At the Fishnic

Through Parker's Cub Scouts, we experienced our first Fishnic (a combined fishing & picnic outing).  Here is how each family member enjoyed the morning:

Once Macy had her babies settled, she had no problem getting comfortable with nature.  In fact, Macy outlasted all the boys & fished the longest.

Be careful what you read to your children!  Parker, like most boys, loves to read nonfiction.  We checked out one book on worms & read it over and over LAST YEAR.  As Parker watched each worm meet its demise, he started spouting information from the book and about all the wonderful services worms provide.  I seized the moment to remind him about the circle of life and introduce the food chain.  Parker wasn't impressed.  At the end of the morning, he proclaimed himself a "a fake bait fisherman."

Tony spent the first hour and a half, baiting, casting, and untangling lines while only having 2 hours of sleep.  What a great den leader and daddy!

I found my spot in the sun & my hot coffee just about perfect!

You know you're a teacher when....

You haven't blogged in almost two months.
You celebrate the last day before school starts.

You still get your picture taken on the first day of school.

The first weeks of school are so exhausting that you miss the Push Cart Derby to clean house.

You gain 3 pounds from all the stress eating due to piles of paperwork and the daunting task of molding the future.
The basement nows houses Mt. Dirty (an enormous pile of laundry).
Your caffeine intake doubles triples.
You get your daughter's 2 year old pictures taken 2 months before she turns 3.
You start telling your children "OK, smart friends, it's time to ....."
You bemoan doing homework with your own child, but keep assigning it any way.
You start grading papers/making new things/answering emails/do your professional reading at 9:30PM, and surprised when it is already 11:00 PM.
Your school bag is NEVER empty.
School supplies make you smile.
You think you have the best job on earth.

The F word

I've lost count of the times people have mentioned something they saw on Facebook or the times people were shocked that I wasn't participating or the times I've been told that I need to be on Facebook. At first, I resisted out of respect for my husband's wishes.  He knows me so well that he could see an addiction forming and didn't think it was a good idea.  Then after a couple of years of witnessing the same phenomenon, he relented and said he didn't care if I did it.  Another worry was what if a student or parent found me.  I don't have anything to hide. It would just be aggravating for an 8 year old to be on Facebook.  They're suppose to be reading or doing their homework - not hanging out on my page.  Next, comes the picture problem.  It would have to be a perfect picture.  And, is there really such a thing?  Apparently so, since I have read the article "How To Take The Perfect Facebook Picture".  It was terribly complicated. Look up, chin down or was it the other way?  Finally, the friend dilemma.  The last Facebook article I read was a study of the friend number.  The perfect number is around 300.  More than 300, the article found that people no longer felt important to the friend or that the friend spent way too much time trolling for friends.  Less than 300, the friend needs to get out more.  Facebook represents a whole new level of stress to me. And, I don't really need to go looking for more.  My life, at times, provides more of that than I really want.  But I suppose if I ever came across that perfect picture, then sure I'd join the millions saying "Did you see that on Facebook....?"

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Celebrating a previous birthday at my mom's FAVORITE lunch spot in KC, Andre's

I've just been doing some online browsing for my Mom's birthday gift.  Her birthday is Friday, and we are excited for her to come and spend some time with us for a long weekend.  As I was pursuing her wish list, it dawned on me that these little gifts in no way communicate how much she means to me.  If we were wealthy, I could probably come close...maybe a cruise or something from Tiffany's?  Besides my dad, my mom knows my whole story.  She knows my tears shed when I lost the Student Council Vice President vote in middle school.  She knows that I loved hunting for bargains with her at Jones' Midnight Madness Sales. She knows my first kiss happened on my first Prom.  She knows that I couldn't wait to get my driver's license so she pulled me out of school on my 16th birthday.  She knows the tears I cried when I said good-bye to my best friend when she left for Mizzou and I for Harding.  She knew that there was something about Tony that hadn't been there with any other boyfriends - and let me tell you - they were so relieved it wasn't the neck popper.  She has seen every one of my classrooms.  She walked with me through all my pregnancies and listened to my own parenting failures and breakthroughs.  It's comforting to know that there is someone who knows your whole history - the sweet and the sour.  But even more comforting, is my Mom never lets me edits my disappointments.  They are what they are.  Move on. Some how, some way, she taught me that I am not a total of successes to failures, but I am God's chosen daughter.  May I be so blessed to do the same with Parker and Macy.  I love you!

Trophy Children?

I just finished reading Parenting By the Book, Bibical Wisdom for Raising Your Child by John Rosemond.  Friends, this book hit home on so many levels!  The first one that convicted me was how as parents we define success.  Often, we equate success with a great report card or the number of activities our children participate in.  But we don't view this as our child's success but as ours.  OUCH! Rosemond argues we should view success in the three Rs - respect, responsibility, and resourcefulness. He asks where is the bumper sticker that says "My child has impeccable manners!".  The second thing that hit home with me was how as parents we can be so consumed with our children learning skills such as their ABCs,  but we don't spend the same amount of time hammering manners.  He used the example that we teach children to wait for a pause then say "Excuse Me" when they need to interrupt.  The proper way he believes ifor a child to interrupt an adult conversation is to stand away from the conversation as not to eavesdrop and wait for the adult to address the child.  He points out this is still the norm in Africa, but certainly not the US.  I couldn't believe what I had taught Parker to wait for a pause and say Excuse Me was the exact example he used! I thought this was the polite thing to do!  Now I am not so sure!  I struggled to get past the first chapter, but I am so glad I did!  Rosemond gave me a lot to think about as well as generating lively discussions between Tony & I!

Beat the heat with a must read!

Since I don't have my usual hour of grading to do after the kids go to bed, I've been indulging in my favorite pastime - reading (big surprise!).  It's easy to ignore my summer to do list when I am in a middle of a book.  So far this summer, Black Heels and Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond has been my favorite.  You know I love Ree in a big way!  I can't wait for her show to start this month on Food Network.  But even if you aren't a foodie, it is a great read!  It chronicles how she met her husband and went from being a city girl to a ranch wife.  I love listening to people tell a story - any story -  whether it's how they fell in love, went on a trip, or about their kids.  If you like real life stories too, then check this book out and join me in ignoring our to do lists! :)

Future Photographer?

At 2 1/2 years old, Macy has already found her trademark.  Notice the finger?  Macy enjoys spontaneous photography - whatever captures her interest, it deserves a photo shoot.  If it is you, be prepared for a demanding session.  Macy says "CHEESE!!!" quite emphatically.  If your smile doesn't meet her demanding requirements, she repeats herself louder.  This technique found huge success when working with her daddy.