Love my E time

What am I going to do when E goes to kindergarten? I love spending our time going to the library or classes at the metro parks. I have absolutely loved being home with my children and taking them to "kid" things. It has been, seriously, the highlight of my entire life.

Today, we met up with my playgroup buddy Jo. We talked about how much we missed meeting up for playgroup when our kids were young. That was such an awesome time in my life. Anyhow, we had a great time today. My E and her E learned about what animals eat, created an animal puppet, and participated in a little game where they collected "food" for their animal. What a great Wednesday morning.

Girls Scout Cookies

I picked up P's Girl Scout cookies yesterday and we contacted people to arrange cookie drop off. Can I just state, I do not like selling Girl Scout Cookies. Yes, "I" because "I" did it. P just smiled asked if we got enough boxes sold for her to get a stuffed puppy.

Next year, she has to do some of the work. I just didn't want her to be the only girl not receiving a cookie badge. And really, WHO CARES?!

The thing that bugs me about those cookies is they are terrible for you. Seriously, all the ingredients we are trying to keep our kids away from are in those cookies! Nothing healthy about them. I hope they are going to remedy this in the near future. It just isn't enough that they are "tradition" or "not for the cookies, but to help send a girl to camp." Then why don't we just collect donations? Why are we filling houses with cookies?!

First Monday Back

P has her first day back to school after almost a week and a half. She doesn't want to go, imagine that? She started saying she was sick at dinner Sunday night hoping to get out of it.

Disney On Ice

For about three or four years I have been asked to write about Disney On Ice. When I do, I get free tickets to the show - one of my most favorite bloggy "gifts." P and I invite Susan and Kendall because the boys generally are not interested or E has been too young.

So, we've started that new tradition. Now, P and K don't see each other like they used to, mainly because of school. They go full time to different schools, and we simply don't have the time to get together like we did with playgroup. It makes me sad, but I am so very grateful that I've made an amazing friend out of it. I will always be friends with Susan - we just click. Anyhow, when I told P we got the Disney tickets she immediately asked if Kendall could go. It was so sweet. Then, when we were on our way to get them for the show P said, "It just wouldn't be the same without Kendall. If I hadn't invited her I would have been so sad!"

Love that girl. Love these girls...

Home again...

Thankfully, Ohio was sunny when we returned home from Florida. We had an easy flight, kids were so good, and hubby was happy to see us. We had a great trip...now, time to get back to reality!

Beach and Pool Day

This was our last full day in Florida. We went to the beach and the pool to let the kids splash around before we headed back to the land of no-sun. We also had mom's turtle Friendly out that day...he likes legos. haha!

 Mom got Friendly out of the tank to mill around the house. He was so cute and fearless. Here he is "playing" legos with E. He was also crawling around on P's legs.

What cracks me up most about them posing and dancing is that there was a bunch of old men fishing around them. I can only imagine what they thought! It was so cute. What you can't hear is that E is singing Christmas carols and dancing.

Mom and E were having a convo. P was splashing around in the frigid waters of the Gulf. She loves the water!

The Mote Aquarium

The Mote is one of my favorite places to visit when we are in Sarasota. They rehabilitate sea life, such as turtles and dolphins. One turtle had been hit by a boat and a piece of shell bitten off by a shark, and another was being fixed with vice because it was hit by a boat and cracked in half. Amazing things they do for animals there. We love visiting.

Grammies touching a starfish. I could barely get P away from the horseshoe crab!

The kids panning for sharks' teeth and stingray barbs.

Ocean Kayaking Through the Mangroves!

I couldn't take my camera with me, but we had an awesome day kayaking through the mangrove trees. We found a little beach to let the kids run around that had these creepy little sand crabs and saw dolphins. P rode with me and E rode with my dad. Dad has always loved boating, and now he had kayaks and a boat to go fishing.

Went to dinner and had the best salmon EVER!

Boat and Beach

Dad took us out on his new boat. We went through a little inlet area to part of Turtle Beach. P was very worried about Papa hitting a manatee or fish -it was cute. The kids loved playing in the water,  sand and hunting for seashells.

Myakka State Park

Leave for Florida!

Today we left for Florida to visit mom and dad in Sarasota. Looking forward to being in the sun. Ohio has been a gray cesspool of snow, rain, and rare sunny days.

It was chilly in Florida - seems we brought some Ohio cold with us...oops! Mom and dad took us to the beach to see the drummers. E danced and then the kids ran to the water and immediately started building a sand castle.

Wart

Poor E has a plantar's wart on the bottom of his foot. He said it hurt when he ran. I told him we needed to go to the doctor and he said, "it is okay! I just won't run." Awe! It was hurting him that much! I feel so badly that I didn't catch it sooner.

Donatello fighting the wart.

So, they take one to six months to heal. Freezing, acid, filing...a big pain in the butt is more like it.

Lunch

The kids and I went to lunch with my friend Abbey and her two, Jillian and Vivi. We went to this awesome Japanese cafe. Abbey is half Japanese and showed us around and suggested what to order. We had a great time...and the kids got addicted to this pink drink made from strawberry juice. yes, yum.

Girl Scout Law

My darling P (and the other girls) was challenged in her Daisy Girl Scout to recite the Girl Scout Law by memory. If they did it they got a little beanie baby. Now, if I know anything about my girl, I know she is VERY motivated by getting a stuffed animal.

This video was taken in the car after I picked her up one day after school. We had not practiced the law AT ALL, and she knew it. The girls were practicing at lunch and she memorized it that quickly! I was so stinkin' proud of her.

So, I had her practice and practice the day before and day of her Feb. meeting to do it in front of everyone. Turns out, she went first and nailed it! Came home with a little doggie named Nanook. (and brother was given a hummingbird from the leader...what an awesome and giving troop we have)

Playing

E had a play date with a long time friend and her son. They get along so well...except a little pushing did ensue. It was okay, though, good teachable moment.

I just love these boys playing! So cute!

Dance

P just said they danced to this song at school today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQbSbcgNDHM

She said they have a "dance party" in class when they have time each day. I love that.

Monday

Mondays seem to be down days for E and I. He typically doesn't want to go anywhere and it is hard to get P out of bed for school.

Valentine's Day

I used to LOVE Valentine's Day at school. Making my box, writing out those cute little cards, heart shaped cookies - I just loved it! Anyhow, I think my kids enjoy it, too. They made their boxes today.

Date Night

Hubby and I had a date night. The Girl Scouts were doing a fundraiser and we could drop the kids off for pizza and games. We took advantage of that and got hibachi, ice cream, and new fish for the kids' tank. Now, that's a date!

I had a dream

Last night I had a dream that I got a teaching job. It was a good dream. AND, I think I was teaching language arts, which is what I'd love to get!

P's conference

I had P's conference today. It was glowing. Her teacher loves her! She is reading and doing math at almost a 3rd grade level. Mrs. Turner gave me some great advice on how to work with her to increase her skills. P was the only student in her class that got a 100% on one of the math tests. I just can't say enough at how well my girl is doing.

I told her all these positive things in the car and she was so excited. But then, I had to tell her that we were worried about her handwriting. She doesn't make her r, h, n, b, d, or a correctly. I need to work with her, but when I told her she cried! I felt so terrible, and I tried to reassure her that it wasn't that big of a deal. Just like if she was having difficulty reading - no big deal. As along as she is willing to work to get better, she will get better. As easy as that.

Her letters have been giving her difficulty all year. She says the uppercase letters are easy, but the lowercase are hard for her. It is very clear that she doesn't make them the right way, but she gets very defensive when I try to help her. I am so thankful I spoke to the teacher about it so that P has someone else wanting to help her...and, it gives mommy some clout.

Growing Pains

P has had growing pains in her legs since she was two. It is so sad. She'll wake up in the middle of the crying that her legs hurt. She'll cry and cry, almost like a night terror. Hubby or I will rub her legs or try to get her to take some ibuprofen. She'll eventually get back to sleep.

Now, this hasn't happened in about a year, but recently she's been complaining about pain in one of her legs. Ibuprofen helps, which is good, but we didn't make it to her dance class today because she was complaining it hurt too much. My poor babe. Seeing her little eyes looking sad makes me so sad for her.

E's Preschool Recap

E's teacher sends parents a recap of what they did in class every day. This is awesome because I get to read what he was up to while away from me, get an idea of what he learned, and know that if a teacher cared enough to send a lengthy email like this, that she cares an awful lot for my child too. E loves school... and I see why after reading this day's recap:

"Today the children quickly noticed that the room was changed over. We will be modeling our play from many of the things from the story The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. In the story a little boy named Peter wakes up to a very snowy day. He goes on many adventures and comes back home to his mother at the end of the day. We will be having snowball fights (white bags we have made into snowballs) and building forts using blocks covered in white paper. There are also beds with warm blankets, various clothing to get dressed to go in the snow and we have soup for making in the kitchen after playing all day in the snow. This week we will be discussing what people do in the winter and then we will start moving into the idea of the changes water makes in the different types of weather. We are learning about the letters M and N this week. The children helped find objects that start with the M today. We also sang a new song about snowmen melting. Half of the friends had a turn today and the other half will have a turn tomorrow. We brought in real snow from outside for the children to play in. They were using some scoops to make small snowballs. A few friends chose to do this idea and I let them know it will be available for tomorrow. They also did a snowflake count file folder game. They had to count the dots on the snowflake and then match the number. Some friends worked on numbers 1- 10 and others worked on 11-20. The friends who did 11 - 20 had to count on from 10 because the dots in the middle of the snowflake were always a group of 10. This was tricky at first. Not everyone completed this activity. For snack the children had berry muffins and everyone chose to eat them. Some friends decided they did not like them, but still tried them or they picked out the raisins and ate the muffin part. Our line leader was Annie, weather helper was Grace and snack helper was Tony. To end our day we read the story The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. After reading each of the children shared what they would do with Peter if he was their friend."

Never alone

E is in the bathroom ("I'm poopin'!") and P is reading him a book over the walkie talkie.

B-days are fun

We went to one of my closest friend's birthday party for her son. He turned three years old, which seems so old for that little guy. I remember when he was born! Time flies.

The kids had a blast being crazy and playing and eating Spiderman cupcakes.

Love my friend!

Presentation Day!

My presentation went really well! There were about 30 people of various levels - most of them wanted to know how to start up a blog. Some asked me for a more advanced workshop - so we'll see. I guess they liked what I had to say. Just so much information!

Then I went out for a glass of wine with a friend and met up with another friend for sushi. It was a great day!

Sometimes you just have to share

I had to share something funny my daughter said with her 1st grade teacher and the principal of the school. Here's the email:

"This made me laugh, and I had to share it with you. Yesterday, P said, "You know mommy, it is so nice of Mr. M and Mrs. T to let us have TWO days off during the week! AND, we get off for a long time in the summer! They are awesome!"

From kid's perspective, you make ALL the rules - and give them weekends off. hahaha!

Have a great two days off."

Responses:

Mrs. T: "That is way tooo cute! Love that girl :)"

Mr. M: "She is such a delight.  You and Dad are doing a wonderful job!"

Hair Donation

I cut off 11 inches for Locks of Love. I'd been growing it out and decided to let it grow really long so I could donate my hair. The decision was a long time in the making. My desire to do it stemmed from my cousin and brother-in-law making a donation after Sheilah passed, and I remembered how my Grandma Browning wore a wig in public because of her hair loss from cancer. When I did some research, I found information on how Locks of Love helps children suffering from cancer and hair loss (alopecia) which is what my mom had for a while when I was growing up (mild case, but it was still alarming for her). I couldn't imagine being a teenager and having no hair...at that age, appearance is so important for kids...silly, but true.

Anyhow, I did it. I am still a bit in shock. I got some great supportive responses from friends on facebook. Makes it easier to look in the mirror for now...

When I got home P cried and E told me he didn't like my hair. Oh well...:)

Presentation

Doing a presentation at the local library about blogging. Actually making some cash doing it too. Now, that's just crazy talk! Hubby helped me put it together, thankfully, or it'd be so elementary. ha! Sent it in today...eek....

Kindergarten for E

When P went to kindergarten I was sad, but I knew I had a couple of years before E would be there and I was comforted. Now, however, I am getting plans together for E to go to kindergarten. The sadness and loss I am feeling already is overwhelming...and thinking of P in SECOND grade is blowing my mind. I may need to see someone to cope with this change and feeling of of loss. It is probably a good thing I am planning to go back to work, or I'd pine every day. I so wish I started having children when I was younger so I'd have a houseful and no time to think about how my children growing up is effecting me. I'm sure every parent goes through it - it literally is ripping my heart out.

Yesterday, I dropped off the registration form for full-day kindergarten for E. I also had his conference with Mrs. Valentino at the preschool. She said she was not concerned about him starting kindergarten, and that if I waited he'd be much older than the rest of the children. Academically, he is ready. Fidgeting-wise, he is not ready, but I am pretty sure that is just part of his personality.

She also said great things about our elementary school and giving children the space they need to be themselves. I really liked that. E will be fine and do great, I just know it. My kids are so awesome.

Trying to figure it out

I am so dang depressed. I am not sure if it is the gray skies of winter or the cold or what, but I am tired of feeling tired, pudgy, and all around unmotivated. My husband is driving me crazy, the kids are fine but I have no energy to play with them more than a conversation - there is NO mama chasing kidlings in this household. I need to get out of this funk! I hate feeling this way...

Grocery Store

I had to go to the grocery store today. I asked that everyone go with me, which was a bad/good idea. It started off with crying from the children how they didn't want to go. Once we got there, hubby insisted for a list of things he could go get. I told him I was headed in the direction we needed to go, but he wanted to make it speedy. Ended up being a reminder that I like to go and shop alone.

Party Like a Kitty Cat

P went to one of her little school friend's birthday party yesterday. The mom did such a great job with the party! She had headband ears, put kitty faces on the girls, had premade Bento-style lunches, donuts with kitty faces, a balloon drop, they played games, and took donations for a local cat shelter in lieu of presents. Very fun! Oh, and the girls danced to the Xanadu album - now, if we changed the cat theme to a dog theme, that'd be my kind of party!

I stayed and helped out getting things to the girls, helping the mom and dad keep them under control (ha!), and cleaning up. Sixteen girls seven and under can be challenging...

When we got home I was suffering pretty badly with my asthma from allergies. I stayed too long at the party. Plus, with all the girls running around, all the dander was being kicked up and going right into my lungs. P was worried and ever took care of me before bed. It was so sweet. She wanted to be sure I was comfortable - she read to me, put my blankets on me, and brought me a glass of water. She kissed me goodnight and said she'd sleep with me for a little bit so I wasn't scared. She is an angel. I love her so much.

Cold and snowy

It snowed during Christmas break and melted in a day and a half. Today it snowed and snowed...

I'll be able to get P outside to play in it, but probably not E. He told me the other day when we were out playing in the snow at his preschool, "mommy, I want to go. I'm just not make for this weather."

5 years old!

Today, E turned 5 at 3:39am. He came into my room to get in bed with us, like he does most nights, and I think it was around that time! crazy.

Favorite food: pizza or muffins
Favorite game: Skylanders
Favorite toy: trains/cars/trucks
Loves to wrestle with his daddy 

He loves school and cannot wait to go each day. He is a sweet little boy with a leaning towards being the class clown, I think. He seems to have issues with being told what to do, but has a big heart and only does it to be silly.

He loves his family and even said that on Valentine's Day he wants to do a special family day.

Project MORE

I've been tutoring struggling readers through a program called Project MORE at P's school. It is so rewarding! I have three boys ranging in age, and I am learning so much about student behavior and how to help them be successful readers. I love reading, and I hope that passion comes through when I talk to the boys.

Some days they are quite challenging because they do NOT want to be there. Other days time flies and the kids do great. I have one ESL 5th grader, a 1st grader, and 2nd grader who is clearly not interested in reading. I am going to miss them at the end of the year!

Morrissey with long lost BFFs

I love Jill and Tammi - I've known them for SO long....great to have friends like that. Friends who remember when you when you were young and wrinkle-free...

Party for my sweet boy's 5th birthday

 He wanted a "Thomas" birthday.

 He specifically asked for a number "5" candle and squinkies on the cupcakes.

 Luke the Juggler was our entertainment.

 He had a specific guest list that included his preschool friends, some playgroup friends, and some loop friends.

 He is a magician.

Loving his balloon Thomas.

We had a great day!

Sometimes I don't know what to believe

Jokingly, I told my son I was going to eat stinky cauliflower in his room while he sleeps. He said, "good, then you can see the ghost." I said, "what is his or her name?" He told me it was a "he" and his name was Disco and he likes to eat biscuits.

Art by a 6 yo and 4 yo

 "Duckie Sunset" by P

"Duckie Sunset" by E

Just Dance

Hubby got me a Just Dance game for the Xbox. Kids LOVE dancing to it, but the lyrics are questionable for youngsters. I realized the impact the songs where making when my kids started singing about how they were "sexy and I know it." So, I ordered them the Disney version.

My son is awesome.

At dinner last night we began discussing P's plans for selling Girl Scout cookies. Granted, she is 6 and mom or dad will do most of the selling, but we wanted her to lead the discussion so she felt empowered. She wants to sell 300 boxes so she can get a stuffed Golden Retriever puppy and bandana from the Girl Scout awarded prizes.

Well, we started talking about how people could donate money for the boxes of cookies instead of buying them (maybe some people were on diets or had allergies, etc.). E, in his kindest most matter-of-fact voice said, "I'll donate my money to sister. Sister I can give you money for cookies." Hubby said, "you mean, you want to buy some boxes of cookies from P?" "No," E said, "I want to donate the money because I know sister wants to get that little stuffed puppy."

I almost wept. My heart was so full of admiration for that little 4 year old boy - he's so awesome. How'd I get so lucky to have him?!

Great Friend Advice

I met up with a friend. Talked a lot about the kids and things that were on my mind. She gave me great advice, "Don't borrow worry."

That needs to become my new mantra.

Carpe Diem

My husband often asks what I do all day, so here goes:

Got P up, made her lunch, walked her to school.
E up, made him breakfast, got him dressed, met up with friend to let the kids play.
Got home, made E lunch, did the dishes, put in a load of laundry, dropped him off at preschool.
Went to P's school for Project More (reading tutor for 3 boys there).
Rushed home, went through all my stuff for the GS meeting tonight.
Picked up P, spoke with our Girl Scout leader about what I had planned, picked E up, fed the kids a snack.
Took kids to zumba at the rec center. While I waited, I read my book for book club.
Picked kids up, took home.
Made P do her homework and go through all the writing workshop stuff she wanted to share with me.
Tried to help E put stickers on his car - he was very frustrated.
Made dinner, kids did not eat.
Finished gathering stuff for Girl Scouts.
Took kids to Girl Scouts meeting and led the meeting.
Kids were starving, so I took them to McDonald's (I'm a great mom...heh)
Brought them home.
Brief convo with hubby about friend in hospital who isn't doing so hot.
In between tried to organize my blog workshop and post something to my blog page (increasing readers, and I want to keep that momentum going!)
Forgot to call mom back...well, really, I had no time.

Realized that even though my day was busy, I was so happy I had that day to spend with my children, myself, my husband...life is too short and I tried to enjoy every moment of this day. I have two friends in the hospital - one dying, one trying to recover for Crohn's....carpe diem.

Busy day

What is going to be like when I go off to work? I am going to be exhausted. Yesterday, I took P to class, cleaned, got E off to preschool, then they had a playdate, quick dinner, and then pottery class. Doesn't sound like much, but when you have two kids in tow the entire time, it is. They need their shoes and socks on, coats, hair brushed...potty...oh, and we have to feed them, right? yeah, food, whoops.

Dinner

Meet new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold. Had dinner with my good friend Susan last night and her kids. Her hubby is in the hospital suffering from Crohn's and has been for a number of days. He's lost 30 pounds. I feel so badly for her - she is just spent over worry and being a single working parent.

Art Sunday

We went to the art museum today...far too much coolness for one afternoon. The Lod Mosaic and the Lego exhibit...phew...blew my mind.

Bowling

I believe the universe brings people together for a reason, what that reason may be, I have no idea. But, some bonds I think are meant to be stronger than others. For example, a woman pitched me via fb for my "other" blog that I keep in the public-sphere. It was for her husband's book that he co-wrote and illustrated. From that pitch, we ended up talking about health issues (she is gluten-free and I thought I had an issue with it. She gave me tons of pointers) and later ended up going to lunch a few times, brief email convos, and finally got the families together to hang out.

We have so much in common, I don't know why I didn't know her before. Her husband knows most of my hubby's friends from CCAD is an artist, we love the same type of foods, wine, live in the same area and know some of the same ladies - it is just so crazy! We also have the same astrological make up in our relationship - I'm a scorpio and so is her husband and she is a pisces like my husband. Her youngest daughter is a taurus like my girl and her other girl is a scorpio like me. Again, crazy!

Anyhow, she makes me laugh and I love that I have a new friend that is so much fun. I've been going through a difficult transition with the kids starting school and my playgroup kind of going to the wayside. The ladies I hung out with for years and thought were my good friends are now doing their own things. I totally understand, but it makes me sad.

I work hard to maintain those friendships. I always think of them when I have a get-together or parties, but I fear that will go away too. I am not feeling the reciprocation...and out of "well, I just don't hang out with them any longer" will come the day we end up parting ways forever. Smiling when we think of each other, but that will be about it. Makes me sad. So, finding someone who I like so much and is so easy to be friends with helps fill that void.

Cheers to new friends!

Dancing

bubbies had a play date with one of his friends. They were dancing "Gangnam Style." Then, I forgot to pick up my girl from school - early release day, totally slipped my mind. Bad mommy...

Kale had many uses.

On the walk to school this morning my girl said, "Mommy, did you know it is dangerous to be outside when it is raining kale?" I didn't correct her...

No fighting over whine.

Kids decided to have a fight in the wine section of Whole Foods. Luckily, nothing broke...in particular, not my bottle.

We went to the farm.

The things he says...

I told E he had to wait to eat because I was making dinner. He said, "but, mommy! I don't like food. I only like desserts."

The Hobbit

Hubby and I had a date to see "The Hobbit." It was pretty good, not as good as LOTR. I ate almost an entire bag of popcorn.

Birthdays

P went to a birthday party for two of of her school friends today. It was at a gymnastics facility. The girls played on the equipment, games, and ate cupcakes and ice cream. She had a blast.

I told her on the way home that she was lucky to get to go to so many fun birthday parties. I explained that when I was a child we had the grandparents over and aunts and uncles, and ate cake and ice cream. I never had a birthday where my friends were invited until I was much older, and definitely not outside of the home! She couldn't believe that and asked me if I was sad about it. I said "noway! That is the way things were and I was honored that they wanted to celebrate with me and give me gifts...even if they were "just" my family." Funny how I have become my mother with the "remember-whens." But, I now understand she had a message in her words. I just wasn't listening then...

Be kind, gracious, and well-mannered toward your friends and family. They love you and give you gifts and compliments out of kindness, so be kind back.

Sledding

I took the kids sledding to get out the house during winter break. We had been stuck inside for over two weeks because of various illnesses, and we had to breath some fresh air.

Well, my son didn't last long. He got cold and wet and wanted to leave. I think we went sledding an accumulative time of 45 minutes...maybe. We spent more time going to buy new sleds than actually using them. haha!

Now, in this picture he looks as if he is having fun. He did...for about 10 minutes. Then we left. P, on the other hand, loves to be outside doing something physical, and she was quite sad when her brother wanted to leave. I promised I'd take her another time.

Back to school

Both kids went back to school today. I was sad.

Especially sad because our winter holiday break was full of sickness. We had the stomach virus the week before break, Saturday of break P got a fever that lasted on and off for four days, and then each of us dropped like flies.

Then, to start off P's first day back I told her to take the toilet paper rolls to school we had been saving. The classes were all making snowflakes for Sandy Hook. 

I had not discussed the Sandy Hook tragedy with my children. I was shielding their young hearts from it, but she asked what the rolls were for, so I told her that some children had died and we were sad for their families. She continued to ask questions about how they died, who killed them, etc. etc. Basically, I ended up having to tell her about the gunman, too. She asked if he went to jail, and I told her no, that he died too. She asked how and I told her he was shot. She asked who shot him, and I told her he shot himself because he was scared when he realized what he had done. She cried. I felt so terrible about telling her the truth, even though I smoothed it over and only stated facts, it was not easy. Seeing her cry for those kids and the gunman made my heart hurt. Introducing her innocent being to a world where not all people are kind was not something I was looking forward to...

On Christmas Trees

I haven't had a real tree since I was a little girl. I thought, "this is the year!" So, hubby and I took the kids to the local farmer's market down the road and purchased the first real Christmas tree ever to live in our home.

After the first day, I had guilt. I was certain the Lorax was going to visit instead of Santa. I bought a chopped down tree just to watch it slowly die in my living room...at least that is how I was feeling. Then the needles started dropping and the water started smelling. What did I do?!

The best part, I think it brought the plague into my home. My family started getting sick the moment that tree came in the house and we weren't feeling well again until it was out - out, like pictured above, sitting there in the sun and laying on the cold snow. Something that gave us beauty, warmth, and Christmas cheer (and possibly the plague) was rotting in my front yard. I felt terrible about it.

Terrible enough to not buy a real tree next year? I'm not sure. If the kids want one again, I'll surely comply...especially since it was quite fun to pick it out and trim it. We'll see...

365 project

I am going to try to post here every day - just a thought, a picture or whatever. Nothing spectacular, but something that I can look back on that will make me (and one day, my family) smile, laugh, or cry.
 

Merry Christmas!

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.

Awesome birthday

My friends and family made me feel so special on my birthday! My girlfriends and I went out to Alana's, which is this awesome restaurant that serves all local foods. We laughed and drank too much wine. Then we saw Breaking Dawn pt 2. I was showered with beautiful, thoughtful gifts. Hubby took the kids to hibachi with a friend of ours for dinner and then showed them a movie. The kids had a great time hanging with daddy.

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!

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...:)

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.

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.

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."

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. "

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:

Mrs. Marks is like a smile face
She's happy all the time
Even when something bad happens
She tries to make a happy feeling in the atmosphere
Mrs. Marks is like a smile face
Thing that Mrs. Marks is not
Is mean, cruel
Helpless, and rude
Mrs. Marks brings out the happiness in everyone
When it is raining and there are puddles
Everyone is depressed but not Mrs. Marks
Mrs. Marks would be the first person
To jump into that puddle
Mrs. Marks has given me a gift
A gift that is precious to me and many other people
The gift of writing a poem

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

Happy Easter

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.

E-baby is Four!

My sweet baby boy is officially four years old. Where did two and three go?!

A few things about him:

1. He likes, no loves, to talk about poop, farts, and pee.
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.

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.