Can you hear the bells ringing?

We are so blessed this year! Thanksgiving was wonderful and Mom's turkey and gravy was AMAZING like always and next to her famous apple pie, this is my favorite Thanksgiving food! I know, I know so many of you are thinking "No, my (insert family member here)'s turkey/gravy/apple pie is the best." I am here to tell you that you clearly have not tried my mom's! And my entire family would agree with me!

Seriously, I am so thankful for the ability to go see all of my family and my husband's family (which is mine too, so I don't know why I felt the need to clarify :) Despite that we were missing Grandpa and Aunt Penny, we were all counting our blessings that we could still get together.

Now, as we are preparing for the celebration of Christmas, and God's most precious treasure He gave us, my home is bustling. My boys have enjoyed cutting down their Christmas tree (first real one we have done as a family!) making their Christmas lists and visiting Santa, all while learning the true meaning of the season.

Just yesterday, they were able to watch the Polar Express and help me wrap a few Christmas presents, and you should hear them sing! Nolan had made up some of his own words, which he will defend until he is blue in the face. "Let Kevin and nature sing" (He has a cousin named Kevin) Simon sings the 12 Days of Christmas from start to finish perfectly. We are having so much fun!

Never Coming Back?

Last week, I was fortunate enough to visit Baltimore, Maryland for the National Middle School Conference with a few of my co-workers. Now, some of you may be thinking: Baltimore? Wow. Whooptee-Do. And you are sort of correct: aside from Fort McHenry, the amazing Harbor, and Edgar Allen Poe's grave, I cannot say much else about the city. I will probably not be going back any time soon. (If you are from Baltimore or have a soft-spot for the city, I am not knocking your city: it was just not for me) I did enjoy the conference though, and am glad I went.

A few weeks prior, my home was Germ-City USA. (hence the LONG time-span since my last post) My oldest had a double-ear infection, and my younger boy had a sinus-infection. Eventually Daddy and I had to fight off the same stuff. My little one needed two rounds of antibiotics and I was still unconvinced that the meds actually worked. Needless to say, he was whiny and clingy for several weeks, so leaving for a few days did him good, as he rarely whined to anyone but me.

So, the trip came and went, and I could not talk to the boys over the phone. The first night (4hrs after I had seen them) I called to say good-night. Both boys were hysterical. So, the next night, Daddy decided that it would be better not to talk. (He was in charge and taking great care of them...and I was not the least bit worried) Finally, when I returned, the boys were so happy to see me and we really enjoyed being together as a family the majority of the weekend.

Almost three days after my return, Simon (oldest and worry-wart) broke down in tears because he did not want me to be away so long. (I had been away here and there for a night or two, but this was the longest) I was taken a-back since I had already been home for a few days prior to these emotions. I assured him that I knew he would be safe with Daddy (Grandma and Grandpa helped too) It too him a few minutes to really understand. I tried hard not to dismiss his feelings, for his feelings are serious stuff to him: after all, he was really worried that I was never coming back!

Pretend Pirates and Friends

Today, I have spent the majority of my day wiping my nose (thank you, little ones for passing the germs on to Mommy! Or, I guess I can thank the 8th graders who still think it is acceptable to pick their noses, cough into thin air wipe snot with forearm: they, too, could be the culprits!)

Once I returned home from work, though, after picking up Simon from pre-k, I have spent the other part of my day taking care of pretend pirates and a pretend friend. Yes, my friends, you read that right: my boys' imaginary creations have been more high-maintenance than they have been! Nolan, my 2.5yr old has had me help tuck in his pretend pirates for bed, but then instructed me to "just sing them a song if they cry, Mommy," while he left on his pretend wheelchair! Nolan never returned. to care for the pirates. I too left the pirates alone, and have yet to hear even the slighted peep from them.

Simon, my 4yr old, has a pretend friend named Katie. This just so happens to be the same as his bff, Katie, from pre-k3 and pre-k4. Since Friday evening, I have made dinner for pretend Katie, tucked her into bed, brushed her teeth, bathed her, and read her books. Today, Simon asked that I move over to allow room for Katie to sit beside him. Just when I thought that I had been replaced, Simon sang me his new song he made up:
I love my Mommy
She is so great
She is the wonderfulest
I have to pick up fate.
* Not bad for a 4yr old. He sang the words with rhythm that tended itself to rhyme!


Katie did not go to preschool today, for Simon feared he might get confused and play with the wrong Katie. Where does he get this stuff?

So, I am sure that pretend Katie will be around for a few more days, at least. However, I think the pirates will have to go hunt for a treasure.

My new love

Well, I have successfully made it through two whole weeks of my second year of 8th grade! (I buzzed through eighth grade a few years ago and for the first seven years of my teaching experience, I taught 7th grade) And. I. have. a. new. love.

No sick-o's it is not an eighth grader...it is my SmartBoard (an interactive white board)!

I have been lucky enough in the past to beg borrow and steal) time with a smartboard over the past several years, but this year, I have my very own: mounted in my classroom, nonetheless! Because of this, and my new responsibility of 8th grade language arts and math, I am pumped about the start of the year. This also translates to me spending all of my free time teaching myself how to use the SmartBoard. I am turning into a real techie.

I have also started another EDA class for my masters titled Leaders in Diverse Communities. It is too early to tell how this class will unfold.

Needless to say, gone are the days of taking my boys to the park outside to play in the sprinkler...school is in full swing! Plus, Simon starts his second year of preschool on Tuesday.

I miss my boys terribly, but also treasure the time I do have with them during the day and maximize the quality as best as I can. (Yes, this sometimes means that the boys may help me do laundry, but we make it fun!)

Happy Labor Day everyone. Enjoy your long weekend! I know I will!

My Favorites

This summer, I have been blessed to spend some quality time with my little boys. While it has not always been a walk in the park, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with them. Hopefully they would articulate the same about me. We have had our fair share (maybe more than our fair share when considering my 2.5 yr old) of meltdowns, screaming/crying/whining fests, tantrums, and arguments, but in between all of these were laughter, joy, learning, and great memories being made.

I hope I never forget these special moments and words my boys have shared with their mommy and daddy. So, as I reminisce, I also appreciate the smaller things in our summer: the boys' words.

Nolan (2.5yrs)
"That's a Holy Cow!" In reference to a very low plane.
"When my finger is hurt and it gets dead and I go see Jesus I will show him my silly bands."
"You need pridacy?"
"Oopsie. I have to go potty!" Every time he has to take care of business, it is oops!
"Simon, you are not the boss."


Simon (4yrs)
"Certainly." His answer when I asked if he wanted a drink.
"You're flying! ... No I am not, I'm falling with style." First attempt at a movie quote.
"Since God is up in the sky, maybe we can wave to him when we fly in an airplane someday."
"I want some pop. My tummy hurts. Not like throw-up hurt, just a little hurt."
"You know that there are animals and bugs that hybertate? So, they could just go to a warm building instead of going to warmer weather."

I know that as soon as I post this, one of my boys will inevitably say something memorable, but alas, I post anyway.

I go back to the grind on Thursday and am NOT looking forward to it! Then my class starts too. I am not going to lie though. Having some adult interaction (in-between dealing with 13-14 year-olds all day) will be nice.

Time Marches On

During the past two weeks, we have been busy buzzy bees in our household. (Thank you one of my ultimate faves, My Many Colored Days, by Dr. Seuss for the fabulous alliteration and great metaphor.) My hubby kindly, and quite fabulously finished painting a few rooms in our home with the help of his dad. This translated to rooms being torn apart and the untouched rooms providing the space for those displaced items. Bottom line: our house was a disaster! Alas, most items have made it back to there appropriate places which was one of three options: back to where it came from, the garage sale pile, or the trashcan/recycling bin.

I also took the little boys to visit my parents and my maternal grandparents. My littlest sis looked after my boys while Mom and I went to visit Grandpa in the nursing home and then capture Grandma from her home for some lunch. Mom treated everyone to Mumfords for lunch while my boys provided a little comic relief and perhaps a few headaches from screaming and playing so loudly! It was a great visit.

While Daddy was bailing hay/straw, I also took the boys to our local splash pad. I must say that this was a trip well-worth it, because for the first time all summer, I decided to visit it in the evening, after dinner. I highly recommend visiting your local splash pad in the evenings! We practically had the place to ourselves!

We were able to join my hubby's grandma for her 90th birthday celebration at Der Dutchman She really enjoyed herself and so did everyone else. The food wasn't half-bad either. You know, if you like the perfectly cooked, hormone-free chicken YUMMY!!!

I finished up my School Finance Class!

And, my hubby treated me to a date night last night! We went to Easton to do a little shopping/browsing and then to watch the movie,Grown-Ups . Afterward, we ate at Fado

Oh, I did not mention the time I was utterly embarrassed in the grocery store as well. My boys were absolute monsters! Now don't get me wrong, they are never perfect while trudging up and down store isles, but typically the good heavily outweighs the bad. Not this day, though. It was rough. I will spare you the details in attempt give no glory to their awful behavior. And as a sad attempt to erase their devilish day and my mortified moments from my memory.

I can hardly imagine school starting again in a few weeks. I have started sleeping-training myself and actually setting my alarm in the mornings (although it seems as though my boys are up before the alarm, mo matter what time it is due to go off!) Slowly, I will inch my way to the 5:30 rise time I prefer when school starts!

Happy Anniversary +One Day

Yesterday, my hubby and I celebrated our seven year wedding anniversary with swim lessons and a lunch at Wendy's with the family...how romantic, right? Within the next few weeks we will be able to enjoy an evening out, so I am ok with it. Plus, we had a pretty low key day, which seems to be less and less with two busy little boys. So, it was just as well. Did I mention that my hubby spent the evening clearing out our office/playroom and filling in nail holes so that he can paint later this week? Seriously, a girl would not be in her right mind to complain about that! (Believe me, I would typically help with this kind of project, assuming that the boys would cooperate, but I donated blood in the afternoon and my arm was a bit sore...wink)

Anyway, happy anniversary! Thank you for all that you do for me and for our family! I am proud to call you my husband! I love you!

Below, you will see a few of my favorite moments that were captured by our camera over the past year. Unfortunately, we did not have digital cameras at the time of our wedding. In the summer of 2003, this idea was still a little new. Our photographer (who was amazing by the way!) did not have a digital option at the time (or was too expensive due to the new technology) and we opted for the traditional, but now old fashioned film. :) So, in light of that, I have decided to include what our lives together were like over the past year!

Have you heard of holy cow?

This week, we started swimming lessons for our oldest son. While it is his nature to observe and contemplate what is going on, it is also his nature to do what he is suppose to do for other adults. This has translated to a shy and apprehensive 4yr-old who will try anything the instructor asks him to, but he is never the first one to volunteer, and is often one of the last. As his mom, I am ok with that, even though it is my nature to want him to be less shy (since that is how I am) I take pleasure in the fact that he is not 'that boy' in class who does not listen and wanders away towards the deeper water a half a dozen times during class. I take pleasure in the fact that he is not splashing all the other children on purpose like the girl in the purple bathing suit was today. But most of all, I am proud that he is trying and he is listening to the instructors.

While I was tucking Simon in his bed the other night he told me that there was a boy with red swimming trunks on and he was in his class. And every time that boy got out of the water, everyone could he is crack...and it was a big one. HA!

When my younger boy was watching his brother during lessons, several planes flew overhead and one was really low. My 2yr-old said (and I quote), "Mommy! That was a holy cow!" So, props to my little guy for attempting to use this phrase appropriately. Usually I take a time like that as a teachable moment, but he was so cute and so proud of himself I did not. This was also in part because his words sounded adorable and I hope that I get to hear him say this again in the near future. Maybe then I will tell him about the correct way to use "holy cow."

writer's block

Well folks, what started as a blog to record/remember those supposedly unforgettable moments, has turned into dead-air in the blogging world. With a two and a four year-old, every day is an adventure and inevitably someone says or does something a little out of the norm. These moments do not always end up in laughter, but screaming, pushing, running into things, and of course, whining to Mommy. I just have not been able to wrap words around these incidents!

I promise, my family and I are not just being lazy bums here. We have been home from vacation for a week and I need a vacation again just from trying to catch up! My little guys have enjoyed a low-key week after Myrtle Beach, the Fourth of July with my parents, sisters, brothers-in-law, and nephews. My oldest loves the water, (and we start swimming lessons tomorrow) so I tried to get him and his brother outside in our blow-up pool as much as possible. I survived two more classes of school finance, and just when I thought I had a handle on things I hit a wall.

I FINALLY got to see Eclipse on Friday night while Daddy took the boys to his friend's mom's surprise 60th birthday party. While I wish I could have gone with them, I must admit that a few hours away from my guys (big and little included) was nice and refreshing. (Plus, I had popcorn all to myself. My neighbor, who accompanied me, also had her own popcorn!)

Until later...

Remember Me?

Hey folks! I am still here. My fam and I took a little vacation to Myrtle Beach last week, and to protect the integrity of our lives, I did not announce that via this blog until AFTER we have returned. (Of course, to those that read this and know me, I was not at all worried. I just like to be careful on here. You know, practice Internet safety.)

We had a great time: our oldest, the neat-freak who does not like to be messy, wanted to go to the pool every day, but since we can do that in Ohio, his little brother won that battle. I will share more later.

When we returned, we visited family for the fourth, which is ALWAYS a blast. And friends came to visit us, which was also great fun!

For now, I am off to study fiscal neutrality. Please, no one jump out of your seat. I know that sounds just splendid, and it is...not. I will be glad to fill you in. You know, once I understand it, which will be never.

Thank you Thomas Edison!

WARNING: this post may or may not have a picture (or two) that may or may not be suitable for all viewers! HA!

Yesterday, the members in our household ate PB and J, Sun Chips,and peaches and pears for dinner thanks to a power outage. This is a sufficient meal, and surprisingly enjoyable due to the entire situation: steaks thawed and ready for the grill (Hubby had this too, but it did not seem like such a treat w/o all the fixins to go with it!) and oven minutes away from preheating to 350 degrees. We laughed and shook our heads, part in disgust and part in 'oh well' mentality.

You see, in our neck of the woods (or at least our neighborhood, anyway) we lose power quite often. If someone close sneezes too hard (or the slightest storm is brewing) we lose power (a bit of an over-statement, but it does happen frequently!) If five houses in the vicinity are all doing laundry at the same time, while simultaneously cooling their homes to to a whopping 79 degrees, we loose power (again, a hyperbole, but you get the picture) Last night was no different. We sat in and semi-functioned without electric for close to 6hrs. We survived. It was fun. Except with my 2yr old had to take care of business in the potty. He was scared and refused to go. Below is a picture of how we dealt.


This turned into a bigger issue than just last night. You see, when my two children went to bed 2hrs later than normal, and got up a tad earlier than normal as well, we become desperate to curtail the whining and the meltdowns and the fights among the little boys. So, we resort to measures that are a rarity in our home: allowing the boys to jump on our bed. No, we do not try to eliminate all sorts of fun around here, I am just a tad nervous, that by allowing the boys to do this, unsupervised nap times (the kind where we tuck them in and walk out of the room and shut the door) OR sleepless nights (when Mommy and Daddy clearly need their rest and the boys want to be up) WILL RESULT IN A TRIP TO THE ER! So, under supervision, the boys passed some time doing this. This is a great trick to break-in a new mattress too!

Summer Revelation

Just yesterday, on the start of my third week of summer break, I finally realized that my time spent is much different these days. Gone are the days of having to squeeze in dinner, laundry, housework, grading, studying, and bathing and playing with my boys in a mere 6 hours or so. Welcome are the days of waking up at 6:30 and having all day to get this stuff done (minus the grading of course!) For the first two weeks of summer, I was rushing around with a mental and sometimes physical checklist of all that needed accomplished (prioritized, of course!) I found myself saying, "OK boys, as soon as Mommy cleans the bathroom, we will play with your trains." Now, I welcome any diversion from cleaning! I can (for the most part) stop what I am doing, play for a few minutes and pick up later!

Believe me, I am not complaining a bit about either schedule (Not today, anyway), as I count my blessings that we are able to have what we have and do what we do! The teaching gig is a fabulous job to have while raising a family, especially when my friends and family in the corporate/business world have even less time at home during the work day.

For now, I must go and do something, whether it be necessary or not! I have two hours until I leave for class!

Boys and Boobies

I have two adorable but somewhat rotten little boys. You may or may not know this. The older is 4 and the younger is 2.5yrs. They are fascinated with body parts (which is understandably developmental and not at all a surprise) But, when they start talking about their body parts, or someone else's body parts, I harbor feelings of embarrassment or humor and sometimes both!

The two boys have a 'naked' dance, that my hubby and I have restricted to their underwear, and play 'peek-a-boo-pee-pee' when they get out of the bathtub (which is exactly how you are picturing it...opening and closing their bath towels.) The boys think it is hilarious to pretend to put sunscreen on their bodies: all parts included thanks to Imagination Movers (No, they do not sing any songs about any inappropriate body parts. One of their episodes is about getting up and being active: when they go outside, they sing the sunscreen song!)

More recently, the younger boy has taken an interest in my body parts and is constantly trying to innocently peek down my shirt either very blatantly or nonchalantly. This act is typically accompanied by "I see your boobies, Mommy?" As if I would flash him! All the while, my older one seems to only be interested in how I go potty. I sometimes wonder if they have devised a secret plan as to how to expose me entirely!

In the meantime, my hubby and I will continue to teach modesty and the importance of privacy (or pridacy if you ask my 2 yr old) and chuckle at their newest obsession once the boys are tucked in bed.

The End

My happiest memories of the 2009-2010 school year in no particular order:

1. The pleasure of teaching a handful of students for the second year in a row in my first ever eighth grade class.

2. Experiencing one of my good friend's daughters as a student in my class.

3. When a student flipped me off behind my back and two sweet girls came to tell me because they thought I deserved to know and didn't want my feelings hurt.

4. Having one of the best, most harmless pranks pulled. I was talking with a group of students/teachers in the hallway. When I returned, I saw who I thought was Ryan standing behind the curtain. It turns out it was only his shoes! Ryan jumped out from across the room!

5. Having the smelliest student of all time, but seeing the pure joy he felt when I would sit and talk with him.

6. Helping a co-worker (and Mom of 8th grader) lug eight 8th grade guys to school who were dressed in short shorts and tight t-shirts just because they could.

7. My new room! While it is next door to the district office, it is much quieter than my old one. And I have a window now!

8. Walking into school after 2.5hrs of sleep the day my friends and I went to dinner and to the New Moon Premier!

At the end of each school year, emotions run high, tension is thick, and students grow antsy. This year this was no different. However, how I allowed them to affect me did. No longer did I take things personally or harbor them late into the night. This year I celebrated the fact that I had survived another school year: that this year was unquestionably the roughest and most emotional yet, and I made it. Bring it on 2010-2011 school year.

Now, the past week and the next 10 will be filled with the smell of sunscreen and sweaty little boys, giggles and memories, picnics and popsicles, discovery and growing, and pure joy. I think I will savor these before thinking about next school year.

Good Morning!

Ever since I was first blessed to be a mommy, my absolute favorite time of the day is in the morning. The sweet smell of my little boys will eventually be gone OR I will no longer have the privilege of being able to cuddle them. I am not sure which one will come first, but, when it does, I will be looking forward to other special moments I will get to witness.

The satisfaction of needing a wet comb to fix my boys' hair in the morning is indescribable. Maybe it is because they sleep better than I and I can vicariously live through them? Or maybe it is the sign of one less whine or "no, Mommy!" or meltdown during the day thanks to their solid nights' rest?

Thankfully, I have a job that allows me every holiday with them and the summer months. But today, while the rest of my school building went on, Daddy and I stayed home to accompany our oldest to his preschool picnic.

Double bonus for me...I got to enjoy the morning! Check out the crazy hair!

What Goes Around, Comes Around...Is it OK if I help it around?

My little man, S, came home from preschool telling me that one of his friends asked him to be mean to a little girl in class because that little girl did something mean to "friend." When I asked S what he did, he told me (proudly) that he called his classmate a "meany" but then apologized and tried to get all three of them to play a game together. It worked.

Too often (more often than I am ever willing to admit) I repeat to myself, "What goes around, comes around." Ok, well, that is not such a bad thought, right? What is not so graceful of me is when I want to help said attacker feel that "comes around" part a little quicker, like sticking my foot out nonchalantly as that person walks by or getting the last word, even if it ends with the tone "na.na.na.na.boo.boo." I have witnessed and experienced the saying from both ends, but when I have just been treated unfairly or watch as another person, stranger or not, being treated unfairly, I want to give it right back in a passive-aggressive sort of way. 99% of the time I do not, but boy, do I think about it!

No wonder today's youth feel so confused and conflicted. We teach (and practice) kindness and helpfulness and want no good deed to be left unrewarded, but then expect the bad to just roll off. Except of course, if you are being bullied. Then stand up for yourself and your friends and family or a stranger while simultaneously practicing the cliche, what goes around, comes around.

Be a leader. Set the right expectations. Set the right boundaries.

Can You Believe Your Eyes?

Ever since I began teaching seventh grade (seven years ago) a countless amount of people have suggested I start a book to include all of the unbelievable things I have witnessed and heard: unbelievable and often inevitable unless you have taught or teach middle school. These suggestions have come from co-workers, friends, parents, family, neighbors, and students alike and while I am seven years tardy on the idea, here I am. Better late than never.

Certainly, this blog will not be a place to only include real-life scenarios that may or may not result in your jaw hitting your lap or rolling on the floor laughing, but a place to lay my thoughts and words. My poor hubby's ears can only take so much.

I have had internal monologues about starting a blog; after all, I do not have a special platform, an extra-ordinary life, a heartache, or any creative bone in my body. So, why would I start a blog? Except, of course to give said hubby's ears a break? My life, while quite worthwhile to me, is probably not of much inspiration to others. I get up, go to work, come home, do laundry, start dinner, play with my kiddos, do baths, walk the dog, grade papers, watch schmuck on tv, then go to bed. Repeat. Times 5.

Do I find joy and laughter and love throughout the day? Absolutely.
Do I love my life and all who are in it? No Question!
Do I find time to take care of myself? Duh...I'd go nuts if I didn't!

So, I guess by blogging, I can reflect on those precious gems throughout the day and can share them with you!