Dietary Changes, etc.

So this is what I'm trying first.  I bought it at Rainbow Blossom, where I was told I can return it within 60 days if it doesn't work.  Ok, this is Step #1. 

Step #2:  Cutting out red dyes/artificial colors.  This is a slow process because I just can't throw everything out of our house that has has artificial colors.  I also still need to research more foods that I can buy without them. 

Step #3:  Calm time before bed.  Earlier bedtime. 

Lovely already had limited dairy due to other digestive issues, so I haven't really changed this aspect of her diet.  Really, I do wonder if some of it is just emotional, such as not wanting people to "look" at her (which she's always had issues with), and thus she is zoning out during school.  However, she still enjoys parts of school, such as playing with her friends and art, music, P.E., Spanish, etc., during which she's totally there.  Perhaps she is just getting bored--who knows.  All I know is that homeschooling was next to impossible with her and I decided I didn't want to foster the type of relationship where I was mad and yelled all the time and she was stubborn or crying all the time.  Therefore, she's going to school for now, and we'll see how long it fits for us.  She's still getting excellent grades; she just doesn't volunteer in class (I'd be a hypocrite if I got too mad at her for not volunteering since I never did until college).  I am a little confused, however, because I've heard her read compared to other kids who are supposedly in more advanced reading groups, and oft times, she reads more fluently.  Maybe I'm just seeing what I want to see.  Time will tell. 

In other news, Snugglebug was given the option of retesting for her 10-word colors spelling test (keep in mind, she's in Kindergarten and she had the following words:  blue, orange, red, brown, black, white, yellow, purple, pink, and green).  Some of the words are easy, but some are pretty difficult for this age.  Anyway, I told her she got a B- on the spelling test, and I asked her if she wanted to retake it.  Her response:  "Ummmm.  B- is close to an A."  Way to go, my little overachiever! 

Happenings

So what we all hear about happening happened.  I've been talking back and forth to Lovely's teacher because Lovely:

• Is always the last to finish her school work, and is therefore always working during snack break, etc. (I remember this problem when we homeschooled.)
• Is always tired in class, and tries to put her head down.
• Often doesn't even know the question being asked, let alone the answer.
• Has no clue how to do a process that they've been doing all year in school.

In addition, she:

• Will stare directly at you and not hear/understand a word you are saying.
• Is easily distracted.  

Her grades are pretty good, but she does have some anxiety for tests (who doesn't?).  Her teacher suggested I take her to the doctor to see if something is making her extremely tired.  Her teacher is a good teacher, and she is in a very good class.  They do fun projects in school all the time, so it's not a boring environment (I've subbed it). 

We walked in, in two minutes I was told it could be ADHD, and I was asked if I'd like some medication.  I told him I hadn't explored my alternatives and he said, "There are no alternatives."  What?!!  Not only that, but I was told most places that test for ADHD don't accept our insurance, and those that do just let you walk in, say your child has it, and then you walk out.  What?!!  Seriously? 

So anyway, I had already thought it could be ADD inattentiveness (b/c of the trials I had homeschooling her and her current behavior), but I'm just not ready to medicate my child without more research and looking into all alternatives--and yes, there are alternatives.  More to come...I just had to put my thoughts in order for now!

Time, Time, Time

I just realized I haven't posted in a while.  I've had these perfect pictures in my head to match all that's been going on in my life, but the problem is I keep forgetting to take these pictures.  Thus, my words will have to do as record. 

First, Lovely finally lost her first tooth.  She was super excited and refused to take it out at home--she wanted to take it out at school so everyone could see and so she could bring it home in a little container.  This happened Feb. 2 and it was one of her bottom teeth.  You may say this is rather late for a seven yr old to lose her first tooth, but I recently found out I still have one of my baby teeth (Lovely cringed when I told her this and refused to believe me).  Let's just say my teeth were/are slow to leave, and I hope they stay that way! 

We also worked on a desert habitat for Lovely.  It turned out really cool, with background pics from AZ.  In addition, we celebrated 100 Days of School, so I volunteered to help do centers in Lovely's class.  Word to the wise:  when building towers out of 100 cups, use regular, drink-size cups instead of those little snack cups.  Just sayin'. 

Next, I visited Build-a-Bear with Snugglebug, and realized I couldn't ever work here.  We apparently entered Barney land unbeknownst to me.  "Rub your bears' hearts, boys and girls, so they're filled with love.  Now touch your muscles with them, boys and girls, so your bears are big and strong.  Now, touch your heads with them, boys and girls, so your bears and smart.  Now touch your legs with them, boys and girls, so your bears can run fast in your dreams, etc., etc., etc."  And each and every one of those kids are special, dontcha know.  Then, we had to listen to 22 choruses of "Stuff your bear (insert child's name), stuff your bear.  Stuff, stuff, stuff your bear (insert name again), stuff your bear."  However, it was a cute field trip and after the bake sale (which I helped out with and we raised $420 in 2 days!!!), the trip w/ the bear only cost $3/student.  Then, I made Snugglebug work to earn money for clothes.  She chose a bride outfit.  What am I going to do with her?! 

To top off everything, S has been sick.  Like, willing to go to the doctor sick.  He's NEVER like that.  So, he had strep and got a Z-pac, only to find he's one of those rare cases of people who has extreme stomach pain, etc. from taking it.  He finished the dosage, but he hasn't eaten or slept right in a few days now.  Let's see if I get him to the doctor ever again....

Hope your February has been all that and a bag of chips.  Yes, I just said "bag of chips."  What am I, getting old and corny?  Maybe...

2011 Teach Gift: Yummy Hand Scrub

I would LOVE to take credit for this easy, simply yummy smelling hand scrub, but alas, I found the idea here.  After racking my brain, I could not come up with a decent gift for my daughters' teachers and (since I've subbed there a lot lately), the aides.  And then I found this.  Can everyone say ahhhhhh. (I realize that is a question, but a question mark displays a bit of anxiety, so I chose to use a period because it's a done deal of relaxation.)

First, I ran to Walmart and scoured the aisles for glass containers.  I finally found some for $1.95.  Next, I bought some sugar, some ribbon, some 3D stickers, and Dawn Hand-Renewal dish soap (which I happen to use anyway.)  The recipe called for mulling spices, but because I am ignorant in the spice department, I rejected this ingredient (especially after I called my mom and her only answer was to "google it."  I know what they are now, but I'm still rejecting them.  I'm suborn like that.) Sooo....

I poured some white sugar into the containers:

And then I dumped the sugar into a mixing bowl and added the dish soap until it seemed like a consistent gooey mess.  Mix well. Then, because I rejected the mulling spices, I opted for peppermint because who doesn't like peppermint during the holidays?  I thought I was being all original 'n stuff, but then I found an alternate "gardener's hand scrub" on a link from that website.  It used peppermint.  Go figure. 

I managed to pour most of the concoction in the jars...

And then I decorated them all pretty-like.

I added tags that said "(insert girl's name) Hand Scrub.  Made with sugar, spice and other things nice." And then Lovely proceeded to tell everyone they are candles. hmph.

For the main teachers, I placed each in a cute holiday bag, along with an eye mask, a mesh sponge in their favorite colors, and an old-fashioned ribbon bookmark with a pretty charm on it and my daughters' names with the year in puff paint.  I added a card last, and wrote a cute (and likely corny) poem that listed the various objects in the bag. 

Now, can I do the same thing next year if they are still in charter school?

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?

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 :)

Weekly Happenings

Hello.  It's nice to see you again.  My last post was meant to help and show the craftier side of me, but at the same time, it seemed so much more impersonal than some of my other posts.  So, today I get a little personal (but not too much!). 

Yesterday, I finally dropped off my culminating project for my MA degree.  I handed it over and was told, "Congratulations."  I had no idea such a small word would make such a huge emotional impact.  I replied, "Thank you.  Thank you very much," (minus the Elvis tone), turned around, and walked out the door, all the while with eyes misting up.  Walking out of that office reminded me of all the struggles I've been through (personally, financially, academically, spiritually), all the work I've done, all the insurmountable stress I was under...for years.  I've dealt with feelings of guilt from leaving my girls and leaving the house a mess, and regret for not getting finished with school earlier.  However, everything has its time and its season.  I know. 

I've been a wife, a mother, a part-time (and full-time) worker, a full-time student, my husband's business assistant, a Christian, and now I can't believe I'm finished juggling grad school.  Graduate school was a hundred times harder than undergrad--perhaps because I was older, perhaps because my children were older--but I sincerely believe the work required was also much more demanding.  I still have a conversation with my readers next Friday regarding my CP, but I believe all will be well.  Then, it will really be over.  I have no idea if I'll stay dry-eyed when I pick up my degree; I'm not an overtly sappy person normally.  Sure, I bawl at the occassional movie or book (I think I was the only crier in the class when we read Uncle Tom's Cabin), but I tend to keep my emotions underwraps unless I'm in the comfort of my own home (which is where I read Uncle Tom's Cabin).

And now I must plan for my classes.  I already have a "suggested" assignment in my teacher's manual that I completely disagree with, so I'll have to scout out a replacement.  I'm wondering how my class will like me.  I'm wondering how differently I'll teach now that I know more about teaching writing.  Let the new adventure begin.

Skipping Out

Yikes!  Sorry for skipping out on you all!  I didn't realize it has been that long since I've last posted.

I'm procrastinating right now, just a little more, before I begin working on my culminating project once again.  It's due August 1 to the actual readers, so I'm getting quite worried about it.  I have all sorts of crazy thoughts running through my mind right now, about how I need to finish, but how I might not really want to work anyway--but I think that's just a self-defense reaction due to my nervousness about teaching new students.  I'm always nervous when I start teaching a new class, but I love the feeling I get when I have a good session/class--when participation is high, I feel like I've driven points home, and I've actually contributed to the world by helping others and by being an example. 

Honestly, my CP is driving me nuts.  I haven't been able to sleep (I normally sleep like a rock), but I've been up every hour or so during the last week at night.  Not to mention the wombats doing cartwheels in my stomach--thud, thud, thud!  The problem is, as soon as this is over, I have to start planning the three classes I'm teaching this fall!  I want to get that out of the way as well because I'm a perfectionist.  I literally plan out every 10 minutes of class in a typed lesson-plan that is way more detailed than any others I've seen.  I know it will all be all right, I have faith, but I'm still feeling a bit rattled! 

Meanwhile, my house is a disaster, I feel like I need to go through/get rid of so much STUFF, and I would love to move to where I have no neighbors...but I must put all those thoughts on the back burner for now!

Ok, I'll be sane soon....maybe...meanwhile, enjoy your summer!  I've already begun buying school supplies and can't believe how fast time is flying!

Lovely's Last Day of Kindergarten

The above pic was taken in my bargain Strausburg dress from Dillards...but I seriously think the kid makes the dress ;-)

Above is the first day of Kindergarten.  That same skirt is now way above her knees.  I'm claiming it's dryer shrinkage, 'cause my girl isn't growing THAT quickly...right?

This is the last day of Kindergarten.  She is turning into such a little lady (even though she may not sit like one).  Overall, I've been extremely happy with her school.  Her teacher is probably the best teacher I've ever seen (and I used to substitute teach); Lovely knows so much more than when I enrolled her, even though I had already gone through Abeka Kindergarten with her. 

Lovely opened her envelope packet (for summer work) after school on Monday, breathed a heavy sigh of relief, and exclaimed, "Yeesss!  I get to go to 1st grade!" (Her teacher had told the class that if the packet was yellow, they had to stay in Kindergarten.  If it was green, they could move to 1st grade.)  So....yay! to neon-green summer work packets! First grade, here we come!!  And...um...Kindergarten all over again since Snugglebug will be in it!

Almost There

Whew!  One paper DOWN!  Over 4,000 words, that is!  I don't remember working so hard on a paper--seriously!  I put off looking at my instructor's comments, only to find he hardly made any--and what he mentioned didn't seem very difficult to fix...maybe I'm missing something? 

So, in order to receive my credits for classes this semester, I only have a conference proposal to tweak and another HUGE paper to finish.  As you can see, I'm procrastinating.  It's my thing.  Don't judge. 

On another note, the holiday season has finally arrived and I'm going to have to face it:  Christmas is coming.  I have the presents bought for the girls, the present bought for myself, and the present bought for Hubby.  Only four presents to go, and I'll be home free.  I think I may put up our small Christmas tree, too, and decorate a little around here.  After I clean, that is.

I know--such exciting news.  I'm really just procrastinating.  I already told you:  don't judge. 

A New Direction

Pictures are to come, but I haven't had time to wash dishes let alone edit pics, so you'll have to wait.

First, thank you for all the homeschool support everyone has offered me.  I'm going to direct most of my new posts to this blog from now on, though, because we have just stopped homeschooling this year (mostly), and so I don't want to use my homeschooling blog right now.  We will be praying about resuming again next year, so let me explain why:

I was extremely stressed about all I was about to take on, and reality hit me that I was so stressed that I wasn't helping Lovely learn anything, or at least not much.  I didn't want to cause her to cry (or let's face it, myself), so I began to pray.  The charter school I submitted an application to was filled for 1st grade, but I continued thinking about it and reading up on them. They follow a 40 D list of character development traits, so they are very strict on teaching children to think of others first, etc.  No profanity, they wear cute uniforms, they make parents promise to be involved...all things I was looking for.  I was worried about mean kids (from my own experience), so I believed these school goals would cut down on that. 

Anyway, I found out my husband's cousin had to remove her twins from Kindergarten because she couldn't get her son in the same school.  That left two spots open.  I began to question whether or not it would be better for Lovely to have learning reenforced while allowing her more time to develop as a social little person.  I had started her in school early, afterall.  With as timid/shy as she acted, I was a little worried she might have a slight case of Asberger's (sp) syndrome, but I kept pushing thoughts like that out of my mind. 

I called the school and low and behold, there was ONE spot left.  I took her to the school and enrolled her that day, knowing that after talking with Hubby, if we changed our minds, I could simply call and not drop off the final paperwork Tues.  However, Lovely begged to go to school...literally begged.  The child who was scared of anyone under the age of 15 begged to go to school!  I bought her uniform (one skirt to last the year at that price!), her backpack, and supplies, and got her ready for the next morning.

I had to go to work the day she started, but I called and asked how her day went.  "Mommy, I love school!  I made two friends, but I can't remember their names.  I learned to count backwards, too--10, 9, 8...," was her response.  Wow!  Oh, and that night she showed me how to make a proper B--apparently I hadn't been strict enough when teaching her! lol  So why is it it took 2 yrs to learn to count w/o skipping numbers, but 1 day to count backwards perfectly?! 

Her second day went pretty well, too, although she didn't like a game they played, but we can't love everything, can we?  She painted a turtle and petted a real one, and she gets recess with other grade levels, so she's still exposed to various ages/learning development, which I like.

School/work for me should end in May, so we'll reexamine everything around then. 

Well, that's all for now...

To Master or Not to Master...

I had all but given up on getting my MA in English. I had decided a little while ago to drop the classes I am scheduled to take this fall because I didn't want to go into more debt, and I just wanted to be mommy for a change. Then I get an email out of the blue.

I had applied for a graduate teaching assistant position last January and thought, "If I'm supposed to be in school next year, I'll get it." Positions came and went without a call to me, so I thought I must not be meant for that job. Then, I got an email two days ago, asking if I was still interested because they want to make me an offer. I said yes and asked for the details, knowing I would have to discuss with hubby first and pray on it. Here's the 'good' gist:

• 20 hrs/wk, probably working in the Writing Center
• Up to 24 credit hours of tuition PAID
• Health insurance for me PAID
• Stipend PAID (which alone is more than I made slaving the ENTIRE YEAR at BMC last year)
• I could be finished by next May
• Great for a resume and I could then apply to just about any college to teach (including online universities, etc. so I could work from home), not to mention I could say the name of where I worked and people would know where I was talking about.
• More experience
• Bills could be paid
• Improvements could be made to the house so we can put this baby up for sale next spring/summer
• I'd be working mostly during hubby's slow season

'Bad' gist:

• 20 hrs/wk away from my fam
• I must take 3 classes at a time--more time away from fam
• Stress
• MUCH harder to homeschool (I would have to start now and go through part of next summer, which is doable)
• No freedom to just work on projects (like the aprons and necklace I'm making now)
• Say good-bye to a clean house

I have to decide and get the contract back to them by May 22nd. Pray for me!

30 Day Challenge...Check!

I finished the 30 Day Challenge on the Wii Active last night! Yeah! Did I lose a single pound? Of course not! But did I gain a single pound? I hope not! (I haven't had the nerve to check since we ate out yesterday.) S made breakfast yesterday afternoon, which is certainly not the healthiest for me. I need to just say no, but then I'm afraid of hurting feelings....sigh. We ate Mexican for dinner, but I had 1.5 bean burritos (the serving came with 2 burritos), so I at least avoided the cheese enchiladas I normally consume. My youngest daughter robbed me of 1/2 of one, but I was thankful.

I checked out the WW site last night, but after checking meeting times and costs, it just won't work for me. Yes, you got it--I'm too cheap to pay $10/week and I like sleeping in on the ONE day per week I get to sleep in--Saturday. So, I'm back at trying to figure this weight thing out myself. Maybe if I had to post my weight on here for everyone to see? hahahahahaha Yeaaaa right! That's not going to happen!

On the school front, I believe I have decided to forgo school this summer, sign up for classes this fall, and see if I have money for them by then. That way, we can work on our house and I can concentrate on the things in life I really love and enjoy, instead of what some teacher believes I need to learn for my own good. Wow, I think I'm growing up!

Scheduling My "To-Do" List

Ahhhh, the infamous To-Do List, how you haunt me so! I just worked on my weekly schedule, hoping to see where I have free time. According to the schedule, there are quite a few openings this week. Too bad reality does not reflect this! I'm on spring break this week, so at least I don't have to go to class, but because we are off the following week as well due to my instructor cancelling class, I have a huge amount of reading to get done, along with writing a book review on a book about writing creative non-fiction--oh the joy! I have seriously lost interest in school at this point, and I just don't feel its benefits, so I'm leaning toward taking the summer off and seeing if any interest creeps back by next fall. As of now, I have my doubts. I had planned on getting my MA in English so I would be able to teach. Unfortunately, I've learned how unresponsive students can be to writing, not to mention reading, and how unbelievably mean they can be at times. Don't get me wrong--I've had lots of students who have told me how much they loved having me as a teacher, and I was brought to tears by one student who claims I was her favorite, most inspirational teacher. However, when you have a class of 40-some students, a month to teach composition in four-hour blocks of time two days a week and meeting online one day a week, you just get burnt out. I loved teaching and helping those who loved to learn, but once class size became so overwhelming that I dreaded reading their papers, I knew I wasn't giving it my best, and I firmly believe you shouldn't do anything unless you are going to do your best.

I digress.

This week, we'll be on starting on day 143 for DD1's school, so I'm excited to almost be finished. I'm even more excited for the upcoming homeschool convention so I can browse the other curricula available, and learn at workshops and sessions of which I'm actually interested in the subject matter. I plan on revamping my daughter's schooling so we can both be enthused more often than not about learning.

As for weight loss, I have avoided the scales the past few days. No, I haven't eaten perfectly, but I've tried to watch it more than not. I've planned out WW meals for this week, and I'm still following the exercise schedule, along with improvised walks when I can do so. I'm also going to turn into a mad cleaning fiend this week--I'm tired of the mess! It would help so much to have more space so everything could have a place! Wish me luck....no, just pray for me :)