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Friday, June 25, 2010

1950's Flashback?

In her preschool yearbook when asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Most kids answered, "a princess," "a fireman" "a cowboy." Brookey answers, "A teacher and a Mommy." All she needs is pearls and heels and she's a regular June Cleaver!

Ready for Swimming Lessons

Swimming lessons have been going well this year. Brooke has finally wholeheartedly embraced the water. She always liked going swimming, but now it's a passion. AND she puts her head underwater--finally! Last year, the teacher could hardly get her to stick her face in, but this year, every time I look at her, she'd completely underwater. She just loves it!

Buddy likes his little Mommy and Me class, but only when it's 78 degrees or more outside. The other day we got into the pool when it was 65 degrees and he just kept pointing to the side saying, "Out. Out." Poor baby! He likes the neighborhood pool MUCH better-it's kept at a nice, warm 80+ degrees as opposed to the swimming lessons public pool that is 10-15 degrees cooler.

I am hoping that Brooke learns to swim this year. So far, she's on track!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Kindergarten Doctor Appointment

One word can sum this up: NIGHTMARE. I can still remember my Kindergarten Doctor appointment (AKA: The "Shot" appointment). I can remember trembling with fear and my dad telling me we'd go to McDonald's afterward.

It was no different for Brooke today. If she doesn't remember this, rest assured EVERYONE in the entire doctor's office will remember her. If there would have been a police officer nearby, I guarantee he would have stopped in to see who was getting tortured.

She ended up getting four shots including a TB test. This didn't include two shots she had to get 3 months ago and the flu shot she'll have to get this Fall. That is A LOT of pokes! And since her arms are a little on the bony side, they always give them to her in the leg. Yuck.

Poor baby. Poor Me. I was bawling along with her! You think I'd be better after 4++ years of seeing my kids get shots but FOUR is a lot of a kid who is VERY aware of everything.

But it's over now and she's ready for Kindergarten! We also found out at 43lbs she's in the 80th percentile for weight and at 46 inches tall, she's in the 97th percentile for height! Which is good, since she's starting school early. I am sure it will all even out in a few years.

Whew. Glad that's over. I have another 3 years before I have to worry about that dreaded appointment again. And of course, we celebrated at McDonald's!

Wanted!

Given Name: William Riley Rooney

Other Known Names: Buddy, Little Buddy Head, Noo-Noo Nah-nah, Stinky Brother

Height: 31 inches (50th percentile)

Weight: 26 lbs (75th percentile)

Age: 15 months

Wanted For: Stinky diapers, tormenting his older sister, sticking his fingers in electric sockets and other General Naughtiness

Last Seen: Taking out everything from the Tupperware drawer and depositing the contents all over the house

Likes: "Running," Yogurt, Applesauce, Ice Cream, Playing with Big Sister, his "Blankie", Sleeping

Dislikes: Anything roughly resembling a vegetable, missing a nap, staying up past 6pm, going to the pool

He Might Say: "Stop!", "No," "Up," "That," "Dog" and other random gibberish

If anyone has seen this rascal, please contact authorities immediately.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Summer Fun!

Summer vacation has gotten off to a great (and BUSY) start! It's been non-stop since my last day of work...but so much fun! Brookey's graduation, end of the year picnic, trips to the park and the pool and of course the big "graduation party!"

Kindergarten Here We Come!


"Graduation" Party

Homemade Cake (not by me!!)

Friends at the Party
Will's first trip to the pool (he is NOT a fan!)


Helping Daddy with the Garden

Running off into the sunset...I swear, this kid is like Forest Gump...he just runs and runs and runs...

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Preschool Graduation


For the record, I ONLY got teary-eyed during the video montage!! I think I was too busy trying to capture the moments on film and video :-)

The dysfunctional family!
Buddy found a foxtrot partner at the ceremony
Brookey and James--they look pretty good together!
Brookey and her teacher
The boys by a DaLite screen!
BFF's
Brooke & Billy-she prefers blonds :-)
Brookey & Teacher Lynda
Friends!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Why I Teach

This has definitely been one of the most difficult years I've had. Juggling two kids and an extremely labor-intensive, emotional job definitely took it's toll.

My decision to take little time away from teaching at first, was an easy one. But when the time came to say by goodbyes...to students, co-workers and parents, it turned out to be a lot more difficult than I imagined.

There is no doubt I plan to return to the profession as soon as it makes sense for our family. It's cards and letters like the one here that makes me never doubt my decision to enter one of the coolest professions ever.

The card below is from the family of a student I met my very first day as a special ed teacher. This "young man" (3rd grader at the time), growled, screamed and threw chairs at me (several times!!) and would never look me in the eye except maybe to tell me how stupid I was. Last Thursday night, I watched him walk on stage and receive the President's Award for Academic Excellence. He walked off the stage with tears in his eyes and gave me a huge hug....and then apologized for throwing chairs at me. The next day I received this card from his family. Click on it to read. It was definitely a good thing I wore waterproof mascara when I read it!



Quick and Easy Meal Prep for Breakfast + Lunch + Snacks!

Ready for a SUPER quick and easy meal prep?! No joke, it took me longer to find all the lids to these containers than it did it prep my b...