Amber Alert

We have a hostage situation, big nephew's trophies have been held hostage!

Set the stage for a short story. Big Sis has 3 cherub boys, ages 10,7,4. Big nephew had his own bedroom and middle and baby nephew shared a room. Baby nephew is 4 and coming into his own rapidly. He honestly is hysterical and never ceases to amaze us with his funny antidotes. So, oldest and middle want to take a turn at living together (again) so big sis moves baby into his own room.

Big nephew is taking tv and playstation with him. Baby nephew doesn't like this too much and decides to take action. His reaction, "Fine, I am keeping the trophies then!" Baby nephew has been holding big nephew's trophies hostage. Hysterical! Big sis is going in each day and taking one trophie at a time to big nephew to avoid meltowns from baby. Hopefully he doesn't notice.

*Rec'd story 2nd hand so hopefully the details are on target!

A Night Away :o)

Ahhh, breathe. We shopped, dined at a nice restaurant, shared a (really good) bottle of wine, and visited a fun local pub. Mostly, Hubby and I were just happy for the time to bond, laugh, sleep (in a quaint Inn) and celebrate our love. Thank you inlaws for watching the cherubs so we could breathe. We are very appreciative!

Happy Bday FIL! Party was fun...

PS- Of course cherub 2 came home with a fever. He can't seem to experience a change to his routine without paying the price. I just don't get it. Low grade 100.1. Let's hope it is gone in the am.

Saturday Doin's

Hubby is digging out of another 8 inches of snow. He just dug my rents out of the 8 inches too. I am so thankful. It is hard for my dad not to be able to do it himself. When hubby helps them (without being asked) it warms my heart.

We are heading off to the inlaws this afternoon for FIL's bday celebration (which is tomorrow). We were practicing our happy bday singing abilities. Cherub 2 is bringing "Mr Magic's" (his new self-proclaimed title) box of tricks. Sure to entertain the troups! Hubby and I might stay in a hotel tonight. A night away? We won't even know what to do with ourselves! I am sure we will think of something! Personally, I can't wait to SLEEP uninterrupted!!!!! ZZZZZzzzzzzz's.

Of course, hubby is swinging me through two house that he wants to look at on the way out of town. Sure, add to my stress. I don't have enough middle age pimples yet! Plus, we haven't moved in 4 years...I was getting bored! :o)

Be Prepared?

The Girl Scouts motto has always been be prepared. Unlike this famous motto, here are a few things that my Master's teacher prep program could not prepare me for:

The first 'report card season'. I am feeling very anxious. I have been reviewing my grade book during vacation to prepare for completing report cards. Somehow, there are small g a p s for a couple of students. Hmmm, do they hoard their work in their desk? Can I trace back those specific assignments to absences? Why didn't I have a better system to track that? Oh, that is right, no one teaches you any of that! Yet, another thing you kind of learn the hard way.

I am also starting to get a pit in my stomach about the parent/teacher conferences. I have a couple of parents that have already proven to be on my case. One in particular wants to ensure I 'follow the curriculum'. The parents are another thing that a teacher prep program cannot prepare you for.

Lack of sleep. Last night, I went out to dinner with my Lesley girls. We voted that we are more overtired as teachers than when in our Master's program. Which, at the time, we thought we could NEVER be more tired. Plan, teach, correct, plan, teach, correct, assess, etc.

Cha Ching

Cherub 1 is getting braces tomorrow. It is kinda cute though...she is all excited.

Check it out...

...lunar eclipse! Last one until 2010...so cool.

The judger is judged.

After visiting our friends and then shopping at Target afterwards, it was rounding towards 6pm and we still hadn't had dinner. Off to the golden arches we head.

As you remember, our hometown McyD's burnt down so we haven't been frequenting that establishment (which has been fabulous). Let me just state, I do not let my children play in the indoor playgrounds. Ever. The last time I did, cherub 1 was two and I was (really) pregnant. She got scared while way up high in the slide maze and I had to shimmy my way up the slides, prego belly and all, to get her.

It smelled like pee, poop and other nasty things. It was also VERY dirty.

We enter the line and a very loud woman with bright pink hair is ahead of us with a little boy with bare feet. Umm, have you never read the signs before? Point taken, dirty boy with really dirty feet was headed over to the play area to dirty up the slide that cherub 2 was already moaning about b/c I won't let him go on it. I am judging her. I admit it.

Worse. Dirty boy comes over and hugs my kids. Off, oboo, off. I am aggravated (yes, me the lover of all children) that this kid is now on my kids. Cherub 2 burst into tears b/c the kid touched him. Great.

You thought I was the only one judging, right? Pink haired mom comes up to me and says, "Did you see that loser (referring to father of a father and son duo that just left)? He let his kid drink soda. What am I the only one that doesn't do that?" I politely tell her that my kids don't drink it yet and all I can think about is how ironic it is that she, the mom toting barefoot kid in McDonald's on a 20 degree, freezing cold night, is actually judging another parent for his follies.

We are all so perfect, we can judge each other? Right?