Open House

2010

Well, at our school we used to have Open House at a decent time of the year, but because enrollment dropped a bit the year before last, they decided to make Open House happen during registration time so that people that were considering coming to our school would have a chance to come and see what we are all about.

Now, this may make sense to the higher muckity mucks but it makes no sense to us. I had no outside people visit my class last year and neither did any of the other preschool teachers. The curriculum at this time is staggered, we are doing communication, Valentine's Day and Space right now. Not the best mix for Open House. We used to do Open House in May towards the end of the year to show off all of the kids' work. The curriculum was Insects, Reptiles and Pond life. All of which kind of went together. One part of the room was dinosaurs with a volcano, the other wall was pond life with giant bullfrogs, salamanders, dragonflies and turtles, and the ceiling was full of branches with bees, ladybugs, butterflies and spiders. They hung down and the whole room was decked out for a great look. We (the teachers) all wish we could go back to the way things were, but unfortunately, the superintendent and principal of the elementary school don't see it that way. So we have decided we put up what we put up and although it isn't really the children's best work, it is what we are doing at the time.

So this is it.

Just thinking...

So here we are in the middle of February and we have had some heavy rains, almost tornados, 80 degree heat and now back to cloudy with a chance once again. This is odd for California. I enjoy the rain a lot and it would be nice to have just some nice brisk weather with the sun shining...like in the mountains. I would like to take the kids up to the mountains but unfortunately every time we get a holiday that no one else has (like this Monday for instance), the snow on the local mountains is not really there anymore. I don't believe in any case that we are the only school to have this Monday off and we will be lucky if the kids museum that we want to go to isn't totally packed! So, I am especially glad when we get to go on retreats with our church! No crowds, wonderful accomodations (no tents, simple cabin with bunks and a bathroom) good cafeteria food and a beautiful serene area to contemplate life and listen to nothing except birds singing, frogs croaking and wind playing in the trees. The Chapel is nestled in the pines and the speakers tend to bring out the best in all of us because they bring us back to why we exist in this world that God created. It is a wonderful time and I look forward to it every year! I hope everyone has a place like this to go to and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life! So, just a thought. : )

The Last with Glasses in the Family!

About a month ago, I started noticing that Cole was squinting a little when looking at things far away, the same squint that Kaleigh had and the same one I had at around 9 years old. So, once Carl got the kids put on our insurance, I took Cole in to an Optometrist that was recommended by quite a few people at our school and they did the tests needed, including a really cool new one that takes a photograph of the eye that basically tells the optometrist what prescription you will need! The still put them behind the machine and have them do the old, "is 1 better or 2? Is 3 better or 4? How 'bout now?" and so on. But they have a good starting point. We also got to see a 3 dimensional picture of Cole's eyeball and he let us know that Cole has very healthy eyes outside of the nearsightedness and the slight astigmatism. So we went and picked out the frames. He actually wanted some Nike ones that were really cool but they were a tad bit too big since they were not meant for kids. We ended up with these and I like them well enough. I am sad that his beautiful blues are hidden but unlike the rest of the family, he doesn't need to wear them continually. Just for the distance for now. Once I got my glasses I never really took them off and Kaleigh is the same way. We like to see...all the time! As you can see, he looks very distinquished for an almost 9 year old!

17 Years of Bliss

Well, Carl and I have been married for 17 years today! We have enjoyed many things together and have had our little spats or what I like to refer to as "pout sessions". All in all we are happy and content with our lives. We have two wonderful children that did not start out in the equation at all, and are now the biggest part of our lives. It helps that we are a family that loves each other and we base that love on Christ's love for us. Without that love I don't know where we would be right now. We have a home and Carl and I have jobs that keep us fed, clothed and healthy. The kids enjoy their Christian school and they have a wonderful group of friends that have the same values. We have now lived in our house for 14 years and still have only one bathroom! I am truly hoping that will change before the next few years.
So life is good, even if we need to tighten our belts for a while. At least we have belts to tighten!
So for our Anniversary we are splurging (once a year) and going to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Can't wait! We had Carl's waffles this morning for breakfast and he brought me flowers! Yay, Carl!