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!

Headache Journey Part 4

So I have been taking the Butterbur root supplement for about 2-3 wks now and other than a few headaches here and there, I am doing ok. There were a couple of days where I had to take about 6 advil in one day to get rid of a particularly nasty one, but so far not too bad! Of course it could be a couple of things that are helping. Number one would be the supplement and number two could possibly be the yoga I am doing. I try to get it in everyday, but like yesterday, I was all over the place and didn't have a chance too. I did Thursday though and I did a good workout as well on that day. Today I will try at least to do my yoga since my goal is not really to lose weight but to have less tension. I find when I do my yoga I am a little less likely to get as frustrated as usual with my kids at home and the kids in my class. So I guess that helps. I cannot be certain, that this is the cause of the lessened headaches as there have been times that I have been headache free for a week or so at a time. That is the hardest thing about these headaches, they don't come up every time for the same reasons. The weather could be especially dry and my head will hurt. I could have not had enough water the day before and maybe that causes it, I just don't really know. But they have been better lately and for that I am very thankful!

GS Cookie

Time! 2010

Well, we are back to Cookie time. This year our troop decided to try the "Cookies Now" program where we as a troop order cases of cookies to sell out of hand. In otherwords when we go to neighbors or family we can say, "would you like to buy some Girl Scout cookies?" If they say yes, then we can give them their cookies on the spot! It worked out really well for Kaleigh because we were able to let those at church know that she would be selling soon and that we would have cookies on hand to purchase. They then sent emails saying what kind of cookies they like and we in turn can pick up a variety of cookies based on the demand. Of course we will have a few extras which will then go to booth sales. It is nice because we picked up the cookies today and sold 8 boxes just like that! And tomorrow at church we have another 38 boxes to be sold! I of course took my 8 boxes, because I know that if I order the regular way, they come in about a month. By then my stash now will be mostly gone. eek! Not just me of course but my family too! chomp chomp! So, if there are any that need cookies, let me know! ; )

Oh, and the reason that the daisy cookies are crossed out is not because they are not available it is just that no one likes them, and I tell people that!

Rain, rain, went away...at least for now.

Ok, so the sky behind the palm tree across the street has beautiful blue sky behind it, but you can still see a lot of clouds over our house. It has been raining since about the 16th or so of January and today is the first day without rain. The forecast states that we will have today and tomorrow and possibly Monday morning clear and sunny with patchy clouds. Monday afternoon another bout of rain is supposed to hit. I kind of like that. I would like at least one day with my class outside where they can play and run, because this week was a little difficult especially with some.

They NEED to get out and run otherwise the bad choices start coming out in the classroom. Cole did not like the thunder and is very glad that part is over with. I don't see anything coming up with more thunder storms, just rain. It is a nice brisk cool day today and I enjoy that. So we are back in the swing of things and I am looking forward to my two Mondays off in February! YAY!

Headache Journey Part 3

Well,here is some new information. I managed to get through an MRI no contrast (thank goodness!) which means no injection of iodine! Whew! The doctor that referred me to my new doctor asked for it, but then I found out the new doctor does not usually ask for it! Big difference in cost and discomfort. I figured if the new doc wants the contrast MRI HE can ask for it! So with little trepidation I went in and stuck my head in the hole. I didn't realize I would be holding still for 1/2 an hour! I am by no means claustraphobic, but I can see why it would bother some people. I just closed my eyes and listened to the classical music they put on for me. Of course it was hard to hear the music with all of the MRI machine's jackhammering noises! Knock, knock, whoooawww whoooawww, dadadadadadadadadadadadadadada! It wasn't really loud, just startling at times. I think the only thing that flinched were my eyelids : ).
I did good according to the MRI tech, so that was good. I left hoping the outcome wouldn't be scary. I am a worrier what can I say? So....two days later I go into my doctor and long story short after lots of questions and knee thumping and stuff, my doctor (the leading headache doctor in Southern California) concludes that I have been having Tension-type headaches. They don't say just Tension headaches anymore I guess. So the next step is not medication yet...but a natural supplement called (and at first I thought the doctor was pulling my leg and was a Harry Potter fan) Butterbur root. I was thinking... did he say 'Butterbeer'? But no, Butterbur. I have to order online and it isn't cheap but it costs less than my prescription meds for migraines. So I am waiting to see if that works, I go back in 3 months to have another check up. Thats it ... at least until the next installment! Pray that this helps!

Ack! Back to School!

Not so bad the kids going back, but I have to go back too! The kids played a lot of legos on our Christmas vacation so I thought the clipart was appropriate for my state of mind. My class is still probably the most challenging in the 4 years of teaching and I am guessing next year will not be any better because of the age of the children coming in to this years 3's program!

But I will have to make do with what I get, and try to be the best teacher I can be! My New Years Resolution is to try and be more positive....wait...did I blow it already? Oh well, so starting now anyway...

Happy New Year! 2010!

Wow. This year passed quickly as years usually do. This year will, I hope bring some changes and some improvements. I will do my part for both! I was blessed last year and I pray that the blessings will continue! We survived '09 without major illness and hopefully 2010 will be no different. Carl and I are getting older and are experiencing age in different ways. I am working to get in better shape and to make our meals a little more nutritious, Carl...well that is up to him! The kids are having a blast with their new Wii but will be in for a bit of a shock once school starts Monday! No more Wii until homework is done! I know once the first week is over they will be on track again and everything will be back to normal. With the mention of shock, I think it will take me a bit to get back into the teaching routine as well. My class is harder this year than any others in the past and I don't look forward to going back. Hopefully, things will continue to improve (they have been...a little). Well, that is it for now. I wish everyone, family and friends a very blessed New Year! May you have a healthy and happy 2010! God Bless!

Seeing Newport Harbor Lights with Byron and Paula

Tonight we had a nice time with Byron and Paula, Paula' sister Rebecca and her friend Dave. Byron got a pizza, Paula brought drinks (including hot cocoa) and we brought cookies, peanut brittle dried fruit and nuts. Byron took us out on one of his company boats and it was really neat! Cole was a little anxious, because he is only used to going on boats in the summer and was not sure about the cold and being on water at the same time. We found the lights to be a little less than we have seen in the past, but it was still a lot of lights! You can see the most decked out of all the houses we saw! After the boat trip Byron told us about the Snoopy house in the area so we went to see that too! It is amazing!

They have been doing this for like 43 years ! Kaleigh and Cole had a blast! We took a lot of photos and hopefully I will get a couple from Rebecca since she took one of us all dancing like the Peanuts characters! The one of Byron and I is supposed to be us ice skating with Lucy and Charlie Brown but I guess they were directly behind us! My favorite shot is of Byron, Paula, Kaleigh and Cole at the fireplace warming their hands! It was a fun evening! Thank you so much to Byron and Paula!

Christmas Day 2009

Every Christmas Day for the last decade or so we have gone to Carl's sister's for Christmas Day. This is a good thing. I don't really have to do a whole lot and the kids get to play all day with their cousins both older and younger. The only drawback is that they are without their brand new toys. It didn't seem to matter a bit this year! We all had a great time eating, playing games or just visiting (especially with Craig and Lisa and 5 year old Will) with family that don't live close. Lot's of laughter and fun and A LOT of FOOD! A really good time to graze in the afternoon because we are so stuffed from the huge breakfast that we eat around 10-ish.

Of course, Kaleigh and Cole were up early and starting putting together legos and having a great time! They got ready after Carl and I got up and we quickly packed up our stuff to bring (juice and dried fruits and nuts) and headed out.

Scott and Michele always do a great job with breakfast with the help of Annette and George of course! Nothing was amiss! After breakfast we cleaned up and then it was time for more gift giving! The kids had a lot less than the night before, but they get it now. It used to be hard for them to understand that they already had their turn and others had more on that day, but they did great and got some nice things from their Aunts and Uncles!

The kids tend to dislike the whole photo taking part of the day, but I tell them some day they will appreciate it! Tyler (16) said, "I'm not even there yet". Haha.

So with photos taken and full bellies the kids just got to play all day! Towards the end of the day they played with the Witte kid's Rockband and had a blast playing with Uncle Craig singing! I am looking forward to that part of the game!

Christmas Eve 2009 - Part 2

So once everyone came in, we got ready to give Jesus our gifts. Cole read the Christmas story, a longer version than last year and Kaleigh played the flute. We have so many that celebrate with us we have condensed some of the traditions my family (there were only 5 of us) had when I was growing up. I am sure Tina keeps more of that sort of thing ; ).

Carl's Mom read a story that she received from a friend and it was very touching and worth listening to. Then since Cole is the youngest he starts and we all wait for him to open everything. Then it is Kaleigh's turn and so on.

After we all opened our gifts, including the Wii that we saved up for, the kids were starting to open things up when I decided to bring out the big surprise! Carl and I decided that since the Wii was really something the kids and I had saved for it was ok to get another big gift for a surprise! So for the Wii we got Rockband II! I think the photo speaks for itself, you just have to look at Cole's face! The Witte family had a good time too and so did Uncle Kenton who made some really yummy snowball cookies to share!

Carl's parents always make the night special with their help and love! So thank you to all the family for making Christmas a loving and fun time!

Christmas Eve 2009 Part 1

This Christmas was a little harried for me, usually I am well able to get everything ready and we are completely relaxed by Christmas Eve. Not to make it sound like it was a bad Christmas, on the contrary, we had a great Christmas, in Cole's words, "the best Christmas ever!". The main glitch was that on the Monday after Kaleigh's Birthday (her birthday was the 7th-but we celebrated the Sunday before on the 6th) Carl came down with the 24 hour flu! That is the day we usually reserve for buying the Christmas tree, getting down decorations and getting the house lights up. Well, since Carl was flat on his back and I don't really like doing the tree by myself, we ended up waiting until the next Monday to do everything. This one week set back started a domino effect of me being off on everything! But enough about that, on Christmas Eve day Carl had to work and we didn't really know what time he would be home and since his family was coming for dinner (Grandma and Carl work together to make Aebelskivers) we were trying to come up with a time that would work for everyone. We agreed on 4pm and so that morning I set to work cleaning the house. The kids were a bit tired from staying up a couple of nights a little later than usual, so were not too happy about helping me clean. Kaleigh especially, she actually had a bit of a poutfest and I sent her to her room! Cole was a little more industrious and helped out quite a bit. Later, after feeling sorry for herself and then later feeling just sorry, Kaleigh came out, and started helping by making the spinach dip and breaking up the bread to go with it. At about 2:00 I started wrapping presents. Yup. I hadn't even started yet! I was a little rushed and it didn't help that I was very clutzy so I cut myself on the wrapping paper and banged my knuckles a few too many times. Then people started coming and I was still in my grubbies so I quickly got dressed. Luckily, my children are good greeters! : )So everyone was there by 4pm (thankfully including Carl, he was able to leave work at 3:30pm) and Carl's Mom and he started the cookin'. Thankfully that was when I was able to make the cookie "Teller" (plates) for the Christmas Eve celebration! It was a lot of work but I was pretty relaxed by then and I was making good time! I had 13 plates to fill with cookies and chocolates! Then we all sat down to eat, gave thanks for the food and for our Savior, the reason for the season! We ate heartily and had some fine conversation! Once dinner was done, we did a little clean up and the guys and kids went for a drive to see the lights. At that point I did what I had to do to get ready for our celebration. We were ready pretty quickly and the group came back to a beautiful candlelit room with packages piled in each persons place. The plates of cookies are the place settings for where your presents are located.

Charlie and Friends

In my classroom we have a class pet. Not a real one of course, I do work with 4 year olds after all. So they get to take the class pet home for a week, and take care of him. Charlie is my class pet this year (far left). It is a huge thing for the kids in my class. They all can't wait to take Charlie home! Now to be fair, I take Charlie home for the Christmas vacation. The kids have all taken Charlie home and taken photos of him and them in different places. One even took Charlie to Disneyland! So for Christmas, I take photos of Charlie decorating the tree and playing with his other forest friends (photo). Kaleigh and Cole are really the ones who come up with the poses and they enjoy having Charlie at home. Charlie also takes a bath while he is home and gets nice and clean for the next round of kids. You would be surprised at how important it is to these kids to get Charlie! They ask every week, "is it my turn yet?" They learn patience and I basically let those take it first that are not asking. If they ask too often or they demand it, they go last. I have noticed that less and less are bugging me with the question when we get to the Charlie book. The book is one I wrote to go with the Chipmunk. I read it right before the next child takes Charlie home. It is a fun way for the kids to know who gets to take Charlie that day. Well, until Christmas is over, Charlie will be at our house. Merry Christmas Charlie!

Headache Journey Part 2

I went to the ENT doctor today...my appointment was for 4:15, I got there at around 3:50. I waited until 5:30 before I even made it into a room! The waiting room was full when I got there and I was the second to the last one in...sigh. Then, the doctor showed me the "slides" of my CT scan and other than a deviated septum, my sinuses are basically clear. So back to square one. He recommended a headache specialist (neurologist) in the area (actually he is just across a major street from this office) and ordered an MRI this time so I go in prepared with my sinus slides and I will have the MRI slides as well. That way I get it all in in one shot! Hopefully the office is not so crazy crowded like this one is! I have to make sure I leave enough time for waiting. I wonder if ENT doctors just have a lot of patients due to allergies and things vs the neurologist?
I hope that is the case, 'cause I don't want to wait around for 2 hours again!
So I am looking at either migraines that have somehow migrated to another part of my head...or something completely different. Hmmm....an adventure to be sure...well, not really. I just want my head to stop hurting!

Decorating Gingerbread Houses

So here is half my class and their gingerbread houses. The teachers all get together and we build them, amidst some mumbling because they are not that fun to make when you have to make 10 of them...on your own time...with graham crackers and royal icing...that we provide. Well, actually the parents provide the graham crackers and the candies for decorating, but we supply the icing. Every year we say, "no more!" this is way too much work! But every year we see the kids having a blast decorating them and we say, "well, I guess it wasn't that bad." So this year was no different and the kids had a blast as usual. This year however, I did notice more mouth stuffing of candy (especially the ones whose parents were NOT there). I controlled it somewhat but really the parents don't seem to mind that much, the kids are so proud of their creations, usually the parent is all, "wow, honey that is great! Good job!" So it makes it worthwhile to do it. Besides we decorate at the end of the school day so if they eat too much candy they are wired for mom and dad not me...muahahahaha!

My Headache Journey

My headache journey began in the spring as far as I can remember. I have always had trouble with headaches, but not like this. I used to get migraines until I talked to a doctor and found out that they were mostly hormonal. So I made some changes (nuff said) and the migraines migrated to about once every 3 months or so. But at the beginning of this year, I started noticing a different headache. Usually it happened when the weather changed drastically one day to another or in the same day. I have had problems with this before but it usually was a mild headache with other symptoms like congestion or itchy eyes. Santa Ana winds caused more congestion and other symptoms as well. But since spring, if this is allergy related it is presenting itself in a headache only. No other symptoms and most over the counter meds don't help. Since I do get migraines I have some prescription meds for those. Maxalt is wonderful! For my migraines it takes about 30 minutes and the migraine is eradicated! Not even a glimmer is left. So when I had this new headache I tried the Maxalt. It took part of it away to the point where I was pretty ok. The problem was I could still feel part of the headache hanging around. This has been going on since Spring or there abouts. When it first started I was not too concerned because I thought it would go away when summer hit...the severity wasn't horrible and I got maybe 1-3 a week. As time went on, they came and went and there were times I went a whole week without a headache! But just recently about the end of October, I started getting them more frequently and more severe. I believe November was the only time I had 3 days relief from headaches, otherwise they have been every day with varying severity. Today was especially bad and it takes a lot for me to write this. Not because the screen hurts my eyes, but because the pain is dulling my ability to think to type and to think in general. So last week I decided to go and see a friends ENT doctor. He prescribed flonase and augmentin. At first he was going to go with that for 3 weeks and then check back with me, but when I told him a little more about how the headaches are (bending down is bad, lying down worse, and so on) he decided to add the CT scan. I did that Tuesday and today I called the office back to find out when I can come in to check what the results were. So Monday I will go in again. Then if there is nothing there, I am back to square one. Eventually I hope to find out why the headaches are occuring and how I can get rid of them! I cannot go on much longer the way I have been. Kaleigh and Cole (bless their hearts) are tuned in to my headache moods now and act accordingly. Kaleigh tries to help more around the house and she keeps Cole from being too goofy where it might annoy. I have told them how much I love them and that I am sorry if I get angry over little things sometimes (here I am getting teary), because I can't stand being that way with them! But that is what constant pain does to a person. Sometimes I can hide it away, sometimes I just go into another room and cry a little, and that helps..a little. So I will post more about my journey...hopefully the journey to no pain will be a very very short one. A plan of action is what I need....something to give me hope that they will be gone soon...one can only pray at this point.

St. Nicklaus comes to our house too!

If you read Lee's blog, you will appreciate this.

Connor and Cole are cousins, they both celebrated St. Nicklaus Day and both wrote notes. Here is the one that Cole wrote. Last year, St. Nick brought Cole a little stuffed animal that Cole named Charlie. That is why he makes reference to him. Cole decided that St. Nick would be interested in something other than cookies this year and put out some of his Halloween candy. We put out cookies and milk for St. Nick and oats and water for his donkey. Cole is very concerned about how we put it out. For instance the couch was in front of the hearth and I had to move it or the donkey would not be able to reach his food and drink. At first we didn't have water out and Cole decided that the donkey would get thirsty so.... They put out their boots and even made name labels so that St. Nick would know which boot was which. Of course they were both Kaleigh's since Cole has no boots...no rain, no snow so....

They (meaning mostly Cole) couldn't wait to go to bed! They were both excited.

This morning when they got up, Cole found that St. Nick had written him back as well. Just a thank you and letting Cole know what a great job he was doing with all of his animals. Cole was very happy with the candies, but more happy with the "Santa Buddies" movie he got. Kaleigh received some Tomo books and together they received the latest M & M dispenser, a red m&m candy nutcracker. Fun : )

Kaleigh's Birthday with Family!


Next day! Sunday was our Family Birthday party for Kaleigh. We made lunch/dinner for Carl's family 17 people in all. Teriaki skewers with white rice and broccoli or green beans with Asian salad and BIG cookie and cream cheese pie for dessert! Kaleigh got some nice presents too! Carl, Cole and I gave her a lego set Toy Shop and a sports car. Omi gave her some cute American Girl craft stuff and a large tub of air dry clay! She will be using this on a diorama report for January, yay! She also received some adorable cupcake photo/place card holders from Aunt Lisa and Uncle Craig (and Will too!) Annette (Carl's mom) made a giant chocolate chip cookie and some super yummy cream cheese pies for everyone to enjoy! The cousins are all in the group photo. The older boys are Spencer and Tyler and they are true cousins. The little ones, Taryn and Trenton are Carl's cousin Tim's children. So second cousins? Something like that anyway. Everyone ate visited and had the usual good time. Now I have to make 30 big cookies for Kaleigh's class tomorrow! Sigh...