Total Pageviews

Friday, November 19, 2010

A Replay

Remember this post?  Well June 17, 2011 is going to be just as awesome!  Liv and I (well really it was all Liv) secured our tix to New Kids on the Block for the summer tour.  There are only FIVE dates.  We will have to travel to CHICAGO!!!!  I've always wanted to go there!!!!! Can't wait!!!!!!  I'm so excited for the plane ride.  I love planes!  I've never been on a plane with Liv before. . .we're going to have a blast.  I can't wait for the hotel. . .the restaurants. . .the Oprah store. . .the bars. . . sight seeing. . .the CONCERT!!!!  It's going to be an awesome weekend.

Section 101, row 17, seat 1&2.  . . look out Danny, Donnie, Joe, Jon, Jordan and Chicago. . .your biggest fans will be there!!!!!!!!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Minivan

I want a minivan.  I'm not ashamed.  I'm excited!!  I've done the research.  I have it narrowed down between an Odyssee and a Sienna.  I test drove both tonight.  We're so close I can hear the self opening doors!!!

I am a mom.  I am getting old.  I think minivans are beautiful.  I am proud.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

When Tragedy Strikes

On October 5th I blogged about my car accident I was so upset over.

In the grand scheme of life no big deal.  Paid the ticket, got the car fixed, kids and I are ok, insurance will most likely go up.  But really, it's over.

When I got to school on Monday a couple of my friends came up to my room to tell me our other good friend's boyfriend's entire family had been in a terrible car accident on Saturday night.  Both parents, both brothers and sister in law.  Everybody but Ben himself.  I know Ben.  A really nice guy.  But my heart was breaking for J.  She is the most sensitive, caring, generous and hardworking person I know. 

I knew this was going to hit her HARD.

She had made the phone calls to all the other relatives.  She had been at the hospitals (yes-the injuries were so severe they were sent to three different hospitals) non-stop and here she was on Monday.  At school and prepared to be the wonderful teacher she is.

She cried but she got through it.  I could have never done that. 

She has continued to go to the hospital every single night straight from school.  A couple night's ago she washed Ben's mom's hair.  It still had glass in it, even though she had been through several surgeries. 

J is the model friend, girlfriend and daughter.  I know this is going to wear her out and she'll hit bottom one of these days and not be able to keep all of this up.  When it happens I hope she knows what supportive friends she has at work and let's us help her.

Say a prayer for Ben's family tonight please.

My Darling Daughter

My daughter is truly an easy child.  She's not perfect, but in the grand scheme of small children she's like a little rock star.  So today when she refused to put her coat on when I picked her up from daycare, then kicked the snow out of frustration, then screamed in timeout (that would be in front of the garage at daycare - apparently) then pretended like she was going to punch my cheek. . . btw a parent (who I know - of course) came walking up at the time of the incident and was laughing with her head down!

It's no surprise that I picked her up and put her into the car while saying, "You're done done done."  Then I calmly called daddy (mine not hers - although I considered calling mine too but figured he'd side with her anyway) to tell him "the fun thing we had planned has been canceled."   I'm sure he could hear V crying and yelling, "No don't cancel it!"  So he said, "What fun thing?"  Then I spelling NOTHING.  We weren't really canceling anything, but I wish we were. 

The fun continued at home.  Refusing to carry her backpack.  So I put it down beside her, in the middle of the driveway and walked away.  She's about as stubborn as me and just stood out there, no coat, not doing anything.  Just standing there to prove a point. 

Eventually I said, "You can stand there as long as you like, but I need to lock the door in 10 seconds."  She came running and screaming, threw more of a tantrum and ended up in time out.  The real one this time at the end of the hall.  I actually used my chopper on several vegetables to get out my frustration during those four minutes.  Still not calmed down I put her in her room and within a couple minutes I heard silence. 

Yep, she's fast asleep.  Been that way for almost half an hour now.  Whew.

In the end I got to eat and blog in peace.

Isn't motherhood grand?

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

A Note is Always So Nice

This is a tip to all you parents out there:
If your child's teacher is doing a good job write him/her a qick note.  It is soooo appreciated.  I would rather have a heart felt note than candy, a candle, an ornament, even cash.  A specific, I like the way you. . . note is priceless.  I was lucky enough to receive one this week. 

This was in response to an email I sent last week regarding the student's reading fluency.

Hi Kelly,
I don't know what exactly you said to J---, but oh my goodness it worked! We read together but it can be a struggle for the reasons you mentioned. I've tried to encourage her to read with emotion, to tell the story, not just the words, but it didn't seem to be getting across. Thursday night we sat down to read and it was like she was a different child! I knew she could do it but couldn't figure out why it wasn't happening. Of course she gets better when rereading but even the first time through has been excellent and so much fun to listen to. I hope she can show you what she can do without getting nervous or hung up on perfection.
Thank you so much for your encouragement and for challenging my children to be the best they can. We will continue to work on J---'s new-found talent at home. You truly are an amazing teacher!
Thank you, thank you, thank you,
S-


Not only did I make a connection with this student but her mom noticed it too.  She even took the time to tell me about it.   I try very very hard to make connections with the students.  It isn't always apparent if I accomplsihed that or not.  This day it was and it made me Oh - So - Happy!

Monday, November 15, 2010

I'm in love with. . .

SKYPE!  Wow, what an amazing tool!  We are proud godparents to our adorable two year old godson Walker.  Walker lives in Colorado and we haven't seen him in almost a year. . .until tonight!  We Skyped and it was awesome!  I see a lot of Skyping happening in our future.  Walker was doing somersalts and he convinced Mark to do one across our living room floor too.  So cute! 

It was so fun to hear him talk and see him jump! 

I can't wait to have Victoria and Christian Skype with him!!  They will love it.

Love you Walker!!