Why Oh Why Oh Why?!?!?!?!?!?

WHY is this what I see at the foot of my bed at one in the morning?!?!?!?!

(please refrain from answering that question as I am quite sure it will link back to my stunning parenting skills! HA!)

 

And THIS my friends . . . is the glory of summer!

LOVE THEM!!!!!!!  (the crazy nuts!)  :o)

Ok kids . . . BRING IT!!!!!!!

I find myself trying rather unsuccessfully to claw my way out of this deep bewildering pit of "natural bickering of childhood" (as my own children claimed it to be while cheerily defending themselves).  In sheer desperation tonight I found myself constructing a way to manage this self-consuming issue with the least possible amount of parental involvement on my part that I can think of.  (I'm SO going to win mother-of-the year!!!)  ;o)

So here is my newest strategy which will be unveiled tomorrow.  I printed 20 copies after which my printer proudly proclaimed (and then snickered) (I swear!  I heard it!  I'm not kidding!  It's also part of this maddening unnerving plot against me!  I'm ok.  Really.  I am.) that it was out of ink.  With 20 copies we just might make it to about 10 AM.  (Hello sweet Office Depot!  See YOU in the morning!)

You know . . . the more I think about it . . . I do recall bickering with my own sisters.  Maybe it is a natural part of childhood.  Maybe the madness part of it is just me!!!!  Aggghhhh!!!!  And as such . . . I may be seeking professional help!!!  Or maybe I just need a nice relaxing massage.  (not likely!) Or a trip to the store by myself? (Ugh!)  Or a walk to the mailbox.  (Too hot!)  Ok maybe just a walk upstairs. (All the way up there?)  A trip to the bathroom?  (well I'd have to get up to do that) . . . Maybe there's some chocolate in the house.  Hmmm . . . Oh look!!!!  I guess this semi-melted, sticky, fuzzy m&m between the couch cushions will do.  Mmmm Yummy!  Ahhh . . . yep . . . that did the trick.  Now I can go on - I've had my "me" moment.  I'm good for . . . oh . . .say another 10-15 minutes.  HA!!! :o)

Conflict Resolution Request

Circle one:   Is this   URGENT   or a   NON-ISSUE  ?

Is there fire or blood involved?                         YES                        NO

Can this matter  be worked out between the disputing parties without outside mediation?

YES                        NO

Circle one:  Is this a   TATTLE   or a   TELLING  ?

If it is a non-issue, blood or fire is not involved, the matter can be worked out independently between the two parties or the matter is classified as a tattle please place this paper in the closest waste receptacle.

If further intervention is still necessary – please briefly describe below:

Names of parties involved:  ____________________________________________________________________________________

Issue of dispute:  _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Did you like it?  ____  Why not?  ________________________________________________________________________________

What would you like to happen instead?  __________________________________________________________________________

Please communicate your above comments to the other party involved.

If this matter still requires further intercession please sign below, deposit on your progenitor’s pillow.

Your Signature  _________________________________________________________________

All requests will be responded to within a three day period.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Dad & Mom

Fun Old Summer Pictures . . .

Can't. Stop. Napping.

School's out!  I had teacher workday Friday and Saturday.  It was a paperwork frenzy until the end.  Teary goodbyes.  And then a clearing of all types of cobwebs.  I got so much done yesterday and actually feel pretty good about walking away.  There are always things to do - but fun things that can be done at a relaxing pace now.  

I don't know if it's a school year's worth of late nights, emotional exhaustion, failing to juggle all the things I try to, or what - but I can't stop sleeping now.  I'm able to get up and make it to the few places I need to go - but the second I'm home I'm asleep.  I'm not talking a quick power nap - yesterday I got home around 3:30 and promptly fell asleep until 8pm.  How do you wake up from a nap at 8pm?  The really sad thing? - I went to bed right after that for the night at 10pm - no problem.  This has been going on for several days - so I figure I must need it.  Bob and the kids have been so good about letting me rest.  Hopefully I'll get it out of my system and return to the world of the awake.

We did just play a rousing game of Apples to Apples.  Love that game!  So at least I got a little fun in between waking up from my nap and bedtime which is coming quick!

HOORAY FOR SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :o)

21 days!

21 days and I will begin my return to life as I knew it.  I will slowly begin to recall that there is a house I live in and hobbies I like to do.  My dedication to the gym will be stronger than ever and I will start to return all the many emails I have been silent on.  I may even begin to cook good meals again.  (Gasp!)  21 days and I will luxuriously sleep past 4:40am.  I will stay up late with no frantic dread.  I will frolic and laugh with my children until they can't stand me anymore.  (that may not take too long! hahaha)  I will laugh in the face of school zones and crossing guards.  I will shun the halls of the school.  I will turn my back on the never-ending paperwork and reports.  

And I will miss my students so very very much.

And Anotha Thang . . .

Image Source: http://i.pbase.com/v3/26/583126/2/47135643.IMG_8120.jpg

Did I mention - while the kids took piano this summer I did too!?!?!?!

It was so much fun! I love playing! I'd forgotten how much. My teacher helped me with two new songs a Sonatina and a piece by Greig - and then we worked on an old fun favorite of mine - Maple Leaf Rag - that had gotten a little rusty.

Maybe I will make that my summertime treat each year. It was really fun to sharpen up some cobwebed skills (that's an actual word! no it's not. but it should be.) :o)

Summer Wrap Up

Image Source: http://www.wildnatureimages.com/A%20to%20C3000/Alamo_1.JPG

The blog wouldn't be complete without mentioning our summer fun! The kids and I all worked a summer camp at my school together. It was a great experience for them. They did a great job and it was such a kick to have them there with me.

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Another highlight was using the kid's free Six Flags tickets. It was so fun to go and have a mini-family day. We cruised through the park all day riding everything we could find. Then in the evening Bob and Cowboy T enjoyed the mini mine train and other assorted looney tune rides while Buddy, K-bugs and I tore up the big scary rides. It was such a blast! I love hanging out with my family!

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Besides the summer camp volunteering, swim, piano, guitar, golf, violin, karate, baseball and softball lessons - we also went to San Antonio! Hooray! My sister and her family came down from Idaho and we all made the trek to see the Alamo and Shamu! It was so much fun! I love seeing my sisters whenever I can. This trip - you name it - we did it! The Imax, Alamo, Riverwalk, Children's Museum, Cheesecake Factory (oh my gosh amazing good!!!!), two days of Sea World, and more swimming too! We had such a blast together! We left on Bob's birthday and arrived home on K-bugs birthday! It was just a week-o-fun!!!!! I love summers!

School's Out!!! Yea!!!

I thought this day would never come! And to be honest . . . I think I looked forward to it more this year - than any other year when I was a kid! hahaha! I had no idea that teacher's were as excited as we were!

The first week of summer break I actually had to go to 3 days of training in Fort Worth. I was really dreading it - but day 2 and 3 of it was incredibly helpful and I really enjoyed it! It explained what I hadn't figured out this past year in regards to teaching children with autism. But I'm glad I hadn't had the training any sooner. I think it would have overwhelmed me a lot.

The next week school camp started. The kids actually got to volunteer with me and work each day. It was a lot of fun having them there with me and they worked really hard. It was fun to have such a great mix of students - and the money that we earned is going towards all the fun stuff we're doing this summer! Hooray!

After that week was another week of camp and also cub scout camp. That was crazy exhausting. It was nothing for me compared to the leaders in charge of the whole thing - but it was a weary week by the end for all of us.

This week K & B had baseball camp and I did a couple days of testing kiddos entering our programs in the district. It was much more relaxed for all of us.

I have to throw a huge shout out to my sis-in-laws and Mom for helping me with the kids! I owe them so much I'll never be able to make it up to them. They are always so sweet about it too!
Thanks guys!

So that's our summer update so far. Next week B starts golf. He is sooo excited about that! He's waited patiently for a couple of years for this one! Hooray!