I have a love/hate relationship with the month of May. I love it because Spring's in full swing and the flowers are starting to bloom. The trees have their leaves and it's getting warmer and warmer outside. May's also the beginning of the end of the school year. Of course, that's where the hate begins.
I hate the wind-down. The end of the school year. The parent volunteer luncheons, 5th grade farewell, final concerts, the teacher retirement parties. The end of the Scouting year (both Cub and Girl Scouts). The end of the Sunday School year. The end of the Hebrew School year. Trying to get everything all wrapped up before the end. Then, trying to get all registered for the next year. Ugh! The mountains and mountains of paperwork that it entails to get these kids registered for next year. And, wouldn't you know it, now we're adding a whole other school into the mix. Whee!
I'm really sad because this is the last year we will EVER have all three kids in the same school. And, just as we'll be getting used to PRMS, we'll transfer over to the new middle school when Jacob's in 7th grade. So, we'll get to do all that paperwork next May. I'm not ready for middle school.
On a side note, I discovered that one of the local MOPS groups has the MOMSnext (MOPS for the school-aged set) group as well. :) Of course, they're winding down for the year but have put my info in for the next school year. I'm such a flipping joiner. LOL! I just really missed MOPS and the support this year. PTO just doesn't fill the gap.
Showing posts with label MOPS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MOPS. Show all posts
Monday, May 03, 2010
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Wednesday Thoughts
It's hard to believe it's Wednesday already. I'm not sure where the time is going but it seriously needs to slow down just a little.
It's been so nice here for the past several days. Highs in the 60's, sunshine...ahhhh. It's been just wonderful. Especially since it's February. On Monday, we had some Severe Thunderstorm Warnings pop up in the morning and I got so excited. Don't get me wrong, I don't want tornadoes or anything, just a good thunderstorm. I waited and waited...the storm blew through and all we got was some wind. I was so mad. Last night, we had a nice thunderstorm come in, so that made it better. It's been raining for about 12 hours now and that's good because we really needed it. Sump pump is working, so I'll enjoy a rainy day until it starts snowing, which it looks like it may do at any time. It's gotten so cold...of course, that's normal for February but I already miss the 60 degrees we've been having. (As I've been typing, sleet has begun hitting the window. Ugh)
I had a MOPS meeting yesterday and it was so fun. I thought of my crafty sisters because we made a bath scrub. Epsom salt, olive oil and some essential oil. I can't believe how well it works! I'm going to have to make some more of this stuff on my own.
Again, I'm going to rave about the wonders of Facebook. Yeah, it can be annoying at times but through it, I've been able to reconnect with so many people. Grade school friends, high school friends, college friends and, most recently, a dear friend that we'd lost touch with years ago. Yes, Tommy, I'm talking about you! I know you read my blog. :) That's okay 'cause I've been reading yours, too. LOL!!!
I've discovered that I've become even more of a coffee snob. I'm completely addicted to that Zao Coffee that some of you got for the holidays. Mmmm. Cheri (the owner's wife) goes to my MOPS group. Occasionally, she brings a 12 oz pack of coffee as a door prize. I didn't win this week, but there were a lot of us ready to fight over it. Again, there's free shipping (because he actually brings it to your house) to anyone in Johnson County but they'll ship the coffee anywhere. And, it's shipped the same day it's roasted. Here's the link Zao Coffee. YUMMY!!!
It's been so nice here for the past several days. Highs in the 60's, sunshine...ahhhh. It's been just wonderful. Especially since it's February. On Monday, we had some Severe Thunderstorm Warnings pop up in the morning and I got so excited. Don't get me wrong, I don't want tornadoes or anything, just a good thunderstorm. I waited and waited...the storm blew through and all we got was some wind. I was so mad. Last night, we had a nice thunderstorm come in, so that made it better. It's been raining for about 12 hours now and that's good because we really needed it. Sump pump is working, so I'll enjoy a rainy day until it starts snowing, which it looks like it may do at any time. It's gotten so cold...of course, that's normal for February but I already miss the 60 degrees we've been having. (As I've been typing, sleet has begun hitting the window. Ugh)
I had a MOPS meeting yesterday and it was so fun. I thought of my crafty sisters because we made a bath scrub. Epsom salt, olive oil and some essential oil. I can't believe how well it works! I'm going to have to make some more of this stuff on my own.
Again, I'm going to rave about the wonders of Facebook. Yeah, it can be annoying at times but through it, I've been able to reconnect with so many people. Grade school friends, high school friends, college friends and, most recently, a dear friend that we'd lost touch with years ago. Yes, Tommy, I'm talking about you! I know you read my blog. :) That's okay 'cause I've been reading yours, too. LOL!!!
I've discovered that I've become even more of a coffee snob. I'm completely addicted to that Zao Coffee that some of you got for the holidays. Mmmm. Cheri (the owner's wife) goes to my MOPS group. Occasionally, she brings a 12 oz pack of coffee as a door prize. I didn't win this week, but there were a lot of us ready to fight over it. Again, there's free shipping (because he actually brings it to your house) to anyone in Johnson County but they'll ship the coffee anywhere. And, it's shipped the same day it's roasted. Here's the link Zao Coffee. YUMMY!!!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Father's Day and Some Other Stuff
Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there. I'm a little late, but it's still Sunday so there you go.
Yesterday, we found out the results of last week's TKD testing. All of the boys are now low brown belts (yay!) and Hannah is now a low green belt. The boys can't test again for at least 4 months although Hannah is eligible to test for high green in August. It'll be strange to not have everyone test.
Last night, Mike and I got a sitter and had a double date with Roxanne and Stephen from TKD. We went to this new wine bar and had a great time. It was cool to order the wine since you'd get three glasses in the "flight." I had two flights and was, pretty much, drunk. Although, I did it with class. LOL! Had we all not had babysitters to send home, I'm sure we would have been there for another couple of hours, and Stephen wanted to as he was ready to order his third flight of wine. I really like hanging out with Stephen and Roxanne. It's so nice to have friends that have kids the same age and that we get along with so well.
This upcoming year will be my last year in MOPS. Although I was told that I should really be on the Steering Team, I decided that I didn't want that responsibility and never volunteered. So, color me shocked when I got this e-mail from Lynne, my table leader from this last year (it was sent to me and Leah, another girl from my table...she's on steering next year so she's in the know):
It is so awesome that you two are going to be table leaders! You are both going do a fantastic job! Hope that I am at one of your tables! Lynne
WHAT!?! Ummm...that's the first I've heard about this. I called Lynne and she laughed when I told her that I had no memory of saying that I'd like to be a table leader. I told her that I would be willing to do it but was just in shock. She actually laughed at me! It's so like me, though, that I wouldn't remember doing that. Oh well. So, I guess I'm going to be a table leader next year.
Yesterday, we found out the results of last week's TKD testing. All of the boys are now low brown belts (yay!) and Hannah is now a low green belt. The boys can't test again for at least 4 months although Hannah is eligible to test for high green in August. It'll be strange to not have everyone test.
Last night, Mike and I got a sitter and had a double date with Roxanne and Stephen from TKD. We went to this new wine bar and had a great time. It was cool to order the wine since you'd get three glasses in the "flight." I had two flights and was, pretty much, drunk. Although, I did it with class. LOL! Had we all not had babysitters to send home, I'm sure we would have been there for another couple of hours, and Stephen wanted to as he was ready to order his third flight of wine. I really like hanging out with Stephen and Roxanne. It's so nice to have friends that have kids the same age and that we get along with so well.
This upcoming year will be my last year in MOPS. Although I was told that I should really be on the Steering Team, I decided that I didn't want that responsibility and never volunteered. So, color me shocked when I got this e-mail from Lynne, my table leader from this last year (it was sent to me and Leah, another girl from my table...she's on steering next year so she's in the know):
It is so awesome that you two are going to be table leaders! You are both going do a fantastic job! Hope that I am at one of your tables! Lynne
WHAT!?! Ummm...that's the first I've heard about this. I called Lynne and she laughed when I told her that I had no memory of saying that I'd like to be a table leader. I told her that I would be willing to do it but was just in shock. She actually laughed at me! It's so like me, though, that I wouldn't remember doing that. Oh well. So, I guess I'm going to be a table leader next year.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Mid-week Post
Yesterday was the last MOPS meeting of the semester. It was sad because it was Hannah's last MOPS ever. Her teachers (the church has staff sitters that work daily) and I were sad but she was like, "see ya!" LOL! I'm considering a Bible Study over the summer so she'll probably get to see her teachers for a few more weeks anyway. For the last meeting, they set up a Spa Day. It was nice. They had people there to make us mochas and lattes, manicures and pedicures and facials. Of course, mochas are not on my diet but that didn't stop me from having two. I simply cannot turn down a peppermint mocha.
We also did the Secret Sister reveal and I found out that I was completely wrong about who my secret sister was. I thought it was Lori from my table and it turned out to be Maggie (like you know who Maggie or Lori are!) She gave me a Starbucks gift card and a great bag that you can put photos on the side of. It was funny because I was wondering why she was all over me as soon as I walked through the door, I mean, I have really just gotten to know her in the past month or so. The girl that I was secret sister for was very...ummm...unappreciative. "Thanks for all of the little things," she said to me. Uh, okay. Have a nice day.
My table has decided to get together, at least, on the Tuesdays that we would have had MOPS over the summer. We figure that we've already got that block of time empty so it's perfect for meeting. It'll be strange not sitting with them next year.
We've gotten most of the yard planted for the year. I'd like to mulch the beds but I don't know when I'll get to that. With all of the perennials that I planted last year, there wasn't a lot to plant. I did fill up the planters with annuals and put some around the front of the house. I need to get out and weed. It's hard to tell what's weeds and what's not since there are so many real plants coming up. I did mark where I'd planted perennials but they disappeared over the winter. I figure I'll wait another month or so to do the real heavy duty weeding unless it's clearly a weed.
We also did the Secret Sister reveal and I found out that I was completely wrong about who my secret sister was. I thought it was Lori from my table and it turned out to be Maggie (like you know who Maggie or Lori are!) She gave me a Starbucks gift card and a great bag that you can put photos on the side of. It was funny because I was wondering why she was all over me as soon as I walked through the door, I mean, I have really just gotten to know her in the past month or so. The girl that I was secret sister for was very...ummm...unappreciative. "Thanks for all of the little things," she said to me. Uh, okay. Have a nice day.
My table has decided to get together, at least, on the Tuesdays that we would have had MOPS over the summer. We figure that we've already got that block of time empty so it's perfect for meeting. It'll be strange not sitting with them next year.
We've gotten most of the yard planted for the year. I'd like to mulch the beds but I don't know when I'll get to that. With all of the perennials that I planted last year, there wasn't a lot to plant. I did fill up the planters with annuals and put some around the front of the house. I need to get out and weed. It's hard to tell what's weeds and what's not since there are so many real plants coming up. I did mark where I'd planted perennials but they disappeared over the winter. I figure I'll wait another month or so to do the real heavy duty weeding unless it's clearly a weed.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
I Was Beeped At...and other thoughts
I took Hannah to her usual Monday gymnastics class and as we were walking in, I hear a horn. It was one of those that makes you jump...not a little beep but a HONK!!!!!!! I whipped my head around and saw my friend, Bree, waving furiously from her huge Yukon (good to know that they don't have a wimpy horn...that would have been funny). After I realized she was waving at me, I put on a big smile and furiously waved back. It's been a long time since I've been beeped in public (get your mind out of the gutter...I know you all went there). It made my day.
Last night, I remembered that it was my MOPS table's turn to bring breakfast this morning. I had signed up to bring a warm dish and some fruit. I went through my potluck cookbook while the kids were in the tub and asked Mike for his input (I tend to overthink things like this). I decided that I would just wing some egg and hashbrown dish (which also ended up having mushrooms, bacon and cheese...and turned out very tasty) and some fruit salad that has the marshmallows and fluff (who knew it had vinegar and eggs in it as well?), but had to go to the store to get the ingredients. While at WalMart, I remembered that I had to get something for my secret sister and decided to make her an Easter basket. However, I couldn't bring myself to get her an Easter card just yet, and my table found that very funny.
Anyway, on my way home, I noticed that it was not only incredibly windy, but snowing as well. I really need winter to end. Now. I need to get out and into my garden. But I digress...
This morning, I pop the egg casserole into the oven (I put everything together last night) and showered. I got the boys up and went through our normal morning routine. We left a little later than normal because I wasn't able to closely watch the time since the oven was on (we really need another clock in the house). Daniel's mad at me because I asked him to put his shoes on and don't I know that he's busy reading a book? I seriously never thought I'd have that problem. LOL! Anyway, we pile into the car and head to school.
The roads were fine, except for around certain corners where the sun hadn't been able to melt the ice that had accumulated last night. Luckily, I've driven this so many times that I'm pretty aware of the usual spots that get icy. Most of the time, I have to make a loop around the school to get into the carpool line. I turn onto the street before so that I don't have to turn around. Anyway, the car in front of me was doing the same thing, so we both slowed down on the main road to turn onto the side street. The intersection was heavily iced over, but I (and the car in front of me) could clearly see it and slowed more than usual (almost to a stop) to make the right onto the side street. Halfway through my turn, I looked in my rearview and I was more than a little amazed. The car behind me didn't slow at all (nor did it appear to swerve) and should have rear-ended me. Seriously. I can't see how he didn't. Both lanes were completely full and he was moving right along, in his lane (there is no turn lane), at the same speed as the rest of traffic. He really should have hit me. I can't stop thinking about it. I shared it with my MOPS table this morning and Shanna leans over and says, "Barbara, you had an angel with you this morning. Most of the time, we never even notice...and you probably wouldn't have if you hadn't looked in your rear-view mirror. What a blessing to have witnessed." There is no other explaination for it. It's still giving me chills just thinking about it.
Last night, I remembered that it was my MOPS table's turn to bring breakfast this morning. I had signed up to bring a warm dish and some fruit. I went through my potluck cookbook while the kids were in the tub and asked Mike for his input (I tend to overthink things like this). I decided that I would just wing some egg and hashbrown dish (which also ended up having mushrooms, bacon and cheese...and turned out very tasty) and some fruit salad that has the marshmallows and fluff (who knew it had vinegar and eggs in it as well?), but had to go to the store to get the ingredients. While at WalMart, I remembered that I had to get something for my secret sister and decided to make her an Easter basket. However, I couldn't bring myself to get her an Easter card just yet, and my table found that very funny.
Anyway, on my way home, I noticed that it was not only incredibly windy, but snowing as well. I really need winter to end. Now. I need to get out and into my garden. But I digress...
This morning, I pop the egg casserole into the oven (I put everything together last night) and showered. I got the boys up and went through our normal morning routine. We left a little later than normal because I wasn't able to closely watch the time since the oven was on (we really need another clock in the house). Daniel's mad at me because I asked him to put his shoes on and don't I know that he's busy reading a book? I seriously never thought I'd have that problem. LOL! Anyway, we pile into the car and head to school.
The roads were fine, except for around certain corners where the sun hadn't been able to melt the ice that had accumulated last night. Luckily, I've driven this so many times that I'm pretty aware of the usual spots that get icy. Most of the time, I have to make a loop around the school to get into the carpool line. I turn onto the street before so that I don't have to turn around. Anyway, the car in front of me was doing the same thing, so we both slowed down on the main road to turn onto the side street. The intersection was heavily iced over, but I (and the car in front of me) could clearly see it and slowed more than usual (almost to a stop) to make the right onto the side street. Halfway through my turn, I looked in my rearview and I was more than a little amazed. The car behind me didn't slow at all (nor did it appear to swerve) and should have rear-ended me. Seriously. I can't see how he didn't. Both lanes were completely full and he was moving right along, in his lane (there is no turn lane), at the same speed as the rest of traffic. He really should have hit me. I can't stop thinking about it. I shared it with my MOPS table this morning and Shanna leans over and says, "Barbara, you had an angel with you this morning. Most of the time, we never even notice...and you probably wouldn't have if you hadn't looked in your rear-view mirror. What a blessing to have witnessed." There is no other explaination for it. It's still giving me chills just thinking about it.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Happy Hump Day
First, I need to apologize for not posting this yesterday, but a big (late) HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Bobbi and Ed who celebrated theirs yesterday. I really didn't forget!
I've decided that what makes somewhere...anywhere...a nice place to live is the friends you make. I hated, HATED, Iowa because I had no friends. That's not to say that I didn't know people, because I knew a lot of people, but I didn't have anyone to lean on if I needed to. Virginia was filled with friends. We had a neighborhood full of people who really cared about us, as well as friends scattered around the area. It wasn't unusual to get phone calls from friends asking if we wanted to meet at the mall because someone needed to get out of the house and they figured I did too. I could always count on the occasional call from Michelle asking if I wanted to meet for coffee. 9 times out of 10, I'd run into someone I knew at the store, and usually get sidetracked chatting (for some reason, we could never talk and shop at the same time!) Or I'd get a phone call from a neighbor, late at night when Mike was out of town, because they saw my lights on and wanted to make sure I was doing okay. Virginia was a very special place and I made friends there that I will have for the rest of my life. That's one of the reasons it was so hard for me to leave (it also didn't help that it was so darn beautiful there!).
As soon as we moved to Virginia, it was instantly 1000 times better than Iowa because I had nothing there. Moving here, I compared everything to Virginia (and still do) and it's a hard place to equal.
Things are definitely looking up. My MOPS table is full of such wonderful women that I can see becoming strong friends with. We've already started a weekly playgroup and are planning a couple's night out soon. The way we've clicked is much like how my playgroup a few years ago just clicked (you know what I'm talking about, Sara). I love that!
With the addition of the MOPS Bible Study every other week, I'm able to meet women at the other tables as well, and they're all becoming good friends too. Yesterday at our MOPS meeting, they did a spoof on the game show The Price Is Right...they called it The Mom Is Right. Shanna (our MOPS Coordinator and she sits at my table too) brought up 4 girls from different tables to answer some questions for prizes. One of the girls she brought up was Bree. Bree is a riot. I found out at the last Bible Study that she's from some suburb of Chicago (Naperville or Downer's Grove, I think) and we were chatting a lot about the area. Well, here's what went down yesterday...
Shanna: Our next contestant is Bree
Bree: Whoooo!
Shanna: Bree...tell us where you're from
Bree: CHICAGO!!!! WOOOOO!
Shanna: Do we have any other Chicagoans in the audience today?
Bree: (pointing to me) BARBARA! I know you are girl! WOOOO!
Now, for a second, I'm thinking "really, I'm from Peoria and not Chicago, but the boys were born there." What came out of my mouth was this...
Me: (arms up in the air and pointing back to Bree) YOU KNOW IT BREE!!!
Bree: WOOO!
I just finally feel like I've found a direction here and that makes me so happy. Give me another 1 1/2 years (our average time in any one place) and I probably won't want to leave here either.
I've decided that what makes somewhere...anywhere...a nice place to live is the friends you make. I hated, HATED, Iowa because I had no friends. That's not to say that I didn't know people, because I knew a lot of people, but I didn't have anyone to lean on if I needed to. Virginia was filled with friends. We had a neighborhood full of people who really cared about us, as well as friends scattered around the area. It wasn't unusual to get phone calls from friends asking if we wanted to meet at the mall because someone needed to get out of the house and they figured I did too. I could always count on the occasional call from Michelle asking if I wanted to meet for coffee. 9 times out of 10, I'd run into someone I knew at the store, and usually get sidetracked chatting (for some reason, we could never talk and shop at the same time!) Or I'd get a phone call from a neighbor, late at night when Mike was out of town, because they saw my lights on and wanted to make sure I was doing okay. Virginia was a very special place and I made friends there that I will have for the rest of my life. That's one of the reasons it was so hard for me to leave (it also didn't help that it was so darn beautiful there!).
As soon as we moved to Virginia, it was instantly 1000 times better than Iowa because I had nothing there. Moving here, I compared everything to Virginia (and still do) and it's a hard place to equal.
Things are definitely looking up. My MOPS table is full of such wonderful women that I can see becoming strong friends with. We've already started a weekly playgroup and are planning a couple's night out soon. The way we've clicked is much like how my playgroup a few years ago just clicked (you know what I'm talking about, Sara). I love that!
With the addition of the MOPS Bible Study every other week, I'm able to meet women at the other tables as well, and they're all becoming good friends too. Yesterday at our MOPS meeting, they did a spoof on the game show The Price Is Right...they called it The Mom Is Right. Shanna (our MOPS Coordinator and she sits at my table too) brought up 4 girls from different tables to answer some questions for prizes. One of the girls she brought up was Bree. Bree is a riot. I found out at the last Bible Study that she's from some suburb of Chicago (Naperville or Downer's Grove, I think) and we were chatting a lot about the area. Well, here's what went down yesterday...
Shanna: Our next contestant is Bree
Bree: Whoooo!
Shanna: Bree...tell us where you're from
Bree: CHICAGO!!!! WOOOOO!
Shanna: Do we have any other Chicagoans in the audience today?
Bree: (pointing to me) BARBARA! I know you are girl! WOOOO!
Now, for a second, I'm thinking "really, I'm from Peoria and not Chicago, but the boys were born there." What came out of my mouth was this...
Me: (arms up in the air and pointing back to Bree) YOU KNOW IT BREE!!!
Bree: WOOO!
I just finally feel like I've found a direction here and that makes me so happy. Give me another 1 1/2 years (our average time in any one place) and I probably won't want to leave here either.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Bible Study
Today was the first day of the MOPS Bible Study (Bible Basics 101). It's a small group of us but it was nice because we are all from different backgrounds but we're all essentially looking for the same thing. It's a very basic study (hence the name Bible Basics 101) but has already proven very informative. It's nice because most of us (and I thought that I was the only one...I'm being serious here) have no idea where to start when it comes to the Bible and we're all learning and growing together. It is also comforting to know that I am not the only one who has arrived at a crossroads when it comes to their faith. What a great group of women I've been brought together with. I'm mentally exhausted yet refreshed all at the same time. This is going to be a wonderful thing for me.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Happy October
Raise your hand if you think this year's going by too fast. I know my hand is up.
I finally got around to draining the pool (okay, so it's still draining). I know...I know. They were actually in it on Saturday, so I don't feel too bad about it. It seems like every time I'd get set to drain it, it would be close to 90 degrees outside. Oh well. What's strange is that it seems to take longer to drain than it did to fill. Once it does finally drain completely and dry out, I have to figure out exactly where to store the thing for next year.
Over the weekend, a new family moved into the repo house behind us. It looks like they have some kids (around the same ages as mine)...hopefully the kids will have some new playmates. We haven't been over to introduce ourselves yet, but we will.
Hannah went to a princess dress up party last Friday, hosted by a girl at my MOPS table, and had a great time. The cool part, for me, was the fact that I was able to sit around and talk to other moms. It felt a lot like a MOMS Club event in Virginia. A bunch of us decided to start a Friday morning playgroup for the kids beginning this coming Friday. I am really looking forward to it. They have also started a MOPS Bible Study on alternate Tuesday mornings. That starts tomorrow. I'm looking forward to that as well. Here are a couple of photos from the party...
Mike and Jacob are busily getting ready for their camp out this Friday. This one is just for Jacob's den. Should be a lot of fun for the two of them. Daniel has said that he thinks it would be cool if Jacob would catch a seal while fishing (they're going to do some fishing while they're there). Daniel, Hannah and I are planning on going bowling as a special treat while they are camping. They all just love to go bowling. The following weekend, there's a Cub Scout district-wide family camp out. We're all planning on attending that one. It's been a long time since I've been camping (9 years to be exact) and I know that the kids have never been. Mike and I are hoping that we can get into the camping thing and start doing that as a family thing in the summer. I don't know if we'd ever get to the point where we'd get a camper/pop-up or anything (my nod to Deb and family...you guys are hard core campers that would put us to shame...although, if you have any tips, I'd be happy to take them) but it would be fun to be able to go out and camp now and then. Even if we just set up the tent in the backyard.
I finally got around to draining the pool (okay, so it's still draining). I know...I know. They were actually in it on Saturday, so I don't feel too bad about it. It seems like every time I'd get set to drain it, it would be close to 90 degrees outside. Oh well. What's strange is that it seems to take longer to drain than it did to fill. Once it does finally drain completely and dry out, I have to figure out exactly where to store the thing for next year.
Over the weekend, a new family moved into the repo house behind us. It looks like they have some kids (around the same ages as mine)...hopefully the kids will have some new playmates. We haven't been over to introduce ourselves yet, but we will.
Hannah went to a princess dress up party last Friday, hosted by a girl at my MOPS table, and had a great time. The cool part, for me, was the fact that I was able to sit around and talk to other moms. It felt a lot like a MOMS Club event in Virginia. A bunch of us decided to start a Friday morning playgroup for the kids beginning this coming Friday. I am really looking forward to it. They have also started a MOPS Bible Study on alternate Tuesday mornings. That starts tomorrow. I'm looking forward to that as well. Here are a couple of photos from the party...
Mike and Jacob are busily getting ready for their camp out this Friday. This one is just for Jacob's den. Should be a lot of fun for the two of them. Daniel has said that he thinks it would be cool if Jacob would catch a seal while fishing (they're going to do some fishing while they're there). Daniel, Hannah and I are planning on going bowling as a special treat while they are camping. They all just love to go bowling. The following weekend, there's a Cub Scout district-wide family camp out. We're all planning on attending that one. It's been a long time since I've been camping (9 years to be exact) and I know that the kids have never been. Mike and I are hoping that we can get into the camping thing and start doing that as a family thing in the summer. I don't know if we'd ever get to the point where we'd get a camper/pop-up or anything (my nod to Deb and family...you guys are hard core campers that would put us to shame...although, if you have any tips, I'd be happy to take them) but it would be fun to be able to go out and camp now and then. Even if we just set up the tent in the backyard.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
For Debbie
Here's our photo from MOPS and POPS night. I hadn't posted it because I think I look horrible. Whatever. Here you go...
Saturday, April 28, 2007
A Nice Evening Out
After all of the tornado stuff last night, we headed over to the church for MOPS and POPS night. The kids were all dressed in their pj's since they were having a pajama party. We dropped the kids off in their rooms and Mike and I went over to have a nice dinner with other parents.
The theme was Survivor: Parenthood and each table was seperated into different tribes. We were the Baby Booger Nose tribe. LOL! They took our picture (much like at prom) and gave it to us before we left. After dinner, there were four games. Each tribe had to send a member up to compete. Mike competed in the Parenting 101 Q and A challenge and came up with a very funny answer to the question (something about accidentially leaving a child at home alone). There was also Snugli Limbo (limbo with a doll attached to your chest) and an eating competition. That one was hysterical! They had to eat a jar of baby food peas, meat sticks, a piece of melba toast and wash it down with a sippy cup of milk. Three of the guys were sucking so hard on the sippy cups, the lids came off and they were splashed with their cupful of milk. Too funny. I competed in the Parent Multi-tasking and Agility contest. I had to stand on a block, pick up a doll, a burp rag, a binkie, a diaper bag, car keys, cell phone, and stand on one foot. I was out of the competition before they were squirted with water guns and then had to hold an infant car seat. My leg still hurts today.
We had so much fun mingling with other people (I already knew most of the moms from MOPS) and the kids had a great time too. They were still talking about it this morning.
The theme was Survivor: Parenthood and each table was seperated into different tribes. We were the Baby Booger Nose tribe. LOL! They took our picture (much like at prom) and gave it to us before we left. After dinner, there were four games. Each tribe had to send a member up to compete. Mike competed in the Parenting 101 Q and A challenge and came up with a very funny answer to the question (something about accidentially leaving a child at home alone). There was also Snugli Limbo (limbo with a doll attached to your chest) and an eating competition. That one was hysterical! They had to eat a jar of baby food peas, meat sticks, a piece of melba toast and wash it down with a sippy cup of milk. Three of the guys were sucking so hard on the sippy cups, the lids came off and they were splashed with their cupful of milk. Too funny. I competed in the Parent Multi-tasking and Agility contest. I had to stand on a block, pick up a doll, a burp rag, a binkie, a diaper bag, car keys, cell phone, and stand on one foot. I was out of the competition before they were squirted with water guns and then had to hold an infant car seat. My leg still hurts today.
We had so much fun mingling with other people (I already knew most of the moms from MOPS) and the kids had a great time too. They were still talking about it this morning.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
I Just Realized It's Only Tuesday
All evening I've been thinking it's Wednesday. Ugh. And I was looking forward to Grey's tomorrow!
I was woken up around 4:30am to the sound of Jacob screaming. Full on screaming. He feels like he's going to throw up. Great (of course I didn't say that). I give him a Pepto and stay with him for a few minutes before telling him that if he needs me again to come get me. 5:00am, more screaming. He acts as though it might happen, but doesn't. He says that he's going to try to go back to sleep. I stumble back to bed muttering something about the kids always being sick on MOPS days. 7:30am, I decide to be the kind of mom I hated when I was teaching. I'm pumping him full of Motrin and sending him to school (and he was full of energy when I picked him up from school at 3:35).
I cried my way through the MOPS meeting. It didn't help that the first person I ran into (other than the mentor moms at the door) was Shana. She asked me how I was and I told her that for whatever reason, this week's been hard. She said that it had been for her too. That was when we both lost it. Lots of talk about Mother's Day and that sort of thing. I really don't think I heard a word of what the speaker said. One of the girls announced that her son was just diagnosed with autism last Wednesday. This poor group has been hit hard this semester. Three of us have lost someone close to us (two parents and one sibling), one autism diagnosis, two miscarriages and one member's baby boy died 30 minutes after birth (they were expecting him to be stillborn so they were thankful for the 30 minutes). What kind of group did I join? Seriously, though, it's been nice to connect with people going through similar things.
Shana convinced me to join the summer Bible study at the church. She's so excited and already has it all planned that she's going to pick me up since I'm on her way. LOL! I've never done a Bible study before, so I'm really curious about it. Should be interesting.
I had a make up conference with Daniel's teacher today. And the two reading specialists. And the school psychologist. Because "we're a team," don't ya know. I felt like an idiot because I cried three times during the conference as well. Once because I was so proud of something Daniel did in class and twice because I really thought that they were going to suggest medication for Daniel. I have to give it to them...they never used the phrases "ADHD" or "medication" at all. The lead reading specialist informed me that she felt that Daniel is incredibly smart but just wants to do what he wants to do. She also feels that he is within all "normal" levels for reading but could still use the small group instruction. She said that academically, he's on target for reading and is above average in math. His teacher told me that he is the best artist in the class and uses detail that none (yes, I said none) of the other kids are using. Now, if we could just get him on task and keep him there.
We were going to try a new system that breaks his day up into 15 minute sections. He gets two "grades" (happy face/sad face) for being on task and following directions for each 15 minutes. I asked his teacher if this was too much work for her and her response to me was, "oh, no. We already do this for 3 other boys in the class." Hmmm. Do I see a pattern here? Oh well. Daniel and I went over the new system this evening and he says he gets it. We'll see how it goes tomorrow. So, my 30 minute conference turned into 60 and the only reason it broke up was because school was over.
We went outside to wait at the benches for Jacob. My mind was swimming (you would think that I'd be used to this kind of thing but it's different when it's your kid) and I didn't notice Jacob's teacher come and sit next to me. I don't know how long she'd been there but she scared me when she said my name. She wanted to set up a make up conference with Jacob. I was so disoriented that I actually agreed to meet her at 8am on Thursday. What was I thinking?
I was woken up around 4:30am to the sound of Jacob screaming. Full on screaming. He feels like he's going to throw up. Great (of course I didn't say that). I give him a Pepto and stay with him for a few minutes before telling him that if he needs me again to come get me. 5:00am, more screaming. He acts as though it might happen, but doesn't. He says that he's going to try to go back to sleep. I stumble back to bed muttering something about the kids always being sick on MOPS days. 7:30am, I decide to be the kind of mom I hated when I was teaching. I'm pumping him full of Motrin and sending him to school (and he was full of energy when I picked him up from school at 3:35).
I cried my way through the MOPS meeting. It didn't help that the first person I ran into (other than the mentor moms at the door) was Shana. She asked me how I was and I told her that for whatever reason, this week's been hard. She said that it had been for her too. That was when we both lost it. Lots of talk about Mother's Day and that sort of thing. I really don't think I heard a word of what the speaker said. One of the girls announced that her son was just diagnosed with autism last Wednesday. This poor group has been hit hard this semester. Three of us have lost someone close to us (two parents and one sibling), one autism diagnosis, two miscarriages and one member's baby boy died 30 minutes after birth (they were expecting him to be stillborn so they were thankful for the 30 minutes). What kind of group did I join? Seriously, though, it's been nice to connect with people going through similar things.
Shana convinced me to join the summer Bible study at the church. She's so excited and already has it all planned that she's going to pick me up since I'm on her way. LOL! I've never done a Bible study before, so I'm really curious about it. Should be interesting.
I had a make up conference with Daniel's teacher today. And the two reading specialists. And the school psychologist. Because "we're a team," don't ya know. I felt like an idiot because I cried three times during the conference as well. Once because I was so proud of something Daniel did in class and twice because I really thought that they were going to suggest medication for Daniel. I have to give it to them...they never used the phrases "ADHD" or "medication" at all. The lead reading specialist informed me that she felt that Daniel is incredibly smart but just wants to do what he wants to do. She also feels that he is within all "normal" levels for reading but could still use the small group instruction. She said that academically, he's on target for reading and is above average in math. His teacher told me that he is the best artist in the class and uses detail that none (yes, I said none) of the other kids are using. Now, if we could just get him on task and keep him there.
We were going to try a new system that breaks his day up into 15 minute sections. He gets two "grades" (happy face/sad face) for being on task and following directions for each 15 minutes. I asked his teacher if this was too much work for her and her response to me was, "oh, no. We already do this for 3 other boys in the class." Hmmm. Do I see a pattern here? Oh well. Daniel and I went over the new system this evening and he says he gets it. We'll see how it goes tomorrow. So, my 30 minute conference turned into 60 and the only reason it broke up was because school was over.
We went outside to wait at the benches for Jacob. My mind was swimming (you would think that I'd be used to this kind of thing but it's different when it's your kid) and I didn't notice Jacob's teacher come and sit next to me. I don't know how long she'd been there but she scared me when she said my name. She wanted to set up a make up conference with Jacob. I was so disoriented that I actually agreed to meet her at 8am on Thursday. What was I thinking?
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
A Good Book...
This morning, Susan Crook came to talk to my MOPS group about personalities. She gave a really good talk about how personality styles have their own unique sets of challenges and rewards...especially in children. Learning your own personality qualities, as well as those of your children, can greatly help parent effectively. She was a great speaker and she said a lot of things that made a lot of sense. I didn't get a chance to buy her book, Personality Insights for Moms!, this morning but I plan on doing so since it looked really good when I just flipped through it. You can check out her website. If nothing else, she's pretty motivational and makes you laugh!
Monday, January 22, 2007
Cooking Like A Fiend
I've been going a little crazy cooking the past couple of days. Yesterday, I made beef barley soup. I was able to do it in the crock pot because mine boils on low. Normally, that makes me mad but it was good in this case since I get nervous leaving it on the stove overnight. Daniel and Hannah proclaimed it tasty while Jacob decided that it was icky. Whatever. I thought it was a perfect dinner after a day of playing out in the snow. Today, I roasted some chickens. Mike walked in after work and began to pick at the meat still left after I carved them up. He told me that my chicken was better than Boston Market! Score! My table is in charge of bringing breakfast to MOPS tomorrow, so I had to put together some stuff. I had bought a Potluck cookbook at the book fair last week and put it to use twice tonight! I got a good fruit salad recipe (using cherry pie filling...yummy!) and I made a bacon and egg lasagna. This thing is certainly not low fat. 1 pound of bacon, a pound of swiss cheese, 1/3 cup of bacon drippings, 12 eggs...you get the picture. I didn't actually taste it so I'm hoping that it's edible! LOL!
Anyway, I've decided to start counting my points again since my fat pants don't fit very well anymore. :( Wish me luck!!!
Anyway, I've decided to start counting my points again since my fat pants don't fit very well anymore. :( Wish me luck!!!
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