Vacation 2, Pt. 3

While on the Heritage Trail, we stayed at Das Essenhaus, a name that I pronounced differently an infinite number of times.  It was a very nice hotel/conference center, but large, so if you are looking for the little quaint getaway, this won't exactly meet your expectations.  However, the staff was extremely friendly, we were given a room on the first floor directly down the hall from the pool & exercise rooms, it was very clean, and there was a nice breakfast included the next morning.  There were quilts everywhere {including a quilt show}, a classic car show every Thursday in the summer, and several shops. 

This was in our room {I tried to take a pic of each quilt I saw}:

View from our room:

Snugglebug snugglin' with her new sock monkey...that I already had to sew once we got home.

Lovely being lovely {and showing off her new froggy watch}.

And last but not least, the travesty that occurred in my arteries from the abundance of home-cooked, family-style dining: 

Thoughtful Thursday: Getting Kids to Sleep

Not the girls' room..but cute :)

I have a secret to share with you...and a pet peeve.  My daughters don't sleep.  Ok, they sleep when it's really, really late...into the late morning.  But, they just don't like going to bed.  What's the secret, you ask?  I don't like going to bed, either. 

Since school began for the girls, they have to get up much earlier than normal.  This results in me gently saying, "Wake up for school," to tickling, to throwing the covers back, to pulling their warm bodies toward the cool edge of the bed, to bouncing the bed, to finally yelling, "GET UP!  YOU'RE GOING TO BE LATE!"

Now, I know all you homeschool moms don't have quite the same issue {luckies}, but my question for today is: how do you get kids to sleep?!  And then how do you get them up in time in the morning? 

These are the issues I'm facing:

• We have a small house, so the girls share one bedroom
• We have small rooms, so the girls share a double bed
• They talk, tickle, fight, and cry for at least an hour after I put them to bed
• If I put them to bed earlier {no matter how early they got up that morning}, they talk, tickle, fight, and cry for more than an hour after I put them to bed

This is what I've tried:

• Placing a body pillow between them.  Result:  Pillow is pushed/kicked/folded/climbed on
• Putting the girls to bed horizontally instead of vertically.  Result:  They complain because their legs now hang off the bed.
• Removing stuffed animals that they sleep with.  Result:  They never sleep with anything and are no longer allowed to sleep with anything.

Here is our routine:

• Restroom trip
• Goodnight kisses for Daddy
• Prayer
• Goodnight kisses for Mommy
• Bible audio plays on my iPod (and yes, I've explicitly warned them not to talk over God.  It works to start with...)
• Continual warning outside their door to be quiet
• Opening door, walking over to bed, and telling them to be quiet
• Threatening them with anything I can possibly hold over their head {figuratively} to entice them to listen

I'd like my bloodpressure to stay down tomorrow night, so have any thoughts, tricks, or tips? 

For more information on kids and sleep, I found this NY Magazine article really interesting. 

I Talk To Everyone...Whuuut?

Snugglebug surprised me yet again yesterday.  We went out for an early dinner with my mom since I had the first of two orientations last evening.  When someone was leaving, she started talking to me about twins, asking (as just about everyone does) if my girls are twins.  When she left, Lovely asked who that was and after I told her I didn't know, Snugglebug dropped a bombshell and said, "You talk to everyone." 

Whuut?  I have never, never, ever been accused of that.  I am the shy person who {im}patiently waits behind everyone else to ensure they are finished talking before I begin.  In fact, I looked around when I arrived at my orientation last night and wondered who on earth I would talk to, or if I would talk with anyone (I did, by the way--after a while).  Yet, I'm happy Snugglebug thinks I talk to "everyone."  I don't want my girls feeling as uncomfortable in crowds as I felt growing up, nervous about going anywhere because there would be "people."  Now, I just hope I can keep this "talkative cover" going ;) 

Money Matters Monday: Savings Solutions & SmartyPig

I'm testing a new "day of the week" that needs to be prioritized in my life:  Money Matters Monday.  I know--it doesn't exactly offer the thrill of a zip line through the Amazon, but money woes can upset your stomach like a 50 mile rollercoaster on steroids over Lake Erie, so buckle-up and maybe you'll find something interesting :)

I don't know about you, but I'm terrible at saving money lately.  To add to my money-saving woes, my bank recently implemented new fees that are withdrawn if you don't carry certain balance minimums in your accounts.  New fees fueled new anger, so I quickly closed my savings account, only to move my savings into my checking, which resulted in *unintentional* spending of my savings! 

So, I began searching for:  a) a higher than average interest yielding account, b) a no/low-fee account, and c) an account that is easily accessible, yet difficult enough to discourage needless withdraws of money.  I found this with SmartyPig, so now I'm going to be your guinea pig :) 

Currently, balances under 50K {over?--only in my dreams!} earn 1.10% APY with a minimum $25.00 initial deposit and a minimum of a $250.00 goal. 

What is a goal, you ask?  SmartyPig is savings for goals, so each account sets up certain goals to save for {I don't believe there is a limit to the amount of goals you set}, over a set period of time.  Once you reach your goal, you can withdraw your money, or let it stay in the account an accrue more interest. 

SmartyPig deposits your money in BBVA, an FDIC insured bank, in your name.  You can withdraw your money using gift cards, money/debit cards, or placing the money back into your originating checking/savings account. 

How do they make their money?  Mostly by customers redeeming gift cards at various businesses.  I don't see any secret fees as of yet, but I've only made a small deposit with a short-term goal.  Once the goal is reached, I'll see if there are any hidden fees by closing out my goal.  There you go--you're very own money guinea pig! 

Here's what they have to say for themselves:

Michael Ferrari, of www. smartypig, a social banking website aimed in part at 25-to-35-year-olds, said the average savings goal is $5,000 and about 70 percent of customers reach the goal. SmartyPig’s intent is to help people save for specific goals, from a home remodeling project to a flat-screen TV, and it recently launched a mobile application for smartphones that automatically posts updates on Facebook and Twitter every time users put money aside for their goals.

Now, I'm not opting for the publish sharing of my balance/goal, or for contributions, so you'll have to check that out for yourselves if you decide to.  Otherwise, watch my blog and wait to see if I reach my goal and how it works best!

Vacation 2, Pt. 2

Elkhart Visitor's Center

The pic below was taken in the...

Women's restroom, of course--where else?

There were quilts hung everywhere at the center.  This one showed how even scrap thread can be used in a quilt:

I thought of S & me when I saw this quilt, but I'll have to do some more research on the name.

Lovely volunteered for her part in the pic below:

I loved the colors found in the quilts, but I especially liked the one above.  I would have loved to have purchased one on our trip, but hundreds of dollars for a quilt I have not.  This visitor's center is supposedly the beginning of the Heritage Trail, a 90-mile loop of towns and farms through Amish country.  During the trip, I surmised most people living there must be very content--"for sale" house signs were extremely rare. 

Vacation 2, Pt. 1

So I just got finished blogging about vacation in June, and now I double-whammy you with a blog about our vacation in August.  It might appear we are always taking trips--oh, how I wish that were true!

My mom and aunt wanted to take a trip because they were feeling free and restless and, knowing school would soon be tying the girls and me down, I kindly offered to drive tehm to their destination.  We chose to go on the Heritage Trail in northern Indiana, starting in Nappanee and making a loop.  Here is our first stop after leaving Elkhart {I'll post pics from the Elkhart Visitor's Center next--I have to keep you on your toes--chronological order is overrated}. 

Linton's Enchanted Gardens

{well worth the stop}

They had these crazy houses all over teh place, and the girls adored them.  The one below reminded me of Alice in Wonderland. 

This was the one the girls could play in.  The trunk opened up, and I only hoped it didn't lead to the "pit of despair" {Ok, maybe a small part of me hoped it would so I could climb down, too}.

This sign was attached to the playhouse.  My children are official wildlife.

"Hey, Mommy, take a pit-chur of me in my Chinese house!"

"Take a pit-chur of the one with the funky head," directs Snugglebug.

"Who you callin' "funky head," Messy Hair?" asks teh Funky Head.

"Has anyone seen my brush?  Awww, brushes are overrated."

The gardens even included an alien with green goop udnerneath the body.  The girls really enjoyed this one--I guess they take after their mother more than I thought--not that I'm partial to green goop, or anything :)

Well, until the next landing...or abduction...

The things we go through for blogs...

Phew!  I can't believe how much time I just spent working on this header thing.  I think technology is getting way ahead of me--I can't believe I created my own website at one time using HTML that was self-learned!  Now, I'd just throw my hands in the air and run screaming from the room!  {Are you hearing the echos of my frantic footsteps?} 

I think I'll just stick with what I have for the time being.  I created it in Photoshop Elements, and although I took a Photoshop class at one time, that was before any babies, and boy has my memory evaporated since that time!  So, even if you don't love my header, would you mind telling me what you do like about it?  lol  The funny thing about it all is that I only have 10 followers {although the 10th in anonymous}, and I rarely receive comments/feedback, but I cherish blogging and having an outlet with written memories of our daily life.  For those who comment, thank you :)

In other news, the girls' school is going well.  Lovely LOVES school--she thinks the math games are AWESOME and she adores the science experiments {sounds a bit nerdy, now that I think about it, lol}.  Honestly, I don't know whose child she is.  I wasn't a fan of math, despite advanced placement, and I really didn't like science.  Maybe we just didn't do such cool stuff in 1st grade?  Snugglebug, on the other hand, tells me she likes school, but she never says she has a great day.  She makes friends easily enough {including a new best friend whom she doesn't know the name of}, but she always forgets what she did in the day.  However, once she recovers from temporary amnesia, her face lights up as she sings "Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" from school or she remembers something she did. 

Now, about me.  I have been procrastinating yet again.  I just haven't had energy.  Nope, none.  I exercised a little this morning, but that was after I went back to bed after dropping off the girls.  Then, I fell asleep as Lovely was watching one of the original Star Wars tonight {I never thought I'd have a girl who loves Star Wars--that sounds a bit nerdy, too, lol}.  I need to get my 2nd class planned, but I've only made it to pg. 20 of the teacher's manual--30 pages to go and then a schedule to create.  My goal is to get the entire schedule finished tomorrow so I can type up the syllabi by Monday night.  However, I have two orientations to attend this week, as well, in the evenings of course.  I'm looking forward to them.  I've spent the last 16 yrs in jobs that I just waited to "finish," so I pray this job is one I want to continue doing.  I loved teaching before, but the situation just wasn't working, and S & I fought a lot of battles those 17 months.  Yet, I was brought to tears by students who thanked me, who said they never felt like the teacher cared before, who said they never felt they could be as open in their writing before.  And to think:  As a child, I always said I didn't want to be a teacher.  Hmph.  Which leads me to my question of the blog post:

What have you been called to do that you never thought you could/would do?

New Header

As you can see, I'm toying with creating a new header/template for the blog.  I've wanted to personalize this for a while, but never quite got around to it--either out of frustration or lack of time!  Right now, I have a layout, but I can't get the size to match up, so if you have any suggestions, they are welcome! 

In other news, the girls' first day of school went wonderfully--they both had fun and Snugglebug made new friends, even if she can't remember their names!  However, once we got home, Snugglebug fell from the monkeybars (possibly pulled down accidently by her big sis), hit her head, got a terrible headache, and started throwing up.  Of course, she didn't get sick until S & I went out to dinner for our anniversary. --Nothing like a call in the middle of dinner when you're on the otherside of not only town, but the river!  When we got back, Snugglebug was acting normally, but her doctor told us we should probably take her to the hospital, so off we went.  Thankfully, it only took an hour to find out nothing was wrong, and we were on our way home.  What a happy anniversary!

Vacation Pt. 2

I know, I know.  You think I forgot about you.  You think I forgot to add Vacation Pt. 2.  As Darth Vadar said, "I find your lack of faith disturbing." {Lovely has an addiction to Star Wars lately.} I've been thinking about posting vaca pics...for weeks...but you know how things go.  Please accept my appologies. 

The second half wasn't nearly as exciting as the first half.  Snugglebug got to feeling better, but the "I fear no water" girl was completely turned off from it because she wasn't 100% yet.  She had no fever, she didn't seem physcially sick at all, but she only wanted to swim in the hot tub for kids. 

See?  Does the sweet-smiling gal on the right seem sick? 

She was even able to maintain her crazy faces (and no, these aren't just for photos--she makes these faces all. the. time.).

Lovely had a blast on the trip.  I finally talked her into going down bigger waterslides.  She was tall enough to go on almost everything, but she stuck to only two slides.  I did talk her into going on a tube with me on a huge slide, but was we swished down the tunnel and backwards through the funnel, flipping heels over head on our landing, she had second thoughts (honestly, I did, too).  There was a lifeguard there to grab her, but after we climbed out, she said, "Mommy, let's not ever do that again!"  and she told her daddy her heart was beating like this {insert hand gesture of flapping palm against chest repeatedly with great speed}.

We were all smiles as we left--despite Snugglebugs temporary abhorance of "cold" {i.e. 85 degree} water.

First Day of First Grade and Kindergarten

I used to be a homeschool mom.  I still may (and probably will) be one again in a few years.  Until then, these are the smiles that remind me it's OK to let go...just a little bit...when you've prayed and have faith.

Lovely is now in first grade.  She has an actual school desk instead of a table.  She has school friends.  She has changed so much in the past year, becoming more confident in her decisions, objecting when she sees wrong-doing, and being her sweet self who loves shooting a bow, climbing anything, and living outside in 114 degree weather when the rest of us would rather relax in our air conditioned rooms.

I can't say I ever received a smile this big when I told her it was time to do school at home (but I'm sure lots of other homeschool moms have, so I'm hoping it will happen for me someday!).  Last night, she said, "I wish school was today!"  I hope her enthusiasm endures.

This is Snugglebug's first day of Kindergarten.  She looked like a little lost puppy when I walked her into her classroom.  I walked out thinking of the many layers that make Snugglebug Snugglebug--so timid and unsure on the outside, such a bubbling, jubilant little girl on the inside.  Her latest sayings:  "It burns like chicken" and "I'm going to giggle you 'till you die."  Oh, and she picked the homemade headband to wear :)

She didn't like that she wasn't "smiling" for this pic, but I'd rather have this than that fake smile she has going for her these days.  You would think a kid who laughs as much as she does would know how to "really" smile now and then.

I dropped off the girls' supplies, walked them to their seats, and drove away, looking for my little girls in the backseat.  As I continued to look in the rear view mirror at their empty carseats, I mentally mapped out my plans for the rest of the day and wondered what silence would greet me at home.  At least the guinea pig will keep me company :)

Countdown to My Degree!

Yay!  My culminating project discussion is Friday at 1 p.m.!  I'm nervous, but pretty much blocking it out of my mind at this point.  I feel so inept, but I can't study all the theories of the sublime and uncanny--I can only concentrate on what I've used for my paper.  I pray my readers aren't too harsh with me and that they can't tear my paper to pieces, but I've been assured I'll graduate no matter what--it's just getting through the discussion of my paper without bursting into tears that I'm worried about!  I'll appreciate your thoughts on Friday! 

I need to keep planning for my classes.  My first class has 9 out of 15 students, my next class has 20 out of 20, and my evening class only has 2 out of 20--I'm sincerely hoping there are some more evening students who decide, "Hey, I need to learn to write better.  How 'bout I take this one?"  I've also emailed my daughters' school about subbing to make a little extra $$ if possible. --Even if it doesn't pay that much, there's no extra gas involved and I'd get to be where my girls are all day long.  I'll also volunteer for field trips, class parties, etc.  I'm really looking forward to the school year because I finally feel like I've arrived at a place instead of continually journeying onward to where I want to be someday.  I've been in school for longer than I care to admit, and to finally be done, well, let's just say I'll be relieved.  I know life is a journey and we are to continually better ourselves, but at this point, I don't see myself getting a PhD, so my college journey is over, except for an occassional class I may take now and then.  Perhaps a knitting class?  heehee.

I've been doing extra schoolwork with the girls over the summer to get them in shape for school.  It's actually been a lot easier than when I was trying to homeschool--I think I'm a little more relaxed, and Snugglebug makes funny voices when she doesn't know how to do something instead of crying hysterically like her sister did.  So, if/when we homeschool in the future, I might not be quite as downtrodden each day!  Snugglebug didn't even know 1/2 of the alphabet during her K eval in June, but I've gotten her to read words and sentences over the past few days--woohoo!

Another milestone--Lovely can finally swim pretty far without her lifevest--another yay!  What milestones have you passed lately?