Lets Go Fly A Kite!

It's SPRING BREAK!!! At least for the kids, and so Dan and I are both taking time off of work to hang out with them and get in some good quality family time! Dan loves to fly kites and yesterday was warm with a breeze and we decided to go and hang out and fly kites. It took us quite a few attempts to get the kite up into the air but once one was up, Dan attached a second one too it and we had fun flying the kites! I'm not as into kite flying but I do love taking pictures and so I spent time with my camera getting fun shots of my family! It was a lovely evening activity!

Jaron watching the kites

Dan, Janea and Jaron trying to get the parafoil up in the air!

Jaron had fun chasing the kites tail!

Still trying to get it up! Jaron's turn to hold the strings!

Daddy finally got a Delta kite up!

Janea holding the parafoil so that Dan can attach it to the Delta!

Janea flying the kites that are together, they would dive and roll so you had to be on top of it!

Dan and Janea flying the kites!

I found my shadow and took a picture to prove I went too...that's the only bad part of holding the camera...where's MOM?

Here I am!

Today we are going to go and see a movie that Janea earned for school and spend more time as a family together! I am so grateful that we are able to take time off together!

Confessions of a Kids Mom

Confession #1:

I know all the words to the theme songs of Wizards of Waverly Place and iCarly. All of them...and then they run through my head at inopportune times...it's embarrassing.

Confession #2:

I can quote entire episodes of Spongebob...and sometimes I watch the show when the kids aren't even in the room...and I think it's stupid but I get caught up in the episodes.

Confession #3:

I have tackled my daughter in order to get to read the next book in whatever series we are reading so that I get to read it first...it's true, I'm not joking...I took Janea down to get to read book 4 of the City of Ember series first!

Confession #4:

Sometimes when the kids do crazy things my first thought is "Where's my Camera?" instead of helping or disciplining them depending on the situation.

Confession #5:

I am thankful to be my kids mom and my house would be a whole lot more empty if I didn't have them in my life.

My New Toy

My Birthday present from Dan was a new camera. I took it to school this week to get snapshots of my classroom. I am enjoying experimenting with all the different things it can do and to see what types of pictures I can take. I am totally loving it! Here's a few of the over 100 pictures I took. (most of the pictures were pictures of my class and I try not to post their images to the web)

This is the tired swing that hangs in Playland.

The coconut tree that is in my classroom, our theme is Under the Coconut Tree.
This is one of my students who was reading a book on the carpet...he was being stubborn and only peaking out at me now and then and I sorta captured his image!

One of the boys in my class was building with alphabet blocks and I decided to lay on the carpet and try and get some interesting angles of his building.

I'm really enjoying this new phase of picture taking for me and I am enjoying looking for a new a more clever snapshot! It's so much fun!

Whew...what a week...

I'm feeling tired today.

I had a really long week this week. My class has needed me to be extra firm today and I am tired. The week wasn't bad, just busy with lots to do and lots of noise. We've had lots of changes in the weather this week also which I think was contributing to the craziness. We got to play outside today and I was so glad!

It's Friday and I am thankful to be home. Dan is working overtime tonight and while I will appreciate the extra money I am missing him. I look forward to Friday's and getting to hang out with the whole family.

Jaron and Janea are on Spring Break starting the afternoon for a whole week! Dan's taking the whole week off to be with them and I am taking Tuesday and Thursday so we can have some fun as a family. It'll be a good thing.

Loving the Spring Weather we are having today, it's a littly breezy and cool but the sun is shining and it makes for good spirits. Hoping for good weather next week so we can spend some time at the park with the kids. It'll be good. We need some fresh air and exercise!

A Good Reminder

My Verse Today on my Verse a Day Calendar:

As for God, His Way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.

Psalm 18:30

9 weeks

9 weeks until Summer Vacation!

9 weeks until the end of the school year!

Is it too early to start the countdown....I think it's too early but I am really looking forward to summer.

I love warm weather, sunshine, swimming, and having fun outside.

I like warm rain and thunderstorms in the early evening.(with no flooding of course!)

I dislike fickle weather...where its warm for a day and then cold again...it gets on my nerves.

I'm looking forward to just being Mom for a while and not hearing..."Mrs. Jonathan, Mrs. Jonathan, Mrs. Jonathan, Mrs. Jonathan...." all day long...

9 weeks...please go quickly....please....I'm begging!

Weather's Mind Games

Saturday it snowed.

Sunday it was cold

Yesterday was nice.

Today was great....

and tonight...my house is HOT....like I'm sweating right now because it's so warm.

I think the weather is Bi-Polar....but I'm not complaining....I'd rather be warm than cold!

Winter's Last Stand (hopefully)

These are the sights I woke up to yesterday morning. We had a full on SNOW storm on the FIRST day of SPRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Between 6-10 inches fell in our immediate area with more to the south of us. It's already starting to melt, but Friday afternoon Dan and I went for a lunchdate and it was nice and warm and SPRINGlike. I guess WINTER wanted to make sure that it got it's last HURRAH!!!!

I'm hoping once again for warm temperatures and NO MORE SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spring Break Accomplishments

I will admit that I have the ability to overlook, ignore and postpone places in the house that need attention. It's a problem that I am working on. Well, since I was on Spring Break and had lots of time on my hands I decided to tackle a few areas that were in need of some serious attention. They had gotten completely out of control! So here's the fruit of my labors....a nice clean laundry room and a more organized office! The next steps are to keep them this way!

Laundry Room Before: I couldn't even walk all the way in without stepping on a pile of laundry!

The dryer was overrun with piles of mismatched socks, and other piles of misc. clothing

The office before: Piles of junk, cord everywhere and so much Dust!

The Office After: I cleaned up all the dust and made sure that the surface areas were clutter free!

There is a bucket for headphones, cell phones, MP3 players and all the USB cords that go with them.

The Laundry Room After: The Floor is clear and the rug down. I can walk and turn around with out stepping on anything that I should not step on.

I have a graveyard for lost socks, only one pile of towels to put away and I have room for the laundry supplies I use on a regular basis! I also rehung most of the hanging clothes in the closet, the ones hanging are the ones waiting to be ironed

I'm feeling proud of my accomplishment and inspired to attempt more areas of the house as I have time and energy. The kids and Dan have also been very impressed with my actions and that is so helpful in helping me maintain my motivation!

Really?? Already??

Today is Friday.

That means it's the last day of the school week of Spring Break. It's almost over. Monday I go back to the reality of my job.

Not that I hate my job or dislike going to work. I enjoy working and I enjoy my class, but this week has been SOOO nice.

I have gotten to shop, got my haircut, spent time with my family, cleaned up areas of my house, rested and got refreshed but that's over come Monday.

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

Also, it's supposed to snow tomorrow...it's been 65 today but a cold front and SNOW are going to be here tonight into tomorrow....honestly, Missouri weather is so insane!

AWANA Grand Prix

Well, we survived.

Janea didn't win anything.

I didn't win anything.

Jaron took second place in design for his dragon.

It was fun.

I'm really tired.

That is all

Mid Week Break

The kiddos have off today from school.

It's professional development day for them. I don't understand why it's midweek but it is. Oh well.

Tonight is the Awana Grand Prix at church so in a few minutes the kiddos and I will head over and work on getting things set up today. I feel it is very important for the kids to see my serve and to serve the Lord in a non-glamourous way. It's very important for them to see that the body works together to put things on and that it takes many people doing small things to make it go smoothly.

So we will work this afternoon and tonight we will race!

Feeling Productive

Today I have spent the day cleaning up the house. The living room is looking FABULOUS!!! I have even been cleaning the carpets...getting the winter yuck up!

My next project is the laundry room...I'll take a before and after pic is I survive the process. The room is small but it's gotten bad.

Later in the week I plan on tackling the bedroom and my closet!

Mom's Spring Break

My school has Spring Break this week.

My kids don't.

I'm home and the kids are at school and the husband is sleeping.

It's quiet, peaceful even.

I'm going to rest and relax today.

I may clean today.

The possibilities are endless.

I'm excited to get to recharge my batteries.

Girls Night Boys Night

Tonight is Girls night/Boys Night.

Janea and I are headed to see Calvary's play "The Misadventures of Two Men from Verona".

Dan and Jaron are staying home and playing Wii...

Should be a fun night~!

Side note....today Spring Break started at 2:45pm. Can I get a "Woot Woot"

Yummy

Recently I've been making some Macaroni Grill meals.

They come in a kit with yumminess that you add a few simple ingredients too and voila! a homecooked, super yummy Italian meal!

I made Chicken Alfredo with Linguine tonight...so good, so filling, so wonderful!

Brotherly Love

Tonight, Janea fell down (still not sure why she fell but she just fell down) and Jaron hearing that she had fallen comes running and asks is she's bleeding...she tells him no and he starts rubbing her arm and says so sweetly..."it'll be okay Janea...it's alright!"

I love watching those tender moments

The Power of One

"The Power of One is a song about me having the power to change the world, about you having the power, about everyone having the power. The power of one really does start simply with me. I CAN make a difference in this world we see. What I'm trying to say is that you have the power! Don't forget that what I can do you can do too.

The Power of One is a good song to sing. For it involves more people in our school than just me. The chorus reallysays that we all have the power of one, even in a group. I know I have the power of one you do too."

Janea Jonathan--essay written for the Music in Our Schools Month and performed at the 4th grade concert March 9th, 2010.

I'm so There Right Now

Ever have that day when you can't drag yourself out of bed when your supposed to? I'm so there right now.

Ever smell something and then realize it may be you where it's coming from? I'm so there right now.

Ever look at the kitchen and realize the kitchen isn't going to clean itself and you really are going to have to clean it? I'm so there right now.

Ever have your husband tell you he's out of socks and underwear and if you love him would you please wash some tonight? I'm so there right now.

Ever tried to get up the motivation to move the laundry from the washer to the dryer and pryaing that a magic fairy would just totally come and take care of it for you? I'm so there right now.

Ever wish you could just be Mary Poppins and snap your fingers are have things fix themselves magically? I'm so there right now

33 Good things

Today I turn 33. Wow...that's a big number. Well, instead of dwelling on how old I am I have been thinking of 33 blessings in my life. Here goes:

1. Salvation--honestly, life would be so much harder without this one...I can't imagine no hope.

2. My husband

3. My kids

4. My parents

5. My Sister

6. Dr. Pepper...seriously, I'm an addict.

7. My church

8. My job

9. My awesome coworkers in Yellow hall

10. Technology...I can keep up with people all over the world easily and quickly...so cool!

11. A good book.

12. a warm blanket

13. Dark hot chocolate covered in whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce...so good!

14. Hugs and Kisses

15. Mexican Food...I love it!

16. Not having to cook!

17. A comfortable bed.

18. Music

19. My BIBLE...this one is higher but I left it off...oops...

20. Indoor Plumbing...especially on cold nights!

21. Hot Showers

22. Jeans...so comfy!

23. Digital cameras...I got a new one for my birthday!

24. DVR's....I like getting to watch one show while I tape another...I'll admit it...it's selfish but who cares!

25. Washing Machines and Dryers...even though laundry can be never ending it's so much easier than it used to be

26. ideas, thoughts and creative outlets.

27. singing

28. automobiles that run!

29. air-conditioning---I love summer but hot humid summers are more bearable with A/C.

30. Playing volleyball

31. ice cream

32. Nintendo Wii...it's fun and the whole family gets to play!

33. that I have a whole year to fill with new memories and fun things!

My Son

My son is a NUTBALL!

I'm saying this because I am overwhelmed by just how crazy and absurd he can be. When he is in a good mood he is stinkin hilarious.

One of his new favorite things is to have me talk about my day at school. He likes to hear all about the craziness that goes on in my classroom. I have a loud, fast moving, active classroom. He's been to my school, he knows the kids in my class and he loves to hear stories about them. It's almost obnoxious because he likes to hear them over and over and over and over again.

Today he told me something and when I said "Oh Really?" he replied.."well, if I'm lying, I'm dyin'" I was in shock...where did he learn that and how is it he has wonderful timing on the whole thing.

We're working on his spelling sentences for homework tonight and he's trying to make them all have something to do with UNDERWEAR! Boys, they are so crazy sometimes!

I'm thankful for the opportunity I have to be his mom and work to mold him into the person God wants him to be. He's such an amazing kiddo and while we have our days when I really want to ship him to Timbuktu, I know that I need to be with him and help him grow up to be an awesome young man!

3 for 3 on Good things

Every day this week I have had something good happen to me!

Monday: I won the pendant giveaway on my friends blog....if you are into crafting at all you really need to check out www.sharesomefun.webs.com for some great ideas and a way to meet other crafters. This month's theme is cake decorating...I'm thinking I may try it!(A co-workers birthday is coming up!)

Tuesday: The Pre-Kindergarten classes totally dominated in PENNY WARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We won the total money raised and the most pennies! WAHOO!!!!

Wednesday: Today I got an email from our insurance company and our next 6 month premium will be going down...so starting in April I will be saving 20-25 dollars a month! Totally digging that.

So I am hoping for something good to happen on Thursday and Friday before my birthday on Saturday!

WAHOO!!!

MY CLASS WON PENNY WARS!!!!

We won the competition and we raised the most money!

WAHOO!!!

I'm very proud of all of them! Makes me happy and makes me smile!

Help...there's a Cranky 7 year old and he is calling me MOM!

Jaron is cranky tonight!

He wants to build a clubhouse with his sister. Janea doesn't want to. He's channeling a 3 year old and throwing a temper tantrum!

I think if I was given the option of sending him to TIMBUKTU I would. Wait, he's calming down.

All right, I guess I'll keep him.

The Irritation of It all

I'm frustrated tonight...I think it's PMS.

I'm sure the whole world needs to hear that but frankly I don't care...I HAVE PMS. I'm crabby, irritable, and all I want to do is eat chocolate under the covers and read a good book and have all the stress in my life go away!

That isn't going to happen. I'm the mom, Dan's at work and the kids would either kill each other or burn the house down if I was to retreat into my own little world. Mom's can't retreat, it's not an option. So instead of retreating, I am doing other things. I worked out for 30 minutes and I boxed for 18 of those. It's calming to hit something even if it's just a virtual punching bag. I'll fix the kiddos food and then we all ill clean up the living room, work on homework and get ready for bed.

I'm also going to go to bed early tonight. I think I didn't get enough sleep last night and that is causing me to be more cranky. I'm hoping that this little girl problem I'm having will be temporary and I can relax for another month.

There are day's when I really want to hurt EVE...that's all I'm saying.