Teacher High

I think I got a teacher high...somewhat equivalent to the "runner high." I used to get those highs when I taught aerobics...and I'm not quite euphoric like I would get teaching aerobics....(maybe I just wasn't circulating enough to my brain...) Anyways...I hit a sweet spot where I really enjoyed what I was doing today. It didn't feel like work at all!.....I even had a student get a bit attitudy with me and it still didn't shake me down.....hmmm...maybe this teaching thing is what I need to be doing...and I had a pleasant "yes!" sent to me today.

My student started asking me medications randomly from the book and said, do you know what this is? and then said, THERE how do you feel when I ask you those questions?

Wow! Not in anyway have I been asking questions to intimidate my students...and I guess I went through a phase as a new nurse when I didn't know meds and felt like a dork when my patients asked me what they were....maybe I just don't want my students looking like idiots out in the work field........if she still gives me attitude, we'll have a nice talk....but hopefully she's done venting her frustration on me.

Family Outing

Happy Birthday Paul!

We met each other at Texas Roadhouse.....now usually going out to eat is a fun experience but with a two year old, it is hit and miss.....and this was a HUGE MISS! On the Pleasant scale of 0-10, 10 being very pleasant....I think we can rate it a 2.......First we had to put out C-man's fire before ever getting to the restaurant.....he was having fit and decided to be disrespectful...so after much talking and almost pulling him from the festivities, he straightened up.........then everything was okay until we got our appetizer...that's when Miss-o decided she was finished eating and wanted to go home.....we took our share of taking her out to different places......and then after much screaming and restlessness....grandma (bless her heart) took C-man and O back to the house with her to finish the Birthday Cake.... Our party went from 9 down to 6 and then 4 for awhile when Little Bear needed some down time too.

We were afraid they were going to sit people at our table to kick us out of there...for that is what they told us they were doing to another party when we came in at first.....HELLO!? What kind of customer service is THAT?!?!? I wasn't too impressed with the initial seating....by the time we were ready to almost leave, the table had been cleared and we had a table for all of us.

Then the second thing I wasn't impressed with was the LOUD music....probably didn't help with the kids....(a lot of stimulation)......I've decided I'm getting old and don't want to experience that ever again......I used to love the restaurant in the other city I lived in...but not impressed with the one here.......

Well, everyone turned their moods around and overcome the restaurant experience and helped Daddy have a good time opening his presents and eating Heath Bar Cake. aka...Better than Sex Cake.
One of the fun games was aim and throw the balls at Uncle Chris!
Here's Miss-O laying back and loving the fun! She didn't mind Little Bear crawling all over her....

Weekend Retreat

Paul planned goose hunting with Brent this past weekend...and by the middle of last week, we decided to make it a family deal. So the kids, Paul, and I headed up North to hang out at the farm. Saturday, the kids and I played outside and then when it got too warm, we occupied ourselves indoors. Grandma and Grandpa went to the football game and Paul woke up at 0300am (without his alarm) and came back in the afternoon with goose meat! We're looking forward to eating our first goose......

We spotted a Praying Mantis on the Machine Shed...this is the first I've ever since this kind of bug on the farm....we have seen a Posse' of Praying Mantis' in the southern parts of the state.....I guess we need all the prayers we can get....
O loved Grandma and Grandpa's kitty cat; "Snowball." For some reason she thought the cat liked rocks and tried to feed it rocks...it didn't like that so much.....but it did like all the head rubs and back pats. C-man was excited to continue practicing basketball at the farm.......here he is mastering the dribbling....He and O also loved their 4-wheeler rides from Daddy...
When it got too warm, we took it inside and the kids played and played and entertained themselves with the toys.......

I was excited to sleep in a bit...I was feeling yucky from the Flu-mist that I received last Tues.....I really don't recommend this vaccination (it has live virus in it and a person can feel yucky up to a week..yep, that's what happened.) I will get the shot next year!

Sunday was a nice day, spending some time with Grandma and Grandpa.......then after lunch and a last four-wheeler ride, we were heading back home to go out for Paul's Birthday Dinner.

Before going home, Grandma stocked us up with fresh farm Zuchini and Acorn Squash! YUM!

Strike three!

Three different opportunities now to get O's picture at Preschool...and I finally brought my camera but forgot the memory card was still in the computer!!! So there was supposed to be a picture of O playing basketball with her friends......so you'll have to use some imagination this time.

Anyways, it was porridge day....fun play, crafts, played balls, ran around, did the Dinosaur March and Ring a round the Rosie, sang Happy Birthday two times and said thank you for the birthday treats. Good times with the gang!

SO, hopefully next time I'll remember the camera...it's Fire Truck Day next week.


BTW, Ultrasound of the pelvis is normal.....so now we wait for a date.

Birthday, B-ball, & Bedtime!

Here's a recent picture of Miss O in her nightgown that Great Grandma Donna made her. She looks so cute in it...she reminds me of Laura Ingalls Wilder......She seems so grown up when she wears her nighty. She's been entertaining us with her songs. She says, "I sing you a song....ROW ROW ROW ROW ROW ROW BOAT MERRY UP STREAM" or "HAPPY NOSE IT CLAP YOUR HANDS" or "RINGA ROSIE RINGA ROSIE" or the one that we just sang on Monday....

"HAPPY TO YOU, HAPPY TO YOU" to Daddy

Happy Birthday! Daddy is now officially in the 30 yr old bracket.....instead of a cake, we stuck a candle in his humongous steak and sang happy birthday to him...the kids got a kick out of that....then we did go to Maggie Moo's for ice-cream.
Gifts of warmth & light....
Tuesday nights, C-man attends Rookies through the Parks and Rec. Every week, he gets to try out a new sport. This week was Basketball. He's got some natural skills. Dribbles with the left hand and handled the ball well......he didn't run all over the gym for the ball like some of the kids which was so cute and comical. Here he is doing a passing drill with one of his coaches.
Here he is practicing his form in shooting the basket. He was so close so many times, the coaches even gave him a smaller ball, and just couldn't get it in the hoop...but he never got frustrated was determined to do it and then ran out of time.....now I was excited to watch the kids work out and run off their energy....I just kept giggling the whole time......There are about 20 kids and when one does something, they all do it....just like a domino effect.....I was impressed how C-man listened very well (better than he does at home) he followed directions very well (again, better than he does at home) when we got home, he fell asleep in mid-sentence...we like Rookies night!

Baby Jackie Day!

On Sunday, Jolyn, John, and baby Jackie came to visit. (they were rounding on friends and family in the surrounding area) We were very fortunate to have them go to church with us and then get a bite to eat. We hadn't seen Jackie since she was a few days old, so it was so great to get my hands on her. She is the most loveable and huggable baby ever. Very smiley and has this great spirit and energy about her that just makes you smile and grin when you see her....she really smiles with her whole body...I just love it when babies do that! It was also nice to talk with Jolyn and John....they are very proud parents and you can tell they are totally in love with Jackie! Hopefully, we didn't scare them too badly with our 2 year old! Hopefully miss O didn't provide any bad influence to Jackie as she didn't want to share her toys very much with Jackie.....however when it was time to go she gave her a kiss and said "Luvoo"


Below is C-man holding Jackie....he loves babies and they love him....he looks pretty proud to be holding her! She looks pretty comfy in his arms as well.
Here's Jackie getting free entertainment from C-man and O, they were jumping up and down at the table and making her smile and bounce....she really enjoyed them.....this is about the only time that O interacted nicely with Jackie, otherwise she was stating "MINE" to her....in which Jackie was much oblivious to what O meant by that....she just smiled anyways...
Miss O hasn't been the greatest toddler to take out to eat lately...she likes to eat a bite and then say she's all done, she doesn't like to sit still and would rather be on the move.....well, this time when we ate out with the Kennedy family....it wasn't any different......She had to be taken out twice and conversed with.......she did finally eat after Daddy talked with her and then she was rewarded by going out to play in the playground........then, on our way home she entered the land of nod........

Friend Survey

What time is it
2057

What are you most afraid of
something awful happening to the kids

What is the most recent movie that you have seen
The Ultimate Gift

Favorite food
My Mom's

What's your natural hair color
dark blonde with grey streaks

Ever been a Neat Freak
Yes, before kids now I just can't catch up.

Ever been skinny dipping
Yes

Love someone so much it made you cry
Yes

Been in a car accident
No

Croutons or bacon bits
Croutons (or crustaceans are what I called them as a child)

Favorite day of the week
I still like Thursdays

Favorite restaurant
Bennigan's

Favorite Flower
I love any flower.....favorite of them all are red roses

Favorite sport to watch

C-man playing basketball last night

Favorite drink
I was on a diet coke kick now it's back to iced tea

Favorite ice cream
Maggie Moo's Udder Cream or Cheesecake with graham crackers mixed in...

Warner Brothers/Disney
Disney

Ever been on a ship
yes, but it wasn't moving...U.S.S Missouri???? it was in Hawaii

What color is your bedroom carpet
hardwood floors

How many times did you fail your driver's test
Zero

Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail
Kindergarten Teacher with her newsletter

What do you do when you are bored
No time to be bored with a 2 yr old and a 5 yr old.....if I'm bored I'm usually making lists or blogging.

Bedtime
varies from 10pm to 1am

Favorite TV shows
Ellen, Oprah, Gray's Anatomy

Last person you went to dinner with
my husband and kids

Park or Zoo
Both

What are your favorite colors
blues, Coral, sage green

How many tattoos do you have
Zero

How many pets do you have
1, black lab

Which came first, the chicken or the egg
chicken...God created 2 of every animal ( I really liked this response from my sister)

What do you want to do before you die?
Live, laugh, and love

Have you ever been to Hawaii
yes

Have you been to countries outside the U.S.
No

Time this survey ended
2112 pm

Gone Fishin'

Grandpa's Big Catch
Look at Daddy's Big Bass! 3.75 lbs! There are some proud fishers of men there!
The guys did the catching and Uncle Paul did the frying...
First night's catch: 2 Northern Pike
The Biggest Catch of them all! Looks like Fred will be having the annual fish fry this year! A 10lb Northern Pike!
It wasn't so much the quantity of the fish this year but the quality!
Fog lifting off the lake.
Rob sittin' back and relaxing and waiting for a bite....

Update on Miss O

Okay, so I haven't had time to get on the blog....been busy correcting papers, going to dr. appt., and sharing the laptop with Lover....he's been making shutterfly scrapbooks of his trip and our Lake trip.....only if I could talk him into doing my scrapbooking off-line....I'd have it made.


So, She has an ultrasound of her pelvis tomorrow morning...make sure she is structurally okay.
Then, within the month she will have surgery...nothing major...just an outpt. under general anesthesia.....get it done and over with and she won't remember she even had it....;not going to affect potty-training because we're not training for another 6months-year from now....so it's all good.

It's harder on Mommy then it is on her....but we'll make it just fine.....


Coming soon........................Paul's trip
Our Baby Jackie Day
C-man's first day of Rookies

Today is the DAY!

C-man made a countdown of how many days until Dad was coming back and today is the day he returns! It has been a long week for C-man and me. I don't think Miss O knew what was all happening...she did know "Daddy fishin." So here is C-man's picture of Dad fishing and the number of days that were crossed off....please note that I finished the sentence on the page......




This morning O went to school and learned about the story of the Little Red Hen....she liked the craft and didn't even mind getting her hand painted with red paint. Such a cute little hand print! Then Ms. Michelle brought in a surprise! It was her pet red hen named Ruby....Mommy petted Ruby but O just wanted to leave the room......

• Well, the week is over and now when Daddy comes home, we have to think about buying a new washing machine since our circuit panel is shot and will take about $400 to fix it........

• Then we have to tell him the news that Miss O will be seeing a Surgeon Monday morning to verify if she indeed has the suspicious dx the Pediatricians think she has and to see when a good time surgery would be, if she needs it.........Developmentally, I'm hoping for a later time in her life when we can talk to her about it and she can understand it and sometime that won't affect her potty-training.....just trying to think about her psycho-social aspect, as well as her physical aspect of the whole ordeal.

• Then maybe I'll have free time to correct the papers that were submitted to me, the students are probably anxiously awaiting their grades....

• Some of my friends and co-workers believe I should leave for a week's vacation. Someone mentioned I should go to Vegas, or at least say that I'm going, but hang out at a hotel for a week.....hmmmmmm.....tempting! I could get a lot of scrap booking, crocheting and reading done...but honestly, I would miss my munchkins and probably couldn't handle a whole week without them....maybe start with a nice weekend and work myself up for a week! I can't afford a week off since I took one off for Paul. I need to work to get some money for Christmas!!!

• Just got an email joking about how Christmas is going to suck this year with the economy...hope everyone likes hand-made presents....a noodle bracelet anyone? crochet scarfs for everyone!!!
• It's not the presents that count anyway, it's everyone's presence and the celebration of Jesus......

• Last note, Mommy will be glad Daddy is home so she can have adult conversations and not jabber on the blog randomly!

Yep, insane indeedy!

Through all the commotion, I forgot to go to my meeting yesterday at 6pm re: the fall fun night games......just couldn't smash enough into my night......at least work went nice and smooth.

we slept in this morning.....

today I heard, "Mom, when are we going to school?" "Mom, is it time to go to school, yet?"

awww, sweet music to my ears!

Got some fall gardening completed this am, while O loved playing in the dirt, on the playground and sand box......now that I've started something, gotta remember to finish it. I replanted my peonies....hope they survive their travels and new move. Do I water them after transplanting??????????

I'm INSANE!

Don't know why but I decided to schedule myself to work tonight 7-11....I've been up since 5am.....had a day with students and taking care of 10 pt.s and now I'm trying to remedy my headache before going back in to the hospital.....note to self...must be nicer to self!

C-man voiced that he is proud of himself going into school all by himself= SCORE!

and it's not tealarky....it is thelarche.....similar to menarche (girls we know all about this one don't we?)
alright....going to hope and pray for a smooth night and awaiting the bed anxiously!

Stats and other Stuff

We survived church yesterday, well at least we didn't get kicked out....glad we were in a forgiving environment.

Today, C-man went into the school building all by himself. I stayed at the sidewalk with O and her stroller and told him to have a good day, that I loved him and was proud of him. He went back to me two different times and then when the Kindergarten line was going, he followed in.....we'll see how it all went after school.

O went to the Dr.'s office and was good until she saw the room with the mirror and instantly her switch went on and remembered she didn't like it so much. She got her finger stuck for hgb and lead....not sure if we had enough blood, she had some pretty cold fingers. Her exam was in the Dr.'s office so she could watch his fish.....it helped a little..but she just wanted to go home. Two Dr.'s checked out her little abnormality and he's going to keep us in the network of other doctors who do surgery on the imperforated hymen. He mentioned that she has tealarky???? and basically suggested that if anything else didn't develop prematurely that this was fine and normal....yes, I figured so since I was the same way........she will be wearing a bra going into Kindergarten and I'm going to be the first to design them in sizes 2T and above!!!!! On the way home, she zonked out....it was a good 40 minutes of constant crying....I would too! Poor baby......I hate that she has to go through all that. Next year no shots or finger pokes!!!!

Stats: Weight 24.12lbs (25%)
Height 33.75inchest (50%)
Head 18.5cm (25%) I don't think her head has grown since she was like 6months old........


this is what it says about 2 year olds>

• constant motion (check)
• likes to help (check)
• growing vocabulary (check)
• learning order (check)
• self-centered behavior (double check)
• independence struggles (double check)
• small appetite (check)
• toilet training (not yet....I'm going to let her sit on the potty when we do with her clothes on and then she asks for poopy paper and pretends to wipe her bottom with it.......once in a while she will declare if she has gone poop or potty in her pants.....so a few signs....but I'm not pushing this one....it'll happen)

well, that's our Monday for you and it isn't even noon!

GOOD TALK

C-MAN AND I HAD A NICE TALK LAST NIGHT ABOUT SCHOOL. I THINK WE MANAGED TO TALK FOR AN HOUR OR SO....HE WANTED ME TO ASK HIM MORE ABOUT SCHOOL.....SO WE GOT A LOT OUT IN THE OPEN. LIKE HE CRIES BECAUSE HE MISSES HIS MOM AND DAD. HE HATES LUNCH BECAUSE HE'D RATHER EAT LUNCH AT HOME. DURING GYM HE THREW THE BALL AND HIT THE J-HAWK PAINTED ON THE WALL RIGHT IN THE "YOU KNOW WHAT!" WE LUAGHED AND LAUGHED AT THAT ONE.
HE DOESN'T LIKE QUIET TIME BECAUSE ONE TIME DURING QUIET TIME, THE TEACHER THOUGHT HE WAS TALKING AND HE WASN'T IT WAS TOM....AND HE DIDN'T LIKE THAT HE GOT BLAMED FOR SOMETHING HE DIDN'T DO..........HE JUST POURED OUT HIS LITTLE SOUL AND I THANKED HIM SO MUCH AND HOPED THAT WE COULD TALK LIKE THIS AGAIN.
I TOOK THIS TIME TO TALK ABOUT BEING BRAVE AND COURAGEOUS AND WALKING INTO SCHOOL ALL BY HIMSELF AND THAT HE WOULD FEEL SO PROUD OF HIMSELF. SO WE ARE STARTING TOMORROW SINCE I'LL HAVE THE STROLLER AND TOLD HIM I CAN'T BRING IT INTO SCHOOL.

WELL, THIS MORNING WE ARE GOING TO CHURCH BY OURSELVES......I THOUGHT THE CRY ROOM WILL BE A GOOD SPOT FOR US.....WISH US LUCK AND PRAY FOR US FOR MISS-O IS A HANDFUL AT CHURCH....BUT MOMMY NEEDS CHURCH TO GET THROUGH THE REST OF THIS WEEK.

Special Day

"Is this mine's?"
Already for Mom n Me Preschool
I think a round off with splits is something like this!
Oh, if every day could be my birthday!
I'm wishing and blowing hard for a great year of health and adventure!

Mommy's Jibber-Jabber

Whoa! Time really does go fast when you have kids in school! I really can't believe it is in the middle of September. C-man has had four weeks of school already!

Even though C-man still has trouble departing, it seems like he's getting quite a bit out of school. He enjoys talking about writer's workshop and what he writes and draws pictures of daily. He's really into helping mom and dad decide on cold lunches and bringing them to school. He likes to play with Deylin, Rowdy, and Luke at the playground. Tonight, we went to Applebee's and he wrote the whole alphabet in capital letters and he did it fluently and his letters sure have improved since this summer....He's really good about reminding me when it is gym or library day....It helps me out tremendously...he's been able to read some words from his books....so I'm not sure why he is crying when transitioning from home to school but he is.....I was told not to bring him into his room any more so I'm thinking that I will slowly back-up day by day until I say good-bye to him at the side-walk....that would be our goal...

We have an appointment with our Dr. on Monday so I may sneak a question about Kdg. separation anxiety while we're there for O's 2 year old appointment.

Speaking of which.....today was her first parent-and-me-preschool and it went well. She was quiet the whole time. She played well with the other boys and girls....there are 9 other kids in her class and 9 Mommies. It was a nice social time for the Mommies and kids! She did a craft and followed directions well. She ran out of the room when it was clean up time...but with Mommy coaxing, she did help pick up. We did circle time and said their names....she just looked very serious when the ball came to her.....as did the other kids...but our friend Preston said his name!
Miss O is probably the youngest of the class, but she meshes well and we signed her up for the next session! Big Room time was fun, she kicked a ball around but mostly watched the other kids go wild. We danced and marched at the end of class.......when we came home she was singing and marching and dancing....so I think she liked it! Kinda wish I did this with C-man when he was her age, he would have gotten a big kick out of it......We just meet every Friday for an hour and 45 min.

Clinical teaching has been refreshing this semester. I really enjoyed my first group and would loved to have kept them all semester through. I want to teach them so much but with only 3.5 days, there is only so much I can teach. It really is learning by experience and by the pt. that they are assigned to. The nurses really appreciate the help from the students and vice versa this year. I've never had a problem with the nurses or the unit that we've been on. The students are so excited to learn and do new things....they are nervous because they haven't had much pt. contact so it's my job to encourage them and help them become comfortable with the pt.'s, the floor, the skills, the meds, etc. I met the new group and I think we'll be just fine. I'll only have 2.5 days with them since I don't have child care next Wed. I corrected my first paper and it was the best I've seen in ages! These PNterm2 (translation: 2nd year LPN students) are handing in better papers than my ADNterm2 students last fall. (translation: Last year of the RN (ADN) program students) The students this semester really know how to demonstrate their critical thinking skills too! YEAH! Like I said very refreshing.......

I think I'm prepared to be a single parent this upcoming week....but I know I couldn't live without my lover, Paul, for more than a week.....he's getting some Man time in and goin' fishin' up north this next week. He deserves a break from work, his naggy wife, and the kids. So as he hunts and gathers for the Roberts' clan, I'll be home weaving, cooking, and keeping the fires burning......okay really I'll probably be taking C to school, playing with O, using paper plates or going out to eat so I don't have to do the dishes, washing clothes cycle by cycle since that is how our washer works, by manual knob turning FUN! Somehow I have to think of things that will make the week go fast.......I planned ahead and did the grocery shopping, the laundry is actually caught up, if I can remember to take the trash/recycle bin out on the appropriate day and upkeep the dishes I'll have the week down and will anxiously await my man's home-coming.

Well, enough Jibber-Jabber, I think I've said enough for the week.
More B-day pics & going to Pre-school pics will be posted tomorrow.

Q-T PIE

Miss O has something to jump about, today is her birthday and she is finally, officially 2! I really think she was jumping to Sesame Street or Barney here.
She woke up and found presents at her table place this morning and she .asks, "Is this mines?" She was surprised and enjoyed opening the presents with Big Brother's help
Miss-O's birthday outfit! She can't wait to hand it down to her cousins; Marin and Jackie! (hee-hee)

This is How We Roll!

Last night, C-man was in the mood of doing some bowling. We were going to see the Homecoming parade but it was just too soggy out for it. Since Daddy and I didn't have to work, we decided we'd eat an early dinner and go bowling. We all needed a mood lifter since this rain has been a downer. C-man also needed some cheering up and some family time.....he's been crying right before departure to school this past week......anyone experienced in Separation Anxiety....I'll take all the information that you have..........

C-man showing his form...

"less go bowwing!"

First time Miss-O gets to wear bowling shoes...they were a size too big, but they worked.

Scores:
Daddy: 118
Mommy: 86
C-man: 69
Miss-O:49


You'd think the adult scores would be higher since we used bumpers!

Happy Birthday 2 U!

We celebrated Miss O's Birthday early this year during labor day weekend.

She won't really turn 2 until this friday.

Getting seconds! "My do it myself!" a popular quote from the tot.
So pretty! Great Grandma Donna made her a nightgown!
Make a wish!

Enjoying her presents.
She wore the sunglasses and never took them off for the afternoon!
Thanks everyone for an enjoyable afternoon!
Thanks for all of her Birthday wishes!

Labor Day Weekend Camping

We love to go camping, but didn't have an opportunity until this past weekend. The kids absolutely love it! They love the outdoors and Paul and I love to relax. Here some pics of the past weekend:

Skipping (throwing) rocks in the lake.
C-man's self-portrait in sand.
It's all about the kids! Here they are in the morning warming by the campfire.
Tent sweet tent.
The kids' way of getting in and out of the tent.
Happy Camper #1
Happy Camper #2

Greetings!

Well, I had to dust off the computer keys....it's been awhile since my last blog.
Some things to look forward to soon:

Our camping trip
Olivia's Birthday party

Been a bit occupied with our new schedule. ie. school, clinicals, work, etc. but we survived the first week. 10 more weeks to go!