My favorite pink

Magical/Super Powers I Wish I Had

2010-09-06T16:57:00.000-07:00

When I was little, I remember thinking Wonder Woman was just the coolest thing EVER! Well, next to Barbie. Hey, I was a kid!

I still think she's pretty wicked - someday perhaps I'll get that costume for Halloween! Zoe has a Wonder Woman shirt from Old Navy and it's quite cute!

So, anyhoooooo.....

Magical Powers! I have had a recurring dream where I've been given the ability to fly and it is absolutely amazing! I love that feeling! That is a magical power I wish I had!

There are others, of course:

Invisibility. How fun would it be to mess with people while you're invisible? Hee hee.....

Right now I'd love the ability to wave a wand and have Zoe fall into a sweet slumber. She fell asleep super quick both last night and Saturday night. Tonight? Huh uh.

I'd also like to be able to be completely rested after a short amount of sleep. I'm a mom, wife and teacher. Any ONE of those things completely wears me out. I'd love to be able to give my daughter, husband and the teachers/students I work with the amount of devotion they each deserve without feeling like a wrung out dishrag.

I don't know what magical power it would be, but I'd love to be able to have two people or sides sit down and be able to see each other's view point without being STUCK that theirs is the ONLY right one. Our country is very polarized right now and quite frankly I'm more scared about the closed mindedness than almost anything else. Are we really that superior we only think ourselves as right?

This post has become very scattered so I'll sign off now.

What magical power would you like to have?

Summer is officially over.

2010-09-06T13:56:00.000-07:00

Bummer.

Really, though, Z and I had a blast this summer! She's finally at the age she doesn't NEED a nap anymore (although I miss it) and we can have longer outings! We visited the Hamilton County Parks a LOT, went to Run, Jump and Play, Lake Michigan and the Indiana Dunes, the SplashPad, Cincinnati and Indy Children's Museums, the Lebanon-Monroe Railway, the local pool and hung out with friends!

And though I couldn't be a stay-at-home mom (hats off to those of you who are!), I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Z and wouldn't trade that time for all the money in the world!

How was your summer? :-)

Decisions, differences.

2010-06-22T05:40:00.000-07:00

I absolutely adore my husband. He's practical, loyal, rational, funny, dedicated and adventurous. We rarely get into arguments because of the rational part of him. He's not one to raise his voice. Even if we don't see eye to eye on something, a back and forth discussion is usually all it takes to come to a consensus.

Decision: We needed seating for the loft area. Zoe's Tinkerbell chair just wasn't cutting it.

Problem: Limited budget, different tastes. We went to Ikea and I liked one type of chair, he liked another. Stalemate, right? Nope.

Solution: Somehow, as he expressed his idea and I expressed mine, the back and forth sharing led to us walking out of Ikea with two chairs AND a table that we both liked! Within budget, even! He compromised from his original idea and so did I and we're both just delighted with the results.

This is just one of the million ways that reaffirm I definitely married the right guy. I <3 you, Christopher.

A new excuse to let bananas go brown!

2010-06-19T17:55:00.000-07:00

Five words. Crumb. Topped. Banana. Muffin. Cake.

O. M. G.

I'll be alternating my bananas use to include both the bread AND this cake!

Here's the source: Oak Cottage Recipes: Crumb Topped Banana Muffin Cake

Easy to make and delish? I'm all about it.

The link takes you to the printable recipe.

This is my new favorite cake.

Chicken Parmesan

2010-06-14T15:53:00.000-07:00

Mmmmm. Fixed this for dinner tonight. I rock this dish, if I do say so myself.

Chris made this for me one of our very first dates almost (eek!) 11 years ago. It cost him a small fortune since being a single guy, he had NONE of the ingredients. Loved it and love him!

Chicken Parmesan

1 stick butter
1/2 t. garlic powder
1 c. bread crumbs (I use the Italian breadcrumbs)
2 T. parsley flakes
1 lb. chicken breasts (I use the thin sliced ones)
1/4 c. grated romano cheese (I use the parm/romano mix)
1 t. salt
1/2 t. thyme
1/2 t. pepper

Melt butter with garlic. Mix dry ingredients. Dip chicken in butter and roll in dry ingredients. Place in shallow baking dish (my Pampered Chef stoneware Deep Dish Baker is great for this!). Bake at 400* F for 1 hour (only takes about 30-40 minutes for the thin sliced breasts).

During the last 5 or so minutes, I cover the chicken with marinara and mozz cheese. So yummo! We serve with pasta.

Parky's Ark!

2010-06-14T15:44:00.000-07:00

We are fortunate enough to live close enough to Cincinnati that we can enjoy the Hamilton County Parks with just a short trip south on 75. A couple of weeks ago, my friend D and I took our little girls to Parky's Farm and they had so much fun! Outdoor playground, play barn, pony rides and wagon rides - what's not to love?

Today, D and I took the kiddos to Parky's Ark, a wet playground part of Winton Woods. We've got my step-son for the next two weeks and he had a blast too! For a $5 parking pass, you can't beat these family friendly parks for outside fun! And, no, I didn't get a free pass to say that!

Here's a few pictures from both of our adventures -

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

2010-06-09T08:53:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite blogs - My Baking Addiction - has some amazing recipes! She's got classics, new stuff, and everything I've tried is YUMMO!

I tried the PB&J bars and she's right - they do taste just like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! Definitely need to be served with a tall glass of milk!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

1/2 lb. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 t. pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 c. (9 oz.) chunky peanut butter
1 c. (9 oz.) creamy peanut butter
3 c. all purpose flour
1 t. baking powder
1 1/2 t. kosher salt
1 1/2 c. (18 oz.) blackberry jam (I used raspberry and pretty much used an entire jar)
1/2 c. salted peanuts, coarsely chopped

Preheat the oven to 350* F. Line a 9 X 13 X 2 inch pan with parchment paper and then grease and flour the pan.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light yellow, about 2 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the vanilla eggs and peanut butter and mix until all ingredients are combined. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the four mixture to the peanut butter mixture. Mix just until combined.
Spread 2/3 of the dough into the prepared cake pan and spread over the bottom with a knife or offset spatula. Spread the jam evenly over the dough. Drop small globs of the remaining dough evenly over the jam. Don't worry if all the jam isn't covered; it will spread in the oven. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and bake for 45 minutes, until golden brown. Cool and cut into squares. Serve up with a big glass of ice cold milk!

Thanks for all the yummies Jamie! I may have to try these Guinness Cupcakes next!

Buffalo Chicken Dip

2010-05-27T14:02:00.000-07:00

My friend Jayme found this recipe and shared it with me. It's a much requested recipe and dish for pitch-ins and gatherings. Everyone who loves buffalo wings, loves this stuff! The recipe suggests serving with chicken-flavored crackers and/or celery. We usually use those giant Fritos. At the end of parties, a spoon has been known to work as well. It's easy to make, a great no-frill appetizer you can make and just put out. Chris added some hot sauce called "Widow Maker" he recently got from our friends in Texas Chris and Kelly. Just enough to give a little extra zing!

Recipe:

Buffalo Chicken Dip

2 10 oz. cans chunk chicken, drained
2 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
1 c. ranch dressing
3/4 c. pepper sauce such as Frank's Red Hot
1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Heat chicken and hot sauce in a skillet over medium heat, until heated through. Stir in cream cheese and ranch dressing. Cook, stirring until well blended and warm. Mix in 1/2 of the cheddar cheese and transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the top, cover and cook on low setting until hot and bubbly. Serve with celery sticks and crackers.

An 'Oey Birthday Party!

2010-05-23T16:13:00.000-07:00

The 'Oey's ('Oey with a J and 'Oe with a Z) have birthdays about a month-ish apart. J's is in May and there is this uber-cool park right by his house where the party was this year. Z had a blast!!

Glazed Oatmeal Raisin Drops

2010-05-23T11:46:00.000-07:00

Many years ago, I received Mary Englebreit's Cookies Cookbook as a Christmas gift. This cookbook is amazing! It's pages have sugar, butter, and other assorted spice stains from such frequent use. Chris' favorite cookies are these Glazed Oatmeal Raisin Drops. I took some to a friend the other day, and he said they were crack cookies. I totally take that as a compliment! :-)

So, here you go:

Glazed Oatmeal Raisin Drops

1 1/2 c. all purpose flour
2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1 c. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 c. packed light brown sugar
1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 t. vanilla extract
3 c. old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 c. raisins

Glaze
1 c. confectioner's sugar blended with 2 T milk or cream (I usually double that)

Pre-heat oven to 375. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. On low speed, beat in the flour mixture. Using a large wooden spoon, stir in the oats and raisins. Spoon slightly rounded tablespoonfuls of the dough 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for about 14 minutes, or until golden brown. (Watch these closely - my oven only gets to about 10 minutes before I pull them out) Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes and then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Brush some glaze on the top of each cookie and let sit until the glaze is dry.

Best Banana Bread EVAH!

2010-05-23T11:35:00.000-07:00

I've mentioned before how I think my family plots together to not eat the fresh bananas I get at the store and to let them turn brown so I'll make banana bread. I love it too so, you know, I secretly love that they do that. The recipe I use is straight from Betty Crocker and is super yummy! Light, easy to make, awesome!

Banana Bread

1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
2/3 c. sugar
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1 c. mashed ripe banana (2-3 med. bananas)
1/3 c. shortening, margarine or butter (I use un-salted butter)
2 T. milk
2 eggs
1/4 c. chopped nuts (optional - I don't use them)

In a large mixer bowl, combine 1 c. of the flour, the sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add mashed banana, shortening, margarine or butter and milk. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed till blended, then on high speed for 2 minutes. Stir in nuts.

Pour batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 55 - 60 minutes or till a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Remove from the pan; cool thoroughly on a wire rack. Wrap and store overnight before slicing.

For baking, I use my Pampered Chef stoneware loaf pan and instead of wrapping, I use a Tupperware Modular Mates rectangle 4 - perfect fit!

Orange Cupcakes with Orange Buttercream Frosting

2010-05-02T13:20:00.000-07:00

Oh, wow. Yum.

My mom found this blog - Real Mom Kitchen - and she's got some awesome stuff! So far, I've only tried the desserts but there are other yummy looking things there that I've got on my list to try.

So, today I tried the Orange Cupcakes with Orange Buttercream Frosting. Again, yum. I ended up using 6 cups of powdered sugar in the frosting just like the author, Laura. There was so much of it! I'm going to have to go and bake another batch of the cupcakes just to use all of it. (Darn it) Good thing it'll last a couple days!

Fresh Orange Cupcakes

1 package of yellow cake mix
1/4 cup of sugar
1 tablespoon of orange zest
1 cup of orange juice
1/2 cup of canola oil
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
4 large eggs

1. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, sugar, and orange zest. Whisk to combine. Add orange juice, canola oil, vanilla extract and eggs. Blend with the mixer on low speed for one minute, then speed it up to medium and beat for 2 more minutes.

2. Fill cupcake papers about 1/2 to 2/3 full. Bake at 350F until golden in color and a toothpick test comes out clean, about 22-25 minutes.

3. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Orange Buttercream Frosting

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, very soft
6-8 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add 4 cups of sugar, then the juice and the zest. Beat until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, until icing is thick enough to be of good spreading consistency (I added 6 cups total). Use and store at room temperature. (Don’t refrigerate and it will last in a covered container for about three days.)

Spiced Carrot-Zucchini Bread

2010-05-01T13:51:00.000-07:00

I love to bake. I think it's the start to finish sense of accomplishment, the yummy noises people make when eating my stuff and the OMG smells that fill the house! I usually am able to with-hold from eating (too much) of what I make and most of it gets shared with family and friends, both Chris' and mine.

I thought I might start sharing some of my favorite recipes here. There are so many yummo things to bake!

Today so far, I've got a zucchini bread recipe in the oven that came with my new Pampered Chef stoneware loaf pan. I love cooking with stoneware! So far, I've got a pizza stone and a deep-dish cooker and now the loaf pan. Hope to add more to my collection - let me know if you need a Pampered Chef lady! Mine ROCKS!

So, here's the recipe:

Spiced Carrot-Zucchini Bread

2 1/4 c. all purpose flour
1 c sugar
1 1/2 t. ground cinnamon
3/4 t baking soda
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/4 t ground cloves
3/4 c finely chopped carrots
3/4 c finely chopped zucchini
1/2 c coarsely chopped walnuts
2/3 c vegetable oil
1/2 c milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 350*F Spray bottom only of stoneware loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray
In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cloves.
Add remaining ingredients, stir just until dry ingredients are moistened.

Spoon batter into pan. Bake 65-70 minutes, or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven; cool in pan 5 minutes. Loosen sides of loaf from pan; remove loaf to cooling rack. Cool completely.

I will tell you the batter is really dense! Give me about 40 more minutes and I'll let you know how yummy it is! My house is smelling fabulous so I have high hopes!

People and their "things"

2010-02-16T17:28:00.000-08:00

First off, get your head out of the gutter. I'm talking about people's different quirky things that make them who they are.

Example -

One of my things is making the bed. My darling hubby would be quite content with just a comforter on the bed. Oh, no. I love the whole coordinating thing! Bedskirt (a must since I utilize that space for storage), bottom AND top sheets that coordinate with a beautiful comforter/bedspread which (yes, I am one of "those") is NOT used for sleeping. That's what the nice pretty blanket is for! Blankets can be washed much easier than a comforter. Oh, and matching pillow cases on the pillows plus shams that go with the comforter which, like the comforter are NOT used!

The top sheet and blanket must be tucked in and comforter folded down neatly with the decorative pillows placed on top of the cedar chest.

Yes, I'm nutty. But it's one of my "things!"

Another "thing" I have is the glasses in the cupboard. Like glasses need to be lined up with like glasses.

And though my darling hubby tries, he and I just don't see eye to eye on the laundry so I just prefer to do it. Towels must be folded a certain way, socks must be matched and drawers organized.

So, come on internet community.

What are your "things?"

Sad....

2010-02-14T15:35:00.000-08:00

Not for me, but for my SS.

It must be really hard to be two different people.

With us, he's an energetic, video-game loving, typical 9-year old boy who adores his daddy and uncle and is constantly seeking their attention and approval. SS is only with us every other weekend so approximately 4 days/month our house is a much louder place but that's usually ok. He listens (most of the time - he is a 9 year old boy) and usually seems at peace with the arrangement at hand.

We hear from others who get to experience him when he's with his mom that he's a totally different kid. Apparently he broke the french doors in his new house shortly after they moved in. Not the kid I know.

I think he feels guilty because he misses his dad and knows there is more structure here, he's allowed to be a kid and not his mother's emotional supporter. My husband plays WITH him and doesn't just drag him from sporting event to sporting event and give him things to entertain him.

Up until about 2 (I think) years ago, it was just him and his mom. Along comes a new SF and with him a new step-brother. A younger step-brother. And in April his mom's having a baby.

My heart breaks for him. He just doesn't seem himself the closer we get to the birth of this baby.

But his mother won't ever give up, claiming she's with him all the time (ummm, no. Usually he's with my MIL or us on the weekends and even MIL's sometimes during the week.) and she would miss him soooooooo much.

I am of the opinion she'd miss the child support.

I have very little control over this aspect of my life and if you know me at all, you know how extremely difficult that is for me to handle. I have removed SS's mom from my head and haven't seen her in probably a year which is just fine with me. Out of sight, out of mind.

I do wish things were easier for SS. Right now I'm just sad for him.

Cute kid, eh?

Saturday Six!

2010-02-13T16:41:00.001-08:00

Yeah, I totally stole this from Mommy in Real Life! Thanks, T!
What’s the one thing that really annoys you?
Incorrect grammar and spelling. I won't even text and spell something wrong!
If it was the end of the world what be the last thing you would try to do?
Make sure I knew everyone in my circle of people knew that I loved them very much.
If you had the choice of designing a mobile phone what one feature would you add to it?
Something that would prevent me from dropping it all the time! I'm definitely a clutz!
Diamonds or pearls?
In the immortal words of Marilyn - "Diamonds are a girl's best friend."
Silver or gold?
I'm a silver girl. White gold and platinum are lovely too!
Are you at home or work?
Home - just got back from Target.

Snow Days!

2010-02-11T15:39:00.000-08:00

This past weekend and this week "Snowmageddon" has hit! Z and I got to stay home both Tuesday and Wednesday and had a 2 hour delay this morning.

Snow days were a HUGE deal when I was little. I grew up in North Central Indiana and it had to be like a foot of snow before LCSC would call school off. "Back in my day, we had to walk to school in 3 feet of snow without any boots!" I heard lots of stories like that today at school when people were recalling their childhood snow days! LOL

So, Z and I watched probably too much TV but it was nice to cuddle on the couch with a quilt and a nice princess movie. We also got to play outside in the snow. She and I started to make a snowman but my snow-sculpting skills are much lacking so it was more like a snow-Jabba the Hutt. She attempted to help with her little pink spade as Daddy and I shoveled, and shoveled, and shoveled.

I got a few pics Tuesday but not of our sad little snow-thing. It was just too pitiful!

More pics at my MobileMe Gallery

My tall child

2010-01-16T10:34:00.000-08:00

It occurred to me earlier this week that Zoe has been able to reach the light switches without grabbing her stool from her room! When did that happen? I already know she's going to be taller than me. According to the pediatrician and the growth charts she's in the 90th percentile for her age in height. Chris and I must both be carrying the recessive TALL gene because neither one of us are tall at all (sorry honey, you're not) but we both have tall relatives. My grandmother was a tall woman if I remember correctly.

If she continues growing at the same rate, she'll be 5' 6 1/2" as an adult. That puts her over 2 inches taller than me and almost as tall as her father. Put a pair of heels on her and she'll be downright statuesque! If she's anything like me, she'll definitely be wearing those heels, too!

Also, her new game to play is "I'm the mom, you're the honey." Of course she only wants the fun mommy stuff, she won't fold clothes or empty the trash or anything. But it's fun watching her play - she's definitely into the cooperative play thing now. I sometimes sneak in to watch her play before she sees me at pick-up time at her school.

She's always in some sort of outfit, too. Soon as we get home, she's either got a princess dress on or a million bead necklaces. Definitely dramatic! I see lots of musicals, show choir and recitals in our future.

I love being a mom! Oh, wait. I'm the honey.

Then why am I writing lesson plans while she gets to watch Tinkerbell? Hmph.

Calling all lurkers!

2010-01-14T05:32:00.001-08:00

My friend Sarah in MI posted that's is DELURKER DAY! As a lurker myself, I thought I might encourage all other lurkers to come on out and say what's on your mind!

Also - leave your blog so I can come visit!

The Privilege Walk

2009-11-15T10:50:00.000-08:00

This past week in school, another principal in my district came to my school to lead a diversity awareness activity I'd participated in before in grad school, but this one was a little different.

For those who may not know, the privilege walk involves a facilitator giving series of statements and individuals responding non-verbally by stepping forward or backward, or in the one I did in grad school, we crossed a room in response to the prompts.

The one we did at school this week was much more powerful for me. Though the statements were similar or often times the same, crossing a room did not have as much of an impact on me as having everyone begin at the same point and then need to step forward or backward based on the prompts.

I really had an "aha" moment with this one - how can we expect children to make it to the finish line if they're not even allowed to begin at the same starting line?

I was, predictably, toward the front of the room having been given many privileges. My parents told me I could be anything I wanted. I had way more than 50 books in my home. I never had to go hungry, I studied the culture of my ancestors in elementary school, I went to summer camp and I never had to adjust my mannerisms because of my race, gender, religion or sexual orientation. I graduated from undergrad with zero college debt except for what I stupidly ran up myself on credit cards. I have been very privileged and perhaps a little spoiled.

I just keep having the visual in my head with success being the finish line and seeing kids being pushed back further and further away from the starting line but still being expected to make it without someone helping them get to at least the same spot other kids may be.

I'm still trying to process all of this and what I can do to help my students get to the starting line so they can really take off and get where they want to and need to be.

We're taking the kiddos to the Aronoff Center on Tuesday. Providing these experiences that I simply took for granted I think is a start.

A Tour Down Memory Lane

2009-09-07T07:05:00.000-07:00

I rarely go back to my hometown of Lebanon, IN. My 10-year High School Reunion was the last occasion I have really been for any length of time. I pretty much went to college, came back for the summer between my freshman and sophomore years and that was it. My mom doesn't live there any more and aside from the visits with my two aunts who live there (which, I am sorry to say are too few and far between), I just haven't felt compelled to go. No offense to my friends that call Lebanon home, it just wasn't for me.

This past weekend however, we had a Westerfield Family Reunion at Memorial Park and when Mom told me about it on Friday I said SURE! Most of my mom's family I haven't seen in ages and Z has never been to Lebanon in her short 3 years of life.

I got to Lebanon a few minutes before we were due to be at the park so Z and I took the grand tour and got some photos of some of my favorite places -

Coming into Lebanon - this is the first exit, out by the Boone County Fairgrounds. Many a 4-H project was entered by yours truly.

This is the front porch of the first house I lived in on Main St. I loved playing on that porch! We had one of those wooden porch swings I remember fondly. We lived there until the summer before Kindergarten.

This is the house we moved into right before Kindergarten. This is the one thing that made me very sad on my visit. This was a great house with awesome trees, including some planted by yours truly and they're mostly gone. The house just looked so run down. The rock is still there by the mailbox though!

This is our house on Washington St. where I spent my high school years. Our band director lived one street over so many many Fridays before band competitions were spent at my house before we snuck over to do something to the outside of his house. Don't worry, we always went back on Sundays to clean it up.

My elementary school which looks pretty much the same. Central stars!

My high school (yes, I skipped visiting the Middle School. Middle School just sucked) which looks pretty much the same from this angle as it did when my parents went there in the 60's.

Alright, there are more photos, but it's taking too many steps to get them where I want them here. Check out the mobile me gallery to see the rest!

New Kitty!

2009-07-13T04:19:00.000-07:00

Meet Cici - (we're guessing her name stands for Calico Cat, aren't we clever to figure that out? LOL)

We recently lost our kitty Peanut and I was on Petfinder looking for a new friend for us and for our other kitty Marmalade. I got in contact with a local rescue -

Animal Rescue Art Project

Gail and Robin were at Petsmart in Mason yesterday afternoon and they had this beautiful girl with them. She is so sweet! I've never had a calico before and I'm so happy we chose a one year old cat instead of a kitten. Cici is very loving and after a brief sniff around the house, was on our laps like she'd lived here forever.

Welcome to the family Cici!

Giving up the binky

2009-07-11T17:09:00.000-07:00

The binky fairy has come to our house. Z turned 3 right before we went on vacation and we'd told her for a couple of months now that when she was 3, she'd be a big girl and the binky fairy would come to our house and take her binkies and give them to the new babies. Chris' cousin is pregnant and Z got to see her about a month ago and my friend A2 has a new baby she has frequent contact with. The fairy would bring her a big girl toy that babies couldn't have to say thank you for giving her binkies to the babies.

Z was excited! She had picked out this Cinderella doll with a magic wand that made music when you waved the wand in front of Cinderella's necklace. Two of her favorite things - music and princess! She picked out the basket we would put all her binkies in, actually put them in all by herself and helped to set the basket out on the front porch. She said "bye bye binkies!" and waved goodbye and went back into the house.

I went to "check the sprinkler" and placed the doll into the basket, removing the binkies and putting them in my car. A few minutes after I came in, we went to see if the fairy had come and voila! Z's face lit up! Her Cinderella came! She was delighted!

Until it was time to actually go to sleep.

Poor kid was heartbroken. Really. Her binky had been her nap/bed time only friend since she was about a year and a half.

It took all I had NOT to go down to the car and give her a binky. Zoe can definitely throw a fit and has had her share of "I WANT IT" moments but this was "my friend is gone and I am devastated." And forget Cinderella. She represented what Z wanted that was now gone. She said she didn't want to be a big girl and wanted the fairy to bring her binkies back.

So here we are on night 4 sans binky. She's not napped any of those days and I stayed with her the first 2 until she fell asleep. She didn't want anyone to stay with her last night and she cried herself to sleep. Broke my heart.

I know this is what's best for her. She probably had it about 1 year too long but I think I wasn't ready to get rid of this last vestige of my baby being a baby. Last summer we got rid of the crib and the diaper, this summer is binky. I just need to tough it out along with Z. She's not crying right now. I hope she's discovering a way to self-soothe that doesn't involve her binky.

Now, the B? Nope. She can hang on to that.

The little flower on my camera!

2009-07-05T15:17:00.000-07:00

I follow a blog of a very nice woman in Michigan - she's a step-mom, loves photography, technology and has two adorable daughters! Except for the two daughters part, we have a lot in common!

She recently posted about the little flower on the settings for her camera and I love the photos she took! Who knew about that little close up thing? Well, professional photographers, maybe. I was delighted! I went outside and tried it on my newly bloomed lilies!

I need to play some more with the lighting but how fun! Thanks @sarahinmi!

Vacation!

2009-07-03T14:23:00.000-07:00

We have had our first road trip vacation and survived (almost - we still have to drive home)!!!!

The kids have had fun I think - lots of swimming, beaches, flamingoes, tropical birds and alligators.

Just a few pics to share for now -

Chris' Web Gallery

My dainty princess

2009-06-25T18:25:00.001-07:00

Today is Z's birthday. 3 years ago right now I was staring in wonder at my very tiny but perfect little girl.

Should I continue the Parsons' tradition of sharing the birth story on the birthday? Sure!

I'd been on bed rest for about 10 days in the hospital. Modified home bed rest (you know how well I follow directions) at the beginning of May which turned into full bed rest at home (again, I can do "one" load of laundry, can't I?) at the end of May and then full hospital bed rest the middle of June. My original due date was July 29th. Ugh. I guess I should have listened to the medical professionals, eh?

So, I can only get up to go potty or shower. Bet your butt I showered every single day! And being 7 almost 8 months pregnant, I had to pee a lot. I made it through several seasons of CSI, CSI Miami and got addicted to Desperate Housewives during this time. Thank goodness for wireless internet, too!

So, my blood pressure kept rising and it finally stayed too elevated and the doctor said we were going to induce me at 35 weeks. Cervadil was put in place and I was also given a happy sleeping pill. Little did I know this would be the last good night's sleep I'd have for a VERY long time!

Sunday morning, June 25th about 7:30 I was taken to labor and delivery. Doc said it would probably take a VERY long time since I was only dilated about 1 cm. Pitosin given via IV and epidural started. Water broke on it's own.

I didn't know how low at the time, but Z's heart rate would take a significant dip each time I had a contraction. Finally about 2:45 Dr. LeMaster's decided to do a c-section because Z just wasn't tolerating the labor. Since she'd be a preemie anyway, we didn't want to take any chances.

3:07 pm Z was born. I wish I'd been able to see - can't wear your glasses during an operation - but they brought her close to my face after they cleaned her up a bit. She had little perfect little face, skinny red limbs, long fingers and toes. Only weighing in at 5 lbs. 4.8 oz., she was so small!

Fortunately, I'd been given steroid shots and her lungs were great and she was able to stay with us the first night in the hospital. No NICU! :-)

She's definitely the best thing that I've ever done. She's a pretty cool kid.

I do have to post, along with this, how she fell asleep yesterday in her new princess dress from Mamaw and tiara watching Little Mermaid received from Uncle Mikey and Aunt Krista for her birthday,

Happy birthday my sweet girl!

Off we go.......

2009-06-25T18:19:00.000-07:00

into the wild, blue yonder!

Yeah, that used to drive me crazy as a kid when EVERY time we'd get in the car for a vacation my dad would burst into this song. Now it brings back fond memories of family vacations.

Every summer we'd take off IN THE CAR to a far off destination. Yup. In the car. The destinations were great! I slept most of the way where ever we went in the car. Lucky thing about being a kid!

This will be our first family vacation in the car. We usually make a trek to Florida to visit my dad and SM but it's via a wonderful but alas too expensive now AIRPLANE!

We're taking off tomorrow evening after Chris gets home from work. Here's hoping I get a nap in tomorrow since I'll be taking the first shift driving. Unlucky part about being a grown up.

So, wish us luck that our two VERY chatty children will sleep the night hours and be quietly (ha!) entertained by the various electronic media we'll be taking with us.

Hasta luego amigos!

Mobile Me!

2009-06-06T16:52:00.000-07:00

My darling husband set me up with a Mobile Me account which will sync ALL my calendars, email and photos! Whoohoo! I can also now add a photo gallery like he has on his blog site. Hmmmm, I might have to migrate over to iWeb stuff and set my blog up that way.....

Gallery will be: http://gallery.me.com/zapmommy

Funny Z story

2009-05-17T17:18:00.000-07:00

My girl definitely has a sense of humor. She enjoys a good laugh and can just find fun about anywhere she goes.

We were at J's birthday party today and my pretty princess, in fancy dress, tights and her "ballet flats", lets a very unladylike toot. A big one.

"Oh, that was a fart," says Z. "Excuse me."

All the adults - "Giggle, chuckle, snort."

Next thing, we hear a very large what was probably a drill or some other power tool make a very large toot-ish sound. One of the grown-ups says "Zoe, was that you?"

Z totally got the joke! She laughed and laughed! She covered her mouth and said "No! That was a car!" She laughed as much as the adults did!

I guess you had to be there. But, as the late George Carlin said - "Farts are funny."

Especially when they come from my prissy little girl in a very NON-prissy manner and she just goes on like nothing happened.

Holy crap, I'm glad that's over

2009-04-30T18:53:00.000-07:00

The presentation to the school board is finished. So much time preparing and the anticipation was definitely the worst part. What should we add? What should we not include? What possible questions will they have about this or that? What should we wear?

All pressing questions.

Anessa and I rocked out the math portion. I'm still so in awe about how well her kids did last year on the math OAT test. Completely off the charts with respect to how much progress they made in a year.

She and I are meeting next week again to work some more on the extended response math journals. We knocked out the Kindergarten one in a little over an hour. Hopefully the teachers will think that it's as awesome as we do!

Anyway - BLT team, we knocked it out. Everyone knew their stuff, we got to show off a little of what we've done at Woodlawn Elementary School.

Testing's over, let's wrap up this school year.

She's definitely a girl!

2009-04-09T18:51:00.001-07:00

My little princess has found a new favorite movie! Tinkerbell!

I think we watched it 4 times in the last 2 days.

This morning we watched it in full princess gear - a Thumbelina dress, ballet slippers and her new crown from Mamaw that lights up and has pink maribou feathers on it.

Oh, my.

She's fond of running through the house, more like prancing, singing at the top of her lungs - "I'm a girl, I'm a girl, I'm a girl!"

Daddy and I just look at each other and say "Oh, yes. She's definitely a girl!"

Egg Hunt Fun!

2009-04-04T16:54:00.000-07:00

Today was the annual Franklin Egg Hunt at the park and what a beautiful day for it! Zoe had a ball and has discovered Tootsie Rolls!

Tupperware!

2009-04-02T16:05:00.000-07:00

I have loved Tupperware for a LONG time and I've finally decided that I could totally do that! My friend Josie is helping me out and I'm really looking forward to getting some great stuff, meeting new people and making a little extra money!

Fundraiser anyone? Party? You can do it online - you don't even have to clean your house!

Check it out!

My Tupperware Site!

Strep, ugh

2009-03-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

Z had had this twice already this year. Within about 1 month. C took her to the doc Wednesday and the PNP mentioned the tonsils possibly coming out.

Oh, no.

My husband almost died when he had his tonsils out as a child.

Not that this will necessarily happen, but that's the first thing I thought of.

Hopefully twice will be it, since they won't do anything until she's had it 5 times in one year.

Cross your fingers!

Silence

2009-02-27T15:07:00.000-08:00

A much underrated thing.

A very rare thing at my home.

It has arrived.

Ahhhhhh.

Love both my child and my husband more than I can even express in words BUT.....

Ahhhhh.

See you Sunday my loves.

The Name Game

2009-02-23T15:53:00.000-08:00

This one's kind of fun!

1.YOUR REAL NAME
Alana Akers Parsons

2.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME (mother's middle name; father's middle name)
Maxine Ray

3.NASCAR NAME:(first name of your mother's dad, father's dad)
Charles Armond

4.STAR WARS NAME:(the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name)
Paral

5.DETECTIVE NAME:(favorite color, favorite animal)
Green Tiger

6.SOAP OPERA NAME:(middle name, town where you were born)
Rachele Indianapolis (had to use former middle name!)

7.SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd fav color, fav drink, add "THE" to the beginning)
The Pink Mojito

8.FLY NAME:(first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name)
Alpa

9.STREET NAME:(fav ice cream flavor, fav cookie)
Peppermint Snickerdoodle

10.ROCK STAR NAME:(current pets name, current street name)
Peanut Ascot Glen (HUH?)

11. PORN NAME: (1st pet, street you grew up on)
Mesha Elizaville

12.YOUR GANGSTA NAME:(first 3 letters of real name plus izzle)
Alaizzle

13.YOUR IRAQI.. NAME:(2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your last name, first two letters of your middle name, last two letters of your first name then last three letters of your last name)
Lraknaons

14.YOUR GOTH NAME:(black, and the name of one of your pets)
Black Marmalade

15. STRIPPER NAME: (name of your fav perfume/cologne, fav candy)

Happy Carmello (HA!)

Come on, play along! It's fun!

It's that time again.....

2009-02-22T16:36:00.000-08:00

Parent - Teacher Conferences.

I've been batting about 50% with prescheduled and then I can usually hit another 30-40% with a reminder note sent home. This is one time of the year (well, two) when the parents get me all to themselves for an entire 20 minutes to discuss only one thing - their child.

Why would you not take advantage of this? I've got data, people. I can show you where your child started, where they need to be, the progress towards goals and what the next steps are.

The kiddos I have this year are almost ALL where they need to be! All children deserve to make at least a year's worth of growth while they are in my care and we work our BUTTS off! Come celebrate your child with me!

Even if your child isn't where they "should" be at this time of the year, there has been GROWTH! And I have a plan if you'll just step out on faith with me and do some leg-work at home.

I have a child who, when writing a letter to President Obama on inauguration day said "Maybe I'll be the president." He could be.

Let's show your children that we are a team and they have done some hard work and while there's more hard work to do, we're going to do it together!

See you Tuesday night. Or Thursday.

Phases

2009-02-22T16:30:00.000-08:00

Tell me this one too shall pass.

I've discovered in my almost 16 years as a teacher, almost 9 years as a step-mother and almost 3 years as a momma that children go through phases.

Please reassure me that this new behavior is just another phase and it too shall pass.

Z's newest thing is to get out of bed (Great! She's my independent girl! Wait a minute.... she's only supposed to be independent when I say it's okay), come into our bedroom and stand by my side of the bed, binkie a-goin' a la' Maggie Simpson.

That would be fine, well, better at least, if it were a normal wake up time. Oh, no. Last night was 12:39 a.m. Sometimes it's 2, sometimes it's 3 or 4. During the week - UGH! I get up at 4:30!!! So my new wake up time is now sometimes 2, sometimes 3 or sometimes 4.

Doesn't help either that I just had eye surgery so I won't look cross-eyed at people and am still not 100% back to normal.

Just tell me that this too shall pass.

New Car!

2009-02-16T17:07:00.000-08:00

We've done our part to stimulate the economy. This weekend (why is it we always seem to buy new vehicles on President's Day Weekend?) Chris finally, after many many years of waiting got his new Element. If you know him, you know how hard it is for him to wait for things. I'm very impressed and proud of his patience!

Play Date!

2009-02-16T16:59:00.000-08:00

I am so lucky to have two of the very best friends in the world. We also happen to have children within about 1 year of each other who get along beautifully!

Since we didn't have to use today as a make-up day for a snow-day, we had a play date! I have worked with many a toddler in my day and I must say we have 3 of the most beautiful and well-behaved children! Even as they squeezed on Zoe's tiny little Elmo couch to settle in for an episode of the Backyardigans before lunch, there wasn't a grumble or a fuss.

Alright, enough is enough

2009-01-30T06:31:00.000-08:00

Seriously. I've now been off school for 4 days. One day - whoohoo! Nice to sleep in. Z and I played outside in the snow. Fun!

Day 2 - Can't leave the house, too slick. Chris even got two exits up the road and headed back home. That's something because he usually will slog through. Roads were really bad.

Day 3 - Huh? Really? What's going on? Good thing I had a disc of House episodes to watch! I did help the neighbor get his car out of the driveway. Yup, me and an elderly gentleman. We are strong, what can I say?

Day 4 - Thought we just had a two hour delay. I was up, showered and drying my hair when the phone buzzes. Closed. Ugh.

Four days with no structure is no good for my students either! There are a couple I know who's parents are working with them, reading their 6-Min

ute Solution passages, practicing math facts, reading stories. Then there are some who, unfortunately, are not. Time is always something we are short on at school and now 4 days are gone. There's work to be done Mother Nature! Lighten up and let us get back to it!

The 'Oey's Dancin' It Up!!

2009-01-27T13:47:00.001-08:00

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Snow Day!

2009-01-27T07:03:00.000-08:00

A Freezer Full of Food!

2009-01-19T15:10:00.000-08:00

My friend Annie and I met this morning at Kroger at 8:30 a.m. and filled our cart up with hamburger, pork tenderloin, ground italian sausage, countless cans of tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef roast, bags of cheese and other add-ins. We took tried and true and some new recipes and cooked and cooked and cooked and cooked!

We have on hand sloppy joes, meat sauce, marinara sauce, lasagne, pork tenderloin, beef roast, 3 casseroles that can be popped into the oven and a meatloaf. I'm so excited!

It was exhausting but I think well worth it. We were even successful at keeping the kitchen clean! All this with a 2 1/2 year old and a 22 month old running around! Whoohoo!

I think I need some more Tupperware, though. Anyone up for a party? :-)

Mmmm, sandy beaches

2009-01-17T14:50:00.001-08:00

It is stinkin' cold here in SW Ohio and I can't stand being cold.

We're trying to get some summer plans together and the timing for our annual Florida trek to visit my Dad and Step-mom could possibly coincide with our wedding anniversary this year. Hmmmmm. Interesting.

So, here's my thought and I'm thinking C is going to go along with me. We've never done anything big for our anniversary. Not in what will be this summer 7 years. Dinner, night out, no biggie. Siesta Key is about 45 minutes from my Dad's house. And it's beautiful. And not ridiculously expensive. And did I say beautiful? With warm beaches and non-chain restaurants within a short walk or cab ride. I'm thinking that sounds like an excellent place for an anniversary mini-vaca!

We can leave the kiddos with the grandparents! (isn't that what grandparents are for? :-)

Sounds like a great plan!!!

Fashion Statement

2009-01-11T05:14:00.000-08:00

I came home from yoga Saturday morning and my darling Z was showing off her dazzling sense of fashion - monkey nightgown, sunglasses and black patent leather mary janes (no socks). I was cracking up!

Friends

2009-01-04T06:44:00.000-08:00

Meet the 'Oeys. Joey and Zoe. I title this friends because one thing I hope for my daughter is lasting friendships. I hope we have pictures of the 'Oeys for decades to come.

In my life, probably the biggest regret is that I have been terrible at maintaining friendships. I don't mean I need to have 50 close friends. I don't think I could keep up. Friends from my childhood? Hardly any. I have one person I would call a true friend from high school. One. College? Huh uh.

To me a friendship is more than superficial. It's spending time, talking on the phone, seeing little gifts that because you know that person so well you know it will be perfect, listening and being listened to with a swift kick in the rear when you need it.

I have these kind of friends now. You know who you are. I'm so grateful to have adult friendships.

So this is my hope for my daughter, the whole roots and wings thing. Roots being good friends that are there for you no matter what. Long lasting close friendships with people who've been there and done that with you and still like you!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T12:14:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone! This is where I am supposed to wax poetic about the previous year and pledge to do certain things in the new year. I know me. Instead of making resolutions like "I will work out 4 times a week for an hour" or "I will eat more vegetables and fruits and less french fries" I need to pick just a couple of things to get better at.

That's how I work in my classroom - I pick a couple of things to do better while continuing to refine previous goals. Last year I said I was going to assess better and make sure my assessments were valid (that includes checklists, notes on students and work samples). This led to being able to better place students in small groups. Also, I was going to be more consistent on follow through with classroom management. Especially tough last year with the class from you know where.

This year at school, I'm focusing on math/problem solving and fluency in reading. So far so good. Last check, all but 1 student was on level for CWPM and the kids are getting much better at working through number stories and explaining their thinking.

So, the other side of my life - the home side. What to pick?

I will be more conscious and aware of spending quality time with my husband. Time is a big thing. So many demands and so little time. Prioritizing and working smarter not harder should help. Also, not having to get up at 4:30 in the morning anymore should give me time in the evenings. Date night will become a must.

I will try some new Flylady.com ideas to maintain the house during the week instead of having to rush around on the weekends. Goes along with the whole time thing - do a little each day along the way to free up some time on the weekends!

I'm now held accountable by writing these words where others can see. No wiggling out of it now!

My baby

2008-12-29T16:08:00.000-08:00

Well, not a baby anymore, I guess. She started big girl school today!

I had Chris go with me, not only to meet her teacher but to drag me out of there if I was hovering or if Z was having a rough time.

Today was her first official day at her new preschool/daycare and she LOVED it! This picture was taken in front of the building before we went in. I was worried as she looked apprehensive and was hoping the transition from in-home babysitter to child care center would be smooth.

We walked in, met her teacher and put her coat away in her cubby. She let me take another picture with a new friend and was eyeballing the toys on the shelf the whole time. I asked for a hug and a kiss and next thing I knew, she was out in the large motor room playing with another little girl. Chris and I get ready to leave and we notice the other kids are all cleaning up and there's my Z, in line with the other kids getting ready for a snack. Like she'd been there forever!

It was bittersweet for me. I was happy she liked her new school but sad that my baby was growing up so fast. If only I could freeze her in time right now. But then we would miss out on so much more that's coming.

Home Improvement Phase II

2008-12-28T12:26:00.000-08:00

Over the summer I threw my hat into the ring of home improvement and painted Z's room "Sassy Lilac". Not too bad for my first foray into painting, if I do say so myself. There are of course spots I see when we're in her room playing dollhouse or reading before bed.

Today Chris and I headed off to Lowe's again and got a gallon of Chase's favorite color - blue - and rolled and trimmed out Chase's bedroom. We didn't bother with tape this time and instead bought this little gadget that promised we could "trim like a pro." Yeah. Ummmm. I did better with just the trim brush. We'll be making quite a few touch ups with the white trim paint around the trim and windows. Ha!

Perhaps by the time we get around to doing our own bedroom, we'll have this down to a science!

My Elfin' Kids!

2008-12-22T03:21:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Bye bye Hoosier Dome

2008-12-21T17:25:00.000-08:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

We've entered the 21st Century.

2008-12-21T12:21:00.000-08:00

Can you hear the choir singing? AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

To my husband, it's a 52" Sony HD LCD 1080p 120 Hz motion flow with tru-cinema.
To me it's so pretty.

Winter Break is here!

2008-12-20T14:44:00.000-08:00

Finally! Although, looking back to a year ago, I was not near as frazzled right before the break. I definitely attribute that to my class this year. I'll take the (minor when looking at the BIG picture) behavior problems I have this year over the ones last year.

We at the Parsons' household are nearly ready for Christmas. Packages are arriving in the mail (so much easier to shop online!) and also being sent out in the mail. Need to do some vacuuming and dusting before guests arrive Thursday but overall, we are definitely ready.

I can't wait to see Z's face when she wakes up this year and finds her (she's sitting right here with me but I can write this because although she is a genius, she's only 2 and can't read yet!) her Princess toy box, Dora vanity and various other things "Santa" will be bringing while she's sleeping! You definitely have to be a parent to fully appreciate what your own parents went through trying to surprise you on Christmas morning! Thanks for the Barbie camper "Santa!"

Anyway, I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. Enjoy your own children, family and friends.

We'll be having traditional cinnamon rolls for breakfast and opening packages in front of the fire.

Merry Christmas all!

Children and control

2008-12-16T15:44:00.001-08:00

Not mine this time. There's a little girl in my class whom I absolutely adore. She is ornery, rotten, stubborn, loving, a perfectionist, very smart - both street and book - and such a control freak! It's amazing she can survive given the sometimes chaotic and out of control life she has been given to live.

She has 6 brothers and sisters, she's the second to youngest and daddy is usally not around. Mom tries her best but with 7 kiddos ranging from high school to kindergarten, she definitely has her hands full. The elementary kids are usually running to the bus, coats half on, backpacks sometimes closed, breakfast half chewed and half in their hands and someone usually yelling and/or crying. Not a great start to a day.

So, then, we expect our kids to just pick up and start working on math?

This little girl's a remarkably resiliant child. She is usually able to come in with a smile on her face.

Then there are days like today. She kept trying to find control over something and ended up making a poor behavioral choice and getting written up on the bus.

And so the day begins. I know it's coming. She's hanging out in the hallway instead of coming into the room bossing her tablemate around. Face screwed into the most puckered up, frustrated, I've given up look. Our behavior coach has suggested finding something she can do that is instant gratification and control. So - guess who's room is next to mine? The preschool! My little mama is great with little kids! The teacher and I now have an agreement where on "those days" my little one can go and help her little ones!

I told my little mini-teacher this morning that becuase breakfast was just sooooo messy, Ms. Ware had requested a helper and of course the first person that came to mind was her! She almost instantly disolved her face and agreed to help. When I went to get her later when it was time to begin academics, she was beaming!

The preschool breakfast tables were spotless and she was like the pied piper with the smaller children following her around like she was amazing!

I'm hoping this works again. As much as I hope for something different for my little warrior, I know we will once again need to help her regain a sense of control in her most times chaotic life.

As long as it helps her stay in the classroom and learn all she can, I think we can accomodate a little bit of this. All my years teaching preschool, I know school's not just about the academics. It's about the whole child.

I believe my students are worth it.

Boots!

2008-12-13T13:11:00.000-08:00

Finally got Z some snow boots! Right now she's running around the house in them just relishing in her brand new boots! I am a huge fan of boots, but instead of hot pink with brown fur at the top, mine tend to be solid color, usually leather and have a heel on them. There's a pair of red ones I'm currently drooling over at at store in the Dayton Mall. I hope these boots will give my girl the strength to walk out into the snow this year!

2008-12-06T10:20:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! We went out to Grandma's Garden in Waynsville OH today in the cold and snow - just like it should be - and picked out out Christmas tree! Hubs, SS and I did the lights and family ornaments and it looks very pretty! Such a big tree - it's the first year I've used every ornament in my big giant box o' ornaments! Hmmmm, reason to buy some more? :-)

Stress

2008-12-02T16:31:00.000-08:00

Ugh. It sucks.

I know in my logical brain that things go in ebbs and tides. I know what goes down usually comes back up. So, why won't my emotional side listen to my logical side. Dunno. Damn Gemini!

How am I stressed - let me count the ways.
1. Students - always a stressor. This year more of a good stressor than a bad one, but still a drain nevertheless. Worried this year about keeping them moving ahead, keeping all students at a year's gain or better. All of my students came in this year at benchmark for language. Amazing. It's go time.

2. New curriculum - principal said ditch the math program (it spirals) and teach to mastery. Ummm. Okay. Scope and sequence? Design from scratch. Yeah. Pacing? Resources? Authentic assessments? Rote skills or problem solving approach?

3. Changing sitters - big stressor. Turned that letter in today, relieved and sad at the same time. Waiting so long to turn the letter in caused major lack of sleep and wild imaginings at the reaction of aforementioned sitter. Not near as bad as my imagination dreamed up. Still not fun.

4. Money - everything's going up in cost and down in value. Good thing we have a long time before retirement! I may end up going 35 years at this point. Working on our own little economic stimulus and hoping for better things with new pres.

5. Just daily stress of too much to do, too little time, too tired, too guilty of not spending time with daughter, husband, friends and desperately wanting time for myself.

That's enough whining for now. Time to take my big girl pill. This grown up stuff sucks sometimes.

Babysitter woes

2008-11-18T02:33:00.001-08:00

My current, soon to be former, babysitter for Z is really perplexing, frustrating and generally annoying me.

A little background -
Z was born 1 month premature, no health problems, just tiny. Sitter was a parent of a former student, had a licensed child care home. Former student was also preemie so I felt very comfortable with sitter's years of experiece taking care of Z since I had to go back to work when she was 2 months old. Sitter was also right down the street from my school I taught at. Bonus.

I felt very comfortable with her care, there were some minor inconveniences however such as her schedule. Daily, she was open 7:30 - 5:00. She did me a favor by opening early so I could be at school by 7 so then I would pick up out of courtesy by 4:00.

Also, she had two weeks vacation scheduled at Christmas time which we A. had to pay for and B. couldn't take our children. The first two years, this did NOT coincide with the holiday break for the school district. Odd, since her daughter attended said school district. I'm not going to lie - that was actually a MAJOR inconvenience. Fortunately my mother-in-law and mom were available with lots of shuffling.

Then, there were other random days off and hence the reason for my current frustration level these have become more frequent. With absolutely no explanation. I don't need or want details. How about just - "Sorry for the short notice about this Friday (yes, this Friday) but there's something personal that has come up." That would satisfy me. Not really, but it's better than her response when I read the letter yesterday still in her hom and she said "Yeah, I have to." Seriously? The reason we pay you to watch our child is because we have jobs.

DH and I had already decided that we were taking Z to a place closer to our home, which is less expensive and a better fit overall for our family. I just have to make it through the next month. I have typed the letter that will tell sitter we're leaving. I'm not giving it to her yet, though. She requires two weeks notice and I think that's all I can stand the cold shoulder for.

It's my turn

2008-11-16T13:39:00.001-08:00

My wonderful hubby has been blogging for quite some time now. He's had a .mac webpage and would share pictures and other family happenings. He's done a great job - he definitely has a way with words. Now, it's my turn!

The title of the blog comes from my beautiful daughter, Z. Her favorite thing in the whole wide world is pink. Anything pink. Pink and sparkly. Oh, my. We're in for a pink, sparkly life! Her personality is pink and she's very sparkly, too! She just never stops - the energy amazes me. Nothing in the whole wide world like being a mommy.

So, I guess I'll just do what he's been doing. Blogging and posting pictures about different family events. I'm guessing, though, that my blog won't have many posts about beer.