Top 5 Today

1. Got off work when I was supposed too! HOORAY!!! So I worked only 6 hours instead of 8!

2. VBS all week for the kiddos...lots of time to work on stuff at home!

3. Date night with Dan...out for dinner together, lots of time to talk and just hangout...yummy food too!

4. US Toy shopping for School. Dan and I had a lot of fun scouring every aisle and getting some additional things for my classroom.

5. It's Friday...tomorrow's Saturday!

School Countdown

My to do list keeps getting longer. School is only 2 weeks and 3 days away. Today my boss gave us our To-Do List broken down by day. This includes everything we have to do before the first day of school. AUUGHH! I think I may lose it...I forgot how much goes into getting ready for the first day of school. Plus my Computer hates me and Excel is being most uncooperative. So tonight I am working on my classroom schedule and jamming out to music and enjoying the quiet of my household as the kids are at VBS with Grandma and Grandpa!

I had jammed my thumb on Monday night at Vball and today I have less pain and more movement! HOORAY!

Maybe not

Advice for the day: If you have a lot of tension and you
get a headache, do what it says on the aspirin bottle:
"Take two aspirin" and "Keep away from children."
--Author Unknown

Only works if you aren't a mom or a teacher!

Long Day

It's been a long day for me. It's also been a really long day for this family whose blog I read. Please take a moment to check in on them and say a prayer for this sweet baby!

Busy Full Weekend

I can't believe the weekend is over! It's gone rather fast! We got some stuff done, started a few more projects and weeded through some more stuff. I need to get both my school stuff done and get the house back into shape for the upcoming school year. We need to start purchasing school clothes and supplies. So far the kids have gotten their new lunch boxes for the fall. I also need to start getting our morning routine moving more smoothly so that we are ready come August 18th. I can't believe that school is almost here.

On a side note if anyone knows how to cook Quinoa could you give me a few pointers since we are trying to figure it out.

Here's looking forward to a good week! The kiddos are going with the Grandparents to their church for VBS so I am hoping to getting a few more things done around the house this week as I will be kid free.

Countdown to the School Year

I have 3 more weeks of summer camp and then school starts!

So that makes counting weekends and the fact that we start on Tuesday only 23 more days till school starts.

Last night I took advantage of US Toys Teacher night. I went and got borders, a new calendar, new calendar headers since I am missing 3 months and the teacher across the hall has the same ones...(i'm not going to match!), table labels, shapes for my walls, a poster of feelings, and so forth...spent a lot...but it's stuff I need to replace since a lot of my stuff got destroyed last summer. My room is going to look fabulous(hopefully) and I hope I get it all done by the first day of school!

A Different Kind of Day

Ever just have one of those days. The kind that really aren't going to well but honestly it doesn't bother you. This is that day for me! Here's some examples:

* I woke up late and didn't have time for a much needed shower...oh well, threw on some jeans, extra deoderant and out the door I went...I'll shower later

* My class was being stressful, loud and disrespectful...all 22 of them...oh well, I leave at 1:30 and don't have to worry about them anymore...that's for another teacher to deal with!

* My lawn really needs to be mowed and it's hot...SCORE! a Neighbor boy said he and 2 friends would mow and edge it(I haven't edged all summer) for $15 dollars...some of the best $15 dollars ever!

* My children don't deserve a break but I am giving them one since I will be working them hard later...

I think I am feeling so much better that the little things that usually drive me crazy just aren't today! Hooray for a Good Day!

Thankful for the Rain

I won't lie rain isn't my favorite thing in the world! Especially after the flooding we experienced last summer and the stress that was caused by that! Today I am thankful for the rain. I have been sick this weekend and I didn't want to go to work this morning and I ended up being at work for nearly 9 hours both in the classroom and working on organizing the resource room. The last thing I wanted today was to have to go anywhere else but it's volleyball night and we have a game scheduled for 8. Fortunately I got an email telling me that all matches tonight were cancelled. So I can relax, rest and get refreshed for tomorrow and head to bed early! I am so thankful for the rain!

A Change May Do Us Good

Dan has decided that he needs to get healthier...I am all for that.

Dan figures he needs to get his nutrition in order to help with many different areas of his general "man" health...I am all for that.

Dan has decided to cut out almost all animal fats and adopt a more healthy whole food vegetable based diet...I am not really liking that.

We both need to lose a few pounds and get into better shape...I'm all for that.

We are going to be embarking on a journey of good nutrition and changing our diet from one full of processed foods to one of natural whole foods, the way God intended for us to live and eat. I'm excited to see what happens and yet at the same time worried that the convenience will outdo the good health. Here's to getting healthy and eating good foods that are good for you.

Sharing

As a parent I have wanted my children to be good sharers...of stuff not germs! Jaron got sick last Sunday and was sick for 2 days and then was better for the rest of the week. Janea helped out by watching her brother and was disappointed about missing school...then she woke up on Thursday with a fever and has been sick since...she is just now on the mend. Well, yesterday I got home from work and was feeling chilled. This is how I feel when I get a fever. So I am taking it easy this weekend, or at least trying to since there is stuff I must get done before the work week next week. I don't feel too bad this morning and my chills are mostly gone so I am going to do a little then rest off and on all day. Please pray that we all get over this little bug we've seemed to pick up and that we didn't share it with too many others.

Glad it's Friday..

Janea is still sick...glad I can stay home with her tomorrow.

I'm feeling achy...glad I have the day off tomorrow.

My house needs cleaning....glad that I can clean tomorrow.

So in a nutshell I am glad it's Friday!

Mom...I don't feel so good...

Janea woke up this morning with the same symptoms Jaron had on Sunday and Monday. She is running a fever, has a headache and achiness and as she put it...my mouth tastes like yuck! So the boy and I will be heading to work today and hopefully I will get off at my regular time...so thankful that Dan is able to have them stay home with him and still go to work in the evenings.

Gulp...

There is just under a month before school starts. I have so much to do and not enough time to do it...and I am starting to realize that I don't have as much time as I thought I had...Gulp...

This happens every school year...and yet last summer I was missing it...I didn't realize how lucky I really had it...oh well...life goes on...

Here's to finishing the summer strong and preparing for next school year!

Poor Kid

Jaron is running a fever...we noticed it yesterday as we went shopping. I hate when the kids aren't feeling good. I hate going to work knowing they are sick. I am blessed that Dan is home during the day so I can go to work and he is home...today both kiddos are staying home so that I can go to work. Janea will help take care of her little brother so Daddy can sleep and I will try to get home a little bit early.

Just what this Momma needed

Friday as I was leaving school my mom called and said that my parent's church( they pastor a church about 40 minutes from here) was having their annual VBS kickoff. This year it was going to be at a local families farm and there would be fishing and games and fun. She wanted to know if the kids would be able to go...they often go to VBS at Grandma and Grandpa's church in the summer. I was all over that!

4:40 the kids got picked up to go...and they didn't come home until almost 10! It was so nice to have a relaxing night off without the kids.

Dan and I went to Costco...but only had a half an hour to shop...probably would have spent even more if we had more time but we got the stuff we really needed!

After Costco because Dan is wise and we brought the cooler with us for the frozen stuff we stopped at PepperJax for yummy philly cheese steak sandwiches!( yeah for no cooking!)

Then we came home and just hung out...watched some shows we had DVR'd to watch together and relaxed...kidless...it was wonderful! I am so thankful for my mom and dad who were able to spend quality time with the grandkids and for those times when I get a break.

What A Week

I think this was one of the longest working weeks I have ever had. Not because of the hours but because of the DRAMA!

I took a vacation the last week of June first week of July and while I was gone one of the teachers quit. She just walked out...saying mean things and causing trouble. Well this was on Wednesday...I did kinda know what was going on because one of my good friends was my co-teacher and she and I exchanged texts and she called to let me know what was going on. Well, Sunday I get a call from the preschool director informing me that the employee that quit called the State of Kansas liscensing agency and that there would be a good chance that they would come to check out the allegations. Plus we were going to be short staffed for the coming week and that things may be challenging. I let her know that I could work 8 hour days due to the fact that I missed 3 days of work the previous week and would need a few more hours to compensate for my missing time(I normally work 6).

I made sure that I was early for work on Monday and my boss tells me that there would be some staff changes this week...in other words they have to let a few people go due to ongoing issues in one wing of the building. This had nothing to do with my wing, my wing is fine...just a head's up because there may be problems...well the employees who were let go went off...screaming and yelling and causing trouble...I had my class in our indoor playground so I wasn't directly involved but it was chaotic...made for a very long day.

Tuesday and Wednesday were okay at work but my son went nuts...see my Super Crab posts...and I was just worn out...plus I worked overtime at least one day since we were so short staffed because on top of all the problems with liscensing(who still hadn't stopped by) another employees sons were sick and she called in one day to take them to the doctor causing us to be even further shortstaffed.

Thursday was a day where we were trying to make sure that Friday was covered so our Program director could take a well deserved long weekend and another gal could have her scheduled time off...we were able to make it all work but things are still crazy and there is a feeling of stress in the air from the constant amount of upheaval...and the kids are sensing things are crazier than normal and trying to take advantage. On a plus note for me personally, I did sign my contract for the upcoming school year and I am very pleased with the nice increase in my salary and being officially a "teacher" as opposed to an "assistant"(though I really was a teacher)

Yesterday was long...our cook has been having car trouble and was 3 hours late for work so we were shuffling kids so someone could take over the kitchen to make sure that little bellies were filled! I had a volunteer helper who is so sweet but doesn't know what is going on with routines and normalcy and it rained...so we were stuck inside. So we were constantly checking to make sure that we were in ratios and following all guidelines for the best of our abilities. Makes for a long day...I was so ready to go home at the end of the day!

As I was leaving my mom called to let me know that their church is having VBS kickoff tonight and did I want the kids to go...yes please! So the kiddos will be gone for a while tonight and I get a night off...hooray! So if I have been tired and cranky this week that's why...I am thankful that all staff should be there next week and we may get back to some semblance of normal!

So much Better...

Jaron had a much better attitude today. He hasn't been whiny or anything! I am so thankful for the better attitude and the happiness he showed today.

Another helping of Super Crab

Jaron is again Super Crab...and I am exhausted.

I can't get him to understand that it isn't working...but I will say he is persistent.

If I'm totally gray in the next few weeks we will know why!

The Snorkel and Super Crab

Today was a long day at work and the kids were pretty wiped out as we heading home. I am working longer hours this week and the kids are not used to it. Plus having been off for a week they are trying to adjust to our regular schedule since we really got off of it last week. Today after work as we were headed home both kids fell asleep in the car! I stopped at the UPS store and had them bring me my mail and looked through it and called Dan too as they snoozed. I really needed to go to Walmart and so I stopped. I woke up both kids when we got there. Bad choice...Jaron wasn't ready to shop! We get the few things I really needed and as we were going he sees the snorkels...he really wants one and gets really upset when I tell him that the snorkel is not in the budget this week and that he will have to wait...not what he wants to here at all!

The whole way through the store, the whole way home, and for at least a half hour after that he tried everything to get me to get the snorkel. He tried manipulating, tantruming, and even threatening to get his way. All he got was a big handful of nothing and he has worn himself out even more...I think we all need to head to bed early tonight.

Butterfly Palace

Before heading home from Branson we made one last stop. We spent the morning at the Butterfly Palace. Very cool place, where they import different butterflies from around the world and you get to check them out in an indoor aviary! I particular was looking forward to the adventure. Once your done looking at the butterflies, you can go through the mirror maze and check out other rainforest creatures. There also is a climbing coconut tree that the kids climbed...here's a few of the many pictures I took of the Butterfly Palace~! Janea and Jaron ready to start our day!
Blue and Beautiful...So pretty!

The kids up close and personal with a butterfly!

Another gorgeous creation!

They were all around hiding and preening...so cool to watch..I could have spent hours...the rest of the family not so much but they had fun too!

Janea...my green eyed beauty next to a green and gorgeous butterfly!

Janea and Mom in the Butterfly Aviary!

Mom and both kids in the Butterfly Aviary!

They put out fresh fruit and other yummy's so the butterflies land!

You can really see all the wonderful details!

Janea and the Frog in the Rainforest Room!

Janea as a Tree Frog!

My Frog Prince!

Jaron dressed up as a tree frog!

Jaron getting in his harness to climb!

Janea gets into a harness!

Jaron getting the hang of climbing!

Janea is a good climber...it takes a lot of strength!

Jaron figuring out how to climb up the coconut tree.

All in all it was a wonderful vacation and we had a great time together as a family. I am so thankful that we were able to spend this quality time together and enjoy fun and different things. I am already looking forward to being able to get away from everything next year!

Silver Dollar City

On Tuesday and Wednesday we went to Silver Dollar City. The kids had a great time riding the rides and just hanging out with Dan and I! Here's a sampling of pictures from our days at Silver Dollar City!~ Dan and The Kids ride the Mighty Galleon...I chose not to ride...feeling a little sick!~

Dan and the Kids on the Tea Cups!

Dan and Jaron excited about the swings...Janea is praying hard! She really didn't like this ride...I rode it with her on Wednesday and she had a lot more fun...I hated it!

The kids and I on the Tea Cups...Dan proceeded to spin our cup so fast that I saw nothing but a blur and honestly thought I was going to vomit by the time we got off...I was dizzy afterwards for like 5 minutes!~

The kids and Dan after the American Plunge...Dan's pant is superwet from the onslaught of water as they were getting out of the boat...the kids really thought this ride was fun!

This is Dan and the kids on the American Plunge...they loved it!

Outside the Flooded Mine...Poor Dan!

Janea is ready for the lockup...watch out!

Jaron is a little too excited about being locked up...too short too!

Jaron is a little tired from all the walking...so Dan gives him some help!

Vacation Day One

So we left for vacation on Monday! I hadn't quite finished all our packing the night before and since Dan was still in the process of changing from his nightshift hours to the kids and my daytime hours we weren't planning on leaving very early in the morning. I got up, packed a bunch of the car stuff, played on the computer and got dressed for the day. A little later I decided I needed to go to the bank to make a deposit and I thought of just going by myself since it's frankly easier...while I was gone...Janea decided to wake up her dad! So Dan was up by 11:00 and getting ready. I think we had everything packed up and ready to go by 11:45...so away we went.
Our printer hasn't been working and so when I mapquested the directions I wrote them down...guess I wrote them down wrong or I misunderstood what I wrote because the way we went to get to Branson was the LONG way...we went on all these hills and ups and downs and crazy two lane roads in the middle of Missouri. Our 3 and a half to 4 hour trip took like 5 and a half hours! Janea and I both suffer from mild car sickness and we were both feeling it as we took some beautifully scenic but very winding roads. One wrong direction on the highway and we finally got on the road to Branson. All in all I have never been so happy to get somewhere! The whole ride as Jaron is getting annoying asking how much longer, Dan and I were grateful that we had nixed going to North Carolina. 20 hours one way in the car would have been madness! 3-4 is our limit right now!

We got to Branson and checked into our motel. We stayed away from the strip in a little motel on the same road as Silver Dollar City. It wasn't the fanciest hotel but it was clean, had a game room and pool and continental breakfast and met our needs. The nice thing was it was very quiet and peaceful with a nice view off the deck of gorgeous trees and hills. Just what this momma needed! I love the woods and the feeling of being near the woods. We took some fun shots of the family that day before heading out to get dinner...after dinner we just chilled and I took the kiddos swimming in the pool and we just hung out as a family! It was a good first day. Here are some of our pictures:

Janea and Mom take a picture together and Daddy jumps in!

Whole family caught in the mirror...one way to get a picture of all of us!

This is me and the kids with the beautiful hills behind us....we forgot to change to backlight so you can't really see us...but we are smiling!~

Janea relaxing on the deck outside our room at the hotel.

Jaron needed to be in a picture too!

Janea and Daddy at McFarlains restaurant...good food...good family time!

We ordered the Fried Green tomatoes and Sweet Potato Fries...the sauces were yummy and we enjoyed eating something we don't normally eat!

Home

We're back from our trip. We had a great time! I have a lot of pictures and stories...and a lot of laundry and cleaning, and grocery shopping...so the posts about what we did will be coming...later!

I forgot to clean out the refrigerator before we left so I need to get that accomplished and then head out to the store...by the time I'm done I may need another vacation!