Oh, the excitement of Dress-Up Days for Homecoming.
Today was Decade Day at the girls' school--dress like your favorite decade. I immediately thought of the adorable pink poodle skirt we have upstairs, and so Macy tried it on last night to alleviate issues with Grandpa in the morning. We paired it with a cute pink t-shirt, a white shrug, and pink saddle tennis shoes. She looked a.dor.a.ble.
"No." She looks down at the skirt, full and bouncy, not skinny and tight, then back up to me. "What if I am the only one wearing this?"
"It's okay. Everyone will be wearing something dress up, from a decade. This is just what we have. You look so cute!"
"No. I don't want to be the only one wearing this. I don't want to stand out. I don't want to be the only one in my class wearing a skirt like this." She said through tears in her eyes.
I discussed at length with her it shouldn't matter what other people think, she is beautiful and strong and confident and she can wear what she wants, so forth and so on. She refused, and picked out a safe pair of jeans with a camo top.
I was disappointed in her. Then I thought back to dress up days at my school--Monday is always pajama day, and I always wear pajamas. And I always get nervous--what if I am the only one wearing pajama's? I always feel uncomfortable in the lounge when there is another teacher not wearing pj's. Twin day? I'm so afraid my twin will forget to wear what we agreed on. One day a couple years ago, there were three of us that were going to wear pigtails. I was so worried they wouldn't wear pigtails, and I would be the only one in pigtails. That's when I realized she was just like me, and I no longer worried that she didn't want to wear a poodle skirt. She will be just fine. She will always worry about what others think, but that's not a bad thing.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Looking through the window
Macy was born in December, and so when school started that next fall, she was about 9 months old. We had had a wonderful summer, just the two of us hanging out, no little sister to fight with constantly. I hated having to go back to school that fall, but knew I had to.
Imagine my surprise one morning when I pulled out of the driveway, looked over at the house, and there was little 9-month-old Macy standing in her crib, in her warm footie pajamas, peeking her head out her blinds to wave at me. My heart melted. It became a ritual for a month or so--I'd get in the car, back out of the driveway, and look up at her and wave. She'd be there, with a huge smile, waving back at me.
Then, just like that, she stopped. Too tired to wake up that early, I guess.
Imagine my surprise when last week, I backed out of the driveway and looked up at the house. There was 5-year-old Kaylin, hair sticking out wildly from her head, perched on the end of her bed waving at me. I smiled, remembering the time her older sister did that, and waved back. She hasn't done it every day since then, but several days since then she's been there waving.
That is the best part of my day when she does.
Imagine my surprise one morning when I pulled out of the driveway, looked over at the house, and there was little 9-month-old Macy standing in her crib, in her warm footie pajamas, peeking her head out her blinds to wave at me. My heart melted. It became a ritual for a month or so--I'd get in the car, back out of the driveway, and look up at her and wave. She'd be there, with a huge smile, waving back at me.
Then, just like that, she stopped. Too tired to wake up that early, I guess.
Imagine my surprise when last week, I backed out of the driveway and looked up at the house. There was 5-year-old Kaylin, hair sticking out wildly from her head, perched on the end of her bed waving at me. I smiled, remembering the time her older sister did that, and waved back. She hasn't done it every day since then, but several days since then she's been there waving.
That is the best part of my day when she does.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Itchy red bumps
Kaylin was sick Sunday and Monday, but by Tuesday was feeling much better. Bobby stayed home with her both days, as he was off work. He called me Tuesday on my way home:
"Kaylin has a doctor's appt. at 4:30. I think she has chicken pox."
"WHAT?"
"She has red bumps all over her body and they itch. They look like bug bites, and according to Source X,Y, Z, it's chicken pox."
So I drove home, got Kaylin, and went back to the doctor. We arrived about 10 minutes before her appointment, and per instructions, went to the back staff door. They did not want her going in through the front waiting room. But they didn't have a room ready, so the nurse told us we had to wait in our car until the room was ready. Since it was a nice afternoon, we sat outside on the sidewalk, watched school buses drive by, and she attempted to write in cursive.
After about 30 minutes, we were instructed to not touch anything and walk straight back to our room. I had to leave Kaylin alone in the room to go up front to pay our co-pay. I'm surprised they didn't put us in a padded cell.
After ALL that--it's not chicken pox. And they are not entirely sure what it is. Our doctor conferred with another doctor, they ruled out several long complicated names, and ultimately decided that it was her body's reaction to the virus she had this weekend. Much like how some people break out in hives. If the rest of us get the bumps, then we are to go back. Otherwise, she was cleared to return to school today.
And that was my Tuesday night. Crazy!
"Kaylin has a doctor's appt. at 4:30. I think she has chicken pox."
"WHAT?"
"She has red bumps all over her body and they itch. They look like bug bites, and according to Source X,Y, Z, it's chicken pox."
So I drove home, got Kaylin, and went back to the doctor. We arrived about 10 minutes before her appointment, and per instructions, went to the back staff door. They did not want her going in through the front waiting room. But they didn't have a room ready, so the nurse told us we had to wait in our car until the room was ready. Since it was a nice afternoon, we sat outside on the sidewalk, watched school buses drive by, and she attempted to write in cursive.
After about 30 minutes, we were instructed to not touch anything and walk straight back to our room. I had to leave Kaylin alone in the room to go up front to pay our co-pay. I'm surprised they didn't put us in a padded cell.
After ALL that--it's not chicken pox. And they are not entirely sure what it is. Our doctor conferred with another doctor, they ruled out several long complicated names, and ultimately decided that it was her body's reaction to the virus she had this weekend. Much like how some people break out in hives. If the rest of us get the bumps, then we are to go back. Otherwise, she was cleared to return to school today.
And that was my Tuesday night. Crazy!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Wow...something to think about
I came across this blog and I'm going to copy/paste some of what he has to say below. You can click on his link to see the full text.
In a culture that has become increasingly noisy it is not surprising that the correlative affect is that many people are simply drowned out by the noise. And therefore, in the process, this drowning out has a transforming affect on our relationships with one another. My father, who is not anti-technology at all, simply said to me, “I’m afraid we are losing our ability to be fully present to one another.”
This weekend when I was leaving my grandmother’s funeral, an elderly gentleman pulled me aside to not only say something about my grandmother, but more specifically about my grandfather. He said, “Your grandfather had the ability to make the person he was talking to feel like the most important person in the world.” I want people to feel that way after talking to me. To feel that I was fully present with them, and that they were the most important person in the world to me….not the person on Twitter who is not standing right in front of me.
His words hit me--I'm guilty of several of the things on his list. His words there at the end were especially true--I want people to feel like I really listened to them, that someone was the most important person in the world to me. But I also want to feel that in return--I want people to listen to me as well. I hate feeling like what I am saying is not important, and so many people make me feel that way.
Just something to think about on this rainy Tuesday.
Recently I’ve noticed some of these things I see around me, and I cringed, realizing that I do this quite a bit as well:
- Parents playing with their kids on the playground while talking on the cell phone
- A group of friends eating together, yet all looking at their phones and texting/Twittering, etc
- Sitting with our spouses on the couch, yet constantly looking at our phones
- Talking on our phones after we pick up our kids from school
- Not moving away from our devices to focus on someone who has come to talk to us
- Talking on the phone while ordering food, or buying groceries at the checkout
- Worshipping in church, yet more concerned about what’s going on at other churches via Twitter
- Checking email, FB and Twitter messages last thing at night, or first thing in the morning
- Not having definite boundaryed times of no device use in our homes
- Glancing at our phones while on a date with our spouses, or significant others
- Constantly updating/texting during a game or concert
- And on, and on, and on, and on……
This weekend when I was leaving my grandmother’s funeral, an elderly gentleman pulled me aside to not only say something about my grandmother, but more specifically about my grandfather. He said, “Your grandfather had the ability to make the person he was talking to feel like the most important person in the world.” I want people to feel that way after talking to me. To feel that I was fully present with them, and that they were the most important person in the world to me….not the person on Twitter who is not standing right in front of me.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Festival Named for an Outlaw
Yesterday was a local town festival honoring a "famous" outlaw. The parade is always huge--over a hundred entries, usually. The girls rode on the dance studio float.
Here's Macy and some of her dance friends--Paige, Josie, and Makayla.
Kaylin with some of her friends from school--Kaylee, Jessa and Ava. I worry about this little spirited child. Macy has such a great group of friends, and Kaylin just hasn't quite connected. She can make friends with a light pole, but sometimes she gets shy and hasn't figured out how to connect. Sitting by these girls for a couple hours helped, and hopefully will help at school as well.
After the parade, Macy had a dance performance. We (both sets of grandparents plus us) barely made it in time, and I did not get good pictures (or a video-ggrrrr) of the performace.
Here's my pretty girl... not only is she beautiful, but so smart, responsible, helpful and considerate too. You should have seen her today at lunch--taking drink orders, filling lemonade glasses, handing out napkins. So cute.
Macy and one of her best friends Paige.
Macy, Paige and Kaylin on the potato sack races. $3 a ride= CRAZY. This carnival was very proud of their rusty rides.
Overall, we had a nice weekend. Bobby's dad was in town, and we stayed busy. Ready for another busy week!
Here's Macy and some of her dance friends--Paige, Josie, and Makayla.
Kaylin with some of her friends from school--Kaylee, Jessa and Ava. I worry about this little spirited child. Macy has such a great group of friends, and Kaylin just hasn't quite connected. She can make friends with a light pole, but sometimes she gets shy and hasn't figured out how to connect. Sitting by these girls for a couple hours helped, and hopefully will help at school as well.
After the parade, Macy had a dance performance. We (both sets of grandparents plus us) barely made it in time, and I did not get good pictures (or a video-ggrrrr) of the performace.
Here's my pretty girl... not only is she beautiful, but so smart, responsible, helpful and considerate too. You should have seen her today at lunch--taking drink orders, filling lemonade glasses, handing out napkins. So cute.
Macy and one of her best friends Paige.
Macy, Paige and Kaylin on the potato sack races. $3 a ride= CRAZY. This carnival was very proud of their rusty rides.
Overall, we had a nice weekend. Bobby's dad was in town, and we stayed busy. Ready for another busy week!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Scavenger Hunt
To help with team-building, and to have fun after a stressful deadline, I sent my newspaper kids on a scavenger hunt in the building today. It was great fun. Here's some of the more obscure ones:
Take a picture of the car in Parking Spot 242 w/ the number visible
1994 penny
Purple crayon
Blue headphones
Take a picture of Melissa Cole, Miss Peppy 1997’s brick out front
Post-it with Mrs. Harvey's signature
Picture of EVERY team member going down to the slide on the playground
Team member’s picture next to the shoe in Mr. Gates’ classroom
Whatever is in locker #’s 9, 74, 510, 982, 1001, 535, or 685 in the men’s auxiliary locker room. Bring me one. Leave the others.
Bottle of Victoria Secret lotion
Blue m&m
I did learn one main lesson--SPECIFY if you want them to bring the item back to you, or if a picture of the item is okay. And SPECIFY if printing a picture off the Internet is okay. Those high school kids are tricky.
Take a picture of the car in Parking Spot 242 w/ the number visible
1994 penny
Purple crayon
Blue headphones
Take a picture of Melissa Cole, Miss Peppy 1997’s brick out front
Post-it with Mrs. Harvey's signature
Picture of EVERY team member going down to the slide on the playground
Team member’s picture next to the shoe in Mr. Gates’ classroom
Whatever is in locker #’s 9, 74, 510, 982, 1001, 535, or 685 in the men’s auxiliary locker room. Bring me one. Leave the others.
Bottle of Victoria Secret lotion
Blue m&m
I did learn one main lesson--SPECIFY if you want them to bring the item back to you, or if a picture of the item is okay. And SPECIFY if printing a picture off the Internet is okay. Those high school kids are tricky.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Where can YOU fall asleep?
I've blogged before about Kaylin's nightime habits,and how she and Macy could never share a room.
Here's proof:
How she fell asleep Wednesday night: (Ignore the sheet off her her bed. It doesn't like to stay on for some reason)
And how she fell asleep tonight.
Oh, and she told me the capri's she has on makes her look fat. Please, child, you have 0% body fat. You barely weigh 40 pounds at 5 1/2 years old. NOTHING is going to make you look fat.
Here's proof:
How she fell asleep Wednesday night: (Ignore the sheet off her her bed. It doesn't like to stay on for some reason)
And how she fell asleep tonight.
Oh, and she told me the capri's she has on makes her look fat. Please, child, you have 0% body fat. You barely weigh 40 pounds at 5 1/2 years old. NOTHING is going to make you look fat.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Love deadine nights
Notes from Deadline Night tonight:
Student: "How do you spell Dodgeball?"
Other Student: "Dodge + Ball."
Boy Student: "I'm not wearing any underwear."
Number of times they played Party in the USA by Miley: 6
I forgot to tell maintenance we'd be in the room tonight, so we had no air. It is HOT in here!
Headline for the story on backpack weights: Baby Got Pack
Major Bonding Time=Priceless
Student: "How do you spell Dodgeball?"
Other Student: "Dodge + Ball."
Boy Student: "I'm not wearing any underwear."
Number of times they played Party in the USA by Miley: 6
I forgot to tell maintenance we'd be in the room tonight, so we had no air. It is HOT in here!
Headline for the story on backpack weights: Baby Got Pack
Major Bonding Time=Priceless
Can't take no for an answer
Part of my distress last week involved our trip to Washington,D.C in November. The school district decided last week that Macy wasn't allowed to go, after I spent mucho money on her ticket. They would not refund our money, and I would have to pay $150 to change her ticket.
I didn't take no for an answer, and pushed as high as I could for a better answer and reason. Today I got word that they changed their mind, and she can go. Such a relief...I cannot tell you what a relief.
Sometimes you just can't take no for an answer. Keep pushing, keep asking questions, keep trying and it pays off.
I didn't take no for an answer, and pushed as high as I could for a better answer and reason. Today I got word that they changed their mind, and she can go. Such a relief...I cannot tell you what a relief.
Sometimes you just can't take no for an answer. Keep pushing, keep asking questions, keep trying and it pays off.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Back in the saddle...
...or at least trying to. Last week was really long, and not so pleasant in some ways. This week, while only Monday night, is looking better. I offer you some tidbits, because that's about all I have right now.
We have one small pumpkin growing on our pumpkin plant.
Macy has an "Empty Bottle Club" of which she is the Leader. People give her their empty bottles, cans, juice boxes and she keeps them in a sack in her bedroom. Yes, it is basically a bag of trash. Try telling her that.
Macy has her first dance performance with her "show group" this Saturday. And we will have to miss the big Christmas party because of my niece's wedding.
Kaylin continues to enjoy kindergarten, although she doesn't seem to have the friends yet that Macy has. I hope we get there soon--I hate to see her so lonely.
Our first deadline for newspaper is this Wednesday. Things are coming together sllllloooooowwwwwllllllly. Hopefully they kick it up a notch in the next two days!
That's it for now...
We have one small pumpkin growing on our pumpkin plant.
Macy has an "Empty Bottle Club" of which she is the Leader. People give her their empty bottles, cans, juice boxes and she keeps them in a sack in her bedroom. Yes, it is basically a bag of trash. Try telling her that.
Macy has her first dance performance with her "show group" this Saturday. And we will have to miss the big Christmas party because of my niece's wedding.
Kaylin continues to enjoy kindergarten, although she doesn't seem to have the friends yet that Macy has. I hope we get there soon--I hate to see her so lonely.
Our first deadline for newspaper is this Wednesday. Things are coming together sllllloooooowwwwwllllllly. Hopefully they kick it up a notch in the next two days!
That's it for now...
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Faith it will get better...
I'm in pretty rough spot right now--it's been a really crappy three days. Nothing I really feel like writing down--problems with friends, problems at work, problems with my students, etc.
It just feels like it won't stop. I think I have one fire put out, and another one quickly pops up in its place. I literally felt sick to my stomach all day today. The stress I have weighing on my shoulders right now is unmeasurable.
But through it all, I know that God is with me, holding my hand. Here's how I know:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
... but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7
And just like that, I feel better. I just need to remember those verses tomorrow morning when the fires start up again.
It just feels like it won't stop. I think I have one fire put out, and another one quickly pops up in its place. I literally felt sick to my stomach all day today. The stress I have weighing on my shoulders right now is unmeasurable.
But through it all, I know that God is with me, holding my hand. Here's how I know:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
... but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7
And just like that, I feel better. I just need to remember those verses tomorrow morning when the fires start up again.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Day at the K
Yesterday we had free Royals tickets, so we headed out for the afternoon game.
The girls by our seats. We were in the outfield boxes, and we were quite impressed with the layout out there in the outfield.
By the fountains...
Again by the fountains...
We made it a 1/2 inning--"I'm thirsty...I'm hungry...I'm hot...I'm tired..." We stalled them until the third inning before giving in to snow cones.
Macy's teeth literally turned bright blue from the snow cone...
As always, the easiest way to keep Macy entertained is to let her have the digital camera.
"Look, Mom! I can take pictures of myself."
Bobby wasn't feeling well, and it was HOT, so we left early. In the past, the girls have had more fun when we've gone with other people, so we'll remember that next time.
The girls by our seats. We were in the outfield boxes, and we were quite impressed with the layout out there in the outfield.
By the fountains...
Again by the fountains...
We made it a 1/2 inning--"I'm thirsty...I'm hungry...I'm hot...I'm tired..." We stalled them until the third inning before giving in to snow cones.
Macy's teeth literally turned bright blue from the snow cone...
As always, the easiest way to keep Macy entertained is to let her have the digital camera.
"Look, Mom! I can take pictures of myself."
Bobby wasn't feeling well, and it was HOT, so we left early. In the past, the girls have had more fun when we've gone with other people, so we'll remember that next time.Saturday, September 5, 2009
We've created monsters...or is teenagers?
We've created monsters teenagers!
Macy has been saving for several weeks now for her own mp3 player.(She uses the generic phrase iPod, but she hasn't been saving THAT much!) We've been giving her little amounts once a week or so for jobs she does around the house, and if she finds a a quarter or any change laying around, it's quickly in her money purse. Bobby gave her a decent amount on Friday for helping him in the yard, so last night we headed to the store.
We found one on clearance, and she carried up to the counter, counted out the money and proudly carried it out of the store. We also bought a gift card so we could buy songs. Then I spent the rest of my exciting Friday night putting songs on it for her. She's got Miley Cyrus, Selma Gomez, Demi Lovato, Beyonce, Sugarland, Zac Brown Band, with a few other random songs. Her favorite? Eye of the Tiger.
Running errrands last night and today, the car has been quiet--except for Macy singing to her mp3, and Kaylin singing along to mine. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa giving her $3, Kaylin now has enough for her own, and I can claim mine back. They look like mini-teenagers back there, plugged into headphones. I stopped them from bringing them in the store, and got the true teenager eye roll.
And in the true spirit of Not Me Monday (on Saturday) I did not put some Miley Cyrus and Selma Gomez songs on my own mp3.
Next up? Saving for a DS. That's going to be ALOT of work around the house.
Macy has been saving for several weeks now for her own mp3 player.(She uses the generic phrase iPod, but she hasn't been saving THAT much!) We've been giving her little amounts once a week or so for jobs she does around the house, and if she finds a a quarter or any change laying around, it's quickly in her money purse. Bobby gave her a decent amount on Friday for helping him in the yard, so last night we headed to the store.
We found one on clearance, and she carried up to the counter, counted out the money and proudly carried it out of the store. We also bought a gift card so we could buy songs. Then I spent the rest of my exciting Friday night putting songs on it for her. She's got Miley Cyrus, Selma Gomez, Demi Lovato, Beyonce, Sugarland, Zac Brown Band, with a few other random songs. Her favorite? Eye of the Tiger.
Running errrands last night and today, the car has been quiet--except for Macy singing to her mp3, and Kaylin singing along to mine. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa giving her $3, Kaylin now has enough for her own, and I can claim mine back. They look like mini-teenagers back there, plugged into headphones. I stopped them from bringing them in the store, and got the true teenager eye roll.
And in the true spirit of Not Me Monday (on Saturday) I did not put some Miley Cyrus and Selma Gomez songs on my own mp3.
Next up? Saving for a DS. That's going to be ALOT of work around the house.
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