasty it was, but E will mess around trying to avoid it. I tell him, "just eat it and wash it down with milk if you think it tastes bad!" He takes little nibbles and makes awful faces. You'd think he'd learn that he's not excused until he takes a bite, but somehow he thinks he can dodge it. His newest is to make gagging noises - I worry about that one because Ilene puked green peas all over the table because her parents made her eat them. That is a worry...:)
P is in 1st grade and not loving it. She enjoys her teacher and her friend, and is a really good little student, but she hates school. The first month she cried every morning and I had to talk her into going. It was traumatic all around.
She is doing better but still complains about lunch. She says lunch and recess are too long. I think the comfort she feels in her classroom makes her secure. Being outside of that comfort makes her feel lost. Most of the time she says she misses me - she won't even go on play dates after school much of the time because she says she missed me all day at school. As long as I am on the play date with her, she is fine. That means, we only go on play dates where E and myself are invited to stay. That's fine with me. She is only 6 and will drift away from me soon, so I need to stop worrying and enjoy my time with my little girl.
E, on the other hand, LOVES school. He can't wait to get out of the house. Well, poor little thing, mommy takes the mornings to get stuff done and he gets ignored most of the time. I try to sit and play with him - crafts or trains. He's got an agenda, this kid. He has his opinion about what is fun to him and what he will do. P would do just about anything I suggest, but E will put the brakes on. He's like that with food too.
We have a rule at our table that the kids have to eat one of the vegetables on their plate. P will eat it and then tell me how nasty it was, but E will mess around trying to avoid it. I tell him, "just eat it and wash it down with milk if you think it tastes bad!" He takes little nibbles and makes awful faces. You'd think he'd learn that he's not excused until he takes a bite, but somehow he thinks he can dodge it. His newest is to make gagging noises - I worry about that one because Ilene puked green peas all over the table because her parents made her eat them. That is a worry...:)
Friday, October 12, 2012
Hardest part
The hardest part about living in this house, is that noone listens to me. I try to make changes for healthy eating and I am sabotaged by the offerings of ramen noodles and hot dogs. I try to get the kids to clean up after themselves, and I am told "no." I constantly have to reprimand or get upset. I ask for simple tasks to be done, like when I take the trash out I always replace the bags. I don't think it is much, but it is *never* done and then I am the one who ends up taking the trash out the next time and completely grossed out by what won't come put of the bathroom buckets.
I don't clean up or organize certain things because I grow weary of every day things not getting done so we can live in our home. I am tired of being ignored. Sometimes moving out and having my own place sounds really nice...
It is so hard to be the only one with ideas for the family. My husband NEVER just takes the kids on a bike ride or to play outside, unless I ask him to. He'd much rather sit in front of the TV or play video games or do "research" online. He feeds them crap food and thinks it is funny. He hasn't gone to ONE parent/teacher conference to hear how his kids are doing NOR does he even ask after I return home from one. He hasn't even seen one of their progress reports and P has four years worth and E has one.
HOWEVER, he does go to work and pay the bills. I guess I am beholden to that. I can't wait to get a job and get better perspective and less time to think about these things. I just hope it gets better or I am not sure what choice I will make. I need a partner, not another child to take care of or someone who constantly makes me feel guilty or pokes fun at me. I am not attracted to this person and sometimes feel as if I made a horrible mistake my not listening to my heart in the first place, I listened to my guilt.
Also, I am forced to write out my feelings because noone listens to me or they DON'T want to. They say I am nagging them simply by expressing my thoughts or that I am mean. I am getting so tired of living like this.
I don't clean up or organize certain things because I grow weary of every day things not getting done so we can live in our home. I am tired of being ignored. Sometimes moving out and having my own place sounds really nice...
It is so hard to be the only one with ideas for the family. My husband NEVER just takes the kids on a bike ride or to play outside, unless I ask him to. He'd much rather sit in front of the TV or play video games or do "research" online. He feeds them crap food and thinks it is funny. He hasn't gone to ONE parent/teacher conference to hear how his kids are doing NOR does he even ask after I return home from one. He hasn't even seen one of their progress reports and P has four years worth and E has one.
HOWEVER, he does go to work and pay the bills. I guess I am beholden to that. I can't wait to get a job and get better perspective and less time to think about these things. I just hope it gets better or I am not sure what choice I will make. I need a partner, not another child to take care of or someone who constantly makes me feel guilty or pokes fun at me. I am not attracted to this person and sometimes feel as if I made a horrible mistake my not listening to my heart in the first place, I listened to my guilt.
Also, I am forced to write out my feelings because noone listens to me or they DON'T want to. They say I am nagging them simply by expressing my thoughts or that I am mean. I am getting so tired of living like this.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
P lost her first tooth!
P's first tooth was wiggly before we left on vacation, but I had no idea she'd actually lose it! We were playing in the pool at Papa Bill's house and she was pretending to be a shark. She kept biting her daddy's shirt and growling. Well, the biting of the shirt evidently loosened her tooth enough to make it fall out! Out it did, right into the pool.
A nice guy put on goggles to help us look, but eventually daddy saved the day and found P's tooth. The tooth fairy would indeed make a visit to her that evening. She was pretty excited the next morning when she found that gold dollar coin under her pillow. V. cute.
Monday, June 11, 2012
E-isms
I keep telling hubby we need to write down the crazy things bubbies says, but we don't. So, I am going to start writing them here...if I remember.
Today:
"Mommy, I am going to start an ice cream shop and call it Poo Poos. The only thing we'll serve is chocolate ice cream."
I said that I thought it would smell.
He said, "no, just like chocolate ice cream."
Today:
"Mommy, I am going to start an ice cream shop and call it Poo Poos. The only thing we'll serve is chocolate ice cream."
I said that I thought it would smell.
He said, "no, just like chocolate ice cream."
Monday, June 04, 2012
Warrior Dash 2012!
S and I had so much fun doing the Warrior Dash this year. The course was longer and there were more obstacles. I am still sore, though! Not in as good of shape as I was last year. Of course, last year I was training for a half marathon. My friend Bridgette made the outfit for me - it was an old-timey bathing suit.
From mother to daughter
I'm posting this here in case P reads it someday...
Letter from a Mother to a Daughter: "My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionaly lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter. "
Letter from a Mother to a Daughter: "My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionaly lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter. "
Saturday, May 05, 2012
Poem from a student
A student wrote this poem to me on my last day of student teaching. I taught a poetry unit about how to write free verse poetry and how to use figurative language to engage your reader. This student was one of the lowest I had, which makes this that much more special. Here is it:
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
Happy 6th Birthday P!
Happy Birthday to my darling P. We had her birthday at a bounce place with all of her little kindergarten and play group friends. What a blast! I love you, my sweet girl.
With your cousie AB
Saturday, April 07, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
My little basketball player
P insisted on playing basketball, so I signed her up. She had her first season in the "Junior Hoopsters," which was a kindergarten coed team. She was one of three girls playing, the rest were aggressive sporty boys. Many times on the court when she was supposed to be playing defense, she was pirouetting or cheering for her teammate who just scored a basket. Not sure if being a team player or a cheerleader will be her thing, but for now she loves dribbling and shooting. I was impressed with her outgoing nature and determination to play the game.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
E-baby is Four!
My sweet baby boy is officially four years old. Where did two and three go?!
A few things about him:
2. His favorite color is blue, Thomas blue.
3. He loves short-sleeved orange shirts (even in winter).
4. His fave food is pizza.
5. He loves sweets - pretty much any kind.
6. He loves to play and read about trains and cars.
7. He is recognizing words if you play word games aka reading.
8. He loves music.
9. He loves his sister.
10. He is pretty independent.
Last night he celebrated his birthday eve with growing pains in his legs. It was not fun for him or us. We finally got him to take some Tylenol to help, but he was still up early crying. I don't know what is going on. His sleep cycle is that of a newborn lately.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Student Teaching
Well, I am finally finishing up my education degree. I am on the last leg of it which is student teaching. I was fortunate enough to be placed in the same school district as my girl, which means we have spring break together! I am loving my mentor teachers and the school itself. The students are diverse and amazing - the majority of them are motivated learners and seem interested in school. I feel so comfortable in this school because I share the same philosophies about teaching with my mentor teachers, and that stems from having a life long mentor, my mom. She was an amazing educator. She was one of the best, and I am fortunate to have her as a support system not only emotionally, but professionally.
The teachers in my district don't just teach subject matter, they keep up on current educational philosophies to help them teach subjects effectively. I laugh at some people who comment that teaching is easy. They clearly have no idea what teaching is all about, well, I guess good teaching. I know some people just do their time, and I find that is the way it is in all professions...people are people no matter where you go. What makes the difference in teaching is that good teachers care about getting kids to learn and read, read, read up on how to do it in the best way possible. Teaching isn't about just going in and giving tests, it is about making connections, helping kids feel safe to take risks with their learning, helping kids become good citizens of their community, helping kids become responsible for their own learning, and helping kids be successful in school and take that into their lives beyond school.
Teaching isn't easy. Imagine a group of students who all learn in different ways, are on different levels of learning, some may be on the autism spectrum, some have behavior issues, and some just merely aren't interested in school - they all need to pass the same test. You don't have time to sit with them one on one each day. How do you do it? That is why my education degree, all my observation, and all my hours of field experience and student teaching are important - I am learning how to be an effective teacher. Classroom management, teaching subject matter from an educational text, teaching kids how to read for content, teaching kids how to write, teaching kids how to think creatively and outside of the box, getting kids to pass their tests! That isn't even half of it. I am reflecting on all of this stuff because I am passionate about my career choice. Thanks to my old job for the business counseling that made me realize this was my passion. Going into teaching was not a decision made lightly. I thought for many months and years about it. Now, I am almost finished.
Now, I am crossing my fingers I will get a job during these tough economic times. Plus, my previous mentor teacher said that that there's an average of 300 people applying for any one teaching job. I'll be lucky to get an interview!! ack.
The teachers in my district don't just teach subject matter, they keep up on current educational philosophies to help them teach subjects effectively. I laugh at some people who comment that teaching is easy. They clearly have no idea what teaching is all about, well, I guess good teaching. I know some people just do their time, and I find that is the way it is in all professions...people are people no matter where you go. What makes the difference in teaching is that good teachers care about getting kids to learn and read, read, read up on how to do it in the best way possible. Teaching isn't about just going in and giving tests, it is about making connections, helping kids feel safe to take risks with their learning, helping kids become good citizens of their community, helping kids become responsible for their own learning, and helping kids be successful in school and take that into their lives beyond school.
Teaching isn't easy. Imagine a group of students who all learn in different ways, are on different levels of learning, some may be on the autism spectrum, some have behavior issues, and some just merely aren't interested in school - they all need to pass the same test. You don't have time to sit with them one on one each day. How do you do it? That is why my education degree, all my observation, and all my hours of field experience and student teaching are important - I am learning how to be an effective teacher. Classroom management, teaching subject matter from an educational text, teaching kids how to read for content, teaching kids how to write, teaching kids how to think creatively and outside of the box, getting kids to pass their tests! That isn't even half of it. I am reflecting on all of this stuff because I am passionate about my career choice. Thanks to my old job for the business counseling that made me realize this was my passion. Going into teaching was not a decision made lightly. I thought for many months and years about it. Now, I am almost finished.
Now, I am crossing my fingers I will get a job during these tough economic times. Plus, my previous mentor teacher said that that there's an average of 300 people applying for any one teaching job. I'll be lucky to get an interview!! ack.
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