Daddy is required.

Husband has been out of town all week for work. (but he's HOME NOW, would-be ne'er do wells!!!). Granted, the work he had to do while away was incredibly super-boring, but he was very well-fed, and he had a hotel room all to himself, complete with a huge comfy bed & a television on which he could watch anything he wanted.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch it was me & the kids. Now, I may be supermommy (ha! not a chance!), but I just do not have the patience that man has. We are completely different in how we interact with our children, and we balance each other out very well. Not to mention the fact that we each get a child ready on weekday mornings. And I get Bug - the easy one.

So this week was an exercise in family cohesiveness for the three of us. We had to figure out new timings to get us all out the door on time (we were late on Thursday though), how I was going to get all my work done (we all went to school Wed. night so I could practice my lab - dinner & a movie in Mommy's classroom was lots of fun), and whether or not I really could work out at the gym (we did! twice!).

But things just weren't the same, and last night both Bird & Bug completely melted down on the way home. Ultimately, it boiled down to one thing: they missed Daddy. Due to his schedule & a time zone change, he wasn't even able to talk to them. We did lots of crying & talking last night.

Daddy was home when we got here this afternoon, and I have very happy children now. They seem to have relaxed; all is back to normal at our home.

There is a huge philosophical point in my head about how Daddy is the cornerstone of the family and the rudder on our boat of life, but I am just not feeling eloquent enough to get it out in writing. Suffice it to say that we all need each other in this family.

Fashion Sense

These are Bird's "slippers". These are the first ones she's ever had, and since I don't let her wear them out of the house, she has drawn the conclusion that they must be slippers.

And they are so comfy (gotta love the fabric toe-th0ng), not only are they good for wearing as you get ready to sleep... you may as well keep them on as you sleep!

(sorry LMom... I know you didn't want any more pics of shoes, but this was too funny to pass up!! ;) )

Post birthday wrapup

My birthday actually turned out to be really nice. I received TWO cakes from students in my first period class. We all ate them for breakfast (chocolate is much better than a fruit smoothie). The rest of my classes - unbidden, I might add - sang Happy Birthday to me (cause I am not above writing my own happy bday note on the board).

My own children were not at all cranky when I picked them up (okay, that's not entirely true, but it sounds good), but after a quick visit to the gym we went to my sister's for a spaghetti dinner & another chocolate cake. mmmmmm.

Husband managed to get the word out, and I have 3 seasons of Gilmore Girls to watch now. Yay!!

To top it off, as I type this post, Bug has just said Bird's name for the first time. I am over the moon!! :) :)

Happy Birthday to Me!!

Some time ago I came into this world wrinkled & wet & yelling. I think things have improved a little since then. :)

I've hit many of the major adult milestones... college graduation... marriage... 1st house... 1st car... 1st (real) job... pregnancy & children... and when I'm feeling particularly cranky I wonder what could possibly be left for me to do.

Then I am gently reminded that there are all sorts of things I am supposed during my stay here on Earth, and I wonder how I will ever finish everything in the time I have.



It's been a wonderful ride so far, and I look forward to what happens next.



My age? Well if you must know... and you aren't colorblind...

But enough philosophizing. I want some chocolate!!!

Must be the New Math

In anticipation of our houseguests (my in-laws), I ran the dishwasher Wednesday night so that we would have plenty of dishes during their stay.

I figured I'd have to run it again today (Sunday), but when I went to load the breakfast dishes, I had problems trying to fit everything in. Seemed odd, since there had only been 4 breakfasts (only bowls since it was just cereal), 1 lunch (plate for everyone), and 2 dinners (one of which involved eating out of the serving carton).

Then I realized that we'd accumulated 25 drinking glasses. That was just the adults. They had taken over the entire lower level. It amazed me how fast it happened, especially since Husband & I stick to a fairly rigid glass-a-day.

Remind me of this fact when the kids become teenagers!!! I think all the house resources will be used at an exponential rate then.

Or maybe I'll just make them do the dishes instead.

Free Tote Bag!!

Who doesn't love a free tote bag? Especially one as cute as this.

Dcrmom is giving one away over here - go check it out if you'd like to put your name in the hat!!

Because sometimes I don't trust my own tongue.

My in-laws are currently visiting us & have been here since Wednesday evening. We don't see them as often as we see my parents, so I am happy that the kids finally seem cemented in who they are. I have always wanted my children to have a good relationship with their grandparents, even though neither set lives locally. Thanks to pictures and telephones that is made a whole lot easier.

But sometimes people say things that are not intended to annoy you, and it just grates on you until you worry that you will say something you will regret.

For example, this morning while I was showering and Husband was out running, they put a movie in for the children. Even though I had just told the kids no movie till they got dressed & had breakfast. Not to mention the fact that it was awfully early to watch the one movie they get to pick each day.

Then, once everyone had dressed & eaten & we were all lounging around waiting for the movie to finish, my mother-in-law said "When the boys were little, we didn't have dvds and such for them. Not that it mattered, cause they never really watched tv anyway."

Let's ignore the fact that the only thing she does most days is watch tv.

Let's ignore the fact that she is the first one to force Bird to sit through an entire movie (Cinderella).

Let's ignore the fact that she repeatedly teaches Bird that it's more fun to sit & watch tv than it is to go run around & play. (I admit to this one a little bit too, but what mother doesn't on occasion? But seriously, I have never advocated the 24/7 television viewing)

Let's ignore the fact that after Elmo was over, she still asked if they could watch Annie this afternoon. (um... NO. they still only get one movie a day, a fact that they will surely regret since they offered to babysit for us tonight.)

Finally, let's ignore the fact that I am being snarky and petty and hope that since I've typed this here I can let go of this and treat my houseguests properly.

And then you get 2 posts in one day.

Feast or famine, eh?!

Today was Bird's first day of preschool... ever. I think she's the only one in her class who's never been to school before. As far as I can tell, seems like she had fun.

In her backpack was a survey the teacher asked us (parent & child) to fill out together. It ranges from the normal questions (favorite color, favorite food) to the touching (Who is your best friend? Mommy!) to the absolutely absurd to ask a 4-year-old (Who do you admire? What's your favorite subject in school?)

My favorite, though... was Question 5: When I grow up, I want to be: ___________

Her answer?

Human.

She is SO my child.

I'm still here!

Goodness!! A whole week without posting! Unfortunately, a whole week without the gym either. Ugh.

So, after the first day of school was over, the faculty rounds up all the high school students and takes them away for a retreat in the woods for a couple of days.

The beds may have been old & creaky, but there was indoor plumbing and air conditioning in those cabins. And you can't put a price on fun - the student government worked really hard to have lots of activities & promote student bonding.

Then, after getting home at midnight, it was tons of fun to get up early the next morning to drive 2 hours to go to a wedding. It was the kids' first time at such an affair, and they did remarkably well. (I am not above bribing with crackers.)

Bird's highlight was when she got to dance with the bride. I'm sure she thought the bride was a new Disney princess. ;)

So Long, Summer

Tomorrow is the first day of school. Even though I've been back to work for 2 weeks now, it still feels like today is the real end of summer. It went so quickly that I kind of wonder if it actually happened. Thank heavens for digital cameras and my twitchy shutter finger.

So what did we do all summer?

We swam.

We went to storytime at the library.

We climbed some really weird contraptions.

We went to the beach.

We played at normal playgrounds. (There is nothing more fun than when they make each other laugh.)

We visited with friends who feel like family.

We tried to fly kites. Turns out that you really do need wind for that.

We visited the land of Make Believe.

We visited actual family. (Not the dogs! The dogs belonged to the family member!)

We helped protect Middle Earth and defeated the goblins from Mordor.

And,

We pondered the peace and quiet that surrounds a misty summer morning before the world really wakes up.

I am so thankful for all the time we were able to spend together, and pray that the memories will stick with me for an awfully long time.

So long summer. It's been fun but we will miss you!!

He's Learning Young

In an attempt to take advantage of the last few hours of tax-free shopping, we took a family trip to the local mall. I just wanted to try & find some clothes for work; Husband wanted a universal remote. We each took a kid, and since Bird realllly wanted to go with Daddy, Bug came with me.

I have to say... I want to take him with me a whole lot more now! He'd sit with me in the fitting room, and no matter what I tried on, he'd smile & nod his head. Even if I couldn't zip it, he still thought I looked fantastic.

Either he's got a sense of humor that's far older than he is, or that unconditional love is shining through. I'm sure you know which option I pick! ;)

Huge Belly Laughs

My mind is elsewhere... somewhere in my classroom, if I am honest.

So, in lieu of a post with actual content, I'm sending you elsewhere. Chilihead has a post with real old-fashioned advertisements that has me laughing hysterically. If you need a giggle, go check it out!

Sweet Toddler Hugs

3:30AM.

A little voice comes out of the monitor. "Mommy? Mommy?" It sounds scared, and a little sad.

I reach for my glasses & stumble across the house, fully appreciating the outlet with a nightlight that's in the living room.

I find a Bug sitting up in his bed, clutching his beloved doggy as though it were a life preserver. The moment he sees me, his arms go up & he says "Hug."

After hugging, he immediately lays back down, cuddles his friends, and starts to drift off.

As annoying as it may be to have to leave my cozy bed in the middle of the night, I am thankful that I am still in the times when a hug and a moment of Mommy is all it takes to align the planets again.

Fashion Sense

After I bought Bird some new sandals, we went about purging the old shoes. I have a box where I put outgrown shoes in hopes of either reselling them at a garage sale or passing them on to friends. Before I could stow her old sandals, though, Bug got ahold of them. And wore them all day.

And then we went and ran errands.

Deforestation

Ha! This is so not a political post, so if you were looking for one, it's probably better to move along.

Instead, this is a post about my hair. It has been 2 years since my last haircut. Here is a picture of my hair on a good day:

Here's a shot of it from the front... to give you an idea of scale, I am holding a 12-inch (about 30cm) ruler in my hand.

I finally had a chance to go get it cut this morning - by myself even!! Yippee!! When all was said and done, that 12-inch section is now gone! I did donate the bulk of it to Locks of Love, and then the stylist cleaned it up a bit.

I now feel about 10 pounds lighter. I also need to figure out the correct amount of shampoo to use again....

16 Tons

I go back to work today. Sigh. At least my to-do list for these 2 weeks of preplanning is short:

1. help roommate teacher move to new classroom (okay, this technically doesn't apply to me, but it does have to happen for me to accomplish some of my other list points. besides, it's just nice to help.)
2. reorganize my entire classroom
3. help new roommate teacher move into classroom
4. reorganize my supply closet
5. lesson plans!
6. 6 powerpoint presentations (3 for regular; 3 for honors)
7. an awful lot of stuff for AP, but i'm not entirely sure what i want to accomplish yet!

should be a breeze, right?!