August 10, 2008

Could they show any more commercials during the Olympics? Michaela and I have been waiting for weeks to see the women's gymnastics (Michaela is a huge Shawn Johnson fan. I like Alicia Sacramone) and it was just painful to watch for three reasons.

First of all, all the dang commercials. NBC is just as bad as MTV about commercials during the olympics. It is just as annoying as it can get. There were times they would come back from a commercial break just to show one of the girls wrapping their wrists or something and to tell us what was coming up next and then they'd be off on commercials again.

Second, the American team had so many mistakes it was unbelievable. How they had the second highest overall score for the night is beyond me. They were all falling left and right until the last two rotations. It was really hard to watch.

Thirdly, they just HAD to do an interview with the president. UGH! Give me a break. That was the LAST thing I wanted to see during the Olympics. I would have rather seen our team fall a couple more times. But, then again his using the Olympics as his personal political soap box just irritates me to no end.

Anyway, we managed to watch until the end of the gymnastics preliminaries. Hopefully, the finals will be better on Tuesday.

August 9, 2008

Tonight, Michaela had Anikca come over for a sleep over. Why do I do this when I'm so tired and just want quiet in my house? Michael and I are both quiet people so the noise of another child in the house is very hard for me, especially when I am low on energy.

We took them down to Ted Drews for a treat. Michaela and Caleb got Reeses concretes. Anikca got a brownie concrete. Michael got a mint concrete and I got a Dutchman. Anikca informed us that not only had she never had Ted Drews, but she'd never had a concrete of any kind. She doesn't even get them at Lyons.

It was a really nice night out. It was still warm, but not even so hot that you got hot standing in that long line at Ted Drews. There didn't seem to be any mosquito's out, either. It was an enjoyable time for us and great to get the kids out of the house for a while.

August 8, 2008

It was my last Friday off of work. I cannot believe how fast this summer has gone by. I wanna go back to June! Next week at this time the kids and I will be trying to adjust to getting back into a school year routine.

We went back out to my school again today. I worked more on my desk area. I also started cleaning out the big cabinet behind my desk. The kids watched a couple videos and then helped me with a few things. I cannot believe how much stuff I have that I need to go through. But, I'm determined to get everything completely organized BEFORE the start of school so I can KEEP it organized.

This evening we did a finger food supper. We like to do this when there's something special that we want to watch as a family on television. Tonight it was the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Michaela and I have been looking forward to this for a few weeks now. It was really cool, but was kind of long.

Michaela stayed up until about 9:30 or so, long enough to see the Americans come into the arena. Caleb went back to his room and fell asleep about 45 minutes before that.

August 7, 2008

I took the kids swimming for the last time this summer today. We went out to my school again this morning. I worked on my desk area for a while. The custodians moved my old teacher's desk to the computer lab and swapped it for one that was in there. My old one did not have the drawer above the lap, and the one in the computer lab did. The one in the computer lab was only used to hold an extra computer, so it doesn't need that drawer.

I am going through everything thoroughly before putting it away this year. I'm purging what I've not touched in years. I even tested all my markers and pens (with the help of my kids) and threw away the ones that did not work perfectly. I need to buy a few more desk organizer type things.

We came home and had lunch after we were there for a few hours. Then, we got ready to go to the pool. I had to stop at Stacey's house to give her a book. We talked for a little while.

The kids and I got to the pool around 2:00 pm. We had to go to one of the bigger ones today because the smaller one we like is already closed. The "baby" area of the pool we went to was closed for repairs, so we stuck to the main activity pool. It was not too hot, but hot enough to enjoy being at the pool. It was a nice afternoon. I love spending that time with my kids.

August 6, 2008

It's been another busy day for us. We left the house around 8:20 this morning. I needed to get out to work for a while. My plan was to get my furniture arranged and maybe start unpacking things. Then, attend the planning meeting that our principal was having.

Of course I got into a conversation with one of my co-workers that lasted longer than I'd planned. This means that I didn't get much moved before the meeting started. I did get a few things moved, though. I managed to get a movie set up for the kids to watch while I was in my meeting, too.

There were not as many people there as I expected. It was just two of the intermediate teachers, the computer lab teacher and myself with the principal. It was a good meeting and I feel it was very productive. It also managed to help get me more in the mood to go back to work. That and seeing my new math textbooks.

I'm very excited about getting a new math series. The old one I'd used for 9 years. We'd been using it for three years in the district I worked in before coming to this district. I've been with this district for 6 years. Therefore, I'd been using a series I really did not like for 9 years. It feels so good to get to dig into something new, especially something I wanted to begin with.

After the meeting I did move a few other things around, too. I still did not get a whole lot accomplished, but it did get started. And, like I said, I'm getting in the mood to go back to work. That feels good. I like that feeling of knowing that I can start fresh with the beginning of the school year. Getting to start over every year is one of the perks of teaching.

We stayed at my school until around noon. Then, we came back to town and I took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese. I'd promised the kids that we'd do that before we went back to school and that they could spend the tickets they'd been saving up. With the almost 500 tickets they got today, they had 2599 total.

They each spent 1200 tickets. Michaela got a heart shaped bean bag pillow, two tubes of body glitter, and a packet of Lick-a-maid. Caleb got two die cast racing cars and a little toy gun. They both did a great job of making decisions on what they wanted quickly today. I had fun spending that time with them, too. They still have 199 tickets to start over with their saving up again.

The dealership called about my car again today around 3:30 p.m. They had to hand over my van to the company that installed the DVD player because they could not figure out what is wrong with it. They have everything else fixed. But, it seems I won't get my van back today either. Oh well, at least when I do get it back it'll be completely fixed.

August 5, 2008

I hate not having my own car. The van had to go into the shop today. We have an oil leak, the horn is dying, the DVD player is not getting any power from the connection it makes in the docking station in the van and it's time for safety and emissions inspections (which should be the only thing I have to actually pay for).

Anyway, I get a loaner while they are figuring things out with my van, but I just HATE not having my vehicle. At least I have transportation, but it's not mine. Wah, wah wah! I know I'm a big baby. I hope they are able to get everything fixed today.

They gave me a Rondo for the loaner. It's like a mini Suv, I guess. It's small, but it's cute. I'm sure it probably gets really good gas mileage. It sure doesn't take up the space in the garage that the van does. I want my van back, though, in perfect condition.

I got a phone call from them around 4:00 pm today. They called to tell me that they had not even gotten to my van, yet. That really irritated me. I'm not sure what the point in my having a 9:00 am appointment was when they didn't even look at it the whole day. I really hope this does not turn into a week long thing without my van. I hope it's all fixed right, though too.

August 4, 2008

It was a busy morning for us. I got up 6:30 am this morning to get myself together. I needed to get the kids up by 7:00 am. They both had dentist appointments this morning at 8:00 am. It was a new dentist again. I had too much trouble getting an appointment with the dentist we used last summer so I decided to try yet another one. This is the third one in three years.

The kids did great. I really like this dentist, too. She was very upbeat and explained things really well. She is in network with our insurance which is great. And, getting an appointment was easy. As a matter of fact, I was able to make the kids' next appointment in February while I was there. That was a huge help to me. The hygienist was a really great guy, too.

After that we came home and grabbed a form we needed for our next stop. Caleb had to be at the doctor's office by 10:00 am. He had to have a physical for school since he didn't go to public school for kindergarten. He also had to get his Chicken Pox booster.

We left there and I took the kids to Walgreens. They both have been so good all morning about being shuffled around all over the place that I decided to treat them. Michaela got a Beanie Baby 2.0 and Caleb got a Lil'kins Cow. I also got a Lil'kins. I got the St. Bernard. It's my first Webkinz. I'm kind of excited about it.

Then, we needed to stop at the grocery store for a few things. I ended up getting a few things more than I went in there for, but that's ok. It was nothing major. We did get some more Popsicles, though as we're out of those. Can't go without those. The kids have to have one every time they go swimming in the pool in the back yard. They swim for a while then have a Popsicle and then swim some more.

Next, we stopped at the kids' school. I had to drop off the medical forms from the doctor and the dentist so Caleb's file at school would be complete. I got to talk to the principal there again. She always makes a point of stopping to talk to me if she sees me and that really means a lot to me. I found out that one of the ladies from church is the nurse at their school, too. I think that's cool.

The rest of the day I spent reading and doing laundry. I'm determined to finish this book that I've been reading before I have to go back to work. I took it with me tonight, too, so I could read when Michaela was in her gymnastics class. That's 80 quiet minutes (I sit out in the car) of uninterrupted reading. That I cannot get at home.

August 3, 2008

We had a great afternoon today. My SIL sent me a text message just as we were getting ready to make lunch. She wanted us to meet them at the park pool. Not the one that I usually take the kids to myself, but the one over closer to their house that has the really tall slides at it.

We decided to ignore the grass that needs to be cut and the laundry that needs to be done and went. It ended up being My BIl, SIL, niece, and nephew. But, my SIL's sister, her son, my niece's best friend and her mom were there, too. It was a fun group to hang out with for the afternoon.

Michaela got to go down the big slides for the first time. Once she did it, we could not get her off of them. She loved it. She's got more nerve than her mommy. My niece braved it once, too. Michael, his brother, my SIL's sister, and her son all went down, too. The rest of us just enjoyed watching.

It was so nice to just relax and enjoy the company of friends and family for the afternoon. It was hot enough to enjoy the water, but not too hot. And, the pool never did get very crowded, which was really nice. I'm so glad we went.

August 2, 2008

It was a busy day. I got up when Michael went to work this morning. Yes, I think we are back in the cycle of him working every Saturday. I got the bank records updated from when we were on vacation. That took a while, but gosh it feels good when that is done.

The kids and I then went to Kidsmart. Kidsmart is a store that teachers who work in districts that service low income families can go to to get free supplies for their students. We are allowed to go and "shop" there once a month. We are given a list that tells us how much of each item we can take at the time since supply inventories go up and down all the time. Then, we have an hour to get what we need. During the school year we have to work at least three volunteer hours in the "store" to "pay" for what we "buy." It's really a great set up.

I was able to get folders, notebooks, crayons, pencils, glue and scissors for my students today. I also got a couple calculators, a bunch of pens, some markers, a couple staplers, three binders of teacher resource materials, and a few other miscellaneous items. It filled up a really big box. They had to help me put it in my van.

Then, tonight we went to St. Louis Mills Mall to look for shoes for Michael. Clothes are included in the tax free items during the tax holiday weekend. We went in through Cabela's because Michael would break out into hives if we did not. They had signs up saying they now have a "Bargain Cave." It's in another store front down two doors from Cabela's so we went in there just to see what they had. I ended up getting two shirts for my brother. My brother wears 3XL Tall, so clothes for him are usually not cheap. These shirts were on sale for $3.88 each and they are really good quality material. I would have bought more if we'd been able to find more in his size.

Next, we stopped at The Children's Place. I just love that store. We decided to get the kids' their outfits for picture day. Michaela got a cute little blue plaid jumper with a shirt that matches to go under neath. Caleb's we were able to get off the clearance racks. He got a really cute dark blue Hawaiian type button down shirt and some khaki shorts to go with it. I'm going to probably get them both new tennis shoes before picture day, too.

Finally, after going into three shoe stores, we found shoes for Michael at Sketchers. He needed some that were dressy enough for church, but he could wear to work, too. He found a pair he really liked and felt comfortable. I saw a couple pairs that would be good for Michaela, but we had spent enough money for the night. We may go back and see about getting them in a couple weeks or so.

August 1, 2008

How in the world can it be August already? I am so not ready for it to be this late in the summer already. Time just goes by too fast during the summer time. My babies are getting ready to start first grade and fourth grade.

We stopped up at the kids' school to see who their teachers are going to be for this school year. Michaela is a little bummed out. She did not get the teacher she wanted. But, she is satisfied with the teacher she did get. She and Anikca are not in the same class this year. Their teacher from last year told them this would probably happen because they did not want all the SOAR kids in the same class again. The one little girl who just bothers both Anikca and Michaela all the time is in Anikca's class this year.

Michaela told Caleb that he got a "nice" teacher. He wanted her to show him the picture of his teacher on the wall where they have all of the teachers' pictures, but Michaela could not remember exactly which picture it was.

While we were at the school we grabbed a supply list for Michaela. We were able to find Caleb's list at Wal-mart, but they did not have the 3rd or 4th grade lists there. Then, we headed to Wal-mart to get their school supplies.

What a mad house. I thought if we went in the morning we'd not have so much crowd to deal with since it's tax free weekend. One of the Wal-mart employees said people started coming in at midnight for the tax free sales. I bet it got even worse this evening and will be like that tomorrow, too. I'm glad we got it out of the way today.